Two Rain Delays Don't Spoil Debut For Zimmerman

WASHINGTON 3, ATLANTA 2

The Braves and Nationals played through two long rain delays, but Jordan Zimmerman was able to seize the moment and pitch six effective innings as the Nationals came from behind to win 3-2.

Zimmerman pitched six innings and allowed six hits and two runs. His only mistake was giving up a two-run shot to Matt Diaz in the fourth inning, giving the Braves a 2-0 lead. The Nationals tied the game in the bottom of the frame off of Braves starter Derek Lowe with an RBI single by Elijah Dukes and a deep bases-loaded sac fly to left by Jesus Flores that was very nearly a grand slam.

Washington scored the go-ahead run in the sixth with three straight one-out singles, the last coming off the bat of Flores. Lowe managed to get out of the inning avoiding further damage.

Both bullpens pitched scoreless ball the rest of the way. Rafael Soriano had the most trouble, having to work with the bases loaded and one out, but he got the last two batters out with strikeouts. Eric O'Flaherty also had a scoreless inning. Kip Wells, Garret Mock and Joe Beimel held the Braves off and Joel Hanrahan picked up his first save of the year in the ninth, pitching around a walk.

W - Jordan Zimmerman (1-0)
L - Derek Lowe (1-1)
S - Joel Hanrahan (1)
HR - Matt Diaz (2)

THREE STARS

GOLD
P Jordan Zimmerman, Washington - 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO - Major League Debut

SILVER
LF Matt Diaz, Atlanta - 2-4, 2B, HR, R, 2 RBI

BRONZE
C Jesus Flores, Washington - 2-2, BB, 2 RBI

Braves Bring Their Bats, Bash The Bucs

ATLANTA 11, PITTSBURGH 1

Javier Vazquez pitched a third straight quality start and his offense backed him up on the strength of two three-run homers as Atlanta snapped their five-game losing streak, defeating the Pirates 11-1.

Pirates starter Zach Duke wasn't particularly sharp from the start. Jeff Francoeur hit a two-out, two-run single off of him in the first, took second on the throw and Casey Kotchman chased him home with a single. Martin Prado piled on three more runs with his first home run of the year. The line drive cleared the wall in left and gave the Braves a 6-0 lead.

David Ross extended the lead to 11-0 by lining a shot off of Pirate reliever Craig Hansen to the same part of the park. His three-run shot scored Francoeur and Kotchman. Francoeur had doubled Chipper Jones home earlier to score the first run of the inning.

Vazquez took full advantage of the support. His six inning stint featured just one walk and eight punchouts. He has pitched his third straight quality start and is the only Braves starter to do that this season. Peter Moylan and Jeff Bennett threw scoreless innings and James Parr lost some control in the ninth, allowing two singles and walking a batter after getting two outs on two pitches. He plunked Ramon Vazquez, who subbed for Jack Wilson in the eighth inning, and that forced in a run. He got Nyjer Morgan to line out to left-center to end the game, though.

It's nice to have the Braves pound an opponent every now and then. It's even nicer that they snapped their skid. Hopefully, the trend continues against the Nationals.

W - Javier Vazquez (1-1)
L - Zach Duke (2-1)
HR - Martin Prado (1)
David Ross (1)

THREE STARS

GOLD
P Javier Vazquez, Atlanta - 6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO

SILVER
2B Martin Prado, Atlanta - 2-4, 2B, HR, R, BB, 3 RBI

BRONZE
C David Ross, Atlanta - 2-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, BB, 3 RBI

HONORABLE MENTION
RF Jeff Francoeur, Atlanta - 2-5, 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI

AP Photo by Gene J. Puskar

Craig Monroe Single-Handedly Dispatches Braves

PITTSBURGH 10, ATLANTA 0

Outfielder Craig Monroe, playing in his sixth game as a Pirate, smacked two home runs and drove in six as the Pirates jumped on Jo-Jo Reyes late and tacked on more for a 10-0 win.

The loss marked the first time since 1974 that the Braves were shut out by the Pirates in two consecutive games:

July 18, 1974: 4-0
July 19, 1974: 2-0

Atlanta starter Jo-Jo Reyes, called up to take the start for the injured Tom Glavine, allowed just one run on three hits through five innings. The sixth inning, however, was the decisive one. After allowing on a triple and a comebacker with one out, Reyes got Adam LaRoche to strike out. However, Craig Monroe launched a ball to center field for a three-run shot to increase the lead to 5-0. He added another three-run shot off of Buddy Carlyle in the seventh and the Pirates tacked on another run in the eighth.

The Braves had only one runner in scoring position the entire game: Casey Kotchman got to second with a two-out double in the fourth inning off of Ian Snell.

I didn't see most of this game myself, and I'm glad I didn't. The Braves are playing the finale right now and it's looking good: they're up 6-0 on a rainy day in the bottom of the fourth, thanks to a three-run first and Martin Prado's three-run homer in the top of the fourth.

W - Ian Snell (1-2)
L - Jo-Jo Reyes (0-1)
HR - Craig Monroe 2 (2)

THREE STARS

GOLD
RF Craig Monroe, Pittsburgh - 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 6 RBI

SILVER
C Ryan Doumit, Pittsburgh - 3-4, 3 2B, 3 R, BB, RBI

BRONZE
P Ian Snell, Pittsburgh - 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO

AP Photo by Gene J. Puskar

Pirates Frustrate Braves Bats, Hand Them Fourth Straight Loss

PITTSBURGH 3, ATLANTA 0

Starter Paul Maholm and the Pirates continued the trend of Atlanta's ineptitude against left-handed pitching, dealing Jair Jurrjens a hard-luck 3-0 loss. Wasted scoring chances plagued the Braves the entire game as they left six runners in scoring position, four against starting pitcher Paul Maholm and one against reliever John Grabow.

The only run of the game was scored in the second inning. After Brandon Moss had a leadoff triple (the second of the game, probably caused by Jordan Schafer's inexperience in attempting to catch each ball), he scored on a one-out groundout to Kelly Johnson up the middle, who made a nice play on the ball. The Braves had the bases loaded with no one out in the ninth, but Casey Kotchman popped up to the catcher for a rare infield fly rule call. Jordan Schafer then bounced out into a double play to end the inning.

Pittsburgh's 1-0 lead held up the entire game as the Braves continued to leave men on base (nine in total). Jair Jurrjens pitched 6 2/3 innings, giving up just the one run and striking out seven batters. He left the game in the seventh inning after walking two straight Pirate batters. Peter Moylan finished the inning by getting pinch-hitter Delmon Young to pop up in foul ground.

Nate McLouth gave Pittsburgh some insurance with a two-run home run off of Braves closer Mike Gonzalez in the eighth. Matt Capps pitched the ninth for his third save.

It seemed all night that in scoring chances, the Braves hit balls right at Pirate fielders. Quite frankly, it was a particularly frustrating loss. Hopefully, the Braves bats decide to wake up tomorrow against Ian Snell.

W - Paul Maholm (2-0)
L - Jair Jurrjens (2-1)
S - Matt Capps (3)
HR - Nate McLouth (3)

THREE STARS

GOLD
P Paul Maholm, Pittsburgh - 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO, W

SILVER
P Jair Jurrjens, Atlanta - 6 2/3 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO, L; 1-1, BB

BRONZE
CF Nate McLouth, Pittsburgh - 2-4, HR, R, 2 RBI

AP Photo by John Heller

Marlins Complete Sweep In Convincing Fashion

FLORIDA 6, ATLANTA 2

Kenshin Kawakami's second start in a Braves uniform didn't go as well as his first. The Japanese pitcher allowed five runs in six innings, including a three-run shot by the previously-slumping Cody Ross in the Braves' 6-2 loss to the Marlins.

