Battery Power - August 10: Phillies 13, Braves 8Your one stop shop for everything Atlanta Braveshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52890/favicon-32x32..png2020-08-10T22:00:00-04:00http://www.batterypower.com/rss/stream/211271832020-08-10T22:00:00-04:002020-08-10T22:00:00-04:00Nick Markakis records 500th double of his career
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<figcaption>Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Markakis is the 64th player in Major League history with at least 500 career doubles</p> <p id="x6Hny6"><span>Nick Markakis</span> reached a milestone Monday with the 500th double of his career during the 9th inning of the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> loss to the <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a>.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congrats, Nick!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheA</a> <a href="https://t.co/6HmEh6HEhb">pic.twitter.com/6HmEh6HEhb</a></p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1292986950346055682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2020</a>
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<p id="0jJNpw"><span>Markakis</span> is just the 64th player in Major League history to record at least 500 doubles in a career. <span>Albert Pujols</span> (662), <span>Miguel Cabrera</span> (577) and <span>Robinson Cano</span> (564) are the only active players with more career doubles than <span>Markakis</span>. </p>
<p id="4lFWqY">Since joining the Braves in 2015, Markakis has recorded 184 doubles which is the 10th most in the majors over that span and is second on the team to <span>Freddie Freeman</span> who has 186. His 184 career doubles ranks 22nd on the Braves’ all-time list. Hank Aaron is first with 600 while <span>Freeman</span> is the active leader with 322. </p>
<p id="8ptPVs">Markakis became the first player in franchise history to record at least 35 doubles in four consecutive seasons from 2015-2018. <span>Chipper Jones</span> and Hank Aaron are the only players who have more 35-double seasons in their Braves career than Markakis.</p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2020/8/10/21360042/mlb-milestones-nick-markakis-records-500th-double-atlanta-bravesKris Willis2020-08-10T21:21:17-04:002020-08-10T21:21:17-04:00Braves option Sean Newcomb to minor league camp
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<img alt="Atlanta Braves v Philadelphia Phillies" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/el9h9FTjyrrSkpmWqk46jFqFpiw=/0x0:3500x2333/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67184799/1227994703.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>2020 has not gone well for Newcomb, who holds a 11.20 ERA after four starts </p> <p id="ZpGaeP">The Atlanta Braves have optioned struggling left-handed pitcher Sean Newcomb to their Gwinnett satellite site, according to manager Brian Snitker.</p>
<p id="0CJkas">Newcomb pitched poorly once again on Monday night in the series finale against the Phillies, getting rocked for 8 runs on six hits and two walks in just 1 <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings. His ERA for the season rose to 11.20, and it was becoming apparently the Braves could no longer justifiably hand him the ball anymore in a season where every game matters.</p>
<p id="QcpoT9">The Braves will presumably announce the corresponding roster move on Tuesday prior to their game in New York against the Yankees.</p>
<p id="a1727X">There was some guarded optimism for Newcomb in 2020 following an improved 2019 campaign in the bullpen, but clearly that has not translated. Newcomb’s strikeout rates had dropped, and while he was walking a few batters less than his career norms, he was getting pulverized by the long ball. </p>
<p id="Sjbwpo">Newcomb joins fellow starter Mike Foltynewicz as Braves starting rotation members quickly jettisoned to the Gwinnett site immediately following a poor performance.</p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2020/8/10/21362854/sean-newcomb-braves-minor-leagues-demotionScott Coleman2020-08-10T21:05:55-04:002020-08-10T21:05:55-04:00Newcomb crumbles as Braves fall 13-8
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<figcaption>Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Phillies’ bullpen made this one look closer than it actually was</p> <p id="9oh4dq">The <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> lost an ugly one to Philadelphia, 13-8.</p>
<p id="bWuSLE">For the third consecutive Monday, the Braves may have to make another post-game tweak to their rotation. After DFA’ing <span>Mike Foltynewicz</span> two weeks ago after a subpar Monday night performance against the <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a>, and losing <span>Mike Soroka</span> to an Achilles injury seven days ago, it was <span>Sean Newcomb</span>’s turn for some Monday unpleasantness.</p>
