Braves.Today.Com

Updated 11:57 a.m.

By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com

ATLANTA – There was no doubt that Chipper Jones and the Braves would agree on a contract extension. The only question was when.

That question was answered this morning, Atlanta announcing it has locked up the defending NL batting champion to a three-year contract extension. The deal, believed to be worth around $40 million, also includes a fourth-year vesting option that could keep Jones in an Atlanta uniform through 2013.

For Jones, now the longest-tenured Brave with the offseason departure of John Smoltz, it makes it almost a certainty he will retire with the franchise that drafted him No. 1 overall out of high school in 1990.

Braves fans will tell you Jones – one month shy of his 37th birthday – is the single-most critical piece of Atlanta’s puzzle. Despite battling a variety of nagging injuries the past four years, the six-time All-Star has evolved into one of the best hitters in the game, and one of the best switch-hitters of all time.

He’s the only switch hitter to top 400 homers (408 entering Sunday night’s season opener at Philadelphia) while maintaining a .300 career average (.310 entering the season). Last year, Jones won his first batting title, hitting .364 during a season where his average stayed above the magical .400 mark into mid June.

Watching the painful departure of Smoltz – Jones publicly criticized Braves’ management after the right-hander signed as a free agent with Boston – Jones wanted no part in a similar scenario unfolding after the 2009 season, when his current contract expired.

Now, Jones appears to be a mainstay in the Atlanta lineup – provided he can stay healthy – well into the next decade.

Making his major-league debut in late 1993, Jones missed all of 1994 with a knee injury. He returned in 1995 and finished second to Hideo Nomo for NL rookie of the year, but helped drive the Braves to their lone World Series title.

A drive to return to the postseason after being on the outside of October the past three seasons, coupled with the influx of young talent that many believe will make the Braves contenders again, no doubt played a role in Jones’ commitment to stay with the organization. In the past, he’s reworked his deals to free up money, cash the Braves needed to stay among baseball’s elite.

And while there’s no denying Jones could have landed more money on the free-agent market after this season, there also is no arguing the fact Chipper wants to finish things where he started them, and that’s in Atlanta, in the postseason.

Now that the deal is done, it’s up to Hoss and his teammates to drive the Braves back into the postseason.

Now on to yesterday’s game, as we finally get closer to Opening Night:

Atlanta 4, Boston 3 (10 innings, exhibition)

Top of the Order: On the day Atlanta awarded the center field job to rookie Jordan Schafer by trading Josh Anderson to Detroit, the Braves rallied to steal one in extra innings at Lake Buena Vista, running their spring record to 18-10.

The Good: The buzz surrounded the all-Japanese pitching matchup of Boston’s Daisuke Matsuzaka and Atlanta’s Kenshin Kawakami, and Kawakami lived up to his part of the billing with six strong innings. The Japanese right-hander, who will make his debut for the Braves at home April 11, allowed four hits and two runs with two walks and four strikeouts. In his second game back from a strained calf, Garret Anderson went 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI. Martin Prado tied the game in the ninth with a run-scoring single, finishing 2-for-2 with a stolen base. Brooks Conrad won it with a ground-rule double in the 10th. Brian McCann returned to the lineup after taking a foul ball off his finger Saturday, going 1-for-1 with a double, a run scored, and a walk. Eric O’Flaherty probably locked down a bullpen spot with four more strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings, giving him 13 Ks in 8 2/3 innings. Closer Mike Gonzalez struck out the side in a scoreless ninth.

The Bad: Manny Acosta, once thought to be a lock to make this team, gave up three hits and one run in 2/3 innings, and it’s possible Manny doesn’t make the cut. Jeff Francoeur struck out twice, doubling his total number of whiffs from all of spring (maybe I jinxed him by mentioning that yesterday morning). The Braves left nine on base.