Ross's home run to left field gave the Marlins an early 3-0 lead. It may have been averted if Kelly Johnson hadn't dropped a throw from Yunel Escobar in an attempt to start a double play. Jeff Francoeur had two-out RBI singles in the third and the fifth innings, but the Braves stranded two runners on base in four of the first five innings.

The Marlins added two runs in the fifth with Jeremy Hermida's triple to right-center and Ross's sacrifice fly, his fourth RBI of the game. Florida added a final run off of Jorge Campillo with a triple by Ross Gload and a one-out RBI single by Alfredo Amezaga. The Braves bullpen in total allowed nine runs in ten innings of work in the series. For the Marlins, Anibal Sanchez pitched six innings for the win.

After the game, Campillo was placed on the 15-day DL with shoulder tendinitis. His replacement will be James Parr.

W - Anibal Sanchez (1-0)
L - Kenshin Kawakami (1-1)
HR - Cody Ross (1)

THREE STARS

GOLD
RF Cody Ross, Florida - 3-3, HR, R, SF, 4 RBI

SILVER
2B Dan Uggla, Florida - 2-3, 2B, 2 R, BB

BRONZE
P Anibal Sanchez, Florida - 6 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO

Photo By John Bazemore

Bullpen Woes Continue As Marlins Smack Around Braves

FLORIDA 10, ATLANTA 4

The Braves managed to get a not-so-sharp Derek Lowe off the hook, but the bullpen was unable to hold off the Marlins as the Fish scored six runs in four innings of Braves bullpen work in the 10-4 win.

The Marlins scored four runs off of Derek Lowe, courtesy of seven hits and five walks. They scored in the first inning with a Dan Uggla single. The Braves responded in the bottom of the inning with Omar Infante's sac fly after Kelly Johnson tripled to lead off the frame.

Florida then tacked on three in the top of the fifth with an RBI single by Cantu and a two-run double by Uggla. The Braves got the runs back with a Casey Kotchman double, Martin Prado's fielder's choice groundout to the pitcher and Omar Infante's bloop hit that dropped into the Bermuda Triangle in center. This took Lowe off the hook for the loss.

Buddy Carlyle held the Marlins off the board and Hayden Penn was able to do the same for the Fish against Atlanta. Peter Moylan came on in the seventh for his first back-to-back outing of the year. He allowed a single to Jorge Cantu then struck out Dan Uggla for the first out. Jeremy Hermida was intentionally walked to get to Cody Ross, but the slumping outfielder was plunked on the backside on the first pitch to load the bases. Moylan got Cameron Maybin to strike out swinging, but he walked Ross Gload, forcing in a run. Eric O'Flaherty came on and got Emilio Bonaficio swinging to limit the damage.

That didn't last long, though.

After Rafael Soriano had a perfect eighth, Blaine Boyer started the inning for the Braves. Five batters later, he had allowed two runs and only recorded one out. Jorge Campillo attempted to put out the fire, but he was tagged for two RBI singles after a strikeout. He was able to escape further damage, but the damage had already been done, so to speak.

W - Hayden Penn (1-0)
L - Peter Moylan (0-1)

THREE STARS

GOLD
2B Dan Uggla, Florida - 2-4, 2B, R, 3 RBI

SILVER
C John Baker, Florida - 2-6, 2 R, 2 RBI

BRONZE
1B Jorge Cantu, Florida - 2-5, 2 R, BB, RBI

Photo by John Amis

EDIT: Changed link to Baseball-Reference.com boxscore

Braves Hooked By Fish; Volstad Wins Pitching Duel

FLORIDA 5, ATLANTA 1

Marlins starter Chris Volstad, making his sixteenth career start, stymied the Braves for seven innings, and the Marlins produced runs off of Braves starter Javier Vazquez and reliever Jeff Bennett to earn a 5-1 win.

Volstad allowed just three hits, the biggest one being a home run by Kelly Johnson on a first-pitch fastball leading off the fourth inning. That was the first hit the Braves got in the game. Atlanta's only other scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the sixth inning. After pinch-hitter Martin Prado doubled to left-center and Kelly Johnson flied to left, Escobar drew a walk. Chipper Jones was barely thrown out at first base on a tapper to the right of the mound; that moved the runners up. Brian McCann then smoked a liner to first base that Ross Gload got his glove on and was able to keep from going to right field.

The Marlins scored three off of Javier Vazquez in the third inning and two runs off of reliever Jeff Bennett in the eighth. Third baseman Emiliano Bonaficio and catcher John Baker scored two runs. Both were driven by Dan Uggla on separate occasions. The second baseman drove in three runs on the day.

Javier Vazquez pitched his second straight quality start in a losing effort. His 12-strikeout effort was the sixth such game of his career and the 38th game where he struck out 10 batters or more.

Vazquez had a typical game tonight. He allowed hits all at the same time and he struck out a lot of batters. As long as he keeps doing that, he should be able to win ball games. Even Braves fans had to tip their caps to Volstad in this one. He made few mistakes and was able to pitch out of the few jams that he got in. Hopefully, the Braves will do better against Andrew Miller tonight.

W - Chris Volstad (2-0)
L - Javier Vazquez (0-1)
HR - Kelly Johnson (3)

THREE STARS

GOLD
P Chris Volstad, Florida - 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO

SILVER
P Javier Vazquez, Atlanta - 6 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 12 SO

BRONZE
2B Dan Uggla, Florida - 2-4, 3 RBI

Photo by John Amis

EDIT: Added tags. W-L-S-HR tally

Braves Don't Give Nationals A Bailout

ATLANTA 8, WASHINGTON 5

With solid bullpen work and timely two-out hitting, the Braves completed their first sweep of the Washington Nationals since June 25-27, 2007, banging out an 8-5 victory.

The Braves scored three in the bottom of the fourth, all with two outs. Brian McCann walked and stole second. Matt Diaz doubled him home, Jeff Francoeur chased Diaz home with a triple and Martin Prado drove in Francoeur with a single.

Elijah Dukes returned the favor with a two-out, two-run double in the fourth. A bad hop that ate up Martin Prado at first allowed Dukes to score to tie the game.

The Braves didn't stay behind for long. With Omar Infante on first with two out, he went to second on a passed ball and scored on Chipper Jones' single to give the Braves the lead again. Jones went to second on the throw. McCann drove him home with a single to up the lead to two.

Jeff Bennett relieved starter Jair Jurrjens in the sixth inning after Jurrjens' fifth walk of the day. That walk, given to Alex Gonzalez, came back to bite the Braves as he came around to score on a single by Lastings Milledge and a two-out single by Elijah Dukes.

Atlanta scored two more in the seventh on a Yunel Escobar double off the right field wall and a second RBI single by Jones. The Nationals eked out a run off of Buddy Carlyle and Eric O'Flaherty, but the righty Carlyle struck out Adam Dunn with two men on to preserve the lead.

Casey Kotchman added another insurance run with a pinch-hit RBI single after Francoeur's second triple (aided by right fielder Austin Kearns losing the ball in the sun). Rafael Soriano finished off the game in the ninth by getting two strikeouts. It gave the Braves a sweep of the Nationals for the first time in nearly two years.

I was glad to see the timely hitting by the offense and the bullpen hold together after the rain delay sort of messed up the plans. The fast start is very encouraging, and I hope the Braves are able to keep it up.

