Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: News, Notes, and #FreeTheKnee
Aug 6, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Adonis Garcia (24) hits a two-run home run in the fifth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins at Turner Field. The Braves won 9-8. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Braves Go Bat-Happy
Just when I go off hating on the Braves offense, they go out and beat up (literally) on Marlins’ pitching. Daniel Castro led the way by going 3-for-4… kinda. He took the legs right out from under two different pitchers last night by drilling them with shots up the middle. His first victim, starter Jose Urena stayed in the game (for some reason) and ended up giving up 5 earned runs – 3 of them after being hit near the knee.
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That wasn’t the only unusual happenstance from last night: Joey Terdoslavich ripped a solid single to the opposite field on a hit-and-run-and-run-and-run play. It turned into a triple when center fielder Christian Yelich slipped on the wet turf, allowing the ball to get under him and roll to the wall.
Also, Adonis Garcia popped yet another homer – his 4th of the year – which now exceeds his total of 3 from Gwinnett. Oh, and Garcia’s done that in just 52 plate appearances… plus he has 3 doubles. Though he’s only batting .220 with a .250 OBP, his slugging percentage is now up to .520.
All told, the tally was 12 hits and nine runs for the Braves, with more walks (2) than strikeouts (1). And they needed every bit of that, too.
They needed 9 because Matt Wisler and Andrew McKirahan gave up 8. Wisler looked both good and bad last night, depending on which pitch worked. At times, he was great. At times, the ball was left hanging over the plate to be swatted. The Marlins did so for 9 hits and 5 earned against him, a Derek Dietrich solo homer included.
Concerns about Wisler? I think there should be – similar to those about Mike Foltynewicz. Here’s a telling stat from Mark Bowman:
Eleven of the 25 batters Wisler has faced have reached safely. He's allowed at least 4 ER in three of his past four starts.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) August 7, 2015
After Further Review…
Had I been the official scorer, McKirahan would not have been awarded with the vultured victory that he received. In one inning, he gave up 3 earned runs to also get credit for a blown save. In my book, that’s an ineffective outing, and though rarely done, the official scorer had the right – nay, the responsibility – to withhold that Win.
The honor of victory should have gone to the most effective reliever, and last night that was Matt Marksberry: 1.2 innings, no hits, no walks, no runs, and every one of the 5 batters he faced were set down.
Nonetheless, both of our formerly suspended pitchers got positive marks last night: McKirahan his first major league W, and Arodys Vizcaino his first save. And that means that the Braves won last night, 9-8.
Good luck getting runs tonight: it’s Julio Teheran and Jose Fernandez. Go get ’em!
Here’s your box:
Next: Stirring Up Trouble?