Braves News
Losing Streak Extends To Five Games For Braves
The L's just keep on coming, and not even Julio Teheran could lift the Braves out of their losing streak as they fell last night to the Giants, 3-1. Just as San Francisco did last night, all 3 of the Giants runs tonight came from the home run ball, and just as Atlanta did, the Braves wasted their opportunities with runners in scoring position on a regular basis. Atlanta will now try to avoid getting swept for 2 series in a row during tomorrow afternoon's affair.
Braves, Giants, Wear Special Throwbacks
We're barely into May and the Braves have already had their 2nd throwback night of the season. This time, the uniforms worn on the field were intended to mark the occasion of the first annual Atlanta Braves Heritage Weekend. The Braves wore the uniforms of the Atlanta Black Crackers (the same ones that they wore last season), while the Giants participated by wearing San Francisco Sea Lions uniforms (which had a bear cub on the front of the jersey. Go figure.).
Braves Sign Johnson To Contract Extension
In case you may have missed it during the cavalcade of losing that took place for most of this past week, the Braves signed Chris Johnson to a 3-year, $23 MM contract extension, with a team option for a 4th season worth $10 MM. While most of us here at Talking Chop are a bit skeptical over the deal, Braves GM Frank Wren is pretty confident in the deal, and he expressed so in Mark Bowman's article on the deal.
"I think the deal made sense for both sides as we looked at it," Braves general manager Frank Wren said. "He was looking for stability and we were looking to have a solid player at a tough position to man.
"Chris is 29 years old. When this contract is over, he's 32. We all feel like that is when they're in their prime. So it was another example of tying up a player long term, but not extending beyond their prime."
Huddy's Happy To Not Have To Hassle Braves
The San Francisco Giants' annual visit to Atlanta meant that one of the most beloved Braves in recent memory would be making his return to Turner Field: Tim Hudson. However, the 38-year old pitcher who spent 9 productive seasons with the Braves won't be pitching against them this weekend, and he expressed that he was glad to not have to face his old team. Instead, Hudson (who currently has a 2.17 ERA and 2.82 FIP through 4 starts and is clearly enjoying the pitcher's park in San Francisco) is using the time to catch up with old friends from the Braves and his family who came to see the games.
Floyd Will Be Activated On Sunday
After successfully recovering from Tommy John surgery, Gavin Floyd will be activated to the Braves' main roster for today's game against the Giants. However, with the emergence of Alex Wood and Aaron Harang as solid rotation hands, there is a question as to whether or not Floyd will come out of the gate as a starter or if he'll be a reliever.
League Wide News
Lester Dominates A's As Red Sox Win 6-3
Jon Lester was on top of his game yesterday, as he pitched 8 innings of shutout ball with a career-high 15 strikeouts as the Red Sox beat Oakland by 3. In addition, Jonny Gomes hit a grand slam to give the Sox their first 4 runs of the day, and it's the second consecutive day in which the defending World Series champions have hit a grand slam. Yesterday's grand slam came from Dustin Pedroia, which was the 100th HR of his career.
Oblique Strain Forces Braun To DL
A few days after being diagnosed with a strained oblique, Brewers star OF Ryan Braun has now been placed on the 15-Day DL due to the injury. Braun suffered the injury on April 26th against the Cubs and most figured that he'd only be out 2-5 days. Instead, the earliest that he can return is on the 12th, which means that the hot Brewers will now have to make do without one of their key players.
Jeter Hits Dubious Mark In Friday's Loss
Derek Jeter has done a lot of things in his career. He's won World Series rings, he's won numerous individual accolades, and he's hit many statistical milestones. On Friday, however, Jeter did something for the Yankees that he's never done before: He went 0-7. In 20 Major League seasons, the legendary shortstop never went hitless in 7 at bats in a game, but he did it during the Yankees' 10-5 extra inning loss against the Rays.