Gwinnett (Triple-A)
Looking back: The G-Braves have won three in a row entering the weekend after a season-long five-game losing streak. They remain two games behind first-place Durham.
Looking ahead: The G-Braves begin an eight-game trip Friday night at Lehigh Valley with right-hander Gus Schlosser trying to lower a 10.80 ERA as a starter.
Who's hot: Wirfin Obispo has a team-high four holds, and Juan Jaime has a team-leading seven saves. Jose Constanza has a franchise-best 338 hits after a four-hit game Thursday. 1B Joey Terdoslavich is on a 13-for-42 tear with five multihit games in his past 10 games.
Who's not: 3B Edward Salcedo is in a 6-for-34 slide and only three hits in his past 24 at-bats. OF Derrick Mitchell is 1-f0r-19 to fall to .143 for the season.
Need to know: LP Ian Thomas, who was demoted to work on a slider, pitched a perfect three innings with five strikeouts in his Triple-A season debut.
Jackson, Miss. (Double-A)
Looking back: The M-Braves have gone 7-3 and won three in a row to close within three games of first-place Mobile and Montgomery in the Southern League South Division.
Looking ahead: After completing a five-game road series Friday at Mobile, the M-Braves open a 10-game homestand Saturday against Montgomery with a strong chance to close the gap in the division.
Who's hot: SS Elmer Reyes has gone 12-for-36 and his season average is at .352, but doesn't have enough at-bats after appearing in 19 games to be in the Southern League leaders. He would be leading the league.
Who's not: CF Matt Lipka had gone 3-for-31 before a breakout game Wednesday, going 3-for-4 with two doubles.
Need to know: RP Jason Hursh, the Braves' No. 1 free-agent amateur pick last year, has had three consecutive solid starts of five innings or more, and his ERA stands at 3.41.
Lynchburg, Va. (Single-A)
Looking back: The Hillcats have lost three in a row and are 3-7 in their past 10. They are in last place in the Carolina League Northern Division.
Looking ahead: They play their next seven on the road against Wilmington and Carolina.
Who's hot: 2B Jose Peraza has two or more hits in six of his past eight games and is batting .331, third in the league. C Tyler Tewell is batting .305 after 82 at-bats and 22 games to rank 10th in the league. He hit only .222 at lower-classification Rome a season ago.
Who's not: OF Will Skinner has gone 7-for-33 to fall to .204.
Need to know: RP Lucas Sims continues to progress. He had a no-decision, but continues to go deep into games and has a 2-3 record with a 4.06 ERA. He has 22 strikeouts and 12 walks. Reliever Brandon Cuniff was promoted to Double-A Mississippi. He had 21 strikeouts in 15 innings and dominated the competition. In his double-A debut, he picked right up with two hitless innings and three strikeouts.
Rome (Single-A)
Looking back: The R-Braves have gone 3-7 and are now 12 games back in the South Atlantic League Southern Division.
Looking ahead: They close out a home series against Charleston on Friday and then host Asheville for four games over the weekend.
Who's hot: LF Victor Reyes, 19, of Venezuela, is up to .375, second in the SAL in batting, after going 20-for-37 in his past 10 games with seven multihit games. C-3B Vic Caratini is 8-for-17 to boost his average to .297 entering the weekend.
Who's not: The R-Braves pitching staff continues to struggle, surrendering 10 walks in a Thursday loss to Charleston to push their league-leading walks total to 140. They have a league-worst ERA of 5.68.
Need to know: Jonathan Schuerholz, son of the Braves president John Schuerholz, manages the R-Braves.
