Friday, February 27, 2009

Kawakami look gud in debut

For the second straight day, Braves fans were treated to the spring training debut of a new pitcher. After Tommy Hanson impressed fans with nothing but heat, Japanese import Kenshin Kawakami likely delighted his manager with two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit, striking out one and recording six outs in seven batters. Kawakami threw 18 strikes in 29 total pitches, giving up only a bloop single to Adam LaRoche before striking out Jose Tabata on a high fastball to end his day.
The Braves received run support from Omar Infante’s third inning single and later would tack on a Greg Norton solo home run as well as a two-run bomb from Chipper Jones. Buddy Carlyle struck out three in two innings of work while Kris Medlin had two Ks in one inning pitched. The Braves take care of the Pirates 5-2, but the story was once again the debut of a pitcher. The Braves should count themselves 2-0 for the team’s future with a successful outing from Hanson and a solid performance from Kawakami. Fans anxious to see how Derek Lowe will earn his fat contract will get the chance Saturday as the team faces Toronto at 1:05.

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