Atlanta Braves Clippings

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Braves.com

Braves fall to Phillies in Weber's MLB debut

By Mark Bowman and Todd Zolecki / MLB.com | September 8th, 2015

ATLANTA -- The Phillies' future looks a little brighter just about every time Aaron Nola has pitched this season.

The rookie pitched seven scoreless innings in Tuesday night's 5-0 victory over the Braves at Citizens Bank Park. Nola allowed just six hits, one walk and struck out seven to improve to 6-2 with a 3.56 ERA in 10 starts since his promotion from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. It is safe to say he is a heavy favorite to be in the 2016 rotation.

"Nola was outstanding," Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin said. "He located his fastball, kept them off-balance, and made some great pitches."

Braves right-hander Ryan Weber did a nice job in his big league debut. He allowed four hits, two runs, one walk and struck out two in six innings, but Nola kept the Braves' offense in check the entire night.

The Braves are now just one game ahead of the Phillies in the battle against having Major League Baseball's worst record.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Nola bounces back: Nola suffered the worst start of his brief career last week in New York, where he allowed six earned runs in four innings against the Mets, but he rebounded nicely against the Braves. The only question is how much more the Phillies will see him this year? He has pitched 170 innings this season, including 109 1/3 innings in the Minor Leagues. The Phillies have said Nola will be limited to about 185-190 innings, which means he has about 15-20 innings to work with in his final three scheduled starts.

"Took a day or so to get over," Nola said about his start against the Mets. "Even though we didn't come out with a win that night, I still felt good and my body and arm still felt good. So that's what I brought into tonight."

Expectations exceeded: Given that he was one of the only logical candidates to never get a previous promotion from Triple-A Gwinnett this year, there didn't seem to be much reason to be optimistic about Weber's debut. But the 25-year-old right-hander faced the minimum through the first three innings and minimized damage after he allowed extra-base hits to begin the fourth and fifth innings. He induced 11 groundouts, including a pair of double plays.

"When [Weber] was on the mound, he didn't seem nervous or anything," Braves outfielder Michael Bourn said. "There aren't a lot of fans here neither. So, you've got to wait to see when he gets into a full park."

Herrera leads the way: Phillies rookie Odubel Herrera played a part in four of the Phillies' five runs. He singled to move Cesar Hernandez to third in the fourth inning. Hernandez scored a batter later on a double play to hand the Phillies a 1-0 lead. Herrera then hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning for some insurance runs. Herrera is hitting .364 (75-for-206) in his last 56 games, raising his batting average from .243 to .302.

"The three-run homer was huge," Mackanin said. "It allowed us to breathe a little bit."

Squandered opportunity: The Braves were unable to take advantage after putting two on with none out in the third and eighth innings. Luis Garcia quieted the latter threat with a Freddie Freeman strikeout and A.J. Pierzynski groundout. Ken Giles entered and walked Nick Swisher before retiring Jace Peterson, who is now 9-for-15 with the bases loaded this season. Atlanta went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

"We had people on base and we had chances," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "We just couldn't get the base hit when we needed to."

QUOTABLE "It's nice to come in here and smile for a change." -- Mackanin, in the Phillies' press conference room, referring to the Phillies' fourth victory in their last 15 games.

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS Weber became the 59th different player and 36th different pitcher used by the Braves this season. Fourteen of those pitchers have made their Major League debut this season.

The Braves have lost 27 of their past 30 road games and they have now been shut out 15 times this season.

WHAT'S NEXT Braves: Julio Teheran will take the mound as Atlanta concludes this three-game series against Philadelphia on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. ET. Teheran has pitched more effectively over the past month and he has a 1.21 ERA over his past six starts against the Phillies.

Phillies: Right-hander David Buchanan (2-7, 9.00 ERA) rejoins the Phillies' rotation. He is the sixth man in a six-man rotation, which the Phillies considered necessary to limit the workload of rookie starters Nola, Adam Morgan, Jerad Eickhoff and Alec Asher.

Weber makes good 1st impression for Atlanta

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | @mlbbowman | September 8th, 2015

PHILADELPHIA -- As Ryan Weber spent this summer producing impressive statistics, he began to wonder why he was being overlooked when so many of his Triple-A Gwinnett teammates were routinely being given auditions as members of Atlanta's ever-changing pitching staff.

So when Weber gained the opportunity he long awaited on Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park, he carried a little extra motivation with him to the mound. A few hours later, the seemingly forgotten 25-year-old pitcher stood in front of his locker and had reason to be proud of what he did while making his Major League debut in a 5-0 loss to the Phillies.

"Yeah, I did have a little chip on my shoulder because I knew I could compete here and play well," Weber said. "Finally, when they called me and said you're coming up, I knew I had to go out there and do what I've been doing all season."

Given that Weber had never previously participated in big league Spring Training with the Braves, there were not too many in attendance who knew much more than the fact that he had produced a 2.35 ERA in the 38 appearances (nine starts) he had combined to make for Double-A Mississippi and Gwinnett this season.

But as he consistently displayed an effective sinker while limiting the Phillies to two runs and four hits over six innings, he certainly made a good first impression. He induced 11 groundouts, including a pair of double plays, and needed just 76 pitches to complete this efficient debut.

"He threw the ball over the plate," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "For it being his first start in the Major Leagues, I don't think he was worried about anything. I was really impressed. I thought he did a great job for us and gave us an opportunity to win the game.

Weber faced the minimum through the first three innings and did not allow a hit until Cesar Hernandez doubled to begin the fourth inning. Hernandez advanced to 3rd on a single by Odubel Herrera, and scored on a double play.