View from the Sports Garage: First of all, I hate to see Josh Anderson go. I really, really liked that kid, and wish he’d gotten more of a look last season. But with that said, there is no denying Schafer has far more upside, even if that means watching a 22-year-old rookie with no major-league experience go through the inevitable ups and downs that will mark his 2009 season. And no, I don’t think the race is still on, so all you Gregor Blanco fans out there, start making your plans to go see Gwinnett play because that’s where Gregor is going. Schafer has struck out 16 times in 61 Grapefruit League at-bats, a number that surely has the attention of every pitching coach in the NL East. But with that said, what Schafer brings to the table – a cannon arm, great instincts, power potential, great speed, and the potential to develop into a superstar – outweigh the fact the kid probably will see a steady stream of breaking balls on the outer half of the plate. I think you’ll see Schafer hitting leadoff, too. Yes, that’s a lot to ask for a rookie. But, with Yunel Escobar hitting behind him, Schafer figures to see better pitches than he would batting in front of the pitcher. It’s going to be interesting to say the least, but the Braves have determined Schafer is ready for this. The future is now, and the lights go on – mercifully – in five days. Here’s hoping Schafer, and the Braves, are ready.

On deck
Braves vs. Astros
7:05 p.m. today, Kissimmee, Fla.

The Skinny: Derek Lowe toes the slab for the final time this spring, the Braves’ No. 1 starter who will take on the Phillies in the season opener Sunday night (as well as start the April 10 home opener). Lowe gave up five hits and one run in six strong innings Thursday against Toronto, walking nobody while fanning seven. So far this spring, D-Lowe has walked two while striking out 24 in 22 innings.

Speaking of Opening Night …

For those of you in the Atlanta area, I’ll be watching Sunday night’s season opener with a group of Braves fans and baseball folks at Jocks N’ Jills Galleria (near the confluence of Interstates 285 and 75, on the northwest side of town). Come join us as the season begins!

—30—

Top of the afternoon, good people: Little breaking news as we open the final week of the longest spring training in history.

The Jordan Schafer era begins.

The Braves anointed the 22-year-old rookie as their starter in center field today, trading Josh Anderson to Detroit for right-handed minor-league reliever Rudy Darrow.

Schafer, who was hitting .386 in 16 Grapefruit League games entering today’s contest with Boston, had moved ahead of Anderson in the minds of many during the past two weeks. The rookie posted a .417 on-base percentage with 22 hits, three walks, five doubles, a triple and a homer. He leads the Braves in steals this spring with five.

Despite striking out 16 times in 57 at-bats, the Braves feel comfortable enough with Schafer to deal Anderson, who is four years older and hit .294 with 10 steals in 40 games for the Braves last season.

Anderson started spring strong, but endured a 1-for-19 slump. He only drew one walk in 19 spring games, hitting .271 with two homers, seven RBIs, two steals, and a less-than-impressive .283 on-base percentage.

Darrow went 5-3 in Single-A and Double-A last season, posting a 2.02 ERA with 57 strikeouts and 23 walks in 63 1/3 innings.

On to yesterday’s game recap:

By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com

Detroit 5, Atlanta 4 (exhibition)

Top of the Order: Jeff Francoeur and Casey Kotchman gave the Braves an early lead with back-to-back homers in the top of the first, but the Tigers battled back to take the victory as the final week of spring games began.

The Good: Francoeur hit his first homer in Grapefruit League action, a two-run shot in the first inning, finishing 1-for-2 with two RBIs and a walk. Kotchman, out for more than a week with a stomach virus and suspected food poisoning, followed Frenchy with a solo shot. David Ross also homered for the Braves. Garret Anderson played for the first time since March 6, walking and scoring a run during an 0-for-3 day while DH’ing. Anderson reported no problems with his calf muscle. Jordan Schafer, the now front-runner for the center field gig, threw out two runners (one at second, one at home). Jeff Bennett threw a scoreless eighth, striking out one.

The Bad: Javier Vazquez wasn’t at his best, allowing a 3-0 first-inning lead to become a 4-3 deficit after two frames. Vazquez settled down from there, allowing seven hits and four runs in six innings. Blaine Boyer gave up two hits and a run in the seventh to take the loss. Schafer struck out twice, as did Josh Anderson, who is competing with Schafer for the nod in center.

View from the Sports Garage: In more than 50 at-bats in Grapefruit League play this spring, Francoeur has but one home run. That’s not a concern to me, folks. I’m glad he finally got one yesterday so people will quit moaning and groaning about it. The big number for me is two: two strikeouts. That’s it. The new approach Frenchy’s employed at the plate is working great, and the home runs will come. Great to see Kotchman back in the lineup, and also great to see Garret Anderson return. The center field race will come down to the final day, probably, but I see Schafer a stride ahead of Josh Anderson at this point. Mostly, I see a calendar that reads March 30, which tells me this brutally long camp is nearly done and we’ll be writing about regular-season ball soon. Thank goodness!

