G-BRAVES BEAT: Red Wings swept

Nate McLouth and Wes Timmons led off with back-to-back home runs against Rochester on Friday. It was the first time all season that the Gwinnett Braves had back-to-back homers and it started a 10-0 series sweeping rout of the visiting Red Wings.

It was the second game in a row that McLouth led off with a homer. Nate was sent down to Gwinnett on Wednesday after struggling with Atlanta, but he’s looked good in the first two games. “He’s had better at bats, last night he hit three balls hard, tonight he hit two balls hard and that’s what we’re looking for, more consistent at-bats, more quality at-bats,” manager Dave Brundage said.

Mike Minor pitched a spectacular game going seven innings, while allowing no runs and one hit. He also had eight strikeouts and got his fourth win for the G-Braves. “He was in command of his game from the start and he did an outstanding job with the lead,” said Brudage. His teammates put runs on the board and the young pitcher flourished. “Minor is phenomenal, when you see his name on the roster card you think we’re going to go out and win tonight,” third baseman Wes Timmons said.

Minor was not that impressed with his performance even though it was probably one of his best outings. “It wasn’t like I was striking everybody out, I was just trying to keep them off balance with all three pitches,” Minor said.

Wes Timmons had a fantastic game by going 4-for-4 with a homerun, a double, a RBI, and four runs scored. He also made a couple diving stops at third base for outs. This might have been the best game he has played all year. “Oh yeah, anytime you can get four hits definitely maybe even career best,” Timmons said.

Gwinnett currently sits six and a half games behind wild card leader Louisville. Any chances of catching the Bats will force the G-Braves to play much better than they have this month. “Sure it’s doable, we’re going to have to play better baseball, have to win maybe 10 out of 12 or whatever it is, in order to have a chance,” said Timmons. “It depends on what we do, we have to win here.”

They will get four more home games against Toledo starting tonight.