Game No.28 Recap: Braves 4, Marlins 2
This was the formula that the Atlanta Braves hoped would surface when they set their regular season roster at the end of Spring Training: stellar starting pitching and timely hitting coupled with dominanting relief work will equal a “W” in the win column.
That combination was implemented to near perfection this afternoon as the Braves (12-15) added to their modest two-game winning streak by completing a series sweep of the Florida Marlins (15-14).
Jair Jurrjens (3-2) tossed seven solid innings, allowing three hits and two runs while walking two and striking out four on 102 pitches.
Two of those three hits culminated in a pair of solo home runs off the bat of Hanley Ramirez, who launched an opposite field shot in the first inning and pulled another one over the left field scoreboard in the sixth.
The Braves beat up Florida starter Anibal Sanchez for four runs on seven hits in just 4 2/3 innings. The right-hander walked one and struck out three before leaving in the fifth inning with an apparent arm injury.
David Ross (2-for-4) put Atlanta on the board early in the second inning, when he connected on a two-run home run that reached the upper deck in left field — roughly 400 feet away.
From there, Casey Kotchman took over. The first baseman contributed to the Braves lead in the third inning with a line-drive solo homer — his first round-tripper of the season — and added an RBI double in the fifth. He finished the day by going 3-for-4 with two RBIs.
The Braves bullpen put in another day of great work to aid in the victory. Rafael Soriano threw a scoreless eighth inning and Mike Gonzalez closed out the game with a perfect ninth.
The Braves will head to Citizen’s Bank Park on Friday to begin a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies at 7:05 p.m. Jo-Jo Reyes is the scheduled starter for Atlanta.
SHORT HOPS
– My oh my, did JJ actually receive run support today? It’s been quite a while since the Braves bats have supported the youngster. Before this afternoon’s game, he was held winless in last four starts solely because of the lack of support. So, who knows? If Atlanta actually scored runs for him on a consistent basis, the righty could realistically be 5-1 right now.
– Staying with JJ……I’m convinced Hanley Ramirez is playing mind games with him. Take a look at this stat: Of the last 14 homers allowed (over the past two seasons) by JJ, three of them have been hit by Hanley.
– I can’t say enough about David Ross. Another two-hit day and a long homer to boot. This is most likely his last game as an everyday starter (that’s if Mac stays healthy when he returns on Friday), but it’s very comforting knowing that our backup can more than hold his own playing everyday.
– Quick note: Jeff Francoeur extended his hitting streak to eight games — the longest of any Brave this season. Though I’m still not thrilled with his lack of patience at the plate.
– No need to worry. Chipper Jones not being in today’s lineup was due to a scheduled off-day. It’s feels good to say that — you know, without analyzing a nagging injury.
– Gotta love Casey Kotchman receiving the silent treatment after he smacked his first home run of the season this afternoon. He headed to the dugout with all his teammates sitting on the bench. So Casey did what anyone else would do — he went right into the clubhouse. Of course, the Braves congratulated him when he returned from hiding.
– Surprisingly, Jordan Schafer was back in the lineup. I thought he would get the day off after last night’s o-for-4, four strikeout performance, but apparently Bobby Cox just really loves this kid and wants to see him break out of this funk. Schafer went 2-for-4 today, but has struck out 14 times in his last five games.
Cox’s quote regarding Schafer before today’s game: “As long as he keeps catching everything, fine with me. He’ll get better.”
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