Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend. From the “Shapiro Stinks Studios,” here we go…
Atlanta Braves pitcher Jair Jurrjens comes out of the baseball game during the sixth inning after loading the bases against the New York Mets, June 14, 2011, in Atlanta. New York won 4-3. (AP Photo/John Amis)Braves still rollin’
Your Atlanta Braves have not allowed a run in 26 innings. They’ve won five in a row and seven of eight. Jair Jurrjens looked like the pitcher that was the Cy Young front-runner in the first half of the season in Monday’s 3-0 win over the cute Cubbies (they’re so lovable).
Dan Uggla hit homer No. 30, which is noteworthy for three reasons: First, when he was hitting about .170, who thought this was possible? Second, Uggla is the sixth Braves player to hit 30 or more homers in his first season with the club. He joins Wally Berger (1930), Davey Johnson (1973), Jeff Burroughs (1977), Andres Galarraga (1998) and J.D. Drew (2004). That stat was courtesy of the Elias Sports folks, who do a bang-up job. Third, Uggla now has five seasons with 30 or more homers. No other second baseman in baseball history has more than three.
It’s pretty much rolling in Braves country right now. The wildcard lead is at 8 1/2 and they let Craig Kimbrel have last night off to rest his golden right arm.