I just wanted to update you on why things haven't been updated in the past couple days. I'm currently on vacation until next Monday. I probably won't have any new updates until next week.

I do plan on catching the Danville Braves this weekend as they head to Bluefield to play the Orioles. I hope to have updates (and maybe some photos) to share when I return.

Times Dispatch: Snead Suspended

Richmond Braves outfielder Esix Snead was suspended for 10 games today by the International League for his role in this week's brawl with the Syracuse Sky Chiefs. R-Braves manager Pat Kelly was also suspended for one game by the IL. 20 other R-Braves were fined for their roles in the melee. Surprisingly, James Jurries was not suspended.

Richmond Braves (23-43, 14.5 GB)

Off Day

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Mississippi Braves (33-32, 3.5 GB)

Mississippi 0, Chattanooga 9 (Box Score)

Starter Chuck James was pulled after one inning last night. This was due to being "on call" for a promote to Atlanta. It appears that he will likely be the starter on Saturday, replacing the injured Tim Hudson.

Matt Coenen (2-4) followed James and allowed seven runs (five earned) in 3.2 innings to take the loss. Paul Bush allowed the other two runs. Gregor Blanco was 2-for-4 with a double.

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Myrtle Beach Pelicans (31-35, 7.0 GB)|

Myrtle Beach 7, Salem 0 (Box Score)

Chris Waters (1-0) and Jason Richardson combined on a two-hit shutout of the Avalanche. Waters allowed both hits in seven innings, walking three and striking out seven. Richardson finished with two scoreless innings. Josh Burrus was 3-for-3 with a HR, 2 RBIs, and two walks. Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Carlos Guzman also had three hit nights.

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Rome Braves (37-27, 3.5 GB)

OFF DAY

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Notes

The speculation is that Esix Snead will be suspended possibly for nine games. Given that he is not a prospect, I wouldn't be surprised to hear that his days as an R-Brave are limited (or at least on very thin ice).

RHP Ken Ray has had his contract purchased by the Braves. He will report to Richmond.

IF Josh Arteaga has been signed by the Braves (Link). He was formerly with the Cubs system. Career Stats

OF Mike Rosamond has been promoted to Richmond again.

IF Scott Schade has been placed on the DL at MB. His roster spot was taken by Mark Jurich.

RHP Paul Bacot is reporting to Rome from EST. 5th Rounder RHP Will Startup also reports to Rome.

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Draft Signings (Link)

According to Baseball America, the Braves have now signed the following:

1. RHP Joey Devine
1s. LHP Beau Jones
2. SS Yunel Escobar
2. RHP Jeff Lyman
3. CF Jordan Schafer
5. LHP Will Startup
7. 2B Brandon Monk
8. RHP Kyle Cofield
9. C Steven Garcia
11. RHP Michael Nix
12. RHP Rudolph Quinonez
13. CF Quentin Davis
37. RHP David Williams

It still appears that Devine will report to MB in a couple weeks. Will Startup has been assigned to Rome.

Richmond Braves (23-43, 15.0 GB)

Richmond 2, Syracuse 13 (Box Score)
Does this come as a surprise anymore? Richmond took another one off the chin and continues to sink further and further in the standings. The only consolation is that the Charlotte Knights are even worse off than they are.

Anyways, back to the game, Trey Hodges (0-3) was drilled once again. Hodges allowed eight runs (six earned, 6.89 ERA) in two innings. This is obviously not the Hodges of two years ago and you have to wonder how many more starts he will get with Richmond. Billy McCarthy was 3-for-4 and James Jurries/Scott Barnes were each 2-for-4.

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Mississippi Braves (33-31, 2.5 GB)

Mississippi 3, Chattanooga 2 (Box Score)
Anthony Lerew (6-2) allowed two runs in six innings to pick up another win. Lerew walked two and struck out six. Iker Franco's 3-run home run was all that this team needed. One note for the "stat-conscious" fans out there, Jeff Francoeur had two walks yesterday.

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Myrtle Beach Pelicans (30-35, 7.0 GB)

Myrtle Beach 5, Salem 8 (Box Score)
The Pelicans allowed eight unanswered runs to the Avalanche and fell after gaining the five run lead in the fourth. Bryan Digby (1-4) allowed three runs and took the loss. Kelvin Villa had a better outing at MB. Villa allowed three runs (two earned) in 6.2 innings. Jamie Trejo hit a two-run HR and Matt Esquivel/Ben Thomas each had two hits.

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Rome Braves (37-27, 3.5 GB)

Rome 5, Hickory 3 (Box Score
Matt Harrison (6-3) had another good outing, allowing three runs in seven innings, earning the victory. Mark Jurich was 1-for-4 with a two-run home run. Ivan Terrazas and J.C. Holt each drove in a run.

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Notes:
Esix Snead has been suspended indefinetly pending review by the International League involving the bench clearing brawl from Tuesday. James Jurries might also serve a suspension as well.

