News
By Pete Kerzel / Special to MLB.com
07/29/10 2:20 AM ET
- Heyward could see time in center field
- Venters gets work in while awaiting decision
- Cox disappointed by Strasburg scratch
- Flight delays Clevlen's big league return
"It's one of those plays -- it's a heads-up play," explained Heyward. "It's not a play that's going to happen, and you're not going to see a lot of it. But when it [does] happen and you can take advantage of the situation like that, it's always great."
Martin Prado led off the game with a single off Livan Hernandez and Heyward doubled him to third before Chipper Jones hit a sacrifice fly, advancing both runners to give Atlanta a 1-0 lead. Brian McCann walked and, with a 3-2 count on Eric Hinske, McCann broke for second on a called third strike.
Nationals catcher Ivan Rodriguez threw to second as McCann stopped between the bases. As shortstop Ian Desmond threw to first to try to catch McCann in a rundown, Heyward dashed home, beating Rodriguez's swipe tag following a throw from first baseman Adam Dunn. McCann was credited with a steal of second as part of the delayed double steal.
"You've got to make sure the pitcher goes home, and with my slow speed, if [Hinske] swings and misses, obviously I'm going to be out," McCann explained. "[Stopping] was really the only play I could make. Luckily, Jason got a great break."
Heyward timed his dash perfectly as Dunn threw awkwardly across his body, and the big rookie slid past Rodriguez's attempted swipe tag.
"That wasn't the most traditional steal of home," Heyward said.
It was the first time a Brave had stolen home since April 9, 2000, when Rafael Furcal turned the trick as part of a double steal with Chipper Jones moving from first to second. Heyward picked up his eighth steal of the season, and McCann his fourth.
"That was not scripted, I can't take credit for that," said Braves manager Bobby Cox
Heyward could see time in center field
WASHINGTON -- Jason Heyward, center fielder? In the wake of Nate McLouth's demotion to Triple-A Gwinnett, the National League Rookie of the Year Award candidate could find himself patrolling center field.
"In a pinch," said Braves manager Bobby Cox.
While acknowledging that he'd prefer to keep Heyward in his normal right-field spot, Cox is at least considering the notion that the rookie could fill in should pinch-hitting or a double switch necessitate some late-in-the-game lineup shuffling.
That's fine with Heyward, who has played right exclusively in his brief Major League career. But the 20-year-old played center 17 times in 208 Minor League games and is familiar with the middle spot in the outfield. As a kid, center was the first outfield position Heyward ever played.
"Do I like the position? I like to play anywhere that could help my team," Heyward said. "I can play any position a left-hander can play in the field. I feel comfortable doing any of them, and I've played all of them in my life. I can still do center."
Cox is intrigued by the amount of ground that the 6-foot-5 Heyward could cover gap-to-gap.
"[Heyward] can run," Cox said. "He's fast -- real fast."
Venters gets work in while awaiting decision
WASHINGTON -- Jonny Venters pitched in his fourth straight game Wednesday against the Nationals, as the Braves got the most out of the left-hander, who is awaiting a decision on his appeal of the four-game suspension he was given for throwing at Milwaukee's Prince Fielder on July 17.
The Braves had expected word on Venters' appeal, which was heard at Nationals Park on Tuesday, and pitched him two innings in the series-opening 3-0 loss to Washington. That, coupled with the fact that Venters had worked in the team's past three games, indicated he probably wouldn't get the call Wednesday.
"I wouldn't say [Venters is] not [available]," said Braves manager Bobby Cox, "but probably not."
But when the Nationals were threatening in the eighth, with left-hander Adam Dunn due up with a runner on first base and two outs, Cox removed starting pitcher Tim Hudson and called for Venters. Cox's faith was rewarded as Venters got Dunn swinging on a 3-2 slider.
Braves officials are still waiting for an announcement on Venters' appeal and admitted surprise that no decision had been reached by the time the team stretched before Wednesday's game against the Nationals.
"We've been sitting by the phone. We thought it would come down today and that he might get one or zero [games]," Cox said.
Cox disappointed by Strasburg scratch
WASHINGTON -- Count Braves manager Bobby Cox among those who were disappointed the Jason Heyward-Stephen Strasburg faceoff didn't materialize Tuesday night.
Strasburg, the Nationals' right-handed phenom, was supposed to make his second career start against the Braves, who would have been the first team to see him twice, before he had trouble loosening up during pregame warmups. Washington scratched Strasburg from the start, and following precautionary X-rays and an MRI, he was diagnosed with right shoulder inflammation.
Heyward was on the 15-day disabled list with a deep bone bruise in his left thumb when Strasburg faced the Braves at Turner Field on June 28. The matchup between two of baseball's rising stars was one of the most interesting subplots lost when Strasburg was pulled from the start.
"I think it has an impact on baseball. It's great. It keeps the fans coming when you have young talent like that coming," Cox said. "Look what it does for this franchise here when Strasburg's pitching -- it's sold out. It's special. And Heyward's really helped out attendance. ... I like watching the young talent."
Flight delays Clevlen's big league return
WASHINGTON -- The Braves expected outfielder Brent Clevlen to arrive in Washington, D.C., about an hour after Tuesday night's 3-0 loss started. Turns out his flight from Atlanta was delayed more than an hour and Clevlen didn't touch down at nearby Ronald Reagan National Airport on time, so he didn't arrive at Nationals Park until the game was nearly over.
"I'm glad to be back playing," said Clevlen, who was activated from the 15-day disabled list Tuesday to replace the demoted Nate McLouth on the Braves' roster. "That's most important. It's more fun than just sitting around."
Clevlen hurt the big toe on his right foot on May 23 when he crashed into an unpadded portion of the wall at PNC Park in Pittsburgh after making a catch. He went on the DL the next day and missed 54 games.
"I'll try to maybe land a little higher on the pad [next] time," he joked. "It was a freak accident."
Clevlen hit .385 (5-for-13) in four rehab games with Class A Rome and Triple-A Gwinnett before he was summoned to replace McLouth. After the injury, he was shut down for almost a month before resuming baseball activities.
"I feel good," Clevlen said. "Even having those six or eight weeks off and getting back, my timing didn't feel that far off. After a few games, I felt good."
Pete Kerzel is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
