alumni news

First, the good stuff from Wednesday. Former Mississippi Braves Mike Minor (one run over 5 2/3 innings), Jonny Venters (two scoreless innings), Craig Kimbrel (14th save) and Jordan Schafer (2-for-5 with a run) helped Atlanta beat Pittsburgh 4-2 in 11 innings. Venters, a hard-throwing lefty who was a starter in Pearl, has a jaw-dropping 0.59 ERA. Schafer, the fallen prospect thrust into the leadoff role because of Atlanta’s injury issues, has played well in his two starts; his speed at the top of the order is an asset — if he continues to get on base. Ex-M-Braves catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia is starting to look like he belongs in Boston’s star-studded lineup. Salty hit his fourth homer in six games and is up to .240 with 15 RBIs for the season. Ex-Jackson Generals star Lance Berkman had two hits for St. Louis and lifted his average to a National League-best .350. Former Generals ace Freddy Garcia improved to 3-4 with a 3.26 ERA for the New York Yankees by beating Toronto. And that brings us to the bad stuff. Ex-M-Braves lefty Jo-Jo Reyes took the loss for the Blue Jays, stretching his streak of winless starts to a major league record-tying 28. He last won with Atlanta in 2008. Reyes, who pitched well in spring training for the Jays, is 0-4, 4.70.
P.S. Delta State product Eli Whiteside might find himself playing more regularly for San Francisco for a while after starting catcher Buster Posey suffered an ankle injury on Wednesday. Posey’s injury reportedly is serious. Whiteside, the backup for the world champs last year, is hitting .208 with one homer in 25 at-bats this season.