Location: Atlanta, Ga. | Ballpark: Turner Field (50,096) | Spring Training: Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Owner: Liberty Media | GM: Frank Wren | Manager: Bobby Cox | World Championships: 3
It's fascinating to hear Tom Glavine dissect what happened in the sixth inning Wednesday, when he let an 8-0 lead over the Phillies shrink to 8-4 on the way to his first win this season. He said he pitched to the score instead of concentrating on each pitch.
Further, he said he was still learning his craft, and that the next time he would know he has to pitch as if it were a one-run game no matter what the score is.
That's a refreshing admission, and an eye-opening one. If that can happen to Glavine, with all his skill and experience, imagine what young pitchers go through.
Glavine spent some of his spring training tutoring Jo-Jo Reyes, whose command has improved since those sessions. Reyes also made an important physical change at the suggestion of pitching coach Roger McDowell (and reinforced at Class AAA Richmond by pitching coach Guy Hansen): moving to the third base side of the rubber. That's something Glavine did as well when he was struggling early with the Mets.
Moving to that side from the first base side forces the pitcher to straighten up and face home plate, giving him more control of his pitches. While Reyes took the loss in Tuesday's 5-4 loss to the Phillies, manager Bobby Cox rated the effort Reyes's best "by far" because he was hitting the strike zone.
Reyes (1-1, 4.30) is scheduled to start Sunday in Atlanta against Oakland right-hander Justin Duchscherer (3-2, 2.20).
PHILLIES 5, BRAVES 0: Chuck James kept up his penchant for walking hitters (five), but it was the home runs (three) he gave up that put the Braves down early. James lasted only four innings (77 pitches). With Chipper Jones on the bench nursing a strained right groin, the Braves had no offense.
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"I like Jo-Jo. But, dang, there comes a time when you've got to be in charge on the mound," manager Bobby Cox told the Braves' official Web site. "He better be throwing strikes."
I just read this on the preview of tonight's game on Gamecenter on CBS Sports.
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(POLL)
There are a few players that I'm curious to find out as to what everyone thinks if they will be around next year or will be gone in the off season.
I'll do a poll every few days and get the general consensus on that player. It'll give us something to talk about.
The players are a rag tag bunch who are not used to playing together as a team. Next season, this same bunch will play better, hit better, and hopefully, have a bona fide closer that is not injured
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