Mar 20, 2014; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA;Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Ervin Santana (30) in spring training action against the New York Mets at Tradition Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
The Atlanta Braves fell to theNew York Metsdown in Port St. Lucie, after the Braves allowed three runs to cross the plate in the bottom of the 9th inning, and give NY the 7-6 win.
However, the story of the day was the first start of the spring forErvin Santanain a Bravos uniform, and he went two innings, giving up just two hits and allowed one run, and, if I’m reading the MLB.com box score correctly, only threw…seven pitches? All for balls?! Efficient. I like.
The only other pitchers worth noting who got work today wereCory Gearrin,who threw one and one-third innings, giving up a hit and a run, andDavid Carpenter,who tossed a single inning and gave up nothing.
Santana faced off against potential future ace for New York,Zack Wheeler, who stayed in over half the game, going 5.1 innings, allowing five hits and two runs, while issuing one free pass, and sent two men walking back to the dugout. Former BraveKyle Farnsworthalso got some work in today, tossing just an inning, but allowed two hits and two runs.
The lineup for the Braves was a mix of regulars as well as bench guys and regular season roster hopefuls. It sawJason Heywardgo 1-for-2, with a run scoring, andB.J. UptonandJustin Uptoneach went 2-for-4, and J-Up drove in two runs.Gerald Lairdgot the call behind the plate, givingEvan Gattisa day off.
On a day which saw guyslikeChristian BethancourtandTodd Cunninghamget sent back down to Gwinnett,Phil Gosselin(1-for-1, and a run scored as a pinch hitter),Ernesto Mejia(1-for-3 with an RBI, and a run scored),Tommy La Stella(0-for-4) andTyler Greene(1-for-3, run scored) got the start in the field and in the lineup, and La Stella stayed put the whole game.
It appears to be that time in the spring where Fredi Gonzalez is happy with his starters, and is trying to weed out and find those who can distinguish themselves and prove worthy enough to be on the 25-man roster for opening day.
The Braves are back in action tomorrow, and again, will face off with the Detroit Tigers.
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