Saturday saw some interesting things down on the farm as the Atlanta Braves affiliates split the four games played. The most noteworthy events were JR Ritchie’s scoreless outing and big days from first rounder Tate Southisene as well as Nick Montgomery in Augusta. We also had a scoreless outing from Zach Royse, Dixon Williams returning from the injured list, and Sean Murphy continuing his rehab assignment.
It was JR Ritchie’s turn in the rotation on Saturday afternoon, and the early game didn’t trip him up at all. Ritchie went six shutout innings against a strong Memphis lineup, allowing just three hits and three walks. Ritchie, who struck out eight on 14 whiffs, did get into a little bit of trouble at times, though a strong defensive effort behind him helped lead to him keeping Memphis off the scoreboard. Rolddy Munoz went a scoreless inning next, before Daysbel Hernandez allowed the first Memphis run of the game during his two thirds of an inning. Anderson Pilar pitched a scoreless inning and a third, before Hunter Stratton came on to pitch both of the extra innings. Despite inheriting the ghost runner in both innings, Stratton kept Memphis scoreless for two innings as he struck out four batters to pick up the win.
At the plate Nacho Alvarez may have started to get his season going, as he went two for five and walked to reach base three times on the afternoon. Ben Gamel and Jair Camargo joined Alvarez with multi-hit games, though all of the Stripers hits were singles in the win. Jim Jarvis was hitless in his four at bats – though did have a pair of 100+ MPH exit velocities, but he drew a pair of walks in addition to making some strong defensive plays at short. Brewer Hicklen also reached base multiple times, as he singled, walked, and stole a base.
In case you missed it this week, Lucas Braun was sent from Gwinnett to Columbus, and was on the mound for his first Double-A start of the season. Things started out well, as he kept Biloxi off the board through the first three innings, but he allowed a pair of runs in the fourth inning. Braun went on to allow two more runs in the fifth, and departed the game after recording two outs in that inning. His final line saw him allow four runs on eight hits and a walk with four strikeouts and 12 whiffs. Samuel Strickland followed and allowed a run during his inning and a third. Biloxi broke this one open against Ryan Bourassa, who was credited with five runs during two thirds of an inning. Elison Joseph went the final two and a third innings without allowing a run, striking out two.
Things didn’t go well for the Columbus offense, as they scored one run and managed just two hits and four walks on the day. Both of those hits went for doubles, as Patrick Clohisy doubled and scored a run in four at bats, while Archer Brookman walked and doubled in two at bats. Ambioris Tavarez, Ethan Workinger, and Drew Compton drew walks to account for the remainder of the Clingstones reaching base in the loss.
This was a tough one, as Rome used five pitchers in the game and every one of them was charged with allowing runs. Colin Daniel started and allowed four runs over four and a third innings. Jacob Shafer (1.2 IP) and Jacob Wallace (2 IP) had the best looking days, as each allowed a run over their stints. Isaac Gallegos was charged with six unearned runs during his two thirds of an inning, while Logan Samuels allowed a run over just a third of an inning.
Things weren’t much better at the plate, as Rome managed just two hits and five walks in this one. One guy who did stand out though was Isaiah Drake, who was one for three with a walk and a run scored. John Gil was hitless in three at bats, but drew a walk and picked up a run batted in. Rehabbing Sean Murphy was hitless in his one at bat before coming out of the game for Mac Guscette, the man responsible for the other Rome hit. The walks came from Mason Guerra, Austin Machado, and Colby Jones – who also added a stolen base in the loss. Eric Hartman was hitless in four at bats, while Dixon Williams was hitless in two in his return from injury.
Zach Royse got the start and turned in five and two thirds innings of shutout baseball, allowing just two hits and three walks while striking out five. Royse, who seemed in complete control over his entire outing, racked up a game-high 14 whiffs. After Royse, Lewis Sifontes allowed two runs over an inning and a third, before Styven Paez went two scoreless innings to finish this win off.
The stars here were once again Tate Southisene and Nick Montgomery, two guys who struggled here last year – though both are off to excellent starts to their 2026 seasons. Southisene was three for four with a double, homer, two stolen bases, three runs scored, and two batted in. That makes two homers and 10 steals for him already. Montgomery, who also hit his second homer of the season, was three for five with two runs scored and four batted in. Seven of the nine guys in the lineup reached base multiple times in the win, including Luis Guanipa (1-3, walk, two sac flys), Alex Lodise (1-4, walk), Caden Merritt (1-3, two walks), and Dallas Macias (2-4, double).