National League Preview from The Sports Network
Tuesday, April 24th
(All times Eastern)
Atlanta Braves (10-7) at Los Angeles Dodgers (13-4), 10:10 p.m.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Atlanta - Mike Minor (2-1, 3.10)
Los Angeles - Aaron Harang (1-1, 5.40)
(Sports Network) - The Braves were forced to option starter Jair Jurrjens to
the minor leagues after losing last night's opener with the Dodgers. Young
left- hander Mike Minor doesn't appear to be in similar danger.
Minor looks to win a third straight start tonight and draw Atlanta even with
Los Angeles in this three-game series.
The seventh overall pick of the 2009 draft, Minor has allowed just one earned
run over 15 1/3 innings to win consecutive starts since getting drilled for
six runs over five innings of a loss to the Mets on April 8. He hurled a
career-high eight innings on Thursday in Arizona, charged with two runs -- one
earned -- on five hits while striking out nine without a walk.
"He's heading in the right direction," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez told his
team's website afterwards. "He's growing up right in front of our eyes. He's
maturing and using that changeup, and in 3-2 counts, he's throwing some pretty
good breaking pitches."
The 24-year-old Minor has faced the Dodgers just once prior and allowed a run
over six innings without a decision.
While Minor continues to mature, Jurrjens' regression reached another low
point last night after he allowed five runs on nine hits and a walk over
three-plus innings. He was then optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett after the game.
David Ross and Dan Uggla each belted home runs for the Braves, who have lost
two straight on the heels of a five-game win streak.
"We didn't take advantage of our opportunities," admitted Ross. "They hit a
lot of balls just out of the reach of our infielders. Jair made good pitches
and got bad results."
Juan Uribe, meanwhile, put up excellent results for the Dodgers, matching a
career high with four hits while also scoring twice and driving in three runs.
A.J. Ellis knocked in two runs and Andre Ethier added three hits and an RBI as
the Dodgers improved to 7-0 at home this season. They won for the fourth time
in five games overall and at 13-4 have matched their best start after 17 games
since 1983.
Chris Capuano tossed seven strong innings, scattering six hits and four walks
with five strikeouts in getting the win.
"I stayed aggressive with my fastball and got ahead of hitters," remarked
Capuano after the win. "My command improved the last couple of innings."
Los Angeles hopes that Aaron Harang can build off his first victory in
tonight's start.
The 33-year-old righty allowed three runs on eight hits and a walk over six
innings of a 4-3 triumph over Milwaukee on Thursday. Harang also struck out
four one start after fanning a career high-tying 13, including a club-record
nine in a row at one point.
The veteran is 1-3 with a 4.53 ERA in nine career starts against the Braves.
The Dodgers won five of seven versus the Braves last season.
04/24 10:37:53 ET

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