Morning Chop: Braves News 5/8
By Jeff Schafer
Reds slay Kimbrel in ninth with back-to-back home runs
May 7, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) pitches during the ninth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. The Reds defeated the Braves 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports
"Craig Kimbrel was one strike away from getting career save No. 100. Five pitches later, he was walking off the field stunned.Devin Mesoraco hit a home run on a full-count pitch from Kimbrel with two outs in the ninth inning on Tuesday night, and Shin-Soo Choo followed with his second home run of the game, rallying the Cincinnati Reds to a 5-4 victory against the Atlanta Braves.So sudden, and so shocking for everyone.“He’s the best closer in the league,” said Choo, whose second career game-ending home run gave him a team-high seven this season. “This is a big game for us.”Cincinnati’s offense has been struggling the last couple of weeks. The Reds were one strike away from another low-scoring loss after Kimbrel (0-1) fanned the first two batters in the ninth and went to a full count on Mesoraco.“In that situation, I don’t want to walk him,” Kimbrel said."
Atlanta Braves to Make up Rained Out Game with New York Mets on June 18
"Saturday’s rained out game between the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets has been rescheduled as a split doubleheader on June 18 at Turner Field.The make up game will be played at 1:10 p.m. before that night’s 7:10 p.m. game.Ticket holders of Saturday’s game can use those tickets for the first game of that doubleheader or exchange them for any other Braves home game this season."
Former Atlanta Braves player coaches Milton Braves
"Former Major League Baseball and Atlanta Braves player Mark Wohlers provided pitching instruction to the Milton Braves 12U travel baseball team Feb. 10. Wohlers instructed the players on proper pitching mechanics and having a plan for each batter, and stressed the importance of competing against themselves and improving each time on the mound from their prior performance."
Is Andrelton Simmons for Real?
"How ’bout Andrelton Simmons last night? He went 3 for 4 with 2 home runs and 3 RBI and made a play at second base that still has me scratching my head. If he makes that play in the seventh game of the World Series it would be legendary. Check out the video at: Andrelton Simmons Great PlayWith last night’s win the Braves equaled last season’s win total (one) against the Reds, and exceeded last season’s win total at Great American Park (zero). The Braves failed to log a win last year at GAP in four attempts.Think the boss works you too hard? On April 26 the Braves started a stretch where they will play 56 games in 59 days, 34 will be at home, 25 on the road. Of course you probably don’t make quite as much money as the average major league player, nor do you stay in the same hotels or eat in the same restaurants."