The Gwinnett Stripers maintain their strong position in the International League with a five-game win streak, bolstered by standout performances from Nacho Alvarez, who has homered in consecutive games, and Drake Baldwin. Although the Mississippi Braves struggled in their recent matchup against the Chattanooga Lookouts, Ian Mejia showed potential before faltering late in the game. Meanwhile, JR Ritchie of the Augusta GreenJackets continues to impress despite some challenges. Overall, the Braves’ minor league teams are navigating inconsistencies while eyeing improvements ahead of the season’s final stretch.
By the Numbers
- Gwinnett Stripers: 5-game win streak; best second-half run differential
- Nacho Alvarez: 6 hits, 2 HRs in his last 2 games; .311/.422/.521 season stats
- Ian Mejia: 6.1 IP, 7 K, 3 ER; 3.53 ERA
- JR Ritchie: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 0 ER; 1.95 ERA
State of Play
- The Stripers are closing in on the Columbus Clippers for the league lead.
- Mississippi Braves managed only two at-bats with runners in scoring position against Chattanooga.
- Augusta GreenJackets secured a win with a solid showing from their youth players.
What’s Next
The Gwinnett Stripers look to sweep their series, aiming to solidify their position for a playoff run. Continued development from Baldwin and Alvarez will be critical as the teams remain in playoff contention. The Mississippi Braves need to improve their offensive performance to avoid further shutouts…