SB Nation Atlanta - Nationals Vs. Braves: Uggla's Homer, Solid Bullpen Work Lead To 6-4 Victoryhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2011-08-03T18:00:32-04:00http://atlanta.sbnation.com/rss/stream/20737512011-08-03T18:00:32-04:002011-08-03T18:00:32-04:00Braves vs. Nationals Final Score: Dan Uggla Continues Hit Streak, Atlanta Wins 6-4
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<p><span>Brandon Beachy</span> pitched well before a brief rain delay interfered with his command, <span>Dan Uggla</span> hit a 3-run bomb and the bullpen continued to be excellent in a 6-4 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> victory. The team remains unswept this season.</p>
<p>Beachy was dominant for the first five innings before a sudden rainstorm interrupted him on the mound. He ended the day throwing 5+ innings while allowing seven hits, a walk and four runs, but the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> didn't have a chance from the beginning of the game. His lone mistake -- a belt-high fastball to Jason Werth -- was sent 400 feet to center field, but he was solid outside of that.</p>
<p><span>Chien-Ming Wang</span> continued his path back to the Majors and was not sharp at all. His big mistake, a hanging slider to Dan Uggla, was deposited about fifteen rows deep in the left field seats to give Atlanta a 6-0 lead in the fifth inning.</p>
<p><span>Michael Bourn</span>'s impact at the top of the lineup was felt once again. Although he gets credit for just one hit, Bourn scored two runs, stole a base, and made solid contact in every at-bat. He has been as advertised and is hitting .310 since joining Atlanta.</p>
<p><span>Anthony Varvaro</span> impressed once again despite losing two batters to walks after working the count full. Eric O'Flaherty recorded the final out of the sixth and worked a scoreless seventh inning. <span>Jonny Venters</span> dominated the eighth and <span>Craig Kimbrel</span> came in for his 32nd save of the season.</p>
<p>After the victory the team will head to New York to take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a>. They'll have a much needed off-day on Thursday before resuming play. It'll be <span>Tim Hudson</span> against <span>R.A. Dickey</span> on Friday evening.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2011/8/3/2342724/braves-nationals-score-updateScott Coleman2011-08-02T22:01:43-04:002011-08-02T22:01:43-04:00Braves Vs. Nationals Final Score: Derek Lowe Continues To Struggle, Atlanta Loses 9-3
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> refused to trade one of their top-four pitching prospects at the trade deadline. While originally thought to be building for the future, the future may be now for <span>Mike Minor</span> or <span>Julio Teheran</span>.</p>
<p><span>Derek Lowe</span> got pounded once again on Tuesday night in a 9-3 defeat. The big blow, a grand slam from <span>Rick Ankiel</span> in the fourth inning, gave the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> a 6-3 lead and they would add to that with home runs from <span>Danny Espinosa</span> and <span>Michael Morse</span>. </p>
<p>After trailing 1-0 early, Atlanta actually had the lead for a few innings. <span>Michael Bourn</span> doubled down the first base line to give him his first RBI with the Braves and <span>Martin Prado</span> drove another run in after grounding out to second. Jose Constanza also drove in a run with an RBI-single. </p>
<p><span>John Lannan</span> dominated the Braves after a brief hiccup in the early innings. He worked 6.2 innings and gave up eight hits and a walk. He set a season-high in strikeouts with eight. Henry Rodriguez finished out the game for Washington and did not all a run to score in 2.1 innings of work.</p>
<p>The Braves have hit their lowest low since May. This team is struggling right now. Maybe <span>Chipper Jones</span>' return will spark the club, but until <span>Brian McCann</span> returns it's tough to see this team winning too many games.</p>
<p>Atlanta will attempt to avoid the sweep -- something they have not had happen to them all season long -- Wednesday afternoon. First pitch is at 1:05.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2011/8/2/2340787/braves-nationals-derek-lowe-rick-ankielScott Coleman2011-08-01T21:58:02-04:002011-08-01T21:58:02-04:00Braves Vs. Nationals Final Score: Michael Bourn Debuts, Atlanta Falls 5-3
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> threatened in the ninth but couldn't overcome some shoddy defense and a less than stellar performance from starter <span>Jair Jurrjens</span>, falling to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> 5-3. Atlanta banged out three solo home runs in the game including two from <span>Dan Uggla</span> who extended his hitting streak to 23 games but couldn't get the key hit despite having a number of chances. </p>
<p>The Braves' bad luck on the bases began in the first inning. New addition <span>Michael Bourn</span> led off the game with a single but was doubled off first when <span>Martin Prado</span> lined to third baseman <span>Ryan Zimmerman</span> ending the threat. Jair Jurrjens was greeted by a solo home run off the bat of <span>Rick Ankiel</span> to lead off the bottom half of the first giving the Nationals a 1-0 lead. </p>
