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| "DENVER, CO - APRIL 23: Starting pitcher Mike Minor #36 of the Atlanta Braves delivers to home plate during the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on April 23, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)" |
After a tough series loss against the Pittsburgh Pirates and having an extra day off due to a snow storm preventing the Braves from taking the field in Colorado last night, Atlanta begins their series against the Colorado Rockies in a double header this afternoon in very cold conditions. Atlanta and Colorado are tied with the best record in the majors with a outstanding record of (13-5) clashing for a three game series in Denver. The Colorado Rockies are off to a red-hot start, winning eight out of their last nine games while the Braves started 12-1 and have started to cool off, losing four out of their last five games including losing three of four to the Pirates over the weekend. Braves will send Mike Minor to the mound, who will look to rebound from a tough 1-0 loss to the Kansas City Royals as he pitched six innings while giving up five, hits, gave a run (earned), and struck out five. The offense failed to give their starting pitcher any run support as the Braves had their 10-game winning streak snapped. Opposing Minor will be veteran SP Jeff Francis. In his last start against the New York Mets, Francis struggled mightily, giving up nine hits on eight runs (six earned), walked four and struck out four in 4.1 innings pitched, but the Rockies came back from a 8-2 deficit to win the game. Also, today's game will mark the return of Freddie Freeman to Atlanta's lineup after being be activated from the 15-day disabled list after missing thirteen games with a right oblique strain suffered on April 6th against the Chicago Cubs. Also, Jason Heyward underwent an emergency appendectomy last night and will be put on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Sunday. The earliest he would be activated is on May 5th. Tyler Pastornicky has been called up from AAA Gwinnett to take Heyward's roster spot. Reed Johnson will start in RF in the first game of the doubleheader. In this clash of two great National League teams, Atlanta would look to earn a win against the Rockies and stop their three game losing streak.
FIRST INNING:
In the Braves first offensive stretch of this game, Andrelton Simmons popped out to catcher Wilin Rosario in foul territory for the first out of the game; followed by B. J. Upton grounding out, third baseman Chris Nelson to first baseman Jordan Pacheco for the second out. Atlanta would strike first as Justin Upton homered on a line drive to center field to give the Braves a 1-0 lead. It was Justin Upton's tenth home run of the season. The inning for the Braves would end after Freddie Freeman flies out to right fielder Michael Cuddyer and Atlanta took their lead into the bottom of the inning. Mike Minor would get an easy 1-2-3 inning as Dexter Fowler grounds out, third baseman Chris Johnson to first baseman Freddie Freeman for the first out; followed by Josh Rutledge flying out to right fielder Reed Johnson and finally, Carlos Gonzalez lines out to left fielder Justin Upton as the Braves would take a 1-0 lead into the next inning.
SECOND INNING:
As the Braves offense came to bat for the second time, Chris Johnson continued his hot month of April with a single on a ground ball to center fielder Dexter Fowler with no outs. After Evan Gattis struck out swinging, the Braves would capitalize again as Dan Uggla homered on a fly ball to center field also scoring Chris Johnson to give Atlanta a 3-0 lead. It was Dan Uggla's fourth home run of the 2013 season. Reed Johnson singled on a soft ground ball to second baseman Josh Rutledge to put a runner on with one out. Mike Minor out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Jeff Francis to second baseman Josh Rutledge. Reed Johnson to 2nd as the Braves earn their second out; however, the inning would end as Andrelton Simmons pops out to first baseman Jordan Pacheco and the Braves took a 3-0 lead. In the Rockies next offensive stint, Troy Tulowitzki opened the inning with a walk and Michael Cuddyer doubled on a line drive to center fielder B. J. Upton advancing Troy Tulowitzki to 3rd with no outs. Wilin Rosario grounds out sharply, second baseman Dan Uggla to first baseman Freddie Freeman. Troy Tulowitzki scored to cut the lead to 3-1 with one out in the inning. Jordan Pacheco singles on a ground ball to center fielder B.J Upton. Michael Cuddyer scores and trimmed the lead to 3-2 with one out. Mike Minor would respond by striking out Chris Nelson and Jeff Francis and Atlanta took their 3-2 lead into the next inning.
THIRD INNING:
B. J. Upton started the Braves next offensive stretch as he lined out to right fielder Michael Cuddyer for the first out of the frame. Justin Upton would strike out swinging for the second out of the inning. Freddie Freeman would keep the inning alive as he walked; however, the Braves offensive stretch would end as Chris Johnson struck out swinging. The Rockies would open their next offensive stretch with a Dexter Fowler triple on a line drive to right fielder Reed Johnson with no outs. Josh Rutledge singles on a soft ground ball to second baseman Dan Uggla. Dexter Fowler scores and ties the game at 3-3. Carlos Gonzalez would strike out swinging. Josh Rutledge steals 2nd base as the Rockies would place a runner in scoring position with one out. Troy Tulowitzki flies out to center fielder B. J. Upton. Josh Rutledge to 3rd with two outs. Michael Cuddyer walked to place runners on the corners with two outs. Wilin Rosario grounds out, third baseman Chris Johnson to first baseman Freddie Freeman and the Braves and Rockies were tied heading into the fourth inning.
FOURTH INNING:
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| "DENVER, CO - APRIL 23: Evan Gratis #24 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates his solo home run with third base coach Brian Snitker #51during the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on April 23, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)" |
FIFTH INNING:
In the Braves next offensive stint, relief pitcher Rob Scahill would take over for Jeff Francis and would earn a 1-2-3 inning as Justin Upton grounds out, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to first baseman Jordan Pacheco followed by Freddie Freeman flies out to center fielder Dexter Fowler and Chris Johnson grounds out, third baseman Chris Nelson to first baseman Jordan Pacheco as the Braves maintained their lead. After Dexter Fowler singles on a line drive to left fielder Justin Upton with no outs. Mike Minor would retire the next three batters as Josh Rutledge out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Evan Gattis to first baseman Freddie Freeman. Dexter Fowler to 2nd; followed by Carlos Gonzalez pops out to shortstop Andrelton Simmons for the second out and finally, Troy Tulowitzki flies out to center fielder B. J. Upton and Atlanta got a 1-2-3 inning as they maintained a 4-3 lead heading into the next inning.
