Braves win their 1st one

Jair Jurrjens took the mound in his 1st of many appearances as an Atlanta Brave. He looked good on the mound early. He had his change up and fastball working tonight. He broke at least 5 bats with his fastball breaking like it was. I for one was very impressed with Jair's performance. He went 5 1/3 innings, striking out 5 and walking only 1. He allowed 7 hits and 2 runs before he was taken out by Bobby when he got into some trouble in the 6th inning but the bullpen came in and did the job. Got a little shaky but they shut the door and didn't allow any runs.

Some news on Kelly Johnson, he had a MRI done on his knee today, it came back as no structrual damage but as KJ said, any acceleration causes severe pain so they have to treat the pain the best way they know how. KJ is listed as Day to Day and he is available to pinch hit for the Braves.

On the offensive side for the Braves, the bats woke up. Martin Prado played 2B for the Braves. He got it going, hitting a triple. Chipper drove him in, in the 1st inning. Then in the 3rd inning, Braves scored another run, another RBI for Chipper Jones. In the 4th inning, Matty Diaz, goes the opposite field, for a Home Run, which was just inside the foul pole. IMO, it is about time Matt Diaz got the starting job in LF, he has proven the last two season he deserves that job and all he has done is produced. Then the Pirates scored a couple of runs, making the score 3-2 after 6 innings. Then the flood gates opened up, someone lit a fire in the bats of the Braves because in the 8th inning, the Braves sent a total of 10 men to the plate, scoring 7 runs. Yes folks, we scored 7 runs in one inning. Chipper Jones started the inning with a walk, then Tex stepped up to the plate and crushed one to deep CF for his 1st of many Home Runs. Frenchy and Mac singles with Frenchy moving to 3B, then Diaz singles which scores Frenchy. This makes the score 6-2. Kotsay gets on by way of a Fielder's Choice, then Prado gets a infield single scoring Mac, making the score 7-2. Yunel Escobar steps up to the plate and he cranks one out of the park to LF, making the score 10-2.

All total, we hit 3 HR's and it seems everyone contributed in some way, shape or form tonight in this win.

Good win by our Braves at home. Jurrjens looked very good.

Tomorrow night is the return of Mike Hampton. I hope to see a good performance and a continuation of what he has done in spring training. Let's hope the bats stay alive and this is just a start of run of wins for us.

Braves 1-2.

Jurrjens 1-0