Atlanta Braves Clippings

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Braves.com

Masset stung by Dodgers' homer spree in 8th

By Mark Bowman and Steve Bourbon / MLB.com | 1:24 AM ET

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers launched three home runs off reliever Nick Masset in the eighth inning to beat the Braves, 6-3, on Monday night at Dodger Stadium.

Trailing, 2-1, at the seventh-inning stretch, Los Angeles tied the game on an Adrian Gonzalez groundout in the seventh and Andre Ethier gave the Dodgers the lead the following inning with a solo shot to right-center field. Alex Guerrero and Jimmy Rollins followed suit with homers.

Dodgers starter Brett Anderson earned a no-decision, despite pitching seven innings and allowing two runs.

The Dodgers got to Atlanta's bullpen, putting up five runs after starter Williams Perez left the game. In just his second career start, Perez also received a no-decision, pitching six innings, allowing one run and striking out seven.

"I think just some of my pitches flattened out," Masset said. "I've had some good battles with these guys in the past. They put some good swings on it. That's just how the ball rolls sometimes."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Injury scare for Anderson: The Dodgers had another injury scare on the mound as Anderson was evaluated by trainers in the fifth inning. He threw a wild pitch and appeared to tweak his back, but stayed in the game after throwing three warmup pitches. The Dodgers have already lost two members of their Opening Day rotation to season-ending injuries. Catcher A.J. Ellis said he noticed Anderson was "stiff" after fielding a grounder from Andrelton Simmons in the fourth inning.

Bullpen shuffle: With their latest attempt to strengthen their bullpen, the Braves signed Masset last week, immediately after he was released by the Marlins. His eighth-inning entrance was influenced by the fact Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez did not want to use closer Jason Grilli for a third straight day. So with Jim Johnson slated to serve as the closer, Gonzalez went with Masset, who surrendered a total of three homers in 51 appearances last year. The only previous time he had allowed two homers in a game came during a one-inning appearance for the Reds against the Marlins on May 1, 2011.

Walking a thin line: Perez issued a bases-loaded walk to Ethier in the first inning and then induced a Scott Van Slyke double-play groundout with the bases loaded in the third inning. But Luis Avilan did not prove to be as fortunate when the Dodgers used a pair of walks and a single to load the bases for Gonzalez, who produced a game-tying RBI groundout.

Bunting issues: Rollins attempted to lay down sacrifice bunts twice, only to have Atlanta cut off the lead runner both times, once in the first inning and again in the seventh. Mattingly said Rollins voluntarily bunted with a runner on second and no outs in the first inning, but it was a designed play in the seventh. Rollins has zero sacrifice bunts this season.

QUOTABLE "People have labeled him soft in his career and injury-prone, but this is an example to us just how tough this guy is." -- Ellis on Anderson

"He mixes his pitches really well. He's not afraid to throw his secondary stuff when he's behind in the count. That takes a while for even the most veteran pitchers. So far, I've liked the way he's pitched and progressed." -- Gonzalez on Perez, who despite encountering frequent trouble, has allowed just two runs in the 11 innings that have encompassed his first two career starts.

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS The Dodgers scored more runs in the eighth inning (four) than they had in any of the past eight games.

DEFENSIVE GEM After the Braves scratched Alberto Callaspo from the lineup shortly before Monday's first pitch, it started to sound as if his days with the Braves could be nearing an end. Callaspo's value as a utility man has diminished as Jace Peterson has thrived as the everyday second baseman. Peterson

added to his recent accomplishments when he saved Perez by racing into shallow right field to make a diving catch of Gonzalez's fly ball in the third inning.

WHAT'S NEXT Braves: Julio Teheran will attempt to extend his recent success when the Braves and Dodgers resume their three-game series Tuesday night at 10:10 p.m. ET. Teheran has allowed one earned run or fewer in three of his past four starts. But the average velocity of his fastball (88 mph) during last week's start against the Rays, created some concern.

Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw will get the start for Los Angeles on Tuesday. Kershaw's ERA of 4.32 is the highest of his career, but he has fared well against Atlanta. The lefty holds a 2.11 ERA in five starts against the Braves.

Masset's unexpected misstep raises 'pen concerns

Braves manager gambles on reliever, but it backfires

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | @mlbbowman | 1:25 AM ET

LOS ANGELES -- If Cameron Maybin extends his recent success and Matt Wisler proves why he is such a highly regarded prospect, the Braves will likely spend the next few years continuing to feel thankful that the Padres were willing to pay the remainder of Melvin Upton Jr.s contract ($46.3 million) in exchange for Craig Kimbrel.

But as this season's first two months have unfolded, the Braves have had to deal with the remains of a bullpen that was thinned by the April 5 Kimbrel trade, Shae Simmons' season-ending elbow injury and the performance-enhancing suspensions levied on two of their bullpen prospects (Arodys Vizcaino and Andrew McKirahan).

When the Braves signed Nick Masset, immediately after he was released by the Marlins last week, they were taking a chance on him strengthening their 'pen with his experience. But as Masset surrendered a career-high three home runs in the eighth inning of Monday's 6-3 loss to the Dodgers, there was reason to remember teams don't simply allow high-quality relievers to become available during a season.

"It's definitely an embarrassment," Masset said. "I feel like I let my team down."

A little more than an hour after Masset allowed the Dodgers to gain a lead with the home runs hit by Andre Ethier, Alex Guerrero and Jimmy Rollins, the Angels celebrated a walk-off victory courtesy of the hit and walk Kimbrel surrendered after entering a tied game in the ninth.

Still, even as Kimbrel has posted a 5.63 ERA and allowed opponents to hit .270 against him this year, the Braves have to at least wonder if this season might have unfolded differently if he was still in their bullpen. Jason Grilli has been quite effective as Atlanta's closer, converting 13 of 14 save opportunities and limiting opponents to a .237 batting average.

But if simply focusing on the on-field benefits of this season, the Braves' bullpen depth would have likely been less of a concern had the club stuck with its initial plan to use Grilli and Jim Johnson as Kimbrel's primary setup men.

Because Grilli was not available to work a third straight day, Johnson was slated to serve as Atlanta's closer Monday. So, instead of using Johnson or impressive rookie Brandon Cunniff with the game tied in the eighth inning, Gonzalez stuck with Masset, who had surrendered just two earned runs and no home runs in the previous 12 innings he had worked this year for Miami and Atlanta.

Heck, Masset had allowed a total of three home runs in the 51 appearances he made last year. So, it's safe to say nobody expected what was to come.

Masset entered the game having limited left-handed hitters to a .160 batting average, but Ethier and Rollins hit their solo shots from the left. When Guerrero came to the plate as pinch-hitter, Gonzalez might have had some reservations given right-handed hitters were batting .476 (10-for-21) against Masset.

But instead of going with Cunniff, who has not allowed a hit in the 30 at-bats right-handers have tallied against him, Gonzalez paid the price when Guerrero drilled his two-run homer.

"You feel like you've got a pretty good matchup with Ethier and then you've got the bottom of the order," Gonzalez said. "It didn't materialize the way we wanted."

So far, the Kimbrel trade has materialized exactly the way the Braves wanted. But if simply looking at the effect it has had on this season alone, there is certainly reason to wonder how much better the Atlanta 'pen might have been with the depth it had before the trade, suspensions and injuries.

Peterson robs Gonzalez with great catch

Braves second baseman fully extends for grab

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | @mlbbowman | May 25th, 2015

LOS ANGELES -- Jace Peterson proved that Andrelton Simmons is not the only Braves middle infielder who is capable of producing jaw-dropping defensive gems.

Peterson certainly caught the attention of all who were watching when he robbed Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez of a single in the third inning of Monday night's game at Dodger Stadium, which the Braves lost, 6-3. The Braves second baseman sprinted into shallow right field and fully extended while catching the ball just before his body slammed into the outfield grass.

"That was pretty amazing," Simmons said. "I don't know how he made that. He was full speed when he went back and then he was in a weird position and fully extended. That was the best I've seen this year."

The catch might have been reminiscent of some of the interceptions Peterson recorded while serving as a defensive back at McNeese State University. But at the same time, it was an indication of why the Braves have been comfortable to utilize him as their everyday second baseman over the past month.

Peterson entered Monday having hit .307 in his past 24 games. He recorded his first career grand slam on May 16 and notched his first walk-off-hit Saturday.

Now, Peterson has the thrill of knowing that he produced a defensive gem that likely left even Simmons no choice but to be impressed.

