SB Nation Atlanta - Cubs Vs. Braves: Atlanta Earns Split With Cubs After 7-3 Win https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2012-07-06T08:10:04-04:00http://atlanta.sbnation.com/rss/stream/28956182012-07-06T08:10:04-04:002012-07-06T08:10:04-04:00Mike Minor Comes Up Big At Opportune Time For Atlanta
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<p>Its certainly not lost on <span>Mike Minor</span> and <span>Randall Delgado</span> that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> signed veteran <span>Ben Sheets</span> and sent him to the minors with the intent of joining the rotation after the All-Star break. One of the two will likely be headed to Gwinnett to make room for Sheets and Minor made his case to remain in Atlanta with a good performance Thursday night. <br>
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<p>Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez talked about Minor's performance following Atlanta's 7-3 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a>.</p>
<p>"Mikey went out there and shut ‘em down. He got better, for me, as the game went on. Only walked two guys, gave up three hits, and punched out the last guy he faced in the seventh. Real good outing on his part."</p>
<p>Most importantly Minor escaped damage the second time through the order which has been a problem for much of this season. Sheets road back to the majors began on Wednesday night but Minor's performance of late and the fact that he is left handed may give him the edge over Delgado.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Atlanta Braves check out <a href="http://www.talkingchop.com">Talking Chop</a>. For more Major League Baseball news head over to <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com">Baseball Nation. </a></i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/7/6/3140441/braves-rotation-mike-minor-ben-sheetsKris Willis2012-07-06T07:30:06-04:002012-07-06T07:30:06-04:00Atlanta Braves Split Series With Chicago Cubs At Turner Field
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> had a chance to capitalize on their first weak opponent in months, and they failed to do so against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a>. Atlanta won just two of the four games, and neither of their losses were very closely contested. They're now 3-4 against Chicago in 2012, who entered the series with the worst record in baseball.</p>
<p><span>Jeff Samardzija</span> dominated the opener on Monday night as <a href="http://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/7/2/3133883/braves-vs-cubs-score-jeff-samardzija/in/2895618" target="_blank">the Cubs went on to win</a> by a score of 4-1. <span>Tommy Hanson</span> pitched well, but the offense simply did not step up.</p>
<p>Game two was a different story for Atlanta. The club raked out 10 hits for 10 runs, <a href="http://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/7/3/3136341/braves-vs-cubs-score-chipper-jones/in/2895618" target="_blank">headlined by Chipper Jones' 5-for-5 night </a>as they won 10-3 in convincing fashion.</p>
<p>Chicago <a href="http://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/7/4/3138028/braves-vs-cubs-score/in/2895618" target="_blank">won game three 5-1</a>, aided greatly by another disastrous performance from <span>Jonny Venters</span> out of the bullpen.</p>
<p>The Braves <a href="http://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/7/5/3140277/cubs-vs-braves-final-score-jason-heyward/in/2895618" target="_blank">used the long ball in the series finale</a> on their way to a 7-3 victory. <span>Mike Minor</span> pitched well as <span>Jason Heyward</span>, <span>Brian McCann</span>, <span>Freddie Freeman</span> and <span>Juan Francisco</span> all homered.</p>
<p>Atlanta will now head north to take on the last place <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> for their final series before the All-Star Break.</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/2012/7/6/3140597/braves-vs-cubs-score-recapsScott Coleman2012-07-06T07:30:05-04:002012-07-06T07:30:05-04:002012 MLB Standings: Braves Still Third In NL East After Split With Cubs
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<p>The Atlanta Braves salvaged a split in their four-game series with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> and remain in third place and six full games behind the Washington Nationals. The Nationals have won four straight and seven of 10 to open up a 4.5 game lead over second place New York. </p>
<p>The Mets host the Cubs over the weekend while Atlanta heads to Philadelphia to take on the last place Phillies who have lost seven of their last 10 to fall 13 games back in the division. </p>
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<h3>NL East Standings</h3>
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<th></th> <th>W</th> <th>L</th> <th>PCT</th> <th>GB</th> <th>STRK</th>
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<td class="td-name td-first "><a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington</a></td>
<td>48</td>
<td>32</td>
<td>.600</td>
<td>0</td>
<td class="td-last">Won 4</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first "><a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York</a></td>
<td>45</td>
<td>38</td>
<td>.542</td>
<td>4.5</td>
<td class="td-last">Won 1</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first "><a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta</a></td>
<td>43</td>
<td>39</td>
<td>.524</td>
<td>6</td>
<td class="td-last">Won 1</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first "><a href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Miami</a></td>
<td>40</td>
<td>42</td>
<td>.487</td>
<td>9</td>
<td class="td-last">Won 2</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first "><a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Philadelphia</a></td>
<td>37</td>
<td>47</td>
<td>.440</td>
<td>13</td>
<td class="td-last">Lost 1</td>
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<p class="updated">(updated 7.5.2012 at 10:38 PM EDT)</p>
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<p><i>For more on the Atlanta Braves head over to <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>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/7/6/3140335/2012-mlb-standings-bravesKris Willis2012-07-05T22:22:37-04:002012-07-05T22:22:37-04:00Cubs Vs. Braves Final Score: Atlanta Plays Long Ball In 7-3 Win
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> salvaged a split in its four-game series with a 7-3 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> Thursday night at Turner Field. The Atlanta offense woke up and busted out the long ball belting four homers on the night and two in the first inning. </p>
<p><span>Jason Heyward</span> put the Braves on the board early with a two-run homer to right off of Cubs starter <span>Matt Garza</span>. Two batters later <span>Brian McCann</span> followed with his two-run homer and <span>Mike Minor</span> had an early 4-0 lead. </p>
<p>That was plenty enough for Minor who allowed three hits and two earned runs in 6 1/3 innings of work to pick up his fifth win of the season. Matt Garza takes the loss after giving up five hits and five runs in just four innings. </p>
<p>Heyward, McCann, <span>Martin Prado</span> and <span>Freddie Freeman</span> all had two hits each for the Braves. McCann drove in three runs in the game and <span>Juan Francisco</span> added his sixth homer of the season in the eighth to give Atlanta some insurance. </p>
<p>Atlanta will open a three-game set in Philadelphia on Friday before heading into the All-Star break. </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;">Read more on the Braves at <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> and head over to <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold;" href="http://bleedcubbieblue.com/">Bleed Cubbie Blue</a> for the Cubs fans' perspective. <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> is your source for news and analysis around Major League Baseball.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/7/5/3140277/cubs-vs-braves-final-score-jason-heywardKris Willis2012-07-05T17:00:57-04:002012-07-05T17:00:57-04:00Cubs Vs. Braves Starting Lineups: Chipper Jones Gets Day Off On Thursday
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<p><span>Chipper Jones</span> will get a day off on Thursday as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> try to salvage a split in its four-game series against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a>. <span>Juan Francisco</span> will play third and bat eighth in the lineup in place of Jones. <span>Brian McCann</span> also returns to the lineup after sitting out against <span>Paul Maholm</span> on Wednesday. </p>
<p>Here is a look at the full lineups for Thursday's series finale between the Braves and the Cubs:</p>
<p>Atlanta Braves</p>
<p>1. <span>Michael Bourn</span> (L) CF<br>2. <span>Martin Prado</span> (R) LF<br>3. <span>Jason Heyward</span> (L) RF<br>4. <span>Freddie Freeman</span> (L) 1B<br>5. Brian McCann (L) C<br>6. <span>Dan Uggla</span> (R) 2B<br>7. <span>Andrelton Simmons</span> (R) SS<br>8. Juan Francisco (L) 3B<br>9. <span>Mike Minor</span> (R) P</p>
<p>Chicago Cubs</p>
<p>1. <span>David DeJesus</span> (L) CF<br>2. <span>Starlin Castro</span> (R) SS<br>3. <span>Anthony Rizzo</span> (L) 1B<br>4. <span>Alfonso Soriano</span> (R) LF<br>5. <span>Bryan LaHair</span> (L) RF<br>6. <span>Geovany Soto</span> (R) C<br>7. <span>Darwin Barney</span> (R) 2B<br>8. <span>Luis Valbuena</span> (L) 3B<br>9. <span>Matt Garza</span> (R) P</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;">Read more on the Braves at <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> and head over to <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold;" href="http://bleedcubbieblue.com/">Bleed Cubbie Blue</a> for the Cubs fans' perspective. <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> is your source for news and analysis around Major League Baseball.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/7/5/3139654/cubs-vs-braves-starting-lineups-chipper-jonesKris Willis2012-07-05T14:50:23-04:002012-07-05T14:50:23-04:00Jonny Venters Injury: Braves Place Struggling Reliever On Disabled List
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<p>The <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Braves</a> have <a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/07/05/venters-goes-on-dl-lefty-avilan-called-to-majors/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_braves_blog">placed struggling relief pitcher </a><span>Jonny Venters</span> on the disabled list with an elbow injury, as the team tries to figure out why the once dominant reliever has struggled so much in 2012.</p>