<p>Atlanta quickly tied the game as Dan Uggla homered to lead off the second. However, Washington answered right back in the bottom half of the inning retaking the lead on a <span>Livan Hernandez</span> RBI single to right that scored <span>Jayson Werth</span>. </p>
<p>Trailing 2-1, Atlanta loaded the bases in the fourth but <span>David Ross</span> grounded into a double play to end the threat. The Braves also got the lead off man on in the fifth when Alex Gonzalez led off the inning with a single. However, he was also erased on a double play on an attempted sacrifice by Jurrjens. </p>
<p>The Nationals extended the lead to 3-1 in the fifth on another long home run from Ankiel. Jurrjens wouldn't escape the sixth inning as Washington scored two more times. The first on a <span>Laynce Nix</span> single to center that scored <span>Michael Morse</span> and the second on an <span>Ian Desmond</span> ground out that scored Werth. </p>
<p>Atlanta would add solo homers from David Ross in the seventh and Uggla in the ninth closing the gap to 5-3. <span>Jason Heyward</span> followed Uggla's blast in the ninth with a single but Nationals closer <span>Drew Storen</span> struck out Ross and coaxed a ground out from Alex Gonzalez to end the game. </p>
<p>Uggla was 3 for 4 for the Braves launching homers No. 21 and No. 22 in the game. <span>Freddie Freeman</span> also extended his hitting streak to 16 games with a single in the fourth. Michael Bourn finished 1 for 4 in his first game with the Braves. </p>
<p>Jurrjens falls to 12-4 on the season after allowing seven hits and five runs in five innings of work. He walked two and struck out one. Livan Hernandez captures his sixth win of the season scattering six hits and one run over six innings. Drew Storen allowed the homer to Uggla in the ninth but records his 27th save of the season. </p>
<p>Game 2 in the series is tomorrow with <span>Derek Lowe</span> facing off against Washington's <span>John Lannan</span>. </p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2011/8/1/2310364/michael-bourn-braves-nationals-scoreKris Willis2011-08-01T18:36:47-04:002011-08-01T18:36:47-04:00Nationals Vs. Braves Series Preview: Michael Bourn Arrives As Atlanta Travels North
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<p>Traveling up to Washington DC and facing the Nationals at their ballpark is similar to a colonoscopy. It's stressful, you don't want to go, and the outcome usually isn't good, but it's something that is required.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> will take on the Nationals in a three-game series this week in the nation's hot and steamy capital. While a series against our NL East foes is never enjoyable, it <i>will</i> be the debut of our recently acquired leadoff man, <span>Michael Bourn</span>. That at least makes this series a little more fun.</p>
<p>Let's take a closer look at the 51-56 Nationals, who have lost seven of their last ten games...</p>
<p><b>The Rookie of the Year?</b></p>
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<h2><span>Danny Espinosa</span></h2>
<h4 class="player-position">#18 / Second Base / <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a>
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<p><label>Height:</label> 6-0</p>
<p><label>Weight:</label> 190</p>
<p><label>Bats:</label> B</p>
<p><label>Throws:</label> R</p>
<p><label>Born:</label> Apr 25, 1987</p>
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<thead>
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<th></th> <th>G</th> <th>AB</th> <th>R</th> <th>H</th> <th>2B</th> <th>3B</th> <th>HR</th> <th>RBI</th> <th>BB</th> <th>K</th> <th>SB</th> <th>CS</th> <th>AVG</th> <th>OBP</th> <th>SLG</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first">2011 - <span>Danny Espinosa</span>
</td>
<td>107</td>
<td>386</td>
<td>49</td>
<td>88</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>55</td>
<td>36</td>
<td>106</td>
<td>12</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>.228</td>
<td>.317</td>
<td class="td-last">.425</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
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<p><span>Freddie Freeman</span>, <span>Craig Kimbrel</span> and Brandon Beachy all have a chance to win the Rookie of the Year award for the National League, but Danny Espinosa is making a serious bid to take the title. The slugging second baseman has had a big year both at the plate and in the field and has been Washington's best overall player this season. He is susceptible to a few strikeouts, but he can do some damage if you leave a mistake up in the zone.</p>
<p><b>Pitching matchups:</b></p>
<p>Monday, 7:05EDT - Jair Jurrjens vs. Livan Hernandez</p>
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<thead>
<tr>
<th></th> <th>W-L</th> <th>G</th> <th>GS</th> <th>CG</th> <th>SHO</th> <th>SV</th> <th>BS</th> <th>IP</th> <th>H</th> <th>R</th> <th>ER</th> <th>HR</th> <th>BB</th> <th>K</th> <th>ERA</th> <th>WHIP</th>
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<td class="td-name td-first">2011 - <span>Jair Jurrjens</span>
</td>
<td>12-3</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>128.2</td>
<td>111</td>
<td>36</td>
<td>34</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>33</td>
<td>84</td>
<td>2.38</td>
<td class="td-last">1.12</td>