Gonzalez says club is trying to trade Callaspo

Struggling Braves utility man scratched before Monday's game

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | @mlbbowman | 12:26 AM ET

LOS ANGELES -- It seemed odd when the Braves did not provide a reason forAlberto Callaspo being scratched from the lineup approximately 20 minutes before the start of Monday night's game at Dodger Stadium.

But once the Dodgers completed a 6-3 victory, the situation truly became unique, when Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez openly admitted the team is trying to trade Callaspo.

"I got a phone call just before [batting practice] ended and there was a potential for trade out there and I think [the talks are] still going on. We didn't want him to get hurt. So, that was the reason he got taken out of the lineup."

Regardless of whether the Braves are actually able to find a suitor for Callaspo, it appears the veteran utility man's days with Atlanta are numbered. If he is not traded within the next couple days, Callaspo could be designated for assignment to create a roster spot for third baseman Chris Johnson, who is expected to be activated from the disabled list later this week.

"They just said let's wait until tomorrow and see what happens," Callaspo said, when asked what the Braves had told him.

With one of their most questionable moves of the offseason, the Braves opted to take a flier on Callaspo, who batted just .223 with a .290 on-base percentage in 127 games with the A's last year. The 32-year-old veteran has extended that trend this year, batting .206 with a .293 on-base percentage through 37 games.

With Phil Gosselin, Chris Johnson and Kelly Johnson currently on the disabled list, Callaspo has had regular opportunities to play third base over the past few weeks. But he has produced just seven hits in his past 53 at-bats and provided minimal value with his glove at the hot corner.

Teheran, Kershaw looking for improvement

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | @mlbbowman | May 25th, 2015

When Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw and Braves right-hander Julio Teheran oppose each other at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night, both highly regarded hurlers will be attempting to distance themselves from the frustration they have experienced thus far this season.

Kershaw has struggled in his early bid to win a fourth consecutive National League ERA title and his fourth Cy Young Award within a five-year span. Since posting a 2.73 ERA in his final three April starts, the southpaw has produce a 4.00 ERA in four May starts. He has limited opponents to a .233 batting average this month, but has also issued nine walks in his past 19 2/3 innings.

Though Teheran has allowed one earned run or fewer in three of his past four outings, he has also surrendered at least nine hits in three of his past five outings. He limited the Rays to two hits and one run his last time out. But in the process, he raised some concerns as he produced an average fastball velocity of 88 mph.

Things to know about this game:

• Braves center fielder Cameron Maybin has thrived since becoming an everyday player on May 2. But Maybin is 2-for-24 with seven strikeouts in his career against Kershaw.

• Christian Bethancourt lost his role as Atlanta's primary catcher during the early portion of this season. But the rookie has seemed to take advantage of the chance to be Teheran's personal catcher. Teheran has posted a 2.73 ERA in the 11 career starts he has made with Bethancourt behind the plate. He produced a 7.20 ERA in the three games A.J. Pierzynski served as his catcher this year.

• Dodgers shortstop Jimmy Rollins has struggled at the plate this year. But he has seven hits, including two doubles, a triple and a homer, in 22 at-bats against Teheran.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Braves quotes after Monday’s loss at Dodger Stadium

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

LOS ANGELES — Braves quotes from Nick Masset, Williams Perez, Albert Callaspo and Fredi Gonzalez after Monday’s 6-3 loss to the Dodgers.

**FREDI GONZALEZ

On Williams Perez getting out of jams, leaving with 2-1 lead after six

“He was a little shaky in the first inning; I think he had 30 pitches in the first inning. But he bounced back and he did a nice job. To come in here as a rookie – I know they didn’t have a sellout, but it’s still Dodger Stadium against a pretty good lineup, and the juices are flowing. You kind of expect that first inning. But I’m proud of him the way he settled down and gave us six innings. It was right about where we wanted him, 25 pitches more than last time. Something to build on and go forward.”

On bullpen blowing lead

“It’s tough to hold a one-run lead with three innings left. Gonzalez’s comebacker (that Avilan fielded, for an RBI groundout) couldn’t have been placed any better, and they get a run there and tie the game up. Nicky comes in in the eighth inning and gets Turner out. We figure, OK, run him back out there so he can face the bottom of the order, which we’ve been pretty dominant with them. And we just couldn’t get out of that eighth inning without giving up some runs.”

Has Perez been what you expected?

“It’s been better than what I expected, really. He’s a guy that mixes his pitches real well, he’s not afraid to throw his secondary stuff even when he’s behind in the count. That takes a while, for even the most veteran major leaguers to be able to do that. And he’s done that. So, so far I like the way he’s pitched and he’s progressed, and you run him back out there in another five days. Here’s a kid who only pitched (five) games in Triple-A before pitching here in the big leagues? So I’m thinking he’s doing a very nice job.”

Callaspo scratched from lineup before the game, what was that about?

“I get a phone call just before BP (batting practice) that there’s a chance for a potential trade out there, and I think it’s still going on. We don’t want him to get out there and get hurt, so that was the reason that he got taken out of the lineup at that point.”

On Masset, that’s not what we’ve seen from him in the last week, in one outing against Braves and two for them

“No, this is a guy that I thought, with the lefty-righty splits and him having some history with Ethier, run him back out there and kind of push the game back, because we were going to give Grilli a day; we haven’t really used (Grilli) three days in a row and we were going to give him a day today. We were going to try to push the game back a little bit, with Cunniff going the following inning and then see what happens in the 10th. Again, you feel like you had a pretty good matchup with Ethier and with (Masset) getting left-handers out, and again with the bottom of that order. It didn’t materialize the way we wanted it to.”

(Note: Ethier had been 1-for-6 with three strikeouts vs. Masset before tonight, and lefties were 4-for-25 this season w/ no walks, 6 strikeouts vs. Masset before tonight, when he gave up homers to a lefty (Ethier) and a switch-hitter (Rollins), along with RH Alex Guerrero)

**NICK MASSET

On giving up three homers in eighth inning of then-tied game

“It’s definitely an embarrassment. I feel like I let my team down, No. 1. There’s nothing worse than going out there and blowing a lead and getting a big, fat ‘L.’ I think some of my pitches just flattened out. I’ve had some good battles with these guys in the past. They put some good swings on it. Just kind of the way the ball rolls sometimes.”

Just one of those nights in this role, got to be able to come back next night?

“Yeah. I’ve been throwing quite a bit; that’s what I want to be doing. I feel good, I feel like my stuff’s been good. Like I said, I think some fastball just flattened out. Normally it’d sink in on them pretty hard and I’d get some ground balls out of it. But it just didn’t really … it wasn’t the turnout I was looking for.”

**WILLIAMS PEREZ (through translation by Horacio Ramirez)

Does it help your confidence being able to pitch out of trouble again tonight?

“Yeah, I was able to mix my pitches well and was able to get that double-play ball to get out of that jam.”

Were you nervous early in this game?

“No, I wasn’t nervous. I was just a little too excited. I was just missing with my pitches, but I was able to come back and make pitches and get out of it.”

For those who didn’t see you pitch in minors, is this something that you’ve become accustomed to, getting out of all these tight spots?

“In the minor leagues I had problems with the first inning, where I’d give up a run or two and have a lot of guys in scoring position. But I battle through it and end up being OK.”

On being able to avoid walks (only two total) in these first couple of starts

“My first (relief) outing when I gave up all those walks, I wasn’t used to that, I don’t know where that came from. I was surprised by that. That’s now who I am.”

**ALBERTO CALLASPO

On what Fredi told you when scratched from lineup

“’There might be a possible trade, so let’s see what happens tonight.’”

Did they give you any sense if they thought something might happen by tomorrow?

“No, they didn’t tell me that. They just said, ‘Let’s wait until tomorrow and see what happens.’”

You just view this as part of the business?

“Yeah, it’s baseball. I take whatever they do.”

Dodgers get 3 homers in 8th off Masset, Braves lose 6-3

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

LOS ANGELES — Braves rookie Williams Perez settled down after a rocky first inning Monday, but there was no settling down for veteran reliever Nick Masset.

Masset got absolutely pummeled by the Los Angeles Dodgers, giving up four runs and three home runs in the eighth inning of a 6-3 Braves loss at Dodger Stadium to open a three-game series and 10-game trip.

Masset, signed by the Braves a week ago after being designated for assignment by the Miami Marlins, gave up as many homers in a six-batter span in the eighth as he allowed in 51 appearances (45 innings) last season – and that was with the Rockies, who play in one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks in baseball history.

“It’s definitely an embarrassment,” said Massett, who hadn’t given up a homer in 26 innings over his past 25 appearances going back to mid-August. ” I feel like I let my team down, No. 1. There’s nothing worse than going out there and blowing a lead and getting a big, fat ‘L.’”

