Atlanta Braves News: The Morning Chop, Game 162!!
By Jeff Schafer
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Notes: B.J. Upton and his brother Justin Upton both hit home runs in Saturday night’s game as well as both having assists in the outfield. Supposedly, this is the first time brothers had accomplished this feat since 1900. Harang picked up his 12th win of the season and Craig Kimbrel notched his 46th save of the season.
| Batting | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | PA | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emilio Bonifacio 2B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | .259 | .305 | .338 | .644 |
| Andrelton Simmons SS | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .244 | .286 | .331 | .617 |
| Freddie Freeman 1B | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | .289 | .386 | .463 | .849 |
| Justin Upton LF | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .270 | .342 | .491 | .833 |
| Jason Heyward RF | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | .271 | .351 | .384 | .735 |
| Christian Bethancourt C | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .248 | .274 | .274 | .548 |
| Chris Johnson 3B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | .263 | .293 | .362 | .654 |
| B.J. Upton CF | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | .208 | .287 | .333 | .620 |
| Aaron Harang P | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | .082 | .097 | .082 | .179 |
| Chasen Shreve P | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| David Carpenter P | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Craig Kimbrel P | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Team Totals | 32 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 35 | .188 | .257 | .406 | .663 |
| Pitching | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Harang, W (12-12) | 6.2 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 3.57 |
| Chasen Shreve, H (2) | 0.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.73 |
| David Carpenter, H (18) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.45 |
| Craig Kimbrel, S (46) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1.63 |
| Team Totals | 9 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 2.00 |
Atlanta Braves’ Aaron Harang latest example of adjusting with age
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: The 2014 Atlanta Braves didn’t have much going for them this season but most of their starting pitchers were a positive. Notably, Aaron Harang. Harang had a bounce back season this year for the Braves and could have helped him get a nice contract in 2015. The 36-year-old will be a free-agent come this off-season and could get a nice paycheck with a possible two-year contract.
"While it appears Harang revitalized his career, the data shows it shouldn’t be a surprise to see him pitch well this late in his career. Perhaps the Braves picked up on the information when they grabbed him.Harang said he threw more four-seam fastballs early in his career. In 2008, he had a 4.78 ERA and averaged 1.7 home runs per nine innings in 184 innings for the Cincinnati Reds. He threw 64 percent four-seamers and 8 percent two-seamers and relied heavily on the two-pitch combination of four-seamers and sliders.“I threw a lot more four-seamers when I was younger,” he said. “I had a coach show me how to throw a two-seamer, and I started doing it, and every year it seems to be more effective. Once you get used to throwing it and realize how key that pitch can be, you make those adjustments.”"
Burnett gives up game in seventh as Phillies fall to Braves
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Notes: A.J. Burnett did not announce his plans for the 2015 season after Saturday night’s game but did say he’s healthy enough to compete though he did hint arm fatigue. Burnett will undergo hernia surgery next week. Burnett pitched decent in 2014 but didn’t have the season he nor the Phillies had hoped for.
"There is $12.75 million reserved for A.J. Burnett, a 37-year-old whose career wages top $135 million, and all he must do is play one more season. That is the stipulation to the contract Burnett signed last February, when the Phillies believed he was the final piece to a contending team.Ryne Sandberg, when asked before a 4-2 loss to Atlanta Saturday night whether he knew anyone who would reject that sort of money, shrugged and smiled. But there was Burnett, motionless during the seventh inning after Justin Upton smashed a pivotal two-run homer, enduring another miserable moment that could force his retirement."