Opening Day starter Lowe stretched out to 95 pitches
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Opening Day starter Derek Lowe gave up three runs in 5 1/3 innings against the Astros Sunday in his second-to-last start of spring training. He came away pleased with the work he did stretching out to 95 pitches, battling through fatigue.
“I felt it the last inning and a half,” said Lowe, who gave up seven hits, walked one and struck out five. “But you need that feeling, the fifth and the sixth where your legs are tired and you run the bases. You take that as a positive.”
He’s allowed only one run in 14 innings in his first four starts of spring. Overall he has a 1.86 ERA (four runs in 19 2/3 innings).
Lowe will make one more tune-up start on Saturday, going three or four innings against the Mets. Then he’s set to make his third straight Opening Day start for the Braves on March 31 against the Nationals.
Just counting down to that day becomes the hard part for Lowe.
“You ask anybody in here this last week is the hardest,” Lowe said. “…Your goal is almost to stay healthy. You still have work to do, but the finish line is close and it’s easy to start letting your mind wander to a week from Thursday.”
Notable
Chipper Jones extended his hitting streak to nine games this spring by going 3-for-3 Sunday to raise his spring batting average to .420 (21-for-50). He’s showing no ill-effects from his August knee surgery at the plate or in the field, where he made another charging play coming in at third base on a slow-roller.
Reliever George Sherrill pitched a scoreless inning Sunday in his first back-to-back work of spring training, after throwing a scoreless inning on Saturday against the Mets. He said afterward with the help of pitching coach Roger McDowell, he made an adjustment with the angle of his left foot against the rubber and it’s helping his command.
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said neither Tim Hudson nor Tommy Hanson, who are scheduled to pitch on Monday March 28, will pitch in that 6:05 p.m. game against the Nationals, since the Braves are opening the season three days later against that same lineup. Hudson and Hanson will get their tune-up work in minor league games rather than give the Nationals a look at their repertoires so close to the season-opening series.
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48 comments Add your comment
GarynpOH
March 20th, 2011
4:40 pm
first
Ken Stallings
March 20th, 2011
4:43 pm
Looks like Lowe is ready for opening day!
GarynpOH
March 20th, 2011
4:44 pm
ok that was juvenile more importantly how mather stays and ramirez does not hurts the team mather in place several others more deserving is a enigma. so what if he does not have options
choosing the option of .130?
i hope not
Billy Jack's Barbecue & Shrimp Co
March 20th, 2011
5:32 pm
the entire decision re: Mather and Lucas is intriguing. I have always wondered who makes the decision, the GM or the MGR or the corporate bean counters or all of them?
kudzu
March 20th, 2011
7:00 pm
Took the boy and we enjoyed the game LIVE…got one autograph…Brooks Conrad…go figure…
The Dude Abides
March 20th, 2011
7:10 pm
Chipper is in 2007 form.
AdirondackDave
March 20th, 2011
7:16 pm
Kudzu — That’s great, any autograph makes a youngster’s day!
northbeach Scott
March 20th, 2011
7:16 pm
Viewing the game from behind the Astros on deck circle, it looked like Lowe was in control and pitching efficiently. No wasted motion. I missed the inning where he gave up the runs, but the balance he looked like a man amongst boys.
It looks like our boy McCann has finally lost the last of the baby fat and really looks like he is prepared to have an MVP-caliber season. Perhaps Fredi will let him rest more appropriately than Eeyore. I really like the games he is calling for the pitchers.
Unknown Hinson
March 20th, 2011
7:48 pm
I was at this game today and Chipper looked great running around the bases. Glad to see 10 back looking healthy. McLouth looks rejuvinated, pitching looks good, can’t wait til opening day.
beachcomber
March 20th, 2011
9:48 pm
Scouting report from Clearwater. Yank’s “A” versus Phils “A” team was a rout. The Phils have a lot of problems despite their vaunted rotation. And Carroll – you and my wife’s Dukies looked really bad against Michigan. They need to hit another gear before next weekend.
Peter Long
March 20th, 2011
10:06 pm
How many games will Chipper start this year ? Under/Over 100 ?
Heisenberg
March 20th, 2011
10:17 pm
All off season long the constant conversation has been:
1) CF – McClouth / Schafer
2) Chipper
3) Prado moving to left field
4) Closer
5) FF at 1B
Sure it is still March so check back in May. But so far I would grade 5 for 5 as either being as good as hoped for to exceeding all expectations. Braves will open season with ZERO major question marks. Let us just hope the momentum carries over.
Peter Long
March 20th, 2011
10:35 pm
Nate McLouth over/under .270 batting average ??? I’m under.
NC Brave
March 20th, 2011
10:38 pm
DOB: You have followed the Braves and Chipper for a long time. How does Chipper’s spring this year differ from pervious springs? Does he typically tear it up like this in Orlando? I wish the season started tomorrow with him hitting like this.
