_Breaking News: Braves Minor League Recap – Nacho Alvarez Jr. Homers in Gwinnett Win_
The Gwinnett Stripers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, secured a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Durham Bulls on Friday night. The win was highlighted by a standout performance from Nacho Alvarez Jr., who homered and drove in two runs to lead the Stripers to victory.
Alvarez Jr.’s solo shot in the top of the fifth inning gave the Stripers a crucial 3-2 lead, which they would never relinquish. The 22-year-old outfielder has been on a tear of late, hitting .333 with three homers and eight RBIs over his last 10 games.
The Stripers’ win was also bolstered by strong performances from starting pitcher, Ian Anderson, who struck out seven over five innings, and reliever, Darren O’Day, who earned the save with a scoreless ninth inning.
In other Braves minor league news, the Mississippi Braves fell 4-3 to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, despite a strong outing from starter, Jared Shuster, who struck out nine over six innings. The Rome Braves, meanwhile, defeated the Winston-Salem Dash 6-4, behind a three-run homer from Drew Campbell.
The Braves’ minor league system continues to produce talented players, with Alvarez Jr. and others making a strong case for a promotion to the majors. As the Braves navigate injuries and roster moves, these young players will be crucial in helping the team make a deep playoff run.
With the Stripers’ win, they move to 62-55 on the season, just 2.5 games back of the first-place Nashville Sounds in the International League West division. The Braves’ minor league affiliates continue to battle for playoff spots, with the Mississippi Braves and Rome Braves also in contention.
