Morning Chop: Braves 6/4
By Jeff Schafer
Kris Medlen ends skid, Atlanta Braves beat Pirates 7-2
June 3, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Kris Medlen (54) pitches in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
"Medlen (2-6) pitched seven solid innings for his first win since April 9, ending a career-worst, five-game skid over his previous nine starts. The right-hander allowed an unearned run and seven hits, lowering his ERA to 3.14.Medlen didn’t have to be reminded that he had to wait almost two months for his second win.“It’s been a while, yeah,” he said.“I always try to keep our team in the game. However many runs we’re scoring or however many runs I’m giving up, I always try to keep it as close as I can. With our offense, we’re an explosive-style offense as you saw today. Keep them close and we can win a game with a two- or three-run home run.”"
Prospect of the Day: Alex Wood, LHP, Atlanta Braves
"One year ago, Alex Wood was a University of Georgia pitcher preparing for the 2012 draft. Fast forward the calendar 12 months and he’s still pitching in Georgia. . .but for the Atlanta Braves. It has been a rapid rise for this young southpaw, making him a good topic of study as today’s Minor League Ball Prospect of the Day.After throwing less than one inning as a freshman in 2010 due to Tommy John surgery, Wood took a key role on the Georgia Bulldogs staff in 2011, making 15 starts with a 4.44 ERA, posting a 79/25 K/BB in 101 innings with 116 hits allowed. This positioned him as a key prospect to watch for 2012. He met or exceeded all expectations, posting a 2.73 ERA with a 100/21 K/BB in 102 innings with 95 hits allowed over 15 starts. He was rated as a supplemental or second-round talent entering the ’12 draft.That’s exactly where he went, picked by the Braves in the second round at 88th overall and signing for $700,000. Sent to Rome in the South Atlantic League for his pro debut, he dominated Low-A competition with a 2.22 ERA and a 52/14 K/BB in 53 innings over 13 starts. Moved up to Double-A Mississippi for 2013, he was even more effective with a 1.26 ERA in 10 starts with a 57/15 K/BB in 57 innings. Minor league competition wasn’t challenging him, and having made a positive impression with Braves brass in spring training, he got the call to the major league bullpen last week."
Brewers acquire Juan Francisco from Braves
"The Milwaukee Brewers have acquired third baseman Juan Francisco from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for minor league pitcher Thomas Keeling.Francisco hit .241 with five homers and 16 RBI in 35 games with the Braves this season. He was designated for assignment on May 30.The 25-year-old is a career .254 hitter with 19 home runs and 77 RBI in 209 games with the Reds and Braves.Keeling was 0-1 with a 3.18 ERA and one save in 17 relief appearances with Double-A Huntsville this season. The left-hander will be assigned to Double-A Mississippi.The Brewers also asked for waivers for the purpose of the unconditional release on infielder Alex Gonzalez. Additionally, the team recalled second baseman Scooter Gennett from Triple-A Nashville and optioned pitcher Mike Fiers to Nashville."
Atlanta Braves: McCann, Heyward, Freeman homer in 7-2 win at home
"Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said Minor “got some run support — finally.”Heyward, who was held out of the lineup Sunday, had two hits. He began the day with a .142 batting average and snapped a 0-for-19 slump with his first-inning single.“Maybe that will get him going and get him back to the real Jason Heyward that we like,” Gonzalez said.…Justin Upton singled off Mike Zagurski in the seventh, moved to third on McCann’s single and scored on Johnson’s fly ball to left field. The single was McCann’s 1,000th career hit.Fans responded to the announcement of the milestone with an ovation for McCann, who tipped his helmet while standing on first base.“It’s a cool moment,” McCann said."