Atlanta Braves sink in Spring Training losing 1-2 to Baltimore Orioles - MLB Update
Atlanta Braves pile on defeats as they lose 1-2 to Baltimore Orioles on March 8, 2012 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida during their Spring Training Grapefruit encounter with Eric Hinske scoring the only homer for the side.
It was low scoring match and first score came after passage of six innings showing a tight grip maintained by both teams for most part of the game.
Even after defeat Braves can derive some positives from the way their starter Mike Minor threw three scoreless innings. In light of the fact Braves have been struggling to find quality pitchers, composure shown by Minor on the mound spells a sigh of relief
for the management.
As continued losses hurt any side, seeing Braves’ manager Fredi Gonzalez extremely disappointed after the play is no surprise. Troubled by the fact, club scored just seven in all of their defeats experienced so far, he is worried of the mindset these losses
will result in the players and possible reflection of the same during the long regular season.
"You want to win ballgames because it's a mindset you want to take to the season," Gonzalez said.
Braves’ reliever and closer Jaye Chapman and J.J Hoover gave up hits and both conceded one earned run. Although Chapman was able to get one strike-out, Hoover did not get even a single and instead he allowed two avoidable walks.
If Braves were unable to maintain their lead in final inning, Orioles also had a rough time at the beginning as starter Minor made them toil for striking hits and scoring runs.
So far Minor is having a great time during Spring Training not conceding any score in five innings he has pitched. Both Minor and backup catcher David Ross have been making strategies together regarding pitching variations, change-up fastballs and many others
and that has worked.
"He wants to mix it up a little bit -- get in game mode instead of just throwing fastballs and trying to find the strike zone. This time, we threw a lot of change ups and breaking balls," Minor said.
The sooner the Braves get out of the languished feelings the better. With their manager not happy and hitters not giving good starts, it will take something out of the ordinary for the team to taste victory.
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