Detroit Tigers breeze past Atlanta Braves in a one side Spring Training game – MLB Update
Detroit Tigers were quite outstanding in their first Spring Training game as they thrashed Atlanta Braves 18-3 in a completely one sided contest at the Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida. The Tigers’ hitting lineup made the most of available opportunities to make Braves’ pitchers run for their money. Hitting almost all the balls toward the right field, the Tigers’ batters used the conditions to a great effect.
Prince Fielder, who was signed for a nine year $214 million contract, hit a towering home run and Ryan Raburn also joined the party, hitting two shots including a gigantic grand slam. Braves’ pitcher Julio Teheran’s Spring Training debut proved to be a disaster as he went for six home runs in only two innings pitched. Teheran struggled to cope with the strong wind blowing out to right field and the Tigers’ batters made him pay heavily for his unforced errors.
In some ways, Teheran was extremely unlucky as the conditions were not suitable for pitching at all. Any starter would have struggled to control his throws in those windy conditions. Teheran displayed some high quality pitching skills last season in Braves minor league system. Allowing only five home runs in his entire season, he earned a sensational 15-3 win-loss record. The guy was hoping to secure a pitching spot in Braves’ rotation and he will be extremely disappointed with the outcome of his last game.
"It was a tough day for anyone to pitch," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "With the conditions we had today, I am not about to count anyone out. When the wind is blowing the way it was today, all you are asking for is trouble."
"This was just one of those silly games," he said. "Everything hit into the wind toward right field helped. It was just a freak thing. We just kept hitting everything to right field so that doesn't say anything about (Teheran). I don't like winning games like that."
The Tigers made a very strong start to the contest. Alex Avila looked on top of his game play as he hit a home run early in the game to let the Tigers take 4 run lead in the first innings. The hitters continued their onslaught in second innings as well and Raburn and Brennan Boesch homered to help the Tigers take complete control of the situation.
Fielder hit a home run into the wind towards right field and Jhonny Peralta and Austin Jackson followed with two more and the Tigers romp past the Braves. It will be interesting to see if the Tigers hitting lineup can post similar number in pitching friendly conditions. Braves, on the other hand, will be hoping to come back strongly in their next Spring Training game.
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