SB Nation Atlanta - Braves vs. Nationals: Tommy Hanson, Jason Heyward Lead Atlanta To 3-2 Win Over Washingtonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2012-06-04T08:01:13-04:00http://atlanta.sbnation.com/rss/stream/28206602012-06-04T08:01:13-04:002012-06-04T08:01:13-04:00Braves vs. Nationals Recap: Andrelton Simmons Impresses In Rain Shortened Series
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<p>The Braves had their mind set on revenge following a sweep at the hands of the Washington Nationals last weekend in Atlanta, but rain and a dominating performance from Stephen Strasburg led to a 1-1 series split between the two clubs. </p>
<p>Friday night's game was rained out due to some serious rain, wind and even a tornado warning in the Washington D.C. area. The date of the makeup game is still to be determined.</p>
<p>Andrelton Simmons made his debut on Saturday against Strasburg and was unsurprisingly overmatched, but the kid showed us early and often just why scouts drool over his defense. The whole lineup was unable to get much of anything going against the Nats' ace as <a href="http://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/6/2/3059876/braves-vs-nationals-score-stephen-strasburg/in/2820660" target="_blank">Atlanta lost by a score of 2-0</a>.</p>
<p>Tommy Hanson surrendered home runs on two of the first four pitches he threw on Sunday afternoon in the series finale, but the lanky righty battled back to work seven very strong innings. The Braves battled back in the fifth and took a 3-2 lead against Gio Gonzalez on a two-run single from Jason Heyward. The bullpen managed to hang on to seal the victory for the Braves by the same score,<a href="http://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/6/3/3061228/braves-vs-nationals-final-score-tommy-hanson-jason-heyward/in/2820660" target="_blank"> earning their first win of the season against Washington</a>.</p>
<p>The Braves will have yet another day off on Monday before heading south to take on the Miami Marlins in their new ballpark for the first time. Tim Hudson will square off against Anibal Sanchez in the series opener on Tuesday night.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Braves be sure to check out <a href="http://talkingchop.com" target="_blank">Talking Chop</a>.</i> </p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/6/4/3062211/braves-vs-nationals-andrelton-simmons-stephen-strasburgScott Coleman2012-06-03T16:28:35-04:002012-06-03T16:28:35-04:00Braves Vs. Nationals Final Score: Atlanta Earns Split With 3-2 Win Sunday
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<p>Things sure didn't begin well for <span>Tommy Hanson</span> but he found himself long enough to help the Braves to a 3-2 win and a series split with the Washington Nationals on Sunday. </p>
<p>The Nationals jumped on top quickly against Tommy Hanson beginning the game with back-to-back home runs by Stephen Lombardozzi and <span>Bryce Harper</span>. Hanson didn't allow another run throwing seven strong innings while allowing six hits and striking out six. With the victory Hanson improves to 6-4 on the season. </p>
<p>Atlanta got on the board in the third on a long double by <span>Dan Uggla</span> that scored <span>Martin Prado</span> to make the score 2-1. The Braves took the lead for good in the fifth when <span>Jason Heyward</span> plated Prado and Uggla with an opposite field hit off of <span>Gio Gonzalez</span> to give Atlanta a 3-2 advantage. </p>
<p>Eric O'Flaherty walked the first two batters he faced in the eighth inning but coaxed a double play grounder out of <span>Ryan Zimmerman</span> and got <span>Adam LaRoche</span> to fly out to end the inning. <span>Craig Kimbrel</span> struck out the side in the ninth to pick up save No. 16. </p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">For more on the <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a>, check out <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold;" href="http://talkingchop.com/">Talking Chop</a>. For <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a> news and info head over to <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold;" href="http://federalbaseball.com/">Federal Baseball</a>, and all your MLB news is at <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold;" href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/6/3/3061228/braves-vs-nationals-final-score-tommy-hanson-jason-heywardKris Willis2012-06-03T11:28:58-04:002012-06-03T11:28:58-04:00Braves Vs. Nationals Sunday Lineups: David Ross, Matt Diaz In Against Gio Gonzalez
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<p>Fredi Gonzalez is going with a more conventional lineup against left hander <span>Gio Gonzalez</span> on Sunday. Jose Constanza gets the day off against the lefty which returns pitcher <span>Tommy Hanson</span> to the ninth spot in the order. <span>Matt Diaz</span> will play left and bat fifth in today's lineup. </p>
<p>Here is a look at the full lineups for today's series finale against the Nationals:</p>
<p>Atlanta Braves</p>