Andres Blanco would open the bottom of the fifth with a triple and jogged home when Brian Bogusevic followed with a single.

Instead of allowing himself to be frustrated by the results, Weber induced another double play.

"That's pretty much what I've been doing all season, relying on my sinker," Weber said. "For the most part, it was down tonight."

Though he spent most of this season being utilized as a reliever, Weber made a start in each of his final three appearances for Gwinnett. He learned he was getting the call to the Majors this past weekend and spent the past couple of days mentally preparing himself for this opportunity that eluded him throughout the summer.

Now, Weber will have to prepare for the greater challenge that he will encounter when he starts Sunday afternoon's game against the National League East-leading Mets at Turner Field.

"It's my first outing and I don't want to get too excited," Weber said. "But it was definitely a great experience."

Braves announce 2016 regular-season schedule

Atlanta has Interleague games vs. AL Central; Home opener April 4

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | @mlbbowman | September 8th, 2015

PHILADELPHIA -- The Braves announced their tentative 2016 schedule and are slated to open the season by hosting the Nationals and close it against the Tigers in a three-game series that could serve as the final games ever played at Turner Field.

Opening Day will return to Atlanta when the Braves begin a two-game series against the Nationals on April 4. This first homestand will conclude with a three-game set against the Cardinals (April 8-10). The Dodgers (April 19-21), Mets (April 22-24) and Red Sox (April 25-26) will also visit Turner Field during the regular season's first month.

With the Braves set to move to SunTrust Park for the start of the 2017 season, the final games ever played at Turner Field could be contested as Atlanta concludes the 2016 regular season with a three-game series against the Tigers (Sept. 30-Oct. 2). Along with the Tigers and Red Sox, the home portion of next year's Interleague schedule will include visits from the Indians (June 27-29) and Twins (Aug. 16-17).

The road portion of the Interleague schedule includes trips to play the Red Sox (April 27-28), Royals (May 13-15), White Sox (July 8-10) and Twins (July 26-27).

Maybin still out with a left cornea abrasion

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | @mlbbowman | September 8th, 2015

PHILADELPHIA -- Cameron Maybin has enjoyed one of the healthiest and most productive seasons of his career. But the Braves' center fielder is now facing the possibility of being sidelined for a week with a left cornea abrasion that was diagnosed on Saturday.

When Maybin was re-evaluated on Tuesday, he learned that he was still at least a few days away from being cleared to play again. There is a chance that he could return at some point during this weekend's four-game series against the Mets. But a definitive timetable has not been revealed.

"[Maybin] saw the doctor today and it's going to be a couple more days," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said on Tuesday. "He's got some stuff there."

Maybin has batted .268 with a career-high 10 homers in 124 games this season. After combining to play 109 games in 2013 and '14, he went through this season encouraged that he had avoided any significant injuries. Thus, it goes without saying that he has been frustrated by this ailment that might have been a product of a contact lens.

This development regarding Maybin provided the Braves more reason to feel good about the decision they made late Monday night to recall Todd Cunningham from Triple-A Gwinnett to provide outfield depth for the remainder of this season.

"[Cunningham] is such a great defender and you can use him as a baserunner," Gonzalez said. "Hopefully, Maybin comes back in a couple days."

Along with recalling Cunningham, the Braves also promoted Ryan Weber from Gwinnett's roster. Weber made his Major League debut and went six innings, allowing two runs on four hits with two strikeouts in Tuesday night's 5-0 loss against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Weber is also slated to pitch Sunday's series finale against the Mets at Turner Field.

Weber's presence allows the Braves a chance to keep Matt Wisler in the bullpen throughout the remainder of this week. This will give Wisler more time to make some adjustments before likely rejoining the rotation later this month.

Braves, Phillies wrap up three-game series

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | @mlbbowman | September 8th, 2015

Now that Philadelphia has lost Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and its former stable of aces, Ryan Howard stands as the most recognizable figure from that recent era when the Phillies replaced the Braves as the National League East's most dominant club.

The Braves or Phillies won 16 of the 17 NL East titles awarded from 1995-2011. Howard arrived at the Major League level in 2004, in time to see the Braves win the last two of their 11 consecutive NL East crowns. Then in 2007, the powerful first baseman helped Philadelphia capture the first of its five consecutive division titles.

Thus it is easy to understand why Howard has found himself in a rather unfamiliar position this week as the Braves and Phillies have battled against gaining the distinction of owning Major League Baseball's worst record.

The two teams will conclude a three-game series on Wednesday night at Citizens Bank Park. Atlanta will send Julio Teheran to the mound to oppose David Buchanan.

Three things you need to know about this game

• Freddie Freeman is 3-for-12 (.250) in his career against Buchanan with a home run and three RBIs.

• Teheran has produced a 1.21 ERA in the six starts he has made against the Phillies dating back to the start of the 2014 season. Ryan Howard has gone 4-for-21 (.190) with a double and two homers in his career against Teheran.

• Buchanan has allowed 18 earned runs and totaled just 5 2/3 innings over his past two starts. The Atlanta native has posted a 3.91 ERA in four career starts against the Braves.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Braves quotes after Tuesday’s 5-0 loss at Philly

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

PHILADELPHIA — Braves quotes from Ryan Weber, Michael Bourn and Fredi Gonzalez after Tuesday’s 5-0 loss to the Phillies.

**RYAN WEBER

On not appearing nervous

“After sitting in the hotel room for two days and just going over every scenario and finally getting out there, I just stuck with what got me here, and that’s my sinker. And A.J. caught a great game.”

