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Atlanta Braves Aaron Blair Impresses in Debut

By Fred Owens

Apr 24, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Aaron Blair (36) pitches against the New York Mets during the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Aaron Blair (36) pitches against the New York Mets during the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 7, 2016; Dunedin, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Hunter Cervenka (83) throws a pitch during the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2016; Dunedin, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Hunter Cervenka (83) throws a pitch during the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

A new game . . .but not for long

Blair started the sixth with just 62 pitches under his belt and looking in complete control but after making short work of deGrom he walked Granderson and Cabrera single to right sending the Grandyman to third.

Conforto hit a ball over the head of Markakis for a rule 5.05(a)(7) double to score Granderson and end Blair’s day with a line including three runs all earned on six hits with 2 walks and one strikeout in 5 1/3 IP and 80 pitches, including 45 strikes..

Alexi Ogando  got the call to replace Blair gave up a sac fly to Duda scoring Cabrera.  After giving an intentional pass to Walker, Ogando struck out Wilmer Flores to end the inning with the Mets leading 3-1.  The Braves lineup was able to muster only a misshit infield single in response in the bottom of the sixth and Ogando went out to start the seventh.

More from Tomahawk Take

After Kevin Pawlecki walked Ogando struck out Juan Ligares and Eric Campbell before the Braves double switched bringing in Jeff Francoeur to play left and lefty specialist Hunter Cervenka to face Granderson.  Cervenka did his job striking out the Mets leadoff man to end the inning and the threat.

Mallex Smith continues to be unable to bunt at the major league level and Francoeur was overmatched against new Met hurler Hansel Robles staring the bottom half. Markakis singled but Robles blew strike three past Castro to end the inning.

Cervenka produced a clean top of the eighth and new Mets pitcher Jerry Blevins did the same in the bottom half to send the game to the ninth with the Mets still leading 3-1.

The Braves brought Jason Grilli in for the ninth and struck out Walker easily before Flores beat out a grounder to short. Pawlecki hit a soft fly to right and Ligares followed with a high hopper that had Freeman showing off his vertical leap to snare before getting the force at second to end the inning.

Next: The Final Hurrah?

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