IL1 Gwinnett Stripers

R-Braves game notes

Published on April 7, 2005 under International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


TODAY'S GAME: Is the first of a four game series, and the 2005 International League season opener for both clubs. It is a re-match of the 2004 Governors' Cup Finals won by Buffalo three games to one. This is the first of eight meetings between these clubs and the first of four in Buffalo. The Braves were 4-4 vs. the Bisons in the regular season in 2004. Richmond went 3-1 at Dunn Tire Park last season. James Jurries hit .364 with three RBI vs. the Bisons last season. The Braves are 28-41 all-time vs. Buffalo. The Braves were 79-62 last season (won South by 3.5).

THE ROSTER: The Braves have 24 active players on their 2005 opening day roster. 23 of the 24 R-Braves saw action with Atlanta in spring training. There are seven returnees from 2004 plus Kelly Johnson who joined the Braves for the playoffs. Three Braves (Sam McConnell, Seth Greisinger, and Esix Snead) saw big league action last season. The roster includes five players making their regular season Triple-A debuts (Brayan Pena, Jason Bourgeois, Andy Marte, Tony Pena, and Kelly Johnson).

R-BRAVES SPRING: The R-Braves were 5-5-1 in preseason play. The Braves and Bisons met four times in Florida. Richmond was 2-1-1 vs. the Bisons in spring training.

OPENING DAY: The R-Braves open their 40th International League season today. This year's opening day lineup will not have a single holdover from the 2004 opening day lineup. Only two members of the 2004 opening day lineup are still in the Braves organization, both in Atlanta (Ryan Langerhans and Wilson Betemit). The Braves open at home Friday, April 15 vs. Louisville at 4 PM.

ON THE ROAD: The Braves open the season with eight straight road games vs. Northern Division opponents, four at Buffalo, then four at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Richmond was no stranger to the road last season. The Braves played 20 straight road games in August due to unplayable field conditions and played the entire Governors' Cup Finals on the road for the same reason. Counting last season's playoffs, by the time the Braves open at home next Friday they will have played 36 of 46 games on the road dating back to August 7 of last season.

MAKING THE BIG CLUB: 10 players who saw action in Richmond last season made major league opening day rosters in 2005: Pete Orr, Wilson Betemit, Ryan Langerhans, Roman Colon, Adam LaRoche, Horacio Ramirez (Atlanta); Nick Green (Tampa Bay); Charles Thomas (Oakland); Russell Branyan (Milwaukee); and Eli Marrero (Kansas City).

BRIGHT FUTURES: The R-Braves have three of Atlanta's top 10 prospects as ranked by Baseball America: #2 Andy Marte, #4 Kyle Davies, and # 8 Kelly Johnson. Marte is ranked ninth in Baseball America's overall top 100 list.

THE SKIPPER: Pat Kelly returns for his third year at the helm of the Braves. He piloted the Braves to the IL Southern Division title and a playoff series win over Columbus last season. Richmond was Baseball America's Triple-A Team of the Year. Kelly starts his 19th year overall as a manager today. He has 1,114 career wins. This is his seventh season overall managing in the International League and 10th overall in Triple-A.

Check out the Gwinnett Stripers Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



International League Stories from April 7, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central