How much did it help having a veteran like A.J. to help get you through it?

“Well, just knowing that if I didn’t feel comfortable, he was going to feel comfortable, and if I didn’t want to throw a pitch, whatever he put down is going to work.”

First time through their order, you cruised; did you think second time through they had better idea what you were coming with?

“Yeah, definitely, they knew I was going to pound away with the sinker and I felt like they were all sitting on it. And I couldn’t get my off-speed over early in the game, so they were spitting on that and they were just looking fastball.”

On how the week has gone

“Pretty surreal up until right now, because I didn’t know what to expect. Finally getting out to the field and seeing the bullpen, it finally hit me. Like, I’m pitching in the big leagues.”

On facing Ryan Howard

“I knew what his strengths and weaknesses are, and I know what my strengths are, and I just stuck with my strenghths.”

Fredi and A.J. were raving about your sinker, is this what you’ve been doing all year long or did you have a little extra movement on it tonight?

“That’s pretty much what I’ve been doing all season, just relying on my sinker. For the most part it was down tonight. Obviously that’s better than if it’s up. I felt really comfortable with it.”

Did you get excited tonight finding out or confirming that your stuff was good enough to succeed at this level?

“Yeah, but it’s my first outing and I don’t want to get too excited. But it was definitely a great experience going out there and doing what I did.”

After seeing so many of your minor league teammates get called up this season, were you pitching with a little bit of a chip on your shoulder, or feeling like this was chance to prove you belong and should’ve been here earlier?

“Yeah, I did have a little chip on my shoulder, because I knew that I could compete here and play well. Finally when they called me and said you’re coming up, I knew I had to go out there and do what I’ve been doing all season.”

**FREDI GONZALEZ

On Ryan Weber’s impressive debut in a Braves loss

“Terrific. He mixed and matched, threw some good sinkers. A.J. was raving on his sinker every time coming back to the dugout. He threw the ball over the plate. For his first start in the major leagues, I don’t think he was even worried about anything. I was really impressed. I think he did a great job for us, gave us an opportunity to win the game

“We had a bunch of people on base the whole game, and we just couldn’t get that bloop single when we needed it.”

More on Weber being as advertised, good command and good sinker

“Exactly. Good athlete. Made a couple of plays at first base. I was really pleased with him.”

Maybe second time through lineup they figured out what to expect from him?

“I think there was a lot of that. But what did he give us, six innings? He did a nice job.”

Got a double play each time after giving up a run

“Yeah, he wasn’t shying away from contact. I think he only walked one guy. I was pleased.”

On having some runners on base against Nola, Phillies rookie pitcher

“And he made some pitches. He’s got, what, three solid major league pitches and throws them at any time? He did a nice job. We had chances, we just couldn’t get the base hit when we needed to.”

Peterson breaks bat with bases loaded to end inning

“We had three guys up (with runners in scoring position) that inning, the middle of the order with Freeman, A.J. and Swisher. We didn’t get anything.”

**MICHAEL BOURN

On Nola making some big pitches when he needed to with runners on base

“Yeah, he did. He had good stuff tonight, had a good curveball working, good changeup. He pitched off the fastball. You’ve got to tip your hat to him. Just keep battling. We were in it to the end, (Odubel Herrera) hit a pretty good slider, he got the barrel to it. It happens.”

On Weber’s debut for Braves

“He had good movement on his fastball. They (he and Nola) feature like the same stuff to me. I thought about that after the second inning. They both work off their two-seam fastball, both had a pretty good curve, both had a pretty good change. Both about 89-92 (mph). Their pitcher won tonight, but we had a chance to get some runs in. We just didn’t come through at that time.”’

On Weber not looking nervous in clubhouse before game or on field

“Yeah, even before the game he was just chilling at his locker, if somebody came up to say hello he would speak. Even on the mound, he didn’t seem nerved up or anything. There’s not a lot of fans here, neither, you know? Have to wait until you get into a full park, and see what goes on then.” (Smiling)

Weber impressive in debut, but Braves blanked by Phillies

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

PHILADELPHIA — In his first time through a major league lineup, Braves rookie Ryan Weber made it look easy Tuesday night. He faced the minimum nine batters, gave up only one walk and recorded six groundouts, five of those to first base.

But the second time through, Phillies hitters had a better idea of what the undersized right-hander was bringing. They scored a run on two hits in each of the fourth and fifth innings, sending Philadelphia toward a 5-0 win against the Braves in the second game of the battle-to-avoid-the-cellar series at Citizens Bank Park.

After the Braves left the bases loaded in the eighth inning, Odubel Herrera hit a three-run homer off Danny Burawa in the Phillies’ eighth to turn a two-run Braves deficit into another lopsided loss.

Weber worked six strong innings in his major league debut, allowing just four hits, two runs and one walk with two strikeouts. He induced 11 groundball outs including two double plays.

“That’s pretty much what I’ve been doing all season, just relying on my sinker,” said Weber, just called up from Triple-A Gwinnett. “For the most part it was down tonight. Obviously that’s better than if it’s up. I felt really comfortable with it.”

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez called Weber’s debut “Terrific. (Catcher) A.J. (Pierzynski) was raving on his sinker every time coming back to the dugout. He threw the ball over the plate. For his first start in the major leagues, I don’t think he was even worried about anything. I was really impressed. I think he did a great job for us, gave us an opportunity to win the game We had a bunch of people on base the whole game, and just couldn’t get that bloop single when we needed it.”