<p id="yAFxvf"><span>Newcomb</span>, when given an opportunity to lock down a rotation spot for the foreseeable future, put up the worst start of his career, allowing eight runs - all earned - to cross the plate while logging only four outs. It was a tragedy, and an undeniable low point for Newk. Whether his spot is safe in the rotation remains to be seen, but the Braves certainly cannot afford to endure another outing like this.</p>
<p id="cEouXg">The <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> got on <span>Newcomb</span> early and often, galloping out to a 3-0 lead on a <span>Bryce Harper</span> home run before the first out was recorded. After <span>Newcomb</span> calmed down a bit and closed out the inning, and <span>Travis d’Arnaud</span> hit a long home run in the top of the second, the game quickly seemed back within reach.</p>
<p id="RTPMcT">Then, in the second, things went haywire. A <span>Roman Quinn</span> home run was the catalyst for a prolific outburst from the Phillies, stringing together a single, walk, scary HBP to <span>Bryce Harper</span>, and RBI single to JT Realmuto. After 47 pitches, he was finished.</p>
<p id="a6sMnP">Fresh off the waiver wire, <span>Robbie Erlin</span> entered in <span>Newcomb</span>’s wake and now finds himself as the answer to a trivia question - which Braves reliever allowed a grand slam on the first pitch in the Braves uniform? That’s right - it took one unfortunately located curveball to <span>Didi Gregorius</span> to stretch Philly’s lead to 9-1.</p>
<p id="NHTSUY"><span>Erlin</span> was a trouper in this game, shouldering the load that the Braves had hoped would fall to Newcomb. His 2 ⅔ innings helped bridge to the back of the bullpen, and he managed to strike out five Phillies along the way. Alas, he also surrendered two home runs after the Didi slam and when he left, it was 12-1.</p>
<p id="I8MGpU"><span>Grant Dayton</span>, <span>Shane Greene</span>, and <span>A.J. Minter</span> all saw action between the fifth and the eighth innings, combining to allow one unearned run.</p>
<p id="uBkr3J">In the ninth inning, <span>Nick Pivetta</span> relieved Nola and promptly gave up a solo shot to <span>Johan Camargo</span>. Following a few infield hits, <span>Charlie Culberson</span> doubled off the wall to score <span>Ender Inciarte</span>, then a <span>Marcell Ozuna</span> sac fly scored <span>Adeiny Hechavarria</span>. Following a <span>Travis d’Arnaud</span> double, the Braves found themselves down 13-5.</p>
<p id="5dsY1Q">Congratulations go out to <span>Nick Markakis</span>, who slapped a double into the corner for his 500th career double to make it 13-6.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Career double No. 500 for Nick Markakis <a href="https://t.co/GhnmPJeZH5">pic.twitter.com/GhnmPJeZH5</a></p>— FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSportsBraves/status/1292987863332728832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2020</a>
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<p id="gLD03s">A long <span>Austin Riley</span> home run shrunk the lead to 13-8.</p>
<p id="9E5Zg3">The Braves will likely have to make a roster move or two tomorrow, at least one to provide a fresh arm after Erlin threw 43 pitches. He would have to be DFA’d. Newcomb still has two options remaining, so it is not out of the question he could be jettisoned to the Gwinnett alternate training site. We will provide any updates on roster moves as we get word.</p>
<p id="x9brgG">The 11-7 Braves will now travel to New York to face the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> for two games.</p>
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https://www.batterypower.com/2020/8/10/21362813/sean-newcomb-crumbles-atlanta-braves-fall-to-philadelphia-phillies-13-8Doc Herbert2020-08-10T17:30:00-04:002020-08-10T17:30:00-04:00Braves vs. Phillies, August 10, 2020: Game Thread & Discussion
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<img alt="Atlanta Braves v Philadelphia Phillies - Game One" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Bfhdp7m8qVMBXDPLOZxnF2fL7eU=/0x0:3600x2400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67183856/1227979804.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>Here’s to hoping Sunday’s momentum rolls into Monday</em></p> <p id="7qyq7y">The <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> will close their four-game series against the <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> tonight. A win means a series victory, while a loss results in a split.</p>
<p id="DFDhQu">To nail down a win tonight - and for the series - they will turn to start-turned-reliever-turned-back-into-starter <span>Sean Newcomb</span>. Newk flashed positive steps during his most recent start against Toronto, and he will face a Phillies lineup that has generally been more famine than feast. He will run into <span>Aaron Nola</span>, Philadelphia’s resident ace.</p>
