Last night for the Braves looked up with sending Manny Acosta, Rafael Soriano, and then future Hall of Famer John Smoltz to close out the ball game. What we didn’t see coming was Soriano and Smoltz struggling like they did last night. We should’ve expected that from our flame throwers in their first outings in Turner Field in over three weeks. They were probably a bit to antsy to pitch tonight and let their nerves get the best of them. Soriano barely pitched in Spring Training and had only pitched in handful of games this season. Smoltz has started a few games this year, but it was his first time in the pen since 2004. With Smoltz’s arm troubles and new delivery, of course he was going to be a bit rusty in his first outing.
Smoltz main problem last night was his control. He had a hard time controlling his fastball and his slider. His slider looked pretty flat all night and never really threw that pitch for a called strike. His fastball on the other hand was in the mid 90’s and had a great deal of sinking movement. With this new sinking fastball he has, he should be able to get more groundouts. He just has to control his pitches and hit the spot where Brian McCann sets up at.
Quietly Jo Jo Reyes pitched another quality game last night for the Braves. Reyes pitched six strong innings while giving up three earned runs, he gave up five hits, one walk, and four strikeouts. This start wasn’t as good as his last performance in Milwaukee, but the Braves will take this every time out from him. Reyes had some control issues with his fastball during the game, but the best part is that he pitched a quality game without having his best stuff.
To activate John Smoltz last night the Braves sent down Phil Stockman to AAA Richmond. I really don’t agree with this move, because Stockman is far and away a better pitcher than Buddy Carlyle. I really don’t see the point in having Carlyle on the team, because Carlyle is better as a starting than a reliever.
Last night was also the return of super centerfield prospect Jordan Schafer. Schafer returned last night from his 50 game suspension, because he was linked to HGH. Overall he had a pretty good comeback game for the class-AA Mississippi Braves. He went 2-4 including one triple, had one walk and run, and had two RBI’s. If Schafer can continue to play like he did for at least a month in a half, we can see Schafer in the Atlanta Braves outfield after the all star break.
Pitching Matchup
FLA: RHP Burke Badenhop (1-3, 6.75 ERA)
Badenhop is the type of pitcher that the Braves usually feast on at home. The Braves are a way better hitting ball club versus right handed pitching than lefties. Badenhop has a low 90’s high 80’s fastball with a pretty good sinker. On April 24, the young pitcher gave up six runs in five innings in a loss to Atlanta. The Braves have to have that same mind sent in their last meeting versus Badenhop and bring it into this game. The hitter to watch out for in this game for the Braves is Chipper Jones. With eleven of his twelve homeruns coming from the left side of the plate, he could be in for a big night for the Braves. With Yunel Escobar having a big night and Kelly Johnson returning to the lineup, he might have a chance to come up to hit with runners on base.
ATL: RHP Jorge Campillo (2-0, 0.99 ERA)
Campillo continues to amaze the Braves and opposing batters with his filthy changeup. Campillo isn’t a hard thrower, but he is a very good pitcher. His pitching arsenal is so hard to figure out to its ridiculous. I try guess along with Corky Miller and Campillo, but all of his pitches has so much great movement I don’t know what pitch he is throwing or just threw. It’s going to be key for Campillo to keep his pitches down and keep Jeremy Hermida and Mike Jacobs in the yard today. Jacobs is a very good left handed bopper that loves to swing for the fences on the first pitch. It will be smart for Campillo to give Jacobs a steady diet of breaking stuff away from him to neutralize his power.
Hey Hitters
Chipper Jones
Mike Jacobs
Filed under: Minor Leagues, News, Post Games, Pre Games