The Braves, after snapping a 12-game skid in Monday’s series opener, went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position and lost for the 20th time in their past 22 games and 27th time in 30 road games. They’ve scored just 78 runs in that 3-27 road stretch, including one or no runs in nine of of the past 23 games.

The Braves went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position during the first six innings against Phillies rookie Aaron Nola (6-2), the seventh overall pick of the June 2014 draft out of Louisiana State University.

They loaded the bases against the bullpen in the eighth before Jace Peterson broke his bat on a flare pop-out to the shortstop to end the inning. Peterson had been 9-f0r-14 with the bases loaded.

The last-place Phillies (54-85) pulled back to within one game of the Braves (55-84) in the National League East standings. The Braves need to win Wednesday’s series finale to avoid falling into a tie, which would be the first time the Braves have been in last place after the All-Star break since finishing 65-97 in the NL West in 1990.

Weber, taking the place of rookie Matt Wisler in the starting rotation for the time being, threw 48 strikes in 74 pitches and gets another start Sunday against the Mets. Wisler will pitch in a relief role for the immediate future

“I did have a little chip on my shoulder, because I knew that I could compete here and play well,” said Weber, 25, who spent nearly seven seasons in the minors before getting his first major league callup this week. “Finally when they called me and said you’re coming up, I knew I had to go out there and do what I’ve been doing all season.”

Nola (6-2) allowed six hits and one walk with seven strikeouts in seven scoreless innings, improving to 3-1 with a 2.10 ERA in five home starts.

Weber, who turned 25 last month but looks younger, threw 21 strikes in 37 pitches through the first three scoreless innings, keeping the ball on the ground. He buckled the knees of Cody Asche with a breaking ball for strike three and the second out of the third inning, his first major league strikeout.

“He had good movement on his fastball,” Braves center fielder Michael Bourn said. “(Weber and Nola) feature, like, the same stuff to me. I thought about that after the second inning. They both work off their two-seam fastball, both had a pretty good curve, both had a pretty good change. Their pitcher won tonight, but we had a chance to get some runs in. We just didn’t come through at that time.”

Weber walked the second batter of the game, Herrera, but Pierzynski threw out Herrera trying to steal second base to end the inning.

The Phillies took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning when Cesar Hernandez hit a leadoff double, Herrera singled, and Aaron Altherr grounded into a double play. The added a run in the fifth when Andres Blanco tripled to start the inning and Brian Bogusevic followed with an infield single up the middle.

The Braves had a prime scoring opportunity in the third inning after putting two on with none out on an Andrelton Simmons leadoff single and a Bourn walk. Weber struck out trying to bunt, but the runners advanced on an errant pickoff-attempt. With two in scoring position, Nick Markakis struck out and Hector Olivera flied out to end the inning.

Bourn singled and stole second base with one out in the fifth, but Weber struck out and Markakis grounded out to strand him. And in the sixth, the Braves had two on with one out after singles by Olivera and Pierzysnki, before Nick Swisher struck out and Peterson grounded out.

Cunningham recalled by Braves; no Paco in ‘pen in September

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

PHILADELPHIA — The Braves recalled outfielder Todd Cunningham from Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday, a move made to provide more defense and depth while center fielder Cameron Maybin recovers from a corneal abrasion.

Maybin was out of the lineup for a third consecutive game Tuesday and will probably need “a couple more days” to recover, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. Maybin saw an eye doctor Tuesday in Philadelphia for a follow-up after being diagnosed Sunday in Washington.

In other personnel news, Gonzalez said the Braves will keep Matt Wisler in a bullpen role for the time being, and Ryan Weber will stay in the rotation to make a second start Sunday against the Mets. Weber was called up from Triple-A to make his major league debut with a start Tuesday against the Phillies.

Tuesday would have been Wisler’s rotation turn, but the rookie was moved to the bullpen for a two-inning appearance Sunday at Washington in an effort to help him restore confidence after struggling for nearly 1 ½ months.

Also, Braves assistant general manager John Coppolella said left-handed reliever Paco Rodriguez, acquired from the Dodgers as part of the July 30 three-team, 13-player trade that brought Hector Olivera to the Braves, will likely not pitch for the Braves until next season. Rodriguez, 24, had surgery in late June to remove bone chips from his pitching elbow, and the Braves initially said they hoped to have him in their bullpen in September.

. A second-round draft pick in 2012, Rodriguez has a 2.53 ERA in 124 appearances over parts of four seasons, with 91 strikeouts and 30 walks in 85 1/3 innings. His career .189 opponents’ average includes .174 by lefties.

Fresh-faced Weber joins Braves starting rotation

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

PHILADELPHIA – Ryan Weber looks so young that when he came up to introduce himself to Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez in the hotel lobby on Monday, Gonzalez, not knowing who he was, thought Weber was going to ask him to sign a ball.

Weber was the Braves’ starting pitcher Monday night against the Phillies, called up from Triple-A to make his major league debut. He took the rotation turn of rookie Matt Wisler, who had struggled for more than a month and was moved to a bullpen role Sunday in an effort to help him relax and restore his confidence.

Wisler threw two scoreless innings with one walk, two strikeouts and one hit batter Sunday, and the Braves plan to keep him in a bullpen role for the time being. Weber is scheduled to make another start Sunday against the Mets at Turner Field.

Weber, who turned 25 last month, was 6-5 with a 2.35 ERA in a combined 38 games (nine starts) this season at Double-A and Triple-A, including 6-3 with a 2.21 ERA in 27 games (six starts) at Triple-A Gwinnett. He had 59 strikeouts with 10 walks in 99 2/3 total innings.