Heisenberg
March 20th, 2011
10:46 pm
Peter,
I have been a constant Nate basher on these blogs. A 252 average with a 337 OBP would be in line with his career numbers. Throw in a few dingers and I will not have a single complaint (well maybe about his throwing). No I am not looking to join the McClouth fan club but after the disaster of last year anything at or above his career averages will be acceptable.
Temo
March 21st, 2011
12:11 am
Chipper in spring training:
2011- .420
2010- .310
2009- .357
2008- .357
2007- .308
2006- .379
2005- .396
2004- .327
2003- .391
2002- .283
Not a slow starter, Larry Jones.
Temo
March 21st, 2011
12:16 am
Chipper’s 3 HRs this year ties the most he’s had in said time period, though (he’s done it 3 other times).
Incidentally, apparently in 2005 Andruw had 10(!) HRs in spring training? I don’t even remember that! That was, of course, the year he hit 51 and got passed over in the MVP voting.
Source: http://espn.go.com/mlb/springStats/_/team/atl/year/2005
The Dude
March 21st, 2011
5:03 am
Chipper Numbers…
Games: 117
Avg: 0.325
HR: 22
RBI: 87
McClouth Numbers…
Avg: 0.268
HR: 19
Runs scored because he can’t make the throw: 18
longtimefan
March 21st, 2011
6:32 am
So, if Lowe, Chipper and McClouth continue to perform during the regular season as they have in ST, will all of you bashers/haters come on this blog and eat crow?
bbkorbel
March 21st, 2011
8:06 am
Fried crow taste best!
EB
March 21st, 2011
8:45 am
I hope so @longtimefan! I am so tired of people bashing, and sooo happy that, as of right now, the players are proving them wrong. I hope their performance continues on into the season!!!! So pumped!! Go Braves!!
reckingball
March 21st, 2011
9:36 am
I agree, the negativity gets tiresome. It seems like, no matter how well a player is performing, there will always be some belly-achers making snide remarks about them, on these AJC blogs.
reckingball
March 21st, 2011
9:41 am
I don’t remember any kind of issue with Nate’s throwing ability, until he failed to make a few attempts, to gun down some runners last year.
EB
March 21st, 2011
9:44 am
I guess everyone assumes that just because they are professionals, they are not allowed to make errors or mistakes. They are human just like the rest of us, stuff happens. They learn from it, try to better themselves, and move on.
reckingball
March 21st, 2011
9:46 am
Of all the ways that I have eaten crow, I perfer it stewed with gravy served over rice, but it is also very good deep-fried, with fries and coleslaw.
Common sense
March 21st, 2011
10:01 am
Why does the team not have a nutritionist available to at least advise the players on diet? Trainers should have a handle on that also. McCann had to figure all his dietary problems on his own after HOW LONG? Makes you wonder how many others on the roster could be in better condition if they just knew how.
CARRAMROD
March 21st, 2011
10:21 am
The 25 man roster should look like this:
Starters:
1. Prado – LF
2. McLouth – CF
3. Heyward – RF
4. Chipper – 3B
5. Gonzalez – SS
6. Uggla – 2B
7. Freeman – 1B
8. McCann – C
Bench
9. Hinske
10. Lucas
11. Ramirez
12. Hernandez
13. Ross
Pitchers:
14. Jurrjens
15. Lowe
16. Hanson
17. Hudson
18. Minor/Beachy which ever wins, both look good but it would be nice to have a lefty
19. Kimbrel
20. Venters
21. Linebrink
22. O’Flaherty
23. Sherrill
24. Moylan
25. Lopez
Papadawg
March 21st, 2011
10:50 am
FATIGUE! What else do these guys have to do in the off season besides stay in shape. GOOD GRIEF
David
March 21st, 2011
11:22 am
Kudzu, I too tried to get Conrads autograph but he dropped the pen.
enz
March 21st, 2011
11:42 am
Good job Carramrod…I like that roster…
MEOW!
reckingball
March 21st, 2011
12:03 pm
I suppose a person could get a little tired after throwing 90 to 100 pitches. I would.
ramblingman
March 21st, 2011
12:10 pm
Over/Under on Peter Long making an intelligent post – 1
I’ve got under.
Seriously, people are still trying to bash Chipper and McLouth, so expecting any crow eating is unrealistic.
And now we have people complaining that a pitcher feels fatigued after throwing 95 pitches. That’s hilarious to those of us who have heard of baseball before today.
