Atlanta Braves lose 3-4 to St. Louis Cardinals in close Spring Training game - MLB Update
Starter Randall Delgado allows three walks and two earned runs as Atlanta Braves lose 3-4 to St. Louis Cardinals at Champion Stadium in Kissimmee, Florida in their Spring Training Grapefruit League contest on March 19, 2012.
Braves sent only Julio Teheran and Delgado on the mound (competitors for the fifth spot starter on opening day). Both looked ordinary as Delgado gave up three hits and was hammered for a homer once.
Delgado repented his one pitch on which he was hit a homer by Matt Carpenter.
"I'm getting better every start," said Delgado. "I left the changeup up. It tried to get too perfect."
Braves' reliever Teheran conceded two runs, two walks, five hits in four innings he pitched.
Braves will be pleased as their catcher Brian McCann gave a glimpse of him getting back to his normal best steadily as he hit first homer of Spring Training in the game. In three at-bats, he made one hit, brought one RBI and scored one run himself.
As he had confessed that bulk of blame for last year poor performance falls on him, he had been trying hard since then to prove a point. The fact he aims to lift the side with his all-round show this season, his today’s outing will prove extremely valuable
for him.
Braves' right and centre-fielder Jason Heyward got one hit in four at-bats and completed one run. Their shortstop,
Andrelton Simmons however failed to connect even a single hit in four at-bats.
While Braves got all of their pitches thrown from only two players, Cardinals provided most of their pitchers a chance to experience a time on the mound. Only Cardinals' starter, Lance Lynn spent five innings on the mound whereas pitchers who followed him
were called up immediately after one inning.
Lynn took two strike-outs, gave one walk and conceded one run on two hits he was thrashed. Only pitcher from Cardinals’ side who was hit a homer was Mitchell Boggs.
Braves can take solace from the fact that even in the loss their pitchers have thrown tirelessly on the mound. Thus, their manager Fredi Gonzalez will have more options to use his pitchers appropriately on opening day.
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