NEW YORK -- Even if you were committed to an optimistic outlook a few weeks ago, when the Braves’ new bullpen was struggling and
“It’s baseball,” Hamilton said. “You’re going to strike out. If you strike out a hundred times and we win the game, that’s really all we’re worried about.”\n\nAs their bullpen continued to put up zeros, the Braves were given more opportunities to add to their strikeout total. But their offensive frustrations were finally put to rest in the 14th inning, when Hechavarria doubled off
Exactly one week after being designated for assignment by the Royals and three days after being signed by Atlanta, Hamilton is feeling quite fortunate to be part of a Braves team that sits six games in front of the Nationals in the National League East.\n\nThe same could be said of Hechavarria, who has gone 8-for-24 with four doubles and a homer since joining the Braves on Aug. 16. The veteran shortstop would not have had an opportunity in Atlanta had the Mets not released him on Aug. 14, a day before he would have been owed a $1 million bonus.\n\n“It can’t be a coincidence that the day before I was due a bonus, it went down,” Hechavarria said. “That’s baseball and that’s the business of the game.”\n\nAs the injury-depleted Braves have persevered by adding Hechavarria and Hamilton to account for
“I’ve felt like we can play for a while and be alright,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “That game tonight was indication of that.”\n\nOf course, it has often been proven a bullpen’s sustained success is heavily influenced by the rotation’s effectiveness. The Braves’ starting pitching will look much better over the next few weeks if Foltynewicz continues to pitch with the confidence and conviction he showed while limiting the Mets to two hits and one run over seven innings.
Foltynewicz’s damage was limited to a sixth-inning solo homer he allowed to