On deck
Braves vs. Red Sox
1:05 p.m. today, Lake Buena Vista

The Skinny: All of Japan will have eyes focused on Disney today, as Boston’s Daisuke Matsuzaka and Atlanta’s Kenshin Kawakami toe the slab in what should be an interesting matchup. There ain’t a lotta room in that press box at Disney, folks, so it’ll be interesting to see how the good folks there accommodate the huge Japanese media contingent that will show up for this one.

—30—

By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com

N.Y. Yankees 6, Atlanta 4 (exhibition)

Top of the Order: The Braves lost the game, dodge a huge bullet when Brian McCann suffered what appears to be just a bruised finger, and saw Jordan Schafer take another step toward winning the center field job.

The Good: First and foremost, the foul ball McCann took off his right hand in the first inning (off the bat of former Brave Mark Teixeira) only left a bruise, and did not break bone. Broken bone = significant absence for McCann = bigtime trouble for the Atlanta offense. Dodged a big one there, folks. Schafer is looking more and more like he’s going to be the guy in center, doesn’t he? A 3-for-5 day Saturday with an RBI, his spring average now at .396. The Braves turned three double plays. Mike Gonzalez gave up a hit but struck out two in a scoreless inning. Boone Logan, trying to win the left-handed set-up gig, allowed a walk but nothing else in one inning of work.

The Bad: Jair Jurrjens wasn’t sharp from the get go, and ended up allowing nine hits and six runs (three earned) with three walks in five innings. He got a double-play grounder to escape the first, but Yunel Escobar booted a potential double-play grounder in the second, leading to three unearned runs. Josh Anderson popped out on the first pitch as a pinch-hitter, as it appears he’s now chasing Schafer in the center-field race. Brandon Jones left the game in the second inning with flu-like symptoms. Casey Kotchman missed the game with illness, potentially stemming from food poisoning. Losing to the Yankees just sucks because, well, they’re the Yankees. Everybody wants to beat them.

View from the Sports Garage: When I turned on the TV Saturday and saw that J.C. Boscan was in the lineup and batting fourth, I felt queasy. No way J.C. is batting cleanup, so I knew something happened to McCann. Fortunately, it’s just a bruise because there is no way the Braves can afford to lose Mac’s stick for any sustainable period of time. Sure, David Ross is a competent major-leaguer – not the utter waste of roster space Corky Miller was – but you don’t want Ross catching seven days a week. You want Mac, who is one of the best catchers in the game. And as the days pass, it’s starting to appear Schafer is going to join McCann in that lineup at Turner Field. The kid just keeps getting on base, just keeps doing things well, and I think he’s going to be the one manning center field come April 5 in Philly. Now, does he hit leadoff? We’ll see. But for now, unless things change in this final week of camp (and certainly they could), I think the Schafer era in Atlanta is about to begin.

On deck
Braves at Tigers
1:05 p.m. today, Lakeland, Fla.

The Skinny: By all accounts, it looks like Garret Anderson is ready to make his Grapefruit League debut. The new Atlanta left fielder played for the Braves just once, in an exhibition game against the Venezuelan World Baseball Classic team, before straining a calf muscle. Javier Vazquez will start for the Bravos, as the final week (thank goodness!) of the longest flippin’ spring training in history begins.

—30—

By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com

Atlanta 3, Detroit 2 (exhibition)

Top of the Order: Tom Glavine fired three-hit shutout ball over four innings in his second spring outing, and the Braves won it in the bottom of the ninth on Martin Prado’s walk-off single

The Good: Glavine ran his scoreless streak to seven innings with four solid innings against a Detroit lineup full of starters. Glavine faced three above the minimum, issuing no walks while striking out three. Eric O’Flaherty finally posted a strong outing after struggling mightily the past couple of times out, striking out two in a perfect sixth inning. Jorge Campillo pitched a scoreless inning, as did Jeff Bennett and Buddy Carlyle – Buddy C. getting the W to move to 3-0 on the spring. Josh Anderson, who looks like he might be traded before the end of spring if he can’t re-snatch the lead in the center field race, went 2-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base. Greg Norton tied the game in the bottom of the eighth with a two-run single.

