Fried Hot Dogs, Cheese Grits, and Atlanta Braves Baseball

Woke up this morning in need of a little B & B...breakfast and baseball. Now that I've gotten a few bites in, let's talk about them Braves.

Friday night, Atlanta opened a 3 game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, with Derek Lowe on the mound. And, the 14 year veteran did something new...he pitched like he used to. Lowe struck out seven snakes in 5 innings and blanked the visiting squad in a short but effective start. Rookie reliever, Aroyds Vizcaino allowed 2 runs in the seventh, but that was the only noise Arizona could make against Braves pitching.

New Atlien, Michael Bourn started the scoring for Atlanta with a solo homerun in the first inning off DBack, Daniel Hudson. In the 3rd, All Star Brian McCann said "hello," with a 425 foot blast to right. The Braves would lead 3-0, until a rejuvenated Larry Jones stepped into the batter's box during the 6th. With 2 outs, Chipper connected on a solo shot to left field, giving the Braves a 4-0 lead.

Friday's 4-2 victory increases Atlanta's advantage to 7 games over Arizona in the Wild Card race and 7.5 over struggling San Francisco.

The Braves and Snakes square off again at 7:10 tonight. Brandon Beachy will take the mound for the home team. He is 5-2 with an ERA of 3.43 in 2011. Meanwhile, Arizona will call upon Louisiana native, Wade Miley. The 24 year old lefty will be making his Major League debut, after cruising to a 4-1 record with an ERA of 3.64 at the Triple A level.

Almost forgot to mention, this is Kennesaw State Alumni night at Turner Field. Ya'll get to "parade around the outfield," if you purchase tickets for the event.

Fiesty Fish

After just one half an inning in Atlanta, Florida has already plated 3 runs. Not a good start for Braves rookie pitcher, Brandon Beachy. Leading 1-0, Marlin Mike Stanton drove in 2 additional fish with an RBI double down the left field line.

This one started to feel like the Braves were in trouble, before the popcorn man could advertise his presence at the Ted. (Cold beer, anybody?)

But, Martin Prado and Nate McLouth decided to bring their bats, tonight. The first and second batters in the Braves first inning produced back to back singles. With runners on first and third, Chipper Jones didn't wait long, to drive in his 1,501 RBI. Facing a 3-2 count, Larry sent an RBI single through the right side of the infield.

Brian McCann followed with a 3 run blast over the right field fence. After a discouraging start, Atlanta leads 4-3 after one inning of play.

Go Braves!

Look for updates in the comments section.

Braves and Fish - Game 2

Florida's Josh Johnson has been spotted an early 1 run lead in tonight's game between the dudes from Gator Country and the Red, White, and Blue clad Braves.

Starting pitcher, Tim Hudson, avoided a potential big fish inning in the first, when Marlin Mike Stanton grounded into a double play to retire the side.

As I type, Prado and McLouth have grounded out. With 1,499 RBIs in his MLB career, Chipper Jones stands inside the batter's box... and takes a base on balls. McCann now batting... Mac goes down on strikes.

Look for some updates in the comments section and feel free to provide your thoughts on tonight's action. Go Braves!

Braves beat Fish

Well, it was good to see Tommy Hanson not suck tonight. He threw 7 shut out innings for the Tomahawks, as Atlanta took the first of a 3 game series against the Marlins.

Jason Heyward and Brian McCann hit solo shots that might still be flyin' over the state of Georgia. But, it was Martin Prado, who caused Chris Volstad to start unraveling on the mound. With 2 out in the 3rd, the Braves left fielder singled and scored on a double off the bat of Nate McLouth. Then, Chipper Jones came through with an RBI single and just like that, Atlanta led 2-0.

With the game still resembling a potential pitcher's duel, Jason Heyward made his presence known with a solo HR in the 4th inning. The Bravos led 3-0 and Volstad was in trouble.

Fast forward to the 5th. Prado led off the inning with a double and was advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Nate McLouth. With a teammate 90 feet away and 1 out, Jones delivered once more. His sac fly put Atlanta on top
4-0. Then, with 2 outs and the bases clear of Braves, Brian McCann drilled a solo HR all the way from Atlanta to Augusta.

Former Fish, Alex Gonzalez, made some sensational plays at second base for the Braves, as Atlanta would win 5-0.

Undefeated Braves

Love what I saw from the Braves today. Great starting pitching (Derek Lowe), backed up by solid defense, just enough offense, and a very strong effort from the bullpen. Jason Heyward became the second player to hit home runs in the first 2 at bats of his first two seasons (the other was a New York Met).

For Washington, Livan Hernandez pitched a nice game, giving up just 2 scrawny azz runs. And, at one point he retired 15 straight Braves batters.

Chipper Jones went 2-4 with a double and silent single. Jones also scored the first run of the 2011 MLB season on a Brian McCann one sacker in the first inning. Good win for the Braves and a great way to open up the season.

Opening Day

At one o'clock this afternoon, the Atlanta Braves open up the 2011 season in Washington. It's hard to believe that baseball's back... and so is Chipper Jones.

On August 12 of last year, I thought his prolific career in Atlanta was over. Then 38 years young, Jones had just torn an ACL attempting to make a spectacular play at third base. Well, I've never felt better about being wrong in all my life.

Welcome back Chipper. It's good to know that I can put the "Retire the #10" talk on the shelf for at least another season.

Longtime Braves nemesis, Livan Hernandez will take the mound today as the Nats square off against the Bravos. Derek Lowe will get the start for Atlanta.