<p id="u2d66U">A Braves win would send their record to 12-6 and give the team some positive momentum on its way to New York. After Ronald Acuña electrified the cardboard cut-outs in Citizens Bank Park yesterday, he will no doubt be hungry for an encore.</p>
<p id="6aKJZe">Tune in with us to see if Acuña can pad his eye-popping August numbers. We’re hoping you will populate our comments section with a cornucopia of statistics, musings, trivia, or otherwise baseball-related minutiae. If you would like to do some additional reading, look no further:</p>
<p id="rNeLTU"><a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/2020/8/10/21361726/atlanta-braves-can-sean-newcomb-nuke-the-philadelphia-phillies"><strong>PREVIEW</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/2020/8/10/21362257/brian-snitker-keeps-atlanta-braves-lineup-static-against-philadelphia-phillies"><strong>LINEUP</strong></a></p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2020/8/10/21362488/atlanta-braves-philadelphia-phillies-august-10-2020-game-thread-discussionDoc Herbert2020-08-10T14:25:09-04:002020-08-10T14:25:09-04:00Snitker keeps Braves lineup static against Phillies
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<img alt="Atlanta Braves v Philadelphia Phillies - Game One" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ynrgZMd4Wboqq_ywohbksi6_bvo=/0x0:3600x2400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67182660/1227979567.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>Snit stays the course as the Braves go for the series win</em></p> <p id="wdyL7r">If today’s lineup looks familiar, it’s because you have seen it recently.</p>
<p id="5r2G3d">It’s true, this is the identical lineup Brian Snitker rolled out during the second game of yesterday’s doubleheader. Then again, the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> won that game 8-0, so this could be a good move.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">First pitch at 6:05 ET tonight as the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Braves?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Braves</a> go for another series win!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheA</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ih50aj5w4I">pic.twitter.com/Ih50aj5w4I</a></p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1292881974131122176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2020</a>
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<p id="QRtjnE"><span>Austin Riley</span>, whose struggles are certainly not mild, will be deployed against <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> starter <span>Aaron Nola</span>. It’s a bold call considering how divergent Riley’s and <span>Nola</span>’s paths have been, but the Braves will need their best defensive alignment in support of today’s starter, <span>Sean Newcomb</span>. Speaking of “best defense,” <span>Marcell Ozuna</span> will not be playing any today, as he will fill the DH role. <span>Johan Camargo</span> gets the nod at second while <span>Ozzie Albies</span> is still on the IL. <span>Travis d’Arnaud</span> will start behind the plate.</p>
<p id="jIrLdy">Phillies manager Joe Girardi has decided that if his club is going to leave this series with a split, then this would be the optimal lineup to do it:</p>
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<p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GeauxPhils?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GeauxPhils</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RingTheBell?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RingTheBell</a> <br><br> : <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSPhilly?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBCSPhilly</a><br> : <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsRadioWIP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SportsRadioWIP</a><br> : <a href="https://t.co/7M7oNitezi">https://t.co/7M7oNitezi</a> // <a href="https://t.co/vgbMhIMsON">https://t.co/vgbMhIMsON</a> <a href="https://t.co/G7eTPgsAPM">pic.twitter.com/G7eTPgsAPM</a></p>— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) <a href="https://twitter.com/Phillies/status/1292879857278488576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2020</a>
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<p id="tp9FgE">Nothing too surprising here, aside from <span>Jay Bruce</span> usurping <span>Andrew McCutchen</span> in left field. Old friend <span>Phil Gosselin</span> gets the start at DH, and will lead off.</p>
<p id="noh4Lg">First pitch is slated for 6:05pm ET.</p>
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https://www.batterypower.com/2020/8/10/21362257/brian-snitker-keeps-atlanta-braves-lineup-static-against-philadelphia-philliesDoc Herbert2020-08-10T12:17:17-04:002020-08-10T12:17:17-04:00Can Newk Nuke the Phillies?
