Morning Chop: Braves News 4/16
By Jeff Schafer
GRAND-AM SET FOR SPECIAL APPEARANCE AT ATLANTA BRAVES GAME
"En route to Saturday’s race at Road Atlanta, GRAND-AM will make a very special stop at Turner Field on Tuesday night.Call it a pass-through without a penalty.At the end of the sixth inning of the Atlanta Braves-Kansas City Royals game, the No. 42 Team Sahlen car that competes in the GRAND-AM Rolex Series’ Daytona Prototype class will tour the Turner Field outfield, with lead driver and Suwanee, Ga. resident Dane Cameron carefully driving the exotic red, yellow and black BMW/Riley around the warning track."
World Series odds – Atlanta Braves climb LVH board
March 26, 2013; Lakeland, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves left fielder Justin Upton (8) signs autographs prior to the game against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
"The Atlanta Braves are off to a red-hot start that has seen their odds shrink from 14-1 on opening day to 8-1. They have the second-shortest World Series odds behind the Detroit Tigers, who remain at 6-1. Strong pitching (1.82 team ERA) and a scorching Justin Upton (.348, 7 HRs, 11 RBIs) have propelled the Braves to an 11-1 start that included a three-game sweep of the Washington Nationals.2013 WORLD SERIES ODDSTIGERS 6-1BRAVES 8-1 (14-1)ANGELS 10-1 (7-1)NATIONALS 10-1 (7-1)DODGERS 10-1 (8-1)"
Bishop Lynch alum Evan Gattis quickly finding success with Atlanta Braves
"Maybe you remember Gattis’ tale: Once a top-end catching prospect from Forney, a fear of failure led him to turn down an offer from Texas A&M and quit baseball altogether. He then set out to find himself, a journey that covered several states, both geographical and ephemeral. Worked as a valet, cook, janitor, cart boy, waiter and lift operator at a ski resort. Lived in a hostel in Taos and the back of his green 1995 Dodge pickup. Followed a spiritualist all the way to California.Found his answer there, too.“Evan, maybe there’s nothing wrong with your life at all,” the spiritualist told him.“Maybe you just need to chill.”Newly enlightened, Gattis drove his pickup to UT-Permian Basin, a Division II school in Odessa, and took up baseball again. For a guy who hadn’t so much as picked up a glove in four years, there wasn’t much rust on his 6-4, 230-pound frame.Even though he’d only played one season in the previous five years, the Braves put him on a fast track because of his age. He went from rookie ball at 23 to Double A at 25. He impressed scouts with a powerful, compact swing and willingness to work."
Monday’s Atlanta Braves Minor League Action
"Norfolk Tides 4, Gwinnett Braves 5 – Final 11 InningsTyler Pastornicky 2B 2-6, 2 RBI(7), K, .392 AVGJoey Terdoslavich RF 2-5 2B, RBI(9), .260 AVGErnesto Mejia 1B 2-4 2B(3), HR(7),2 RBI(14), BB, K, .333 AVGGwinnett starter Daniel Rodriguez lasted 4.2 innings while giving up three runs on three hits and four walks but the bullpen held down the fort going 6.1 innings allowing one run on just four hits allowed. The offense put together a station to station rally in the bottom of the 11th when pinch hitter Scott Kazmar singled to start the inning, moved to second on a sac bunt and then to third on a groundout before coming home on a Tyler Pastornicky single. Alden Carrithers also went 1-3 with a double to lower his average to .421 but also extend his hitting streak to six games."