The Atlanta Braves close out their Grapefruit League slate with back-to-back games against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday and Saturday. Unfortunately for Braves Country, the result of the penultimate contest was less than desirable, as the Braves fell to the Orioles by a final of 3-2.
Shelby Miller took the mound for his final outing of the Spring, and it was an up and down effort. Miller allowed three earned runs on six hits and one walk over five innings, with the majority of damage coming in the first two frames. Miller was sharp at times, leading to several positive statements from the right-hander after the game, but it was far from a lights-out performance.
Offensively, it was also a mixed bag. Kelly Johnson furthered his apparent stranglehold on the left-handed side of the left field platoon with a strong performance, going 1-for-2 with 2 walks and an RBI, and Eric Young Jr. finished the day with a productive 2-for-4 output from the leadoff spot. Still, the Braves managed only 2 runs and 5 hits in the game, and this could be an alarming familiar conundrum when the season begins.
Perhaps the most encouraging part of the day was the showing from the bullpen, and especially that of Jim Johnson. Johnson struck out two batters in a scoreless 7th inning, and Luis Avilan (who is almost assuredly going to begin the season in the 'pen) also produced a scoreless frame with a strikeout of his own. Juan Jaime was dominant in his own right, striking out the side in the eighth, and that cements his immense upside if the power pitcher can get his walk rate (he did issue a free pass in this game) under control.
The Spring Training schedule will come to a close on Saturday, when the Braves and Orioles get together for a 3:05 pm ET first pitch. Stay tuned throughout for the latest, including updates on the inevitable roster decisions to come in the next 24-48 hours.