W - Jair Jurrjens (2-0)
L - Scott Olsen (0-2)
S - Rafael Soriano (1)

THREE STARS

GOLD
3B Chipper Jones, Atlanta - 2-3, R, BB, 2 RBI

SILVER
2B Omar Infante, Atlanta - 2-3, 2B, BB, 2 R

BRONZE
RF Jeff Francoeur - 2-4, 2 3B, 2 R, RBI

AP Photo by John Amis

EDIT: Changed boxscore link to Baseball-Reference.com

Kawakami Shouritoushu!: Kenshin Wins In Major League Debut

ATLANTA 5, WASHINGTON 3

Kenshin Kawakami had a successful major league debut and the Atlanta Braves came from behind to beat the Washington Nationals 5-3.

The Braves' first Japanese player in the major leagues, Kawakami logged six innings, allowing three runs on an RBI single by Nick Johnson in the first and a two-run homer by Ryan Zimmerman in the third. He didn't allow any hits after the third inning and he struck out eight Washington batters. He also walked four batters.

Kelly Johnson led off the bottom of the third with a solo shot to center off Nationals starter John Lannan to cut the gap to 3-1. In the bottom of the fourth, Matt Diaz singled, then Casey Kotchman grounded into a fielder's choice to erase Diaz. Jordan Schafer doubled into the right field corner to move Kotchman to third. After Kawakami grounded out to short, Kelly Johnson rapped a single to center and stretched it into a double when Willie Harris didn't cover second base. Both Kotchman and Schafer scored on the play.

Yunel Escobar hit a hard grounder that Harris knocked down, but couldn't make any play, and then Chipper Jones knocked in Johnson with a single to give the Braves the lead.

Kawakami kept the lead through the sixth inning, retiring the last eight Washington batters he faced. Peter Moylan entered in the seventh inning and struck out the side, lowering his ERA from infinity to 45.00. Rafael Soriano allowed a leadoff double to Cristian Guzman, but he then struck out Ryan Zimmerman. Adam Dunn then walked, but Nick Johnson hit into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.

The Braves added an insurance run in the eighth with a two-out single by Yunel Escobar. Yunel also had two walks in the game. Jordan Schafer had two doubles and a single.

Mike Gonzalez came on in the ninth for the save. He got Austin Kearns to ground out to short and Jesus Flores to strike out swinging. Josh Willingham pinch-hit for Harris and he was rung up with a check swing to end the game.

W - Kenshin Kawakami (1-0)
L - John Lannan (0-2)
S - Mike Gonzalez (1)
HR - WAS - Ryan Zimmerman (1)
ATL - Kelly Johnson (2)

THREE STARS

GOLD
2B Kelly Johnson, Atlanta - 3-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI

SILVER
P Kenshin Kawakami, Atlanta - 6 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 8 SO

BRONZE
CF Jordan Schafer, Atlanta - 3-4, 2 2B, 2 R

AP Photo by John Amis

EDIT: Changed boxscore link to Baseball-Reference.com

Seesaw Battle With Nats Ends With Braves Up

ATLANTA 6, WASHINGTON 5 (10 INN.)

A game that saw a two-hour rain delay and three blown leads total by both teams ended with the Braves winning in ten by a score of 6-5.

Derek Lowe started for Atlanta and allowed one run through three innings, striking out six. Shairon Martis made his sixth career start for Washington, going three innings. He allowed a three-run shot to Yunel Escobar in the third inning to give the Braves a 3-1 lead.

A rain delay of two hours and two minutes stopped the game in the top of the fourth. Buddy Carlyle took Lowe's place after the delay and Wil Ledezma pitched for the Nationals.

The Braves added another run with Brian McCann's sacrifice fly in the fifth, bringing the score to 4-1. However, the Nationals rocked Buddy Carlyle, Peter Moylan and Eric O'Flaherty for three runs to tie the game. Moylan gave up an RBI double to Ryan Zimmerman and O'Flaherty gave up a single to Adam Dunn that tied the game.

The Braves went back ahead on an RBI single by Jeff Francoeur in the 7th and Rafael Soriano had a 1-2-3 inning in the eighth. The Braves didn't score in the eighth, so Mike Gonzalez came in to attempt his first save of the year. Nick Johnson led off with a liner that Matt Diaz lost in the lights for a double. Elijah Dukes singled and that moved Johnson to third. Jesus Flores flied out to shallow right for the first out and Alex Gonzalez walked to load the bases. Pinch-hitter Wil Nieves struck out, then Lastings Milledge hit a liner that Gonzalez tried to spear, but it bounced off of his glove into foul territory, scoring a run. Braves announcer Jim Powell said in the radio broadcast that if Gonzalez had never touched the ball, the game would have more than likely been over because Escobar was in position to make a play. Cristian Guzman struck out, but the Nationals had successfully made Gonzalez blow his first save chance of the year.

The Braves didn't score in the bottom of the ninth, so the game went into extra innings. Jorge Campillo did a better job in his second outing, giving up only one walk to Adam Dunn. In the bottom of the tenth, Jordan Schafer led off with a single, then went to second on a groundout to third by Omar Infante. Infante had tried to bunt, but couldn't get one down so he had to swing with two strikes. Kelly Johnson then lofted a 1-2 pitch into right field and the speedy Schafer slid home well in front of the throw, giving Atlanta the victory.

W - Jorge Campillo (1-0)
L - Joe Beimel (0-1)
HR - Yunel Escobar (1)

THREE STARS

GOLD
2B Kelly Johnson, Atlanta - 3-5, 2B, GW 1B, R, RBI

SILVER
SS Yunel Escobar, Atlanta - 3-5, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI

BRONZE
LF Adam Dunn, Washington - 1-3, GT 1B, 3 BB, RBI

HONORABLE MENTION
C Brian McCann - 3-4, 3 2B, R, RBI

AP Photo by John Amis

EDIT: Added photo credit, W-L-S-HR tally, and changed boxscore link to Baseball-Reference.com's boxscore.

Braves Bullpen Implosion Hands Phillies Victory

PHILADELPHIA 12, ATLANTA 11

The game was very rosy at first. The Braves knocked around Phillie starter Joe Blanton and Javier Vazquez pitched a quality start. However, the Braves bullpen suffered a catastrophic meltdown as the Phillies stormed back to take a 12-11 victory.

Starting the seventh, Eric O'Flaherty got an out and gave up a single to Chase Utley and hit Ryan Howard with a pitch. The Braves didn't record a single out until Ryan Howard grounded to first, driving in the go-ahead run. The Braves walked four batters with the bases loaded and gave up three bases-loaded singles.

Peter Moylan, in his first major league appearance since his Tommy John surgery, walked in two and allowed two of the bases loaded singles. Blaine Boyer walked in two batters as well, and Jorge Campillo allowed another single and walked in the tying run on a pitch he wanted called a strike. He got Ryan Howard to ground out to first, but that drove in the Phillies' eighth run of the inning.

It wasn't over after that. Campillo walked Pedro Feliz and then Carlos Ruiz doubled to left. Eric Bruntlett hit a sacrifice fly to center field off of new reliever Jeff Bennett, scoring another run. Bennett was able to hold the damage down after that, but the meltdown was complete.

Matt Diaz hit a one-out solo shot off of of Phillies closer Brad Lidge to make it 12-11, but Lidge got Jordan Schafer to ground out to second and struck out Garret Anderson to end it.

