Medlen pitches perfect inning in return from DL
WASHINGTON — Thirteen months after ligament-transplant elbow surgery, Braves pitcher Kris Medlen worked a perfect eighth inning in Sunday’s 3-0 oss to the Nationals in his first game back.
Medlen, who was was activated from the 60-day disabled list on Saturday, fielded a comebacker to the mound behind his back, then recorded a strikeout and flyout to shallow center field for a seven-pitch, six-strike inning.
“Felt good — I floated to the mound from the bullpen,” he said, smiling. “Obviously it’s bittersweet. I’d much rather go in and get a scoreless inning up 10-0 than down three runs. But from a personal level I can’t be happier, from the amount of work I put in and all that.”
Two months ago, the Braves announced he’d be shut dow for the rest of the season following a breakup of surgery-related scar tissued in his elbow during the rehab process. But they changed course two weeks ago because of a bullpen need and because Medlen felt good.
“He gave us a good inning,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “It was nice to see him, with all his hard work and that setback he had earlier in the summer, come back out and pitch in a major league game this year.”
The Braves lost sidearmer Peter Moylan to a torn rotator cuff and have gone without lefty George Sherrill (inflamed elbow) for four weeks. Sherrill rejoined the team in Washington on Sunday after making two Instructional League appearances, but was not activated for the series finale Sunday….
Shortstop Alex Gonzalez missed his fourth consecutive start since straining his right calf. He had planned to miss only one or two starts, but still felt some soreness when he did any explosive movements. The Braves hope to have him back in the lineup Monday.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
19 comments Add your comment
Will
September 25th, 2011
5:47 pm
First? I have no idea why I should care … but would be nice to get it for once …
Will
September 25th, 2011
5:48 pm
OK, good — now that I got it, I’ll actually comment something worthwhile — with a question. Would the Braves dare send Huddy to the mound on three days rest this Tuesday, if we’re tied with StL by that point? Not sure if we have any business sending Lowe out there, at this point.
Beachdawg
September 25th, 2011
5:52 pm
Congrats to Medlin….consolation to Moylan…anc condolences to the fans who continually watch Braves hitters try to hit an 8 run homer with the bases loaded, no outs, with 2 batters just being walked by a pitcher that was wilder than a reindeer. Damn’o'mighty this is a frustrating team to pull for!!!!
BRAVESFAN
September 25th, 2011
6:03 pm
Kris, you were awesome today! What’s the intro song going to be when you step on the mound in ATL?
bruce
September 25th, 2011
6:56 pm
Meds was the highlight of the game
Coach D
September 25th, 2011
7:07 pm
Go Kris, go~!!! Hope the Braves come back like you do!
len6115
September 25th, 2011
7:52 pm
How do the Bobby Cox naysayers feel now?????
worst September in over 20 years.
heyward stikes out yet agin
September 25th, 2011
8:42 pm
what does it matter if we send lowe to the mound those bums behind the pitchers couldent hit water if they fell out of a boat by the way i have your boun catch phrase no not boun legacy lets try born loser seems the losing started about the time he showed up if he asks for more then 10 bucks show him the door lol
Randall
September 25th, 2011
8:44 pm
Worst September in 20 years, why is that? Could it be that they don’t have 2 10 win pitchers at the break, might have had 2 20 game winners this year. Before Jurgens went down he had an era under 2. Outside of Hudson and Beachy and a couple other rookies the starting pitching fell apart. That I understand, but I don’t understand the trade that sent Shafer to Houston. When he was called up before the break he was a big part of the streak the team went on, in fact it could be said he was the catalyst that turned the season around. After they wait for the wrist to heal he has a minor injury and they give him away, by the way Constanza lit a fire under the team and now he’s MIA. It’s bobby cox jr. now, no running to stir things up, he just sits on his hands and waits. Will you people get off of Chipper,s back, imagine how well he could run without all the extra weight on him.
Supes
September 25th, 2011
9:14 pm
Too bad he can’t start instead of Derek bLowe on tuesday…we’d actually have a shot. As it stands that’s an automatic win for the Phillies.
Larry A
September 25th, 2011
10:13 pm
Same story as last year, too many late season injuries. Too bad, this team really looked good a month or so back and that was before Chipper started to hit. You just can’t lose two of your top starters and have a third completely underperform and expect to win. Its a shame, the rookie pitchers have done admirably, they just have a bit to learn and need some more MLB experience.
CajunStorm
September 25th, 2011
10:38 pm
Randall…..you are joking right? “We gave Schafer away for nothing…” If you’re not joking you are insane. What is Michael Bourn, a sack of potatoes? He is all that Schafer was in the field and a pure leadoff hitter with a .300 avg and is a threat on the base path. He is so good we don’t even notice he’s out there sometimes bcuz he just does his job. If the long lost bats of the Braves would actually do something these days, the player you say is “nothing” would be blowing up the stat sheet.
Spencer
September 26th, 2011
8:25 am
Now here is a question for you, who would you rather see pitch, beLowe or KK who has something to prove? Maybe just one game for all those millions before Lowe replaces KK in AA next year!!
Brava
September 26th, 2011
10:13 am
Glad to see Medlen back after all the hard work he has put in. His outing was the only bright spot in an otherwise extremely disappointing game.
john
September 26th, 2011
11:48 am
Freddie G.
on’t start Lowe
-Start to MANAGE
-Most of us wanted you to replace Bobbie and we let Management know
-now pay back time -MANAGE like we thought you can
-do not blow this last chance series..get Brian and your Pitiching Coach out to the Mound-Young Pitchers NEED
I have been a HUGE CHIPPER FAN for many years but-get Chipper more INTERESTED or BENCH HIM–he has got to talk to these young Pitchers BEFORE they make mistakes-not that far from 3rd to Mound, even at 39, stop swinging at first pitches when leading off inning-it is a killer and bad for young players
skep
September 26th, 2011
12:21 pm
Does the word CHOKE come to mind?
KC
September 26th, 2011
12:35 pm
It would actually favor the Phillies to gift wrap this series to the Braves so that they don’t have to face the Cardinals in the first round. But as I say that… I wonder if they Phills would have to lend us a few of their players for a couple of games. At this point we couldn’t beat their B-Team even if they do throw the game!
Kentavo
September 26th, 2011
2:03 pm
Last year, it was a miracle the Braves got to the playoffs with the injuries and a miracle they gave Giants all they could handle. This year – despite the injuries – it’s just a flop.
daBraves860
September 27th, 2011
12:34 pm
it was only a mircale because there was no expectations last year. This year everyone demanded at least the playoffs. then the fans went and criticized every move made, every player when they were down, or even up as a matter of fact. Even if we don’t make the playoffs, i don’t consider it a flop. The braves played well for most of the year, and played like crap for some of the year. At least they keep us interested.