Morning Chop: Atlanta Braves News 5/7
By Jeff Schafer
Braves edge Cardinals to end seven-game skid
Tomahawk Take Editorial Notes: Pat Neshek was on the mound, Justin Upton on second base, Freddie Freeman on first base and Chris Johnson at the plate. Johnson lines a ball to the right side of the field scoring Justin and putting the Braves in the lead 2-1.
May 6, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves third baseman Chris Johnson (23) hits an RBI single in the eighth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
“The ball,” the third baseman said. “Seriously. I’m being serious. When a guy is that funky, it’s a see-ball approach.”
Johnson singled on a sharp grounder to right field, scoring Justin Upton as Atlanta took a 2-1 lead. Craig Kimbrel would protect with his ninth save of the year, keeping the Braves from extending their longest skid in nearly two years.
“Anyone who’s watched me lately knows that was just a battle between me and him and me trying to get something in play,” Johnson said. “I was finally able to stay on the ball and go the other way a little bit, which is nice.”
G-Braves Add Pitcher Eric Berger
Tomahawk Take Editorial Notes: Eric Berger was originally selected by the Cleveland Indians in the eighth round of the 2008 draft. He spent six seasons with the Cleveland system from 2008-13, reaching as high as Triple-A Columbus in 2010-12. Berger is 27-28 with an ERA of 3.81 in 184 minor league appearances.
The Gwinnett Braves, in conjunction with the Atlanta Braves, announced Tuesday the promotion of left-hander Eric Berger to the Gwinnett roster from Double-A Mississippi. Additionally, right-hander Luis Vasquez has been placed on the disabled list retroactive to May 2 with a right elbow strain.
Berger, 28, signed a minor league free agent deal with the Atlanta Braves on April 30 and was assigned to Mississippi, where he went 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA (2 ER in 4.0 IP) in two relief outings. He began the season with Triple-A Sacramento, going 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA (1 ER in 1.1 IP) in three appearances before being released by the Oakland Athletics on April 9.
Atlanta Braves Rumors
Tomahawk Take Editorial Notes: The second base position is one that has been talked about for years now and it seems like the Braves are getting closer and closer to making a move. With Dan Uggla continuing to struggle and, from what it looks like to me, is making the decision himself to not change his approach at the plate, the Braves could possibly be looking for someone else to fill that position in the lineup in the near future.
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez wouldn’t comment on specifics regarding his second base dilemma when asked by Mark Bowman and Joe Morgan of MLB.com. However, the MLB.com duo reports that some Braves players have privately voiced the opinion that Tyler Pastornicky could be a productive replacement, and Bowman and Morgan add that there’s a chance the team could promote the hot-hitting Tommy La Stellafrom Triple-A as well. That move, however, could require the Braves to think long and hard about the possibility of biting the bullet on the remaining two years of Uggla’s contract.
Gonzalez on his workouts
Tomahawk Take Editorial Notes: The Manager of the Atlanta Braves doesn’t take working out lightly as he has joined with Crossfit promoter, Lindsay Berra in the video below. Fredi goes through his workouts and the health benefits that come from being active.