Hanson dominates in first start of spring

Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — Tommy Hanson-mania is only two outings old this spring, but it’s picking up momentum.

Hanson pitched three innings Tuesday against Panama in his first start of spring training and just added more to the lore. He struck out the side in the first inning, reaching 95 mph to freeze Carlos Lee on a fastball. He threw 23 of 29 pitches for strikes in the first two innings.

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AP

Braves catcher David Ross (right) scores on a single by teammate Omar Infante as Panama catcher Carlos Ruiz, of the Phillies, is late applying the tag.

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The only unfortunate part for Braves fans was that the game wasn’t on ESPN this time.

“I think it’s fun to hear my name thrown around,” said Hanson, rated No. 4 in Baseball America’s Top 100 prospects. “Obviously my family is pumped to hear all that stuff too, they’re real happy for me and excited. I am too, but when it comes down to it, I just want to go out, get better and do my thing and hopefully be up in Atlanta, helping them win some games.”

He doesn’t look like he wants it to be long. Hanson gave up one unearned run in three innings, and would have been unscathed if Kelly Johnson had turned a double play to end the second. He allowed two singles, including one to Braves minor leaguer Rodriguez Concepcion, and one walk.

He worked a little in the third inning, throwing 10 of his 24 pitches for balls, and gave up his unearned run on a single and a walk. He’s expected to start the season in Class AAA Gwinnett, but he could make it interesting for manager Bobby Cox.

“He’s fun to watch, for a young kid, his location and everything,” Cox said. “He’s really got good breaking stuff and control of the fastball which is really impressive.”

Hanson was making his first start of spring, now that Jorge Campillo is pitching for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, and said he felt good back in that routine.

“I felt a lot more comfortable this time around than I did the last time,” said Hanson, who has struck out Lee twice now including last Thursday against the Astros. “The only thing I was unhappy with was my curveball, I was leaving it up a little bit. But that’s what it’s all about, getting innings, seeing what you need to work on.”

Bumps and bruises

Already short-handed with Brian McCann and Chipper Jones in the WBC, the Braves are a little thinner with four players nicked up: Casey Kotchman (quadriceps, finger), Jordan Schafer (shoulder), Freddie Freeman (quadriceps) and Josh Anderson (tailbone).

None is serious, but Cox is being cautious this early in camp.

From the game

Reliever Manny Acosta pitched a scoreless fifth inning, allowing a double, against his fellow countrymen from Panama. He chose not to play in the WBC, so he could focus on competing for a bullpen spot.

“That’s hard for me because I want to represent my country, but my future is with Atlanta,” Acosta said.

Mike Gonzalez allowed two hits in a scoreless fourth inning. Jason Heyward launched a two-run homer in the eighth inning of the 11-2 win. He’d hit one off the scoreboard in a simulated game Tuesday against Jair Jurrjens.

The Braves faced former Brave Bruce Chen, a native of Panama who’s attempting a comeback with the Royals from elbow reconstruction surgery. Cox liked what he saw, despite four runs Chen allowed in 1-2/3 innings.

“It looks like he might do something again,” Cox said, pointing to his three-quarter delivery. “He’s no longer over the top, a high ball pitcher, more like a (Jamie) Moyer type guy. Interesting makeover there.”

Upcoming

Tom Glavine drove to Orlando Tuesday and was expected to be in camp Wednesday. Glavine told Cox he wants to throw a couple of side sessions before he gets into a game, so he isn’t likely to see action until the weekend at the earliest.

Also, new left fielder Garret Anderson is expected to get his first action on Thursday in an exhibition game against Venezuela.