Several Braves pitchers struggled in their innings today, leading to a 7-5 loss to the Blue Jays at home.
Mike Minor had a tough time in three innings, allowing one run on five hits and walking two. He gave up three singles in the first that led to the run allowed, though he did get J.P. Arencibia to strike out with two in scoring position to end the inning. He gave up two walks and a single to load the bases in the second, but Yunel Escobar grounded into a double play to end the inning. Minor allowed a second single to Corey Patterson in the third, and he took second on a wild pitch, but again Arencibia struck out to end the threat.
Minor was a little all over the place and gave up some hard hit balls, but he did strike out three and bared down when he needed to. It's certainly not the same Minor that pitched two solid innings in his first outing, but the strikeouts are at least good to see.
Rodrigo Lopez pitched a perfect fourth, including two strikeouts, but he hit a snag in the fifth. He allowed two straight singles to lead off the inning, and after a sac fly moved the leading runner to third, he scored on another sac fly. Lopez allowed a second run in the sixth after two walks.
Scott Linebrink allowed a two-out double to Edwin Encarnacion in the seventh for his only baserunner.
George Sherrill walked two to lead off the eighth, and they both advanced on a sac bunt. After an infield popout made it two outs, Sherrill allowed a two-run single to right-handed batter Kenny Wilson. Sherrill faced two left-handed batters in the inning, walking one and getting the other to fly out.
Peter Moylan gave up a double and three singles for two runs in the ninth. Not too pretty for the back end of a spring game.
Dan Uggla singled and drove in two on a double off David Purcey. Alex Gonzalez singled twice in four trips. Chipper Jones singled once in four trips from the DH spot. David Ross drove in two on a single and Brent Clevlen singled twice.
More regulars played than I expected, but a few lesser prospects entered late. David Rohm grounded into a force out in the eighth for his only at bat. Phil Gosselin grounded out in his only at bat in the ninth. Brandon Hicks started at third, going 0-4 with two strikeouts, including one with the bases loaded; one of Hicks' bad days.
Mycal Jones got the start in center and led off. He took advantage, going 2-5 with a RBI. He doubled off Purcey and singled in a run off Marc Rzepczynski. Jones did strike out twice, but he drew attention in the start.
Todd Cunningham got the start in left, going 0-3 with two groundouts and a flyout. Cunningham still has a ways to go.
Carroll Rogers at the AJC has injury updates:
Chipper Jones is likely to play DH again Saturday but may be at third Sunday.
Eric Hinske was scratched with a stiff calf, but he appears fine.
Jason Heyward took a second day off today due to the sore groin, but he hit BP and sounds good. He will take Saturday off and plans to return Sunday.
Not exactly an injury update, but the game in Viera was delayed due to a swarm of bees in right field. It could have caused an injury update, I guess.