Atlanta Braves News: The Morning Chop and Box Score 8/24
By Jeff Schafer
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Notes: The Braves now fall seven games behind Washington in the NL East battle and one game out of the Wildcard game. The Braves take on the Reds again on Sunday at 1:10PM, then have a much needed off day on Monday and then travel to New York to take on the Mets. Though the Mets are struggling again this season, they usually never struggle against the Braves.
| Atlanta | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | LOB | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonifacio, RF | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .273 |
| Simmons, A, SS | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | .251 |
| Freeman, F, 1B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | .294 |
| Upton, J, LF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | .290 |
| Johnson, C, 3B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | .272 |
| Gattis, C | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .272 |
| La Stella, 2B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .267 |
| Upton, B, CF | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .206 |
| Santana, E, P | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .109 |
| a-Doumit, PH | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .195 |
| Russell, P | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Totals | 29 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 8 | .245 |
a-Flied out for Santana, E in the 8th.
| Atlanta | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santana, E(L, 13-7) | 7.0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 3.60 |
| Russell | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.27 |
| Totals | 8.0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 3.31 |
Leake makes sure Reds snap 7-game skid, defeats Braves
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Notes: Mike Leake was excellent on Saturday night, Ervin Santana was great. Both pitchers can’t pick up the win but both deserved it on Saturday. Leake not only pitched well, he scored the only run of the game for the Reds as he doubled in the sixth inning and then scored on a two-out single by Brandon Phillips. Braves weren’t able to pick up ANY runs and lost 1-0
"Mike Leake gave the Reds‘ struggling offense the only run it would need.The right-hander pitched into the seventh inning and boosted Cincinnati’s struggling offense by hitting a double and scoring as the Reds ended a seven-game losing streak by beating the Atlanta Braves 1-0 Saturday night.Leake (10-11) gave up a pair of hits and walked three, leaving with the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh. Jumbo Diaz got Tommy La Stella to hit into a forceout."
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Former Atlanta Braves Power Hitter David Justice Says Put Barry Bonds in Baseball Hall of Fame Despite Steroid Use Late In Career
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Notes: PED’s have been a big story within the MLB world over the last decade and though it seems to be almost out of baseball, we still are talking about those that cheated while playing. Barry Bonds was not only the face of the MLB (prior to being caught for cheating) but is now the face of the steroid arguments. David Justice had some interesting comments this past week about Mr. Bonds.
"Barry Bonds is one of the players whose careers and reputations have been destroyed by Roidgate. One of the greatest baseball players of all-time, Bonds will likely never be allowed into the Hall of Fame because of his alleged use of steroids. But David Justice, one of the Atlanta Braves’ most celebrated players of all time, says that Bonds should be let in at least on the strength of his pre-juicing days. The former power hitter says that he made it on his own merits for much of his career.According to David Justice, the league is being petty. They are trying to punish people they think they can catch cheating, instead of acknowledging the accomplishments that have been made while clean (via TMZ):“Yeah, Barry was probably juiced up from ’97 to ’07 … and that’s bad. But BB was a BEAST from ’86 to ’97 … BEFORE his head expanded 8 hat sizes. ‘I think they should put Barry in … period,’ [said Justice].”"
Atlanta Braves first-rounder Braxton Davidson in position for full-season assignment in 2015
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Notes: Braxton Davidson is a young-man Braves’ fans should be on the look out for. He was the Braves’ 1st round selection out of high school in 2014 and has potential to be a great player down the road for the Braves. Yes, he’s only 18-years-old and we’ll have a wait quit a few years before we see him in Atlanta but it will be fun to watch him grow.
"Braxton Davidson’s move to short-season Danville might not appear as a big step at the end of his first professional season, but it sets him up for a higher assignment soon.The Atlanta Braves 2014 first-round pick was assigned to Danville from the Gulf Coast League on Aug. 13. He hit .243 but had 22 walks and a .400 on-base percentage in 37 GCL games to start his pro career."