Cahill, Braves Fall to Mets After a Rough Fifth Inning
By John Buhler
The Atlanta Braves fall to the New York Mets 7 to 1 in the first of three ball games in the mid-week series. Braves SP Trevor Cahill had his sinker working well through the first four innings of tonight’s contest, initiating many ground balls. His bullpen session in Toronto with Braves Pitching Coach Roger McDowell focused primarily on arm angle to get the most out of his power sinker. It appears that Cahill is improving under McDowell’s careful watch. However, the Mets chased Cahill in the fifth inning when his fastball elevated and his Braves infielders struggled to field the ball cleanly. This was the worst defensive game of Atlanta’s young season as the Braves committed two errors and numerous mental mistakes in the field.
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It wasn’t a fun game to watch from a Braves fan’s perspective. More Nick Markakis singles and a left-center solo shot coming from Cameron Maybin’s bat were the highlights offensively for the Braves. Freddie Freeman had a rough day at the plate, striking out three times. Christian Bethancourt is in the midst of an early season slump. His bat has yet to come alive in the Big Leagues. With backup catcher AJ Pierzynski swinging the bat well, Braves Manager Fredi Gonzalez might have another platoon on his hands if Christian’s struggles at the plate continue.
Hopefully tomorrow brings better fortune the Braves way when LHP Eric Stults takes on RHP Dillon Gee at 7:10 PM. If Stults doesn’t take control of tomorrow’s game, the New York Mets will have won ten games in a row and hold a reasonably comfortable lead in the National League East.
The Braves are playing better than expected in the season’s first two weeks. Even the best teams have off-nights in Major League Baseball. The problem is that the Mets are the hottest team in the National League. Atlanta will try again tomorrow to end the Mets’ winning streak.