The Bad: The Braves struggled against Detroit fireballer Justin Verlander, who held Atlanta to two hits over seven innings. Manny Acosta gave up a two-run homer in the seventh, breaking a scoreless tie.

View from the Sports Garage: Lots to be happy about this morning, none more vital than the fact we’re a week and a day away from this long spring training – the Braves have been at Disney for what, seven months now? – finally ending. The Braves won a pitcher’s duel with a late rally. The Atlanta bullpen, save a rough inning from Acosta, was awesome. Glavine looks – dare we say? – ready after just two Grapefruit League outings. It appears Garret Anderson will be in the lineup by the end of the weekend. Whether or not the other outfield Anderson, Josh Anderson, is with this team next Sunday night remains to be seen. The ol’ rumor mill is starting to buzz that the speedy, out-of-options Anderson may be shopped, leading one to believe rookie Jordan Schafer just might have won the race for the center field gig. I don’t think that’s been decided yet, but the Braves won’t give Anderson up for nothing. I’ve liked the dude since Atlanta got him from Houston after the 2007 season, but when you see Schafer and what he brings to the table … there is no denying the talent, or the belief that he’ll be a big part of this team for years to come. But I just wish the kid could cut down on his strikeouts. I don’t feel very confident about having a rookie who strikes out a lot at the top of the order. But the upside for Schafer may be worth taking a few whiffs. Dude can flat-out play, and is going to become an integral part of the foundation in the years to come. It’s crazy to think just how much good young talent the Braves have, folks. I really believe, as we sit here nine days before the first pitch is thrown, that what you’ll see from Atlanta in 2009 will be the start of an upswing that is going to land this team in the World Series, and soon. Maybe not this October. But soon, my friends.

On deck
Braves vs. Yankees
1:05 p.m. today, Lake Buena Vista

The Skinny: Jair Jurrjens has left those early-spring control problems in the rear-view mirror, and the young right-hander toes the slab today against the Pinstripers with a 2.66 spring ERA, and just five walks in 20 1/3 innings with 12 strikeouts. Sunday against the Mets, JJJ gave up four hits and a run in 4 2/3 innings. Closer Mike Gonzalez is among the Braves’ relievers slated to pitch.

—30—

By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com

Toronto 7, Atlanta 5 (exhibition)

Top of the Order: Derek Lowe sparkled through six strong innings, but the Atlanta bullpen fell apart (again) in the final two innings as the Braves blew a four-run lead.

The Good: Gonna start with Lowe, who was plenty good: The Braves’ No. 1 starter gave up five hits and one run in six strong innings, walking no one while striking out seven. Blaine Boyer is ready for the season, folks: the Atlanta native allowing nothing in a perfect seventh with a strikeout, his ERA still at 0.00. Kelly Johnson broke out of a mini-slump with a three-hit day, scoring twice. Yunel Escobar went 2-for-3 with a run scored and stole his first base of the spring. Chipper Jones drove in two runs, one on a sac fly to deep center; one on an infield single. Lowe helped himself with a two-run single. Jordan Schafer went 2-for-4 with a run scored, and threw out a runner at home plate. Off the field, the Braves cut eight players from the major-league spring roster, including super-phenom Tommy Hanson, Jo-Jo Reyes (who may have been the best pitcher in all of camp), and youngsters Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman.

The Bad: Doesn’t anybody want to be the left-handed set-up guy in the bullpen? You wouldn’t know it from the way Boone Logan and Eric O’Flaherty have pitched lately. Thursday, it was Logan’s turn to make a mess of things, allowing four hits and three runs with a walk in 2/3 of an inning. Prospect Kris Medlen endured his roughest outing of the spring, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and two walks in 1 1/3 inning. Escobar and Matt Diaz committed fielding errors. The Braves had plenty of chances to blow this one open, leaving eight runners on base.

