Braves play ‘small ball’ in win over Tigers
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – It was just a spring training game, but manager Fredi Gonzalez was pleased to see Braves hitters do the little things Sunday that they’ll need to do on a regular basis this season.
“No question,” Gonzalez said after the Braves’ 5-3 win against a Tigers split squad at Champion Stadium. “Put the ball in play. Funny things happen when you put the ball in play. Today we were able to execute. I think we did a really nice job with situational hitting. We did a nice job getting guys in from third base.”
They got a sacrifice bunt by pitcher Shelby Miller, sacrifice flies by Phil Gosselin and hot-hitting Pedro Ciriaco, and three stolen bases by Todd Cunningham, Eric Young Jr. and Jose Constanza, who was over from minor league camp.
The Braves were a modest 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position, but one of those hits a tie-breaking, two-run single by Ciriaco in the eighth inning. That came right after Young stole second base to tie for the National League lead with five steals.
“We put those little guys – EY and Constanza – in motion and created some havoc,” Gonzalez said. “But the biggest thing is putting balls in play. Strikes are a part of the game, but it’s nice to see when you can put the ball in play and put pressure on the defense.”
