Shelby Miller went the distance in a complete game shutout over the Philadelphia Phillies. Miller allowed just three hits, one walk, and striking out eight batters in his pitching gem. He got more than enough run support as the Atlanta Braves scored nine runs tonight.
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Freddie Freeman absolutely crushed Phillies starting pitcher Chad Billingsley’s offering in the bottom of the first on a two-run blast to right field. Freeman reached base four times tonight, recording three hits, and scoring three runs. It has been night and day for Freddie Freeman since that dismal series of his in Philadelphia. He’s back to All-Star form for the Atlanta Braves.
Kelly Johnson continues his power surge with a three-run homer off Billingsley in the bottom of the fourth inning. Braves Manager Fredi Gonzalez needs to find a way to keep KJ’s hot bat in the Braves lineup. It’s a challenge as to where he will play every night. Gomes plays great defense in left. Callaspo can switch hit at third. Jace Peterson is starting to swing the bat well for the Braves at second with regular playing time.
This was arguably the Atlanta Braves best game of the season. The bullpen didn’t have to throw a single pitch. Miller needed just shy of one hundred pitches to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies on his own. He has increased his workload with each Braves start. Through his first six starts in an Atlanta Braves uniform, he has been the team’s best starting pitcher this season so far hands down!
Shelby Miller can flat-out pitch. When he was coming up through the Minor Leagues, he was the St. Louis Cardinals top prospect in 2011. He was MLB’s second best pitching prospect behind only Braves Ace Julio Teheran. I know many of you in Braves Country miss Jason Heyward terribly. But I know that we are going to love Shelby Miller for the Braves.
Mike Foltynewicz makes his second start for the Braves tomorrow as he faces off with Philly’s Jerome Williams. First pitch is at 7:10 ET.