WEATHER FORECAST
105F 4:05; 106F HIGH *UPDATED TEMP 3:28PM, **HOTTEST BRAVES HOME GAME IN HISTORY
BRAVES LINEUP
1. Michael Bourn CF
2. Martin Prado LF
3. Jason Heyward RF
4. Freddie Freeman 1B
5. Dan Uggla 2B
6. Brian McCann C
7. Andrelton Simmons SS
8. Juan Francisco 3B
9. Mike Minor P
NATIONALS LINEUP
1. Danny Espinosa 2B
2. Bryce Harper CF
3. Ryan Zimmerman 3B
4. Michael Morse RF
5. Adam LaRoche 1B
6. Ian Desmond SS
7. Tyler Moore LF
8. Jesus Flores C
9. Stephen Strasburg P
That’s right the Atlanta Braves that started the season 0-4, then 5-0, and then…Simply put, the Braves are streakers. Prior to Atlanta new three game win streak, they lost six of seven and went 20 scoreless innings. These streaks are enough to turn your hair gray (at least that is the excuse I am using). » Continue reading “WE’RE GOING STREAKIN’- “Old School” 2012 BRAVES”
Focus on the positive: Michael Bourn's lead off triple
You would think a lead off triple is a good way to put 20 scoreless innings away and move on to winning ways. You, like many others, would be wrong. You are probably on target when it all fell apart though. That’s right, the dreaded 5th inning is where it all blew up for Mike Minor giving up three runs. The Yankees did not stop there, scoring one run in each of their at bats to follow.
A team coming off the aforementioned 20 scoreless innings cannot afford to relinquish a lead. The Braves struggles at the plate are far to similar to that of 2011, excluding Dan Uggla, whose patience is shown through the number of walks he has this season. What is not similar is the amount of pitching at Atlanta’s disposal. The bullpen is not as reliable, most notably Johhny Venters. Eric O’Flaherty has been injured, Livan Hernadez designated for assignment, and Kris Medlen sent down to stretch out for a starting role. Needless to say, Medlen will not be filling that spot just yet.
Although, a starter spot has opened with news that could be devastating if the Braves stay on the recent course. Brandon Beachy, who left Saturday’s game versus Baltimore with an elbow injury, showed a partial tear of the Ulnar Collateral Ligament on an MRI performed today. Beachy will see the team doctor Tuesday and Dr. James Andrews Wednesday. Injuries of this nature often require Tommy John surgery and one year of rehab.
The Braves broke their losing streak despite the frustrations of Tommy Hanson matchbox size strike zone. Hanson was frustrated with the home plate umpire’s definition of a strike, mainly because there was not one. My reason for even bringing it up is because Hanson was clearly agitated, and whether it affected his actual pitches or the umpire’s willingness to give him calls, the agitation may have had an effect. It did not affect the bullpen. Chad Durbin, Kris Medlen, and Craig Kimbrel came in and saved Tommy from a loss.
Atlanta turned four double plays in a game where they also had two uncharacteristic errors- errors that were quickly made up for by those committing them. Andrelton Simmons hit his second home run and Michael Bourn, well, being Michael Bourn. Atlanta also got another glimpse of just how good a player and teammate Martin Prado is. Prado played first base in order to allow Freddie Freeman more rest. While not perfect, he got the job done in better than could be expected fashion.
Saturday’s match up pits Brandon Beachy against Jason Hammel. Let’s see if the streak continues.
Atlanta heads to the weekend series with Baltimore on a four game losing streak, while the O’s are winners of six in a row. If Fredi Gonzalez and company have their way, both streaks will end. Tommy Hanson takes the mound to take his shot versus Brian Matusz in the opener.
Braves Line Up
1. Bourn 8
2. Prado 3
3. McCann 2
4. Uggla 4
5. Jones 5
6. Diaz 7
7. Heyward 9
8. Simmons 6
9. Hanson 1
Atlanta has designated Livan Hernandez for assignment and recalled Kris Medlen from Gwinnett. Medlen was sent down to stretch out for a starting role, but the Braves may now need him back in the bullpen more. Stay tuned…
I will take the blame for this one, I asked the rain to go away thinking that would benefit the Braves. Obviously I was wrong. Julio Teheran came out of the gates like Atlanta’s bats, hot. A three up three down inning that ended with striking out Jose Bautista is not a bad way to make a season debut, but as he is prone to do, Teheran had a blow up inning. After being able to get only one out in the fifth, allowing a run, and loading the bases, his day was done, and so was the Braves’. » Continue reading “A Little Rain Never Hurt Anyone…A Lot Would Have Helped the Braves”
Julio Teheran has been waiting for his shot to get his first win at Turner Field, and Tim Hudson’s swollen ankles have given it to him, IF it stops raining. He is not the only one who needs the rain to stop, I have more interviews to shoot so I can bring you more game video!
Indeed Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, and John Smoltz are together again, but this time they are somewhat looking over Turner Field. The three men so often heard in the same breath, now have their numbers hanging high above left field along side their longtime manager Bobby Cox. Maddux was inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame in 2009, followed by Glavine in 2010, and Cox in 2011. Tonight, however was all about John Smoltz, who on the other hand looked at it in reverse. » Continue reading “Glavine, Maddux, and Smoltz, Together Again”
Last night the Atlanta Braves took on the Miami Marlins and crushed them 11-0 in the first game of three in the series. The Braves scored four runs in both the top of the seventh and ninth inning.
Two main players to be attributed in the win would have to be 32-year-old second baseman, Dan Uggla and right-handed pitcher, Tim Hudson 3-2, 4.60 ERA.
The former Marlin, Uggla had gone 4-for-5 with a double, two home runs and five RBIs. The second home run came at the top of the ninth making this Ugglas 200th career homer.
“This is where I started my career and to get my 200th homer here is awesome. Here, or Atlanta, it would have been great either way,” Uggla said.
Main man of the night was Tim Hudson. Hudson pitched a “complete-game, five-hit shut out.” He walked three and struck out three.
Last night Hudson had his 25th career complete game and 13th career shutout. The win made his career record against the Marlins to 12-4.
Congratulations Atlanta! Keep up the good work.
The Braves will take on the Marlins in the second game of the series in Marlins Park at 7:10 PM ET.
I will take the blame for this one, I asked the rain to go away thinking that would benefit the Braves. Obviously I was wrong. Julio Teheran came out of the gates like Atlanta’s bats, hot. A three up three down inning that ended with striking out Jose Bautista is not a bad way to make a season debut, but as he is prone to do, Teheran had a blow up inning. After being able to get only one out in the fifth, allowing a run, and loading the bases, his day was done, and so was the Braves’. 
Indeed Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, and John Smoltz are together again, but this time they are somewhat looking over Turner Field. The three men so often heard in the same breath, now have their numbers hanging high above left field along side their longtime manager Bobby Cox. Maddux was inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame in 2009, followed by Glavine in 2010, and Cox in 2011. Tonight, however was all about John Smoltz, who on the other hand looked at it in reverse. 
Last night the Atlanta Braves took on the Miami Marlins and crushed them 11-0 in the first game of three in the series. The Braves scored four runs in both the top of the seventh and ninth inning. 
