Jurrjens, Smoltz Hit Hard Saturday

Written by Colin on March 16, 2008 – 7:25 am

The split-squad games aren’t turning out so well for the Braves thus far. Saturday half the team faced the Tampa Bay Rays in Smoltz’s spring debut. The other half faced the Houston Astros.

vs. Rays:

Smoltz started the game - his first this spring - in fine form, keeping the Rays scoreless over four innings. Then things got weird. He gave up five runs in the fifth inning. The Braves answered with three in the 7th, but gave up five more in the 8th. Despite a 7 run 8th inning for the Braves, the Rays scored another run to top the Braves 11-10.  Rafael Soriano also had his spring debut in this game, allowing two singles to start the sixth and then retiring the side.  Corky Miller contributed a grand-slam from the offensive side of things.

vs. Astros:

Jair Jurrjens, our favorite #5 pitcher, came out yesterday and showed us he’s human.  After a 1.00 ERA before his start, he gave up four hits and four runs in 2 2/3s innings.  The rest of the game wasn’t much to write home about either, as Drese gave up five runs in two innings and Jorge Campillo gave up six in just two-thirds of an inning’s work.  Offensively Javy contributed two RBIs and Jordan Schafer put one RBI up, but they were 1-3 and 1-5, respectively.

Next Up:

Tom Glavine starts for Atlanta against the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday at 1:05 PM.  Here’s hoping he stays out of first-inning trouble.


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