“I Blacked Out” Medlen, Atlanta Braves Win 5-3

The Braves came into Wednesday’s game a little defeated as the Mets’ and their young pitching staff took care of business in their double header on Tuesday.  But the players, coaching staff and fans know that in baseball you have to put each day behind you and move on to the next.

June 19, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Kris Medlen (54) pitches in the first inning against the New York Mets at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta put Kris Medlen on the mound for last nights match up, as prior to this game he hasn’t put the numbers up that he had hoped for in 2013 (3-7).  It wasn’t that Kris was pitching horribly, he was just giving up runs at the worse times or the Braves offense wouldn’t give him run support….unlike last season.  After his first win of the season on April 9th, Medlen wasn’t able to pick up another win until June 3rd.  Since the start of June though, he has picked up three wins and only one loss while giving up five runs in those four contests.

On Wednesday, Medlen looked as though he was back in 2012 form.  Taking names until the 5th inning and that’s when “the mistake” happened.  With runners on first and second, a sharp line drive bounced once in front of Medlen as he scooped up the ball on his glove side.  Kris turned, tried to throw it to 3rd base to get the lead runner but instead threw it way left out of reach for Chris Johnson.  This allowed two runs to score….

Medlen said after the game “Can I apologize to every coach I’ve ever had in my entire life.  It was like I blacked out, I woke up and the ball was in left field and I’m like Oh My God.  It was one of those plays that as you were making it your like what the hell am I doing.  CJ was there, I just threw it in the crapper.”

Gotta love Medlen’s humor about this situation, he’s a great sport and took all the blame for the play.

The Braves offense was led by Chris Johnson as he blasted a three run home run to left in the bottom of the 4th inning.  B.J. Upton also contributed as he had a multi-hit game going 2-3 with a run scored and a RBI double.  B.J. raised his batting average to .173, movin’ on up!!

In the post game Medlen told reports “the team picked me up big time, obviously getting out to a big three run lead like that and after the play the dude’s came back and put up more runs”

Kris also walked in the 8th and then stole his first career base “I always thought about if I got thrown out what would the situation be, and with 2 outs they’re not even going to be covering and maybe Simba (Anrelton Simmons) gets a broken bat base it and get an extra run….who knows what I’m doing tonight on the mound, so we need all the runs we can get”…HA

Craig Kimbrel shut the door for the 20th time this season as he brought the heat last night striking out two hitters and going 1-2-3 in the ninth.