Matt Young singled in the winning run in the ninth as the Braves beat the Tigers, 4-3.
Young, Freddie Freeman and Joe Mather picked up a RBI apiece for the Braves. Martin Prado recorded a double and a walk, and he continues to display solid defense in left. Chipper Jones picked up a single in two at bats and scored. He logged two outs on defense in the first on a popout and groundout, but otherwise he didn't see much action at third.
Nate McLouth struggled at the plate, grounding out weakly three times, giving us all flashbacks for the day. You can't bank anything on one day's worth of at bats, but he certainly didn't show anything today. Neither did Brooks Conrad, who went 0-4 with only one ball leaving the infield.
Jair Jurrjens hit a couple snags in his third inning of work. After two perfect innings, he gave up a solo home run to Brennan Boesch in the third. After two outs, he allowed a double to Austin Jackson and single to Will Rhymes for the second run. Jurrjens was spot on aside from these two at bats, and he kept the ball down pretty well. He also kept it in the zone, not walking any and striking out one.
Jonny Venters followed with a perfect fourth, including a strikeout of Miguel Cabrera. Cory Gearrin was a little shaky with two outs in the fifth, allowing a single to Clete Thomas and walk to Jackson before getting Rhymes to strike out.
Stephen Marek was impressive again, allowing a leadoff single to Magglio Ordonez before inducing a double play by Cabrera and receiving an infield popout by Victor Martinez. Marek was strong and went after the middle of the Tigers lineup.
Lee Hyde received his first outing of spring, allowing a leadoff double to Jhonny Peralta before getting two straight outs. That was followed by two straight walks to Thomas and Jackson to load the bases, but Rhymes flew out to end the threat.
Juan Abreu was spotless in the eighth, striking out two minor leaguers. Randall Delgado made his spring debut and was hit hard, allowing two singles and a double to Detroit backup major leaguers that brought home a run. He struggled keeping the ball down or on the corners, but it's tough to blame him when you know his adrenaline is pumping. It was fun to watch him pitch.
Stock:
Young probably didn't gain much from a RBI single, but I'm sure it gained attention by the fact that it was a walkoff hit. He's proving his worth as the fourth outfielder with a good bat and defense so far.
McLouth took a step back today with three weak groundouts, and they were the type that reminded me of last year. Hopefully he can rebound in his next start.
If Marek continues to pitch the way he has so far, it will be tough to not carry him out of spring camp. He has been very impressive, and he is already certainly deserving of a bullpen role.