The Braves teed off for 9 runs in the fourth inning last night on the way to a big win. Vazquez looked dominant again, striking out six of the first nine batters he faced, despite ringing up a pitch count of 120 in only 5 innings. How he managed to do that while giving up only three hits and one walk, I can't say.
The big news, of course, came on the injury front. The Braves lost super-utility man Omar Infante when he was struck by a Manuel Corpas pitch, breaking the same finger he broke a couple of years ago in winter ball. This loss hurts in a few big ways. Besides the fact that Infante was hitting .349 this year and gave the Braves their best leadoff option, he can play nearly every position on the field. In his 2 years with the team, Infante has played LF (33 games), 3B (38), SS (25), 2B (23), and CF (5). DOB makes a good point in that the loss of Infante leaves the Braves without a backup CF, although Frenchy did play some in the minors. Losing Infante also means that Cox will be forced to play KJ most games, abondoning the platoon, although KJ's splits are the opposite of what one would expect for a left-handed hitter: for his career .261 BA vs. RHP, .295 vs. LHP.
Oh, and some washed up, lovable veteran with a cute name got hurt too. What's that? Jo-Jo isn't a veteran who has earned the right to work out the kinks in the majors? Hm. No one hopes his injury is serious, but maybe it will give Cox a chance to rethink his love affair with the kid. Could his injury free up a roster spot for Tommy Hanson, who starts tonight in Gwinett? Having waited this long, I doubt the Braves will call him up before the arbitration deadline. Plus, with Kawakami seeming to have found himself (fingers crossed) and Medline having been given the chance to take over Reyes's starting role, there may not be a spot for Hanson in the rotation.
The Braves enter tonight with a chance to take the series 3-1, a big momentum booster before facing off against the AL East-leading Blue Jays, who come to town Friday night. Finally, in other news, Smoltzy takes the mound tonight in Augusta in a rehab start on his way back to the majors for the Sox.
P.S. Sorry about the picture...
why would you do that? its awful
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