Tennessee outfielder Matt Szczur talks with manager Buddy Bailey at third base. Photo Courtesy: Saul Young/News Sentinel
The latest Edition of “This Week In Smokies Baseball” is now available. This edition covers the Smokies’ road series against the Mobile Baybears, as well the last Homestand of the first half against the Mississippi Braves.
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Alberto Cabrera will take the mound for the Smokies as they start the second half of the season. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover
The second half begins tonight for the Tennessee Smokies (34-35) as they take to the road to face their North Division rival, the Chattanooga Lookouts (35-35). First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 PM from Smokies Park.
WHAT’S AT STAKE: The slates are wiped clean as the second half of the Southern League season begins. Chattanooga finished a half a game ahead of Tennessee in second place in the first half. If Birmingham wins the second half as well, the second playoff spot in the North Division will go to the team with the second best overall record.
TONIGHT’S STARTERS:
Tennessee: Alberto Cabrera (5-3, 3.94 ERA): Cabrera’s first half of the season had its ups and downs, but no Smokies starter was better away from home. He is a perfect 4-0 on the road with a 1.89 ERA in six starts. Cabrera has made two starts against Chattanooga this year with his most recent one being his lone complete game this season tossing seven innings of two run baseball for the win on May 20. In his last start, Cabrera received a no-decision on June 13 against Mississippi allowing two runs on five hits with seven strikeouts.
Chattanooga: Zach Lee (5-4, 2.65 ERA): The top prospect in the Dodgers minor leagues, Lee has lived up to his billing so far in 2013. He has allowed two runs or less in each of his last five starts. The last start he gave up over two runs was against the Smokies on May 17. He allowed four runs on five hits in five innings and took the loss. His 2.65 ERA is good for 10th in the Southern League.
LAST TIME OUT: The Smokies did end up losing their series against the Mississippi Braves, but the win in the series finale eliminated the Braves from the first half and may serve as a launching pad for the second half.
The Lookouts finished the first half on a roll winning each of their last five series. The last series that they did not win came against the Smokies in Chattanooga May 17-21.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Jonathan Mota: Mota finished the first half on a tear and is currently riding a four-game hitting streak. He is hitting .425 in his last ten games.
Rafael Lopez: Lopez is a player who is on the opposite end of the spectrum. He is hitless in his last 11 at bats and 4-for-24 (.167) in his last seven games.
Joc Pederson: When you start talking offense for the Chattanooga Lookouts, the discussion has to start with Pederson. His .302 batting average is second in the Southern League and he’s also tied for fourth in home runs (10) and second in steals (19).
Brian Cavazos-Galvez: It isn’t the biggest sample size, but Cavazos-Galvez has hit well against the Smokies in 2013. He’s 5-for-12 in five games including a home run and five RBIs.
KEY TO THE GAME: The Smokies have struggled to score runs on their last two roadtrips. They have managed just 30 runs in their last ten road games (3.0 per game). The tablesetters at the top of the lineup will need to get on base to create early opportunities in the game against a strong starter in Zach Lee.
TUNE IN: The broadcast will be available on our flagship station, The Sports Animal WNML AM 990 and on FM 99.1 in Knoxville beginning at 7:00 ET with the Pilot & Oscar Mayer Pregame Show. You can also listen to the broadcast in its entirety on smokiesbaseball.com as well as the Smokies mobile app.
Mississippi Braves starting pitcher Cody Martin is a second generation Braves player, following in his father’s footsteps. Photo courtesy: Mike Kittrell/AL.com
For Mississippi Braves starting pitcher Cody Martin, playing in the Atlanta Braves’ organization is a family affair.
Cody’s father, Chuck, was a member of the Braves’ organization during the 1984-85 seasons as a pitcher in the Single-A Sally League. Cody Martin has already surpassed his father by pitching in the Double-A Southern League.
After being drafted in the 20th round of the 2010 MLB Draft, Martin decided to not sign with the Minnesota Twins and instead return to Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash.
Martin cited finishing his education as the main reason to forgo professional baseball for one season and to return to the Pacific Northwest.
“I think the biggest thing was getting school out of the way,” Martin said. “I had a full ride to go back for my senior year and wasn’t going to get school paid for by the Twins, so I just felt like I needed to go back, finish my education and get a degree and just hopefully get drafted again as a senior.”
His decision to return to Gonzaga ended up helping the right-handed pitcher. During his senior season as a Bulldog, Martin led the NCAA in both ERA and batting average against. He also set the school single season record with nine saves during his stay in Spokane.
Braves pitcher Cody Martin was drafted out of Gonzaga University in the 7th round of the 2011 MLB Draft. Photo courtesy: Gonzaga Athletics.
