As we’ve been saying all day, this game vs. the Astros could have been pivotal for a lot of roster-related reasons. Let’s see how it went… other than the Braves losing 8-5 at Disney. But first – a correction that we’ve just learned about:
The Braves actually have TWO MORE DAYS to Decide!
Correction on the opt out dates for both Wandy and Stults. It is Friday, not tomorrow. #Braves
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) April 1, 2015
Oh. Marvelous. Performance reviews are below, followed by late-breaking news.
Tonight’s Game
WANDY RODRIGUEZ
This was one of the more important watch-and-see events of the night. Generally speaking, it appears that Wandy was throwing strikes… and they were hit pretty hard.
8 hits. Altuve had a double. Villar had a double. Rasmus had a double. Lowrie homered. 3 runs – all earned.
It was 2 bad innings that did him in: the 1st and 4th. The first inning began with double, double, single. That 4th inning went homer, double, single. Somehow he managed to work out of that and keep the damage to a minimum. The free-swinging Astros may have helped a bit as well.
Was there good news? Well, in his 5 innings pitched, Rodriguez actually struck out 8 hitters and walked none of them. Astro fans might want to get used to that (15 for the entire game) Yes – clearly, strikes were in play… in good and bad ways.
BRANDON CUNNIFF
1 inning, 3 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 2 walks and 2 K’s… gave up a home run to Rasmus (have a game, Colby).
LUIS AVLIAN
More bad news, although his was helped along by an error on Philip Gosselin. His runs (2) were thus unearned, though he could have gotten out of the inning. While he K’d a pair in 1.2 innings, he gave up 2 hits and walked 1.
CRAIG KIMBREL
Okay, so the kid is a stud. 1 inning, 2 K plus a flyout. End, over, done.
BRADY FEIGL
Was called upon to finish the game – probably after Avilan reached a pitch limit. 1 batter – strikeout. If he doesn’t win a spot on the team, then he’s got to be on the short list of Next Callups. Another test passed.
HITTERS
- Eric Young: 2 for 5
- Jace Peterson: 1 for 4
- Nick Markakis: 0 for 3 (now hitting .105), though scored and got an RBI
- Freddie Freeman: 1-2 with a walk, run.
- A.J. Pierzynski: 2 for 5, 2 RBI
- Alberto Callaspo: 1 for 4 to raise his average to .242
- Kelly Johnson: 1 for 2; now up to .286
- Joe Benson: 1 for 2 (.250)
- Phil Gosselin: Ugly – 0 for 5 and left 5 runners on (and had that error).
- Todd Cunningham: 0-1, but scored via walk.
Late Words Just In…
Rays Trade for a Pitcher
MLBTR: “The Mariners announced that they have traded right-hander Erasmo Ramirez to the Rays in exchange for left-hander Mike Montgomery.”
The Rays need multiple pitchers, but I would imagine that they would dig through the free agents for a second, and not go via the trade market. Hence, I do not believe that Wandy is heading to Tampa.
Kelly Johnson has made the Braves Team
Braves chose to keep Kelly Johnson and place him on 25-man roster at deadline today. Good depth piece who can play 1B, 2B, 3B and OF.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 1, 2015
Zoilo Almonte is heading to Gwinnett/AAA
#Braves roster move: OF Zoilo Almonte cleared waivers and was outrighted to @GwinnettBraves. Team has 35 active players in Major League camp
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 1, 2015