Atlanta Braves News: The Morning Chop, Box Score, Adonis Garcia Sent Down To Gwinnett
By Jeff Schafer
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: Atlanta Braves starting pitcher, Aaron Blair battled through the lineup of the Arizona D-Backs, but a couple misplays and bad throws cost him another defeat in his young career. Adonis Garcia got the start in left field on Friday evening and struggled noticeably out there. See a full breakdown of the game here. Right after the game, the Braves told Garcia you’re going to Gwinnett. I was surprised initially, but then wasn’t so surprised. He’s hitting .260, couldn’t field or throw at third and now making sloppy plays and throws in the outfield. Atlanta continues to move in a younger direction and the 31-year-old will have to open many eyes in Gwinnett if he wants another shot in Atlanta.
Braves lose 7-2
| Batting | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | PA | BA | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Markakis RF | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .290 | .395 | .400 |
| Adonis Garcia LF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .260 | .319 | .308 |
| Freddie Freeman 1B | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .273 | .374 | .424 |
| Kelly Johnson 2B | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | .204 | .271 | .259 |
| A.J. Pierzynski C | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .215 | .271 | .262 |
| Tyler Flowers C | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .244 | .326 | .244 |
| Reid Brignac 3B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .083 | .083 | .167 |
| Erick Aybar SS | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .190 | .212 | .220 |
| Aaron Blair P | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Matt Tuiasosopo PH | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Jim Johnson P | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Hunter Cervenka P | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Daniel Castro PH | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .212 | .246 | .227 |
| Alexi Ogando P | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Eric O’Flaherty P | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Mallex Smith CF | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | .227 | .292 | .364 |
| Team Totals | 33 | 2 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 34 | .303 | .324 | .303 |
| Pitching | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Blair, L (0-2) | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3.31 |
| Jim Johnson | 1.1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7.11 |
| Hunter Cervenka | 0.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Alexi Ogando | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2.45 |
| Eric O’Flaherty | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4.70 |
| Team Totals | 9 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 4.00 |
Braves activate Ender Inciarte, option Adonis Garcia to Triple-A Gwinnett
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: The Atlanta Braves have sent Garcia to Gwinnett to try and work on his mechanics in the outfield (I believe it’s an excuse for him to continue working hard – I don’t see him long-term with the Braves). This move was reflected by the Inciarte being ready to come off the disabled list. Now the Braves outfield consists of Inciarte, Mallex Smith and Nick Markakis. I’ll tell you what, give me a power third baseman, a solid hitting shortstop, a somewhat power second baseman and we’ve got ourselves a lineup here folks. Inciarte’s return should give the Braves a boost and could help keep Fredi Gonzalez’s job for a while longer.
"Inciarte will be activated from the 15-day disabled list on Saturday after battling back from a hamstring injury while the team optioned Adonis Garcia, who has logged starts at third base and left field this season, to Triple-A Gwinnett. The crucial element to the corresponding roster move is that rookie outfielder Mallex Smith will remain on the major-league roster after tallying nine hits in his past six games.After speaking with Gwinnett manager Brian Snitker on Friday, Gonzalez and the organization believe the 25-year-old’s hamstring is back to full health.“I talked to Snit this afternoon … and he said that he went to right-center field to catch a ball that if it wasn’t for the wall he would’ve ended up in the condos in right field when he caught it,” Gonzalez said. “And he goes, ‘Fredi, if his hamstring can hold up at 11 o’clock in the morning or whatever time it was on that play, he’s fine. He’s ready to go.”The demotion of Garcia, 31, only adds to the franchise’s shifting focus on youth."
Buddy Carlyle returns to Braves as coaching assistant
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: In 2016, the Braves have lost every single one of their instant replay challenges, 0-7 – as well as not challenged a couple plays when they should have. So Atlanta decided to make a move in this department. They hired former Braves pitcher Buddy Carlyle. In addition to replay challenges, Carlyle will assist with scouting opponent and pre-game workouts as he shadow’s pitching coach Roger McDowell. Great hire for the Braves and sounds like it’s a great fit for Carlyle as he plans to further a coaching career.
"Buddy Carlyle has returned to Atlanta Braves as a coaching assistant.A pitcher for the Braves from 2007-09, Carlyle joined the team for Friday night’s game against Arizona. He will be in uniform for pregame workouts, assist with scouting and will manage the team’s instant replay protocol from an off-field location.The 38-year-old Carlyle was drafted by Cincinnati in 1996 and posted a 13-13 record in nine major league seasons from 1999-2015. He pitched for the New York Mets in 2014-15. He had a 5.63 ERA in 11 games for the Mets last season. He also pitched for the Padres, Dodgers and Yankees."