Atlanta Braves beat Washington Nationals 6-5 in Spring Training - MLB Update
Finally the Atlanta Braves experience a victory in Spring Training by defeating Washington Nationals 6-5 on March 14, 2012 at Champion Stadium in Kissimmee, Florida during their Grapefruit League encounter, while being largely helped by Dan Uggla and Brian
McCann.
By no means, was it an easy win for the Braves as they had to play out of their skin to go past the Nationals in the eighth. Although they jumped to a two run lead in the first, a strong reply in the fourth by the Nationals pushed them back a little before
they restored their lead again in the same inning. Afterwards as three scoreless innings passed, it looked as if the Braves’ lead will stay until the end. However, Nationals almost turned the tables in eighth by adding two runs. Credit to Braves, they managed
a win in the end by re-establishing their lead in the same inning.
Stephen Strasburg looked a little rusty while trying to throw his fastball in a hopeless attempt to get results and the fact his command dithered every time he did, he was punished rightfully. In four innings he stayed on the mound, he gave up five hits,
four earned runs and two walks, while bringing only one strike-out.
It's going to get better," Strasburg said. "I have to remind myself that it is spring training."
Manager Johnson is of the view that only if he streamlines his control, he can easily come back to what he actually is.
Searching desperately for a win, Braves finally made it but their biggest worry is still there and that is their pitchers. From the day one it is their pitchers who have let them down while their batters have stepped up on almost every occasion.
Their starter Julio Teheran pitched for four innings and received five hits, three earned runs including two homers.
Three homers coming off Braves’ batters are in a stark contrast to only four home-runs they had managed until this game in Spring Training. Among their homers perhaps the most valuable is the one that came in eighth inning when Jordan Parraz slammed a hit
and tied the game. After the game was tied, Luis Durango completed his run with a hit and sealed the victory.
Braves will be looking to take their winning momentum into their upcoming games.
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