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Braves sign Sheets: Ben Sheets made 20 starts in 2010, but those were sandwiched by entire seasons lost due to elbow injuries. Looking to add depth, the Braves signed the former All-Star to a minor league contract over the weekend. With an injury sidelining Brandon Beachy and Mike Minor and Jair Jurrjens each not coming close to expectations, the organization’s depth has been tested. Later this month, Sheets will turn 34 years old. He’s surprisingly prepared for a return, and he’s expected to throw up to 75 pitches in his first appearance for Mississippi on Wednesday.
Pie’s hit snaps Gwinnett’s losing streak: The G-Braves got July off to a nice start with a 6-5 win over Charlotte. It was also their first win since they swept a doubleheader against Columbus on June 15th. That put them in the basement of the International League’s South division, 10 games behind Charlotte in first place, and two games behind Durham who owns a 13 game losing streak of their own this season. Down 5-4 in the 9th, Tyler Pastornicky doubled home the tying run, and ML veteran Felix Pie followed with a single to give the Braves a much needed victory.
Matusz headed back to Norfolk: Brian Matusz looked like a changed pitcher in spring training this year, coming off a season that could be considered the worst for a starter ever. Unfortunately, that did not carry over to the regular season. After allowing four earned runs in four innings in Baltimore’s Sunday loss to Cleveland, he was optioned to AAA to try and work out his struggles. In his last five starts, Matusz owns an 8.44 ERA, and he’s now 5-10 with a 5.42 ERA on the season.
Skaggs gets hit around, wins AAA debut: Going from the Southern League to the Pacific Coast League can be a bit of a shock to pitchers, and Tyler Skaggs felt it Sunday in his debut for Reno. He got the win, but he got tagged for five runs in 7+ innings. After seven innings, he had only allowed three runs, and with a low pitch count they tried to stretch him through another inning. After allowing the first two batters to reach base, he was removed from the game, and Chris Jakubauskas allowed both to score. Skaggs finished with five runs allowed in 7+ innings on 12 hits and a walk with three strikeouts.
Zunino prepared to sign with Seattle: According to Keith Law, third overall pick Mike Zunino is close to signing with the Mariners. The Florida catcher has been on the awards circuit honoring his outstanding season with the Gators, but now it’s time to start his professional career. There hasn’t been any word on what his signing bonus will be, but the Mariners are in a tight spot in regards to the bonus cap. According to Baseball America, Seattle can only offer Zunino a little over $4.3 million without forfeiting a draft pick. The recommended value for that pick is $5.2 million.
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Top Hitters | Aff. | H/AB | R | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | SB |
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Aaron Altherr | LWD | 2/4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
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Aaron Baker | FRD | 2/3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
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Alejandro Segovia | BG | 2/4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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Alen Hanson | WV | 3/6 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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Bobby Coyle | RC | 5/5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Brett Pill | FRE | 2/5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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Christian Villanueva | MB | 2/3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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Dan Vogelbach | AZCU | 4/5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Gregory Polanco | WV | 5/5 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
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Jamal Austin | CLI | 4/6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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Jason Rogers | BC | 2/4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
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Jeff Malm | BG | 3/5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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Jeremy Williams | MB | 4/5 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Joc Pederson | RC | 3/6 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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Jorge Martinez | AZCL | 4/6 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Juan Perez | DAY | 3/5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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Justin Miller | HAG | 2/4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Luis Castillo | WM | 3/5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Stefan Welch | ALT | 4/5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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Todd Glaesmann | BG | 4/4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
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Trevor Story | ASH | 3/4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Wendell Soto | ORE | 3/4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
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Top Pitchers | Aff. | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K |
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Aaron Sanchez | LNS | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
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Austin Bibens-Dirkx | HAR | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
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Billy Buckner | PAW | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
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Cameron Bayne | BIR | 6.1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 |
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Dan Straily | SAC | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 10 |
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Jefferson Olacio | BRI | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
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Luis Avilan | MIS | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 |
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Luis Heredia | SC | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
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Luis Mateo | BRO | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
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Matthew Wisler | FW | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
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Michael Kickham | RIC | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
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Miguel Sulbaran | AZLA | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
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Nicholas Tropeano | LAN | 8 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 9 |
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Ryan Merritt | MV | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
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Taylor Stanton | JAC | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
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Tyler Melling | BAT | 5.2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
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Tyson Brummett | LEH | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
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Will Smith | OMA | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
On tap today
International signing period begins
Jake Odorizzi looks to rebound after rough start
Peralta, Miller hope to build momentum in PCL
Gerrit Cole returns to mound for Altoona
Tony Cingrani makes first start since 15 K effort
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