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<th></th> <th>W-L</th> <th>G</th> <th>GS</th> <th>CG</th> <th>SHO</th> <th>SV</th> <th>BS</th> <th>IP</th> <th>H</th> <th>R</th> <th>ER</th> <th>HR</th> <th>BB</th> <th>K</th> <th>ERA</th> <th>WHIP</th>
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<td class="td-name td-first">2011 - <span>Livan Hernandez</span>
</td>
<td>5-10</td>
<td>23</td>
<td>22</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>135.1</td>
<td>153</td>
<td>71</td>
<td>63</td>
<td>12</td>
<td>38</td>
<td>86</td>
<td>4.19</td>
<td class="td-last">1.41</td>
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<p>Tuesday, 7:05EDT - Derek Lowe vs. John Lannan</p>
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<thead>
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<th></th> <th>W-L</th> <th>G</th> <th>GS</th> <th>CG</th> <th>SHO</th> <th>SV</th> <th>BS</th> <th>IP</th> <th>H</th> <th>R</th> <th>ER</th> <th>HR</th> <th>BB</th> <th>K</th> <th>ERA</th> <th>WHIP</th>
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<td class="td-name td-first">2011 - <span>Derek Lowe</span>
</td>
<td>6-9</td>
<td>23</td>
<td>23</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>129.1</td>
<td>137</td>
<td>66</td>
<td>65</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>48</td>
<td>89</td>
<td>4.52</td>
<td class="td-last">1.43</td>
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<th></th> <th>W-L</th> <th>G</th> <th>GS</th> <th>CG</th> <th>SHO</th> <th>SV</th> <th>BS</th> <th>IP</th> <th>H</th> <th>R</th> <th>ER</th> <th>HR</th> <th>BB</th> <th>K</th> <th>ERA</th> <th>WHIP</th>
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<td class="td-name td-first">2011 - <span>John Lannan</span>
</td>
<td>7-7</td>
<td>22</td>
<td>22</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>126.1</td>
<td>122</td>
<td>54</td>
<td>51</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>49</td>
<td>72</td>
<td>3.63</td>
<td class="td-last">1.35</td>
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<p>Wednesday, 1:05EDT - Brandon Beachy vs. Chien-Ming Wang</p>
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<th></th> <th>W-L</th> <th>G</th> <th>GS</th> <th>CG</th> <th>SHO</th> <th>SV</th> <th>BS</th> <th>IP</th> <th>H</th> <th>R</th> <th>ER</th> <th>HR</th> <th>BB</th> <th>K</th> <th>ERA</th> <th>WHIP</th>
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<td class="td-name td-first">2011 - <span>Brandon Beachy</span>
</td>
<td>4-2</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>85.1</td>
<td>74</td>
<td>34</td>
<td>31</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>27</td>
<td>91</td>
<td>3.27</td>
<td class="td-last">1.18</td>
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<th></th> <th>W-L</th> <th>G</th> <th>GS</th> <th>CG</th> <th>SHO</th> <th>SV</th> <th>BS</th> <th>IP</th> <th>H</th> <th>R</th> <th>ER</th> <th>HR</th> <th>BB</th> <th>K</th> <th>ERA</th> <th>WHIP</th>
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<td class="td-name td-first">2011 - <span>Chien-Ming Wang</span>
</td>
<td>0-1</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>4.0</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>9.00</td>
<td class="td-last">2.25</td>
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<p><b>Bullpen:</b></p>
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<h2><span>Tyler Clippard</span></h2>
<h4 class="player-position">#36 / Pitcher / <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a>
</h4>
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<p><label>Height:</label> 6-3</p>
<p><label>Weight:</label> 200</p>
<p><label>Bats:</label> R</p>
<p><label>Throws:</label> R</p>
<p><label>Born:</label> Feb 14, 1985</p>
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<th></th> <th>W-L</th> <th>G</th> <th>GS</th> <th>CG</th> <th>SHO</th> <th>SV</th> <th>BS</th> <th>IP</th> <th>H</th> <th>R</th> <th>ER</th> <th>HR</th> <th>BB</th> <th>K</th> <th>ERA</th> <th>WHIP</th>
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<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first">2011 - <span>Tyler Clippard</span>
</td>
<td>1-0</td>
<td>48</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>60.2</td>
<td>30</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>20</td>
<td>74</td>
<td>1.63</td>
<td class="td-last">.82</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
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<p>Tyler Clippard headlines a bullpen that has been pretty solid all season long. The All-Star set-up man has been great for the Nationals, and his good work has set up <span>Drew Storen</span> to record 26 saves. Outside of those two, <span>Todd Coffey</span>, <span>Ross Detwiler</span> and Henry Rodriguez have all gotten the job done in middle relief and long-man <span>Sean Burnett</span> always seems to give Atlanta problems despite not featuring very good numbers.</p>
<p><b>Series Outlook:</b></p>
<p>The Nationals always play the Braves tough. They have since 2007, and it just seems like the Braves never catch a break when facing their NL East foes. Michael Bourn will provide a spark, though, and Atlanta will hopefully take two out of three.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2011/8/1/2338856/nationals-vs-braves-series-preview-michael-bourn-arrives-as-atlantaScott Coleman