Atlanta Braves News: The Morning Chop and Box Score 8/19

Baseball Reference

Tomahawk Take Editor Notes:  Jason Heyward has been heating up for the Braves and is now batting in the leadoff spot again.  Fredi believes magic can happen in back-to-back years when he places JHey at the top of the order…lets hope he’s right.  Braves got on the board early and often putting six runs on Vance Worley in the first inning.  They tagged on another run in the eighth inning off a Heyward sac fly.  The game started off with Heyward and Andrelton Simmons both hitting homers. 

Fox Sports South

Braves jump on Pirates early to extend winning streak

Tomahawk Take Editor’s Notes:  The Atlanta Braves seemed dead in the water for the 2014 season and fans were ready to give up.  Then the series against one of the best teams in baseball, the Oakland A’s, happened and the Braves brought out the brooms.  Now, Atlanta is taking on the Pirates for a three game series in Pittsburgh.

"Following a sweep of a club that had the best record in baseball, the Braves opened a 10-game road trip by beating the National League’s best home team.Atlanta set the tone early with a 6-0 first-inning that was fueled by Jason Heyward and Andrelton Simmons home runs en route to sinking the Pirates 7-3 Monday.That victory, added to claiming three straight over the A’s, gives the Braves their longest winning streak since taking nine straight from June 27-July 5."

Gwinnett Braves

Knights Rout Gwinnett, 17-4

Tomahawk Take Editor’s Notes:  Shae Simmons started the game on the mound for the Gwinnett Braves on Monday night but didn’t have his best outing.  He didn’t record a single out and allowed four earned runs off two hits and two walks.  This was Simmons second start and rehab game since being placed on the DL for the Braves with right shoulder soreness.  Though the Braves need help in the bullpen still, I’m thinking Shae will need another outing or two before being called up….but I’ve seen crazier things…reference Luis Avilan.

"But the lead did not last, as the Knights scored four runs off of Atlanta Braves’ reliever Shae Simmons in the bottom half of the inning. Simmons, in his second rehab appearance with Gwinnett, allowed four runs without recording an out. Jared Mitchell walked and advanced to third on a double by Carlos Sanchez, putting runners on second and third. After a walk loaded the bases, Michael Taylor hit a pop up in shallow right that was misjudged by Edward Salcedo for an RBI single to cut the Gwinnett lead to 2-1. Aaron Northcraft was called in from the Gwinnett bullpen and he allowed Sanchez to score from third on a force play by Andy Wilkins to tie the game at 2-2. Matt Tuiasosopo singled to left, plating Semien for a 3-2 Charlotte lead. Northcraft then walked Miguel Gonzalez to load the bases and hit Josh Richmond with a pitch, forcing across another Charlotte run."

Twitter

Tomahawk Take Editor’s Notes:  I believe Ervin Santana said it the best in his tweets from last night after the game.  The Atlanta Braves just have to take it one game at a time right now to get back into the NL East race.