Braves vs Nats

A rainy night in Washington caused Friday's game between the Nationals and Braves to be postponed. Stephen Strasburg will get the series started at 4:05 this afternoon, when he throws the first official pitch. Instead of Mike Minor opposing him on the mound, Atlanta will turn to Brandon Beachy, who is 5-3 with an ERA of 1.77 in 2012. Today's matchup is very intriguing, as a couple of the game's best young pitchers will duel in D.C.

Catching up with the Atlanta Braves

At 7:05 on Friday night, Atlanta's Braves will be in D.C. as they take on the first place Washington Nationals. With a winning percentage of .538, Atlanta trails the Nats by 2 games in the NL East. The visitors will send former Commodore, Mike Minor, to the mound. The 24 year old south paw is off to a rough start in 2012, with a 6.98 ERA and diminutive record of 2 wins and 4 losses.

Meanwhile, Washington will be represented by the hard throwing Stephen Strasburg. The former San Diego State Aztec has recorded 70 strike outs, along the way to an impressive 5-1 record. With an ERA of 2.64, the right handed pitcher has held opponents to a .223 batting average.

Looking to improve their infield, Atlanta will replace shortstop Tyler Pastornicky and his 7 errors with minor league prospect, Andrelton Simmons. Although he has yet to play an inning above double A ball, Simmons is expected to provide the Braves with a huge upgrade defensively.

Braves Update

Since I last typed anything relating to the Atlanta Braves, they've won back to back games. It was good to see the tomahawks take their first series of the season, beating the Nats twice in Washington.

On to Milwaukee... Dan Uggla and Martin Prado solo HRs in 8th put Bravos up 2-1. That was all the offense Atlanta would need. Craig Kimbrel recorded the save.

Braves fall to .500

The Atlanta Braves were beaten by Washington 6-3 today. Here's a brief glimpse at what transpired...

Tommy Hansen, Atlanta's most talented young pitcher Sucked. Dude gave up 3 earned runs in 4 and 2/3 innings, was consistently behind in the count, and committed an error, which led to Washington's first score.

Braves bats were unable to produce any clutch hitting. Infielder, Brooks Conrad was granted PH duties in the top of the 6th inning. Trailing
4-2, Atlanta had runners on 2nd and 3rd with one scrawny azz out.
Ahead of the count 3-1, Conrad errantly swung and missed at what should have been ball 4. Suddenly facing a 3-2 count, BC went down on strikes. With 2 gone, Martin Prado followed and flied out to end the inning. The Braves really wasted a grand opportunity to creep back into this game.

Washington's Rick Ankiel burned his former team, by driving in 3 runs. His 2 run homer off Tommy Hansen in the 3rd put the Nats up 4-2. As if that wasn't enough, Ankiel sac bunted in another run during the Nats 7th inning.

The Good: Alex Gonzalez and Dan Uggla both hit solo HR for Atlanta. Chipper had an RBI on a 2-5 day at the plate.
The Bad: Leadoff hitter Martin Prado is 0 for 2011.
The Ugly: It's way too early to write anything ugly. I'll save that for later.

Next up... Tim Hudson faces Jordan Zimmerman and the Nats at 1:05 Sunday afternoon.

Braves vs FSU...Click on the title of this post.

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.

Braves vs Gnats

Last summer, the Washington Nationals were a lowly club that gave the Braves fits. But, this is a new season. If Atlanta is going to re-emerge as a contender in the NL East, Washington is a team the Braves must handle.

Well, Atlanta is in DC tonight and Livan Hernandez is on the mound for the Nats. April's Rookie of the Month, Jason Heyward tied the game at 2, with a solo HR in the top of the 4th.

Sammy Kawakami (0-4 with a 5.55 ERA) got the start for Atlanta.

Side note: After a miserable 9 game losing streak, the Braves swept Houston at Turner Field, and entered tonight's contest just 3 games back of first place Philadelphia.

Update: The Magic lead Atlanta 33-27 in Orlando. Dwight Howard is causing problems for the Hawks. Meanwhile, the Braves are still tied at 2 with the Nats in DC. There are 2 outs with Jason Heyward (Intentional Walk) on 1st and catcher Brian McCann on 2nd, as Melky Cabrera bats in the 5th.

Bullpen costs Hanson and Braves

Atlanta's bullpen squandered a great performance by rookie, Tommy Hanson. Hanson pitched a solid seven innings, allowing just one run on a homer by Adam Dunn. Going into the bottom of the 8th, Bobby Cox handed the ball to the Braves bullpen. Washington erupted for 4 runs, and took a stunning 5-3 lead into the 9th. Atlanta failed to rally, and lost a game they should have won. Tommy Hanson was very impressive on the mound, although his shut out streak of 27 consecutive innings was lost on Dunn's long ball.

Happy 4th of July, ya'll.