SB Nation Atlanta - Braves vs. Mets: Atlanta Wins Series 2-1 With Wednesday Blowouthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2012-04-23T17:19:33-04:00http://atlanta.sbnation.com/rss/stream/27159022012-04-23T17:19:33-04:002012-04-23T17:19:33-04:00Freddie Freeman Named National League Player Of The Week
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<p><span>Freddie Freeman</span> got off to a bit of a slow start to begin the 2012 campaign, but the young first baseman really turned it on last week against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a>. Despite some tough competition from <span>Matt Kemp</span>, who Freeman and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> will face this week, the 22-year-old slugger was named the National League's Player of the Week. </p>
<p>Atlanta went 5-2 last week and Freeman played a key role in every game. We have a bit more on his accomplishment after the jump.</p>
<p>According to an official release from MLB, Freeman batted .478 with three homers, five doubles and 14 RBIs last week. His slugging percentage? A cool 1.087. His best game came on Thursday night in Arizona, when he hit two homers and drove in a total of five runs as the Braves won 10-2.</p>
<p>A big congratulations to Freddie for his work this past week. I'm sure this won't be the last time the young slugger takes home Player of the Week honors in his career.</p>
<p><i>For more on Freeman and the Braves, check out <a href="http://talkingchop.com" target="_blank">Talking Chop</a>.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/4/23/2969891/freddie-freeman-atlanta-braves-nl-player-of-the-weekScott Coleman2012-04-19T08:02:54-04:002012-04-19T08:02:54-04:00Braves vs. Mets Recap: Atlanta's Bats Come Alive Late To Take Series
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<p>Following a sweep in the first series of the season, the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Braves</a> got back to their winning ways against their NL East rivals this week, taking two out of three games from the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mets</a>. After a rough start to the series, the lineup cranked out 23 runs (including 14 on rainy Wednesday afternoon!) in the final two games to lead them to victory.</p>
<p><span>Dillon Gee</span> continued to give Atlanta fits in the series opener, limiting the club to just one run in a game they would eventually lose 6-1. <span>Tommy Hanson</span> pitched well for most of the night, but a hanging curveball to <span>Ike Davis</span> proved to be the difference as he sent it over the wall for three runs in a game that was tied 1-1 at that point. The Braves were unable to scratch across anything in the final innings against the Mets bullpen, ending a night of frustrations at the plate.</p>
<p>The Braves benefitted from some sloppy defense in game two, scoring five runs in the second inning to lead them to a 9-3 victory. <span>Freddie Freeman</span> showed signs of life for the first time all season after a dreadful start, and <span>Juan Francisco</span> hit his first homer with the team to provide a much-needed insurance run late. <span>Randall Delgado</span> was not spectacular by any means, but he got the job done working 5.1 innings of three-run ball.</p>
<p>Despite a poor performance from starter <span>Jair Jurrjens</span> on Wednesday afternoon, the Braves broke out the bats as they slaughtered New York by a score of 14-6. Freeman and <span>Dan Uggla</span> hit their first homers of the season, five players drove in two runs or more and <span>Chipper Jones</span> came on as a pinch-hitter to record yet another extra-base hit. This was a fun game to watch, and it really showed just how good this lineup can be when everyone gets going.</p>
<p>Atlanta is now 7-5 on the young season and are heading west to take on the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Diamondbacks</a> for a four-game series in Phoenix starting Thursday night.</p>
<p><i>For more on the club, be sure to visit <a target="_blank" href="http://talkingchop.com">Talking Chop</a>.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/4/19/2959390/braves-vs-mets-recap-scoresScott Coleman2012-04-18T15:53:33-04:002012-04-18T15:53:33-04:00Braves Vs. Mets Final: Atlanta Rolls In 14-6 Rout
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> got out on <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a> starter <span>R.A. Dickey</span> early, rolling to a 14-6 victory on Wednesday afternoon and taking two of three from their NL East rival.</p>
<p>Dickey only lasted 4.1 innings, as the knuckle-baller gave up 8 hits and 3 home runs, moving his ERA to 8.81 on the season.</p>
<p>Almost the entire infield got in on the fun, as 1B <span>Freddie Freeman</span>, 2B <span>Dan Uggla</span> and 3B <span>Juan Francisco</span> all went yard. Atlanta distributed its run production evenly, with six of their eight position players driving in at least one run.</p>
<p><span>Jair Jurrjens</span> didn't have his best day on the mound, giving up 7 hits, 4 walks and 4 earned runs in only 4 innings, but with the Braves offense clicking on all cylinders, it didn't really matter.</p>
<p>Christhian Martinez got the third win of his career in the relief, moving Atlanta to 7-5 and into a tie with New York.</p>