After Luis Avilan gave up the tying run on two walks and a hit in the seventh, Masset induced a groundball out to avoid further damage that inning. But he gave up a leadoff homer in the eighth to Andre Ethier. One out and one walk later, he gave up a homer to pinch-hitter Alex Guerrero.

Two batters later he gave up yet another long ball as Jimmy Rollins homered before the Braves pulled the plug on Masset’s third appearance in an Atlanta uniform.

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said he had planned to rest closer Jason Grilli after using him Saturday and Sunday, and wanted to have Masset get through the eighth inning and use rookie Brandon Cunniff in the ninth.

“With the lefty-righty splits and him having some history with Ethier, run him back out there,” Gonzalez said. “Again, you feel like you had a pretty good matchup with Ethier and with (Masset) getting left-handers out, and again with the bottom of that order. It didn’t materialize the way we wanted it to.”

Ethier had been 1-for-6 with three strikeouts against Masset, and lefties were 4-for-25 against Masset his season before Monday, when he gave up homers to a lefty (Ethier), a switch-hitter (Rollins) and Guerrero.

The Braves got a run in the ninth on two hits and a Christian Bethancourt RBI groundout.

Reduced to a footnote was an impressive, if erratic, performance by Perez. When the rookie labored through a 31-pitch first inning that included a bases-loaded walk, it didn’t look like he would be around long enough to reach a prescribed pitch limit, much less turn in a quality start.

But Perez worked out of bases-loaded jams in the first and third innings, lasting six innings and leaving with a 2-1 lead that put him in line for his first win in his second major league start.

Alas for the Braves, Avilan hasn’t been quite as good starting innings fresh as he has been at stranding inherited runners, where the left-hander excels. And Masset, well, he got rocked.

Perez limited the Dodgers to one run on seven hits and one with with seven strikeouts in six innings. He threw just 59 strikes in 106 pitches, but made big pitches when he needed them most, just as he did in his first start last week against the Cincinnati Reds.

He recorded 11 outs in his last 11 batters faced against the Dodgers, beginning with a bases-loaded double play grounder off the bat of Scott Van Slyke to end the third inning.

“So far I like the way he’s pitched and he’s progressed,” Gonzalez said of Perez, who has allowed 13 hits, two runs and two walks with 14 strikeouts in 11 innings as a starter. “Here’s a kid who only pitched (five) games in Triple-A before pitching here in the big leagues? So I’m thinking he’s doing a very nice job.”

It was Van Slyke who also popped out with bases loaded to end the first inning, on the first of two outstanding plays by second baseman Jace Peterson on balls in shallow right field.

In his start Wednesday against the Reds, Perez allowed one run on six hits and one walk in five innings, again with seven strikeouts including a few at the most opportune times. After throwing 79 pitches against the Reds in his first start in 2 ½ weeks since being called up from Triple-A, Gonzalez said before Monday’s game that Perez would be on roughly a 100-pitch limit.

He struggled in the first inning, when he gave up a leadoff double to Joc Pederson, then with two outs allowed an Adrian Gonzalez single and hit Justin Turner with a pitch to load the bases.

He walked Ethier to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead, but from there Perez working out of trouble twice before getting on a roll and exiting with a lead after six innings in front of a fired-up crowd of 44,680.

“I wasn’t nervous; I was just a little too excited,” Perez said. “I was just missing with my pitches, but I was able to come back and make pitches and get out of it…. In the minor leagues I had problems with the first inning, where I’d give up a run or two and have a lot of guys in scoring position. But I battle through it and end up being OK.”

The Braves tied the score with a run in the fourth when Jonny Gomes singled and, one groundout later, scored on Pedro Ciriaco’s two-out single. Ciriaco started at third base in place of Albert Callaspo, a late scratch from the lineup after a team official called manager Fredi Gonzalez on Monday afternoon to let him know Callaspo could be traded.

An inning later, the Braves took a 2-1 lead when Cameron Maybin drew a one-out walk, went to second on a wild pitch by Dodgers starter Brett Anderson, and scored on Southern California native Freddie Freeman’s single past the defensive shift in right field.

Dodgers 6, Braves 3

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

How the game was won: The Dodgers tied the score with a run off Luis Avilan in the seventh, then blew the game open with four runs on three eighth-inning homers off Braves reliever Nick Masset in a 6-3 win to open a three-game series at Dodger Stadium. Braves rookie Williams Perez worked out of two bases-loaded jams early and pitched six innings of one-run ball while allowing seven hits and one run with seven strikeouts in his second major league start.

Number: 3. Homers allowed by Masset in a six-batter span in the eighth inning, which equaled the total number of homers he gave up in 51 appearances (45 innings) for the Rockies in 2014.

What’s next: The Braves and Dodgers play the second game of a three-game series Tuesday at 10:10 p.m. (EDT), with right-hander Julio Teheran (4-1, 3.91 ERA) facing Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw (2-3, 4.32), the two-time reigning National League Cy Young Award winner who current has an ERA nearly two runs above his career mark.

Braves trying to trade Callaspo

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

LOS ANGELES – The Braves are trying to trade utility infielder Alberto Callaspo, who was scratched from the lineup shortly before Monday’s series-opening loss to the Dodgers.

Pedro Ciriaco started in place of Callaspo at third base, and it wasn’t until several hours later, during manager Fredi Gonzalez’s postgame news conference, that any announcement was made about the reason for the lineup change.

“I get a phone call just before BP (batting practice) that there’s a chance for a potential trade out there, and I think it’s still going on,” Gonzalez said, in reply to a reporter’s question about the late lineup change. “We don’t want him to get out there and get hurt, so that was the reason that he got taken out of the lineup at that point.”

Callaspo, 32, has hit just .206 with three extra-base hits (one homer), a .293 OBP and .545 OPS in 123 plate appearances over 37 games. He hasn’t been the player the Braves anticipated they signed him in December to a one-year, $3 million contract, though his performance in a career-worst 2014 season with Oakland (.223 with a .580 OPS in 404 PAs) was along the same lines as his current performance.

Asked about being scratched from the lineup, Callaspo said he was told, “’There might be a possible trade, so let’s see what happens tonight.’”

Had the Braves let him know later whether something might happen by Tuesday?

“No, they didn’t tell me that,” he said. “They just said, ‘Let’s wait until tomorrow and see what happens.’”

Callaspo has played in 28 games at third base and four at second base, and the Braves don’t need his weak offensive production now that Jace Peterson is entrenched as the every-day second baseman and third baseman Chris Johnson is coming off the 15-day disabled list this week.

After going 8-for-17 with a double and two RBIs in his first seven games for the Braves, Callaspo is 14-for-90 (.156) with two extra-base hits, six RBIs and a .450 OPS in his past 30 games. That includes 3-for-28 (.107) in his past eight games.

Braves’ C. Johnson could return Thursday or even sooner

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

LOS ANGELES – Chris Johnson lined out to center field in the first inning of the Braves third baseman’s first injury-rehab game at Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday night, a game suspended after two innings due to rain in Lawrenceville.

The game against Lehigh Valley will be completed Tuesday, and Johnson will presumably play it and the regularly scheduled game Tuesday. Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez reiterated before Atlanta’s series opener against the Dodgers on Monday a plan to have Johnson play three rehab games and rejoin the Braves for their series opener Thursday at San Francisco.

However, Gonzalez also left open the possibility of Johnson joining them in Los Angeles before the end of the three-game series against the Dodgers, if he and the team’s medical staff determine that he’s ready.

Johnson has been out since April 30 with left-hand injuries that included a fracture and multiple bone bruises. An MRI at the beginning of May showed the fracture to be a pre-existing injury, and Johnson was initially expected to be out from three to six weeks.

For Gomes, every day is a day to honor the U.S. military

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

LOS ANGELES – All across baseball there were tributes, special team uniforms and moments of silence Monday on Memorial Day. But for Braves left fielder Jonny Gomes, every day is one in which he pays tribute to those who serve in the United States military, and one way he does is with a large tattoo on his lower left leg.

He has plenty of other tattoos, most of them in tribute to family and a best friend who died in a car crash with Gomes in the car when they were in high school. But the colorful montage of illustrations that entirely cover his left leg below the knee are devoted to members of the U.S. military.

“It’s a tribute to the United States and the soldiers, a tribute tattoo,” said Gomes, who got the tattoo in 2010. “It’s got the Statue of Liberty for the East Coast, Golden Gate Bridge for the West Coast, bald eagle, two World War 2 planes, and then it’s got 05-01-11, the day we shot Bin Laden.”

