House That Hank Built
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Atlanta Braves depth of talent proves out as Gwinnett wins International South

By Clint Manry

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 31: The World Series trophy is hoisted in the air during the 2018 World Series victory parade for the Boston Red Sox on October 31, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 31: The World Series trophy is hoisted in the air during the 2018 World Series victory parade for the Boston Red Sox on October 31, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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Loaded with a prolific offense, the Gwinnett Stripers made the Atlanta Braves organization proud by winning their division.

Defense and pitching may win championships, but over 5 runs per game can go a long way too. Just ask the Gwinnett Stripers — the Atlanta Braves’ Triple-A club, who on Friday night clinched the South division of the Triple-A International League.

On Friday, the Stripers fell to the defending IL champs, Durham Bulls, 6-5, but it doesn’t matter, Gwinnett’s four-game division lead is too much for any other South team to overcome as the season ends on Monday, September 1.

Ian Anderson started Friday night’s contest, but struggled, allowing 5 runs in just 3.1 innings of work. Anderson also walked six batters and struck out just two.

He finishes the 2019 season with a 6.57 ERA in 5 starts with the Stripers, after producing a 2.68 mark in 21 Mississippi starts.

Adam Duvall was Gwinnett’s DH in the game and hit cleanup. Duvall did what he’s been doing all season, crushing balls and hitting them very far.

His 8th-inning homer — which was a 3-run shot that tied the game at five apiece — gives him 31 on the season.

Johan Camargo played third and hit second, finishing 1-for-3 with an RBI single and Jack Lopez provided an RBI as well, as he went 1-for-4 with a base-hit and a run.

The loss gives Gwinnett a 78-58 record, tying them with Columbus for the most wins in the IL. Round Rock, in the PCL, leads all of Triple-A with 82 wins.

The Stripers, after Friday’s defeat, now have just three games left (Saturday-Monday), all against Durham.

The Playoffs

Gwinnett last won the International South back in 2016, though they weren’t called the Stripers then, rather the Gwinnett Braves. The team has only been the Stripers since the 2018 season.

The International League Playoffs will begin on September 4 and run through September 14, as the best teams from each division (North, South, West) will battle it out in different 5-game series.

The Championship Series is held at Huntington Park in Columbus, OH, where the top-two teams will compete for the Governor’s Trophy.

Next comes the Triple-A National Championship, a one-game, winner-take-all matchup on Tuesday, September 17, held in Memphis, TN this year (8:00 p.m. CNT).

The Memphis Redbirds, this year’s host team, played in 2018’s AAA National Championships, beating Durham 14-4. The Redbirds and Durham also played for the title in 2017, when the Bulls defeated Memphis, 5-3.

The Redbirds also finished runner-up in 2009, losing to Durham in 11 innings. That game was played in Oklahoma City. Memphis has hosted the event one other time, in 2016.

An August trade?. dark. Next

Be sure to check back, as we will continue to provide minor league coverage throughout the remainder of the 2019 season and also Gwinnett’s run through this year’s Triple-A postseason.

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