Game Recap for 07/13/25: The Gwinnett Stripers jumped out to an early lead with back-to-back homers in the first inning, but couldn’t hold off the Indianapolis Indians in a 6–5 loss on Saturday.
Jarred Kelenic continues his hot July by setting the tone early, blasting a solo shot (378 feet) to right-center on a 100 mph exit velocity. Luke Waddell followed with his first homer of the season, a 388-foot drive to right, giving Gwinnett an early 2–0 cushion. Conner Capel tripled to center in the second inning.
Indianapolis quickly responded in the second with a two-run double by Ronny Simon to tie it at 3–3. A Nick Solak solo homer in the fifth put the Indians in front, and from there, the game turned into a back-and-forth struggle.
Gwinnett tied the game 5–5 in the sixth when Luis Sanchez singled home Capel, but stranded the go-ahead run in the seventh when Matthew Batten was thrown out at the plate on a fielder’s choice.
The decisive blow came in the eighth when Brett Sullivan doubled and scored the go-ahead run on Alika Williams’ bunt single. The Stripers went down in order in the ninth, sealing the loss despite threatening with a two-out single from Eddy’s Leonard.
Gwinnett Stripers Pitching Breakdown
Didier Fuentes
Overview
- IP: 2.0
- H: 4
- R: 4
- ER: 4
- BB: 2
- K: 3
- Max Velo: 97.7 mph
- Max Exit Velo Allowed: 105.6 mph
Pitch Mix
- 4-Seam Fastball (59%)
- Avg Velo: 95.4
- Whiff Rate: 22%
- Zone%: 47%
- zContact%: 86%
- Sweeper (34%)
- Avg Velo: 83.7
- Whiff Rate: 44%
- CSW%: 30%
- Curveball & Changeup (7% combined)
Notes
- Fastball was a bit down from yearly average (-0.6 mph), but spin was up.
- Sweeper was his most effective swing/miss pitch.
- He gave up hard contact across all offerings (avg EV 85.1; Max 105.6).
- Command issues elevated pitch counts quickly.
Nathan Wiles
Overview
- IP: 2.1
- H: 4
- R: 1
- ER: 1
- BB: 0
- K: 2
- Max Velo: 93.9 mph
- Max Exit Velo Allowed: 110.3 mph
Pitch Mix
- Changeup (40%)
- Avg Velo: 83.4
- Whiff Rate: 50%
- CSW%: 39%
- Cutter (36%)
- Avg Velo: 84.6
- Whiff Rate: 38%
- 4-Seam Fastball (20%)
- Avg Velo: 92.3
- Max EV Allowed: 110.3
- Slider (4%)
Notes
- Very offspeed-heavy (76% cutters/changeups).
- Strong whiff rates on secondaries (especially changeup).
- Fastball got squared up hard.
- Solid command (0 walks), good sequencing.
Dylan Dodd
Overview
- IP: 1.1
- H: 0
- R: 0
- ER: 0
- BB: 0
- K: 2
- Max Velo: 94.4 mph
- Max Exit Velo Allowed: 96.8 mph
Pitch Mix
- Cutter (57%)
- Avg Velo: 88.7
- Whiff Rate: 57%
- 4-Seam Fastball (33%)
- Avg Velo: 93.5
- Whiff Rate: 75% (!!)
- Changeup & Slider (10% combined)
Notes
- Electric stuff in a short burst.
- Generated 64% whiff rate overall.
- Fastball spin way up from yearly average (+123 RPM).
- Effective in attacking both RHB/LHB.
Domingo Gonzalez
Overview
- IP: 1.1
- H: 1
- R: 0
- ER: 0
- BB: 1
- K: 0
- Max Velo: 95.2 mph
- Max Exit Velo Allowed: 102.2 mph
Pitch Mix
- Slider (61%)
- Avg Velo: ~87
- CSW%: 27%
- 4-Seam Fastball (39%)
- Avg Velo: ~93
Notes
- Relied heavily on slider.
- No whiffs on 6 swings.
- Gave up some hard contact (Max EV 102.2).
José Ruiz
Overview
- IP: 1.0
- H: 2
- R: 1
- ER: 1
- BB: 0
- K: 0
- Max Velo: 94.3 mph
- Max Exit Velo Allowed: 95.3 mph
Pitch Mix
- Changeup (46%)
- Avg Velo: 87.4
- Whiff Rate: 25%
- Sinker (23%)
- Avg Velo: 93.9
- 4-Seam Fastball (15%)
- Avg Velo: 94.1
- Curveball (15%)
Game Notes
- Diverse pitch mix.
- Sinker and fastball down ~1.5 mph from seasonal norms.
- Curveball generated no whiffs.
- Gave up consistent contact but didn’t get hit especially hard.
Stripers who stood out?
- Dylan Dodd: Dominant whiff rates, high fastball spin, efficient inning.
- Nathan Wiles: Excellent changeup feel, no walks.
Stripers Pitchers who Struggled?
- Didier Fuentes: Command lapses, hard contact early.
- José Ruiz: Velocity is down slightly, and it is less effective in generating swing/miss.
Stripers Common Themes
- A mix-heavy approach (especially for Wiles and Ruiz) is needed rather than relying on velocity.
- Gwinnett’s staff allowed a lot of loud contact (several 100+ mph EV).
- Command varied widely, some (Wiles) sharp, others (Fuentes) less so.
Stripers Game Highlights
- Jarred Kelenic: 1-for-5, HR (4), 3 strikeouts.
- Luke Waddell: 3-for-4, HR (1), 1 RBI, 1 walk.
- Conner Capel: 3-for-4, double, triple, 1 run scored.
- Luis Sanchez: 2-for-3, RBI.
- Nick Solak (IND): 2-for-3, HR (10), walk, RBI.
Game Key Moments
- Back-to-back homers in the first inning.
- Solak’s go-ahead homer in the 5th (104.8 mph EV).
- Wild pitch in the 4th allowed Gwinnett to tie it briefly.
- Sullivan’s 8th-inning double and Williams’ bunt single proved decisive.
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