“It’s a small school. It’s kind of like a family, our team was real close and the coaches are like parents to me,” Martin said of the family feel during his college career at Gonzaga. “I had a really good experience, enjoyed all four years there and I’m glad I didn’t leave after my junior year.”
Since becoming a professional, Martin has split time between starting and coming out of the bullpen. After spending the 2011 season in the bullpen, he started 19 games in 2012 and 11 so far in 2013.
For Martin, there are advantages to starting every five games.
“I really enjoy starting,” Martin said. ”I like the routine. I like knowing when I’m going to pitch. You can get your work done, your throwing done, workout, run.”
But the bullpen also has its own advantages for the pitcher. Martin likes the adrenaline rush that relief pitchers experience.
“When you’re coming out of the pen, it’s kind of a day-by-day thing,” Martin said of his routine. “You could throw every night; you don’t really know. For me, it’s more exciting coming out of the pen in tight situations or shutting down games.”
Martin’s goal, like every minor league player, is to reach the major leagues. Earlier this season, Martin’s teammate and fellow pitcher Alex Wood got called up to the major league club, less than one year after being drafted. Wood knows that he has to continue working to join Wood in Atlanta.
Martin spent the 2012 season with the Lynchburg Hillcats of the Southern Atlantic League. Photo courtesy: Bleacher Report
“Being committed to what you’re doing and just knowing it’s a process and not getting ahead of yourself, I think that’s the biggest thing,” Martin said of what it takes to make the major leagues. “A lot of guys just want it to happen like Alex (Wood) threw 100 innings in minor league ball and he is already in the big leagues and I’m already at 200 and something. It’s crazy to see; some people are ready, some people aren’t.”
So far in 2013, Martin’s numbers could put him in contention for a major league promotion in the future. He has a 3-3 record and a 2.82 ERA, which ranks 14th in the Southern League. He is also ranked the No. 11 prospect in the Braves’ organization by Baseball America.
If Martin does make it to the rubber at Turner Field one day, it could give him a chance to fulfill something his father wasn’t able to do during his professional league.
“You know it’s kind of exciting following in my dad’s footsteps and maybe complete something that he wasn’t able to finish 30 years ago,” Martin said.
On Tuesday, Martin was called up to Triple-A Gwinnett where he earned the victory for the Braves tossing seven scoreless innings allowing just three hits with seven strikeouts.
Whether it be starting or coming out of the bullpen, Mississippi pitcher Cody Martin has continued the Martin family tradition of being a Brave, and he hopes to become the first Martin to pitch in Atlanta.
AUDIO INTERVIEW
To stay current with all the latest news, follow Smokies on Radio on Twitter and like the Smokies on Radio Facebook page. Matthew Osborne is a Broadcast and Media Intern for the Smokies Radio Network. You can follow Matthew on Twitter here: @themindoftheoz
KODAK, Tenn. – Behind quality pitching and a two-run fifth inning, the Tennessee Smokies defeated the Mississippi Braves, 2-1, Monday night at Smokies Park. With the win, in front of 3,093, the Smokies finish the first half with a record of 34-35. Mississippi fell to 38-32.
Smokies starter Eric Jokisch kept the M-Braves’ offense off the scoreboard until the fifth inning when he gave up a RBI-single to Phil Gosselin scoring Mycal Jones from second base to give Mississippi a 2-1 lead.
Jokisch (5-6) worked in and out of trouble all night, but only surrendered the one run in his six innings of work. He gave up three hits, walked three and struck out three on 86 pitches (53 strikes).
The Smokies were also held scoreless in the early innings, until the sixth inning when Pin-Chieh Chen hit an RBI-infield single to first base scoring Anthony Giansanti and Chad Noble came around to score on the same play on an error by Mississippi starter Aaron Northcraft. Giansanti singled earlier in the inning and advanced to third on a throwing error on Noble’s bunt.
Relievers Trey McNutt and Tony Zych combined to throw two scoreless innings before handing the ball over to closer Frank Batista.
Batista put the M-Braves away in the ninth inning, preserving the Smokies 2-1 lead and notching his ninth save of the season.
The Smokies collected 12 total hits in the game with eight of the nine starters notching at least one hit. Jonathan Mota, Giansanti and Chad Noble each went 2-4 with two singles apiece.
Following an off day Tuesday, the Smokies will start the second half of the season with a five-game set against the Chattanooga Lookouts starting Wednesday, June 19 at AT&T Field in Chattanooga, Tenn.