<p><i>For more reaction and analysis on the Braves win, head over to <a href="http://www.talkingchop.com/">Talking Chop</a> while <a href="http://www.amazinavenue.com/">Amazin' Avenue</a> has all the post-game reaction from New York.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/4/18/2958177/braves-vs-mets-final-atlanta-rolls-14-6Jonathan Tjarks2012-04-18T09:37:11-04:002012-04-18T09:37:11-04:00Braves Vs. Mets Lineup: Chipper Jones Gets A Rest, Jason Heyward Bats Third
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> will rest third baseman <span>Chipper Jones</span> in the Wednesday afternoon's "businessman's special" against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a>. Right fielder <span>Jason Heyward</span>, who batted second in the lineup in Tuesday night's 9-3 win over New York (Heyward had a RBI single that chased Mets starter <span>Johan Santana</span>), will drop into Chipper's three slot.</p>
<p>Here's a complete look at Wednesday afternoon's starting lineup:</p>
<p><b>Atlanta Braves:</b></p>
<p>1. <span>Michael Bourn</span> (L) CF</p>
<p>2. <span>Martin Prado</span> (R) LF</p>
<p>3. Jason Heyward (L) RF</p>
<p>4. <span>Dan Uggla</span> (R) 2B</p>
<p>5. <span>Freddie Freeman</span> (L) 1B</p>
<p>6. <span>Juan Francisco</span> (L) 3B</p>
<p>7. <span>David Ross</span> (R) C</p>
<p>8. <span>Tyler Pastornicky</span> (R) SS</p>
<p>9. <span>Jair Jurrjens</span> (R) P</p>
<p><b>New York Mets:</b></p>
<p> </p>
<p>1. <span>Kirk Nieuwenhuis</span> (L) CF</p>
<p>2. <span>Daniel Murphy</span> (L) 2B</p>
<p>3. <span>David Wright</span> (R) 3B</p>
<p>4. <span>Ike Davis</span> (L) 1B</p>
<p>5. <span>Jason Bay</span> (R) LF</p>
<p>6. <span>Lucas Duda</span> (L) RF</p>
<p>7. <span>Josh Thole</span> (L) C</p>
<p>8. <span>Ronny Cedeno</span> (R) SS</p>
<p>9. <span>R.A. Dickey</span> (R) P</p>
<p><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more on this series Braves fans should check out <b style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #002c66; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.talkingchop.com/">Talking Chop</a></b> and Mets fans should visit<b style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #002c66; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.brewcrewball.com/"></a></b> </i><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://www.amazinavenue.com/"><b style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Amazin' Avenue</b></a></i><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">. For more news and notes from around Major League Baseball head over to <b style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #002c66; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a></b>.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/4/18/2957127/braves-vs-mets-lineup-chipper-jones-gets-a-rest-jason-heyward-batsSteven Godfrey2012-04-18T08:21:14-04:002012-04-18T08:21:14-04:00Mets Vs. Braves Time, TV, Radio Info For Series Finale
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> are looking for their third straight series win when they host a business man's special Wednesday afternoon against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a>. Atlanta will send <span>Jair Jurrjens</span> to the mound and he will be opposed by New York's <span>R.A. Dickey</span>. </p>
<p>Jurrjens is off to a slow start but was <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120416&content_id=28841558&notebook_id=28841564&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl">encouraged in his last start</a> by his increase in velocity. He wasn't particularly effective against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Milwaukee Brewers</a> allowing five runs in five innings but hasn't experienced any problems with the knee injury that hampered him throughout the second half of last season. As Jurrjens knee injury flared up, his velocity dropped and therefore so did his effectiveness. </p>
<p><b>Game Date/Time:</b> Wednesday, April 18, 12:10 p.m. ET</p>
<p><b>Location:</b> Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia</p>
<p><b>Pitching Matchup:</b> R.A. Dickey (2-0, 2.08 ERA) Vs. Jair Jurrjens (0-1, 7.71 ERA)</p>
<p><b>TV:</b> SportSouth</p>
<p><b>Radio:</b> 680 The Fan</p>
<p><b>Online Streaming:</b> MLB.tv</p>
<p><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Read more news and analysis on the Atlanta Braves at <a href="http://talkingchop.com/" style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Talking Chop</a>. For more on the New York Mets, be sure to visit <a href="http://www.amazinavenue.com/" style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Amazin' Avenue</a>.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/4/18/2956963/mets-vs-braves-time-tv-radio-info-for-series-finaleKris Willis2012-04-18T08:01:37-04:002012-04-18T08:01:37-04:00Mets Vs. Braves: Atlanta Finally Breaks Streak Against New York
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> had dropped their first four games against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a> before Tuesday's 9-3 win. Atlanta will go for a series win Wednesday afternoon. Following Tuesday's win, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez talked about the Mets and how their approach at the plate wears on opposing pitchers. </p>
