Sam's Three Stars, 2012 Season

[SamtheBravesFan]

I'll be more dedicated to it this year, I promise! This year, I'll keep a running tally of the stars at the top here.

BRAVES STARS TALLY:

3B Chipper Jones - 3 Gold, 2 Silver
1B Freddie Freeman - 3 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
SP Brandon Beachy - 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze
P Tommy Hanson - 2 Gold, 1 Bronze
LF Martin Prado - 2 Gold, 1 Bronze
C Brian McCann - 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
2B Dan Uggla - 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
SP Mike Minor - 1 Gold, 1 Silver
RF Jason Heyward - 1 Gold, 1 Bronze
3B Juan Francisco - 1 Gold, 1 Bronze
RF Eric Hinske - 1 Gold, 1 Bronze
CF Michael Bourn - 1 Silver, 4 Bronze
Braves Bullpen - 1 Silver
LF Matt Diaz - 1 Silver
SP Tim Hudson - 1 Silver
SS Tyler Pastornicky - 4 Bronze
SP Randall Delgado - 2 Bronze
C David Ross - 1 Bronze

OPPONENTS STARS TALLY:

3B David Wright, NYM - 1 Gold, 1 Silver
RF Lucas Duda, NYM - 1 Gold
SP J. A. Happ, HOU - 1 Gold
SP Jon Niese, NYM - 1 Gold
SP Dillon Gee, NYM - 1 Gold
CF Gerardo Parra, ARI - 1 Gold
3B Juan Uribe, LAD - 1 Gold
SP Erik Bedard, PIT - 1 Gold
SP James McDonald, PIT - 1 Gold
1B Ty Wigginton, PHI - 1 Gold
SP Joe Blanton, PHI - 1 Gold
SP Jeff Samardzija, CHC - 1 Gold
SP Ryan Dempster, CHC - 1 Gold
SP Paul Maholm, CHC - 1 Gold
SP Johan Santana, NYM - 1 Silver
SS Rueben Tejada, NYM - 1 Silver
SS Marwin Rodriguez, HOU - 1 Silver
1B Carlos Lee, HOU - 1 Silver
SP Shaun Marcum, MIL - 1 Silver
1B Ike Davis, NYM - 1 Silver
SP Ian Kennedy, ARI - 1 Silver
SP Chris Capuano, LAD - 1 Silver
1B Juan Rivera, LAD - 1 Silver
SP Ted Lilly, LAD - 1 Silver
SP A. J. Burnett, PIT - 1 Silver
3B Pedro Alvarez, PIT - 1 Silver
RF Jose Tabata, PIT - 1 Silver
LF Yamaico Alonso, PIT - 1 Silver
RF Hunter Pence, PHI - 1 Silver
C Carlos Ruiz, PHI - 1 Silver
1B Laynce Nix, PHI - 1 Silver
3B Ian Stewart, CHC - 1 Silver
C Josh Thole, NYM - 2 Bronze
SP Joe Saunders - 1 Bronze
2B Daniel Murphy, NYM - 1 Bronze
LF Travis Buck, HOU - 1 Bronze
LF J. D. Martinez, HOU - 1 Bronze
RF Corey Hart, MIL - 1 Bronze
RF Andre Ethier, LAD - 1 Bronze
LF Alex Presley, PIT - 1 Bronze
2B-3B Johnathan Herrera, COL - 1 Bronze
RF Michael Cuddyer, COL - 1 Bronze
1B Bryan LaHair, CHC - 1 Bronze

[SamtheBravesFan]

NEW YORK 1, ATLANTA 0

W - Ramon Ramirez (1-0, 0.00)
L - Tommy Hanson (0-1, 1.80)
S - Frank Francisco (1, 0.00)

GOLD

3B David Wright - 2-3, GA RBI 1B, BB

SILVER

SP Johan Santana - 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO

BRONZE

SP Tommy Hanson - 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO

Top WPA Performances:

1. Johan Santana, SP, NYM - .257
5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO; 0-1, K

2. Tim Byrdak, RP, NYM - .187
2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO

3. Kris Medlen, RP, ATL - .163
2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO

Top Play:

David Wright lines an RBI single to left in the 6th, driving in the game's only run. (.063 WPA)

Worst Play:

Jose Constanza strikes out pinch-hitting (pathetically) with Tyler Pastornicky on third and one out in the seventh. (-.115 WPA)

This is the fifth time the Braves have been shut out on Opening Day since moving to Atlanta and the first time since 1918 that they were shut out by a 1-0 score, possibly the first time ever.