“He throws a sinker, curveball and changeup, able to locate with all three,” said Braves reliever Peter Moylan, who was teammates with Weber for much of the summer at Gwinnett. “He doesn’t get over-awed by any situation. Every time I’ve seen him pitch, no matter what the situation was – he’s started, he’s relieved, he’s come in with runners on…. Smart, very intelligent, good golfer, great guy, quiet.”

Generously listed as 6 feet and 180 pounds, Weber actually appears closer to 5-10 and perhaps 165. His fastball usually sits in the 89-92 mph range.

Someone asked Moylan if the newbie was a “poor man’s Greg Maddux.”

“We’ll see if he’s a poor man’s Maddux – he’s got similar movement,” Moylan said. “We’ll see what he can do when he’s thrown into this.”

Weber would be the 59th different player used by the Braves this season, nine more than their franchise record prior to 2015 and 20 more players than they used in 2014.

His debut comes against a Phillies team that selected him out Clearwater Central Catholic High in the 12th round of the 2008 free-agent draft. He didn’t sign and was drafted by the Braves a year later in the 22nd round out of St. Petersburg College.

Braves open 2016 season at home vs. Nationals

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

PHILADELPHIA — The Braves will open the 2016 at home against the Washington Nationals on April 4, after opening on the road in each of the past two seasons and four of the past five.

It will be the final season for major league baseball at Turner Field before the Braves move to a new ballpark under construction in Cobb County just outside the Perimeter. Barring radical improvement by the Braves to make the playoffs, the last team they face at Turner Field will be the Detroit Tigers in a season-ending interleague series Sept. 30-Oct. 2.

The Braves and other NL East teams will play primarily American League Central teams in interleague play in 2016, although the Braves also have four games against the Red Sox, their so-called “natural rivalry” in the view of MLB. They play the Red Sox April 25-26 in Atlanta and April 27-28 in Boston.

Other interleague series in the final season at Turner Field: vs. Indians (June 27-29), vs. Twins (Aug. 16-17) and vs. Tigers in the season finale. The Braves’ other interleague road series at at Kansas City (May 13-15), at the Chicago White Sox (July 8-10), and at Minnesota (August 16-17).

The Braves and Nationals will open the season with a two-game series April 4 and April 6, with an open date between in case of rainout. (Most teams without a domed or retractable-roof stadium have an open date after opening day due to the large number of tickets sold for the opener and the difficulty of giving refunds or rainchecks if it’s rained out.)

The five-game season-opening homestand concludes with a three-game series against the Cardinals April 8-10, before the Braves embark on a seven-game trip to Washington (four games April 11-14) and Miami (April 15-17.).

BRAVES 2016 SCHEDULE

APRIL 4, 6-Washington Nationals 8-10-St. Louis Cardinals 11-14-at Washington Nationals 15-17-at Miami Marlins 19-21-Los Angeles Dodgers 22-24-N.Y. Mets 25-26-Boston Red Sox 27-28-at Boston Red Sox 29-30-at Chicago Cubs MAY 1-at Chicago Cubs 2-4-at New York Mets 6-8-vs. Arizona Diamondbacks 10-12-vs. Philadelphia Phillies 13-15-at Kansas City Royals 16-19-at Pittsburgh Pirates 20-22-at Philadelphia Phillies 24-26-vs. Milwaukee Brewers 27-29-vs. Miami Marlins 30-31-vs. San Francisco Giants JUNE 1-2-vs. San Francisco Giants 3-5-at Los Angeles Dodgers 6-8-at San Diego Padres 10-12-vs. Chicago Cubs 13-16-vs. Cincinnati Reds 17-20-at New York Mets 21-22-at Miami Marlins 23-26-vs. New York Mets 27-29-vs. Cleveland Indians 30-vs. Miami Marlins JULY 1-3-vs. Miami Marlins 4-6-at Philadelphia Phillies 8-10-at Chicago White Sox 12-87th All-Star Game 15-17-vs. Colorado Rockies 18-20-at Cincinnati Reds 21-24-at Colorado Rockies 26-27-at Minnesota Twins 28-31-vs. Philadelphia Phillies AUGUST 2-4-vs. Pittsburgh Pirates 5-7-at St. Louis Cardinals 8-11-at Milwaukee Brewers 12-14-at Washington Nationals 16-17-vs. Minnesota Twins 18-21-vs. Washington Nationals 22-25-at Arizona Diamondbacks 26-28-at San Francisco Giants 30-31-vs. San Diego Padres SEPTEMBER 1-vs. San Diego Padres 2-4-at Philadelphia Phillies 5-7-at Washington Nationals 9-11-vs. New York Mets 12-14-vs. Miami Marlins 16-18-vs. Washington Nationals 19-21-at New York Mets

22-25-at Miami Marlins 27-29-vs. Philadelphia Phillies 30-vs. Detroit Tigers OCTOBER 1-2-vs. Detroit Tigers

The Macon Telegraph

Braves are making a mistake with Christian Bethancourt

BY BILL SHANKSsports@macon.com

Those who are making a case in support of Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez believe he should simply not be blamed for the Braves falling apart, that the front office did not give him a chance with the many moves that have drastically changed the roster in the second half of the season.

“You can’t go to the horse race without any horses” is the way one fan put it on Twitter. Well, sure, this was a transition year, and the expectations were low. But did anyone really expect the Braves to have the worst stretch in Atlanta’s history?

Entering Tuesday’s game in Philadelphia, the Braves were 13-41 in their previous 54 games. That’s one-third of the season. That’s a .241 winning percentage. That’s just awful.

