Braves Pound Phils 8-1; Beachy Leaves After Two Innings

Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

The news wasn’t all bad today for the Braves, at least not yet.  While we were all waiting for the MRI results on Kris Medlen’s right arm, the Braves proceeded to feast on the Phillies pitching staff this afternoon.

Jason Heyward homered off Cliff Lee on the second pitch of the game, his third homer this spring, to start off the Braves scoring barrage.  Dan Uggla also got in on the hit parade with a LONG 2 run shot in the 4th. The Braves enjoyed 2 hit days from BJ Upton (also stole a base), Freddie Freeman and Chris Johnson. Tommy La Stella added a 2 run double in the 7th to cap a five run inning off of Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon.

But it wasn’t all roses for the Braves in this afternoon affair. Starter Brandon Beachy, who was scheduled for 4 innings today, left the game after only 2 innings and very low velocity. His fastball never got above 88 MPH and he had no control at all. After the game,Beachy said that it was his bicep that was causing him problems, and he also mentioned that it was nothing like the pain he was having last season and he thinks that he will be ok with a little rest. Call me skeptical.

As for the rest of the Braves pitchers today, they got scoreless innings from Luis Avilan, Ryan Buchter, David Carpenter, JR Graham and Shea Simmons.  The only pitcher to allow a run was Jason Hursh, who gave up 1 run on two hits in his two innings of work.

The Braves will be back at it tomorrow afternoon at 1 PM against the Phillies for a second straight game.