Get The Brooms Out, “Enjoy It When It’s Going Well”
By Jeff Schafer
The Atlanta Braves came into Thursday nights final game, of a four game series with Colorado, already clinching the series by winning the first three games. Now going for their second sweep in a row, the Braves dominated once more winning 11-2 picking up 14 hits.
Aug 1, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves third baseman
Chris Johnson(23) hits a single against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Johnson tied a franchise record with his seven consecutive multi-hit game on Thursday as he had three more hits raising his batting average to .346 for the 2013 season.
“Obviously when you get a hit, you feel comfortable and things are going well but I just try to go at-bat to at-bat right now because usually your facing a different pitcher,” Johnson said. “Right now I’m just trying to do my part, have a good at-bat and get a good pitch to hit and try to get on base for the next guy.”
Atlanta scored 40 runs in four games against Colorado which is just abnormal.
“I really felt like no matter how many runs they scored, we were going to outscore them,” Andrelton Simmons said.
Jason Heyward, Justin Upton, Freddie Freeman, Brian McCann, Johnson, Simmons and even Julio Teheran (picked up two hits, an RBI and a run scored) contributed in tonights win. Wow, what a lineup….and Evan Gattis was almost in everyones articles as he just missed a couple pitches. Come on Dan Uggla, join the party!
Fredi talked about his offense, “We had an offense that took advantage of some situations, I don’t know if we missed out on runners in scoring position but it didn’t seem like we missed out on many. 1-8 did a nice job and the bullpen did a great job coving four innings.”
Justin Upton notched his second multi-home run game of the season (his 17th and 18th) and his night included five RBI’s (53) and two runs scored. Heyward also put one into the seats (his 10th of the season) in the 4th inning. Take a look at JHey’s batting average as it’s risen to .232 not the best but it is definitely climbing up!
Fredi Gonzalez spoke on his 1-2 hitters, “Justin has had a terrific home stand hitting two home runs, driving the baseball. We need him and Jason has done a terrific job leading off and it’s gone unnoticed how well he’s played centerfield for a guy who has only had a small amount of games out there.”
Aug 1, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Julio Teheran (49) throws a pitch against the Colorado Rockies in the second inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Julio Teheran went 5 innings giving up one run off five hits and two walks. Julio struck out 11 batters on Thursday. He struck out the side during the 1st, 3rd and 5th innings on his way to tying his career high in strikeouts.
Gonzalez spoke on Teheran, “Julio wasn’t as sharp as we’ve seen him before but he battled. Getting out of that first inning and then the second inning with some minimal damage was a big turning point. I thought the first inning where he gave up some infield singles and the bases were loaded, you really saw the MPH elevate and he really did a nice job tonight.”
“I was just trying to make a good pitch and get out of it and they were swinging…I was just trying to make a good pitch,” Julio said.
“It comes and it goes,” Upton said. “You have to enjoy it when it’s going well for you and when the ball’s carrying out of the yard for you. You ride it out and then continue to try to get your hits.”
Johnson talked with media after game about the team, “We are just grinding, it’s one at-bat at a time, one pitch at a time, we are trying to get on base and trying to get the next guy going…JHey and Justin are driving the ball out of the ballpark right now and McCann is doing his thing. So if us other guys can just keep the line moving and get those guys up there things will work out for us.”
Off to Philadelphia now for the Braves as Kris Medlen will take on Ethan Martin (in a spot start for Cliff Lee).