Orioles 2, Braves 1
The Atlanta Braves have started off their exhibition season
horribly, and manager Fredi Gonzalez isn’t liking it.
On Thursday, even Mike Minor’s three scoreless innings didn’t
help the mood of the second-year Atlanta manager who’s trying to
live down last September’s collapse that cost the Braves a playoff
spot.
Atlanta lost to the Baltimore Orioles 2-1, and have dropped five
of six games.
In their losses, the Braves have scored seven runs. In the only
win, Atlanta scored 10. The Braves are batting .216 this
spring.
”You want to win ballgames because it’s a mindset you want to
take to the season,” Gonzalez said.
”It’s still early when you’ve played seven, eight, nine, 10
games, but the number one thing now is being healthy – but you want
to win ballgames. Any competitor who says different is probably
lying to you.”
Minor, who was 5-3 with a 4.14 ERA in 15 starts for the Braves
last season, allowed three hits and walked two in five scoreless
innings this spring.
The left-hander worked with backup catcher David Ross, and the
two worked on their strategy before the game.
”He wants to mix it up a little bit – get in game mode instead
of just throwing fastballs and trying to find the strike zone. This
time, we threw a lot of change ups and breaking balls,” Minor
said.
Against Detroit on Saturday, Minor allowed a hit and walked one
in two innings.
Jason Hammel, who was acquired by Baltimore last month, allowed
two hits and walked one in two innings. Hammel was sent to the
Orioles by Colorado along with Matt Lindstrom for Jeremy
Guthrie.
In his initial start for Baltimore, Hammel was admittedly
nervous.
”For the first time out, considering all things, the results
were good. I started with the fastball. It was a little erratic
today. That was my goal – to work on fastball command. The first
inning results were good,” Hammel said.
”First inning good, second inning a little shaky. I guess a B,
C, C plus for the effort.”
The Orioles are 3-2, and for the second straight day, played
crisply.
”I like what they’ve shown pitching-wise. They’re off to a good
start,” manager Buck Showalter said.
The game was scoreless through six innings.
Eric Hinske’s leadoff home run in the seventh gave Atlanta a 1-0
lead.
Jai Miller had an RBI single in the seventh inning to tied it
1-all, and Xavier Avery’s eighth-inning sacrifice fly gave
Baltimore the lead.
Notes: Gonzalez said that RHP Tommy Hanson, who suffered a
concussion in an auto accident on Feb. 20, will pitch on Sunday
against Toronto. … Showalter said that OF Nick Markakis, who
hasn’t played because of offseason surgery on his abdomen will be
the designated hitter on March 14. … Minor league catcher Mike
Ohlman, who had an MRI on his injured right shoulder on Wednesday,
won’t play for the remainder of spring training, Showalter said.
Ohlman was involved in an accident with his truck on Tuesday, and
will see the team orthopedist Friday. … Orioles executive vice
president of baseball operations, denied a report that the team was
interested in free agent outfielder Johnny Damon. ”I don’t think
so,” Duquette said. ”I already signed Johnny Damon when he was
28.” Duquette signed Damon as a free agent in the fall of Dec.
2001, shortly before he was fired as Boston’s GM.