Brave New World
March 21st, 2011
12:16 pm
Derek Lowe is a winner and he was a great pick up for the Braves. In addition to winning 15 and 16 games the first 2 years of his 4 year deal, signing Lowe forced the Mets to scramble and sign Ollie Perez (ex-Met as of today) for $12 million a year (over 3 years). If one doubts the swing in the balance of power in The NL East since Lowe became a Brave consider that the Braves have had 2 winning seasons and a playoff appearance since, while The Mets are favorites to occupy the NL East cellar. All in just 2 years! It’s hard to believe that the Mets were a powerhouse just 2 years ago, but they were. It’s also hard to believe that the Braves were groveling for self respect just 2 years ago, but they were. I think Derek Lowe was one of the more important moves the Braves have made. One last thought: There is no way Cliff Lee will be worth $25 million a year, and while he will show flashes of brilliance, do not be surprised if Philly fans are calling for his head over the next 5 years. GO BRAVES!
Robert
March 21st, 2011
12:26 pm
So Fredi is adjusting the pitching based on the upcoming matchups.
Interesting.
Our previous manager didnt believe in doing such things. Matter of fact, when reporters asked about it, he hee-hawed loudly, looked at them like they were from Mars, and then took a crap on the locker room floor..
Nice to see common sense employed in the way the Braves are managed
Robert
March 21st, 2011
12:31 pm
Folks – it is absolutely expected for players (especially pitchers) to go thru a period of fatigue during spring training – they get fatigued and then bounce back and are ready for the season. The arms do it. The legs do it too.
Off-season conditioning doesnt keep it from happening. Off-season conditioning is what helps them recover quickly into season form
As for Chipper and McClouth
Kudos to McClouth for putting a lot into a comeback bid. I hope it works out for him. He’s had a nice spring – now do it when it counts
Chipper – well, I guess we can all just kiss his behind now – while he takes a week or two off to rehab a hangnail and golf as soon as the season starts
Braves Fan
March 21st, 2011
12:31 pm
Yep, you can pencil in Jordan Schafer’s name for CF for the next 15 years.
Duh.
NickGranite
March 21st, 2011
12:31 pm
@reckingball. I probably watched 150 braves games last year and it was more than a few times that McClouth refused to gun down a runner. It was more than a few times before (I remember, I was screaming about it for awhile) before Joe Simpson finally got exasperated with it one game when McClouth grabbed a flyball between him and Heyward, then proceeded not to try and cutoff/throw out a runner. Simpson said if he’s not going to throw it, let someone else catch it
jim
March 21st, 2011
12:42 pm
I saw a Robert post without a single hee haw, then I looked one post up. It’s a start.
jim
March 21st, 2011
12:45 pm
In the limited amount of TV exposure for the spring training games, McLouth’s arm still seems very weak. He may try to throw more runners out this year, but it doesn’t mean they won’t be able to run on him with near impunity.
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2011
1:04 pm
DOB: You have followed the Braves and Chipper for a long time. How does Chipper’s spring this year differ from pervious springs? — NC Brave
He’s had good and bad springs, and everything-in-between springs. And like most players, it usually has not indicated whatsoever how he’s going to perform durinig the season.
In Chipper’s case, right now, it’s more relevant, though. Just because of the health issue. By that I mean, his spring performance has clearly showed the knee is good to go, and that he’s still got plenty left in the tank. He’s a hitter, always has been and still is. That question has pretty much been answered. Now it’ll just be a matter of how often he can stay in the lineup and avoid nagging injuries that extend longer than a day or three.
Braves Paisan
March 21st, 2011
1:08 pm
What’s up with today’s game, BBB denizens? The Man is making me work today!
bbkorbel
March 21st, 2011
1:09 pm
DOB Back In Da HOUSE!!!
bbkorbel
March 21st, 2011
1:10 pm
Hoped you enjoyed your days off DOB!
Barry Bonds
March 21st, 2011
1:12 pm
Chipper is on steroids.
Barry Bonds
March 21st, 2011
1:31 pm
Jordan Schafer is OFF steroids. It shows !
Mark's for the Braves
March 21st, 2011
1:32 pm
I know it’s spring training, but you can’t help but be opimistic about the Braves. They already look like a well-oiled machine in most areas. The rotation is going to be awesome and the bullpen will be solid. The lineup will be formidable if Chipper stays healthy, McClouth continues to hit as he has this spring, and Freeman’s good work carries over to the regular season. I think Prado will be just fine in LF and I don’t think Uggla will make as many errors as everyone thinks (who cares if he hits 30 HRs, drives in 100 and bats .290?)
Can we start the season now?
Threadkiller
March 21st, 2011
1:38 pm
Like I told you all before Spring Training…Chipper will have a very good year! Maybe the caliber of Come Back Player of th Year. McClouth will have a nice year to the point, come Jun, there will be quite a few folks on here demanding he be re-signed. Bank on it!
nique
March 21st, 2011
1:58 pm
Good stats Temo!