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Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Frenchy halts skid with slam
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Can’t think of a better way to interrupt a slump than with a grand slam, which is what Jeff Francoeur did in the first inning today against the Mets.
He was in a 1-for-16 slide before crushing a 2-2 pitch from Mets righty Jon Adkins in the five-run first inning here at Tradition Field.
(And by the way, Tradition Field and Legends Field _ good thing those New York teams aren’t pretentious or anything….)
Says something about how hot Francoeur was for much of the spring that he was still hitting .305 coming into today despite his 1-for-16 jag.
He really does look a lot better at the plate, a little more patient, taking a few more pitches, and staying back on the ball a little longer in his slightly altered stance this spring.
Oh, and who is Jon Adkins? He’s one of six relievers scheduled to pitch today for the Metropolitans. They’re not using a starter today.
He’s the right-hander who was with San Diego last season, had a 3.98 ERA in 55 appearances.
Lance Cormier is feeling better ever day. The shoulder scare from Monday doesn’t look like it was serious, probably just mild inflammation in the lat-triceps area. But the Braves are going to be careful. He hoped to play catch back at Dark Star (Disney) today, but it sounded like the team might have him wait another day before testing it.
He’ll probably skip his scheduled turn Saturday vs. White Sox, but could still be in the opening day rotation if this is as minor as Cormier thinks it is and the Braves hope it is.
Oh, and here’s a good example of why Cormier was likely to beat out Kyle Davies for a rotation spot: After the Braves scored five runs in the first inning today, Davies walked the first three batters in the bottom of the inning.
He got out of it with relatively little damage, giving up one run on a double-play grounder and another on a Paul Lo Duca single. But just the wild streak was an reminder of the work Davies still needs to do to be able to throw strikes consistently. Those three first-inning walks raised his total to nine in 15 innings (not including the rest of today’s game; we’re in bottom of second now).
Glavine in Braves home opener: The Braves tried to sign Tom Glavine as a free agent this winter, and now they’re likely to face him in the home opener April 6 at Turner Field. He’s expected to start that game for the Mets. The Braves’ pitcher for the home opener is undetermined and could depend on Cormier’s health. It’ll be Cormier, Mark Redman or Davies, that much we know.
Glavine will start opening day Sunday for the Mets at St. Louis (Braves don’t open season until Monday at Philly), then have his regular rest before facing the Braves in each team’s fourth game.
“BOOM BOOM MANCINI” by Warren Zevon
Hurry home early - hurry on home/Boom Boom Mancini’s fighting Bobby Chacon
Hurry home early - hurry on home/Boom Boom Mancini’s fighting Bobby Chacon
From Youngstown, Ohio, Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini/A lightweight contender, like father like son
He fought for the title with Frias in Vegas/And he put him away in round number one
Hurry home early - hurry on home/Boom Boom Mancini’s fighting Bobby Chacon
Hurry home early - hurry on home/Boom Boom Mancini’s fighting Bobby Chacon
When Alexis Arguello gave Boom Boom a beating/Seven weeks later he was back in the ring
Some have the speed and the right combinations/If you can’t take the punches it don’t mean a thing
Hurry home early - hurry on home/Boom Boom Mancini’s fighting Bobby Chacon
Hurry home early - hurry on home/Boom Boom Mancini’s fighting Bobby Chacon
When they asked him who was responsible/For the death of Du Koo Kim
He said, “Someone should have stopped the fight, and told me it was him.”
They made hypocrite judgments after the fact/But the name of the game is be hit and hit back
Hurry home early - hurry on home/Boom Boom Mancini’s fighting Bobby Chacon
Hurry home early - hurry on home/Boom Boom Mancini’s fighting Bobby Chacon
