The Atlanta Braves continued to struggle offensively on Saturday afternoon against R.A. Dickey and the Mets, falling by a score of 4-2. The club is now 0-2 to start the 2012 season and has lost seven-straight games dating back to last September. They are 5-15 in their last 20.
Think it's time to consider getting rid of Fredi Gonzalez?
Jair Jurrjens made the start for Atlanta and was not sharp, allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks in just 4.1 innings. He needed 102 pitches to record the 13 outs. David Wright hit a solo home run off Jurrjens in the first inning to give the Mets an early lead, and Lucas Duda hit a bomb of his own in the fourth.
Martin Prado tied the game at 2-2 with a two-run homer in the fifth. Those two runs are the only two runs the Braves have scored in 18 innings thus far. Jason Heyward had a good day with two walks and a triple, as did Michael Bourn with a single, double and walk.
With the Mets leading 3-2 in the seventh, Fredi Gonzalez brought in his worst reliever. Chad Durbin struck out his first batter, and then promptly surrendered a home run to Duda. Gonzalez had no issue bringing in Cristhian Martinez in the eighth inning -- you know, a reliever who is actually worth a damn on the mound -- but insisted on bringing in the home-run-prone Durbin to handle the seventh with the club trailing by just one run.
I'm as lost as you are, folks.
The Braves will wrap up their series with the Mets on Sunday afternoon. Mike Minor will take on Jon Niese.