Atlanta Braves News: The Morning Chop, Box Score and Brandon Cunniff Returns to the Bulllpen
By Jeff Schafer
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: Shelby Miller was on the bump for the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday evening and got them steering in the right direction. He pitched a complete game shutout with only giving up three hits and one walk. Miller totaled eight strikeouts and only threw 99 pitches to finish off the Phillies. Freddie Freeman is heating up at the plate as he went 3-4 with two RBIs and three runs scored. The bottom of the lineup produced great AB’s and hits for the Braves…something we haven’t seen in a while.
| Batting | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | PA | BA | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Markakis RF | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | .293 | .386 | .323 |
| Pedro Ciriaco 3B | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Andrelton Simmons SS | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | .275 | .345 | .412 |
| Freddie Freeman 1B | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | .301 | .363 | .534 |
| A.J. Pierzynski C | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | .344 | .377 | .541 |
| Jonny Gomes LF | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | .196 | .300 | .412 |
| Kelly Johnson 3B-RF | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 | .266 | .319 | .578 |
| Jace Peterson 2B | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .270 | .341 | .297 |
| Cameron Maybin CF | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .231 | .344 | .462 |
| Shelby Miller P | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .000 | .100 | .000 |
| Team Totals | 33 | 9 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 40 | .364 | .462 | .545 |
| Pitching | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelby Miller, W (4-1) | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 1.66 |
| Team Totals | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 0.00 |
Miller, Braves spoil Billingsley’s return, beat Phillies 9-0
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: Shelby Miller pitched fantastically on Tuesday night…the best start of any Braves pitcher in 2015. According to A.J. Pierzynski, Miller is pitching with more confidence and more options with his pitches. He’s now thawing a four-seam fastball, two-seam fastball, a fast slider and change-up. His two-seam fastball is what is currently working on hitters. It sinks into a right-handed hitter and away from a lefty. If you didn’t notice this in the game, watch a few of his pitches from this video and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
"Miller (4-1) needed only 99 pitches as he allowed only three hits with one walk with eight strikeouts.”We had some awkward swings, and not too many good looks at him,” Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said.Miller, acquired in the trade that sent right fielder Jason Heyward to St. Louis, has not allowed more than two runs in any of his six starts.”I’m just thankful and staying humble through all of this,” Miller said. ”Obviously, it has started off well but at the same time you have to keep being motivated going forward.”"
Atlanta Braves: Donnie Veal designated for assignment, Brandon Cunniff recalled
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: With all the up and down moves the Atlanta Braves are making with their bullpen, we know only have one left-handed pitcher in the pen…and that’s Luis Avilan. Good news for the bullpen though, the Braves brought Cunniff back up from Triple-A. The Braves sent Cunniff down to Triple-A to give him some rest because of the excesses use Fredi Gonzalez was handing him. The 26-year-old pitcher made three appearances in Gwinnett and gave up four runs on five hits, two homers and five walks. Not the best stats, but maybe he’s one of those pitchers who pitch better in the big leagues…lets hope.
"The Braves have designated left-handed reliever Donnie Veal for assignment and recalled right-hander Brandon Cunniff from Triple-A Gwinnett.The move leaves Luis Avilan as the only left-hander in Atlanta’s bullpen.Veal gave up one run in 1 1-3 innings in Monday night’s 5-2 loss to the Phillies. He allowed four runs in 3 1-3 innings for a 10.80 ERA this season."