AUDIO RECAP SMOKIES 2 Braves 1
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Mississippi Braves catcher Chrisitan Bethancourt threw out 39 percent of baserunners last season. Photo Courtesy: MiLB
Christian Bethancourt was not like many other 16-year-old boys in his native country of Panama. In March of 2008, Bethancourt was signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Atlanta Braves.
Since then, Bethancourt’s name has been associated with high rankings on various prospect lists, much to take in for a kid from Panama. But perhaps the highlight of his career came last summer during the Major League All-Star break in Kansas City.
The now 21-year-old rated the Atlanta Braves No. 2 prospect by MLB.com in 2013, earned the starting catcher role for the World team in last year’s All-Star Futures Game, going 0-3 and throwing out Astros’ top prospect Jonathan Singleton. It was an honor the Panama native said he would never forget.
“I’m going to remember that for all my life,” Bethancourt said. “That was the second time my mom was able to see me play and it was a pretty good staff. She got to meet the manager and all the players and I think I’m going to remember that for a while.”
Despite his appearance in the Futures Game, the 2012 season would be Bethancourt’s most disappointing as the highly touted prospect strained his left hamstring in late April and suffered a broken left hand after being hit by a pitch against Birmingham in early August.
Bethancourt went 0-3 and threw out a baserunner during a 17-5 loss against the U.S.A. team in the All-Star Futures game. (Photo Courtesy: Bleacher Report)
The Panamanian played in only 71 games, hitting .243 with a .275 on-base percentage, two home runs, and 26 RBI.
“Yeah it was a tough year,” Bethancourt said. “We all have one of those [years] and you just gotta be patient and do the right things to recover the faster you can.”
“I got to the point when I was finally back feeling good doing everything, hitting and catching and throwing, [and] got the broke hand. So it was a pretty tough [season] for me,” said Bethancourt.
The catcher spent two months at the Braves Spring Training facility in Orlando rehabbing his broken hand and recovered in time to play in 23 games for the Tigres del Licey of the Dominican Winter League.
Given his defensive prowess and quick release behind the plate, scouts believed Bethancourt had an outside chance to make the 2013 Opening Day roster for Atlanta while starting catcher Brian McCann missed the first month of the season recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.
The possibility of an open spot, according to Bethancourt, did not affect his mindset heading into his third Major League Spring Training.
“I just went to the field every day and tried to play the ball. I never thought about like, ‘Well, you might be the starting catcher this year or you might be the backup catcher this year,’” Bethancourt said. “I was like, ‘There’s a couple of other guys, they’re fighting for that spot too, and this might be a good competition.’”
Bethancourt spent the spring working on his batting alignment and approach at the plate and in 12 games, the catcher hit just .133 with a .235 on-base percentage. Those numbers were misleading as the 6-foot-2, 215 pound catcher said he felt good in what he was working on.
With his poor offensive numbers at the plate, Atlanta reassigned their top position player and Bethancourt saw the backup role go to his friend and Mississippi teammate Evan Gattis, now an urban legend known as “El Oso Blanco” in Atlanta.
“I was really happy when he got the call and they told him that he earned that spot,” Bethancourt said. “I’m not surprised for what he’s doing in the big leagues right now cause I’ve been watching him and I’ve been playing with him for like three years so I’m not surprised. He’s a good player.”
Now in his second season with Double-A Mississippi, Bethancourt is feeling better at the plate and hitting .244 with two home runs and 15 RBI in 40 games, all while juggling a shuffled starting rotation that featured top prospects J.R. Graham and Alex Wood.
Bethancourt hit .271 with a .277 OBP and 20 RBI in 45 games with Lynchburg. (Photo Courtesy: MiLB)
Graham was placed on the disabled list May 15th with a right shoulder strain while Wood was promoted to Atlanta on May 30th to fill an open spot in the bullpen.
“At the start of the season we were really happy because we were real excited about the starting rotation,” Bethancourt said. “We were pretty excited and, I mean, we’re still doing a very good job with the five starters we have right now.”
Scouts believe Bethancourt could be promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett during the second half of this season and might compete for a roster spot in Atlanta next season if the Braves do not re-sign McCann.
Whenever Bethancourt’s time in Atlanta comes, it will be another accelerated step in the unique journey for a 16-year-old kid out of Panama.
AUDIO INTERVIEW
To stay current with all the latest news, follow Smokies on Radio on Twitter and like the Smokies on Radio Facebook page. Nick Roark is a Broadcast & Media Associate for the Smokies Radio Network. You can follow him on Twitter here:@NickRoark4.
Eric Jokisch gets the start for Tennessee in tonight’s first-half finale. Photo Courtesy: Adam Kline
The Tennessee Smokies (33-35) will look to end the first half of the 2013 season on a high note as they take on the Mississippi Braves (38-31) in the finale of their five-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 PM from Smokies Park.
