Rookie shortstop Tyler Pastornicky got his first Major League RBI Monday, a milestone lost in the 8-3 loss to the Astros. Pastornicky isn't on the team for his offense, a fact manager Fredi Gonzalez has stressed to him, so it was good to see that he isn't pressing at the plate, which paradoxically allows him to produce.
In the Braves' first win of the season, 6-4 over the Astros on Tuesday, Pastornicky walked in his first at-bat, then worked a 10-pitch at-bat for his first Major League home run in his second.
The Braves knew they were losing spectacular defense at shortstop when they chose not to re-sign Alex Gonzalez. He made all the routine plays and jaw-dropping plays besides. But Gonzalez wanted a two-year deal and the Braves thought they'd need a veteran for one season at most, as a bridge to prospect Pastornicky. When neither Gonzalez nor a veteran starter was signable, Pastornicky was thrown into the fire.
He's short on experience, obviously, but his defensive skills are not in question.
Through the first handful of games, however, one issue has emerged: Pastornicky throws the same way, no matter what. Meaning that, whether he's deep in the hole or pivoting at second base, he cuts loose with everything he has. That has cost the Braves at least one out in every game so far.
That Pastornicky's lasers are tough is evident in the faces of his intended targets: first baseman Freddie Freeman, primarily, but also right-hander Livan Hernandez, who knows where he needs to be to cover a bag. He was startled, to say the least, when Pastornicky's bomb rocketed past him Monday night.
Luckily, beginning Tuesday, Pastornicky has veteran third baseman Chipper Jones to his right once again. Time for the in-game tutorial.
NOTES, QUOTES
-3B Chipper Jones was activated from the 15-day disabled list (left knee surgery) and started at third base Tuesday, batting sixth. Jones batted sixth in the order six times last season, and for the same reason -- he was coming off an injury and needed to work his way back into offensive shape. Jones figures there's no point wasting what he has left in a minor league assignment. He singled up the middle and hit a two-run homer in his first two at-bats.
-1B Freddie Freeman moved up to third in the batting order Tuesday as manager Fredi Gonzalez tried to spark the offense. Third is where 3B Chipper Jones traditionally bats, and he was making his season debut after coming off the disabled list (left knee surgery). But Jones hit sixth Tuesday as he worked his way back into an offensive groove. Freeman struck out three times in five at-bats.
-RHP Craig Kimbrel was in the rare position of knowing he'd be coming into Tuesday's game, regardless of the situation. Unless RHP Tommy Hanson was going for a complete game. Kimbrel had yet to pitch this season and manager Fredi Gonzalez wanted him to get the work. As the game turned out, Gonzalez used the back end of his bullpen exactly as it's supposed to be used, and Kimbrel got the save in the Braves' first win.
-RF Jason Heyward was back starting in right field, where he finished Monday's game in a late-inning switch. Unless Heyward starts hitting consistently, manager Fredi Gonzalez will be looking at pitching matchups from his right fielders.
-OF Jose Constanza was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett to make room on the roster for Chipper Jones. Newly acquired 3B Juan Francisco, who made three errors in Monday's 8-3 loss to the Astros, is out of options.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"The game's easy when you get a fastball down the middle!" -- 3B Chipper Jones, on his two-run homer.
