Atlanta Braves Morning Chop/Box: Draft, Deaf Deftness

Jun 9, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) talks with San Diego Padres Justin Upton (10) after a single by Upton in the third inning of their game at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Padres Take Full Advantage of Braves Bullpen Woes Again

It fell apart in one inning… the 8th… in which the following happened:

• Julio Teheran pitching for Atlanta
• Cunningham in left field.
• Amarista singled to right.
• Solarte hit for Garcés.
• Solarte singled to center, Amarista to second.
• Myers walked, Amarista to third, Solarte to second.
• Eveland relieved Teherán.
• J. Upton hit for Venable.
• Amarista scored, Solarte to third, Myers to second on passed ball by Bethancourt.
• J. Upton walked.
• Masset relieved Eveland.
• Kemp struck out looking.
• Avilán relieved Masset.
• Alonso walked, Solarte scored, Myers to third, J. Upton to second.
• Aardsma relieved Avilán.
• Norris struck out swinging.
• Spangenberg reached first base on catcher’s interference, Myers scored, J. Upton to third, Alonso to second.
• Middlebrooks grounds into a force out, shortstop second, Spangenberg out at second.

As Fredi Gonzalez pointed out after the game, while the first two runners reached via singles, no one else put the ball in play – yet the Padres scored three runs.

It speaks of Gonzalez’ desperation to save this inning that he used 5 different pitchers over the space of 5 batters.  Of those, only Masset and Aardsma were truly effective.  New arrival Dana Eveland walked the only batter he faced – figures – which would have plated a run, except for the passed ball preceding the walk.

Thus endeth the Padres’ series:  2-2 when the result could have been 4-0.  But that’s exactly what we’ve been seeing lately:  blown leads from the 7th inning or later.

A Mention about Simmons

It was during the second game of this series that Andrelton Simmons pulled out his “airborne slide” for the third time this season in an effort to break up a play in which he would have been easily out otherwise.  The results of each have not exactly been met with any kind of appreciation from the opposition.

In this case, the Padres more-or-less opted to give up a runs to Atlanta in order to enforce ‘The Code’.  They threw behind Simmons with a purpose – which ultimately led to a second-inning run in the Braves’ win.

That carried over into Thursday’s game as Julio Teheran whacked Matt Kemp with a pitch in the first inning.  Was it a carry-over from the Simmons’ incident in Game 3?  Frankly, I think not, but the Padres immediate reaction suggests that it was on their minds.

Regardless of whether you think Simmons’ air-slides constitute “dirty” play, they need to stop…. right now.  Broadcasters from other teams are taking note.  Teams are taking note.  When all that happens, you become a marked player for all the wrong reasons.

Simmons also needs to know that he himself is vulnerable to such a slide against him on double play turns… and we don’t need to lose him to an injury that he essentially brought upon himself.

Here’s the box score from yesterday afternoon (will appear once available; was not ready at press time):