To think that this stretch is worse than anything we saw in the late-1970s or the late-1980s, when there was some terribly bad baseball, is too much to fathom.

Gonzalez got a pass last year when the general manager was blamed instead for the team falling apart. He got a pass in the other years for the second-half collapses. But for him not to get some of the blame for the worst stretch in Atlanta Braves history is a mistake.

Oh, those late-season collapses are an issue. Since Gonzalez took over in 2011, the Braves are a combined 50-71 after Aug. 31, including the postseason. That’s a .421 winning percentage. So this is the manager the Braves want in the dugout when they get good again?

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.com reported Tuesday that he has “been hearing all season that players are frustrated with Gonzalez, that he essentially has lost the clubhouse.” This is not shocking, but it is scary considering how many new players are in Atlanta’s clubhouse.

Then there’s this. Young Christian Bethancourt was expected to be the starting catcher to start the season, but Gonzalez pulled the plug early when Bethancourt struggled and veteran A.J. Pierzynski did better than expected. The Braves sent Bethancourt to Triple-A in June, where he hit .327 in 52 games.

Bethancourt was called back up Aug. 24 and Gonzalez said then Bethancourt would get “regular” playing time. This was sorely needed, since Bethancourt is only 24 years old, and the Braves need to see if he can be a starting catcher moving forward, especially with Pierzynski turning 39 years old in December.

Well, Bethancourt has started about half the games played since he came back. He’s struggling at the plate, but how can he prove himself when Gonzalez will not give him the regular playing time? That was an issue before Bethancourt was sent down, as Gonzalez did not start Bethancourt in more than two games in a row at any point before his demotion. That has happened only once since Bethancourt returned, when he played in just three games in a row before being replaced again by Pierzynski.

This is a huge mistake. Why play a veteran catcher when you need to see what the young player can do? Is Gonzalez trying to make his win-loss record look better? It’s too late for that. With the Braves way out of the race, now is the time to test Bethancourt to see if he can be productive with regular -- meaning every day -- playing time.

Maybe Bethancourt is not an every-day catcher, but to not give him a full chance to prove it one way or the other is ridiculous. Even if the Braves have decided he’s not, wouldn’t it be advantageous to play Bethancourt anyway to increase his trade value? He won’t have much value now with the impression that the manager just doesn’t like him.

Gonzalez has been criticized before for his use of the pitching staff and his bizarre lineup construction, but the Bethancourt situation proves once again that some of the blame for the Braves’ struggles falls right at his doorstep. Maybe it’s just another reason to think Rosenthal’s report is spot on. Either way, Gonzalez’s future remains a pressing issue for the Braves.

CBS Sports

The Braves have been outscored by 94 runs in their last 20 games

By Mike Axisa | Baseball Writer

Coming into the season, not many people expected the Braves to contend. Not only did the Nationals look like a juggernaut, but the Mets were also a team on the rise and Atlanta traded away most of their best players as part of their rebuild. Jason Heyward, Justin Upton, Craig Kimbrel ... all sent packing in the offseason.

Despite that, the Braves managed to hang around and remain interesting through the first half of the season. They were 42-42 and four games back of the NL East lead as recently as July 7. Since then though? Yeesh. Atlanta is 13-41, by far the worst record in baseball. (The Reds are the next worst at 19-35.)

Things have been especially bad of late. Prior to yesterday's win, the Braves had lost 12 straight, and overall they are 2-18 in their last 20 games. They scored 56 runs in those 20 games, which is not good, and they've also allowed 150 runs in those 20 games. 150!

In other words, the Braves have been outscored by 94 runs in their last 20 games, or an average of 4.7 runs per game. Atlanta's -172 run differential is the second worst in baseball this year, better than only the Phillies (-181), but since July 7 the Braves have a -148 run differential in 54 games. That's unfathomable.

And, believe it or not, that is not the team's worst 20-game stretch this season. They recently had a 1-19 stretch in which they were outscored by 101 runs. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports has some details on this historic stretch of awfulness:

On the other hand, the Braves had a minus-101 run differential during their 1-19 stretch entering Monday; the 1939 Athletics were the only other team since 1900 to be outscored by 100 or more runs over a 20-game span, according to research by Keith Costas of MLB Network.

During this current 2-18 stretch, Atlanta's pitchers have a 7.29 ERA -- that doesn't include 10 unearned runs, one every other game! -- and opponents are hitting .306/.381/.546 against them. For comparison, Nelson Cruz is hitting .310/.380/.587 this season. Braves pitchers have turned every hitter they've faced over the last 20 games into a slightly less powerful version of Cruz. Yikes.

The Braves have a .241 winning percentage since they were 42-42. If that sustain that winning percentage through the end of the regular season, they'll finish the year at 61-101. From 42-42 to 61-101 in three months. That is some kind of second-half collapse.

Sporting News

Has Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez lost the clubhouse?

By Bob Hille

Published on Sep. 8, 2015 | Updated on Sep. 9, 2015

As all those losses pile up, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez reportedly has suffered another: the support of his players, Fox Sports reported.

Long a target of disenchanted Braves fans, Gonzalez nonetheless was given an extension through the 2016 season, some presume to serve as a place-holder for a bigger-name manager to be hired as the team moves into its new suburban ballpark for the 2017 season.

But a 1-19 stretch in which the team was outscored by more than 100 runs has brought to the surface unhappiness among players, Fox Sports baseball columnist Ken Rosenthal wrote Tuesday, the morning after the Braves snapped a 12-game losing streak:

"I've been hearing all season that players are frustrated with Gonzalez, that he essentially has lost the clubhouse. If that is the case, why should president of baseball operations John Hart wait to make a change? And why did he give Gonzalez an extension in the first place?"

