March 26, 2013 Game Recap

In my prediction for the 2013 World Series, the Braves faced off against the Detroit Tigers today in Spring Training with the Braves coming out victorious 6-5 to move their NL best Spring Training record to 19-14.  This was a game that had some definite good news come out of it but also some bad.

Ramiro Pena, who officially locked up the utility infield spot to start off the season hit a 3-run homer to allow the Braves to take the lead in the Top of the 7th in this game.  The Tigers came back to tie it in the Bottom of the 8th off of Cory Gearrin (run charged to Ryan Buchter) , but Juan Francisco, who keeps earning time at 3B, went yicketty for the 6th time this spring in the 9th to win the game for the Braves.  It was also nice to see Gerald Laird on the field for the first time since March 17 as he also got an RBI to fuel the Braves to victory today.  Tim Hudson also pitched well in his last game of this spring pitching 4 innings with 4 hits and 1 earned run.

As for the bad, Jonny Venters did not look good pitching only .1 inning allowing 2 hits (including a home run) and walking 2 and got pulled from the game with what is being described as a left elbow sprain, which is not good news.  Further diagnosis will come tomorrow, but you can at least expect Venters to start the season off on the DL.  The obvious worry with an elbow sprain is a trip to Dr. Andrews and Tommy John surgery, but let's think positive for now.

If there is one benefit to the Venters injury, it's that the battle between Anthony Varvaro and Cristhian Martinez for the final bullpen spot might allow both players to make the team.  Since both are out of options, the one that didn't make the team would either need to be traded or pass through waivers before being able to be optioned to the minors, which they likely would not do.  This for the very least gives the Braves an extra 15 days to look at which player they would like to keep or explore trade possibilities.  Although the Braves are rightfully high on on Wirfin Obispo who after another great game today (1 IP, 2 K) has pitched 5 scoreless innings, only allowing 2 hits with 8 strikeouts.  There's some talk that he's still in the mix for the final reliever spot but because of options, is likely to start the season in the minors.  If he keeps this up Obispo will be in Atlanta very soon.