Philadelphia Phillies beat Atlanta Braves 6-4 in Spring Training - MLB Update
Poor show by Adam Russell and Jair Jurrjens takes Atlanta Braves to a 4-6 defeat against Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Networks in Clearwater, Florida during their Spring Training Grapefruit League encounter on March 15, 2012.
Regardless of score Braves managed in the end, they will be disappointed from their hitters who found just six hits in total 31 at-bats, much lower than the hits Phillies were able to generate in their 38 at-bats. Their first six batters went without scoring
including Michael Bourn and their pinch hitter Christian Bethancourt.
However Braves' second baseman Dan Uggla continues from his last game performance and while facing three at-bats, he caused one RBI and completed one run. Down the line came Matt Diaz who made one hit on three at-bats and one that he connected was sent for
a homer.
As Braves’ pitchers betray them again and their starter Jurrjens concedes four earned runs in four innings he spent on the mound, improvement in this area is imperative for their success in upcoming games.
Phillies can take lot of positives from the way their reliever Dontrelle Willis finished the game as a winner for the side. Only inning he pitched pushed Braves way behind from the lead as he went through scoreless along with a valuable fly ball and double
play grounder he drew from the batters.
"That was a big play," Willis said. "That's the kind of situation that I'll get put in and I'm facing guys I might face in the big leagues. I'm taking this task seriously because it's the first time I've done it."
Importance of Willis’ performance can be seen in light of a poor start coming off Phillies’ starter Joe Blanton who gave up three earned runs in five innings while being sent for a homer once in one of four hits he was thrashed.
Two hits, one run and one RBI by Phillies' shortstop Jimmy Rollins will mean more than just a good performance. As he is one of those players club is going to count on heavily, his showing comfort on the plate reflects his preparations for the season.
Recording their 11th Spring Training defeat certainly will concern the Braves’ management immensely as with this kind of performance they can only expect things to get worse in the regular season.
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