[ImTheCrew]

Fredi should get a gold star

[Atlanta Braves Freak]

Let's goooooo!!

[SamtheBravesFan]

Fredi should get a gold star

You funny, you make me raff. :P

[SamtheBravesFan]

NEW YORK 4, ATLANTA 2

W - R. A. Dickey (1-0, 3.00)
L - Jair Jurrjens (0-1, 6.23)
S - Frank Francisco (2, 0.00)
HR - ATL - Martin Prado (1)
NYM - David Wright (1)
Lucas Duda 2 (2)

GOLD

RF Lucas Duda - 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI

SILVER

3B David Wright - 3-5, HR, R, RBI

BRONZE

C Josh Thole - 2-4, GA 1B, RBI

Top WPA Performances:

1. Martin Prado, ATL, LF - .168
1-4, GT HR, R, 2 RBI

2. Josh Thole, NYM, C - .161
2-4, GA 1B, RBI

3. Lucas Duda, NYM, RF - .156
2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI

Top Play:

Martin Prado smacks a home run down the left field line off R. A. Dickey, tying the game 2-all. The newly-lowered outfield wall permitted the blast. (.243 WPA)

Worst Play:

Freddie Freeman grounds out softly on the first pitch back to Dickey to start a 1-4-3 double play in the sixth. (-.122)

[SamtheBravesFan]

NEW YORK 7, ATLANTA 5

W - Jon Niese (1-0, 3.00)
L - Mike Minor (0-1, 10.80)
S - Frank Francisco (3, 0.00)
HR - Brian McCann (1)

GOLD

SP Jon Niese - 6 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 7 SO; 1-3, R

SILVER

SS Rueben Tejada - 4-5, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI

BRONZE

2B Daniel Murphy - 2-5, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI

Top WPA Performances:

1. SP Jon Niese, NYM - .207
6 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 7 SO; 1-3, R

2. 2B Daniel Murphy, NYM - .156
2-5, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI

3. SS Rueben Tejada, NYM - .082
4-5, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI

Top Play:

Murphy hits a two-out double after two singles in the fifth, scoring Niese and Tejada. (.118)

Worst Play:

Jason Bay hits a hard fly to left with the bases loaded in the fourth and none out. It scores Daniel Murphy from third, but David Wright is thrown out by Martin Prado trying to advance from second. (-.056)

This is the first time the Braves have been swept in a three-game series to open the year since 2003, when the Expos turned the trick at Turner Field. In 1980, Atlanta dropped four straight games to the Reds to begin the year.

[SamtheBravesFan]

HOUSTON 8, ATLANTA 3

W - J. A. Happ (1-0, 4.50)
L - Brandon Beachy (0-1, 1.80)
HR - Justin Maxwell (PH, 1)

GOLD

SP J. A. Happ - 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO; 1-2, GA 1B, RBI

SILVER

SS Marwin Gonzalez - 3-4, 2B, 3 R

BRONZE

LF Travis Buck - 1-5, 2B, R

Top WPA Performances:

1. SP J.A. Happ, HOU - .150
6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO; 1-2, GA 1B, RBI

2. LF Travis Buck, HOU - .130
1-5, 2B, R

3. 1B Carlos Lee, HOU - .108
1-3, BB, R, RBI

Top Play:

Travis Buck doubled down the line into the left field corner, scoring Jordan Schafer and Jose Altuve and cutting the Braves lead to a 3-2 score. Buck advanced to third when Pastornicky threw wild to home plate. (.187)

Worst Play:

With men on first and second, Brian Bogusevic grounded to Dan Uggla for a 4-6-3 double play that ended the fifth inning. (-.082)

The 1988 season was the last time the Braves started the season 0-4, losing two games to the Cubs and Dodgers each.

