One year ago, Kelly Johnson was in Spring Training with the NY Yankees.
photo by Tim Evearitt
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Jonny Gomes delivered a two-run single and Alberto Callaspo notched a pair of singles against Tom Koehler to help the Braves claim a 6-3 win over the Marlins at Champion Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
Gomes' two-run single highlighted a three-run third inning that included Freddie Freeman scoring on a balk charged to Koehler, who allowed six hits and issued three walks while allowing four runs (three earned) over four innings.
After Koehler weakened his bid for the fifth spot in Miami's rotation, David Phelps strengthened his candidacy by surrendering one unearned run, despite issuing three walks over the three innings.
Jeff Mathis' two-out single in the second plated the only run Braves starter Manny Banuelos surrendered in two innings. Because he will be on an innings limit, Banuelos remains a candidate to begin the year in Atlanta's bullpen.
Kelly Johnson delivered a pair of singles, including one that put Eric Young in position to drive in a fourth inning run with a sacrifice bunt. As he has shown some life with his bat this week, Johnson has re-established himself as a candidate to begin the year as a super utility player.
In Atlanta's three-run third inning, shortstop Donovan Solano committed a high throw on what should have been a double play. After Koehler walked the pitcher, Cody Martin, to lead off the inning, Young bounced a routine grounder to short. Solano got the out at second and overthrew first, but no error was charged since you can't assume the double play. Miami got back in it in the sixth inning, scoring two runs.
Ichiro Suzuki had an RBI double and Solano drove in a run with a two-out single, which made it a 4-3 game. Josh Outman, who is targeted to serve as Atlanta's lefty specialist, allowed Suzuki's double. He has allowed three hits and issued a walk while facing eight left-handed batters this year.
Braves rookie catcher Christian Bethancourt was scratched from Thursday's lineup when he reported to the stadium running a fever. Manager Fredi Gonzalez sent Bethancourt home immediately because he did not want to risk a flu outbreak in his clubhouse.
These two teams complete their home-and-home, two-day stint on Friday at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla., at 7:05 p.m.
Tyler Pastornicky Released
The Braves raised some eyebrows when they opted to give Pastornicky a chance to begin the 2012 season as their starting shortstop. But there was not much reason for surprise when they opted to release him on Thursday.
Pastornicky's value has plummeted over the past three years, as indicated when he was not claimed off waivers after the Braves removed him from their 40-man roster in January. The 25-year-old then had to face the harsh reality that he did not even receive an invite to be a part of Atlanta's Major League camp this year.
A National League scout who recently evaluated Pastornicky said that he appeared to be pouting while going through drills in Minor League camp.
Pastornicky lost his role as Atlanta's starting shortstop when Andrelton Simmons was deemed Major League ready just two months into the 2012 season. He spent most of the past two seasons with Triple-A Gwinnett.
The Braves were hoping Pastornicky would develop into a serviceable utilty man and in fact, they called him up to serve as their starting second baseman when Dan Uggla was placed on the disabled list in August 2013. But two days into this role, Pastornicky tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a collision in shallow right field with Jason Heyward.
Pastornicky hit .290 with a .676 OPS in 47 games with Gwinnett last year. But the knee injury seemed to affect his range and speed, which was once considered one of his best intangibles.
Pitching battles for roster goinng down to the wire
When Spring Training began, Cody Martin and Manny Banuelos did not seem to be in the running to begin this season in Atlanta's bullpen. But their candidacies have been bolstered as many of the other candidates have frustrated Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez with their lack of control.
Though Gonzalez did not mention them by name, it was clear that he was referencing Arodys Vizcaino, Michael Kohn and Juan Jaime. Vizcaino has totaled six walks over 5 2/3 innings and Kohn has provided five free passes in 5 1/3 innings. Jaime, who is out of Minor League options, has walked eight batters in 3 1/3 innings.
Martin does not have the overpowering stuff offered by these three right-handed relievers. But he has positioned himself for a spot on Atlanta's pitching staff as he has surrendered four hits and totaled four walks over the eight scoreless innings he has completed since the start of the Grapefruit League season.
Martin's successful stretch, which was extended with three scoreless innings against the Marlins on Thursday, has put him in consideration for one of the two available rotation spots or one of the final spots in the bullpen.
If Mike Foltynewicz continues to pitch like he did against the Yankees on Wednesday night, he and Eric Stults will likely round out the rotation. If Foltynewicz falters, the Braves could also turn to Wandy Rodriguez, who has drawn trade interest from some other clubs over the past week.
Given the uncertainty surrounding Foltynewicz and Rodriguez, Martin stands as an insurance option for the rotation and an unexpected, but sensible option for the bullpen. The Braves have been assuming that James Russell and Josh Outman would begin the year in the bullpen. But that was before Russell and Outman extended their struggles against left-handers over the past two days.
Russell has allowed four hits, including two homers, while facing nine left-handed hitters this year. Outman has surrendered three hits and issued a walk to the eight lefties he's faced. While Russell's struggles are an extension of what he did last year, Outman has been targeted to be the club's left-handed specialist.
While Banuelos' long-term future is as a starter, he will be on an innings limit this year. Thus, the Braves are still toying with the idea of putting the young southpaw in Atlanta's bullpen this year to moderate his early work and help him stay within an innings limit of 120-130 innings this year. As he returned from Tommy John surgery last year, the promising prospect totaled just 76 1/3 innings in the Yankees' Minor League system.
---- Source: MLB.com