View from the Sports Garage: Nine days to go until this thing starts for real … you guys ready? I think the Braves are, for the most part. I know I am. Writing about spring training games is fun in late February. By the last week of March, you’re looking to get into covering the real deal. But it’s safe to say the Braves still don’t have much guidance on the left-handed set-up spot. I mean, I thought Logan was a lock before last weekend, and I could have seen where both Logan and O’Flaherty made the opening-day roster – Atlanta doesn’t need Tom Glavine until April 19, so he’ll probably go on the disabled list while he gets ready and that opens up another spot on the pitching staff. But right now, I’m about ready to find Will Ohman’s cell phone number and give him a call. Certainly, Terry McGuirk has a million or so somewhere that can go toward bringing Ohman back, no? Anyway, hate to see the game get away like yesterday’s did, but Lowe pitched well, Chipper hit the ball well, KJ had a great game at the top of the order … wish it was this time next weekend, honestly.

On deck
Braves vs. Tigers
1:05 p.m. today, Lake Buena Vista

The Skinny: It’s Glavine’s turn to climb the bump, and everybody will be watching to see how the only active 300-game winner in the bigs responds to his second-consecutive start. Glavine shut out the Mets during three shutout innings on Saturday.

—30—

By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com

Washington 6, Atlanta 3 (exhibition)

Top of the Order: Chipper Jones’ 2-for-2 performance and Kenshin Kawakami’s one hit allowed through five innings highlighted a day when closer Mike Gonzalez got rocked and set-up man Rafael Soriano complained of – surprise! – an injury.

The Good: In his second game back since leaving the World Baseball Classic with injury, Jones homered, doubled, scored twice and drove in two runs. Jeff Francoeur continued his strong spring with two hits and an RBI, his spring average at .348. Kawakami allowed just one hit and one run (unearned) through five innings, walking two and striking out three. KK also got a base hit. Peter Moylan pitched a scoreless inning, walking one and striking out two. And, even though he allowed two runs and three hits in an inning, Charlie Morton made his first appearance since suffering an oblique injury early in spring. Good to have Charlie back on the bump; he’ll start the season at Triple-A Gwinnett.

The Bad: Soriano told the Braves on Wednesday he’s feeling discomfort in his side. Not exactly great news for a guy who spent most of 2008 on the disabled list, and who couldn’t get much above 90 with his heater during Tuesday’s appearance. Gonzalez took the loss, giving up three runs on five hits in one inning. The Braves’ closer now has a spring ERA of 7.94.

View from the Sports Garage: So stop me if you’ve heard this before, but Soriano – who signed a two-year, $9 million deal after a career-high 72 appearances in 2007, only to pitch just 14 times last season – is not exactly the most durable hurler in the world. Actually, it seems whenever the wind blows, Soriano comes up hurting. After the disaster that was 2008 on the injury front, this is NOT the way for the Braves to enter 2009. Who thought that Moylan would have a better chance of NOT being on the DL starting the season than Soriano. But Moylan looks like he’s going to be ready by opening day; he’s had a great spring. Soriano’s spring stats aren’t bad, but his decreased velocity, an upper respiratory infection and now this side ailment mean we’ll probably spend this season the way we spent last season – wondering if the tall right-hander is healthy enough to pitch. Maybe the Braves should just throw him on the DL for the first two months, withhold his paycheck (yeah, would love to see the union’s reaction to that), and see if he can be ready to grace the bullpen with his presence by June.

Next
Braves vs. Blue Jays
1:05 p.m. today, Lake Buena Vista

The Skinny: With just 10 games left on their spring training schedule, Derek Lowe aims for a bounce back when he climbs the bump today against the Blue Jays. Lowe didn’t exactly burn it up his last time out, allowing seven hits and four runs on Friday against Florida.

—30—

By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com

Pittsburgh 5, Atlanta 2 (exhibition)

Top of the Order: Javier Vazquez held the Pirates in check during a 91-pitch outing, but Atlanta’s defense broke down late as the Braves fell in Chipper Jones and Brian McCann’s return to the lineup.

The Good: First and foremost, the fact Chipper and Mac were back in the fold. McCann continued his hot hitting from the World Baseball Classic, going 2-for-3. Jones was hitless in three at-bats but felt fine. Vazquez wasn’t sharp, but grinded out 5 2/3 innings of solid work: five hits, one run, one walk, six strikeouts. Gregor Blanco went 1-for-4, driving in both Atlanta runs with a two-out triple in the seventh.

