Atlanta Braves Mike Minor Finds Gold In New York

Mike Minor dominated again on Thursday night for the Atlanta Braves going seven innings while only giving up four hits and one earned run.  Mike struck out five batters and didn’t walk any Mets hitters.

Is the old Mike Minor the new Mike Minor?!?!?

Minor has had an up and down 2014 season.  On December 31st, Mike had a cystoscopy which pushed his opening practice time back which led to shoulder soreness when he started pitching.  He missed the first month of the season after rehab.  Once back on the mound for the Braves, he lost his first two outings, then picked up wins on May 13 and May 19 but then went until July 12 before picking up another victory.

Prior to Thursday night’s game against New York, Minor held a 5-8 record with a 4.90 ERA.

After his August 1 appearance against the San Diego Padres where he gave up five runs on nine hits in five innings, the Braves sat Minor down for a few weeks.  He got his next start on August 12.

Each start since his “sit down” he has improved and Thursday, he looked like the Minor we’ve seen in years past.

“He’s been solid the last four times out,” Fredi Gonzalez said after the game.  “Today, I thought his curveball was his best pitch over than commanding his fastball.  He had a nice mix going and good for him.  A young man that earlier in the year had some tough luck and now he’s progressing in the right direction.”

The Braves need a pick up anywhere they can get it.  Andrelton Simmons huge play last night could have sparked the Braves or maybe it’s Minor’s resurgence.  Whatever it is, lets just keep winning!

“He’s one of those guys that can keep a winning streak going or stop a losing streak…he has that capability,” Gonzalez talked about post game.

Minor didn’t just pitch well on Thursday, he went 2-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored!!!

“At one point of the game, he was everything,” Fredi said.  “He pitched well, drove in a run, had a double…he was not only pitching well, he was our offense for six innings.”

The Braves currently sit six games out of the NL East division lead and one and a half out of the wildcard.  As we quickly approach September, this would be a great time for the Braves to get hot.

“You look at it overall, you win two series and you split a four game series,” Gonzalez said.  “In Cincinnati you have a chance to win three out of four and if you continue further back than that, we swept the Oakland A’s.  In the last 10 or 12 games, we’ve played good baseball.”