Braves Win Both Split-Squad Games

The Atlanta Braves played a pair of games on Saturday and won both of them. They beat the Houston Astros 3-2 and they also beat the Toronto Blue Jays 10-5.
In the game against the Astros, the Braves' offense scored their three runs on three hits, all solo home runs. Dan Uggla hit his first home run since March third, it was his second of the spring. Evan Gattis then homered, it was his third home run in his past two games, and his fifth overall of the spring. Jordan Parraz also homered for the Braves, it was his third of the spring.
The pitching was stellar for the Braves, especially for starter Julio Teheran. He pitched six innings and gave up no hits, while striking out ten batters. He is now 3-1 on the spring. It was also announced that he had won the job for the fifth spot in the starting rotation over lefty Sean Gilmartin, who started the other game on Saturday against Toronto. Jordan Walden pitched a scoreless seventh inning while Eric O'Flaherty pitched a scoreless eighth inning. Craig Kimbrel pitched the ninth and gave up a two-run homer to former Brave Rick Ankiel, who had both of the Astros' two hits in the game. Kimbrel did earn his first save of the spring though.
In the game against the Blue Jays, the Braves' offense had thirteen hits while scoring their ten runs. Minor league third baseman Edward Salcedo entered the game late and had two hits in the final two innings, both were home runs. He also drove in four runs to help the Braves to victory. Justin Upton had two hits and drove in a run, Blake DeWitt also had two hits. Reed Johnson added a two-run single in the fifth inning, while the other Braves to get hits in the game were B.J. Upton, Ramiro Pena and Matt Pagnozzi.
For the pitching, Gilmartin had a day he wouldn't mind forgetting. He gave up five runs on ten hits, including three home runs, in five innings. He was sent to minor league camp after the game was over and will most likely start the year at Triple-A Gwinnett. Cristhian Martinez had a good day though, he pitched three scoreless innings and gave up two hits and had two strikeouts. That should increase his chances of making the bullpen, he is competing with Anthony Varvaro for one of the final spots.
The Braves are now 18-12 on the spring after winning both games. They will play again tomorrow against the Washington Nationals at 1:05 p.m. Kris Medlen will make the start, it will be his final start of the spring.

Dan Uggla hits a solo home run in the Braves' 3-2 victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday.
Photo Courtesy of the Associated Press