The Bad: Jeff Bennett is pitching himself right out of contention for the long man/spot starter position. Bennett gave up two hits and two runs (one earned) with three walks in an abysmal 2/3 inning that also featured a Bennett throwing error. Rafael Soriano struck out the side, but gave up two hits and two runs – both unearned thanks to Omar Infante’s fielding error.

View from the Sports Garage: Great to see Hoss and McCann back in Bobby Cox’s lineup. Even though the Braves lost the game, it was good to see a lineup that more closely resembles what the Braves will run out there on a daily basis once the season begins. Vazquez threw 91 pitches, most by any Atlanta starter so far this spring, and while his control wasn’t ultra-sharp, he worked his way through his 5 2/3 innings in good shape. Bennett could be a trade option, but really, who wants a middle reliever featuring an ERA of 11.05 and who can’t throw strikes? Soriano’s fastball was around 90 mph; that’s not good either, considering his injury-marred 2008. At this point, the focus as we head down the stretch and toward opening night is going to be on the health of Jones (as well as Garret Anderson, who still looks on target to play this weekend), and the shakeout of arms in the bullpen. Really, Soriano is a key here, and that scares the heck out of me. The Braves need him healthy, and a heater barely cracking 90 ain’t doing much for my confidence in the tall right-hander. Bennett? Really helped this team a bunch last season, but I’m beginning to wonder if he’s going to be somewhere other than the big-league roster come April 5. His spring has been rough, to say the least.

Next
Braves at Nationals
7:05 p.m. today, Viera, Fla.

The Skinny: Kenshin Kawakami, scratched before his last start due to shoulder fatigue, is slated to climb the bump for the Braves. McCann is on the travel list and probably will catch the Japanese hurler, who McCann did catch for one game before leaving for the WBC.

—30—

By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com

ATLANTA — Ever since the Braves landed Josh Anderson in a November 2007 trade, I’ve been high on the Kentucky native.

Anderson brings speed to the table, the ability to cover the gaps of left-center and right-center field, and enough talent at the plate to hit .294 in a quarter-season with the big-league club last season.

With all that said, I’m wondering if Anderson will be here in two weeks, because the more Jordan Schafer plays, the more he looks like a major-leaguer.

The only competition among the eight positions in the lineup for Atlanta this spring is who will man center field. For the first three weeks of spring training, Anderson appeared a lock. And while he endured a 1-for-19 streak that ended last week, he’s hitting .292 in spring action.

But Schafer, who missed a week with a shoulder injury, has been lights-out since returning to the field. He’s hitting .385 with a team-high five stolen bases in 11 games, all while posting a .429 on-base percentage. What makes Schafer’s OBP all the more impressive is in 39 at-bats, Schafer’s struck out 10 times.

Anderson, meanwhile, has an on-base percentage of .306 … not exactly the type of OBP you want from a leadoff guy.

What makes this complex is Anderson is out of options, and there is no way the Braves could pass him through waivers without losing him. Just his speed alone makes him a valuable commodity.

And certainly, everybody would feel more comfortable if Schafer starts the season at Triple-A Gwinnett. He’s played just 84 games above Single-A, and a little more plate discipline, which will come with a little more experience, would serve Schafer quite well.

But I can’t help but wonder what’s going to happen if Schafer keeps getting on base, keeps stealing bases, and Anderson struggles just a bit. It’s going to be a difficult call, one the Braves won’t make until the very end of spring training.

—30—

By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com

N.Y. Mets 12, Atlanta 1 (exhibition)

Top of the Order: One day after a 12-1 victory over the Mets, the Braves found themselves on the losing end of the same score as lefty relieve Eric O’Flaherty coughed up nine runs in 2/3 of an inning.

The Good: You’d never think it to be the case in an 11-run loss, but Jair Jurrjens pitched well. The right-hander allowed just four hits and one run in 4 2/3 innings, walking two and striking out three. Manny Acosta allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless eighth. Offensively, not much for the Bravos on this day, Matt Diaz’s second homer of the spring accounting for all the scoring as Atlanta finished with just for hits. Clint Sammons did record a double.