Paul Bush has been promoted to Mississippi from Myrtle Beach. Dan Smith replaced him at the Beach.

Also just announced, Mark Jurich has been moved up to Myrtle Beach. Juan Alvarez has been outrighted to the Mexican Leagues, again. IF Bo Brown moves to Rome.

The Rosters page has been updated to reflect these changes.

Richmond Braves (23-42, 14.0 GB)

Richmond 6, Syracuse 7 (Box Score)
The R-Braves 2005 season keeps getting uglier by the second. The big story out of last night's game was the bench clearing brawl and ejections of Esix Snead and James Jurries. To get more on this brawl, read the recap from The Richmond Times Dispatch.

As for the game, they lost again. Sam McConnell's (3-7) season has not been a pretty one. McConnell gave up six runs (five earned) in 4.2 innings. Brayan Pena was 2-for-5 with two doubles in his return to The Diamond. Pena is currently batting .417 in AAA.

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Mississippi Braves (32-31, 2.5 GB)

Mississippi 4, Chattanooga 6 (Box Score)
Roman Colon made his first appearance in Mississippi to mixed results. Colon gave up a run in 2.2 innings, walking two, and striking out four. Matt Wright (5-6) followed Colon and gave up the final five runs to take the loss. Gregor Blanco and Iker Franco each had two hits.

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Myrtle Beach Pelicans (30-34, 7.0 GB)

Myrtle Beach 7, Salem 6 (Box Score)
Willie James drove in the game winning run with an RBI single in the bottom of the 11th to help the Pelicans prevail over the Avalanche. Ralph Roberts (3-3) earned the win, despite blowing the save in the ninth. Josh Burrus was 3-for-4 with a HR (8) and three RBIs. Jarrod Saltalamacchia was 2-for-5 with two doubles.

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Rome Braves (36-27, 4.5 GB)

Rome 8, Hickory 4 (Box Score)
James Parr (6-3) pitched in relief and has extended his no hit streak to at least 11 straight innings. Clint Sammons was 2-for-4 and hit a pivotal 2-run home run in the six-run eighth inning. Mark Jurich was 1-for-4 with a triple and three RBIs.

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Transactions:
C Brayan Pena returned to Richmond from Atlanta
OF Mike Rosamond returned to Mississippi from Richmond
RHP Hector Almonte was released from Richmond
RHP Jason Childers will be coming off the DL today for Richmond
RHP Roman Colon was assigned to Mississippi from Atlanta
RHPs Blaine Boyer and Jorge Vasquez joined the A-Braves this weekend
RHP Dan Smith has been promoted to Myrtle Beach from Rome

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All Stars
C Clint Sammons, RHP Luis Atilano, and IF Mike Rozema will represent the Rome Braves in the Sally League All Star game this year.

Richmond Braves (23-41, 13.5 GB)

6/9: Richmond 1, Rochester 6 (Box Score)
Trey Hodges (0-2) allowed four runs in 4.1 innings, taking the loss in this 6-1 defeat by the Red Wings. The offensive impact was minimal, once again, as the decimated roster could only get one run on five hits. Scott Barnes had a 2-for-2 night with 2 walks.

6/10: Richmond 3, Rochester 1 (Box Score)
The R-Braves scored three quick runs and had good pitching by Seth Greisinger (3-4) and Macay McBride (SV, 2) to earn the victory on Friday. Greisinger allowed no runs on four hits in six innings. He walked none and struck out three. James Jurries' first inning two-run home run (9) was all the Braves needed in this one.

6/11: Richmond 3, Syracuse 4 (Box Score)
The R-Braves were looking for back-to-back wins, but the bullpen blew this one late (allowing all four runs in the eighth and ninth innings). Chris Mears (3-3) allowed the winning run in the top of the ninth. This bullpen implosion blew a great start by starter Zach Miner, who threw six scoreless innings. He allowed four hits, one walk, and struck out six. The offense had ten hits, but all were singles. Esix Snead, James Jurries, and Billy McCarthy had two hits a-piece.

6/12: Richmond 6, Syracuse 10 (Box Score)
The R-Braves and Sky Chiefs battled all night long, but the Chiefs ended up with the knockout blow (with three runs in the ninth) and the victory. Jeremy Ward (2-3) was credited with the loss coming out of the 'pen. Scott Pratt was 2-for-5 with a double and a triple. Scott Barnes and Esix Snead each had two hits.

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Mississippi Braves (32-30, 3.0 GB)

6/9: Mississippi 4, West Tennessee 9 (Box Score)
The MissBraves fought hard to overcome an early deficit, but the DiamondJaxx were just a little too much for them in this one. Starter Matt Coenen (2-3) took the loss, allowing six runs in 4.1 innings. Casey DeHart allowed the final three runs to cross the plate. Wes Timmons was 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI. Iker Franco also had two hits and an RBI.