[SamtheBravesFan]

ATLANTA 6, HOUSTON 4

W - Tommy Hanson (1-1, 2.70)
L - Kyle Weiland (0-1, 7.20)
S - Craig Kimbrel (1, 0.00)
HR - Chipper Jones (1)
Tyler Pastornicky (1, 1st ML HR)

GOLD

3B Chipper Jones - 2-4, HR, R, 2 RBI

SILVER

1B Carlos Lee - 3-3, 2 BB, 2 RBI

BRONZE

SS - Tyler Pastornicky - 1-3, HR, R, BB, RBI, first major league home run throw from left field porch

Top WPA Performances:

1. Carlos Lee, 1B, HOU - .350
3-3, 2 BB, 2 RBI

2. Chipper Jones, 3B, ATL - .203
2-4, HR, R, 2 RBI

3. Marwin Gonzalez, SS, HOU - .158
1-3, BB, RBI

Top Play:

Chipper Jones homers just over the right field wall, scoring Dan Uggla and giving the Braves a 3-1 lead. (.202)

Worst Play:

With men on first and second and none out in the ninth, Chris Johnson hits a comebacker that Craig Kimbrel deflects to start a 4-6-3 double play. (-.280)

Chipper Jones became the oldest Braves third baseman to hit a home run since Darrell Evans in 1989. Evans was 42 years old when he connected off Scott Scudder of the Reds in a 7-1 victory on August 5th.

[SamtheBravesFan]

ATLANTA 6, HOUSTON 3

W - Randall Delgado (1-0, 3.60)
L - Wandy Rodriguez (0-1, 2.38)
S - Craig Kimbrel (2, 0.00)
HR - ATL - Jason Heyward (1)
HOU - J. D. Martinez (2)

GOLD

RF Jason Heyward - 3-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, SB

SILVER

C David Ross - 2-4, BL 2B, 2 RBI

BRONZE

LF J. D. Martinez - 2-4, HR, R, BB, 2 RBI

Top WPA Performances:

1. Jason Heyward, RF, ATL - .303
3-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, SB

2. Chris Johnson, 3B, HOU - .104
2-4

3. Carlos Lee, 1B, HOU - .104
1-5, BB, RBI

Top Play:

With the bases loaded and none out in the fourth, David Ross belts a double to the wall in right-center on an 0-2 pitch, scoring Chipper Jones and Dan Uggla. The hit gave the Braves a 3-1 lead. (.144)

Worst Play:

In the seventh inning, with the bases loaded and two out in a 4-3 game, pinch-hitter Matt Downs bounces out to shortstop Jack Wilson, who goes to second for the force to end the inning and the threat. (-.155)

The Braves have played their last series in Houston with the Astros as a member of the National League. Atlanta finishes with a 27-22 record at Minute Maid Park, including a 3-3 record in the playoffs.

[SamtheBravesFan]

ATLANTA 10, MILWAUKEE 8

W - Jonny Venters (1-0, 0.00)
L - Francisco Rodriguez (0-1, 4.50)
S - Craig Kimbrel (3, 0.00)
HR - MIL - Alex Gonzalez (2)
George Kottaras (3)
Corey Hart (4)
ATL - Brian McCann (2)
Matt Diaz (1)

GOLD

C Brian McCann - 4-5, 2B, HR, R, 4 RBI, SB

SILVER

2B Dan Uggla - 3-5, 2B, GA 1B, 3 RBI

BRONZE

RF Corey Hart - 2-5, R, 3 RBI

Top WPA Performances:

1. Brian McCann, C, ATL - .506
4-5, 2B, HR, R, 4 RBI, SB

2. Dan Uggla, 2B, ATL - .300
3-5, 2B, GA 1B, 3 RBI

3. Corey Hart, RF, MIL - .239
2-5, R, 3 RBI

Top Play: Brian McCann smacked a go-ahead three-run homer down the right field line in the fifth inning, scoring Michael Bourn and Freddie Freeman. (.325)

Worst Play: After Ryan Braun got a two-run single in the seventh, Aramis Ramirez grounded to Martin Prado to start a double play. The significance was evident because Corey Hart homered to tie the game next at bat. (-.143)

Matt Diaz hit his first home run, a two-run shot, since August 29, 2010 against the Marlins.