Hart and GM John Coppolella share some of the responsibility for the team Gonzalez is guiding, having dealt away veterans in return for prospects.

In fact, Coppolella told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that it is “unfair” to judge Gonzalez and pitching coach Roger McDowell based on this year's results, yet the GM wouldn't say definitively that they would be back in 2016.

The measuring stick likely will be twofold: First, are the Braves' youngsters improving? The scoreboard isn't always a true indicator, but it would appear the answer is no, which certainly affects veteran players, too. Second, will the team the Braves field next season give fans hope enough faith in the rebuilding process to pay for season tickets as a starting point for season tickets at the shiny new stadium? Hard sell there, too.

That could leave Gonzalez facing another, bigger loss: his job.

The Sports Xchange

Braves fall in Weber's MLB debut

By The Sports Xchange

PHILADELPHIA — In a battle of rookies, Aaron Nola outdueled Ryan Weber on Tuesday night to lift the Philadelphia Phillies to a 5-0 win over the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park.

The Phillies needed a lift from their 22-year-old and got one. Philadelphia’s starters entered with a 7.14 ERA over the last 14 games, but Nola stemmed the tide by throwing seven shutout innings with a career-high seven strikeouts.

Behind his performance and a big night from center fielder Odubel Herrera, the Phillies (54-85) snapped a five-game losing streak to come within a game of the Braves (55-84) as the two duke it out for worst record in the major leagues.

Atlanta, which has not won back-to-back games since Aug. 7-8, is in that position due to losing 20 of its last 22 games and 35 of its last 45.

Herrera, also a rookie, went 2-for-3 with a three-run homer and is batting .364 since June 28, raising his average from .243 to .302. He clubbed his home run in the bottom of the eighth inning, stretching the Phillies’ lead from 2-0 to 5-0.

Nola (6-2), drafted in 2014, lowered his ERA to 3.56 in his first 10 big league starts.

Closer Ken Giles notched a four-out save for No. 12 of the season.

Braves right-hander Weber (0-1) picked up a tough-luck loss in his major league debut. The 25-year-old, a 22nd-round pick of the Braves in 2009, threw six innings of two-run ball, scattering just four hits in 74 pitches.

Weber faced the minimum through the first three innings without allowing a hit.

The Phillies then recorded their first hit and the game’s first run in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Second baseman Cesar Hernandez led off the frame with a ground-rule double followed by a single from center fielder Odubel Herrera. Weber minimized damage by getting right fielder Aaron Altherr to ground into a double play, but Hernandez scored to hand the Phillies a 1-0 lead.

Philadelphia tacked on a run the following inning thanks to a leadoff triple by shortstop Andres Blanco and an ensuing infield single from left fielder Brian Bogusevic.

In the top of the third inning, the Braves put their first two batters aboard but failed to score. Nola left them stranded by striking out the next two — the first being the pitcher attempting to sacrifice bunt — and inducing an inning-ending fly out to center field.

Atlanta also stranded a runner on second with one out in the top of the fifth inning when Weber struck out and right fielder Nick Markakis grounded out.

NOTES: Phillies LHP Ken Roberts, RHP Nefi Ogando and RHP David Buchanan were promoted from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to the major league club on Tuesday as September call-ups. Buchanan will start Wednesday’s series finale against the Braves as the Phillies begin their six-man rotation in September. … Braves RHP Ryan Weber, Tuesday’s starter, had his contract selected from Triple-A Gwinnett before the game and made his major league debut. … Phillies 3B Maikel Franco (non-displaced fracture in left wrist) was evaluated by a hand specialist on Tuesday and underwent tests. Interim manager Pete Mackanin said pregame if Franco passes those tests, he would begin taking swings. Franco went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Aug. 12. … Braves OF Cameron Maybin (eye) saw a doctor Tuesday and will be sidelined “a couple more days,” according to manager Fredi Gonzalez pregame. Maybin was hurt Sept. 5 and hasn’t played since. … OF Todd Cunningham was recalled Tuesday from Triple-A Gwinnett as a September call-up to give the Braves an extra man with Maybin out. Prior to being called up, Cunningham played 27 games with Atlanta and hit .240 in 75 at-bats.

Associated Press

Nola, Herrera lead Phillies past Braves, 5-0

By AARON BRACY (Associated Press)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Aaron Nola continues to impress.

The Phillies' rookie right-hander pitched seven innings and Odubel Herrera hit a three-run homer to lead Philadelphia to a 5-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night.

Nola (6-2) rebounded from the worst start of his career, allowing six hits with a career-high seven strikeouts and one walk, to help Philadelphia snap a five-game losing streak. The right-hander gave up six runs and nine hits in four innings of a 9-4 loss at theNew York Mets last Wednesday.

''He's a special guy,'' Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin said. ''He stepped up to the plate and really hit it out of the park. His ability to locate his fastball down in the zone on both sides of the plate is his strong suit.''

Cesar Hernandez had two hits and Brian Bogusevic had an RBI for Philadelphia.

A day after snapping their 12-game losing streak and 13-game road skid, Atlanta managed just seven hits against three Phillies pitchers while losing its 20th game in the last 22.

Ryan Weber (0-1) allowed two runs and four hits in six innings in his major league debut. The right-hander, who was a 22nd-round pick in the 2009 draft, started six games in 27 appearances for Triple-A Gwinnett this season and went 6-3 with a 2.21 ERA.