In all, the five Braves relievers, in just two innings of work, gave up nine runs on six hits and six walks.

Four Braves players had two hits apiece. Brian McCann and Schafer both had two-run homers for the Braves.

Four Phillies players had two hits apiece as well. Raul Ibanez went 2-3, tied the game early with a two-run homer and also had a run-scoring single in the eight-run eighth.

The Braves have an off-day before their home opener against the Nationals, who were swept by the Marlins.

W - Clay Condrey (1-0)
L - Blaine Boyer (0-1)
S - Brad Lidge (1)
HR - ATL - Brian McCann (2)
Jordan Schafer (2)
Matt Diaz (1)
PHI - Raul Ibanez (1)

THREE STARS

GOLD
2B Chase Utley, Philadelphia - 2-4, 2B, R, BB, 2 RBI

SILVER
LF Raul Ibanez, Philadelphia - 2-3, HR, 3 R, 2 BB, 3 RBI

BRONZE
LF Matt Diaz, Atlanta - 2-4, HR, 2 R, BB, 3 RBI

Photo by John Amis

EDIT: Changed box score link to Baseball-Reference.com, added photo

Braves Staff Holds Phillies Off The Board, Hit Two Homers In Win

ATLANTA 4, PHILADELPHIA 0

Jair Jurrjens pitched 5 2/3 innings of shutout ball and the Braves pen finished putting up the zeroes in the 4-0 victory.

Kelly Johnson hit the first pitch into the right field seats for the Braves' first score. After Yunel Escobar grounded out, Chipper Jones hit a long double that hit off the center field wall. He came around to score on a rare error by Chase Utley. Brian McCann's grounder went under Utley's glove and into right field. Jones came around to score on that.

The Braves added another run in the fourth. Jeff Francoeur led off with a single and Casey Kotchman's single moved him to third. After Jordan Schafer popped up to short and Jair Jurrjens struck out, Kelly Johnson hit a slow bouncer to short and beat Rollins's throw to the bag, scoring Francoeur.

Jones led off the fifth inning with a solo home run to cap the Braves' scoring off of Phillie starter Jamie Moyer. After the fifth inning, four Phillies relievers, including fifth starter Chan Ho Park, combined to retire twelve straight Braves batters.

The Braves bullpen was similarly effective. Jurrjens left the game after walking Pedro Feliz with two out in the inning. Jeff Bennett came on to face Carlos Ruiz, but gave up a single to left. Matt Stairs was called on to pinch-hit, so Bobby Cox went with new lefty Eric O'Flaherty. Stairs launched a full-count pitch to right-center, but the hard wind, blowing out to right field, held it in the park for Jordan Schafer.

O'Flaherty pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless ball and Rafael Soriano pitched around a two-out walk to Feliz. Mike Gonzalez, who pitched in the opener, got Eric Bruntlett to line out to left field, where Garret Anderson made up for a misplay in the second inning (a liner by Raul Ibanez popped out of his glove and he couldn't corral it) by tracking down deep liners from Eric Bruntlett and Jimmy Rollins. Shane Victorino hit a fly ball to center that Schafer caught easily, completing the shutout.

W - Jair Jurrjens (1-0)
L - Jamie Moyer (0-1)
HR - Kelly Johnson (1)
Chipper Jones (1)

THREE STARS

GOLD
P Jair Jurrjens, Atlanta - 5 2/3 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K

SILVER
2B Kelly Johnson, Atlanta - 2-5, HR, R, 2 RBI

BRONZE
3B Chipper Jones, Atlanta - 2-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, RBI

AP Photo By John Amis

EDIT: Added photo credit and changed boxscore to Baseball-Reference.com's boxscore and play-by-play.

Opening Day Thrills For Braves, Lukewarm For Phillies

ATLANTA 4, PHILADELPHIA 1

After the Phillies and their fans celebrated their 2008 World Series championship, the Braves quickly reminded them that there is a lot of work to do if they're to celebrate like that again.

Derek Lowe was masterful in his first start for Atlanta and the Braves launched three home runs off of Phillie starter Brett Myers to pace the team early. The visitors held off a ninth-inning rally by the Phillies to earn a 4-1 victory.

Lowe, a sinker ball specialist, limited the Phillies to just two hits, a double and single, in eight innings. He induced 13 ground balls and the . His outing is rare for Braves' Opening Day starters. Since 1954, only five other Braves pitchers have allowed no runs on Opening Day for the Braves:

Lew Burdette, 1956

Warren Spahn, 1959

Rick Mahler, 1982, 1986, 1987

Tom Glavine, 1992

Greg Maddux, 1993, 1994

Lowe joins Maddux in that they didn't pitch complete-game shutouts in their stints.

Catcher Brian McCann got the Braves on the board in the first inning. After Chipper Jones singled to left-center with two out, McCann launched a Brett Myers change-up into the second deck in right to give Atlanta a 2-0 lead.

The second inning wasn't much better for Myers. Jeff Francoeur led off the inning with a lined shot into the left field stands. After Casey Kotchman struck out, Jordan Schafer made his major league debut. Schafer worked the count to 3-1, and then nailed a two-seamer to the left-center bleachers. He became the 99th major league player to hit a home run in his first at bat and the first Brave to do it since Jermaine Dye did it 13 years ago.

Myers limited any further damage, going six innings in his stint, and four Phillies relievers held the Braves off of the scoreboard.

Bobby Cox, the Braves manager, opted to go with closer Mike Gonzalez in the ninth inning. This move was most likely due to two things: Lowe is going to pitch the Braves' home opener on the 10th against the Nationals and he was at 97 pitches.

Gonzalez faced pinch-hitter Eric Bruntlett and gave up a double to left that was just fair. After a fly ball by Jimmy Rollins moved Bruntlett over to third, Jayson Werth singled him home to give the Phillies their first run. A walk given to Chase Utley set up the chance for the Phillies to be able to tie the game with one swing of the bat. Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez were two prime candidates to launch a tater. But Gonzalez got Howard looking on a full-count fastball right down the heart of the plate and he blew away Ibanez with a fastball for the final out.

The teams will have an early off-day before resuming the series on Tuesday.

W - Derek Lowe (1-0)
L - Brett Myers (0-1)
HR - Brian McCann (1)
Jeff Francoeur (1)
Jordan Schafer (1)

THREE STARS

GOLD
SP Derek Lowe, Atlanta - W, 8 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO

SILVER
CF Jordan Schafer, Atlanta - 2-3, HR, R, BB, RBI

BRONZE
C Brian McCann - 1-4, HR, R, 2 RBI

AP Photo by John Amis

EDIT: I updated the reference to Braves pitchers allowing no runs in their Opening Day starts of eight innings or more, adding Maddux, Spahn, and two of Rick Mahler's years. Also added photo credit and changed link to Baseball-Reference.com's boxscore and play-by-play.

2009 Atlanta Braves Opening Day Roster

STARTERS
32 Derek Lowe
33 Javier Vazquez
49 Jair Jurrjens
11 Kenshin Kawakami
(47 Tom Glavine on 15-day DL - left shoulder)

RELIEVERS
57 Jorge Campillo
30 Jeff Bennett
38 Buddy Carlyle
34 Eric O'Flaherty
56 Blaine Boyer
58 Peter Moylan
39 Rafael Soriano
51 Mike Gonzalez

CATCHERS
16 Brian McCann
5 Clint Sammons
(8 David Ross in 15-day DL - right quad)

INFIELDERS
20 Casey Kotchman
2 Kelly Johnson
10 Chipper Jones
19 Yunel Escobar
4 Omar Infante
14 Martin Prado

OUTFIELDERS
18 Garret Anderson
23 Matt Diaz
24 Jordan Schafer
7 Jeff Francoeur
20 Greg Norton

The Braves will take this group up to Philadelphia to open the 2009 season. It's time to shelve all the speculation. It's time to shelve all the frustrations of last year. It's time to shelve all the hurt. It's a fresh, new season. It's a fresh, new team. It's time for Braves baseball once again!

