Upton Gets Turned Around

photo courtesy Getty Images 

Josh Inglis

@B2Bsportsinglis

The Atlanta Braves lost for just the 6th time this year Wednesday night at Colorado by a score of 5 to 6 in 12 innings.  Even with the loss the Braves still have the best record in the majors. Its safe to say that new left fielder Justin Upton, who is batting .316 11HR 16 RBIs 1.199 OPS and 63 total bases on 79 AB, has a lot to do with that but his defense wasn't on display in the bottom half of the 9th when, arguably, the best closer in the past 2 years was trying to record his 17th straight save opportunity without giving up a run.

Upton got turned around twice off a Dexter Fowler deep fly ball that went off the wall with runners on the corners, giving Fowler a 2 run double which cost the Braves the lead and ultimately the game later on in the 12th when pinch hitting Yorvit Torrealba hit a single to left and scored Wilin Rosario from second.  Upton had a tough play to get Rosario at home but the throw was off line and had no chance. I'm sure Atlanta fans won't mind as long as Upton keeps pounding the ball.  

The Braves will have a day to think about the tough loss as they are off on Thursday and will get back to action on Friday as Paul  Maholm takes his 1.03 ERA and his 8.62 K/9 to Detroit against Anibal Sanchez and the 10 - 9 Tigers.

Check out the highlights here from mlb.com

• 3B Chris Johnson (the throw in on the Upton trade) is hitting a cool .397 over 63 at bats.  Filling the shoes of one of the best pure hitting 3rd basemen of all time in Chipper Jones
• BJ Upton has 29 strike outs  in 80 at bats while fellow whiffer Dan Uggla  has 26 Ks in 65 AB. Giving the two a respectable 0.379 combine strike out average. Fun betting game with friends is BJ and Uggla 4.5 K combined for any game.  I prefer the over.
• Prior to the game Craig Kimbrel had only allowed one earned run in his last 35 innings of work for a 0.257 ERA over that span