Morning Chop: Atlanta Braves News 5/25/14
Well, you can’t win them all, and that saying is doubly true when facing this year’s tough lineup in the Colorado Rockies. The Atlanta Braves still enjoy a small two game lead in the NL East though, and hopefully the rubber match today will see the Braves wave bye bye to the Rockies with a series win. Check out the box scores from last night’s game, courtesy of Baseball Reference.
| Batting | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OPS | Pit | Str | PO | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jason Heyward RF | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .243 | .662 | 23 | 12 | 1 | 0 |
| B.J. Upton CF | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .216 | .649 | 17 | 10 | 4 | 0 |
| Freddie Freeman 1B | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .306 | .916 | 17 | 8 | 9 | 0 |
| Justin Upton LF | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .293 | .947 | 15 | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| Evan Gattis C | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .240 | .769 | 17 | 9 | 6 | 0 |
| Chris Johnson 3B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .259 | .615 | 14 | 9 | 0 | 3 |
| Andrelton Simmons SS | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .259 | .687 | 13 | 10 | 2 | 4 |
| Ramiro Pena 2B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .183 | .602 | 20 | 18 | 4 | 4 |
| Mike Minor P | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .167 | .333 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Anthony Varvaro P | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Jordan Schafer PH | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .103 | .360 | 4 | 2 | ||
| David Hale P | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Team Totals | 30 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 8 | .133 | .429 | 147 | 94 | 27 | 11 |
| Pitching | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA | BF | Pit | Str | Ctct | StS | StL | GB | FB | LD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Minor, L (2-3) | 6.1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 3.90 | 27 | 103 | 62 | 40 | 6 | 16 | 8 | 10 | 2 |
| Anthony Varvaro | 0.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.30 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| David Hale | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.49 | 7 | 35 | 22 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| Team Totals | 9 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 3.00 | 35 | 139 | 85 | 58 | 8 | 19 | 14 | 12 | 4 |
As reported by Philly.com Michael Harrington of The Inquirer likens Chris Johnson‘s recent (and often) emotional outburst to that of a child’s tantrum. Yes, that is precisely what it was, but so far at least Chris has shown Vulcan like signs of controlling those pesky emotions. Check out Michael’s thoughts.
Touch ‘Em All: Braves’ Johnson needed to take a time-out
"We’ve all seen it: A grown man reminding us that he plays a children’s game for a living by throwing a tantrum that would embarrass your average 2-year-old, let alone a Little Leaguer, destroying whatever equipment or beverage container is within reach – because, hey, it’s just not fair."
USA Today picked up ont the AP report of how Juan Nicasio shined as the Colorado Rockies took it to the Atlanta Braves in game 2 of the series. Check out the story.
Juan Nicasio shines as Rockies edge Braves
"ATLANTA (AP) — Juan Nicasio took the pressure off a Rockies’ lineup missing some big names.Michael Cuddyer and Troy Tulowitzki each homered, Nicasio solved the Braves and Colorado beat Atlanta 3-1 on Saturday."
Joe Morgan takes a look at the rubber match between the Atlanta Braves and the Colorado Rockies, and makes note of how Julio Teheran (who in my opinion has been the most reliable and consistent Atlanta pitcher this year) will hope to help Atlanta take the series. Read Joe’s thoughts.
Braves look to ride Teheran’s hot arm in finale vs. Rox
"After a solid rookie season in 2013, Braves starter Julio Teheran has made the transition from promising prospect to productive pro in 2014. The right-hander is tied for second in the Majors with nine quality starts and ranks fourth with a 1.92 ERA.Teheran most recently shut down the Brewers, holding Milwaukee scoreless in his second career complete game, and he’ll look to do the same to the Rockies on Sunday as the Braves look to secure the series win."
Jonny Venters has been off the mound for a long time now, and it seems to Braves’ fans he may never return. Of course, that’s actually a very real possibility – not that he won’t get a shot, but that he could fail in his attempt to make a full return to the same form of old. After multiple TJ surgeries now, the odds are against him, and with recent soreness in the elbow, there’s reason to be nervous. Carroll Rogers of AJC takes a look at plans to have Jonny throw a bullpen session today.
Venters set to throw bullpen session Sunday
"After what was considered a minor setback with some elbow soreness, Jonny Venters is set to throw off the mound again Sunday and resume his throwing program in his recovery from a second Tommy John surgery."