IL1 Gwinnett Stripers

R-Braves game notes

Published on July 2, 2006 under International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


TONIGHT'S GAME: The first of a four game series and the first of eight meetings with the Lynx, the first of four at The Diamond. Game three of a six game homestand (Richmond is 1-1). The Braves were 3-5 vs. the Lynx last season, 1-2 at The Diamond. This is the 33d of 48 games vs. North Division opponents, Richmond is 10-22 vs. the North Division. The 21st of 24 home games vs. North Division opponents (Richmond is 9-11). The Braves are 67-67 all-time vs. Ottawa. The Braves are fourth in the South, 25 games behind the first place Knights. Ottawa is fourth in the North, five and a half games out of first.

LAST NIGHT'S GAME: The Charlotte Knights beat the Braves 10-2 Saturday at The Diamond to gain a split of their two game series and end a five game losing streak. The Knights grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first on an RBI double by Jorge Velandia. They stretched that lead to 3-0 in the third on RBI singles from Josh Fields and Angel Gonzalez. The Knights opened up a 5-0 advantage in the fourth. Velandia and Ernie Young knocked in runs with singles. Richmond got on the board in the home half when Carlos Mendez chased a run home with a single. The Knights blew it open in the fifth. Young and Fields each knocked in a pair of runs with singles to give Charlotte a 9-1 lead. Dax Norris scored a run on a wild pitch in the fifth to make it 9-2. Young added another RBI with an eighth inning double to cap the scoring. Tim Redding worked eight innings to earn the win. Brian O'Connor took the loss. Young and Fields each had three hits for Charlotte. Young finished the night with four RBI.

RIGHT BACK UP: RHP Kevin Barry has been promoted back to Atlanta one day after he was optioned back to Richmond. Barry re-joined Richmond yesterday after making his MLB debut this week. He is the second of the 15 R-Braves promoted to Atlanta this season top be called up for a second time. The Braves roster now stands at 23 (11 pitchers, three catchers, five infielders, and four outfielders). The Braves have made 80 roster moves this season. RHP Carlos Almanzar (elbow, out for the season) and 3B Wes Timmons (broken thumb, out since May 16, expected back in mid-July) are on the Disabled List.

REACHING FOR THE STARS: Carlos Mendez will be the Braves representative at the Triple-A All Star Game July 12 in Toledo. Mendez leads the current Braves roster in RBI. Tony Pena is the current IL Batter of the Week. Pena had a .579 on base percentage last week. He is the second R-Brave to earn Batter of the Week, joining Scott Thorman. OF Gregor Blanco was picked to play in the Southern League All Star Game but will miss the game due to his promotion to Richmond. RHP Matt White, who leads the Southern League in ERA (1.97) will represent the M-Braves. Mississippi SS Yunel Escobar will represent the Atlanta organization at the MLB Futures Game.

ON THE LEADER BOARD: The Braves four wins when trailing after eight innings is tops in the International League. Richmond is second in extra inning games played with 14 (Rochester has 15). The Braves, 4-10 in bonus frames, have already played more extra inning games than in all of last season (11). The Braves have been caught stealing 19 times, the fewest in the league. They are second in stolen base percentage (72.9) behind Charlotte (74.5).

CRUNCHY NUMBERS: Carlos Mendez has hits in five straight games (8-17 .471). Mendez has hits in nine of his last 10 games (16-38 .421). Brayan Pena has hits in 12 of his last 13 games (20-53 .377). His average has risen over that span from .215 to .261. Paul Bush has not allowed a run in his first four Triple-A outings. The Braves are 22-39 vs. American League affiliates.

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International League Stories from July 2, 2006


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