Atlanta Braves News: The Morning Chop, Box Score, Bartolo Colon’s Start, Matt Kemp Heroism!
By Jeff Schafer
Colon sharp at old home, Kemp leads Braves over Mets in 12
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: The Atlanta Braves get their first win of the 2017 season! AND it was only the second game of the year!! It took the 2016 Braves 10 games to get a victory so we’re off to a better season already!
Braves offense was led by Matt Kemp who went 3-5 with three doubles and two RBIs. He was the only Brave to have multiple hits on Wednesday night. Adonis Garcia, Nick Markakis and Brandon Phillips all got on base twice with a hit and a walk each. The lineup totaled eight hits and six walks on the night.
Bartolo Colon pitched a fantastic game against his former team going six strong innings, giving up two hits and one run. The bullpen also went six innings and gave up zero runs, three hits, and two walks.
For a full recap, check out Colby’s from last night here.
"Colon returned to Citi Field and made a sharp debut for his new club, and Matt Kemp’s third double of the game in the 12th inning lifted the Braves over the New York Mets 3-1 on Wednesday night.”To be honest, I do feel at home here. We had a great relationship,” Colon said through a translator. ”I definitely wanted to show my appreciation.”Kemp’s two-out, bases-loaded liner off Rafael Montero (0-1) helped the Braves bounce back from losing on opening day. Jim Johnson (1-0) worked two scoreless innings."
Medlen working toward hopeful return to Braves’ big-league team
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: Kris Medlen was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 10th round of the 2006 MLB draft out of Santa Ana College in California. Three years later, he’s pitching for the Atlanta Braves. From 2009 to 2013 Medlen was fantastic. His five-pitch attack was used out of the bullpen as well as a starter. In 2012, he went 10-1 with a 1.57 ERA in 50 games…he started 12 of those games. 2013 he was a top starter for the Braves and went 15-12 with a 3.11 ERA in 31 starts. Unfortunately, in 2014, he needed Tommy John surgery.
Medlen returned, after becoming a free agent, with the Kansas City Royals and had a successful 2015 season. In 2016, the elbow injury happened again and he needed a second TJ surgery.
Trying to return from one Tommy John surgery is extremely tough, the second one is unthinkable to some. He’s going to attempt this with the Braves as he signed a minor league deal late in January. We’ll keep an eye on him, but it’s likely he doesn’t pitch in a game until later this year.
"After a little more than two weeks in Braves minor league camp and extended spring training, pitcher Kris Medlen remains optimistic that he can revive his career with the team he started with."
"The right-hander signed a minor league deal with the Braves in late January, after coming back from two Tommy John elbow surgeries and missing part of the 2016 season with the Royals because of shoulder problems."
"Medlen, 31, considered retiring after last season, but changed his mind after meeting with a biomechanics expert in New Orleans and becoming convinced that an altered pitching delivery could help alleviate stress on his arm and possibly allow him to continue pitching."
Next: Gwinnett Braves Official Roster and Preview
Braves celebrate Bartolo Colon’s first start with the greatest GIF in MLB history
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: He may be big, he may be a whole lot of sexy, but he’s the oldest player in the MLB. Bartolo Colon is currently 43-years-young and will be 44 on May 24th. He still looks terrific on the mound and getting hitters to hit lazy pop-ups. Colon’s fastball was hitting 94 MPH on the radar gun last night. He
Colon’s fastball was hitting 94 MPH on the radar gun last night. He gave up only two hits to the Mets and one run…which was the shortest home run at Citi Field in history. Jay Bruce’s homer hit the top of the wall padding and went over. After the game, Matt Kemp called that one pitch was a “mistake” — I didn’t completely see it as that. On a 2-2 pitch, Kurt Suzuki was set up low and outside.
After the game, Matt Kemp called that one pitch was a “mistake” — I didn’t completely see it as that. On a 2-2 pitch, Kurt Suzuki was set up low and outside. Colon did miss, it was low and down the middle, but the pitch was almost in the dirt. Bruce just golfed it out and the ball soared over the wall. This broke a 0-0 tie in the bottom of the 5th inning. Over than that, Bartolo Colon was terrific…he’s suppose to be back on the mound Tuesday against the Miami Marlins.
"“Big Sexy” Bartolo Colon will make his first start for the Atlanta Braves tonight against his former New York Mets teammates. And the entire baseball world already is buzzing about the matchup.In fact, the Braves are downright ecstatic, judging from this mesmerizing tweet:"