Gomes said he doesn’t have any family who serves or has served in the military, but he was going to join the Marines before being offered a contract by the Tampa Bay Rays.

“In 2001 after my second year of junior college,” he said. “My school and playing days were pretty much over, I didn’t have any college scholarships anywhere. It was time for the next chapter. I was in talks with the Marines at the time, and unexpectedly got asked to go to a workout/tryout with Tampa (Bay).

“I guess I opened some eyes there, and went from not having a college scholarship to play ball, to playing professionally. So right after the June draft I had two contracts on my table, one to go play ball and one to go to the Marines. Obviously you have choices to go where you want, so it wasn’t like (military) was the last choice, something I didn’t want to do. I wanted to.”

Asked about the reaction he gets from military members who see the tattoo, Gomes said, “They love it whenever I show it to them. They just can’t believe someone has it that hasn’t served. They’re pretty stoked when they see it.”

Gomes said he loves how Major League Baseball has gotten so involved with honoring the military in the past decade. But to him, Memorial Day isn’t the only day to pay tribute to soldiers.

“Every day is,” he said. “I don’t take my freedom for granted.”

Grilli on Cunniff: ‘Kid is figuring himself out … and it’s impressive’

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

LOS ANGELES — With more than one-fourth of the season in the books, Braves rookie reliever Brandon Cunniff still had not allowed a hit by a right-hander batter and had a majors-best .044 opponents’ average overall before Monday night’s series opener at Dodger Stadium.

Righties were 0-for-30 with six walks and seven strikeouts against him, while lefties were 2-for-15 with two walks and seven strikeouts. The hitless streak against right-handed batters is the second-longest for any pitcher to begin his career since at least 1974, the first season that such records are kept by STATS, Inc. Kansas City’s Bob McLure had an 0-for-33 streak to begin his career in August-September, 1975.

“I don’t know, I’m just throwing the ball,” said Cunniff, as unassuming and quiet a ballplayer as you’re likely to come across. “The defense is playing really well, too.”

Cunniff was 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA in 17 appearances before Monday, allowing two hits, three runs and one homer in 15 innings, with eight walks and 14 strikeouts. Hitters were 1-for-13 against him with runners in scoring position and 1-for-16 in the late innings of close games.

Not bad for a 26-year-old rookie who spent 2 ½ seasons in independent-league baseball after being released by the Marlins during his first minor league season in 2010.

“I think anybody that’s come from independent ball is hanging onto their dream; that’s enough said,” Braves veteran closer Jason Grilli said. “They believe in themselves. So, kudos to him for what he’s doing, to come up here and jump right in the mix and do his thing. He just wanted and chance and he got it. It’s exciting to see, man, for a kid to get a chance. This kid is figuring himself out at this level, and it’s pretty impressive.”

Cunniff was sent back to Triple-A after a heavy workload to start the season, including 10 appearances in the Braves’ first 15 games, capped by three consecutive outings April 21-23, the last one a five-out appearance.

The right-hander gave up a solo homer May 8 at Washington in his first appearance after returning from Triple-A, but allowed no hits in five scoreless innings over his next six appearance before Monday.

After giving up six walks in first 10 appearances, Cunniff walked only two batters in seven appearances since returning from Triple-A.

“Yeah, definitely the rest helped,” he said. “My body feels amazing. It helped a lot. Just the rest.”

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said last week that Cunniff, because of his performance so far, would be considered for more high-leverage situations with games on the line.

“That’s awesome,” Cunniff said. “That’s what I want to do. I want the high-pressure situations. All of us do.”

He led NL relievers in fewest base runners allowed per nine innings (6.0), and was tied for fifth in the NL in percentage of inherited runners stranded (93.3, 14 of 15 stranded), just behind teammate Luis Avilan (93.8, 15 of 16 stranded).

Cunniff also led the majors in first-batter efficiency, holding first batters hitless in 12 official at-bats, and had not allowed a hit in seven road appearances before Monday.

Braves not thinking about last year’s West Coast debacle

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

LOS ANGELES – Last time the Braves started a three-city trip in Los Angeles, it was a disaster, relatively speaking. They scored seven runs in three games against the Dodgers in late July 2014, then were swept at San Diego and Seattle to complete an 18-run, 0-8 trip, sending them into a tailspin from which they never recovered.

They were 58-48 when that trip began, and 29-35 the rest of the way beginning with those games at Dodger Stadium.

The Braves started a 10-game western swing Monday night with the opener of a three-game series at Dodger Stadium, and manager Fredi Gonzalez joked that he was happy that hitting coaches Kevin Seitzer and assistant Jose Castro got on the plane, considering the Braves face left-hander Brett Anderson (Monday) and aces Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke in the games in L.A.

He could joke because Gonzalez, in truth, wasn’t worried about any carryover or repeat of last year’s debacle on this trip. The Braves’ lineup has changed significantly, and so has their offensive approach. The Braves (22-21) were 7-2 with a 2.71 in their past nine games before Monday, totaling 36 runs and only one homer in that span.

“You know you’ve got to come out here sooner or later,” said Gonzalez, whose Braves will play four games at San Francisco and three at Arizona after the Dodgers series. “And you know you’re going to face these guys here and you’ve got to go to San Francisco and play (Madison) Bumgarner and that group.

“I like the way we’re playing. We’re a different team coming out here, because we put the ball in play. And I think when you put the ball in play, good things can happen. And that’s the outlook that we’re taking. Our pitching has been pretty good, our starting pitching has been really good (lately). And if we do that, we match up well.”

The had the second-fewest strikeouts (277) in the majors before Monday behind the Royals (233), and were 13th in walks (133), 29th in homers (26) and 18th in runs per game (179 in 43 games.)

A year ago, the Braves finished fourth in the majors in strikeouts (1,369), 14th in walks (472), tied for 22nd in homers (123) and 29th in runs (573).

So far, Braves have been better than expected

By Mark Bradley - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Braves awoke on Memorial Day at 22-21, which was no small thing. They reached the six-month season’s first checkpoint with the National League’s seventh-best record and stood two games out of the second wild-card spot. Relative to what most of us figured they’d be, these first 43 games went pretty darn well.

Three months ago, Baseball Prospectus projected the Braves to go 75-87, and that was among the sunnier forecasts. FanGraphs had them going 71-91 and being the second-worst team in the majors, ahead of only Philadelphia. David Schoenfield of ESPN’s Sweet Spot blog saw them going 68-96. The Atlantis sports book set the Braves’ over/under win total at 73.5.

Oh, and remember: These projections were issued before Craig Kimbrel was traded the night before Opening Day.

In reality, the Braves haven’t been anywhere near an embarrassment. They started 5-0. They fell four games below .500 but have clambered back above break-even. They haven’t yet allowed the season to get away from them.

They’ve seen Eric Stults and Trevor Cahill fail as the Nos. 4 and 5 starters, and they’ve adjusted. They’ve seen the touted Christian Bethancourt relinquish the No. 1 catcher’s job without much resistance — he has played in less than half the games and is hitting .182 — and haven’t much missed him. They’ve seen regular infielders Chris Johnson and Phil Gosselin lost to injury, and they’ve kept going.

Not having Stults and Cahill in the rotation is actually a win-win proposition. Not having retreads take regular turns? Winning. Having youngsters Mike Foltynewicz and Williams Perez take those turns? In the grand scheme, that’s winning as well. The future of this team hinges on young pitching — apart from Jose Peraza, how many position-playing prospects are there? — and the Braves might as well see if the kids are all right. Early returns are encouraging.

That said, there’s cause to wonder about Julio Teheran, the most imposing young starter developed by the Braves since Kevin Millwood. As of Monday morning, his ERA was up more than a run over 2014, when he was an All-Star. His WHIP (walks/hits per inning) was at 1.441; last season it was 1.081. He’d walked 3.4 batters per nine innings; last year he walked 2.1.

According to Brooks Baseball, Teheran’s four-seam fastball touched on 95 mph in 2011. By 2013, it was down to 93 mph. Last year it was at 92; this season it’s at 91. We saw similar dips for Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson, young starters who flamed out so completely that the Braves dumped them not two years after career peaks at age 25 and 24, respectively.

Alex Wood, who like Teheran is 24, hasn’t been as good this season, either. His ERA is up; his WHIP and walk rate are, too. The velocity on his sinker? It’s down. As much credit as pitching coach Roger McDowell gets for running a staff, he hasn’t yet nurtured a gifted prospect into a true No. 1 starter. (Then again, Shelby Miller hasn’t put a foot wrong since arriving from St. Louis.)