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<p>"You've got to play them 13 more times. They play us tough. They can hit. Murphy and Thole and Wright is on fire. They give you good at-bats all the time. I've never seen those guys, even in spring training, give you a bad at-bat. Even there at the end against Medlen, Thole had a 11, 12-pitch at-bat. He battles. They wear you down pitching wise."</p>
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<p>The Braves took a similar approach on Tuesday as they battled Mets starter <span>Johan Santana</span> leading to the shortest outing of his career. <span>Freddie Freeman</span> saw an 11-pitch at-bat in the second inning when the Braves exploded for five runs and chased Santana from the game. Its an approach that would do the Braves well to copy and it certainly worked out for them on Tuesday night. </p>
<p><i>For more on the Atlanta Braves check out <a href="http://www.talkingchop.com">Talking Chop</a>.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/4/18/2956955/2012-mets-vs-braves-fredi-gonzalezKris Willis2012-04-17T22:16:44-04:002012-04-17T22:16:44-04:00Braves vs. Mets Score: Atlanta Wins 9-3 As Johan Santana Exits Early
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<p>After being shutout by Johan Santana on the first day of the season, the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Braves</a> brought their bats with them on Tuesday night, knocking the veteran lefty out after just 55 pitches. Atlanta claimed an early lead and rode a solid performance out of <span>Randall Delgado</span> to a 9-3 victory.</p>
<p>Delgado was solid in 5.1 innings of work, allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks. He struck out five. His line is a bit misleading, given two poor defensive efforts that were ruled as hits and not errors.</p>
<p><span>Michael Bourn</span> scored an early run in the first inning thanks to an error from left fielder <span>Jason Bay</span>. The wheels came off in the second inning; the Braves sent 10 batters to the plate, scoring five runs.</p>
<p><span>Dan Uggla</span> walked to lead off the frame and <span>Matt Diaz</span> singled up the middle. <span>Freddie Freeman</span> worked a great at-bat (one where he was 11 pitches) and eventually clubbed a ball down the left field line for an RBI-double. <span>Tyler Pastornicky</span> followed with a 2-RBI double down the right field line to make the score 4-0.</p>
<p>With Pastornicky on second and Delgado bunting at the plate, <span>Ike Davis</span> fielded a ball and threw it wildly to third base, sending it towards the outfield seats. Pastornicky scored and Delgado moved into second. After getting his first out of the inning, Santana allowed another single to <span>Jason Heyward</span>, making the score 5-0. That would be the final pitch he would throw, exiting the game after recording just four outs.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mets</a> tacked on two runs in the top of the fourth on a couple of singles, but Atlanta responded in the fifth with two runs of their own courtesy of a Diaz sacrifice fly and RBI-single from Freeman. New York pushed across another run in the sixth to cut the deficit to 8-3.</p>
<p><span>Juan Francisco</span> belted a pinch-hit home run in the ninth inning, his first of the season. Given that Wednesday's game is set for a noon start, do not be surprised to see him in the lineup for <span>Chipper Jones</span>.</p>
<p>Atlanta is now 6-5 on the young season, while the Mets dropped to 7-4.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Braves, check out <a href="http://talkingchop.com" target="_blank">Talking Chop</a>.</i></p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/4/17/2956308/braves-vs-mets-final-score-johan-santana-randall-delgadoScott Coleman2012-04-17T15:11:47-04:002012-04-17T15:11:47-04:00Braves vs. Mets Lineups: Jason Heyward Batting Second
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<p>The <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Braves</a> struggled mightily two weeks ago when facing <span>Johan Santana</span> and the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mets</a>, so manager Fredi Gonzalez decided to switch things up a bit for Tuesday night's rematch at Turner Field.</p>
<p>The most notable change is with <span>Jason Heyward</span>. Despite incredible numbers thus far in the season -- his triple-slash line is .375/.444/.656 right now -- Heyward has typically batted sixth or seventh. With <span>Martin Prado</span> out of the lineup, Heyward has moved up to the No. 2 spot in the order. <span>Matt Diaz</span> is playing for Prado in left field, batting sixth.</p>
<p>Here is the complete lineup for Tuesday night:</p>
<p><span>Michael Bourn</span> CF<br>Jason Heyward RF<br><span>Chipper Jones</span> 3B<br><span>Brian McCann</span> C<br><span>Dan Uggla</span> 2B<br>Matt Diaz LF<br><span>Freddie Freeman</span> 1B<br><span>Tyler Pastornicky</span> SS<br><span>Randall Delgado</span> SP</p>
<p>It will be interesting to see if Gonzalez continues to bat Heyward second in the coming days, or if this is simply a one-night fix with Prado on the bench.</p>
<p>First pitch from Atlanta is set for 7:10 ET.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Braves, check out </i><a target="_blank" href="http://talkingchop.com">Talking Chop.</a></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/4/17/2955285/braves-vs-mets-lineups-jason-heyward-chipper-jonesScott Coleman