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Atlanta Braves Lose Ugly to Cardinals on Cold Night at Turner Field

By Dan Horton

Apr 9, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Jace Peterson (8) is safe at first before a tag by St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Brandon Moss (37) after a pick off throw during the fourth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Jace Peterson (8) is safe at first before a tag by St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Brandon Moss (37) after a pick off throw during the fourth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Teheran and Company Stumble to 0-4 as Cardinals Slug Their Way to a 12-2 Win

The Atlanta Braves had a new look lineup with the absence of Ender Inciarte, after he he left last night’s game before he completely blew out his left hamstring. So, the lineup shifted most noticeably at the top.

Erick Aybar led off, Nick Markakis moved all the way up from 5th to 2nd, Kelly Johnson got the start in left field, and the obvious difference, Drew Stubbs got his first start in a Braves uniform in place of Inciarte.

Before we dabble in the highlights, or lack thereof, I have to say, Tim Hudson back in Turner Field was a sight for sore eyes … Wonder if he wouldn’t mind signing a one year deal.

Hudson, unfortunately, wasn’t in a Braves uniform or on the mound. He was in a suit and tie sitting between Chip Carey and Joe Simpson in the broadcast booth. Hudson has joined the FOX Sports South team and will occupy the booth for at least 4 games this year.

I thought Hudson did a fine job as a rookie in the booth tonight. I can’t wait to hear more from him later on.

In the first inning, and really, all night long, Julio Teheran struggled to find the strike zone. He loaded the bases on free passes, and threw over 25 pitches in the first inning. I’m sure the already cool temperatures along with the steady breeze didn’t help none. I don’t recall seeing a fastball get over 91 MPH.

He worked out of it though with a grounder to short to force the runner at second to end the inning.  Apparently, though, it wasn’t just Julio either. Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez issued the fourth walk of the night to Brave lead off hitter Erik Aybar. A pop-out from Markakis and then another walk to Freddie Freeman.

Strikes were far and few between in the early going. Neither team could capitalize off five total walks in the first inning.

Alas, the Cardinals, though, were the first ones to score. With the infield in and a runner on third, a ground ball was bounced to Peterson at second. Peterson fired home but Kolten Wong got a great jump on the play and beat the throw to home. Passed balls and wild pitches led to the run. Julio just couldn’t find the zone at all.

To follow that up, Matt Carpenter roped a double down the right field line to score Martinez from second. With one out in the second inning, Julio had raised his pitch count up to 44, and the Cardinals led 2-0.

The Redbirds made it 3-0 in the 3rd when Stephen Piscotty singled to left and Wong hit what should have been the final out of the inning to right center. Drew Stubbs never saw it and Nick Markakis didn’t realize it until it was too late. Nick made an effort and had the ball in his glove, but as he fell to the ground, it popped out. That allowed Piscotty to score from first and Wong scooted over to third.

Aybar got the Braves on the board leading off the third with a hit. A wild pitch from Martinez moved Aybar to second, then a solid double to the left center gap by Markakis scored Aybar. Freeman followed up the double with a broken bat single dumped into shallow left, scoring Markakis from second to make it 3-2 Cardinals.

Julio’s troubles continued in the 4th. After allowing the first two hitters to reach, the Cardinals manufactured a runs on a sac fly and an infield hit from Piscotty.

In the top of the 5th, Teheran’s night was over as Alexi Ogando took over. Ogando was a little better than Teheran, but the inability to catch the ball plagued them once again. On a tailor-made double play ball, Aybar kicked it and put runners on first and second.

The Cardinals added another run on a perfectly executed fake bunt by opposing pitcher Martinez. With the infield in, Martinez showed bunt, but pulled it back and slapped the ball past Freeman and in to right for an RBI single. St. Louis made it 7-2 with a sac fly from rookie Jeremy Hazelbaker.

The Cardinals tacked on a few more runs and the total tally wound up at 12. It was a long night for the Braves, and me …

Next: Tomahawk Take Staff Picks

Some game notes:

  • The Phillies won their game against the Mets tonight. Why is that important? Because that means the Braves are the only team in NL without a win. One of two in baseball, Twins are 0-5.
  • Braves pitchers walked 9 Cardinal hitters, struck out 9, and left 28 men on base. In comparison, Cardinal pitchers walked only 3 struck out 6, and stranded 14.
  • Both teams combined for 6 errors, 3 a piece. That’s not counting the many mental errors that led to long innings. However, the Cardinals cashed in on them.
  • I like Tim Hudson in the booth.

Tomorrow is the final game of the series between Atlanta and St. Louis. The Cardinals send their ace Adam Wainwright to the mound against Atlanta’s Williams Perez. Both will be searching for their first win of the season and it is Perez’s first start of the year. First pitch will be at 1:35 PM Eastern.

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