The Braves’ offense has been an improvement over last season, although almost anything would have been. From 29th in the majors in runs last season, they’re a not-awful 19th. They’ve taken to new hitting coach Kevin Seitzer’s put-the-ball-in-play ways. Only Kansas City, which nearly won the World Series last fall, has fewer strikeouts than the Braves.

The trades of Justin Upton and Evan Gattis have, however, taken the inevitable toll. The Braves have hit 26 homers, which ties Philly for last in the majors. Kelly Johnson leads the team with six home runs, and he has been on the disabled list since May 14.

For better or worse, the model of the New Braves is Nick Markakis, who through 43 games is batting .308 with an on-base percentage of .399 and no home runs. This gives him a WAR (wins above replacement) value of 0.5, according to Baseball Reference. By way of comparison, the Braves’ previous right fielder — Jason Heyward — has hit .238 for St. Louis but has a WAR value of 0.6. (Justin Upton’s WAR value as a Padre is 1.6.)

The intent today isn’t to assess each offseason trade. The Braves got what they wanted, which was young pitching, and they’ve patched enough everyday holes to field a competitive team. They’ve been a heck of a lot better than the Marlins, who spent a lot of money to stay terrible and have already done the Marlin thing of firing their manager.

We ask: Are the results of these first 43 games sustainable? Probably not. The Braves are in the bottom half of big-league teams in runs and 17th in ERA, which means they haven’t been great at either. They’ve been outscored (by four runs) on the season. They’ve played only 14 games against opponents who, as of Memorial Day, held winning records; they lost 10 of the 14.

Back to projections: Baseball Prospectus assigns the Braves a 5.5 percent chance of making the playoffs. FanGraphs now sees them finishing 76-86, which would be three games worse than last season but five games better than the web site expected in February.

That sounds about right. Apart from Miller, the rotation has been less than airtight — the Braves are 21st in the majors in quality starts — and rotations rule the regular season. If the pitching stabilizes, this team might win 80 games. But the schedule is about to stiffen, and winning 80 seems an absolute-best-case scenario.

Will the .500 Braves stay afloat all season?

By Mark Bradley

Today’s AJC offered a look at the Atlanta Braves as of Memorial Day, which dawned with them above .500. (If only just. They were 22-21. They’re 22-22 after Monday’s loss in L.A.) Given that the Braves were expected to be terrible, the season’s first quarter has been something of an accomplishment.

But here we note: Memorial Day 2014 dawned with the Braves at 28-21, holders of a three-game lead in the National League East. They would finish 79-83, 17 games behind the Washington Nationals. With its lousy offense, those Braves couldn’t hold up. The offense is better this season — the Braves have scored the 19th-most runs in the majors, up from the 29th of 2014 — but it still isn’t good. (They’ve gotten skilled at not striking out; they’ve also gotten skilled at not hitting home runs.)

The difference is, the Braves’ pitching has become mediocre. They hold the 20th-best ERA in the majors and are tied for 18th in quality starts. (A year ago they led all MLB teams in the latter category.) Even as we credit the Braves for holding it together this long, we have to ask: How much can we reasonably expect of a team that ranks in the bottom half in both hitting and pitching?

The Braves got a break from their early schedule. They’ve played only 15 games against teams that currently hold winning records; they’re 4-11 in those. June will be a much more testing month. If the Braves are still at .500 on the Fourth of July, there should be a parade down Peachtree.

Tuesday’s game: Braves at Dodgers

By Carroll Rogers - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Where: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

When: 10:10 p.m.

TV/Radio: SPSO/680, 93.7, 106.7

Probable starting pitchers: Braves RH Julio Teheran (4-1, 3.91) vs. LH Clayton Kershaw (2-3, 4.32)

What’s new: Kershaw, the three-time NL Cy Young award winner (2011, 2013, 2014) has been vulnerable this season and pedestrian fastball command in key situations might be the biggest reason why. He’s getting hit at a .251 clip, which is 40 points higher than his career average of .211. Kershaw might be relieved he’s not pitching against Madison Bumgarner. He’s faced the Giants’ ace three times already, and gave up a home run to Bumgarner in his last start - the first he’s ever allowed to a pitcher. Freddie Freeman is 2-for-6 with a home run off Kershaw. The Braves failed to hit a homer during their recent six-game homestand, which is the first time they’ve done that in a homestand of six games or more since 1983 when they were playing in Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.

Prospect Primer: Weekly update on Braves’ top minor leaguers

By Carroll Rogers - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Matt Wisler, RHP, Triple-A Gwinnett

Ranking: Braves’ No. 1 prospect by Baseball America

Wisler was excited about pitching last Wednesday in Toledo, just an hour from his hometown of Bryan, Ohio (population: 8,000). He didn’t get the results he might have hoped for, giving up four runs on five hits in six innings in a 5-4 Gwinnett loss in extra innings, but the six innings tied for Wisler’s second-longest outing of the year. Three of the runs came in the fifth when he gave up a triple and a two-run homer. That snapped a stretch of four starts without allowing a home run since Norfolk got him twice on April 23.

Jose Peraza, 2B, Triple-A Gwinnett

Ranking: No. 2 prospect by Baseball America

Peraza celebrated returning to the lineup after missing five games with a sore hamstring by hitting home runs in back-to-back games Thursday and Friday. The home run Thursday was Peraza’s first in Triple-A. He hit it off right-hander Toru Murata and he followed it up by hitting his second the next night off left-hander Michael Roth. Peraza snapped his eight-game hitting streak Saturday during which he hit .353 (12-for-34) with a double, a triple, six runs scored, eight RBIs and three stolen bases.

Jason Hursh, RHP, Double-A Mississippi

Ranking: No. 7 prospect by Baseball America

After going 0-3 with an 8.56 ERA through his first seven starts, Hursh has had two straight quality starts thanks in part to an adjustment he made to help the command of his two-seam fastball. Hursh followed up his six shutout innings in a 1-0 win in Pensacola with another good outing in Jacksonville. He pitched 6 1/3 innings and gave up only two earned runs. He gave up 10 hits in the game but didn’t walk a batter for the first time all year and struck out five.

Ozhaino Albies, SS, low Single-A Rome

Ranking: No. 8 prospect by Baseball America

Albies has cooled off just a bit, but he’s putting up another strong month in his first full professional season. Albies hit .273 with one double, two triples, six RBIs, 15 runs scored and six stolen bases in 10 attempts in April. Entering Monday, he was hitting .284 in May with three doubles, two triples, 10 RBIs, 14 runs scored and 11 stolen bases in 13 attempts.

Braxton Davidson, LF, low Single-A Rome

Ranking: No. 12 prospect by Baseball America

Davidson used a three-hit game May 16 while playing in his hometown of Asheville, N.C., to help get him going at the plate. Last year’s first-round draft pick has collected hits in six of his eight games since. Starting that night in Asheville, he has batted .367 (11-for-30) with a home run in his past nine games to raise his season average from .212 to .248 entering Monday.

Rio Ruiz, 3B, Double-A Mississippi

Ranking: No. 11 prospect by Baseball America

Ruiz celebrated his 21st birthday on Friday and it was nice reprieve from what he’s been dealing with the first two months of the season. He endured an 0-for-26 stretch while watching his season average drop to .168. Ruiz doubled to break out of it and had hits in four of his next five games.

Tyrell Jenkins, RHP, Double-A Mississippi

Ranking: No. 13 prospect by Baseball America

Jenkins took a no-hitter into the sixth inning of his last start Friday night, that coming after throwing seven shutout innings the day Shelby Miller fell one out shy of a no-hitter for Atlanta. He did not allow a run until the eighth inning, when he gave up two, becoming the first Mississippi starter to work into the eighth this season. Jenkins is leading the team in innings pitched (52) and strikeouts (33), while going 3-2 with a 2.94 ERA.

Manny Banuelos, LHP, Triple-A Gwinnett

Ranking: No. 14 prospect by Baseball America

Banuelos snapped his streak of seven straight starts with at least five innings pitched when he lasted only 4 1/3 innings on Saturday at Columbus. But he still got good results, despite not pitching economically (90 pitches, only 52 strikes). He gave up just one run on four hits and combined with three other pitchers on a four-hitter. Banuelos has allowed one or no runs in each of his past five starts, while going 2-0 with a 1.32 ERA.

Mauricio Cabrera, RHP, high Single-A Carolina Mudcats

Ranking: 16th prospect by Baseball America

Cabrera gave up six runs while recording just one out in his last relief appearance for Carolina on Sunday to spoil what had been a good start to the season for the hard-throwing Dominican. Cabrera had done scoreless work in eight of his first 10 relief appearances. A hard-throwing righty, he went 1-1 with a 5.73 ERA in 22 games (five starts) last season for the Gulf Coast Braves and Lynchburg combined.

