Mar 06 2009
Release the balloons: Frenchy homers in Braves win
By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com
Atlanta 8, Venezuela WBC 4 (exhibition)
Top of the Order: Jeff Francoeur at least temporarily quelled the moaning of an impatient fan base, hitting his first homer of the spring and driving in two runs as the Braves beat Venezuela’s WBC squad at Lake Buena Happy Place.
The Good: Francoeur finished 1-for-3, smacked a two-run homer in the fourth inning, walked once and raised his average to .333 on the season. Minor leaguer Barbaro Canizares doubled home three runs as the Braves rallied from a one-run deficit with a five-run seventh. Young Freddie Freeman doubled, drove in a run and scored a run, continuing his impressive spring. Brandon Jones, Greg Norton and Martin Prado each walked twice. On the mound, Derek Lowe survived a shaky start to fire three no-hit innings, walking two with three strikeouts and a run allowed. Eric O’Flaherty gave up a hit but nothing else in his inning of work. Stephen Marek walked a hitter, but otherwise was perfect. The Braves turned three double plays.
The Bad: For the second time in a week, Jeff Ridgway did absolutely nothing to help his chances of making the team (which was a longshot at best). Ridgway allowed three hits and walked two batters in just 1/3 of an inning. ‘Bout time to kiss him goodbye, folks. Lowe was wild in the first inning, uncorking two wild pitches that led to a run scoring.
View from the Sports Garage: OK, so there’s been some bellyaching about Frenchy, who started 1-for-11 with no power of which to speak. Well, maybe everybody will relax now and realize that it’s MARCH 6. The regular season opens up in one month … all of you need to chill. Besides the wildness, a strong second outing from Lowe, who faced two over the minimum in his three innings. There really is no need to throw Ridgway out there anymore … send him on to the minor-league camp. Speaking of the minor-league camp, Freeman and fellow 19-year-old Jason Heyward will be heading that way in a couple of weeks, but both of those kids have given us a tantalizing glimpse of the future with their play this spring.
Braves in the WBC: Chipper Jones homered, scored twice and drove in three runs, and Brian McCann also went deep as Team USA beat the Phillies in an exhibition game, 9-6.
On deck
Braves vs. Astros
7:05 p.m. today, Lake Buena Vista
The Skinny: Jo-Jo Reyes fired three scoreless innings against the World Series champion Phillies Sunday. Now the little lefty will see if he can follow up his strong debut when he toes the slab tonight against Houston. Also slated to fling it for the Bravos: Jeff Bennett, Manny Acosta, Phil Stockman and Boone Logan.
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