Braves Report

Let me first start off by saying that I’m very happy with the way the season (2 games) has been going. The offense strikes early, the starting pitching holds the other team in check, and the bullpen does a pretty good job at not losing. Yeah, I’d have to say that this is completely unlike last season. So, onto tonight.

Jurrjens was on the mound and looked pretty solid. 5 and 2/3 innings pitched, 0 runs, 4 hits, 2 K’s, and 3 BB’s. The only thing troubling was some of the walks, but he always managed to work himself out of them. Eric O’Flaherty, a lefty specialist, relieved him after Bennett gave up a hit, and he went on another inning without any drama. Soriano and Gonzo each pitched an inning of their own, nearly perfectly. Overall, a quiet night for the pitching staff, which indicates some stability that this team sorely lacked last year.

As far as the offense is concerned, they were on the ball again tonight (bad pun). Kelly Johnson drove the first pitch of the game into the right field seats. Later that inning, Chipper scored on a fielding error by Chase Utley, and cleanly slid past home for the second run of the game. In the 4th, KJ singled in Francoeur. To follow his lead, Chipper hit the first pitch of the 5th inning over the left field fence. On the whole, the offense managed 8 hits, which isn’t too shabby at all.

Braves win, 4 – 0.

Series finale: Wednesday @ Phillies.

3:05 PM EST. Vazquez vs. Blanton, where they’ll try and complete the sweep. It should be a good one.

Feel free to join in the discussion of the game with us on our new forums.