Atlanta Braves News: The Morning Chop and Box Score 8/6
By Jeff Schafer
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Notes: Alex Wood pitched another great game on Tuesday putting the Braves in position to win the game…but once again the Braves had no offense to back him up…didn’t help King Felix was on the mound. Wood only allowed one earned run but gave up four runs off the error by Tommy La Stella.
| Batting | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | PA | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emilio Bonifacio CF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .278 | .321 | .370 | .691 |
| Tommy La Stella 2B | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | .290 | .365 | .357 | .723 |
| Freddie Freeman 1B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .279 | .367 | .467 | .834 |
| Justin Upton LF | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .284 | .353 | .501 | .854 |
| Jason Heyward RF | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | .269 | .356 | .394 | .750 |
| Evan Gattis DH | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | .276 | .334 | .522 | .857 |
| Chris Johnson 3B | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .279 | .302 | .390 | .692 |
| Gerald Laird C | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .225 | .306 | .292 | .598 |
| Andrelton Simmons SS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .249 | .297 | .340 | .637 |
| Ramiro Pena SS | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .206 | .280 | .318 | .597 |
| Alex Wood P | |||||||||||
| James Russell P | |||||||||||
| David Carpenter P | |||||||||||
| Team Totals | 32 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 33 | .188 | .212 | .250 | .462 |
| Pitching | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Wood, L (7-9) | 6 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 3.20 |
| James Russell | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.25 |
| David Carpenter | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3.79 |
| Team Totals | 8 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 1.12 |
Felix Hernandez keeps Braves in check to extend MLB-record streak
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Notes: Felix Hernadez was near un-hittable on Tuesday as he went eight innings giving up only one run on four hits and had eight strikeouts. This flame-thrower is on top of his game right now and the Braves were extremely unlucky to catch him coming off back-to-back sweeps.
"Felix Hernandez has been on a record-setting pattern over the past three months and Seattle Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon wants to make sure it continues when it means a lot more.Hernandez (12-3) went eight innings, allowed one run, struck out eight and walked one in the Mariners 4-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves Tuesday. It was his 15th straight start — dating back to May 18 — in which he worked at least seven innings and allowed two runs or fewer, an on-going big-league record.Hernandez also tied Gaylord Perry‘s 1974 streak with Cleveland when he had 15 straight starts with at least seven innings and allowing two or fewer earned runs. Hernandez threw just 97 pitches without a lot of stressful innings. He wanted the chance at his first complete game in nearly two years but that was enough for McClendon."
Atlanta Magazine
Can Bonifacio and Russell give the Atlanta Braves the jolt they need?
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Notes: Emilio Bonifacio started in centerfield for the Braves on Tuesday night and hit leadoff. I think many fans wanted to see Fredi Gonzalez do this and he actually did. To bad it was against one of the best pitches in all of baseball. Emilio went 1-4 with a single and a stolen base in his first start in center for the Braves. He is currently hitting .278 for the season and .250 since joining the Braves.
"The 29-year-old is a switch-hitter who excels against lefties, hitting .403 against them this year. If he can maintain that level of play, he should be used often in lieu of B.J. Upton and Jason Heyward, outfielders who struggle against lefties. Additionally, Bonifacio could relieve those two from trying to bat leadoff; although they have each had success at times in the role, Heyward’s power is better suited to a run-producing role, and Upton strikes out too much to be put in a contact hitter’s position.Bonifacio brings versatility, speed, and a hashtag to Atlanta. You will often see players throw a hand gesture or sign to their dugout after a hit to keep their team’s energy up. During his time in Miami, Bonifacio spearheaded the spread of “Lo viste,” which means “See that?” in Spanish. The gesture is a peace sign placed diagonally over the eye; Bonifacio even had shirts made for the Marlins. Now, the phrase, gesture, and hashtag follow Bonifacio wherever he goes."
Atlanta Braves players hook into some fun Puget Sound salmon fishing action
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: During the off day on Monday, a few Atlanta Braves players went on a fishing excursion and Tommy La Stella was the one who reeled in the largest catch. Five Braves members went out in the Puget Sound with the A Spot Tail Salmon Guide In Seattle.
"Robbins said the group had a successful day on the water by catching two kings and losing another at the boat as well as some coho just south of Jefferson Head.The biggest hatchery king weighed almost 20 pounds, and was caught by Braves second baseman Tommy La Stella.The other players on the fishing trip were catcher Gerald Laird; and pitchers David Hale; Shae Simmons; and Anthony Varvaro."