Mallex Smith, CF, Double-A Mississippi

Ranking: No. 17 prospect by Baseball America

First there was the 14-game hitting streak (hitting .364, 20-for-55), which was snapped on Tuesday. Now Smith has got another five-game hitting streak working with a five-game stolen base streak on top of it. Entering Monday’s game in Jacksonville, Smith had matched the third-longest stolen base streak of his career and was two shy of matching his career best of seven straight games with a steal which he did May 26-June 1, 2014. He stole 88 bases last season to lead the minors.

Guaranteed Maximum Price set for Braves’ SunTrust Park

By Dan Klepal

The Atlanta Braves and construction manager American Builders 2017 have agreed upon a Guaranteed Maximum Price of $450 million to build SunTrust Park.

The so-called GMP is not the entire project cost. Rather, it just incorporates the hard construction costs — things like concrete, steel, labor, plumbing and electrical. It does not include soft costs, or things such as fees for attorneys, architects or the construction manager.

The stadium has a $622 million budget, although it allows for the Braves to increase it by $50 million at the teams’ discretion. Braves officials have said that may be necessary to provide more parking.

The GMP is security for the team. Any costs above the GMP are covered by the construction manager, unless they result from changes to the stadium requested by the team or the county. In that case, the party requesting the change would have to cover the incremental cost.

Fox Sports South

Three Cuts: Braves fall to Dodgers; trade winds may blow for Callaspo

Jay Clemons

Here are a few random takes from the Braves' 6-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday -- a holiday defeat which likely marks the seasonal low point for the Atlanta bullpen:

1. THERE'S NO WAY TO SOFTEN THE BLOW OF THE BULLPEN'S MELTDOWN IN THE EIGHTH INNING

Tie game (2-all).

Two walks allowed.

Three homers surrendered.

Ball game.

These were the tent-pole moments of the Braves' wretched 8th, with reliever Nick Masset giving up three homers and sucking all the drama from a nip-and-tuck affair through seven innings.

First up, Andre Ethier crushed a ball over the right-center wall at the leadoff spot, boosting the Dodgers' lead to 3-2.

Next up, Masset committed the cardinal sin of walking catcher A.J. Ellis -- a .116 hitter for the season -- before serving up another long ball to Alex Guerrero, who came off the bench to smack a two-run homer to left field.

Back to Ellis: You can't allow someone like that to get on base at such a crucial point. Heck, put the ball on a tee and take your chances!

Two batters later, shortstop Jimmy Rollins rocketed an inside groove pitch into the right-field seats, capping the Dodgers' scoring for the night.

At that point, you could almost hear the late, great and fictional Lou Brown -- the lovably guff manager in the Major Leaguemovies -- saying in the dugout, "I think ... you can go get Masset now."

To be fair, though, Masset owned up to his foibles in the post-game media session.

"I feel like I let my team down," said Masset, who attributed the homer barrage as a simple, but complex matter of 'flat' fastballs.

2. WILLIAMS PEREZ MAY BE ONE MORE SOLID OUTING FROM CEMENTING THE NO. 5 SPOT IN THE ATLANTA ROTATION

How's this for consistency? In Perez's two starts (May 20 and Monday), the Venezuelan fanned seven batters and allowed just one earned run both times. The only difference: Last week's effort against the Rays endured only five innings ... while Perez went six full innings on Monday.

Not bad for a guy with a 6.14 ERA heading into the holiday weekend, and one who logged just 89 minor-league starts from 2009-15.

Perez was a rock-solid performer against the Dodgers (27-17, 1st place in the NL West), retiring his final four batters and never facing more than five hitters after the first inning. The opening frame was admittedly rocky, with the 24-year-old walking home a run (scoring Jimmy Rollins) ... but that would be the sole damage on Perez's resume.

Early troubles aside, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez was pleased with Perez's overall effort.

"He bounced back, and he did a nice job," said Gonzalez of Perez, while praising his starter's stealth mix of pitches against Los Angeles.

Perez appeared to get stronger as the outing rolled on, as well, striking out four total Dodgers in the final two innings.

When assessing Perez's cumulative work of the last week, Gonzalez marveled, "It's been better than I expected ... so far, I've liked the way he's pitched."

Gonzalez then added: "We'll run him back out there in another (five) days."

3. ALBERTO CALLASPO'S LAST-MINUTE REMOVAL FROM MONDAY'S LINEUP MIGHT BE THE IMPETUS BEHIND A TUESDAY TRADE

It's a fair question to ask: Is there really a market for a 32-year-old infielder with marginal tallies in batting average (.206), on-base percentage (.293), slugging (.252), homers (one), RBI (eight) and OPS (.545)?

Apparently, yes.

When talking to the L.A.-based media, Gonzalez revealed that Callaspo -- in his first season with the Braves -- was held out Monday as an injury precaution.

Without any inside information, here's an educated guess to the mystery suitor: the defending AL champion Royals.

**In his 10-year career, Callaspo has sublime numbers against the Tigers(7 HR/28 RBI/31 runs/.298 batting/.357 OBP) and Twins (8 HR/33 RBI/44 runs/.314 batting/.366 OBP) -- both AL Central rivals and potential playoff foes come October.

**When perusing Kansas City's active depth chart, Christian Colon serves as the backup at third base, second base and shortstop.

3B. THE BRAVES HAVE SLOWLY ADOPTED SOME OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF LAST YEAR'S ANEMIC OFFENSE

Yes, Atlanta (22-22, 3rd place in the NL East) had the second-fewest team strikeouts in baseball heading into Monday (trailing only the Royals). And yes, the Braves struck out on only four times in the opener against the Dodgers.

However, the name of the game still involves finding ways to score; and of their last seven outings, the Braves (11 baserunners on Monday) have plated three or fewer runs six times.

That's not a recipe for consistent winning -- even if Shelby Miller (5-1, 1.50 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 48/18 K-BB) suddenly resembles Greg Maddux in his prime.

3C. JACE PETERSON'S LEAPING/DIVING CATCH MAY BE THE CLUBHOUSE LEADER FOR 'BRAVES DEFENSIVE SNAG OF THE YEAR THAT DOESN'T INVOLVE ANDRELTON SIMMONS'

We don't have much to say in this mini-section -- the highlight of Peterson's amazing stab off Adrian Gonzalez's shallow-outfield flubber speaks for itself.

We simply needed a reason to post the link.

MiLB.com

Southern notes: Smith earns high praise

M-Braves outfielder drawing lofty comparisons from new organization

By Guy Curtright / Special to MiLB.com

Mallex Smith, acquired from San Diego in the Justin Upton trade over the winter, got some high praise during Spring Training with the Atlanta Braves.

Hitting coach Kevin Seitzer likened the young center fielder to former Major League standout Kenny Lofton after seeing him lay down some bunts, and Braves director of baseball operations John Hart seconded that thought.

As lofty as those comparisons were, though, it may have shortchanged Smith a little in the speed department.

Asked to compare the now 22-year-old Mississippi Braves player to the top Major League speedsters of today, Fredi Gonzalez put him at or near the top.

"Oh, it's right up there," the Braves manager said of the organization's No. 15 prospect. "Billy Hamilton-type speed, maybe just a tad below. I was really impressed. His speed is there with Hamilton, Dee Gordon."

Smith, who led the Minors with 88 stolen bases last year in Class A, has had to go through a bit of a learning curve on the bases in Double-A. That doesn't mean, though, that his speed isn't paying off.

Taking advantage of the bunting ability that impressed Seitzer and Hart, Smith went into Memorial Day leading the Southern League with a .348 batting average.

"I lay down at least one bunt every series," the left-handed batter said. "It works two ways. It's hard to throw me out, so they have to play in. Then when they do, I can hit it by them."

Smith, who took over the Southern League batting lead by going 9-for-15 in a five-game stretch, has only seven extra-base hits, but a single or walk can quickly turn into much more. His on-base percentage was .395 and he had scored 23 runs and driven in 16.

Maybe too eager to match last season's steals total, Smith in the first four weeks of the season was picked off six times -- twice on Opening Night.

Catchers, though, have caught him stealing just twice in 17 attempts. He is 8-for-10 on steals of second base and 7-for-7 going to third.

"I'm getting back in the groove now," said Smith, who had seven stolen bases in his past five games. "The pickoffs affected me for a while. I lost my confidence a little bit, but now it's back."

Confidence is something in which the 5-foo-9 native of Tallahassee, Florida, isn't usually lacking.

A defensive back in high school, Smith once thought his future was in football. But the college offers he had hoped for didn't materialize, and he headed to Santa Fe Community College to play baseball.