Brian McCann is the sixth Braves catcher since the team moved to Atlanta to get four hits and four RBIs in a game:

Brian McCann vs. Brewers, 4/13/2012 - 4-5, 2B, HR, R, 4 RBI
Johnny Estrada vs. Brewers, 5/14/2004 - 5-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 5 RBI
Javy Lopez vs. Orioles, 6/6/1998 - 4-5, 2B, HR, 3 R, 4 RBI
Biff Pocoroba vs. Dodgers, 6/9/1982 - 5-5, 2B, 5 RBI
Earl Williams vs. Astros, 8/12/1971 - 4-4, 2 HR, 3 R, 4 RBI, HBP
Gene Oliver vs. Giants, 7/30/1966 - 4-4, 3 HR, BB, 7 RBI

[SamtheBravesFan]

ATLANTA 2, MILWAUKEE 1

W - Mike Minor (1-1, 4.38)
L - Shawn Marcum (1-1, 3.46)
S - Craig Kimbrel (4, 0.00)

GOLD

P Mike Minor - 7 1/3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO; 0-2

SILVER

P Shaun Marcum - 7 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO; 0-2

BRONZE

3B Juan Francisco - 1-2, 2B, BB, RBI

Top WPA Performances:

1. Mike Minor, SP, ATL - .305
7 1/3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO; 0-2

2. Corey Hart, RF, MIL - .165
0-4, BB

3. Jason Heyward, RF, ATL - .155
1-3, R

Top Play: With one out and a 2-1 score in the ninth, Corey Hart draws a walk to load the bases against Craig Kimbrel (.183)

Worst Play: After Hart walked, George Kottaras struck out looking for the second out of the inning. (-.225)

ATLANTA 7, MILWAUKEE 4

W - Brandon Beachy (1-1, 0.75)
L - Chris Narveson (1-1, 7.00)
HR - MIL - Jonathan Lucroy (2)
ATL - Chipper Jones (2)
Jason Heyward (2)

GOLD

P Brandon Beachy - 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO; 0-2, BB, R

SILVER

3B Chipper Jones - 1-3, HR, R, 2 BB, 3 RBI

BRONZE

LF Martin Prado - 2-3, 2B, R, BB, SAC

Top WPA Performances:

1. Chipper Jones, 3B, ATL - .212
1-3, HR, R, 2 BB, 3 RBI

2. Brandon Beachy, SP, ATL - .172
7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO; 0-2, BB, R

3. Martin Prado, LF, ATL - .093
2-5, 2B, R, BB, SAC

Top Play: Chipper Jones smacks a three-run homer over the left field wall off Chris Narveson, giving the Braves a 4-1 lead. (.198)

Worst Play: Aramis Ramirez struck out swinging with one out and men on first and second in the third, wasting a good chance to break the 1-1 tie. (-.050)

NEW YORK 6, ATLANTA 1

W - Dillon Gee (1-1, 2.92)
L - Tommy Hanson (1-2, 3.71)
HR - Ike Davis (2)
Jason Bay (2)

GOLD

SP Dillon Gee - 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO; 0-1, 2 SAC

SILVER

1B Ike Davis - 1-4, HR, R, 3 RBI

BRONZE

C Josh Thole - 2-4, R

Top WPA Performances:
1. Ike Davis, 1B, NYM - .332
1-4, HR, R, 3 RBI

2. Jason Heyward, RF, ATL - .155
2-3

3. Dillon Gee, SP, NYM; - .141
7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO; 0-1, 2 SAC

Top Play: Ike Davis hits a three-run homer off of Tommy Hanson to break a 1-1 tie with two outs in the sixth. (.372)

Worst Play: Tommy Hanson left two men in scoring position when he struck out swinging to end the second inning. (-.050)

[SamtheBravesFan]

ATLANTA 9, NEW YORK 3

W - Randall Delgado (2-0, 4.35)
L - Johan Santana (0-2, 3.97)
HR - Juan Francisco (PH, 1)

GOLD

1B Freddie Freeman - 2-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI

SILVER

LF Matt Diaz - 2-3, R, RBI

BRONZE

SS Tyler Pastornicky - 1-3, 2B, R, 2 RBI

Top WPA Performances:

1. Freddie Freeman, 1B, ATL - .125
2-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI

2. Randall Delgado, SP, ATL - .112
5 1/3 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO; 0-1, R

3. Michael Bourn, CF, ATL - .059
0-5, R, SB

Top Play: Freddie Freeman doubles down the right field line with none out in the second. Dan Uggla scored from second and Matt Diaz moved to third. The two-bagger made the score 2-0 in favor of the Braves. (.115)

