The Braves took on the Tigers in Lakeland on Saturday afternoon, their fourth meeting this spring.
Here are the takeaways from the Braves’ 6-4 win:
1. Sean Newcomb was hit for three runs in 2-2/3 innings. His clean first inning required only six pitches. He lost some of his control in the second, walking a pair, and was chased in the third after another walk and couple of hits.
Newcomb finished having walked three and allowed three hits. With Mike Foltynewicz not expected to be ready for opening day, Newcomb is a lead candidate to take the ball in Philadelphia on March 28.
“Ball was coming out pretty good,” Newcomb said. “I felt good and I was in a groove early, but once I got a little in my pitch count I felt a little out of synch. Just normal spring-training stuff.”
Catcher Brian McCann, who actually faced Newcomb in 2017 and was 0-for-2, added: “When he’s in the zone, his stuff plays at such a high level. … (His curveball) is going to be a big pitch for him, especially when you pitch that four-seamer up in the zone and in the same lane as that. He’s got one of the better curveballs you’ll see.”
2. McCann is having a nice spring with five hits in 10 at-bats. He's good to go physically and feels like he's seeing the ball well.
“I feel good where I’m at,” he said. “It’s early in camp, so the next week or two we’ll be catching more, getting more (at-bats). Right now it’s about feeling good.”
3. Cristian Pache homered for the second consecutive day. He planted a ball over the left-field wall at Disney on Friday night, and his encore might've traveled even farther over the left-field wall at Publix Field.
Pache jumped from no home runs in 2017 to 10 in 2018. His physical growth has been noticeable, and it’s becoming more evident during batting practices and games. He already projects as an elite defender; how the offense comes along will determine how valuable the 20-year-old can be.
4. The Braves' offense had a productive day. Johan Camargo had two hits, including a double skirted past third base. Ronald Acuna walked and scored a run. Adam Duvall collected his fourth hit of spring and his first RBI that didn't come via homer.
Designated hitter Austin Riley had two hits with a double. He’s set to man first base Sunday in Jupiter, increasing his versatility and value before an inevitable promotion to the bigs.
5. Always a welcome sign: The Braves' relievers made it through the day healthy. Arodys Vizcaino logged a clean inning with a strikeout, as did Jonny Venters. Shane Carle got an inning of work, allowing one run. Dan Winkler registered two quick outs before a single and walk. He escaped the jam with a grounder.
