Atlanta Braves experience 1-3 defeat against Cincinnati Reds at Turner Field - MLB Update
Atlanta Braves lose to Cincinnati Reds 1-3 as their reliever Jonny Venters allows two runs in the eighth inning at Turner Field, Atlanta during their first game of the two match series on May 14, 2012.
In a low scoring game, the Braves loosened their momentum in later part of the play. While couple of scoreless innings will have ensured the tie, it was their reliever Venters who let them down.
Braves did not generate the kind of hits they have been witnessing from their offence throughout the season. They had just eight hits in 33 at-bats.
Despite having a few below-par games, Jones maintains batting average of .300 and slugging percentage .500 in the season. He is few RBIs short of reaching the milestone as a third-baseman and go past Mike Schmidt and George Brett, two legendary third-basemen.
Second baseman, Dan Uggla went hitless.
Catcher Brian McCann is not being consistent. Home runs in handful of games apart, he has struggled to find connections by and large.
Randall Delgado did the great job as a starter for the Braves. As he stood for little more than six innings, he struck-out four. By giving up just one run in four hits, he lived up to expectation of his manager.
Venters talked about his time on the mound. While admitting couple of poor throws led to his melt-down, in general his arms were revolving fine, he said.
"My arm feels good," Venters said. "I'm not making the pitches."I'm making a lot of non-competitive pitches. Pitches that guys aren't even thinking about offering at. And then making even worse pitches over the plate and they're hitting the ball hard."
Following Venters, Livan Hernandez came to assume the mound and did the closing job. He pitched one scoreless inning, but it was of no use as the Braves were already trailing by two runs.
Second baseman, Brandon Phillips wreaked most of the damage to the Braves. During the penultimate innings, double he struck led to the Reds moving past the Braves. Since innings were about to end, it was not easier for their hitters to reply back.
Irrespective of an outcome of the game, the Braves will draw positives from their starting pitcher and how he effectively he threw.
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