Ricky Nolasco has been relatively disappointing this season. However, Nolasco reminded everyone of his potential with his performance on Wednesday. Going up against the Atlanta Braves, Nolasco struck out 16 batters — an all-time record for a Florida Marlins pitcher.
Perhaps most impressively, Nolasco struck out nine straight batters. With one more strike out, he would have tied Tom Seaver for the most consecutive strikeouts in a game.
With Nolasco fanning batters left and right, the Marlins were able to beat the Braves by a final count of 5-4. It was a costly lost for the Braves, who lost their second straight …read more

Last season, Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves surprised many by posting one of the best seasons of his big league career. He hit .364 to lead the National League and set career-highs in batting average and on-base percentage.
However, this season hasn’t been as kind to the 37-year-old third baseman. He’s hitting .269 with 16 homers, 64 RBIs and 70 runs. Since the All-Star break, Jones is hitting just .237 in 173 at-bats.
When talking to the Associated Press, Jones strongly hinted that he’d retire after next season if he doesn’t start to play better.
Said Jones to the AP: “If I …read more

Tim Hudson, who was once upon a time a top starting pitcher in all of baseball, will return to the mound for the Atlanta Braves against the Florida Marlins on Monday. Hudson has been sidelined more than a year due to elbow surgery. He has recently been pitching in the minor leagues and is apparently ready to give the Braves some help in their push to make the 2009 baseball postseason.
Before getting hurt last season, Hudson had a record of 11-7 to go with a 3.17 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. It was his fourth season with the Braves after …read more

Two weeks ago, Atlanta Braves legend Tom Glavine said his career could be over if he didn’t feel better in two weeks. Now, Glavine says he feels better but still isn’t sure if he’ll be able to make it all the way back to the big leagues.
The 43-year-old future Hall of Fame pitcher recently threw the ball on a flat surface. Although he hasn’t gone back on the mound, he reported that his throwing session went well.
In the offseason, Glavine had shoulder surgery on his left shoulder. The left-hander has reported shoulder soreness and even in his latest session, he …read more

To begin the 2009 Major League Baseball season, the St. Louis Cardinals had an obvious problem in their bullpen. On Monday, they addressed their lack of depth by trading for Blaine Boyer of the Atlanta Braves. In return, the Braves will receive Brian Barton, a minor leaguer.
Boyer is a 27-year-old right-hander who was born in Atlanta. So far this season, he’s been far from impressive. In 1.1 innings over three appearances, Boyer has a 40.50 ERA after giving up three hits, three walks and six home runs. Last season, Boyer had a 5.88 ERA in 76 games. His best season …read more

Prior to their game against the Atlanta Braves, the Philadelphia Phillies celebrated their 2008 World Series championship. However, once the game started, the Phillies quickly were reminded the 2009 Major League Baseball season meant that last year’s magical run was over.
The Braves scored two runs in the top of the first inning off of Phillies starter Brett Myers. In the top of the second, Atlanta added two more runs. All four of the runs were via the home run. Brian McCann hit a two-run dinger, while Jordan Schafer and Jeff Francoeur added solo shots.
However, the best player for the Braves …read more

On Sunday, the 2009 Major League Baseball season begins. On opening day, the 2008 World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies will host the Atlanta Braves. Prior to the game, the Phillies will unveil their championship banner and they will receive their championship rings.
The first pitch of the 2009 baseball season will be thrown by Phillies starter Brett Myers. At that point, the 2009 season will officially be underway.
The goal for the Phillies this season is simple — to win the World Series once again. However, that is obviously easier said than done. The last team to win back-to-back World Series titles …read more

While spring training isn’t the greatest way to judge a baseball team, the exhibition standings aren’t as worthless as you may think. In fact, last year the Tampa Bay Rays had the best record during spring training and then went on to represent the American League in the 2008 World Series.
Who are the best teams during 2009 spring training? Here are the top five:
1. Los Angeles Angels
Last year, the Angels finished with the best record in baseball at 100-62. During 2009 spring training, Los Angeles is 24-7. They have outscored their opponents 247-158. All in all, it appears like it …read more

If this was Yunel Escobar’s and Ryan Church’s audition for the next Three Stooges remake, then it was a nyuk nyuk nyuk gone horribly wrong.
Check out this ouch-if-there-ever-was-one collision between the two players (38s).  The New York Mets‘ Church takes a knee to the head from the Atlanta Braves shortstop while sliding into second. He ended up with a mild concussion and Escobar got himself one heck of a sore knee: