SB Nation Atlanta - Nationals Vs. Braves: Mike Minor Leads Atlanta To Series Sweephttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2012-09-17T09:01:06-04:00http://atlanta.sbnation.com/rss/stream/30950432012-09-17T09:01:06-04:002012-09-17T09:01:06-04:002012 September Braves Surpass 2011 September Braves' Win Total Over Weekend
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<p>Try to follow that headline if you can, but the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Braves</a> did something amazing over the weekend: as of September 16, the 2012 team has already won more games (10) than the 2011 September Braves did (9).</p>
<p>That's really hard to believe, isn't it? In 16 days the club has already won more games in September than it did all last season.</p>
<p>How did we ever survive the disaster?</p>
<p>Through 15 games in September this year, Atlanta has a team ERA of 3.47, including a 2.81 mark from the bullpen. That's nearly an entire run better than what the 2011 September Braves put up. And while last year's club was hobbling to the finish line offensively, this year's team just pulled off a sweep against the best team record-wise in baseball.</p>
<p>Quite the contrast from last year. And we've still got 15 games left to play.</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/2012/9/17/3345460/2012-september-braves-surpass-2011-september-braves-win-total-overScott Coleman2012-09-16T23:15:49-04:002012-09-16T23:15:49-04:00Nationals Vs. Braves Final Score: Mike Minor Leads Atlanta To Sweep
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> had to sweep the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> this weekend to keep hopes of a National League East championship alive. Two walk-off wins and a 5-1 win on Sunday night later, and the Bravos have a fighting chance with a little more than two weeks remaining.</p>
<p><span>Mike Minor</span> was the story on Sunday night. The young southpaw worked six innings of one-run ball, scattering five hits and two walks. He struck out three. Minor's ERA in the second half of the season is now 2.29 ERA.</p>
<p><span>Gio Gonzalez</span> was not nearly as effective for the Nationals, working his way through five wild innings on the mound. He gave up just two runs on four hits and four walks, although he was pitching in and out of trouble all night.</p>
<p><span>Chipper Jones</span> drove home the first run of the game with an RBI single in the third inning. <span>Freddie Freeman</span> then followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0. Washington cut the deficit in half with a two-out single from <span>Ian Desmond</span> in the sixth that plated <span>Bryce Harper</span>.</p>
<p><span>Jason Heyward</span> grounded out sharply in the seventh inning with runners on the corner. <span>Adam LaRoche</span> touched first and then fired home, but <span>Michael Bourn</span> was able to avoid a tag at the plate to add the third run. <span>Dan Uggla</span> then came up with a huge two-run single to make it 5-1 after seven innings.</p>
<p><span>Luis Avilan</span> and <span>Chad Durbin</span> worked a perfect eighth and ninth inning, respectively, to secure the rainy victory at Turner Field.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/9/16/3344978/nationals-vs-braves-final-scoreScott Coleman2012-09-16T21:52:48-04:002012-09-16T21:52:48-04:00Brian McCann Injury: Braves Catcher To Miss 'A Day Or Two'
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> catcher <span>Brian McCann</span> is still recovering from tendinitis in his right knee and will likely need at least 24 more hours to recover from the injury, which flared up against on Saturday, before he can return to the Braves' lineup.</p>
<p>The Atlanta Journal Constitution <a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/09/16/mccann-still-day-or-two-away-day-of-rest-for-prado/">reports that McCann tweaked the knee</a> on the Braves' recent road trip and felt it again on Saturday when he went into the bullpen to warm up starter <span>Tommy Hanson</span>.</p>
<p>Although McCann started the game, he was pulled in the third inning after the knee never loosened, according to the report.</p>
<p>The Braves open a three-game set on the road against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Miami Marlins</a> on Monday and McCann is expected to miss at least the opener, when <span>Tim Hudson</span> is set to take the mound. The Braves have yet to announce their probable starter for Tuesday's meeting with the Marlins.</p>
<p>Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said McCann could be used in roles other than catcher before he is completely healed.</p>
<p><i>For more Braves coverage, check out <a href="http://www.talkingchop.com/">Talking Chop</a>. </i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/9/16/3344558/brian-mccann-injury-hamstring-bravesAsher Feldman2012-09-16T18:47:33-04:002012-09-16T18:47:33-04:00MLB Standings: Braves Virtually Assured Of Wildcard Berth
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> had a good shot at the Wild Card heading into the weekend, but two straight wins ahead of their Sunday series finale against the division-leading <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a> have made their place in the postseason all but assured. The Braves are 7-3 in their last 10 games, and will only face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Miami Marlins</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Philadelphia Phillies</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pittsburgh Pirates</a> for the remainder of the season.</p>
<p>Even if they don't catch up to the Nationals in the division, the Braves have one of the two Wild Card berths well in hand. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Los Angeles Dodgers</a> are tied for the second spot, but four other teams are hot on their heels.</p>
<p>In the NL Central, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Cincinnati Reds</a> have all but run off and hid with their 11.5 game lead. The NL West seems to be well in hand for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">San Francisco Giants</a>, who have a 7.5 game lead on the Dodgers. <a target="_blank" href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/standings/index.html">Sports Illustrated</a> has a complete look at the standings.</p>
<p><i>For more info on the Braves, check out <a href="http://www.talkingchop.com" target="_blank"><b>Talking Chop</b></a>. Also, don't forget to head over to <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com" target="_blank"><b>Baseball Nation</b></a> for all your MLB needs.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/9/16/3343666/mlb-playoff-standings-2012Peter Berkes2012-09-16T16:41:12-04:002012-09-16T16:41:12-04:00Nationals Vs. Braves Lineups: Brian McCann, Martin Prado Miss Series Finale
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> will go for the sweep of the rival <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> on Sunday night. After two wild walk-off wins the first two games of the series, the Bravos will look for a more convention win this time around. This being said, it is September after all and all wins are created equal at the end of the day.</p>
<p><span>Mike Minor</span> will make the start for Atlanta tonight. Minor has been terrific in recent months, pitching to the tune of a 2.64 ERA since July. He will be opposed by baseball's wins leader, <span>Gio Gonzalez</span>.</p>
<p>The Braves have released their lineup. <span>Brian McCann</span> is out as he deals with hamstring tendinitis, while <span>Martin Prado</span> has a couple of nagging injuries that he's been bothered by the last few weeks.</p>
<p><b>Braves:</b></p>
<p><span>Michael Bourn</span> - CF<br><span>Reed Johnson</span> - LF<br><span>Jason Heyward</span> - RF<br><span>Chipper Jones</span> - 3B<br><span>Freddie Freeman</span> - 1B<br><span>Dan Uggla</span> - 2B<br><span>David Ross</span> - C<br><span>Andrelton Simmons</span> - SS<br>Mike Minor - P</p>
<p>First pitch from Turner Field is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET. ESPN will have the broadcast.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Braves, check out </i><a href="http://talkingchop.com" target="_blank">Talking Chop.</a></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/9/16/3342966/nationals-vs-braves-lineupsScott Coleman2012-09-16T09:24:10-04:002012-09-16T09:24:10-04:00Nationals Vs. Braves Time, TV, Radio Info And More
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<p>The <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Braves</a> go for a three-game sweep of the NL East-leading <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Nationals</a> Sunday night as they look to prevent <span>Gio Gonzalez</span> from becoming the first MLB pitcher to 20 wins this season.</p>
<p>Gonzalez (19-7, 2.93 ERA) actually has struggled against Atlanta this season -- he's posted a 4.86 ERA in 16⅔ innings, though he's won two of those three starts. The Nationals lefty allowed one run in six innings his last time out against the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mets</a>, though he walked five, and has allowed just that one run in his last three starts (22 innings).</p>
<p>If not for <span>Kris Medlen</span>, Braves lefty <span>Mike Minor</span> (8-10, 4.42 ERA) would be getting more love from fans and media. No matter, though -- Minor just continues to pitch masterfully after a dismal first several months of the season. For the month of September, he's allowed just three hits and six walks in 12⅔ innings and has not yielded a run during that span.</p>
<p><b>Game Time: </b>8 p.m. ET</p>
<p><b>TV: </b>ESPN</p>
<p><b>Radio: </b>WCNN 680 AM, WNNX 100.5 FM</p>
<p><i>For more on the Atlanta Braves, head over to <a href="http://talkingchop.com">Talking Chop</a>, and be sure to check out <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com">Baseball Nation</a>, SBNation's MLB hub.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/9/16/3340914/nationals-vs-braves-time-tv-radioFoster Lander2012-09-15T19:33:05-04:002012-09-15T19:33:05-04:00Nationals Vs. Braves Final Score: Atlanta Wins 5-4 Thanks To Hit Batsman RBI
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<p>After winning Friday night's game with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a> on a walk-off throwing error. the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> found another ugly way to win Saturday afternoon. Washington reliever Ryan Mattheu hit rookie <span>Andrelton Simmons</span> in the bottom of the eighth to score <span>Jeff Baker</span> and give the Braves a 5-4 win.</p>
<p>Braves starter <span>Tommy Hanson</span> didn't come out sharp: <span>Adam LaRoche</span> hit a two-run shot in the first inning to give the Nats a 2-0 lead, then in the second Hanson committed a throwing error on an <span>Edwin Jackson</span> bunt that let two more Washington baserunners score. Hanson was relieved after five innings; he struck out seven and allowed four hits and a walk.</p>
<p><span>Dan Uggla</span> drove in <span>Freddie Freeman</span> with a double off Jackson in the bottom of the second to make the score 4-1 Washington. Freeman hit a solo home run in the fourth, and <span>Jason Heyward</span> homered in the sixth with <span>Martin Prado</span> on board to tie the game.</p>
<p><span>Craig Kimbrel</span> struck out the side in the ninth for his 36th save of 2012. Eric O'Flaherty pitched a scoreless eighth and was credited with the win.</p>
<p>The Braves win reduced the Nationals' lead in the NL East to 6 1/2 games. The Braves have 16 games left to play, the Nats 18.</p>
<p><i>Stick with <a href="http://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/9/14/3331002/nationals-vs-braves-schedule-score" target="_blank">this StoryStream</a> for more updates on this Braves vs. Nationals series. For more on the Braves, head over to <a href="http://www.talkingchop.com/" target="_blank">Talking Chop</a>. For more on the Nationals, please visit <a href="http://www.federalbaseball.com/" target="_blank">Federal Baseball</a>.</i></p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/9/15/3339162/nationals-vs-braves-final-score-atlanta-wins-5-4-thanks-to-hitJosh Brokaw2012-09-15T14:25:49-04:002012-09-15T14:25:49-04:00Nationals Vs. Braves Starting Lineups: Tommy Hanson vs. Edwin Jackson In Game 2
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> look to build a little momentum off their walk-off win last night, and take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a> for the second game of their three game set this afternoon. <span>Tommy Hanson</span> (12-8, 4.35 ERA) takes the hill for the Braves, with <span>Edwin Jackson</span> (9-10, 3.85 ERA) doing the same for the Nationals. A win today would give the Braves the series win.</p>
<p>The Braves lineup (<a href="http://twitter.com/mlbbowman/status/247025727529185281" target="_blank">via</a>): <br>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>Brian McCann</span> (L) C<br>5. <span>Freddie Freeman</span> (L) 1B<br>6. <span>Dan Uggla</span> (R) 2B<br>7. <span>Juan Francisco</span> (L) 3B<br>8. <span>Andrelton Simmons</span> (R) SS<br>9. Tommy Hanson (L) P</p>
<p>The Nationals lineup (<a href="http://twitter.com/acomak/status/247026456318836737" target="_blank">via</a>):<br>1. <span>Jayson Werth</span> (R) RF<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>Ian Desmond</span> (R) SS<br>6. <span>Danny Espinosa</span> (S) 2B<br>7. <span>Jesus Flores</span> (R) C<br>8. <span>Steve Lombardozzi</span> (S) LF<br>9. Edwin Jackson (R) P</p>
<p>First pitch is set for 4:05 p.m. ET.</p>
<p><i>Stick with <a href="http://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/9/14/3331002/nationals-vs-braves-schedule-score" target="_blank">this StoryStream</a> for more updates on this Braves vs. Nationals series. For more on the Braves, head over to <a href="http://www.talkingchop.com/" target="_blank">Talking Chop</a>. For more on the Nationals, please visit <a href="http://www.federalbaseball.com/" target="_blank">Federal Baseball</a>.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/9/15/3337892/nationals-vs-braves-lineupsPeter Berkes