Braves News:
Wood Hurls Complete Game And Gets The Loss
Alex Wood provided yet another sensational start on Thursday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park as he went the distance and allowed nine runners to reach base while striking out seven. Unfortunately for the 23-year old southpaw's cause he had no offense to work with and this marks the second time this year his team has scored less than one run for him in a start. For much of the game he appeared to be the more dominant pitcher between he and A.J. Burnett. Wood is now 2-2 on the season with a 1.67 ERA to make him one of four pitchers in the rotation to have an earned run average under 2.00 so far this season. In the series with the Phillies the Braves starting pitchers went 23 innings and only gave up two earned runs while pitching two complete games. Check out the game photos that Mitchell Leff took of the series finale between the two rival NL East teams.
Timeline Revealed For Construction Of New Stadium (Slideshow with important dates)
The goodbye tour at Turner Stadium will not officially begin until the last year the Atlanta Braves play their home games in the former Olympic Stadium, but it's never too early to start taking it all in. Construction of the new stadium, which will be located in Cobb County, will begin in mid-Feb. 2015. Our very own Jane Hammond made a handy-dandy slideshow for you all to visualize just how quickly this masterpiece will come together.
Gattis Rests To Phillies Relief (AJC)
Just to be frank, Evan Gattis uses Citizens Bank Ballpark as his launching pad. If he ever played a full season there, which we all hope he never does, he'd probably hit 50 home runs. Luckily for the opposition on Thursday afternoon he was out of the lineup after catching the night before and leading the way to victory along with Julio Teheran, as he went 4-for-4 (career high) with a solo home run. In 24 at-bats at CBP he has now slugged five home runs, which included three in the Braves series win. After starting off the season 3-for-16 at the dish he has turned it around and has three back-to-back multi hit games in which he has gone 9-for-13 with five runs batted in. He has the best average (.378) of any catcher in the NL right now and his career slugging percentage is up to .506. The legend of El Oso Blanco continues.
Simmons Has It Together Despite First Strikeout Of '14 Season (MLB.com)
We all knew that Simba is the best defensive shortstop in the game, but little did anyone expect the Braves platinum and gold glove winner to not strikeout at the plate until in his 52nd plate appearance of the season. His contact percentage of 91.6% currently ranks seventh best in baseball and second best in the NL behind the infamous Charlie Blackmon. Last season Andrelton Simmons showed us all his pop, but now this year he is trying to make the case that he can hit for a high average as well to make him an even more complete player. So far he is third on the team in hits (16) and has the second best average (.333) of any shortstop in Major League Baseball.
Starters Leading The Way (MLB.com)
The Braves starting pitching rotation has still yet to give up more than three runs in a single start this season and they have held opposing hitters to a .210 batting average so far. When you have a rotation pitching the way they have been so far you simply don't lose many games.
Harang Looks To Continue Success Tonight At Citi Field (MLB.com)
Aaron Harang and Ervin Santana have down right been huge in the rotation to start their first season in Braves uniforms. The two have both benefited in great ways since crossing over to the National League of play. The key for Harang and any Braves pitcher in this series is to keep Eric Young Jr. off base. He stole five bases in their previous series last week. So far the 6-foot-7 hurler has posted an 8.2 SO/9 ratio and held opposing hitters to a .141 batting average (9-of-64) in three starts.
Atlanta Mayor Has Received Multiple Offers On Turner Field (AJC)
Not only has Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed reported that the current home of the Braves has had several offers, but it is assured that Hank Aaron's monument of his 715th home run will be preserved from the construction work that will happen in the years to come.
J-UP Set To Take Fans Questions In Edwin Jones Chatting Cage
Justin Upton will come on at 2:30 p.m. ET in the Edwin Jones Chatting Cage to answer fans questions and share tips with his biggest fans. Follow the link to tune in live.
LEAGE WIDE NEWS:
Hamels On Track To Join Phillies Next Week (NBC Sports)
Cole Hamels made his longest rehab start of the year going seven sharp innings and only gave up three hits and one run. Hamels and Cliff Lee look to be a legitimate one-two punch for the Phillies this season after they compiled a mediocre 22-22 record between themselves last season.
First Triple Play Of The Season (MLB.com)
CC Sabbathia was perhaps the happiest man on the mound last night. Not only did he receive amazing run support, but his defense also turned a 5-4-3 ground ball double play to get him out of the inning in the Yankees 10-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Wainwright Hurls Complete Game Shutout Against Nats (MLB.com)
Adam Wainwright and the St. Louis Cardinals shut down the Washington Nationals entirely on Thursday night, as he pitched a two-hit shutout in the 8-0 win. He also has helped out his own cause this season and is 4-for-9 from the dish with two runs scored.
The Yasiel Puig Show (Yahoo Sports)
Yesterday Yasiel Puig showed us all why fans still have yet to understand him as a ball player, as he missed an easy pop fly then made a Willie Mays like catch at none other than the San Francisco Giants ballpark yesterday. He never fails to disappoint.