The Atlanta Braves ranked among the worst in baseball last season in terms of triple. Without much speed to run around the bases and a fair ballpark in Atlanta, you really have to hit a ball perfectly into the gap to get three bases. On Friday afternoon, the Braves hit four triples on their way to a 9-4 win over the Mets.
Michael Bourn led off the parade with a triple and was driven in on a triple from Martin Prado. With the score tied at 1-1, Dan Uggla gave Atlanta the lead with an RBI-groundout in the first. Uggla also doubled and hit his fifth home run of Spring Training. The slugging second baseman is locked in right now and could be on pace for his best offensive season yet in 2012.
Mike Minor made the start and struggled a bit, the first time he has done so this spring. The lefty worked 4.2 innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and four walks. He struck out three. Despite the unspectacular effort, Minor's ERA remains at an impressive 0.96.
Anthony Varvaro continued to struggle, failing to record an out while allowing three hits and a run to score. Eric O'Flaherty and Craig Kimbrel both worked perfect innings, as did Jairo Asencio, who likely has a leg up on the race for a final bullpen spot.
Next up for the Braves: an afternoon showdown with the 16-4 Toronto Blue Jays.