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When the Atlanta Braves took Brian McCann off the DL, they needed to clear a spot on the roster to make room for him. They decided to send infielder Tyler Pastornicky to the minors. I don’t understand why no one is talking about this move. While Tyler makes his way back to Gwinnett, let’s take a look at the stellar time he spent in Atlanta.

He was unable to win the backup infielder position in Spring Training. Braves management preferred the light-hitting Ramiro Pena instead. Even though Pastornicky spent time with Atlanta last year at shortstop and second base, he had to go back to Triple A. He promptly went down and hit .338, but the Braves didn’t have room for him to come up.

When Jason Heyward suddenly had an emergency appendectomy, he hit the DL and the Braves brought Pastornicky back up. Fans were enthused that this slugger was on his way back. Surely he would have a chip on his shoulder and continue his hot streak in the majors.

Pastornicky‘s 2013 stat line is quite memorable. He made appearances in six games, starting in one and coming in late as a defensive replacement in another. It will be tough to top his long one game hitting streak that ended near the end of April.

I’m sure we all remember the big plays Pastornicky made. Like that time he played second base against Detroit and delivered a big hit. It was a double in the second inning. Even though it was his only hit, he was left stranded and the Braves lost 8-3, Braves fans can’t forget that screaming liner down the right field line.

He even racked up one put out and two assists at second base. He took the team lead in defense, making no errors. Andrelton Simmons hopefully learned a lot from Pastornicky while they were in the clubhouse together.

The man many in Atlanta affectionately refer to as “Rev” should be turning heads soon in Gwinnett. Hopefully he’ll be on his way back to the bigs before we know it.

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Mike Minor carried the Atlanta Braves to a 4-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on Friday night.  Justin Upton hit another home run, and Evan Gattis had three hits in the victory.

Minor (1-0), who made waves at the beginning of last season by demanding a spot in the Braves’ rotation, got his year off on the right foot with 7.1 innings of solid pitching.  He allowed five hits and one earned run.  Mike could very well find himself as the ace of this staff if he continues to pitch like he did during the second half of 2012.  And although he struck out seven in this game, he doesn’t even need a high K rate to be successful.  He just has to keep the ball in the yard.

Justin Upton got the crowd going early with a laser shot into the left field seats in the first inning for his third home run.  He drove in another run in the third with a sac fly and was greeted warmly in the dugout.

All year people will be watching very closely to see if the Braves can complete the “little plays” needed to scratch out runs.  Moving runners over and making sac flies/bunts will probably be noted every single time.

Juan Francisco put the game away in the fifth inning with a key bases-loaded hit.  After enduring a long at-bat against eventual loser Scott Feldman (0-1), Francisco dropped a soft liner into left field to score two and put the Braves up 4-1.

Gattis was the only Brave with more than one hit.  He fought off two of his three hits into right field, which is a good sign.  He must be prepared to make adjustments going forward.

Two players have struggled to start off this season, neither of which we should be concerned about.  B.J. Upton still does not have a hit, and somehow he is being even more aggressive than usual.  He popped out early in the game after swinging on a 3-0 count.  If Upton still doesn’t have a hit by the end of the weekend, then maybe fans can start sounding alarms.

Andrelton Simmons, who went hitless, is still adjusting to the leadoff spot.  But he should be feeling no pressure whatsoever, the rest of the lineup can carry the load for him while he works out his swing.  His most important contribution to the team is defense.

Eric O’Flaherty and Craig Kimbrel came out of the bullpen and closed out the game.  Prized pitching prospect Julio Teheran will hope to carry the momentum from a phenomenal spring against Cubs righty Carlos Villanueva.

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The Braves started off the 2013 season on the right foot with a 7-5 victory over Philadelphia.

And the atmosphere at Turner Field was electric. 

The offseason acquisitions of B.J. and Justin Upton created a buzz around the Braves, and fans were even more excited when they learned Chipper Jones would be throwing out the first pitch. 

While Atlanta’s lineup may be tested throughout the year, Opening Day was all positives. 

Home runs from Freddie Freeman, Dan Uggla and Justin Upton brought Braves fans to their feet. And how pretty was Justin Upton’s swing?

Hopefully this will be a sign of plenty more power from the Braves throughout the season.

Tim Hudson pitched well until running out of gas in the fifth inning, giving up two runs before being pulled.  We may just have to get used to this situation with Tim, he’s already up there in age and will need solid play from his defense every single night. 

The Braves received great bullpen work from Luis Avilan (W, 1-0) and Craig Kimbrel (S, 1), both with scoreless outings.  Avilan kept the Phillies from taking the lead and the Braves tacked on three insurance runs.

Even Gerald Laird played well, collecting two hits and an RBI. 

And hopefully we won’t have to wait too long to see the debut of Evan Gattis, whose swings have generated Paul Bunyan references and Chuck Norris jokes.

I held my breath every time a ball was hit to Chris Johnson, and B.J. Upton looked a bit too amped up to be playing with his brother. 

But otherwise it was a solid effort and a good night for Atlanta.

It was very nice to see the Braves do well against their kryptonite for the past few years, a lefty pitcher, especially one with a nasty changeup. 

The Braves have a day off on Tuesday and play Game 2 against the Phillies on Wednesday.  Paul Maholm will square off against Roy Halladay.

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The 2012 Atlanta Braves have done an excellent job of quieting fans’ fears of a repeat collapse in September.  They are closing in on a playoff spot and hope to do damage in October.  An improved offense, a stabilized rotation, and a lights-out bullpen have helped them erase the memory of a dismal finish to 2011.

The season has been full of ups and downs, so before we see the Braves enjoy the success of a playoff spot, let’s take a look at some of the disappointments and hurdles they have faced.

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