Last Spring Training Game-Indians v. Braves

Most of our regulars got one or two AB's before Bobby pulled them out and got them some rest. Good move. Then the rains came which caused delay in the game.

Hampton started the game, going 3 innings, giving up 1 run, allowing 3 hits. IMO, he looked sharp, location was good and he was using all of his pitches. For someone we as the fans and the Braves as a team were wondering about, Mike Hampton looks as if he is someone we are going to be counting on this season. His ST ERA was just over 2.00. To me, that is pretty good considering he hasn't pitched in a major league game in over 2 yrs.

Most of the regulars were out of the game by the 4th inning. Our minor league guys who were in stepped up in my opinion and pulled it out against the Indians regulars.

Brent Lillibridge, who is heading back to Richmond, got the game winning hit. Before the game, it was announced that Jeff Bennett will be staying with the Braves and Buddy Carlyle will be heading down to Richmond.

In a little side note to wrap up the 2008 Spring Training, the attitude of those who were either optioned or reassigned to Richmond is great. They know they will be working hard on things they struggled with down in Florida but knowing at any given time, they could get that all important phone call that say they have just been called to Atlanta due to an injury to someone.

Brent Lillibridge
Josh Anderson
Buddy Carlyle
Scott Thorman-cleared waivers
Joe Borchard
Clint Sammons
Jeff Ridgway

Chuck James and John Smoltz are on the 15 day DL. What will happen what CJ comes off the DL? Does Bennett go down or do they send CJ down since he has options? This should be interesting to watch.

The Braves win 5-4, scoring all 5 runs in the last inning of the game, which happened to be the 7th inning due to inclement weather.

Now we begin the 2008 Baseball Season against the Washington Nationals with Tim Hudson getting the ball for us against a former Brave Odalis Perez.