Tigers Patiently Pound Braves In Final Spring Game

The Tigers waited out Kenshin Kawakami's control problems and got to Tommy Hanson as they churned out run after run, winning 8-4.

Kawakami, making his final spring start, walked seven batters, two with the bases loaded, and allowed five runs in 2 2/3 innings. He wasn't locating any of his pitches for strikes at all. Tommy Hanson pitched the next three innings and allowed three runs. Kris Medlen allowed no runs in 3 1/3 innings to finish the pitching work for the Braves.

Jeff Francoeur hit a solo home run for Atlanta to get them their first run and Matt Diaz scored the second with a double and scored on a throwing error caused by his attempt to steal third base. The Braves scored two in the ninth.

Miguel Cabrera, Brandon Inge and Gerald Laird all had two hits for the Tigers.

W - Armando Galarraga (2-0)
L - Kenshin Kawakami (2-2)
HR - DET - Carlos Guillen (1)
ATL - Jeff Francoeur (2)

Braves Begin Final Spring "Series" With Win

Javier Vazquez pitched four scoreless innings in his last start and the Braves began their final series of exhibition games with a 9-3 victory over the Tigers.

The Braves' #2 starter pitched four scorless innings and only Buddy Carlyle gave up a run out of all the Braves' relievers. Omar Infante hit a two-run home run and Casey Kotchman drove in a run in the third. For the Tigers, Zach Miner gave up all three Braves runs in 4 2/3 innings.

The Braves face the Tigers today and then fly to Philadelphia to begin the regular season.

W - Javier Vazquez (2-1)
L - Zach Miner (1-2)
S - Francisely Bueno (1)
HR - Omar Infante (2)

Jurrjens Impressive In Final Spring Start, Braves Pull Out Win

Braves starter Jair Jurrjens allowed one unearned run and five hits in four innings. The Braves scored two runs to overcome the small deficit and hold on for a2-1 win.

Kelly Johnson erased the Astros' one-run lead with a solo shot in the fourth inning and current back-up catcher Clint Sammons drove in Martin Prado with an RBI single. Five Braves relievers had scoreless innings.

The Braves play Detroit tonight in the first of two exhibition games at Turner Field.

W - Jair Jurrjens (2-1)
L - Sergio Perez (0-2)
S - Manny Acosta (1)
HR - Kelly Johnson (1)

Braves Pick Glavine Up With Homers, Beat Tigers

Braves starter Tom Glavine allowed seven hits and three runs in five innings, but by then, the Braves had scored seven runs. Atlanta cruised on to the 9-3 victory.

Through five innings, Tigers starter Justin Verlander allowed seven runs on nine hits, including giving up home runs to Casey Kotchman and Chipper Jones. The biggest blow was a five-run second, where Kotchman had a two-run shot.

Yunel Escobar and Gregor Blanco drove in two runs apiece. Clint Sammons drove in a run in the sixth with a solo shot and Matt Diaz added an RBI.

Curtis Granderson hit a two-run shot for the Tigers and Josh Anderson, freshly traded from the Braves, added an RBI single for his new team.

W - Tom Glavine (2-0)
L - Justin Verlander (1-2)
HR - ATL - Casey Kotchman (3)
Chipper Jones (4)
Clint Sammons (3)
DET - Curtis Granderson (3)

Astros Batter Braves, Chipper Homers After Extension

The Braves pitchers took a bit of a beating as the Astros smacked six extra base hits in an 8-3 win.

Darin Erstad and Carlos Lee hit doubles off of Braves starter Derek Lowe and Michael Bourn hit a triple. Jason Smith doubled off of Mike Gonzalez and Kris Medlen gave up a double to Geoff Blum and a two-run homer to Lee.

Chipper Jones provided the only runs for the Braves when he launched a three-run homer off of former Brave Russ Ortiz. Garret Anderson had Atlanta's other extra-base hit: a triple off of Ortiz.

W - Russ Ortiz (2-1)
L - Derek Lowe (2-1)
HR - ATL - Chipper Jones (3)
HOU - Carlos Lee (1)

Chipper Jones Signs Three-Year Extension

Chipper Jones has said all along that he desires to retire as a Brave. Now that's closer to becoming a reality.

Chipper Jones agreed to a three-year contract extension with an option for a fourth year on Tuesday.

Cot's Baseball Contracts lists the breakdown of Chipper's payment plan:

2009: $11 million vested option
2010-12: $13 million + $3 million signing bonus + $750K for 135-140 games played
2013: $7 million club option.
* 2013 option increases to $9 million w/123 games in 2012, or average of 127 games in 2011-12.
* 2013 option increases $1 million for each 128, 133, 138, 140 games in 2012, or
averages of 132, 137, 138, 140 games in 2011-12

After looking at this contract, I think it's very sensible. I'm glad that Jones got this out the way so that he can concentrate on the season. At the same time, I hope this doesn't hinder the budget in any way.

Braves Snatch Victory From the Jaws Of Defeat In Win Over Red Sox

Brooks Conrad capped the Braves' comeback with a game-winning double in the bottom of the tenth to seal a 4-3 comeback victory for the Braves.

The day started off like some overly-hyped pitching duels would. Kenshin Kawakami and Daisuke Matsuzaka traded zeroes for the first three innings. In the bottom of the fourth, the Braves scored two runs, aided by a rare error from Kevin Youkilis. The Red Sox knotted the score quickly, thanks to a two-run shot by Rocco Baldelli off of Kawakami. Dustin Pedroia's RBI double in the seventh off of reliever Manny Acosta gave the Red Sox the lead.

The Braves tied the game in the ninth when Greg Norton doubled to lead off the inning and Martin Prado singled him home with two out. After Rafael Cruz held the Sox scoreless, third baseman Van Pope lead off the bottom of the inning with a double. After David Ross made an out, Brooks Conrad doubled home Pope to end the game.

Kawakami pitched six innings and allowed four hits and two runs. He walked two batters and struck out four. Matsuzaka allowed two hits, two runs and three walks in five innings; he also struck out two batters.

Enrique Gonzalez pitched three scoreless innings out of the pen for the Red Sox. Eric O'Flaherty (1 1/3 innings) and Mike Gonzalez (1 inning) recorded their seven outs out of the pen with strikeouts.

W - Rafael Cruz (1-0)
L - Bryson Cox (0-1)
HR - Rocco Baldelli (2)

Josh Anderson Swapped To Detroit For Pitcher Darrow

TIGERS GET:
CF Josh Anderson

BRAVES GET:
RHP Rudy Darrow (Class AA)

Freeing up the starting center field position for rookie Jordan Schafer, the Atlanta Braves sent outfielder Josh Anderson to the Detroit Tigers for minor league sidearmer Rudy Darrow.

Since being traded from the Astros for reliever Oscar Villarreal, Anderson shuffled between Richmond and Atlanta a few times. He posted a .294 average in 194 PAs with Atlanta. He stole 10 bases and was only caught just once. His K/BB ratio, however, was pretty miserable (33/8). In Detroit, Anderson will attempt to win a fourth or fifth outfielder job.