SIXTH INNING:
In Atlanta's sixth offensive stretch, Evan Gattis lines out to third baseman Chris Nelson for the first out; followed by Dan Uggla called out on strikes. Reed Johnson kept his inning alive as he doubled on a line drive to center fielder Dexter Fowler and the Braves inning would end as Mike Minor flies out to center fielder Dexter Fowler. Mike Minor would get yet another 1-2-3 inning against Colorado as Michael Cuddyer strikes out swinging; followed by Wilin Rosario flies out softly to center fielder B. J. Upton for the second out and finally Jordan Pacheco flies out to right fielder Reed Johnson and the Braves took a 4-3 lead into the seventh inning.
SEVENTH INNING:
The Braves would open the seventh inning with Andrelton Simmons flying out softly to right fielder Michael Cuddyer for the first out. B. J. Upton strikes out swinging for the second out and Justin Upton grounds out, second baseman Josh Rutledge to first baseman Jordan Pacheco as Atlanta's offense went out in a 1-2-3 fashion. As the Rockies went on offense, the Braves would change pitchers as Luis Avilan replaced Mike Minor as he finished the night with (6.0) innings pitched, allowed (5) hits, (3) earned runs, and (2) walks and threw (5) strike outs. Luis Avilan would send the Rockies down in a 1-2-3 fashion as Chris Nelson flies out to center fielder B. J. Upton, followed by Eric Young grounds out, third baseman Chris Johnson to first baseman Freddie Freeman and finally, Dexter Fowler grounds out, shortstop Andrelton Simmons to first baseman Freddie Freeman and the Braves took their 4-3 lead into the eighth inning.
EIGHTH INNING:
As the Braves started their next offensive stint, Edgmer Escalona replaced Rob Scahill at pitcher and Freddie Freeman opened the inning with a single on a line drive to center fielder Dexter Fowler. After Freeman singled, the Braves didn't capitalized as the next three batters would be retired as Chris Johnson flies out to right fielder Michael Cuddyer for the first out, followed by Evan Gattis flies out to left fielder Carlos Gonzalez and Dan Uggla strikes out swinging for the final out. For Atlanta, Eric O'Flaherty replaced Luis Avilan at pitcher and would retire the Rockies side in a 1-2-3 fashion as Josh Rutledge grounds out, pitcher Eric O'Flaherty to first baseman Freddie Freeman; followed by Carlos Gonzalez grounds out, second baseman Dan Uggla to first baseman Freddie Freeman and finally, Troy Tulowitzki grounds out, third baseman Chris Johnson to first baseman Freddie Freeman as the Braves took a 4-3 lead into the final inning.
NINTH INNING:
In the Braves final offensive stretch, Reed Johnson doubled on a ground ball to left fielder Carlos Gonzalez, deflected by third baseman Chris Nelson with no outs; however, Atlanta would not capitalize on their runner as Jordan Schafer out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Edgmer Escalona to second baseman Josh Rutledge. Reed Johnson to 3rd followed by Andrelton Simmons pops out to shortstop Troy Tulowitzki for the second out and B. J. Upton struck out swinging and the Braves took a 4-3 lead into the last Rockies offensive stretch. Craig Kimbrel replaces Eric O'Flaherty, batting 9th, replacing Jordan Schafer. For the Rockies, Michael Cuddyer struck out swinging for the first out. Wilin Rosario would single on a sharp ground ball to center fielder B. J. Upton with one runner on with one out. Jordan Pacheco was called out on strikes for the second out. With Chris Nelson batting, Wilin Rosario caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Evan Gattis to second baseman Dan Uggla and the Braves would win by a final score of 4-3.
WINNING PITCHER:
Mike Minor (3-1): (6.0) innings pitched, allowed (5) hits, (3) earned runs, and (2) walks and issued (5) strike outs.
LOSING PITCHER:
Jeff Francis (1-2): (4.0) innings pitched, allowed (6) hits, (4) earned runs, and (2) walks and issued (5) strike outs.
SAVE:
Craig Kimbrel (8)
PLAYERS OF THE GAME:
Mike Minor/Reed Johnson:
Mike Minor pitched a good game today in Colorado's tough conditions such as in this game as his stat line was (6.0) innings pitched, allowed (5) hits, (3) earned runs, and (2) walks and issued (5) strike outs. Despite the Rockies putting together a rally early in the game, Minor would handle the pressure well and stop the Colorado offense from continuing their offensive dominance and he earned a gutsy win for the Braves this afternoon. Reed Johnson, who was playing right field today after Jason Heyward went on the 15-Day DL earlier today had a great game as he posted (4-4) with three singles and one double. As the Braves will be without Jason Heyward, Reed Johnson will be called on to give the team the lift offensively and today's game was a positive sign that the Braves could manage without Heyward until he gets healthy and that's what makes the 2013 Atlanta Braves team special, there are so many options that can step up and provide a huge impact for Atlanta.
CONCLUSION:
The Braves earned a huge road victory and ended Atlanta's three-game losing streak and will look to continue their great start to the season in a few hours from now as they will play their second game of the double header tonight as Julio Tehran will take the mound for the Braves and Jon Garland would counter part for the Rockies at 8:40 P.M. GO BRAVES!!!!!
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