In the news
Marlins infielder Dee Gordon, sometimes called Flash, stole 64 bases a year ago to lead the majors.
It’s not like he can’t be thrown out; that happened 19 times in 2014.
But Christian Bethancourt showed the National League his arm in the season opener, throwing Gordon out in the third inning trying to steal second. Bethancourt has caught six of 16 steal attempts, with more to come, in his brief major-league career.
“I played with him in the Dominican Republic. I knew he was going to try to run on me,” Bethancourt told the AJC’s David O’Brien. “I played with him on the same team, so he’s a guy I know well. I know where his strengths are and where we can get him out.”
Grilli-ed
“I’ve always loved closing. When you’re a reliever, you strive to be that last guy in the end. But we’re all closers. (Luis) Avilan, to me … That guy was the hero of the game on the mound (in the opener) because he made a big pitch, got a double play for us and allowed us to win that ballgame.” — New Braves relief ace, for now, Jason Grilli, on getting a save in his first opportunity with the club.
ICYMI
Former Braves second baseman Dan Uggla was in the middle of a bonehead play in the Nationals’ opener.
New ace Max Scherzer (0-1) was in total control for the Nationals with a 1-0 lead until the sixth inning against New York, retiring 17 batters in a row between a pair of walks to Curtis Granderson. But that’s when David Wright hit a popup toward the grass beyond the infield dirt between first and second.
Uggla, starting at second base because three everyday Nationals are on the disabled list, settled under the ball and tried to call off shortstop Ian Desmond, who moved over and tried to make the play. The ball hit the edge of his glove and dropped.
“That was pretty embarrassing,” Desmond told reporters, after the Nats lost 3-1. “I felt like one of those Little Leaguers. … Should have just let him have it.”
“It was Desi (being) a little bit overzealous,” manager Matt Williams said. “I think Danny can catch that ball for sure.”
Numbers game
Three Braves have switched uniform numbers from the spring: RP Brandon Cunniff (now No. 50), RP Cody Martin (57) and 2B Jace Peterson (8). Newly acquired OF Cameron Maybin wears No. 25.
Home opener
If you’re headed to Turner Field for Friday’s home opener, plan to be in your seats by 7:15 p.m. for the opening ceremonies, well before the first pitch at 7:35 p.m. And good luck. Traffic in Atlanta on Fridays of late has been typically difficult to navigate.
He said it
“I’m pretty sure I thought we had a roof.” — Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria on the rain delay in the season owner in Miami when the team got an unexpected heavy rain (seriously, in South Florida they didn’t expect rain?) that stopped play for a few minutes and left the grounds crew scrambling. Marlins fans booed and whistled derisively, the Miami Herald reported.
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