Jurrjens to visit with Curacao Little Leaguers

Braves rookie Jair Jurrjens hoped to surprise his young Curacao countrymen Saturday with a pep talk before their 11 a.m. game against Mexico in the Little League World Series at Williamsport, Pa.

“I don’t know if they know I’m coming,” said Jurrjens, who was scheduled to take a charter flight from Atlanta early Saturday, after pitching Friday night against the San Francisco Giants.

He planned to get to the ballpark in Pennsylvania in time to speak to the Curacao team.

“It’s going to be awesome, to see my country play there,” said Jurrjens. “I never got to play [in the Little League World Series], so now I’ll at least get to see it.”

Jurrjens, 22, is a National League Rookie of the Year candidate with an 11-8 record and 3.15 ERA, though a lack of run support has cost him potential wins lately and could cost him in voting for the award. Chicago Cubs catcher Geovany Soto is the likely front-runner for the top rookie honor.

Jurrjens took the loss Friday night while surrendering eight hits and two runs in seven innings, with a career-high nine strikeouts with no walks.