Morning Chop: Braves 7/9
Photo Credit, Steve Mitchell
Braves top Marlins 11-3
ATLANTA (AP) — Chris Johnson believed he was overdue for a two-out hit with runners in scoring position.
He came through with a bases-loaded hit that helped turn a tie game into a rout.
Johnson’s two-run, go-ahead double was the big hit in a four-run sixth inning that helped the Braves to a 11-3 win over the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night.
Beachy vs. Jurrjens Tuesday at Gwinnett
At Tomahawk Take, we recently reported an update on Brandon Beachy, who will resume his rehab tonight after his recent setback. Turns out that he will be pitching against former Brave, Jair Jurrjens. David O’Brien gives us the lowdown….
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
MIAMI — When Brandon Beachy resumes his minor league rehab stint with a start Tuesday night at Triple-A Gwinnett, the opposing pitcher will certainly be familiar. Jair Jurrjens.
Jurrjens, a teammate of Beachy’s during the past three seasons with the Braves, will start for the Orioles’ Norfolk affiliate, and he’s not on rehab. Trying to revive his career after being released by the Braves, Jurrjens is 5-6 with a 4.38 ERA in 15 starts for Norfolk this season, and had a 4.91 ERA for Baltimore in a brief callup (two games, one start).
Braves’ McCann shares NL Player of Week award with Reds’ Bailey
He’s been a National League All-Star six times and won five Silver Slugger awards, but surprisingly, Brian McCann had never won an NL Player of the Week award.
The Braves catcher could cross that off the list Monday, when he and Cincinnati Reds pitcher Homer Bailey were named National League co-Players of the Week.
McCann led the majors with a .600 average and 15 hits during the week, and led the NL with an .880 slugging percentage. Bailey threw the first no-hitter in the majors this season.
Freeman pumped about Final Vote support
First baseman was leading vote-getter when the first numbers were released
Count Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez among those who helped Freddie Freeman grab the early lead among the five National League All-Star hopefuls on this year’s 2013 All-Star Game Final Vote sponsored by freecreditscore.com ballot.
“I know my wife and I didn’t speak to each other this morning because we were both [voting] on our iPad,” Gonzalez said. “I thought it would lock me out after about 30 votes, but you just keep punching numbers. After awhile I just had enough. If he loses by one, Freeman can blame me.”
NL CANDIDATES BY THE NUMBERS
| Candidate | AVG | HR | RBI | SB | OPS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desmond | .281 | 15 | 49 | 10 | .828 | |
| Freeman | .306 | 9 | 56 | 0 | .843 | |
| Gonzalez | .296 | 13 | 53 | 0 | .830 | |
| Pence | .266 | 13 | 43 | 13 | .767 | |
| Puig | .409 | 8 | 19 | 5 | 1.114 |
* Stats as of July 7
As he prepared for Monday night’s game against the Marlins, Freeman said he has been overwhelmed by the support he has received from fans since the balloting began on Saturday night. The results released early Monday morning had the Braves first baseman slightly in front of Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig and Giants outfielder Hunter Pence. Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond and Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez held the final two spots in the balloting process.