Morning Chop: Atlanta Braves News 5/12
By Jeff Schafer
Tomahawk Take Editorial Notes: The Braves swept the Chicago Cubs at Turner Field this weekend improving their last 10 game record to 4-6. The Braves got huge hits from Evan Gattis, Jason Heyward and Chris Johnson to take the victory on Sunday as well as great pitching from Aaron Harang. It was great to see the Braves get back on the winning side but it was against the Cubs so we’ll see if this team has improved at all against a good team in the Giants early this week.
| Batting | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jason Heyward RF | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | .209 | .626 |
| Tyler Pastornicky 2B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .125 | .472 |
| Alex Wood P | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .143 |
| David Carpenter P | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Freddie Freeman 1B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .302 | .879 |
| Evan Gattis C | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .257 | .799 |
| Chris Johnson 3B | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .279 | .653 |
| Ryan Doumit LF | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .225 | .494 |
| B.J. Upton CF | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .202 | .595 |
| Andrelton Simmons SS | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .267 | .716 |
| Aaron Harang P | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 |
| Anthony Varvaro P | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Ian Thomas P | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Dan Uggla PH-2B | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .184 | .520 |
| Jordan Schafer CF-LF | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .143 | .420 |
| Team Totals | 29 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 4 | .241 | .795 |
| Pitching | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Harang, W (4-3) | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 2.98 |
| Anthony Varvaro, H (2) | 0.1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.25 |
| Ian Thomas, H (3) | 0.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3.86 |
| Alex Wood, H (1) | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2.87 |
| David Carpenter, S (2) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1.69 |
| Team Totals | 9 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 2.00 |
GATTIS, HEYWARD HRS GIVE BRAVES 5-2 WIN OVER CUBS
Tomahawk Take Editorial Notes: The veteran pitched outstanding on Sunday, striking out nine hitters and only allowed two runs. Harang has stepped up nicely in a fairly young rotation. Hopefully his magic on the mound continues.
May 11, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher Evan Gattis (24) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Two days after his 36th birthday, Harang pitched six strong innings and, backed by home runs from Evan Gattis and Jason Heyward, led the Atlanta Braves to a 5-2 win and a three-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs on Sunday.
Harang (4-3) gave up two runs on six hits and two walks. He had nine strikeouts. He is one win shy of matching his total in 26 starts combined with Seattle and the Mets last year, and he’s savoring his career revival.
“It means a lot, just to get back out here and prove that I can still do this,” Harang said. “I know there were probably a lot of people questioning that after last year. I’ve been pitching well and guys are playing well behind me and we’re battling through games. It’s been a lot of fun. I’ve just got to keep it going.”
Atlanta Braves Rumors: Dan Uggla Trade Options Are Limited, But Necessary
Tomahawk Take Editorial Notes: The Dan Uggla story continues….and it will until something happens. He showed up on my television screen on Sunday when he was going to pinch hit for the pitcher but Simmons got out prior to that. But then the next inning, there he is again…ha. Moving forward, I hope this is the way Fredi Gonzalez uses Dan as Pastornicky showed signs he can hit and Ramiro Pena has proven himself last week.
One potential landing zone involves Atlanta Braves trade rumors with the Toronto Blue Jays. The Blue Jays have their own embarrassing contract with Ricky Romero, who is currently toiling away with AAA Buffalo. The Blue Jays opening day second baseman, Ryan Goins, has also been demoted to AAA and could be a potential return piece for the Braves. Goins struggled offensively for the Blue Jays, but is just 26 and if the Braves offered up pitching in return, could convince the Blue Jays to get a deal done.
A less likely, but intriguing option, would be an Atlanta Braves trade with the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners are loaded at second base, with Robinson Cano and young prospect Nick Franklin. Seattle has done an excellent job of getting the most out of their money, so it would be unlikely that they would take on Uggla’s contract. However, if the Braves were to offer up a young pitching prospect and outfield depth, the Mariners could be interested.
Filipino Heritage Night 1
Tomahawk Take Editorial Notes: Come out and join the Braves vs the Giants on Monday night and receive a free give-a-way. Who doesn’t like free gifts? Well attend the game and receive this!
The Giants invite you and your family and friends to the first Filipino Heritage Night of 2014! Join the Giants in celebrating the Bay Area’s strong Filipino culture as the Giants take on the Atlanta Braves. Your special event ticket package includes a ticket in one of the Filipino Heritage Night sections to the Monday evening game versus the Braves, and a collector’s-edition Filipino/Lou Seal bobblehead! Make sure to arrive early, as pre-game cultural entertainment will be taking place on-field. Partial proceeds from all Filipino Heritage Night 1 special event ticket sales will benefit the continued relief efforts in the typhoon-devastated region of the Philippines. Come show your Filipino and Giants pride at AT&T Park!