Atlanta Braves afternoon update: Mike Soroka activated blanks Mets 2-0
After last night’s victory over the Mets, the Atlanta Braves swapped pitchers and beat them again this afternoon.
Last night Luke Jackson pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the Atlanta Braves, throwing just eight pitches and striking out one. This morning he’s once again designated for assignment.
Jackson’s been up and down so many times he may be getting dizzy. This is the fourth time since December 20th that the Braves designated the righty and removed him from the 40-man roster. The previous three times he cleared waivers and accepted assignment, that may not happen this time.
Jackson pitched three innings against Sand Diego, allowed one run on one hit and struck out five. While Jackson give Braves’ fans apoplexy when he enter and can be wild. only one bad outing for Atlanta skews his numbers upward.
At Gwinnett Jackson’s been superb, pitching to a 1.99 ERA, 0.894 WHIP with 34 strikeouts and 10 walks in 21 1/3 IP. Those numbers and his last two outings with Atlanta may encourage him to seek work somewhere he doesn’t need a personal Uber driver on call.
Atlanta Braves activate Soroka Beat Mets 2-0
Jackson’s departure cleared the way to Atlanta to activate righty Mike Soroka from the 10-day DL.
The Braves originally called up Soroka to pitch against the Mets on May first. He rewarded them for their choice by throwing six innings and allowing only one run on one hit without a walk and striking out five to be Noah Syndergaard. Today he did it again, only better.
The game featured an old-fashioned pitcher’s duel with Soroka once again facing off one of MLB’s bets, Jacob deGrom.
The Braves scored in the fourth when Dansby Swanson doubled with one out and Freddie Freeman singled him home. Then deGrom slammed the door again.
Soroka carried a no-hitter into the seventh but Michael Conforto broke that up with an infield single. The Braves righty struck out Todd Frazier then turned it over the A.J. Minter who finished the Mets off quickly.
On the day, Soroka left after throwing 74 pitches – 44 strikes – in 6 1/3 innings allowing one hit, walking one and striking out four.
#Braves Mike Soroka 2018 Pitch Quality
— MLB Quality of Pitch (@qopbaseball) June 13, 2018
TwoSeam Fastball 5.18 QOPA
Vertical Break (Top 21% MLB)
Horizontal Break (Top 32% MLB)@Mike_Soroka28 @FOXSportsBraves @kapaya1234 @JeffFrancoeur @Tom_Glavine @KelsWingert @Voceroy @TwoSportman @PaulByrd36 @KevinMcAlpin @JeffKrush pic.twitter.com/2puaPf9Zcz
The Mets’ looked like a beaten team. They’re flat, hitters aren’t hitting, defenders are making mistakes .
In the seventh, Jay Bruce dawdled on a single between first and second allowing Ender Inciarte to turn it into a double. Inciarte made on of his patented and ill-advised attempts to steal third and got caught or the Braves that would have cost them a run.
Openly – and rightly – mad as hell about the lackadaisical play behind him, deGrom slammed his glove against the wall after the seventh ended .
deGrom's last ten starts:
— Mike Axisa (@mikeaxisa) June 13, 2018
62.1 IP
0.87 ERA
.198/.258/.257 against
83/17 K/BB
The Mets are 2-8 in those 10 games.
Sanchez to start Thursday
Anibal Sanchez will start Thursday’s game against the San Diego Padres but no decision’s been announced about the rotation after that.
Teheran said he’d be ready for Friday’s start but the Braves held McCarthy back in case they need him then (my opinion). If he’s not needed, the Braves could start McCarthy Saturday and push Newcomb back to Sunday.
The Braves try to give Newcomb an extra day whenever possible in order to keep him strong late in the season. While he threw 160 combined innings last season, major league innings are harder than AAA innings so that doesn’t equate to 160 MLB innings
While no innings limit’s been announced, the Braves would probably like to see no more than 170 from Newcomb this season. At his current pace that would take him through 27 or 28 starts.
This and That
Word came today that the Greyson Jenista received a $1.2M signing bonus about a $250K under slot. That leaves the Braves $7,067,300 in their first-round pool before penalties kick in.
No word on Carter Stewart’s status, I suppose ‘negotiations continue’ would work. Many of the remaining players are involved in the College World Series and can’t do anything until that’s complete.
Put me in coach I’m ready to play, that’s the word Ronald Acuna’s been spreading around the Braves clubhouse. Managers Brian Snitker and his training staff remain cautious with their budding superstar.
Ronald Acuña doing sprints around the infield this morning. Said yesterday he was feeling really good and he wasn't feeling pain when he was running. Hopes to begin a rehab assignment later this week/weekend. #Braves @680TheFan
— Kevin McAlpin (@KevinMcAlpin) June 13, 2018
He’s unlikely until he’s completed a rehab start or two. That could be early next week
Ozzie Albies second grand slam of the season in Tuesday’s game put him pretty elite company. Three other 21-years old players had two or more grand slams in a season; Ken Griffey Jr. Alex Rodriguez and Adrian Beltre.
The last Atlanta Braves’ player to do it was Brian McCann in 2012. The last Braves second baseman to manage it was Davey Johnson.
Mike Foltynewicz left last night’s game with the Mets with tightness in his triceps. Manager Brian Snitker said he’s fine and will make his next start.
“I think everything checked out good, it’s just some tightness. He’s not scheduled to pitch until a week from today anyway, so he’ll have some extra time.”
That’s a Wrap
The Braves are getting a lot of TV time as a result of their play this season. MLB Network carried the game today and even ESPN graced us with their presence Tuesday. They had Hank Aaron in the booth most of the game making it well worth putting up with their broadcast team to hear Hank tell stories.
That publicity and increased chat about them on talk radio means more All Star votes for the players. Freddie Freeman still leads overall NL All Star voting ahead of Nolan Arenado, Albies leads at second base and Nick Markakis is second among outfielders.