The good news for the Atlanta Braves: they still have nearly four weeks to get their act together and start winning a few ballgames. The bad news for the Braves: they aren't exactly showing any signs of improvement in Spring Training from what we saw in September. While playing a split squad game on Sunday, a rainout and a loss dropped Atlanta to 1-9 this spring.
Tommy Hanson made the start in one of the two games against the Blue Jays but his afternoon was disrupted greatly by storms in the area. Hanson, who was making his first start of Spring Training after suffering a minor concussion from a car accident, worked an inning and did not have much command, although the rain likely had a lot to do with it. He also used his 'new and improved' pitching motion on the mound, but those who saw him in-person said it really wasn't any different than what he had been doing in previous seasons.
The Braves lost their other game against the Blue Jays by a score of 9-5. First round pick Sean Gilmartin worked two very strong innings and struck out three while allowing no runs, two hits and a walk. Todd Redmond and Jairo Asencio both got tattooed for a combined five runs, and Jaye Chapman lasted just one-third of an inning before being pulled for allowing four runners to cross the plate.
Jason Heyward, batting .190 in Spring Training, went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. Tyler Pastornicky went 1-for-4 with a single to improve his batting average to .115. Stud catching prospect Christian Bethancourt had a perfect day, recording a hit (including a double) in all three of his at-bats. Eric Hinske hit his second solo-homer of the spring.
Maybe we can win a game on Monday?
Next up for the club: the St. Louis Cardinals. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.