IL1 Gwinnett Stripers

Richmond Braves game notes

May 29, 2005 - International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


TODAY'S GAME: Game four of a four game series and the eighth of eight meetings, the fourth of four here. The Braves are 3-4 vs. Scranton, 2-1 at home. The Braves were 3-3 vs. Scranton last season, 0-2 at home. Richmond is 3-5 on a now rain-shortened nine game homestand. The Braves are 6-8 vs. North Division clubs, 3-3 at home. The Braves are third in the South, 7.5 games out of first place. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre is sixth in the North, 10 games out of first. The Braves are 329-329 all-time vs. the Red Barons. The Braves are in a stretch of 36 straight games vs. North Division clubs that runs through June 27. Richmond opens an eight game road trip Monday.

YESTERDAY'S GAME: The Red Barons beat the Braves 10-0 Saturday at The Diamond. Three Barons pitchers limited the Braves to six hits as the Braves suffered their most lopsided loss of the season and missed a chance to win a season-high four straight games. Ryan Howard's fifth inning grand slam shattered a scoreless tie. Mark Budzinski, a University of Richmond product, tripled a run home in the eighth to make it 5-0. The Barons batted around and scored five more runs in the ninth, an outburst highlighted by a three-run Juan Sosa triple. The Braves stole three bases in the first and loaded the bases in the second but failed to get a runner past second base the rest of the game. Pedro Liriano tossed five innings to earn the win. Daniel Curtis took the loss. Jim Rushford had three hits for the Barons. Howard had two hits and walked twice. Esix Snead had two hits and stole two bases for the Braves.

A LONG DAY: Richmond's 10-0 loss was their worst defeat since June 10, 2003 when the Braves lost 11-0 to Louisville. Howard's grand slam was the second against the Braves this season. 1B Andy Barkett finished the game on the mound for the Braves and tossed an inning of one-hit, scoreless relief. He was the only one of five Braves pitchers to not give up a run yesterday. Barkett was the first Braves position player to pitch since INF Juan Velazquez pitched an inning and earned a save in the final game of the regular season vs. Norfolk last year.

MAKING AN IMPACT: Recent R-Braves are having a significant impact on the big league level. Kyle Davies, Richmond's 2005 opening day starter, is 2-0. 0.00 in two starts with Atlanta. He has 12 strikeouts in 10.1 innings. Two other 2005 R-Braves are off to excellent starts with Atlanta. Brayan Pena is 3-for-8 (.375) since joining Atlanta. John Foster has pitched in 11 games with Atlanta without allowing a run (7.2 IP 8 K). Three 2004 R-Braves are making strong contributions in Atlanta. Pete Orr is hitting .295, Wilson Betemit is hitting .275, and Ryan Langerhans has five home runs in 32 games. Two other 2004 R-Braves are off to hot starts at the major league level with Tampa Bay. Damon Hollins is hitting .333 with five HR and 12 RBI in 24 games and Nick Green is hitting .306.

ROSTER RUMBLINGS: The Braves released LHP Alex Herrera today. Atlanta has designated RHP Matt Childers for assignment. He pitched in 15 games earlier this season with Richmond and saw action in three games with Atlanta. Childers has 72 hours to clear waivers and accept his assignment before he can be re-assigned to Richmond. The roster stands at 22 (10 pitchers, two catchers, six infielders, and four outfielders).

NOTEABLE NUMBERS: James Jurries (7-13) has a four game hitting streak and J.C. Boscan (4-9) has hits in three straight. Kelly Johnson is 4 for his last 8. Andy Marte's four game hitting streak ended yesterday. Chris Mears streak of six straight relief appearances without allowing a run, and five game scoreless streaks for Hector Almonte and Jeremy Ward ended yesterday. The Braves are 16-0 when leading after seven innings.

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