WHAT’S AT STAKE: The Smokies remain a half game behind the Lookouts in third place while the Braves have everything to play for tonight. They are a half game behind Mobile and if they win and Mobile loses, Mississippi wins the South Division title for the first half.
TONIGHT’S STARTERS:
Mississippi: Aaron Northcraft (2-4, 4.30 ERA): Northcraft will get the ball for the Braves in their crucial first-half finale. His one previous start against the Smokies was a success on May 5 when he tossed five scoreless innings and helped his own cause with a two-run single. Northcraft has been sharp in the month of June outside of one start, his last one on the road. He allowed six runs on nine hits in 4.1 innings on June 6 at Chattanooga.
Tennessee: Eric Jokisch (4-6, 3.67 ERA): Jokisch has lost his last three starts despite his last two being quality starts. In Mobile on June 11, Jokisch allowed two runs, one of them earned in 6.2 innings but took the loss due to a lack of run support. Jokisch had his shortest outing of the season in his lone start against Mississippi on May 4. He lasted just three innings allowing six runs on seven hits and four walks.
LAST TIME OUT: The Smokies lost another game in the later innings last night as Mississippi scored three times in the eighth inning to win 4-1. Edward Salcedo gave the Braves the lead with an RBI double and Jaime Pedroza followed with a two-run single off Smokies reliever Hunter Cervenka. A.J. Morris started for Tennessee and threw four scoreless innings before giving way to Yeiper Castillo. Leading 1-0 in the 7th inning, Mycal Jones tied the game with an RBI single to left field.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Mycal Jones: Jones continues to hit Smokies pitching after his 2-for-4 performance last night. He is hitting .385 in nine games so far against Tennessee with a .452 on-base percentage.
Edward Salcedo: The only player on the Braves with more success against Tennessee then Jones has been Salcedo. Salcedo is batting .393 with a home run, five RBIs and an on-base percentage of .485 against the Smokies in 2013.
Rubi Silva: Silva picked up his third multi-hit game of this series last night against the Braves. He has 20 multi-hit games this season.
Matt Szczur: Szczur was hitless in four at bats last night and his four-game hitting streak came to an end. It’s only the fourth time this month that Szczur has failed to pick up a hit in a game.
KEY TO THE GAME: With so much on the line for the Braves, the Smokies will simply need to match Mississippi’s intensity to win tonight’s game. Tennessee won’t want to see another team celebrate on their own diamond and that should be the motivation necessary to come out tonight and play their hardest.
TUNE IN: The broadcast will be available on our flagship station, The Sports Animal WNML AM 990 and on FM 99.1 in Knoxville beginning at 7:00 ET with the Pilot & Oscar Mayer Pregame Show. You can also listen to the broadcast in its entirety on smokiesbaseball.com as well as the Smokies mobile app.
KODAK, Tenn. – The late innings proved to again be unkind to the Tennessee Smokies as a three-run eighth by the Mississippi Braves led to the Smokies downfall in a 4-1 loss Sunday evening at Smokies Park. The loss, in front of 4,209, dropped the Smokies to 32-35 on the year. Mississippi took this weekend’s series and improved to 38-31.
Rubi Silva and Christian Villanueva led off the Smokies’ second inning with back-to-back singles to put runners at the corners. Rafael Lopez put the Smokies up early with an RBI fielder’s choice off Braves’ starter Gus Schlosser to give Tennessee a 1-0 lead.
Clinging to the 1-0 lead in the seventh inning, Tennessee reliever Yeiper Castillo failed to hold the lead, allowing an RBI-single to Mycal Jones to tie the game at one.
Back-to-back RBI-hits by Jamie Pedroza and Dan Brewer plated three runs in the eighth off Hunter Cervenka (1-1) to give Mississippi a 4-1 lead late in the game.
The Smokies threatened to rally in the ninth, bringing the tying run to the plate with two outs in, but Mark Lamm (S, 8) was able to strike out Jonathan Mota out to secure the victory for Mississippi.
The outcome wasted a good effort by Tennessee starter A.J. Morris who stifled Mississippi in his four innings of work. He allowed only a hit, while walking three and striking out five in total.
Silva led the Smokies’ offense going 3-for-4 with a double.
The series finale between the Smokies and M-Braves will be Monday night at 7:15 at Smokies Park. Mississippi will send RHP Aaron Northcraft (2-4, 4.58) to the mound and Tennessee will counter with LHP Eric Joksich (4-6, 3.67).
AUDIO RECAP BRAVES 4 Smokies 1
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