The Braves' minor league system showcased plenty of power this week, but inconsistency on the mound and at the plate kept several affiliates from turning big hits into wins. Here's a closer look at the action.

Gwinnett Stripers (24-15) Fall 4-1 to Norfolk Tides (15-24)

Sometimes, one bad inning is all it takes. For starter Carlos Carrasco, making his return to Gwinnett after a stint in Atlanta, that rough patch came early. He surrendered a three-run homer in the first inning and an RBI single in the second, giving Norfolk a 4-0 lead—more than enough against a Stripers offense that managed just one run on the night. Carrasco's ERA jumped from 1.71 to 2.96, a reminder of how tough it is to stay sharp when you're not on a regular schedule. The bullpen held firm after that: Daysbel Hernández walked one but retired two batters on six pitches, Elieser Hernández tossed 3.2 scoreless innings with three strikeouts, and James Karinchak needed just seven pitches to fan his only batter. But the offense couldn't back them up, managing only six hits—two for extra bases—and drawing zero walks. The lone run came in the third when Brett Wisely laced an RBI double to score Chadwick Tromp. Still, the Stripers stranded five runners and went 3-for-10 with runners in scoring position, going down 1-2-3 in five innings.

Mississippi Braves (Double-A) Power Surge Not Enough in 9-6 Loss

Patrick Clohisy and David McCabe are making a habit of crushing baseballs. Clohisy went 2-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored, while McCabe launched a three-run homer of his own, continuing his red-hot stretch at the plate. But the story on the mound was different. Starter Garrett Baumann struggled to put away hitters, and a few misplaced pitches—combined with an inability to end innings—cost the M-Braves in a 9-6 loss. After taking a 1-0 lead in the first on Luke Waddell's double, Baumann gave up two runs in the bottom half. The game slipped away from there, as Mississippi's bats couldn't quite keep pace with the opposition's relentless attack.

System-Wide Notes

Keep an eye on Eric Hartman, whose OPS has climbed to an eye-popping 1.127 after a three-extra-base-hit performance. The power is real, and he's forcing his way into conversations about the organization's top prospects. Meanwhile, Brett Wisely continues to provide steady production for Gwinnett, hitting .293 with an .821 OPS—and adding a little personality to the box scores with his signature "Wisely wiggles" celebration.

In a system built on pitching depth, it's the bats that are flashing right now. If the arms can find some consistency, these close losses could turn into big wins in a hurry.