By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
JULY 16, 2019 | The Atlanta area is enjoying winning baseball more this year, as both the Atlanta Braves and Gwinnett Stripers are having good seasons. The Braves are in first place, up by seven games after sweeping the first series in San Diego after the All-Star break. Meanwhile, the Gwinnett Stripers are having a good season, making a lot of noise, with lots of heavy hitting, and are in second place in their division of the Class AAA International League.
If you haven’t been to Coolray Field for a Striper’s game this year, you are in for a real treat. There are several aspects we love about their games. First, it’s easy to get to the game, and all the parking is relatively close to the front gate, and relatively cheap ($5). Then too, your wallet can love attending, for the food prices are reasonable. (Attending the Braves game recently, two hot dogs cost me $14. That’s not cheap. At CoolRay Field, the hot dogs are $2 each.)
What has been particularly interesting this season is that the Stripers have shown real batting power, with outfielder Travis Demeritte especially noteworthy. He along with right handed relief pitcher Ben Rowen (4-3) made the International League All-Star game last week in El Paso. Demeritte’s local performances have lit up the scoreboard: he has reached base in 74 of 80 games in his AAA debut. He’s also hit 18 home runs.
Turn to Veteran Outfielder Adam Duvall, 30: he leads the league in home runs (28); runs batted in (75) and total bases (175.) His 28 homers tied with the Gwinnett record of 28. Overall the entire team is homer happy, leading the league with 147 in 93 games, a new team record. That’s putting them out of the park! It makes happy times for fans.
The Stripers’ pitching has also done well. Since June 22, they have the league’s best ERA record, a mere 3.22 mark. Kyle Wright (7-4) has won three in a row, and other top pitching prospects, all in their early 20s, include Kolby Allard (6-4) and Bryse Wilson (4-7). Mike Foltynewicz is 3-1 with the Stripers.
New General Manager Adam English has been pleased with the attendance at CoolRay Field this fall. “In all categories, we are up from five to seven percent, and there is a lot of fan interest with our slugging team. We’ve got a smart, capable office staff which contribute to our overall good performance. They are out in the community, and engaging it in a more creative way, more ‘fun’ promotions. And we have had creative nights, such as the Xolos de Gwinnett, working to engage the Hispanic community. And our most popular element is the Beat the Fridge engagement with the kids. He’s 6’2”and 300 pounds, who really runs well, and the kids enjoy trying to beat him. And don’t forget that we have fireworks after every Friday game.”
Of course, all the Stripers are prospects for major league baseball, high quality players just one level away from the major league. English says: “We may lose any player to the Braves at any time. But of course, that’s really their goal. That gives us some great players for the fans of Gwinnett to enjoy at CoolRay Field.”
The Stripers will play Lehigh Valley on Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:05, plus a 12:05 game on Thursday. Then Rochester comes in for three games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. After that, there are only three more home stands before the end of the Stripers’ season.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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