Darrow spent last season in high Class A and Class AA ball. In 33 games with the West Michigan Whitecaps, he posted a 1.85 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 48.2 innings. After being promoted to the Erie SeaWolves, his WHIP increased to 1.54 in limited action, but he still logged a 2.63 ERA in 13 2/3 innings. He should start in Class AA Mississippi this year.

Big Bounce Gives Tigers Win Over Braves

Curtis Granderson hit a ball on the plate that bounced high in the air, getting an infield single and driving in the Tigers' final run. Detroit held on for a 5-4 win.

The first two innings featured home runs form both sides. Casey Kotchman hit a solo home run and Jeff Francoeur smacked a two-run shot to give the Braves an early 3-0 lead. The Tigers lit up Braves starter Javier Vazquez in the first two innings for four runs, buoyed by a two-run shot from Brandon Inge and a solo home run from Placido Polanco.

The Braves tied up the game 4-4 when David Ross provided the only hit off of Detroit reliever Zach Miner; a solo shot off the top of the wall. Granderson's tapper came the next inning with men on first and third off of Braves reliever Blaine Boyer. Although the Braves had two men on base in the ninth off of Tiger reliver Eddie Bonine, David Ross grounded out to third at the end of the game.

Javier Vazquez pitched six innings and allowed seven hits and four runs. He struck out four batters. Jeremy Bonderman pitched in a limited start for the Tigers, allowing three runs in the first. Bobby Seay (1 2/3 innings) and Zach Miner (3 2/3 innings) combined to retire sixteen straight Braves batters until David Ross tied the game.

The Japanese media will have a field day with tomorrow's spring game when Atlanta's Kenshin Kawakami will square off against Boston's Daisuke Matsuzaka.

W - Clay Rapada (2-0)
L - Blaine Boyer (1-1)
S - Eddie Bonine (3)
HR - ATL - Casey Kotchman (2)
Jeff Francoeur (2)
David Ross (3)
DET - Placido Polanco (3)
Brandon Inge (4)

Yanks Take Advantage of Jurrjens' Inconsistency

The Yankees pounced on Jair Jurrjens in the first inning for four runs and two more in the fifth; holding on for a 6-4 victory.

Atlanta's starting pitcher was inconsistent from the first pitch. He allowed nine hits and three walks in five innings. Jurrjens also gave up solo shots to Mark Teixeira and Robinson Cano.

The Braves made a comeback in the later innings, getting the tying runs in scoring position in the bottom of the ninth with the score 6-4, but J. C. Boscan, who was inserted in place of Brian McCann struck out to end the game. Jordan Schafer had three hits for the Braves. Xavier Nady and Melky Cabrera had three hits for the Yankees. Teixeira added two hits.

McCann left the game in the first inning when Teixeira hit a foul ball that struck him on the ring finger of his throwing hand. He is now listed day-to-day.

W - Brett Tomko (1-1)
L - Jair Jurrjens (1-1)
S - Edwar Ramirez (1)
HR - Mark Teixeira (2)
Robinson Cano (2)

Braves Pull Out Win Against Tigers In Pitcher's Duel

Atlanta pulled out a late win against the Tigers' bullpen Friday afternoon, scoring three runs in the last two innings to win 3-2.

Tom Glavine pitched four innings of scoreless ball for the Braves while Justin Verlander pitched seven innings of shutout ball. The 0-0 tie ended in the seventh inning when the Tigers' Matt Treanor hit a two-run home run off of Manny Acosta.

In the bottom of the eighth, Braves first baseman Greg Norton smacked a two-run double to tie the game and Martin Prado drove in David Ross with the game-winning run.

The Braves face the Yankees tomorrow afternoon.

W - Buddy Carlyle (3-0)
L - Brandon Lyon (2)
HR - Matt Treanor (2)

BRAVES PROSPECT BUSTS: The Closer Of The Future?

1999: RHP Kevin McGlinchy

(#47 in Baseball America's Top 100, #4 Atlanta Braves Prospect)

Kevin McGlinchy was a hard-throwing right-hander drafted out of Malden (Mass.) High School in 1995.

He spent his first three seasons as a starter, spending most of 1996 with Rookie level Danville (13 G, 3-2, 1.12 ERA, 77/11 K/BB) and two games with the Eugene Emeralds. The next season was rather bizzare, he started 26 games and his record was only 3-7. His ERA was 4.89 and he had a 149/44 K/BB ratio in 140 innings.

He was promoted to the high Class A Danville 97s for 1998 and finished with a 9-8 record in 22 games for them (142 IP, 129/29 K/BB, 2.92 ERA, 1.063 WHIP). He ended the year with the Greenville Braves, starting six games for them (1-1, 5.18 ERA, 20/15 K/BB).

From the 1999 edition of Baseball Prospectus:

McGlinchy is nine days younger than [Bruce] Chen and about that far behind him as a pitcher. A clssic power pitcher, [McGlinchy] made big strides from 1997 and could emerge this year. The Braves are asking him to work as a reliever in winter ball, a move they're hinting could be for good. Given that the one thing the major league staff is missing is a couple of hard-throwing right-handed relievers (Who can throw strikes, Mr. Wohlers), it's a good idea for both McGlinchy and the organization.

That's exactly what the Braves did with him in 1999; they called him up to the big club, moved him to the bullpen and McGlinchy had an immediate impact. He won seven games in relief, pitching in 64 games. He logged 70 1/3 innings and turned in a 2.82 ERA with a 67/30 K/BB ratio and 1.365 WHIP.

McGlinchy may be remembered fondly by Mets fans, however; In Game 5 of the 1999 NLCS, after blowing the save in the bottom of the 15th with a bases-loaded walk to Todd Pratt, he gave up Robin Ventura's game-winning grand-slam. Ventura was only credited with a single because after the winning run scored, the whole Mets team mobbed him at first base.

McGlinchy also worked two scoreless innings in the World Series against the Yankees.

In 2000, McGlinchy pitched in ten major league games and 17 games in the minors. He missed most of the season with shoulder tendinitis. It turns out those ten games are the last games that he'd ever pitch in the major leagues.

The last games that McGlinchy pitched in the Braves organization were two rehab games with the Gulf Coast Braves in 2001.

HE WAS LAST SEEN: pitching in the Cubs organization in 2004. He pitched nine games with the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx (0-1, 8 1/3 IP, 4.32 ERA, 1.93 WHIP) and 18 with the Iowa Cubs (0-1, 29 1/3 IP, 5.52 ERA, 1.47 WHIP).

Blue Jays Batter Braves' Bullpen, Pull Out Victory

Boone Logan and Kris Medlen did themselves no favors on Thursday. The Blue Jays scored six runs off of the two pitchers, pulling out a 7-5 victory.

The lefty Logan and righty Medlen combined to allow six runs in the final two innings, erasing a four-run lead for the Braves.

Derek Lowe started the game for Atlanta and allowed five singles. He didn't walk a single batter, allowed just one run and registered seven strikeouts. He also contributed to his own cause with a two-run single.

Leadoff hitter Kelly Johnson registered three hits in three at-bats, including a double, and scored two runs. Yunel Escobar went 2-3 with a double and a run scored and also stole a base. Chipper Jones had a two-run single. Jordan Schafer went 2-4 and scored a run. In his last spring at-bat with the big club, Freddie Freeman had an RBI single.

The Braves play the Tigers tomorrow.

