ATL @ STL

It seems as if the Braves have played the Cardinals a dozen times already this spring. The game ended up being a tie after calling it a game in the 10th inning. The score was 1-1. The Braves have allowed the least amount of runs out of all teams in spring training so far. Although some teams have played a few more games, and some have played a few less.

- Mike Minor pitched five scoreless innings, giving up two hits, striking out four and walking two. I hope he continues is spring success. I want this guy for the 5th starter.

- Kenshin Kawakami pitched two innings giving up three hits and a run. That run allowed was a home run allowed to Matt Holliday.

- Pretty quiet day offensively, Chipper Jones played another day at third base. He was 1 -3 with the hit being a double.

- Freddie Freeman was 0-4 with three strikeouts. Ouch!

- I noticed Jason Heyward being out of the lineup the last three games due to back discomfort. I'm really kind of concerned about him. He seems to have a lot of little nagging injuries. He will be back for tomorrow's game.

* Brandon Beachy, who is also looking to win the 5th rotation spot, pitched in a separate game today as well. Beachy hasn't made it any easier for a decision to be made. He pitched five scoreless innings and gave up only two hits as well.

Houston vs Atlanta

Atlanta added another win to their spring record today, finishing the game with a 7-1 score vs. Houston. The Braves were on the verge of shutting out a team for a second consecutive game, but Cristhian Martinez blew it by allowing a one run home run in the 9th inning.

- Jair Jurrjens pitched five scoreless innings giving up 2 hits. He struck out four batters and walked one. This is the Jurrjens we need to see.

- Craig Kimbrel pitched a scoreless inning.

- Chipper Jones played at third for a second day in a row. He had another strong game, going 2-3, hitting a home run, and collecting two RBI's.

- Brian McCann, who I haven't talked about much, went 2-4 with a home run as well.

- Wilkin Ramirez has potential to win a job on the team. He's having a good spring hitting .421. He was 2-4 with a home run and three RBI today.

* Mike Minor, who is looking to win the job for the 5th spot in the rotation, will be pitching tomorrow vs. the St. Louis Cardinals.

Braves Stomp On Mets

The NY Mets visited the Braves today and got a good spanking. The final score was 12-0, a sign of things to come I hope.

- Tim Hudson pitched four shutout innings, allowing four hits and striking out four.

- Linebrink, Sherrill, Moylan, Venters, and Asencio combined for five innings, three hits allowed, and six strikeouts.

- No walks were given up by any of the Braves pitchers.

- Any worries about McLouth and his shoulder should be put to rest. He went 2-4 today.

- Alex Gonzalez is having himself a nice spring. 2-4 with an rbi in today's game. He is hitting .344 for the spring.

- Chipper Jones played at third base and had himself a nice old fashioned Chipper day. Chipper's line consisted of a bunch of twos. He was two for two, scored two runs, knocked in two runs, and had two walks. Oh, and those two hits were both doubles.

- Braves excellent back up catcher David Ross had the best day of the bunch. He was 3-4 with five RBI total.

- Unfortunately, Jordan Schafer was 0-5.

* Jair Jurrjens will be throwing off the mound tomorrow vs the Houston Astros.

Braves 6, Yankees 2

Another good game by the Braves as they bested the Yankees 6-1. The Yankees have a couple of former Braves players on their team. One favorite of mine is Andruw Jones. I wish him the best of luck and hope he can find a way to bounce back his career. Despite being in the majors for what seems like forever now, he will be only 34 years old this season, so he has time left. Mark Teixeira is another. A very good ball player who the Braves obtained via trade. It didn't work out so good as the Braves weren't able to afford his monster contract shortly after. The biggest loss was that a few of those prospects the Braves traded away were a large part of last years American League Champion Texas Rangers team. Rafael Soriano is the last guy. He was very good relief pitcher for the Braves, and also served as their closer at times.

Anyways, here's some game notes.

- Tommy Hanson pitched four innings, giving up five hits and one run while striking out two. He gave up a home run to Jorge Posada.

- Kenshin Kawakami pitched a scoreless inning of relief. Trying to showcase this guy for a possible trade perhaps. The Yankees could use him!

- Craig Kimbrel pitched a scoreless inning, striking out one, but walking one as well. He has to bring down his walks.

- Any doubts about Heywards thumb this year are being erased. Heyward went 2-3 today and is hitting .417 so far this spring.

- Freddie Freeman was 1-2 with a walk.

- Jordan Schafer rebounded a little today, going 2-4 with a home run.

* Tim Hudson will be making the start tomorrow vs the NY Mets.

First of Spring Training Cuts

Article

The Braves announced their first round of cuts. Teheran, Viscaino and Delgado are among the names listed. They do have to get stretched out so they can pitch readily in the minors. It's not possible to do that throwing only one inning at a time while being on the Braves spring roster.

A total of 14 players were either optioned or re-assigned. According to talkingchop,

"Right-handed pitcher Erik Cordier and left-handed pitchers Lee Hyde and Jose Ortegano were optioned to Gwinnett (AAA), while right-handed pitcher Randall Delgado was optioned to Mississippi (AA)."

"The 10 players who were re-assigned to minor league camp include right-handed pitchers Michael Broadway, Jay Sborz, Julio Teheran and Arodys Vizcaino, left-handed pitcher Brett Oberholtzer, catchers Christian Bethancourt, Braeden Schlehuber and Jesus Sucre, infielder Tyler Pastornicky and outfielder Mycal Jones."