Morning Chop: Atlanta Braves News 8/13
By Jeff Schafer
Lehigh Valley Live
Cole Hamels, Cody Asche deliver Phillies manager Charlie Manuel‘s 1,000th career win
"Hamels (5-13) struck out nine with one walk while allowing six hits and one run as the Phillies snapped a streak of 11 straight road losses.Asche, a left-handed hitter, pulled a fastball from Julio Teheran (9-6) about three rows deep into the right-field seats in the sixth inning.Phillies manager Charlie Manuel earned his 1,000th career win."
Fan at Atlanta Braves game dies after falling over 65 feet from upper deck at Turner Field
"A man who fell more than 60 feet from an upper-level platform at Atlanta’s Turner Field onto a parking lot during a baseball game died Monday night, police said.Atlanta police spokesman John Chafee confirmed the death of the man, whose name has not been released. The man fell during Monday night’s game between the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies.“At this time there’s no indication of foul play and the fall appears accidental,” Chafee said late Monday. “It appears he fell from an upper-level platform to a secured lot below.”"
Has Brian McCann Earned a New Contract Offer for 2014?
Aug 9, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann (16) celebrates a solo home run in the third inning against the Miami Marlins at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
"If everything works out perfectly this offseason, the Braves would bring McCann back at a hometown discount of around $8 million per season. This win-win deal would only be for one or two years with an additional club option on the backend, but it would also be incentive-laden so McCann’s play could earn him bonuses for things such as All-Star appearances, Silver Slugger Awards and postseason honors. With McCann back in the fold, Gattis would continue to platoon time behind the plate while trying to get better as a defensive catcher. The then-27-year-old Gattis would also remain the key late-inning power threat for the Braves off the bench as well as being another outfield option for manager Fredi Gonzalez.With the Braves currently on the shortlist of serious World Series contenders, however this season ends up playing out could cast the deciding vote on whether McCann will ultimately stay in Braves Country or find a new place to call home in 2014."
Yepez, G-Braves Edge IronPigs, 5-4
"The Gwinnett Braves (52-72) fell behind 4-2 early in the game, but fought back for a 5-4 win over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (63-61) on Monday afternoon at Coolray Field. Jose Yepez‘s RBI double in the eighth broke a 4-4 tie, helping the G-Braves salvage the series and avoid the sweep.With the game tied since the bottom of the second inning, Phil Gosselin started things off in the eighth with a single to right off of reliever Phillippe Aumont (L, 0-2). He moved to second on a bunt by Joe Leonard and scored on Yepez’s RBI double to right-center, giving the G-Braves their first lead of the game. Gwinnett loaded the bases afterward, but added no further runs of insurance.Lehigh Valley threatened to tie the game again in the ninth as Tyson Gillies reached on a one-out bunt single and stole second, but Wirfin Obispo (S, 7) locked down the save with help from a fantastic defensive play. Leonard’s diving catch at third base robbed Pete Orr of a game-tying hit, ending the game."