Morning Chop: Braves News 4/4
By Jeff Schafer
Freddie Freeman, Justin Upton power Braves past Phillies
"Philadelphia PhilliesHittersABRHRBIBBSO#PAVGOBPSLGB Revere CF51100017.222.300.222J Rollins SS50200016.300.300.400C Utley 2B40120219.444.4441.111R Howard 1B30001217.000.111.000M Young 3B40100013.167.375.167D Brown LF40200018.429.500.429J Mayberry Jr. RF30101013.286.375.429E Kratz C40000222.125.125.125R Halladay P2000029.000.000.000R Valdes P0000000.000.000.000A Bastardo P0000000.000.000.000a-L Nix PH1110003.500.500.500M Adams P0000000.000.000.000J Papelbon P0000000.000.000.000b-F Galvis PH1000015.000.000.000Totals3629229152"
Philadelphia Phillies
Pitchers
IP
H
R
ER
BB
SO
HR
PC-ST
ERA
R Halladay3.1
6
5
5
3
9
2
95-55
13.50
R Valdes1.2
1
2
2
2
3
0
40-21
10.80
A Bastardo1.0
0
0
0
1
1
0
18-11
0.00
M Adams1.0
0
0
0
0
2
0
9-8
0.00
J Papelbon1.0
2
2
2
0
1
1
22-13
18.00
Totals
8.0
9
9
9
6
16
3
184-108
Atlanta Braves
Hitters
AB
R
H
RBI
BB
SO
#P
AVG
OBP
SLG
A Simmons5
2
2
0
0
2
23
.333
.333
.444
J Heyward4
3
2
2
1
1
25
.286
.444
.714
J Upton3
2
1
2
2
2
29
.286
.444
1.143
F Freeman3
1
2
3
1
1
17
.714
.750
1.286
B Upton4
0
0
0
0
4
19
.000
.000
.000
J Schafer CF
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
.000
.000
D Uggla2
0
0
0
2
1
20
.200
.500
.800
J Francisco4
0
1
1
0
1
13
.250
.250
.250
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
.000
.000
E Gattis4
1
1
1
0
1
20
.250
.250
1.000
P Maholm3
0
0
0
0
3
16
.000
.000
.000
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
.000
.000
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
.000
.000
L Avilan P
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
.000
.000
R Pena 3B
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
.000
.000
.000
Totals
33
9
9
9
6
16
184
Atlanta Braves
Pitchers
IP
H
R
ER
BB
SO
HR
PC-ST
ERA
P Maholm5.2
6
0
0
1
6
0
97-66
0.00
C Gearrin0.1
0
0
0
1
1
0
8-3
0.00
C Martinez0.1
3
2
2
0
0
0
13-11
54.00
L Avilan0.2
0
0
0
0
1
0
8-6
0.00
A Varvaro2.0
0
0
0
0
1
0
26-18
0.00
Atlanta Braves – TeamReport
"Only one of the Upton brothers got a hit in his Braves debut, but Justin’s home run in the season-opening 7-5 victory over Philadelphia was enough to make it a very special night for both.“Watching it live, it doesn’t get any better than that,” said B.J. Upton, who left Tampa Bay to sign with the Braves as a free agent. “I’m used to finishing my game on the East Coast and trying to watch the second half of his game. But now he is with me, and that was pretty cool to see.”Justin Upton, acquired in a trade from Arizona, homered in the fifth inning, the Braves’ third of the game off Phillies starter Cole Hamels, showing just how potent the team’s rebuilt offense might be this season. Freddie Freeman and Dan Uggla had already gone deep.“Everything kind of fell into place,” Justin said. “It was great that the guys came out swinging the bats well. I was able to contribute and we got a ‘W’ at the same time. You can’t beat that.”"
Braves’ new-look lineup shows power potential
Apr 3, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) watches his double driving in three runs against the Philadelphia Phillies during the fourth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
"Gonzalez said Braves hitting coach Greg Walker believes Freeman, 23, “is the best young hitter he has ever worked with.”Freeman hit 23 homers with 94 RBIs last season.“The sky is the limit for him,” Gonzalez said.Uggla believes the sky is the limit for the full lineup.“We’re not trying to hold back,” he said. “If it costs some strikeouts in situations, then that’s what it’s going to take, because we have the power to go blow for blow with anybody.”"
Inaugural Atlanta Braves Heritage Weekend Set for May 31 – June 1
"The Inaugural Atlanta Braves Heritage Weekend is set for May 31 – June 1 during the Braves series with the Washington Nationals. The weekend will benefit the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.“Being hosts of the Civil Rights Weekend for the past two years provided us the perfect springboard to begin a Braves tradition of recognizing Atlanta’s strong and rich history in the Civil Rights Movement,” said Braves President John Schuerholz. “It is only proper and fitting for us to honor that legacy.”The Braves will partner with the National Center for Civil and Human Rights for a special roundtable lunch at Turner Field’s 755 Club on Friday, May 31. The panel will be moderated by Doug Shipman, the Chief Executive Officer of the new center and he will offer a wide range of questions and discussion points."
Corner infield targets
"Freddie Freeman – I’m super high on Freeman. He’s young, he’s improved year over year and last year he lost time with vision issues and still put up solid numbers. The addition of The Upton brothers to the line up will give him even more opportunity to shine. Has a chance to grow into a top 5 first baseman this season. He was around a 9th round pick, according to ESPN Live Draft Results, while he could easily out-perform first basemen that are going 30-50 picks ahead of him (Billy Butler, Allen Craig)."
Wednesday Game Thoughts
"Justin Upton and Jason Heyward both hit home runs today. I still can’t believe that Arizona traded Upton. He’s only 25! Arizona’s loss is certainly Atlanta’s gain. Having Heyward in right softens the blow of moving Upton to left. Heyward is such a dynamic player and so graceful for his size. I love to watch him play. It’s rare for a team to have two potential perennial MVP candidates, but Atlanta might have that with Upton and Heyward. In center, B.J. Upton had a golden sombrero tonight, but that happens."
Day Three Recap and Observations: Part Three
Braves 9, Phillies 2
Apr 3, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher Evan Gattis (24) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the fourth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
"Roy Halladay: Where to begin? It was one heck of an ugly first inning for Halladay in what was a rain-soaked affair. He needed an even 40 pitches to finish the frame. While allowing three runs, two walks, and a homer, he also struck out the side. The next few innings were more of the same, with strikeouts being intermittently mixed with walks and base hits. He was pulled in the fourth inning, having thrown a lofty 95 pitches. On the plus side, his velocity was back up to the 91 mph range and he had nine strikeouts. On the downside, the guys that didn’t strike out hit the ball hard."
"Evan Gattis: One of the better feel-good stories of the young baseball season got even more feel-gooder when rookie catcher Evan Gattis slugged his first career home run in the fourth inning. He’s already developing into a fan favorite with the Braves crowd. Even once Brian McCann (shoulder) returns, Atlanta is going to find a way to get Gattis 400 at-bats in 2013 as long as he continues to hit.Jason Heyward, Justin Upton: Atlanta’s young corner outfield combo each went deep on Wednesday night. Upton’s was a two-run variety off of a lifeless fastball from Halladay, while Heyward’s was a late-inning blast that landed just over the ‘390’ sign on the right center field wall. Center fielder B.J. Upton did his best to fit in with his outfield mates, swinging for the fences in his four at-bats. He struck out every time."