''I thought he was terrific,'' Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. ''He mixed and matched his pitches, had a good sinker and got the ball over the plate. For his first major league start, he wasn't at all worried. He was very impressive. I was really pleased.''

Weber became the 59th player used by the Braves. Earlier this season, Atlanta broke the club record of 50 players used in 2007.

''I had a little chip on my shoulder because I knew that I could compete here and play well,'' Weber said. ''Finally, when they called me and said 'You're coming up,' I knew I had to go out there and do what I had been doing all season.''

Ken Giles recorded the final four outs for his 12th save in 15 opportunities.

Philadelphia took a 1-0 lead in the fourth when Hernandez doubled, went to third on Herrera's single and scored when Aaron Altherr grounded into a double play.

Bogusevic's RBI single in the fifth drove in Andres Blanco, who tripled to lead off the inning, giving Philadelphia a 2-0 lead.

Herrera cleared the wall in right off Dan Burawa for the eighth homer of his rookie season, making it 5-0.

''It allowed us to breathe a little bit,'' Mackanin said.

The Braves threatened in the third, sixth and eighth innings.

In the third, Atlanta had runners on second and third with one out, but Nola struck out Nick Markakis and got Hector Olivera to fly out to center.

With runners on first and second with one out in the sixth, Nola fanned Nick Swisher and induced Jace Peterson into an inning-ending groundout.

''I felt like I made clutch pitches when I needed to,'' Nola said.

The Braves loaded the bases with two outs in the eighth, but Peterson hit a soft liner to short for the final out.

''We had chances, but we just couldn't come through at the right time,'' Atlanta's Michael Bourn said.

SLUMPING SLUGGER

Philadelphia's Ryan Howard went 0 for 4 with a strikeout, dropping his streak to 0 for 25.

SURGING CESAR

Hernandez extended his hitting streak to nine games, and he is batting .378 over that stretch.

STREAK SNAPPED

A night after homering, Atlanta's Freddie Freemanwent 0 for 4 with a strikeout to end his on-base streak at 12 games.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Braves: OF Cameron Maybin (left cornea abrasion) missed his third straight game.

Phillies: 3B Maikel Franco, on the DL since Aug. 12 with a left wrist fracture, will test his wrist on Wednesday.

UP NEXT

RHP David Buchanan (2-7, 9.00) takes the mound in the series finale for Philadelphia against Braves RHP Julio Teheran (9-7, 4.51) on Wednesday night. Buchanan was sent to the minors after giving up 11 runs and 11 hits in 1 2-3 inning on Aug. 1 at Arizona. Teheran is 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in two starts against Philadelphia this season.

Braves-Phillies Preview

By KEVIN MASSOTH (STATS Writer)

After avoiding their worst losing streak in nearly four decades this week, the Atlanta Braves now turn their attention to a pair of other lengthy droughts.

The Braves will go for their first series win in over three weeks and first on the road in two months Wednesday night against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Atlanta (55-84) snapped a 12-game losing streak with a 7-2 win in Monday's series opener, falling a game shy of tying the franchise's worst skid since 1976. The Braves, who have dropped 20 of their last 22, were denied their first back-to-back wins since early August with a 5-0 loss in the middle game Tuesday.

The Braves still have a shot at their first series victory since taking two of three against Arizona from Aug. 14-16, and they haven't won a road series since winning two of three in Milwaukee from July 6-8.

The club's winningest pitcher will take the mound looking to end those slides. Julio Teheran was the only Atlanta pitcher to notch a win from Aug. 17-Sept. 6 and has earned two of the team's four victories since Aug. 9.

Teheran (9-7, 4.51 ERA) holds the only winning record on Atlanta's staff and has six quality starts over his last seven. He is 3-1 during that stretch with a 3.95 ERA that's inflated by the eight runs he gave up in a 20-6 loss to the New York Yankees on Aug. 30. Teheran has given up 30 hits and 11 runs over 39 innings in the other six.

The right-hander has been especially good against the Phillies this year, using a 1.29 ERA to pick up a pair of wins. Teheran is 5-3 with a 2.54 ERA in nine career starts against the Phillies.

He held Washington to five hits and one run in six innings during a 5-2 loss Friday.

"I feel really good," Teheran told MLB's official website. "I was just trying to make pitches and trying to show my team that I wanted to stay in there."

Philadelphia (54-85) was the last road team Atlanta beat before dropping 13 straight from Aug. 11-Sept. 6, a skid which also ended Monday. The Phillies have held their spot at the bottom of the NL East during Atlanta's plummet thanks to 11 losses in 15 games.

They'll counter Teheran with David Buchanan, who will make his first start in the majors since Aug. 11.

After finishing with a 2.62 ERA in his final six starts of 2014, Buchanan (2-7, 9.00) has drifted back-and-forth from Triple-A Lehigh Valley and the Phillies in his second big-league season. He received his third promotion this week, becoming the sixth pitcher in Philadelphia's rotation in an attempt to manage the workload of four rookies ahead of him.

The right-hander had two of his better outings this season against the Braves, holding them to 10 hits and six runs over 14 innings.

Buchanan, though, was most recently sent down to the minors after imploding in a 13-1 loss against Arizona on Aug. 11. The Diamondbacks pounded him for career highs in hits (11) and runs (11) in a career-low 1 2-3 innings.

"Once the game started the ball was elevated, and that's when you get hurt," he said.

Phillies slugger Ryan Howard went 0 for 4 on Tuesday to extend his hitless streak to 25 at-bats, while Cesar Hernandez singled and doubled to extend his hit streak to nine.