Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: A New Flyover

Monday afternoon in Philly had to be be something of a recovery day after a Sunday of whirlwind activity at Ft. Bragg.  But one bad inning sunk the Braves.

The ball was up and the ball was pounded.

Joel De La Cruz pitched brilliantly for 5 innings yesterday, striking out four and walking none while giving up just one hit.  Unfortunately, he also pitched during the second inning.

In that frame, he was hammered for seven extra-base hits, 8 total, and 7 runs – though charged with just four, thanks to an almost inexplicable throwing error by Brandon Snyder.  It was that ugly.

If you were to throw out that inning, it was an excellent performance by the Atlanta starter.  But he got out of sync and his pitches were almost universally up in the strike zone.  Hence, 2 homers, a triple, and 4 doubles.

De La Cruz managed to right the ship and steer it on course for 4 more innings, which certainly saved the bullpen from excess effort.  Great job to do so.

Meanwhile, the Braves’ bats could not solve Jerad Eickhoff.  He nearly finished the 8th inning, striking out 8.  His only real miscues were an ambush homer by Erick Aybar – his first of the year – and 3 walks.  A rare pair of back-to-back hits in the 8th plated a second run, but the 2-out rally could not be sustained.

Back to a regular schedule tonight:  Braves and Phillies at 7:05 ET from Citizens’ Back Park.

 

Next: A Less Intimidating Heli Flyover