MINORS REPORT 4/17: All Eyes on Graham (again)
PEARL, MS -- The Mississippi Braves outhit the Huntsville Stars 6-5 but committed two errors in the fifth, allowing the Huntsville Stars to score an unearned run. That run was all the Stars needed to claim a 1-0 shutout victory over the M-Braves Thursday night at Trustmark Park. Brent Suter (2-0) faced the minimum through five frames and struck out eight Braves batters in six innings for the Stars. He limited the Braves to just three hits and one walk to pick up his second win of the season.
Huntsville took a 1-0 lead in the fifth and held it. Jason Rogers singled and took second an errant throw by the pitcher. Shawn Zarraga followed with a single deep to short. Elmer Reyes over threw first on the play, allowing Rogers to advance to third. Mitch Haniger then delivered a sacrifice fly to center field, plating Rogers and giving Huntsville the lead.
The M-Braves made things interesting the ninth. Matt Lipka singled and took second on a sacrifice bunt. Joe Leonard was then called out on a controversial play at first. Nick Ramirez jumped up to grab a high throw from Rogers, and it appeared that Leonard reached before Ramirez's foot came back down on the base. Lipka took third on the play. Seth Loman then flew out deep to left field, ending the game.
J.R. Graham (0-1) started and worked 3.2 innings for the M-Braves. He gave up one unearned run on four hits while recording one strikeout. Despite suffering the loss, Graham has yet to give up an earned run in three starts this season. Ryan Weber, Chasen Shreve and John Cornely combined to work the final 5.1 scoreless innings out of the Braves bullpen.
In Friday night's series finale, Atlanta Braves right-hander Gavin Floyd makes a rehab start for the Mississippi Braves.
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CLASS AAA
Gwinnett 1, Charlotte 0
Five pitchers, five-hitter!
SP: Maya 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K.
WP: Atkins (1-2) 4.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K.
Jaime (Save, 3) 1 IP, 0 H, 2 K.
Cunningham 3-4, 2 2B, R.
Mejiai 1-4, .358.
CLASS AA
Huntsville 1, Mississippi 0
LP: Graham (0-1) 3.2 IP, 4 H, 0 ER(1R), 0 BB, 1 K. (67 pitches)
Weber 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.
E. Reyes 2-3, 2 E.
Kennelly 2-3.
ADVANCED CLASS A
Willmington 4, Lynchburg 2
LP: Miller (0-1) 6.2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K.
Castro 2-4, 2B.
Ahrens 1-3, 2 RBIs.
Wren 2-4, 2 R, 4 SB (9).
Peraza 2-4, 2 SB (8).
CLASS A
Charleston 8, Rome 7
SP: Dettman 3 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 3 K.
LP: Parmenter (L, 0-1, BS) 2.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K.
Meneses 2-4, 2 R, 2B, HR (2nd), RBI.
V. Reyes 2-5, R, SB.
Carroll 2-4, 2 R, 2B, RBI, SB.
Camargo 2-4, RBI.