The Bad: Worst outing of the spring for the Braves, and it centered around O’Flaherty. Check out his line: 2/3 IP, 9 H, 9 R, 9 ER. Yep, not gonna wanna remember this one. Boone Logan, with whom O’Flaherty is competing with for the left-handed set-up spot, didn’t exactly wow the Mets either: two hits, two runs, two walks in 1 1/3. The Braves committed two errors.

View from the Sports Garage: You knew there had to be a stinker in the bunch, what, with the Braves winning 16 of their first 20 Grapefruit League contests. Atlanta couldn’t do much with Johan Santana, the New York ace striking out seven Braves in five innings. Just an ugly, ugly showing for O’Flaherty, whose spring ERA now sits at a messy 14.21.

Braves in the WBC: Team USA lost 9-4 to Japan in the semifinals at Dodger Stadium. Brian McCann went 0-for-1 with three walks and a run scored, ending the tournament with a .375 average. Now, hurry back to Disney Mac!

On deck
Braves vs. Pirates
6:05 p.m. Tuesday, Lake Buena Vista

The Skinny: Javier Vazquez makes his second Grapefruit League start for Atlanta, and Chipper Jones is expected to return to the lineup after missing time with a strained oblique muscle.

—30—

By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com

Atlanta 12, N.Y. Mets 1 (exhibition)

Top of the Order: Tom Glavine pitched three scoreless innings, and the Braves broke things open late to earn their 16th victory in 20 Grapefruit League contests.

The Good: Pitching against a major-league team for just the second time since early June, Glavine posted three shutout innings, allowing just two hits while striking out one. The only active 300-game winner in baseball, Glavine’s effort set the tone for Atlanta’s pitching on this day. Kris Medlen continued his strong camp, allowing one hit in a scoreless inning. Jorge Campillo gave up a run on three hits in three innings, wiggling out of a mess in the seventh with just one run scored. Peter Moylan and Blaine Boyer each fired a scoreless inning. Offensively, the Braves pounded out 12 hits and made the very most of them. Brandon Jones went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, two RBIs and a walk, moving his spring average to an even .400. Jeff Francoeur doubled home three runs, finishing 2-for-3 to move his spring average to .368. Josh Anderson stroked a pinch-hit three-run homer.

The Bad: Francoeur had a rough day on the bases, being picked off first and being thrown out trying to steal. Otherwise … nothing to complain about when you pound the Mets.

View from the Sports Garage: Listening to the game today while hanging out in the yard with the kiddos on a beautiful spring day in the southern suburbs of Atlanta, one of those days where you love being outside with baseball on the radio and a Wiffle ball in your hands, trying to snap off sliders and Uncle Charleys to every kid in the ’hood. In trying to follow the action while chasing line drives hit off my 36-year-old offerings, it seemed every time the Braves had two outs and runners on, they came through. Indeed, eight of the 12 Atlanta runs scored with two outs. How many times did this team fail with two outs last season? How frustrating that was, the inability to come through with a hit with two down and a man in scoring position last season. But the longer this sustained run of excellence continues amid the warm breezes of Florida, the more one things it will be present once the calendar flips to April and the games start counting. It’s exciting to think about just how good this team could be, and we’ve seen plenty in March to lay credence into what we feel. It’s going to be a great season, folks, and by this time next weekend, it’s likely the Braves will have Chipper Jones, Brian McCann, and Garret Anderson back in the fold. Good people, we’re gonna have some fun in 2009. Glavine didn’t light up the radar gun – he hasn’t done that in years – but he was effective with his control on this day. Adding a veteran lefty to the end of a solid rotation only makes the thoughts and anticipation of the season to come all the more exciting.

Braves in the WBC: Gregor Blanco did not play in Venezuela’s 10-2 loss to Korea in the semifinals Saturday night. Brian McCann and Team USA face Japan in the other semifinal tonight.

On deck
Braves at Mets
1:05 p.m. today, Port St. Lucie

The Skinny: The big gun for the Mets toes the slab against the kid who showed he’s going to be a big gun for the Braves for a long, long time. Johan Santana makes his second start of the spring for the Mets against Jair Jurrjens, who appears to have figured out his early-spring control problems during his past couple of outings.

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