W - Jeremy Accardo (1-1)
L - Kris Medlen (0-1)
S - Zach Dials (1)

Nats Take Charge, Beat Braves

The Nationals pounced on Mike Gonzalez in the sixth and added a couple of runs at Charlie Morton's expense to come back and defeat the Braves by a score of 6-3.

The game started out as a pitcher's duel. The Braves' Kenshin Kawakami and the Nats' Colin Balester pitched five innings apiece. Kawakami allowed a double to Cristian Guzman, two walks, and one unearned run. Balester's only mistake was a two-run home run to Chipper Jones. The Braves scratched another run off of Kip Wells with Jeff Francoeur's RBI single.

The Nationals, though, teed off on closer Mike Gonzalez in the sixth. He allowed five hits and three runs, the coup de grace being a two-run double by Elijah Dukes. Washington tacked on another two runs off of the wild Charlie Morton in the eighth.

The Braves play the Blue Jays tomorrow.

W - Kip Wells (1-0)
L - Mike Gonzalez (1-1)
S - Saul Rivera (1)
HR - Chipper Jones (2)

EDIT: Added title.

Bucs Outpitch Braves, Win 5-2

Pirates hurler Ross Ohlendorf outdueled Braves pitcher Javier Vazquez and the Pirates tacked on enough runs to defeat the Braves 5-2.

Ohlendorf, who was traded to Pittsburgh in the Xavier Nady-Damaso Marte deal, pitched six scoreless and walk-less innings, allowing just five hits and striking out three batters. Vazquez allowed five hits, one run and one walk in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out six batters.

Brian McCann was the only Brave with two hits. Bucs catcher Ryan Doumit went 2-3 with an RBI, walk and run scored. Shortstop Brian Bixler went 3-5 with a run.

Atlanta got both their runs off of former Brave Tyler Yates. Jeff Bennett and Rafael Soriano were tagged for two runs apiece.

W - Ross Ohlendorf (1-0)
L - Javier Vazquez (1-1)
S - Jesse Chavez (2)

BRAVES PROSPECT BUSTS: THE LAST TEN YEARS

It's an unfortunate thing when prospects don't show the promise that they display in the minor leagues or don't capitalize on promotions to the majors, for whatever reason. The Atlanta Braves have had their share of failed prospects. The list from the last ten years, I think, is particularly interesting.

This post is the start of a ten-part series where I list ten Braves prospects from 1998-2007 that did not make the grade in the major leagues. It may be a little depressing sometimes, but I think it's an interesting idea. We'll start with the 1998 season and a name that may be familiar to long-time Braves fans:

1998: LHP Bruce Chen












(#27 in Baseball America's Top 100, #1 Atlanta Braves prospect)
(#4 in Baseball America's Top 100, #1 Atlanta Braves prospect)

Chen signed with the Atlanta Braves in 1993 as an amateur free agent when he was 16 years old. He started with the Gulf Coast Braves in 1994 (1-4, 3.80 ERA, 26/3 K/BB) and steadily climbed the minor league ladder. Chen made stops with the Advanced Rookie Danville Braves in 1995 (4-4, 3.97 ERA, 56/19 K/BB), and the short-season Class A Eugene Emeralds in 1996 (4-1, 2.27 ERA, 55/14 K/BB). Chen's first full season came with the Class A Macon Braves the next year. He continued to impress, putting up a 12-7 record with a 3.51 ERA, walking 44 and striking out 182 batters in 146 1/3 innings.

The 1998 campaign seemed to be Chen's breakout year. In 28 games between Class AA Greenville (24) and Class AAA Richmond (4), Chen complied a 15-8 record and a 3.09 ERA. He pitched 163 1/3 innings and racked up a 193/67 K/BB ratio. With a sparkling 1.163 WHIP for the year, his future seemed bright. The Braves called him up in September and he started four games, winning two of them. In his two wins, he pitched 6 1/3 innings (2 runs) and seven shutout innings.

Baseball Prospectus had this to say about Chen in 1999:

The Braves' other prospects, great as they are, are just pretenders to the throne. Chen is the Prince. When those around him discuss his success, one aspect towers over all: mound presence. He throws hard, has excellent command of four pitches, but what distinguishes him is that he sets up hitters with uncanny ease for a 21-year old. The Neagle trade [which involved Rob Bell and Michael Tucker in exchange for Bret Boone and Mike Remlinger] was made with him in mind. Chen certainly looks ready, he has an opportunity waiting for him, and he has the best crew in baseball to help him develop. He may be the best pitching prospect in the game.

Unfortunately, it was all downhill from there. Chen rejoined the Braves in 1999, but only won two games that season. He was demoted to Richmond after a July 28 start where he allowed six runs on 4 1/3 innings to Milwaukee. Chen returned to the team in August, but he was put in the bullpen. He only had four scoreless stints out of nine. He made a start in the next-to-last game of the season, tossing six shutout innings against the Marlins.

Chen started the 2000 season in Atlanta's bullpen and was pretty decent, posting a 2.80 ERA in 39 2/3 innings. However, the Braves seemed to give up on Chen ever becoming the #1-#2 starter that he showed he could be in the minors. On July 12, 2000, Chen was traded with fellow pitcher Jimmy Osting to the Phillies for veteran hurler Andy Ashby.

The Phillies converted Chen back to a starter and he produced; he just didn't get any support. Chen went 3-4 in 15 starts and he had a 3.63 ERA and his lowest WHIP in the majors: 1.145.

The next several years were hardly stable ones for Chen. A litany of teams vied for his services:

2001: Phillies, Mets
2002: Mets, Expos, Reds
2003: Astros, Red Sox

Chen didn't win more than five games in any of those years.

Chen received a break after he signed with the Toronto Blue Jays as a free agent. The Blue Jays sent Chen to the Baltimore Orioles as part of a conditional deal. With them, he enjoyed his best year in baseball in 2005, going 13-10 in 34 games for the Orioles. He pitched a career-high 197 1/3 innings and struck out a career-high 133 batters. He crashed once more in 2006; he suffered five losses and five no-decisions in ten starts. His bullpen work wasn't any better, so the Orioles released him after the season. The Rangers took a chance on him in 2007, but he didn't produce out of the pen in five games for them.

HE WAS LAST SEEN...: pitching for Panama in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. He pitched four innings against Puerto Rico, giving up solo home runs to Carlos Delgado and Ivan Rodriguez.

The Royals signed Chen to a minor league deal before the Classic began, which is more than likely a continuing project of Royals GM Dayton Moore to bring in every single player who was a Brave once upon a time.

EDIT: Added the specific year where Chen went 13-10.

Yattaa!: Japan Rides Big Innings To Finals, Defeats Team USA

On the strength of a four-run fourth and a three-run eighth, Japan secured the other spot in the World Baseball Classic finals by defeating Team USA 9-4.

Davey Johnson opted to go with Roy Oswalt over Jake Peavy, the only two starters who could have pitched. Japan's manager, Tatsunori Hara, countered with Daisuke Matsuzaka; he could have gone with Yu Darvish as well.

Team USA struck first; Brian Roberts hit a leadoff home run off of a fastball. Japan tied the score in the bottom of the second on a sac fly by Kenji Johjima. The United States countered in the third with a single by Jimmy Rollins, a stolen bases and a double by David Wright. Matsuzaka left two men on in the innning to get out of the jam.

