Morning Chop: Atlanta Braves News 6/19
By Jeff Schafer
Wheeler, Harvey lead Mets’ sweep of Braves
Jun 18, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) throws his bat after flying out against the New York Mets in the sixth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
"Just imagine Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler at the top of the rotation for years to come.“I hope people saw this,” said manager Terry Collins, no doubt referring to New York’s long-suffering NL fans. “Certainly they’re going to enjoy watching these two guys for a long time. They’re going to be around.”Wheeler lived up the hype in his major league debut, pitching six scoreless innings to lead the Mets to a 6-1 victory over the first-place Atlanta Braves and a doubleheader sweep on Tuesday night.In the opener, Harvey didn’t allow a hit until the seventh and struck out a career-high 13 as New York held off the Braves 4-3.“I had some jitters going at first,” said Wheeler, who went back out to sign autographs in his full uniform after the game. “Then I settled down a little bit, probably the fourth or fifth inning I think it was, found a rhythm, settled down, and I was able to throw all my pitches for strikes.”"
Atlanta Braves Place Slugger Evan Gattis On Disabled List
"National League pitchers can sleep a bit easier tonight and for the next fifteen days or so as Atlanta Braves power bat Evan Gattis has been placed on the disabled list.The 26 year old Gattis has an insane 14 home runs this year in just 183 at bat’s, good for a bomb every 13 plate appearances. To fill his roster spot, Tyler Pastornicky will be activated though Gerald Laird will take over the backup catching duties."
Atlanta Braves struggle against young pitchers Harvey, Wheeler, swept by Mets in doubleheader
"“It’s just been a rough last 24 hours,” B.J. Upton said.The teams actually played three games in less than a 24-hour period. The series opener Monday was delayed nearly four hours by rain, before the Braves pulled out a 2-1 victory at 1:22 a.m. on Freddie Freeman’s two-run homer in the ninth.Not even 12 hours later, the teams returned to the ballpark for the start of a day-night doubleheader. The Mets certainly looked like the fresher team, no doubt because of those two former first-round picks who are the cornerstones of New York’s rebuilding efforts.“It’s a little exhausting,” Atlanta’s Andrelton Simmons said. “I’m just glad it’s over.”"
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