6/10: Mississippi 11, West Tennessee 8 (Box Score)
Even though the pitching was a little shaky, the offense exploded for the MissBraves victory. Onil Joseph and Jeff Francoeur each had great nights. Joseph went 2-for-3 with two triples and five RBIs. He's now hitting .253 after his rough start. Francoeur went 2-for-5 with three RBIs. Wes Timmons hit a solo home run, #4 on the season. Jonathan Schuerholz also had a great night, going 3-for-5 and is now batting .279. Starter Chuck James had his worst start at AA, allowing five runs (four earned) in two innings. Ryan Basner (1-5) pitched four scoreless relief innings to earn the win. Jorge Vasquez earned his 10th save with a scoreless ninth.

6/11: Mississippi 1, West Tennessee 2 (Box Score)
The Braves lost a rain-shortened eight inning game to the DiamondJaxx on Saturday. Starter Brian O'Connor (4-3) took the loss despite pitching well. O'Connor allowed two runs on five hits in seven innings. Luis Hernandez had the only Braves hits in this game. Hernandez was 2-for-3 with a triple and scored the only run.

6/12: Mississippi, West Tenn RAINED OUT

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Myrtle Beach Pelicans (29-34, 7.0 GB)

6/9: OFF DAY

6/10: Myrtle Beach 9, Kinston 12 (Box Score)
Both the Pelicans and Indians took their lumps on the mound, however the Indians survived this battle on Saturday. Wes Letson (3-1) took the loss after allowing three runs (one earned). Chris Waters allowed five of the runs and Jason Richardson allowed the other five. Doetsch and Prado each had two hits nights. Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit home run #7 on the season.

6/11: Myrtle Beach 2, Kinston 4 (Box Score)
Kelvin Villa (0-3) had another rough outing as a Pelican. Villa, in relief of starter Brady Endl, allowed two runs and only recorded one out in the seventh inning. Endl had allowed two runs in six innings, striking out eight in the meantime. Steven Doetsch and Martin Prado each had two hits again. Matt Esquivel hit his ninth home run this season.

6/12: Myrtle Beach 1, Kinston 2 (Box Score)
The Pelicans lost a pitching duel to the Indians last night, 2-1. Sean White allowed one run in six innings, getting the no decision. Ricardo Rodriguez (1-4) took the loss after allowing a run in the eighth. Martin Prado continued his hot streak, falling a triple short of the cycle. Prado now has his batting average up to .300.

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Rome Braves (35-27, 5.5 GB)

6/9: Rome 9, Savannah 7 (Box Score)
Rome rallied from a 7-1 deficit with eight unanswered runs to win this one. Matt Young (1) and Mark Jurich (5) each blasted home runs and drove in three runs. The bullpen pitched six scoreless innings after start Luis Atilano allowed the seven early runs. Jason Paul (1-0) earned the win.

6/10: Doubleheader Cancelled by Rain

6/11: Rome 4, Hickory 3 (Box Score)
Chris Vines (4-1) pitched a complete game and the Rome Braves held on for the 4-3 victory. Vines allowed three runs (two earned) on eight hits. He walked none and struck out six. Matt Young was 3-for-3 with two walks. Ivan Terrazas was 2-for-3 with a HR (1).

6/12: Rome 3, Hickory 2 (Box Score)
Matt Young drove in the game winning run in the ninth inning as the Rome Braves take the Crawdads, 3-2. Young finished the game 2-for-4. Carl Loadenthal was 3-for-4 with two doubles. Clint Sammons also had two hits. Angelo Burrows (3-1) earned the win in relief.

Richmond Braves (22-38, 11.5 GB)

Richmond 0, Rochester 9 (Box Score)
Ouch! The R-Braves were shutout, again. They were held to five singles. Sam McConnell (3-6) got roughed up in 5.2 innings. He allowed seven runs (four earned) and allowed two home runs. Hey, Matt Childers pitched two scoreless innings, that's gotta count for something.

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Mississippi Braves (31-28, 0.5 GB)

Off Day

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Myrtle Beach Pelicans (29-31, 4.0 GB)

Myrtle Beach 5, Lynchburg 7 (Box Score)
The Pelicans fought hard to rally from a 7-2 deficit in the ninth, but it was for naught. Starter Jake Stevens (3-5) did not have a good outing. Stevens went 3.1 innings and allowed five runs on four hits and three walks. Steven Doetsch was 3-for-5 with a HR and two RBIs. Ardley Jansen was 2-for-4.

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Rome Braves (32-27, 8.0 GB)

Rome 0, Savannah 1 (Box Score)
Matt Harrison tried to accomplish the unthinkable last night... back-to-back no-hitters. Unfortunately, he allowed a hit with two outs in the sixth. Tough break. Harrison finished the night with 6.2 scoreless innings, walking none and striking out five. Arthur Santos (1-1) took the loss despite giving up an unearned run (player scored on a J.C. Holt error in the 8th). The offense could only get three hits off of the Sand Gnats. Matt Young was 1-for-3 with a double.