Appy notes: Braves duo back together

In some ways, the first professional assignment for Taylor Lewis felt like it took him into enemy territory.

That's because the former Florida Gator was sent to Danville, Virginia, where some of the natives remain giddy about the University of Virginia's 2015 NCAA championship. Lewis' college team fell victim to the eventual champions along the way in the College World Series.

But the cool part for Lewis and fellow pitcher Ryan Lawlor is that they're in the Atlanta Braves organization. They're both from Georgia -- Lewis from Claxton, Lawlor from Savannah.

"Growing up and being around it all with the Braves, it's nice," Lawlor said. "I knew this is what I wanted to do."

Lawlor was picked in the eighth round of last month's Draft. Lewis went in the next round.

The pitchers, both 21, crossed paths as opponents in youth sports, then again in the Southeastern Conference in college since Lawlor pitched for Georgia.

Now they're receiving their initiation together.

"They're just getting their feet wet," Danville manager Rocket Wheeler said. "Because they threw a lot in college, we're keeping an eye on them. These guys have been going since January."

So that's one of the things they've encountered. Lawlor was two outs away from his first professional victory when he was pulled from a recent game based on a pitch count nearing 65.

"Because we've already played a full season, this was [going to happen]," Lawlor said. His solution: "Just maybe throw fewer pitches in some innings."

There has been an encouraging flip side for Lawlor, a left-hander. He said he likes the ability to have more input in the process as opposed to coaches calling pitches in college.

"Being able to call your own pitches and call your own game," he said of the positives. "You can be more confident in the pitch you go with because it's the one you want."

Lewis held the closer role for Florida. There are less defined roles so far with the Rookie league team.

"As long as I'm pitching," he said. "I just want to get on the mound. … It was awesome getting picked. The whole atmosphere of being in pro ball, I was pretty much going to sign."

Now Lewis has to get used to playing for some of those fans who were pulling against his team just a few weeks ago.

"I've met a lot of Virginia fans in the area," he said. "I don't like losing."

In brief

Slump buster: Danville third baseman Dylan Manwaring found quite a way to break out of a season-opening 0-for-25 stretch, drilling a three-run homer at Burlington. The fourth-inning blast sparked spirited a reaction as Danville players in the bullpen ran down to greet Manwaring at the dugout.

Turning it around: Shortstop Trae Arbet is batting .415 through 12 games with the Bristol Pirates, a significant upgrade from his .226 mark last year with the team. He had four multi-hit games in the first 10 days of July. "He's swinging the bat well and feels confident," Bristol manager Edgar Varela told the Bristol Herald Courier. "He's seeing the ball well and not trying to do too much."

Complete effort: Matt Tenuta is building his arm strength back up with the Burlington Royals after suffering a broken leg when he was hit by a line drive while pitching for the South Atlantic League's Lexington Legends on May 3. The best of his first five outings on an extended stay with Burlington came in a five-inning, complete-game victory against Danville in a rain-shortened affair. "It's nice to get a win again," Tenuta said. "Finally something good has happened after two and a half months."