<p>1. <span>Michael Bourn</span> (L) CF<br>2. <span>Martin Prado</span> (R) 3B<br>3. <span>Freddie Freeman</span> (L) 1B<br>4. <span>Dan Uggla</span> (R) 2B<br>5. Matt Diaz (R) LF<br>6. <span>Jason Heyward</span> (L) RF<br>7. <span>David Ross</span> (R) C<br>8. <span>Andrelton Simmons</span> (R) SS<br>9. Tommy Hanson (R) P</p>
<p>Washington Nationals</p>
<p>1. <span>Steve Lombardozzi</span> (S) LF<br>2. <span>Bryce Harper</span> (L) CF<br>3. <span>Ryan Zimmerman</span> (R) 3B<br>4. <span>Adam LaRoche</span> (L) 1B<br>5. <span>Michael Morse</span> (R) RF<br>6. <span>Ian Desmond</span> (R) SS<br>7. <span>Danny Espinosa</span> (S) 2B<br>8. <span>Jesus Flores</span> (R) C<br>9. Gio Gonzalez (R) P</p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/6/3/3060738/braves-vs-nationals-sunday-lineups-david-ross-matt-diazKris Willis2012-06-03T11:20:36-04:002012-06-03T11:20:36-04:00Brian McCann Injury: Braves Slugger Sitting Out Sunday After Knee Swells
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<p><span>Brian McCann</span> will sit out Sunday's series finale against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a> after experiencing swelling in his injured knee. McCann left Saturday's game after being struck on the knee by a pitch from reliever Jonny Venters. The Braves are off on Monday and McCann hopes that two straight days off will be enough to get him back in the lineup. </p>
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<p>McCann said the knee swelled up last night. Not comfortable to squat. Hoping with off day Monday could get back in Tuesday vs <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Marlins</a></p>
— David O'Brien (@ajcbraves) <a data-datetime="2012-06-03T14:29:42+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/ajcbraves/status/209290770556002304">June 3, 2012</a>
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<p><span>David Ross</span> is in the starting lineup on Sunday and is hitting seventh. Ross replaced McCann in the lineup on Saturday and is hitting .217 with two homeruns and five RBIs in 17 games this season. </p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">For more on Brian McCann and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold;">Atlanta Braves</a> head over to <a href="http://www.talkingchop.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold;">Talking Chop</a>. For more news and notes from around Major League Baseball check out <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold;">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/6/3/3060726/brian-mccann-injury-knee-braves-nationalsKris Willis2012-06-03T09:01:00-04:002012-06-03T09:01:00-04:00Braves Vs. Nationals Time, TV, Radio Info And More
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<p>The Braves will try to salvage a split in their weather shortened two game series with the Washington Nationals Sunday afternoon at Nationals Park. <span>Tommy Hanson</span> (5-4, 3.84 ERA) will try to bounce back from his shortest outing of the season on Sunday and try to stop Atlanta's losing streak against the Nationals in the process.</p>
<p>Hanson lasted just 3 1/3 innings against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> on Monday. The Braves went on to lose that game 8-2 with Hanson on the hook for six of those runs.</p>
<p>Getting a victory won't be an easy task against Washington starter <span>Gio Gonzalez</span> (7-1, 2.04 ERA) who is looking for his sixth straight win in as many starts. Gonzalez struck out 10 while allowing two runs and one hit in a 7-2 win over the Braves last Sunday at Turner Field.</p>
<p>Atlanta has lost nine of its last 11 games.</p>
<p><b>Game Date/Time:</b> Sunday, June 3, 1:35 p.m. ET</p>
<p><b>Location:</b> Nationals Park, Washington D.C.</p>
<p><b>TV:</b> Fox 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; background-color: transparent; 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 the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.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;">Atlanta Braves</a>, check out <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 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.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;">Washington Nationals</a> news and info head over to <a href="http://federalbaseball.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;">Federal Baseball</a>, and all your MLB news is at <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.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;">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/6/3/3060290/braves-vs-nationals-time-tv-radio-info-and-moreKris Willis2012-06-03T08:30:03-04:002012-06-03T08:30:03-04:00Andrelton Simmons Looks Comfortable In Major League Debut
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<p><span>Andrelton Simmons</span> had to wait an extra day to make his debut in the Major Leagues for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> but he looked as good as advertised defensively despite an 0 for 3 showing at the plate. Simmons <a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/06/02/braves-postgame-quotes-after-saturdays-loss-to-nats/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_braves_blog">talked about his debut following the game. </a></p>
