Atlanta Braves News: The Morning Chop VIDEO of Rookie Competition
By Jeff Schafer
Markakis goes 2-for-3 in long-awaited Braves spring debut
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Notes: Nick Markakis goes 2-3 in his first game as an Atlanta Brave and the team racks up 19 hits. Talk about some offensive spark he brought. The Braves beat the Houston Astros 14-10 on Monday afternoon…Evan Gattis played as the DH and went 1-3 with a two-run homer in the 3rd inning off James Russell. Michael Foltynewicz was suppose to be the Braves starter but because of weather threatening the area, Fredi decided not to warm him up.
"The offensive outburst could not be attributed solely to Markakis, of course. There were big contributions from almost everyone in the lineup including multiple hits from six different players. Eric Young Jr. and Zoilo Almonte each was 3-for-5, and Andrelton Simmons had two hits and four RBIs including a two-run double, before leaving the game after he was hit in the left elbow by a pitch.But it was Markakis’ return, and his single and long double in three at-bats, that were the most important development for the Braves. (Well, that and the fact that Simmons avoided serious injury and was just a little sore after icing his elbow.)"
Braves’ Andrelton Simmons plunked by pitch in 14-10 win vs. Astros
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: Simmons left Monday’s game after being hit in the elbow while at the plate. He was taken to the training room for further evaluation. David O’Brien tweeted out that though it sounded awful, it was probably not serious. We’ll try to keep you updated on his progress.
"Getting plunked turned into an RBI as the bases were loaded. Freddie Freeman scored with Zoilo Almonte going to third and Chris Johnson moving to second.“It scared me for a little bit, numbed me up,” Simmons said, via 680 The Fan. “But it felt better after a couple minutes.”"
After the game, the action continued. The Braves rookie singing competition went on and the winner was…