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<p><em>A Braves win tonight locks down a series victory against the Phils</em></p> <p id="6GyiJF">On the heels of a smooth doubleheader sweep yesterday, the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> can win a four-game series against the <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> today.</p>
<p id="oynXRA">By already taking two out of the series’ first three games, the worst game-related outcome the Braves could face comes in the form of a series split. But the Braves would love to lock down a win today to keep up their momentum before heading to New York to face a stout <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> team.</p>
<p id="baF64i">They have a difficult task at hand, as they draw Phillies ace <span>Aaron Nola</span> as their opponent. Over two starts on the season, <span>Nola</span> is 0-1, but carries a 15.09 K/9 rate with a 0.79 BB/9 rate. He has historically given the Braves fits, but the Braves’ offense appeared rejuvenated during yesterday’s twinbill.</p>
<p id="tkXaIQ"><span>Sean Newcomb</span> is next in line to continue the trend of Braves pitchers stepping up in the wake of <span>Mike Soroka</span>’s season-ending Achilles injury. </p>
<p id="DfByHQ">In the six games since <span>Soroka</span> went down, Braves starters have combined to go 2-2 with a 3.29 ERA | 3.43 FIP and 1.04 WHIP. Of the 11 earned runs allowed by Braves pitchers in the past week, four of them came during an 11 pitch sequence during <span>Kyle Wright</span>’s outing against Philadelphia. <span>Newcomb</span>’s contribution was a 4 ⅔ inning outing against the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> during which he allowed two runs. </p>
<p id="0MCw64">As he continues to settle back into a starting role, <span>Newcomb</span>’s pitch count will be the most important thing to monitor. During his most recent outing against Toronto, he made it through 92 pitches, the most he had thrown in any outing since April 2019.</p>
<p id="8GjPFj">Thanks to the incongruence in the amount of games played, the NL East standings are a bit murky. The 11-6 Braves, with their .647 winning percentage, are *technically* in second place behind the 7-3 (.700) <a href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Marlins</a>, while also *technically* being in first by <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>2</sub> game. Luckily, with the funky 2020 playoff rules, all second place teams make the playoffs - so regardless, the Braves are safe for now. Meanwhile, the 4-6 Phillies are in fourth place.</p>
<p id="M6uXas">It’s a 6:05pm ET start tonight, an hour earlier than usual, so make sure to tune in on time.</p>
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<p id="h0zSA3"><strong>Game Date/Time</strong>: Monday, August 10, 6:05 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="lwp1xX"><strong>Location</strong>: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania</p>
<p id="wOs55n"><strong>TV</strong>: FS1, Fox Sports South</p>
<p id="0GRLvp"><strong>Streaming:</strong> MLB.tv</p>
<p id="wNeTrO"><strong>Radio</strong>: 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan, WNNX 100.5, Braves Radio Network</p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2020/8/10/21361726/atlanta-braves-can-sean-newcomb-nuke-the-philadelphia-philliesDoc Herbert