IL1 Gwinnett Stripers

R-Braves game notes

Published on May 19, 2006 under International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


TONIGHT'S GAME: The fourth of a four game series and the seventh of 12 meetings, the fourth of six at The Diamond. The Braves are 4-2 vs. Clippers, 2-1 at home. Game eight of an eight game homestand (Richmond is 5-2). The Braves were 3-9 vs. the Clippers last season, 2-4 at The Diamond. This is the 15th of 48 games vs. West Division opponents (the Braves are 8-6), the eighth of 24 at home (Richmond is 5-2). Richmond was 18-30 vs. the West last season, 9-15 at home. The Braves are 340-385 vs. the Clippers all-time. The Braves are third in the South, 13 and a half games behind first place Charlotte. Columbus is third in the West, seven games behind Indianapolis.

LAST NIGHT'S GAME: The Braves beat the Clippers 7-0 Thursday at The Diamond. Scott Thorman smacked two home runs, including a grand slam and three Braves pitchers combined to blank the Clippers as Richmond beat Columbus for the second straight night. Richmond jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first on an RBI single by Dax Norris. Scott Thorman stretched the Braves lead to 3-0 with a two run homer in the third. Thorman drilled the Braves first grand slam since August of 2004 to blow the game open in the fourth. Meanwhile the Clippers did not advance a runner past second base. Horacio Ramirez pitched five scoreless innings to earn the win. Scott Mullen tossed three shutout innings and Manny Acosta worked a scoreless ninth to finish up. The Clippers Matt DeSalvo took the loss. Strong had three hits for the Braves. Thorman equaled club season highs with his two home runs and six RBI.

CAN'T TELL THE PLAYERS WITHOUT A PROGRAM: LHP Chuck James joins the Braves tonight on a rehab assignment from Atlanta. James made his first rehab appearance Wednesday with Rome. He is on Atlanta's DL with a right hamstring pull. James pitched in seven games with Atlanta in relief. He was injured in a May 5 outing vs. the Mets. Kelly Johnson joins the Braves on a rehab tonight. He has not played for Atlanta this season due to an elbow problem. Johnson started his rehab in Rome and hit .474 in five games. RHP Travis Smith has been called up to Atlanta. Smith is 3-1 2.91 in eight starts. He is the eighth R-Brave to earn a call up to Atlanta this season. The Braves now have three players on MLB rehab assignments (James and Johnson joining Horacio Ramirez). The official active roster now stands at 22 (10 pitchers, three catchers, five infielders, and four outfielders). The Braves have made 43 roster moves since opening day.

CRUNCHY NUMBERS: Jamal Strong has a three game hitting streak (6-11 .545) and is five for his last seven. Cesar Crespo's eight game hitting streak ended last nigh. Scott Thorman's grand slam last night was the Braves first since August 13, 2004 when Mike Hessman hit one vs. Toledo. Thorman's two home runs and six RBI equaled club season highs. Bill McCarthy also had a two home run, six RBI game. Both came against Columbus. The Braves seven run margin of victory last night equaled their largest of the season (also against Columbus). Richmond is looking for their second three game winning streak of the season. The Braves have 18 steals in their last 11 games. Jamal Strong tied a club season high with three runs scored last night. The Braves are looking for their third straight series win.

ON THE LEADER BOARD: Kevin Barry is now 10th in the IL in ERA and fifth in strikeouts.. Wes Timmons is ninth in batting average (.316) and fourth in the league in on base percentage (.428). Scott Thorman is tied for third in hits with 46. Richmond is second in the IL in fielding percentage. The Braves are third in total chances. Richmond has committed just six errors in their last 17 games.

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International League Stories from May 19, 2006


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