Worst Play: Jason Bay strikes out swinging with men on first and second and one out with the Mets trailing 6-2 in the fifth. (-.032)

[SamtheBravesFan]

ATLANTA 14, NEW YORK 6

W - Cristhian Martinez (1-0, 3.60)
L - R. A. Dickey (2-1, 5.71)
HR - NYM - Ike Davis (3)
ATL - Dan Uggla (1)
Juan Francisco (2)
Freddie Freeman (1)

GOLD

3B Juan Francisco - 2-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI

SILVER

1B Freddie Freeman - 2-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, SF

BRONZE

CF Michael Bourn - 3-4, R, BB, 2 RBI, SB

Top WPA Performances:

1. David Wright, 3B, NYM - .297
2-5, 2B, 3 RBI

2. Cristhian Martinez, RP, ATL - .220
2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO

3. Juan Francisco, 3B ATL - .198
2-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI

Top Play: David Wright hits a double to center in the third, scoring Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Daniel Murphy to help the Mets regain the lead by a 3-2 score. (.231)

Worst Play: Ike Davis grounded to Freddie Freeman at first, who threw out David Murphy at home. (-.120)

ATLANTA 10, ARIZONA 2

W - Mike Minor (2-1, 3.10)
L - Josh Collmenter (0-1, 10.22)
HR - Freddie Freeman 2 (3)

GOLD

1B Freddie Freeman - 3-5, 2B, 2 HR, 2 R, 5 RBI

SILVER

P Mike Minor - 8 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 SO; 0-4, R

BRONZE

RF Jason Heyward - 2-5, 2B, R, RBI, SB

Top WPA Performances:

1. Freddie Freeman, 1B, ATL - .183
3-5, 2B, 2 HR, 2 R, 5 RBI

2. Jason Heyward, RF, ATL - .174
2-5, 2B, R, RBI, SB

3. Henry Blanco, C, ARI - .155
1-3, R

Top Play: Freddie Freeman smacks an opposite-field home run to left off starter Josh Collmenter to stake the Braves to an early 2-0 lead (.166)

Worst Play: With men on first and second and no one out with a 2-1 Braves lead in the fourth, Ryan Roberts flies out to left field. Aaron Hill singled on the next play only to have Martin Prado throw out Jason Kubel at home. (-.070)

ATLANTA 9, ARIZONA 1

W - Brandon Beachy (2-1, 0.47)
L - Trevor Cahill (1-1, 2.84)
HR - Brian McCann (3)

GOLD

P Brandon Beachy - 7 1/3 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO; 0-2, R, BB, RBI, SAC

SILVER

C Brian McCann - 2-5, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI

BRONZE

1B Freddie Freeman - 3-4, 2 2B, 2 R, BB, 2 RBI

Top WPA Performances:

1. Brandon Beachy, SP, ATL - .291
7 1/3 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO; 0-2, R, BB, RBI, SAC

2. Brian McCann, C, ATL - .136
2-5, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI

3. Freddie Freeman, 1B, ATL - .102
3-4, 2 2B, 2 R, BB, 2 RBI

Top Play: Brian McCann jacked a two-out, two-run homer to right in the fifth off starter Trevor Cahill to give the Braves a 3-0 lead. (.205)

Worst Play: Chipper Jones grounded into a fielder's choice to second base to end the first inning and waste a bases-loaded chance to score (-.072)

[SamtheBravesFan]

ATLANTA 3, ARIZONA 2

W - Tommy Hanson (2-2, 3.38)
L - Joe Saunders (1-1, 1.29)
S - Craig Kimbrel (5, 1.50)
HR - ATL - Dan Uggla (2)
ARI - Jason Kubel (1)

GOLD

P Tommy Hanson - 7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO; 0-2, SAC

SILVER

Braves Bullpen - 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 SO

BRONZE

P Joe Saunders - 7 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO; 0-1, SAC

Top WPA Performances:

1. Tommy Hanson, SP, ATL - .238
7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO; 0-2, SAC

2. Craig Kimbrel, RP, ATL - .206
1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO

3. Jonny Venters, RP, ATL - .144
1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO

Top Play: Dan Uggla homered to left with one out in the third inning to put the Braves up 3-2. (.115)

Worst Play: Miguel Montero struck out swinging to open the ninth against Braves closer Craig Kimbrel. (-.090)