8/31 Atlanta Braves Morning Chop
Opportunities Missed
I glance over at the Marlins side of the box score and see entries like this:
2B: C Yelich (24, A Harang); A Hechavarria (17, A Harang)
HR: D Solano (3, 1st inning off A Harang 0 on, 1 Out)
RBI: D Solano 2 (21), G Stanton (98)
2-out RBI: G Stanton, D Solano
Then I look over to the other side and see things like this:
GIDP: F Freeman, C Johnson, E Gattis
Braves RISP: 1-6 (A Simmons 0-2, R Doumit 0-1, J Heyward 1-1, F Freeman 0-2)
Team LOB: 7
It was missed opportunities combined with Jarred Cosart scattering 7 hits over 7 scoreless innings that doomed the Braves last night en route to a 4-zip shutout defeat at the hands of the Marlins at Turner Field last night.
The 8th inning was particularly egregious: after finally scratching together a bases-loaded, 1 out situation, neither Andrelton Simmons nor Freddie Freeman could capitalize – thus leaving all three runners stranded on the basepaths.
The other big opportunity of the night was in failing to take advantage of yet another St. Louis loss. A victory would have put Atlanta right beside the Cards for the second Wild Card position (ignoring tie-breakers), just percentage points behind. Even worse, the loss has allowed Pittsburgh to pass Atlanta in the standings, moving within 1 game of St. Louis.
Meanwhile, San Francisco has now ripped off 5 straight to go ahead into the 1st Wild Card position; Pittsburgh is hot also, with 4 wins in a row.
ICYMI:
Venters opts for third Tommy John procedure
ATLANTA — Instead of avoiding what will be the greatest challenge he has faced in the baseball world, Jonny Venters has decided to attempt to keep his playing career alive by undergoing a third Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery.
“It never really crossed my mind to retire, to give up and quit,” Venters said. “If I was 38, it might be a little different. I’m only 29. So hopefully, I have my age working for me. We’ll see. I’m going to give it a shot.”
Venters said he made this decision soon after Dr. James Andrews informed him on Thursday that he had yet another tear in the ulnar collateral ligament of his left elbow. Andrews had repaired this same ligament via the Tommy John procedure in 2005 and in ’13.
“It was saddening to hear the surgery failed,” Venters said. “Looking at a third one is obviously not something you plan for. It is what it is. I’ve talked to my family and my agent and all the guys; I think it’s something I want to do.”
[lots more on this decision and his outlook at the link above – I recommend checking it out]