"I didn't choose baseball -- baseball chose me," said Smith, who was taken in the fifth round of the 2012 Draft by the Padres after stealing 37 bases as a freshman and was given an over-slot bonus of $375,000.

Smith hit a combined .310 last season for Class A Fort Wayne and Class A Advanced Lancaster while running wild on the bases, then hit .305 in the Arizona Fall League. The Braves loved his speed and made sure he was included as part of the Upton deal.

"To be traded by the Padres was a surprise," he said. "But I grew up a Braves fan, and the more I thought about everything, it seemed like a good opportunity."

Smith was 4-for-11 with a triple and stole two bases in three attempts during eight Grapefruit League games with the Braves, putting his speed on display of the whole organization.

"He just needs games to kind of polish him off," Gonzalez said. "The tools are there, and he's certainly not shy to go get balls in center field. We saw that in Spring Training. We had to tell him he's not the only one out there. There are two more guys, one to his right and one to his left."

Unless he is sidetracked, one day Smith will become the first Major Leaguer named Mallex. Where did that name come from anyway?

"Everyone in my family has a first name starting with 'M'," Smith said. "But there was a smart kid in our apartments named Alex. My mom liked his name. So I became Mallex. I'm Alex with an 'M'."

IL notes: Wisler embracing challenges

Braves prospect trying to be more consistent in new organization

By John Wagner / Special to MiLB.com

For Matt Wisler, this season was supposed to start with the Padres' Triple-A affiliate in El Paso.

That plan changed April 5 when he was sent to Atlanta as a key component in the trade for Craig Kimbrel and Melvin Upton Jr.

That presented Wisler, who was assigned to Gwinnett, with a pair of challenges. Suddenly, the 22-year-old right-hander had to prove his worth to a new organization while blending in with teammates he had never played with -- not even in Spring Training.

That's a difficult task, isn't it?

"It's not difficult when you're the type of person Matt is," Gwinnett manager Brian Snitker said. "He's a great kid who's very intelligent and he's very aware of what's going on.

"It's not easy when you come to Spring Training and you think you're going somewhere and then you get traded for the best closer in Major League Baseball. I don't see it affecting him one bit. I think he's done a remarkable job handling it. I think his makeup will allow him to handle any adversity he might face."

Wisler faced little adversity while rising through the Padres system, dominating at the lower levels before suffering a bit of a hiccup last year at El Paso.

There have been ups and downs with Gwinnett this season as well. He started the year 0-3 and, after allowing seven earned runs over 4 1/3 innings against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on April 29, his ERA stood at 6.75.

But in his next start, a rematch against the RailRiders, he gave up just one run in 5 1/3 innings. Wisler has won two of his last four outings to move to 2-3 while lowering his ERA to 4.40 in eight starts.

Wisler's combination of sinker, curve, slider and changeup have netted 38 strikeouts in 45 innings, but punchouts are just one measure of success.

"If I'm throwing all four pitches and locating them well, I'll have success," Wisler said. "If I'm getting a lot of strikeouts, that means my slider is 'on' that day. But all my pitches can get outs. Today, I got a lot of outs with changeups and curveballs."

While the whiffs are nice, Snitker said he's been more impressed with Wisler's command as the young right-hander has issued only nine walks, an average of one every five innings.

"He just pounds the strike zone and his command is getting better," Snitker said. "And his velocity is starting to tick up a little bit as he goes out there. He has worked hard on his secondary pitches, things like holding runners and stuff like that."

While becoming more consistent is one area in which Wisler is still working, there's another challenge he faces: While proving himself to a new organization and new teammates, he's trying to prove he's worthy of a promotion to Atlanta.

That's a challenge Wisler is ready to accept.

"I think it's all on me and trying to make the improvements I need to make," he said. "I'm trying to be more consistent with my stuff [with Gwinnett], trying to make my breaking stuff sharper and more consistent.

"I try not to think about [a promotion]. I just work every day, control what I can control and try to get better every day. Then, whatever happens, happens."

Sports Journal

Cameron Maybin Gets Comfortable at the Top of Atlanta Braves Lineup

By Savannah Ajar

The Atlanta Braves will begin the series against the Los Angeles Dodgers above the .500 mark after winning four of the five last games.

28-year old Cameron Maybin can hold his head up high with that number and seeing that his long journey to the Braves is finally paying off. Not only through team success, but also his satisfaction playing for the team he grew up rooting for – and playing well.

Maybin was 10th-overall in 2005 out of Asheville, N.C., and ranked sixth overall in Baseball America’s top 100 prospects three years later.

He was the main prospect traded to the Florida Marlins in December 2007 for Miguel Cabrera and put to work after being advertised for his speed, power and center field defense.

Maybin never reached a full-time position for Florida and got traded to San Diego in 2010 for two relievers. This trade improved his performance and he hit .264 with nine home runs, consistantly played strong defense and made 40 steals.

He struggled the next two years and then traded to the Braves, a natural comfort zone, just three hours away from his hometown. Atlanta let Maybin play working his way to a full-time spot, and is now able show the skills that made him a top prospect. He is getting a chance to develop as an outfielder in ways he hadn’t found a way to with previous teams and started 19 of the Braves 21 games in May.

He has all the ingredients of a hot streak and earned the number two spot on Atlanta’s lineup to start the Dodgers series at Chavez Ravine.

“He’s healthy this year, knock on wood. And I think [hitting coach Kevin] Seitzer has been good for him,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

Maybin stretched his hitting streak to nine games on Sunday and is batting .255. A lot of his success he says he owes to with working out with Seitzer.

“I’m competing, man,” he said. “Working my tail off every day with Seitz, trusting all the work we’re putting in. I think just the quality of the at-bats, the consistency and quality of the at-bats, I couldn’t be happier with the direction we’re going.”

Maybin and the Braves aren’t looking bad lately but should stay on their guard for the Dodgers this Memorial Day. Coming back from a harsh Sunday loss against the Padres, they could be looking to put up a good fight.

Braves’ Christian Bethancourt Waiting for Opportunity to Shine

By Chris Kersevan

Christian Bethancourt has built a fair amount of buzz in prospect circles for a few years now, especially after the Atlanta Braves parted with long-time catcher Brian McCann following the 2013 season.

With Atlanta choosing to move former catcher Evan Gattis this winter, all eyes turned to Bethancourt, who at 23 years of age had been viewed by nearly everyone as the heir apparent to the catching throne in Atlanta.

What many thought was a foregone conclusion entering the season, hasn’t yet materialized, as the young backstop has seen most of his time sitting in favor of veteran catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who signed as a free agent this past offseason.

Bethancourt’s defensive prowess is undeniable, but the Braves saw him struggle with that aspect as a rookie last season, where he made three errors in 29 starts. Unfortunately, defense happens to be his current calling card, as the bat has some distance to make up to be on-par with his glove.

Bethancourt is hitting just .182 through 66 at-bats on the year, and while he’s made just one error so far, he still hasn’t tapped into his potential as a future Gold Glove catcher.

With all of that going on, Atlanta has given Pierzynski 25 starts, compared to 19 for Bethancourt, as the team tries to work the youngster through some of his struggles.

“If I’m not doing whatever they’re asking me to do and someone else is doing it, that’s who’s going to play,” said Bethancourt of his current role. “I’m just waiting for my opportunity and need to take advantage of it.”

Part of Pierzynski’s increased role has to do with the fact that the supposedly rebuilding Braves have been surprisingly competitive so far, going 22-22 through the first quarter of the schedule.

So while the young Bethancourt is still the future of the Braves, the 38-year-old Pierzynski represents the team’s best shot at winning for right now. Until (or if) the Braves do begin to tail-off in the standings, the job appears to be Pierzynski’s to lose.

That doesn’t mean Bethancourt is throwing in the towel on potentially making an impact in 2015 though.

“I’ve just got to watch, learn and whenever my opportunity comes up, I’ve just got to be myself. I know I can do the job. I know I can be able to be out there every day,” said Bethancourt.

That day isn’t right now, but it’s coming. As long as he continues to learn the finer points of the game, Bethancourt’s time to shine is just around the corner.

The Sports Xchange

Three eighth-inning homers lead Dodgers past Braves

By Sports Xchange

LOS ANGELES -- Right fielder Andre Ethier, pinch-hitter Alex Guerrero and shortstop Jimmy Rollins each homered in the eighth inning, rallying the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 6-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves before 44,680 at Dodger Stadium on Monday.

All three went deep off Braves reliever Nick Masset (0-1), who was tagged for four runs and three hits in an inning.