<p>The move may have been prompted by Venters' disastrous outing in Atlanta's 5-1 loss to the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Cubs</a> on Wednesday, where Venters allowed a run on a wild pitch and gave up a home run in two consecutive pitches.</p>
<p>On the season, Venters is 3-3 with 4.45 ERA in 32 innings, a far cry from the pitcher who dominated the NL in his first two seasons in MLB. In 2010 and 2011, the 6'3 lefthander had a 1.89 ERA in 164 appearances.</p>
<p>Many speculated that the relief patterns of Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez contributed to Venters struggles at the end of last season, which have been repeated in 2012. However, pitching injuries are still an inexact science, and there's no way to exactly pinpoint why a pitcher heads to the disabled list.</p>
<p>To replace Venters on the roster Atlanta has called up left handed reliever Luis Avilan who spent one day at Triple-A Gwinnett after being promoted from Mississippi. </p>
<p><i>Read more on the Braves at <a href="http://talkingchop.com">Talking Chop</a> and head over to <a href="http://bleedcubbieblue.com">Bleed Cubbie Blue</a> for the Cubs fans' perspective. <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com">Baseball Nation</a> is your source for news and analysis around Major League Baseball.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/7/5/3139370/jonny-venters-atlanta-braves-disabled-listJonathan Tjarks2012-07-05T09:04:38-04:002012-07-05T09:04:38-04:00Braves Vs. Cubs: Game 4 Preview, TV Info And More
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<p>There was very little offense - yet again - in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a>' 5-1 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> on the 4th of July, but two Braves hitters - <span>Martin Prado</span> and <span>Chipper Jones</span> - are working consecutive game hitting streaks of ten and 11 games, respectively, as Atlanta enters the final game of their series with the Cubs on Thursday.</p>
<p>The Braves will look to close out of the first half of the 2012 season with four remaining games (one vs. Chicago, three at Philadelphia) left to try and make up ground in the NL East. Atlanta has fallen to third place in the division, trailing the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> by a game and a half.</p>
<p><b>Date / Time:</b> Thursday, July 5, 7:10 p.m. ET</p>
<p><b>Location:</b> Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia</p>
<p><b>TV:</b> Sports South</p>
<p><b>Radio:</b> WNNX 100.5, WCNN 680</p>
<p><b>Probable Starters:</b> <span>Matt Garza</span> (4-6) vs. <span>Mike Minor</span> (4-6)</p>
<p><i>Read more on the Braves at <a href="http://talkingchop.com">Talking Chop</a> and head over to <a href="http://bleedcubbieblue.com">Bleed Cubbie Blue</a> for the Cubs fans' perspective. <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com">Baseball Nation</a> is your source for news and analysis around Major League Baseball.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/7/5/3138549/braves-vs-cubs-game-4-preview-tv-info-and-moreSteven Godfrey2012-07-05T08:00:45-04:002012-07-05T08:00:45-04:00Jonny Venters' Struggles Putting Braves In Difficult Spot
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<p>The ongoing struggles of <span>Jonny Venters</span> presents a big problem for the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Braves</a> as they close in on the July 31 trade deadline. Venters entered a one-run ball game on Wednesday and promptly allowed two runs to score one on a wild pitch and another on a home run by <span>Jeff Baker</span>. <br>
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<p>Fredi Gonzalez <a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/07/04/braves-quotes-after-wednesdays-loss-to-cubs/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_braves_blog">talked about Venters after the game</a> and didn't elaborate on what he thought was ailing the young pitcher but rather insisted that there will be better days ahead.</p>
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<p>"Well, you've got to feel like you have confidence in the young man and you feel like you see some good outings [like] last night. You feel like yo can get him over the hump, put him in situations where you think he's going to be successful, and then keep going forward. If we don't get him right, and I'm not even talking about last year right, just a good left-handed arm out of the bullpen, we're going to be up against it. We'll keep working. He's got a good frame of mind, and he's working with Roger. And we'll keep going."</p>
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<p>Atlanta has been rumored to be pursuing a starting pitcher like Chicago's <span>Matt Garza</span> or Milwaukee's Zack Greinke. However, Venters struggles could eventually leave the Braves with a giant hole in their bullpen which may not be something that easily fixed at the trade deadline.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/7/5/3138161/jonny-venters-braves-trade-deadlineKris Willis