Braves Prevail In Spring Slugfest

BRAVES 11, NATIONALS 8

W - Takashi Saito (1-0)
L - Craig Stammen (0-1)
S - Todd Redmond (1)
HR - WAS - Ian Desmond (GS, 1)
ATL - Brooks Conrad (1)

After another perfect starters outing, the Braves' bullpen got pounded. However, the offense held up its end of the bargain in an 11-8 victory.

THE GOOD: Shortstop Yunel Escobar had three doubles, scored two runs and drove two in. Leadoff hitter Martin Prado had two hits and drove in two runs. Melky Cabrera also had two hits and an RBI. Freddie Freeman drove in two runs and would have had more with a home run, but he passed Joe Thurston while rounding first base. Thus, he was only credited with a single.

Jason Heyward also had a single and stole a base. Derek Lowe (2 IP), Michael Dunn (1 1/3 IP) and Todd Redmond (2 IP, SV) all had scoreless stints.

THE BAD: Billy Wagner and Takashi Saito were lit up for three hits and two runs apiece in their first appearances. Jesse Chavez, the next pitcher, allowed a grand slam to Ian Desmond. Chipper Jones went 0-2.

UP NEXT: Atlanta travels to Kissimmee to play the Astros on Saturday.