Dodgers left-hander Adam Liberatore (1-1) captured his first career major league win, working a 1-2-3 inning in the eighth. Closer Kenley Jansen recorded his fourth save by retiring all three batters he faced after Chris Hatcher gave up a run and failed to get an out in the ninth.

First baseman Adrian Gonzalez's groundout to reliever Luis Avilan scored center fielder Joc Pederson, who went 3-for-5 with a double, to knot the score at 2 apiece with two outs in the seventh inning. Masset replaced Avilan and forced third baseman Justin Turner to ground out to short to end the inning, but the right-hander would be as fortunate in the eighth.

Braves rookie Williams Perez, in his second major league start, settled down after a shaky first inning to pitch five solid frames. Perez allowed a run on seven hits, six of those singles, with seven strikeouts and a walk in six innings. He also hit a batter in 106 pitches (59).

Dodgers starter Brett Anderson gave up two runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and two walks (one intentional) in seven innings. Anderson also threw a wild pitch.

Peterson, who went 1-for-4, robbed Gonzalez of a base hit with a diving grab in shallow right in the third for the defensive gem of the game.

Perez issued a bases-loaded walk to Ethier in the first for a 1-0 Dodgers lead.

Atlanta tied the score on a two-out RBI single by third baseman Pedro Ciriaco, bringing home left fielder Jonny Gomes, in the fourth.

First baseman Freddie Freeman put Atlanta up 2-1 in the fifth on a run-scoring single to right, scoring center fielder Cameron Maybin, who walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch.

NOTES: Retired Lt. Col. Robert Friend, a 95-year-old who is one of the last surviving members of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, was a guest of the Dodgers for pregame festivities at Dodger Stadium on Memorial Day. Representatives from each branch of the Armed Forces tossed ceremonial

first pitches. ... Atlanta INF Chris Johnson, who was scheduled to begin a rehab stint Monday night at Triple-A Gwinnett, could return to the Braves on Thursday. ... Braves OF Eric Young Jr. celebrated his 30th birthday. ... Atlanta RHP Julio Teheran (4-1, 3.91 ERA) will face Los Angeles LHP Clayton Kershaw (2-3, 4.32) on Tuesday.

Associated Press

Homer happy: Dodgers hit 3 in 8th to beat Braves 6-3

By BETH HARRIS (AP Sports Writer)

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Andre Ethier made it clear in spring training: He wanted to be an everyday player.

Because of injuries, he's gotten his wish and the veteran outfielder is proving a valuable offensive commodity. His solo homer put the Los Angeles Dodgers ahead for good in the eighth inning, rallying them to a 6-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Monday night.

''Satisfaction that we're playing good ball and in first place,'' Ethier said. ''My frame of mind is make the most of my opportunities every day. Still don't know what tomorrow will hold. You got to go out there and fight.''

Alex Guerrero and Jimmy Rollins also homered in the eighth to give the Dodgers a crucial cushion.

Ethier got things started, homering to snap a 2-all tie against Nick Masset (0-1). Ethier's bases-loaded walk in the first drove in the Dodgers' initial run.

Pinch-hitter Guerrero sent a 3-1 pitch into the left-field pavilion, scoring A.J. Ellis, who walked, to make it 5-2. It was Guerrero's major-league leading third pinch-hit homer. With two outs, Rollins homered for a 6-2 lead.

It was the Dodgers' most runs scored since getting six on May 15 against Colorado. They lead the majors with 60 homers.

''It was definitely an embarrassment. I feel like I let the team down,'' Masset said. ''I blew the lead and gave us a big fat 'L.'''

Ethier said he never stopped believing in himself, even when he fell behind Yasiel Puig and Joc Pederson in the outfield hierarchy, and was dealing with a variety of injuries. Ethier is hitting .313 - third-best on the team.

''Andre has backed it up and he deserves to be playing every day,'' manager Don Mattingly said.

Adam Liberatore (1-0) got the victory, tossing 11 pitches, and Kenley Jansen got three outs in the ninth for his fourth save.

Los Angeles tied it at 2-all in the seventh on Adrian Gonzalez's bases-loaded groundout to the pitcher.

Atlanta took a 2-1 lead in the fifth on Freddie Freeman's RBI single after tying the score 1-all in the fourth on Pedro Ciriaco's RBI single with two outs.

The Dodgers had a chance to extend their lead in the third, but Scott Van Slyke grounded into a double play with the bases loaded to end the inning.

Williams Perez allowed one run and seven hits in six innings of his second major league start for the Braves. He struck out seven and walked one.

''He was better than I expected,'' Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. ''I liked the way he progressed and I think he did a very nice job. In five days, we'll be ready to put him back out there. He can build on this game.''

Dodgers starter Brett Anderson gave up two runs and seven hits in seven innings. The left-hander struck out three and walked two. He had some back stiffness in the fifth, but after throwing a few pitches under the watchful eye of a trainer he stayed in the game.

''Hopefully, I'll wake up tomorrow and feel fine,'' Anderson said.

JANSEN'S SAVE

He came on with two runners on base in the ninth to put up his 14th consecutive scoreless appearance since Sept. 5, 2014. In five innings this season,Carlos Gonzalez is the only batter to reach base off Jansen, on a wild pitch after striking out. Jansen has yet to allow a hit or a walk in five appearances so far.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Braves: INF Alberto Callaspo was scratched before the game because he could be part of a potential trade. ... INF Chris Johnson, recovering from a broken left hand, will play three minor league games before possibly re-joining the team on Thursday in San Francisco.

Dodgers: C Yasmani Grandal, on the seven-day concussion disabled list, will do drill work and be the designated hitter but won't catch during a minor league rehab stint lasting two or three games.

UP NEXT

Braves: Julio Teheran (4-1, 3.91 ERA) starts the middle game of the series. He has yet to beat the Dodgers in two career starts against them.

Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw (2-3, 4.32) already has as many losses as he did all of last season.

Braves-Dodgers Preview

By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO (STATS Writer)

Clayton Kershaw only lost three times last year. He's already matched that total in 2015.

With Los Angeles' offense showing signs of improvement, Kershaw attempts to begin turning things around Tuesday night when the Dodgers face the Atlanta Braves.

Los Angeles (27-17) went 23-4 when giving the ball to Kershaw last season, and his importance was acknowledged with NL MVP honors and a third Cy Young Award.

Things aren't going so well for Kershaw (2-3, 4.32 ERA) in 2015. The Dodgers have lost five of his nine starts, he's yielded at least two runs in each and has allowed opponents to hit .251 with six homers and 16 walks.

Last year, the left-hander held batters to a .196 average with nine homers and a career-low 31 walks.

Kershaw allowed four runs in 7 1-3 innings of Thursday's 4-0 loss at San Francisco. He served up a solo homer to Giants starter Madison Bumgarner, the first he's given up to an opposing pitcher in his eight-year career.

"You never want to say you're worried," Kershaw told MLB's official website. "We haven't gotten everybody going at the same time, me included."

The Dodgers, though, may have started to get their bats going, collecting 11 hits with three homers in a 6-3 win over Atlanta (22-22) in Monday's opener. They were hitting .190 with three homers and nine runs while dropping five of the previous eight.

Andre Ethier has five hits in four games after going 2 for 3 with a homer and two RBIs on Monday. He's batting .410 (16 for 39) in the past 12 home games, and has grabbed the starting spot in right field against right-handers with Yasiel Puig on the disabled list.

"Andre has backed it up and he deserves to be playing every day," manager Don Mattingly said.

Ethier will face Julio Teheran (4-1, 3.91) for the first time, and the right-hander is getting the ball opposite Kershaw for the first time since they both went the distance in a 2-1 home win for the Dodgers on July 31. Teheran tossed a five-hitter while Kershaw yielded nine hits in his first meeting with the Braves since 2011.

Teheran wasn't nearly that effective in his only other start against Los Angeles, surrendering five runs and nine hits in 7 1-3 innings of a 6-2 defeat Aug. 11.

He enters this one after his best effort of the season. He allowed one run and two hits with eight strikeouts in seven innings of a 10-1 win over Milwaukee on Thursday, the third time in four outings he's yielded fewer than two earned runs.

Teheran had a 7.20 ERA over his previous three games.

"When a pitcher rallies with three of four starts like that, you've got to feel good about it," manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

Monday's loss was just Atlanta's third in the past 10 games. However, the Braves have lost seven of the past eight meetings with the Dodgers, and are facing the possibility of a five-game skid at Chavez Ravine for the first time since June 6-July 29, 1990.

Freddie Freeman is hitting .378 in his past nine games there, and he's 2 for 6 with a homer versus Kershaw.