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<p><a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/06/02/braves-postgame-quotes-after-saturdays-loss-to-nats/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_braves_blog"></a>"It was comfortable. The view was a bit different, with all the people in the back, but pretty much it was another game. I felt comfortable out there, saw the ball well, made the plays. It went well, just didn't get the win."</p>
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<p>Simmons hit one lined a shot right at the shortstop in one of his at bats that was turned into a 6-4-3 double play. There is little shame in going 0 for 3 against a pitcher like <span>Stephen Strasburg</span> particularly when he is in a groove like on Saturday. Simmons looked the part defensively as he made many routine plays in the field look rather routine.</p>
<p><i>For more on Andrelton Simmons and the Atlanta Braves check out <a href="http://www.talkingchop.com">Talking Chop</a>. For more Major League Baseball news and notes head over to <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com">Baseball Nation</a>. </i></p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/6/3/3060247/andrelton-simmons-braves-debutKris Willis2012-06-03T08:00:24-04:002012-06-03T08:00:24-04:00Brian McCann Injury: Braves Catcher Hopeful To Play On Sunday
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<p>Braves catcher <span>Brian McCann</span> left Saturday's game after begins struck square in the knee by a pitch from Jonny Venters. McCann was replaced in the game by <span>David Ross</span> <a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/06/02/braves-postgame-quotes-after-saturdays-loss-to-nats/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_braves_blog">but is hopeful that he will be able to play on Sunday</a> with Atlanta still looking for its first win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> this season.</p>
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<p>"Right around the knee, it's pretty sore. I'm not sure. I'm going to get here. I intend to play and go from there. I came out of the game right there because I couldn't really go down on my knees to block and it's a big situation there. I'm going to get here tomorrow and hopefully play."</p>
<p>"Yeah, if I can move around and I can block, I'll be able to play, for sure."</p>
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<p>Fredi Gonzalez indicated that the ball hit the muscle above the knee so swelling would be the only thing that might hold McCann back on Sunday.</p>
<p><i>For more on Brian McCann and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> head over to <a href="http://www.talkingchop.com">Talking Chop</a>. For more news and notes from around Major League Baseball check out <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com">Baseball Nation</a>. </i></p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/6/3/3060235/brian-mccann-injury-update-bravesKris Willis2012-06-02T18:54:22-04:002012-06-02T18:54:22-04:00Braves vs. Nationals Score: Atlanta Dominated By Stephen Strasburg In 2-0 Loss
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> received a fine pitching performance from <span>Brandon Beachy</span> on Saturday afternoon, but <span>Stephen Strasburg</span> was simply too good as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> went on to win 2-0. The Braves managed just six hits, did not walk and only had two runners reach scoring position twice.</p>
<p>For as good as Beachy was, he made one mistake to <span>Jesus Flores</span>. The Nationals catcher took a high fastball and deposited it into the left field seat, giving Washington a 1-0 lead in the fifth.</p>
<p><span>Danny Espinosa</span> drew a one-out walk against Beachy in the seventh, which would be the final batter he faced. Flores drew a walk against <span>Chad Durbin</span>, prompting Fredi Gonzalez to bring in the struggling <span>Jonny Venters</span> in from the bullpen. Venters left an elevated 3-2 fastball over the plate and <span>Xavier Nady</span> did not miss it, doubling down the right field line.</p>
<p>With the Braves trailing 2-0 in the eighth they received back-to-back infield singles from <span>Matt Diaz</span> and Jose Constanza, but <span>Michael Bourn</span> flew out to left to end the threat. Atlanta did not mount a rally in the ninth, striking out for two of their three outs.</p>
<p><span>Brian McCann</span> left the game with an injury but it is not believed to be too serious. He took a ball off the kneecap in the seventh inning and was able to put some weight on it, although he left after consulting with manager Fredi Gonzalez and trainer Jeff Porter.</p>
<p><span>Andrelton Simmons</span> went 0-for-3 with a double play in his debut, although he smoked the ball right at the shortstop in his second at-bat. His defense was as good as advertised, making numerous plays in the field look easy.</p>
<p>The Braves and Nats will meet for the series finale on Sunday afternoon.</p>
<p><i>For more on the club be sure to check out <a href="http://talkingchop.com" target="_blank">Talking Chop</a>.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/6/2/3059876/braves-vs-nationals-score-stephen-strasburgScott Coleman