After Team USA left two on in the fourth, Japan struck off of Oswalt. Designated hitter Atsunori Inaba led off with a single and moved to second on first baseman Michihiro Ogasawara's single. Kosuke Fukudome then hit a hard smash between first and second that Roberts misplayed on a hop and Inaba came around to score while Ogasawara moved to third. Johijma hit another sac fly and Ogasawara scored. Akinori Iwamura then smacked a ball over Adam Dunn's head in right for a triple, driving in Fukudome. Munenori Kawasaki continuted the hit parade as he singled home Iwamura. After Ichiro Suzuki grounded out to third, shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima singled home Kawasaki. Oswalt was removed after Kawasaki's single and John Grabow got left fielder Norichika Aoki to ground out to second.

Matsuzaka, Toshiya Sugiuchi and Masahiro Tanaka held the United States scoreless from the fifth to the seventh, allowing just a single, two walks and triple the whole way. Team USA's bullpen was just as good from the fifth to seventh innings, allowing just two singles and a walk. The key was using three left-handers in a row: Grabow, Jay Howell and Matt Thornton. Thornton provided the highlight of the pen's work; he struck out the side in the seventh.

The United States mounted a rally in the eighth off of Takahiro Mahara. With one out, Ryan Braun doubled down the left field line. Brian McCann battled Mahara, fouling off four two-strike pitches and then drew a walk. DeRosa then tripled down the left field line, scoring both Braun and McCann, making the score 6-4. Team USA's newest member, Evan Longoria, was sent up to pinch-hit. Mahara got him to strike out and then got Roberts to ground out back to him.

Joel Hanrahan came on to face Fukudome in the ninth. The center fielder drew a walk and was replaced with pinch-runner Yasoyuki Kataoka. Johjima sacrified him to second and then Iwamura grounded out to Roberts, allowing Kataoka to go to third. With two out, Kawasaki hit a grounder to deep short. Derek Jeter's throw pulled DeRosa off the bag and Kawasaki reached, scoring Kataoka. Scot Shields was brought in to face Ichiro. Kawasaki promptly stole second and then scampered home on Ichiro's first hit of the day. Nakajima then hit a soft liner to right that fooled Dunn so badly it landed in front of him and bounced behind him. Center fielder Shane Victorino had to go over and get it as Nakajima went to second base. Aoki grounded to second to end the inning.

Hara wanted to make sure Japan would win the game by putting pitching phenom Darvish in to finish the job. He got Jeter to ground out for the first out. Rollins hit a single, but Wright struck out swinging. Rollins moved to second on defensive indifference, but Dunn struck out looking to end the game.

I can say it was a fun ride, and I'm proud of Team USA for getting this far, in spite of all their problems during the whole tourney. I just can't help but think: what is it going to take for Team USA to win the WBC? Because they're compromised entirely of MLB players, they're at an inherent disadvantage. Why? Simple. They're thrown out of their normal spring training routines and aren't completely ready for real baseball action. I believe that most are in basic playing shape, because most athletes nowadays work to stay in shape all year long. Injuries can happen anywhere at anytime, for whatever reason; they're not a particular concern to me.

After Monday, we'll see the World Baseball Classic again in 2013. I'd love to see what kind of team the United States can put out.

THREE STARS

FIRST STAR
SS Hiroyuki Nakajima, Japan - 2-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI

SECOND STAR
3B Munemori Kawasaki, Japan - 2-4, 2 R, RBI, SB

THIRD STAR
DH Jimmy Rollins, United States - 4-4, 2B, R, RBI

Braves On Other Side Of Saturday's Score, Lose To Mets

Jair Jurrjens allowed one run in 4 2/3 innings and Johan Santana allowed one run in five innings for the Mets, but New York pounced on Atlanta's pen to win by a 12-1 score.

The Braves' only run came on Matt Diaz's solo home run on the fifth. That gave the Braves a brief 1-0 lead. However, the Mets scored 12 unanswered runs. The Braves only mustered three other hits. Eric O'Flaherty allowed nine runs in just 2/3 innings, which sent his ERA skyrocketing up to 14.21 for the spring. The big blow was Omar Santos's three-run shot. Jeremy Reed went 4-5 with two doubles, scored two runs and drove in four for the Mets. Three other Mets had two hits and Fernando Tatis (one of those three) drove in three runs.

The Braves have the day off tomorrow.

W - Johan Santana (1-1)
L - Boone Logan (0-1)
HR - ATL - Matt Diaz (2)
NYM - Omar Santos (1)

Glavine's First Spring Start A Success, Braves Thrash Mets

Tom Glavine's first spring start after two off-season surgeries was excellent, and the Braves demolished the Mets 12-1.

Glavine allowed just two hits in three innings of work. Kris Medlen, Peter Moylan and Blaine Boyer each had a scoreless inning of work. Jorge Campillo, in his first appearance since the World Baseball Classic, pitched three innings of relief, giving up three hits and one run.

The Braves teed off on Mets starter John Maine, who gave up six runs on five hits in four innings. Jeff Francoeur led the charge with a 2-3 day, including a double and 3 runs batted in. Josh Anderson had a pinch-hit three-run homer off of reliever Nelson Figueroa in the Braves' five-run eighth. Brandon Jones went 2-4, scored two runs and drove in two runs. Brooks Conrad also had two RBIs, and Kelly Johnson and Freddie Freeman drove in a run each.

The Braves play the Mets again this afternoon.

W - Tom Glavine (1-0)
L - John Maine (0-1)
HR - Josh Anderson (2)

Braves Come Back, But Drop Game To Marlins In Extras

Derek Lowe wasn't particularly sharp, but the Braves took the lead late in the game. However, they quickly lost it and then lost in the tenth by an 8-6 score.

Lowe pitched five innings and allowed four runs on seven hits. He left the game with a 4-1 deficit. The Braves were able to score a couple runs off of Marlins starter Andrew Miller in his five innings of work. Jason Heyward hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh, his second dinger of the spring. However, Manny Acosta allowed two runs in the ninth and Emiliano Fruto allowed two runs in the tenth and the Braves couldn't make another comeback.

Yunel Escobar, Josh Anderson and catcher Alvin Colina had two hits apiece and Jason Heyward turned in a 2-4, two-run, two-RBI performance thanks in part to his home run. David Ross also had a home run. Mike Gonzalez and Buddy Carlyle had the scoreless stints for the Braves' relievers.

W - Logan Kensing (1-0)
L - Emiliano Fruto (0-1)
S - Eulogio de la Cruz (1)
HR - David Ross (2)
Jason Heyward (2)

Vazquez Makes Triumphant Return, Braves Defeat Tigers

Javier Vazquez made his first start since the World Baseball Classic, going 4 2/3 innings. He allowed four hits and two walks, but only allowed one run. He struck out six batters.

Brandon Inge hit a solo home run in the first off of Vazquez to give the Tigers a quick 1-0 lead. The Braves responded with three in the third and two in the fifth. Detroit got one back in the sixth, but there was no scoring the rest of the way, and the Braves earned their 15th win of the spring.

Greg Norton had two hits and scored two runs. Omar Infante went 2-4 with a double and a triple. Matt Diaz drove in three runs with a 2-3 day and also scored a run. Three other Braves had a double. Gerald Laird and Adam Everett had two hits each for the Tigers.

Rafael Soriano, Boone Logan and Jerome Gamble all had scoreless innings for the Braves. Starter Jeremy Bonderman, Ryan Perry, Ricardo Rincon and Clay Rapada all had scorless stints for the Tigers. Dontrelle Willis was tagged with all the runs in the loss.

W - Javier Vazquez (1-0)
L - Dontrelle Willis (0-2)
S - Jerome Gamble (1)
HR - Brandon Inge (1)