Atlanta Braves beat Houston Astros 9-5 in Spring Training Grapefruit League - MLB Update
Tommy Hanson makes a dramatic entry in Spring Training as he leads Atlanta Braves to a 9-5 win against Houston Astros at Champion Stadium in Kissimmee, Florida on March 16, 2012 during their Grapefruit League game.
Hardly was it expected that after trailing by one run, Braves will come back strongly by scoring five runs in their first inning. Braves designated hitter Michael Bourn set them to an auspicious start as he generated two RBIs and finished with one run in
four at-bats.
Brian McCann, Braves catcher experienced arguably his best outing so far in training. He added one run, along with two hits he struck in three at-bats.
What Braves will be most happy about after match is an amazing power Jason Heyward displayed in the game as he earned his side a grand slam with a thumping hit. Out of four at-bats, one run, one hit and best of all the four RBIs he brought to his side proved
extremely valuable in the end.
"He had a great at-bat," Braves’ manager Fredi Gonzalez said while praising the way he drew a grand slam. "He was aggressive and that is what we want to see."
Astros in a sharp contrast to Braves saw only few of their batters finding hits and scoring runs. Almost half of their score came off their centre-fielder Jordan Schafer who alone added two runs.
Astros' starter Wandy Rodriguez bore the brunt of Heyward’s hits as he ended up giving up seven earned runs in over three innings he pitched, including two homers and two walks.
"I tried to throw a two-seamer, but it didn't move and stayed in," Rodriguez said. "I know he has power. He hit that one a long way."
Draw Rodriguez out from Astros’ side and one can easily conclude that on the whole their pitchers had done fairly good job. With relievers Henry Sosa, David Carpenter and Jose Valdez going scoreless in over three innings they stayed on the mound.
Still far from even reasonable performance in Spring Training, victory will go on to render confidence into the whole side. Especially under a fact that their ace, Tommy Hanson, spent a great time on the mound, unlike most of their pitchers who are having
a terrible time there so far in training.
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