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Atlanta Braves Clippings Friday, August 21, 2015 Braves.com Braves stymied in series opener against Cubs By Mark Bowman and Carrie Muskat / MLB.com | 12:42 AM ET CHICAGO -- Anthony Rizzo smacked a three-run homer in the third and Addison Russell added a solo shot in the fourth to back Jake Arrieta and power the Cubs to a 7-1 victory over the Braves on Thursday night, snapping a three-game losing streak. Chris Coghlan drove in two runs to help Chicago stay four games behind Pittsburgh in the National League Wild Card standings. The Cubs, though, have bigger plans. "I think still at this point in time, we don't intend to be a Wild Card," Arrieta said. "We still think we can win our division. … We're still in a position here where we can jump some guys if we can get hot and have some good fortune with the teams ahead of us." Arrieta now leads the Major Leagues with 15 wins, and posted his 12th consecutive quality start. He's 9-1 in the dozen games with a 1.26 ERA. He was pulled after six scoreless innings, and wanted to go deeper but manager Joe Maddon is trying to keep the right-hander fresh for October. "Our expectation is to play longer, and he's not done that," Maddon said. "I want him to be well for that moment. Regardless of how they feel now, you've got to make those decisions." Both Cubs homers came off hard-throwing Mike Foltynewicz, although Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez missed seeing them after being ejected in the third for arguing balls and strikes with home-plate umpire Doug Eddings. "I see Folty out there battling and getting after it," said Gonzalez, whose team has lost 19 of its past 21 road games. "So after a few times of seeing him get frustrated with his body language, I just said a few things." Thursday was the first day of what Maddon has dubbed "American Legion" week. There was no batting practice and players were told not to report until four hours before first pitch at the earliest. And they'll do it again on Friday. "Overall, first day of American Legion was OK," Maddon said, smiling. MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Big bopper: Rizzo was one of the few Cubs who didn't hit in the just completed two-game series against the Tigers, going 1-for-10, but he but made up for that in the third inning. The Cubs had two on and one out, and after Gonzalez was ejected, Coghlan hit a RBI single and Rizzo followed with his 24th home run. He now has 73 RBIs, and should easily top his career high of 80 RBIs set in 2013. "Keeping that ball fair is quite a feat," Maddon said. "That kid [Foltynewicz] has a great arm. Fastball in, to stay inside on that ball and have it not hook, that's not easy to do. That's obviously a big play there." HRs doom Folty again: Foltynewicz surrendered seven earned runs in 4 2/3 innings, but his line overshadowed how impressive his stuff was. His fastball consistently sat between 97-99 mph and he produced some effective sliders. But he still allowed at least two homers for the fourth time in his past six starts. Rizzo hit his three-run shot on a 98-mph inside heater that came back enough over the plate to catch the sweet spot of his bat. Russell's solo shot came against a 1-0 slider -- a pitch the Braves rookie has working to consistently bury down in the zone. "I've just got to refine the off-speed [pitches] a little better and I think I'm heading in the right direction," Foltynewicz said. "They just came out swinging it pretty well tonight." Freeman's contributions: When Freddie Freeman returned to Atlanta's lineup for Wednesday's game in San Diego, he felt he was reacting late to pitches. But he seemingly made a quick adjustment as he notched a pair of hits against the Cubs, including an eighth-inning single that helped move Nick Markakis into position to score on Adonis Garcia's sacrifice fly.

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Page 1: Atlanta Braves Clippings Friday, August 21, 2015atlanta.braves.mlb.com/documents/3/2/0/144485320/... · Atlanta Braves Clippings Friday, August 21, 2015 Braves.com Braves stymied

Atlanta Braves Clippings

Friday, August 21, 2015

Braves.com

Braves stymied in series opener against Cubs

By Mark Bowman and Carrie Muskat / MLB.com | 12:42 AM ET

CHICAGO -- Anthony Rizzo smacked a three-run homer in the third and Addison Russell added a solo shot in the fourth to back Jake Arrieta and power the Cubs to a 7-1 victory over the Braves on Thursday night, snapping a three-game losing streak.

Chris Coghlan drove in two runs to help Chicago stay four games behind Pittsburgh in the National League Wild Card standings. The Cubs, though, have bigger plans.

"I think still at this point in time, we don't intend to be a Wild Card," Arrieta said. "We still think we can win our division. … We're still in a position here where we can jump some guys if we can get hot and have some good fortune with the teams ahead of us."

Arrieta now leads the Major Leagues with 15 wins, and posted his 12th consecutive quality start. He's 9-1 in the dozen games with a 1.26 ERA. He was pulled after six scoreless innings, and wanted to go deeper but manager Joe Maddon is trying to keep the right-hander fresh for October.

"Our expectation is to play longer, and he's not done that," Maddon said. "I want him to be well for that moment. Regardless of how they feel now, you've got to make those decisions."

Both Cubs homers came off hard-throwing Mike Foltynewicz, although Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez missed seeing them after being ejected in the third for arguing balls and strikes with home-plate umpire Doug Eddings.

"I see Folty out there battling and getting after it," said Gonzalez, whose team has lost 19 of its past 21 road games. "So after a few times of seeing him get frustrated with his body language, I just said a few things."

Thursday was the first day of what Maddon has dubbed "American Legion" week. There was no batting practice and players were told not to report until four hours before first pitch at the earliest. And they'll do it again on Friday.

"Overall, first day of American Legion was OK," Maddon said, smiling.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Big bopper: Rizzo was one of the few Cubs who didn't hit in the just completed two-game series against the Tigers, going 1-for-10, but he but made up for that in the third inning. The Cubs had two on and one out, and after Gonzalez was ejected, Coghlan hit a RBI single and Rizzo followed with his 24th home run. He now has 73 RBIs, and should easily top his career high of 80 RBIs set in 2013.

"Keeping that ball fair is quite a feat," Maddon said. "That kid [Foltynewicz] has a great arm. Fastball in, to stay inside on that ball and have it not hook, that's not easy to do. That's obviously a big play there."

HRs doom Folty again: Foltynewicz surrendered seven earned runs in 4 2/3 innings, but his line overshadowed how impressive his stuff was. His fastball consistently sat between 97-99 mph and he produced some effective sliders. But he still allowed at least two homers for the fourth time in his past six starts. Rizzo hit his three-run shot on a 98-mph inside heater that came back enough over the plate to catch the sweet spot of his bat. Russell's solo shot came against a 1-0 slider -- a pitch the Braves rookie has working to consistently bury down in the zone.

"I've just got to refine the off-speed [pitches] a little better and I think I'm heading in the right direction," Foltynewicz said. "They just came out swinging it pretty well tonight."

Freeman's contributions: When Freddie Freeman returned to Atlanta's lineup for Wednesday's game in San Diego, he felt he was reacting late to pitches. But he seemingly made a quick adjustment as he notched a pair of hits against the Cubs, including an eighth-inning single that helped move Nick Markakis into position to score on Adonis Garcia's sacrifice fly.

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SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS Arrieta is the first Cubs pitcher to record 12 consecutive quality starts since Hall of Famer Greg Maddux had a 14-game stretch, June 25-Aug. 31, 1992. Arrieta also is the Cubs' first 15-game winner since Ryan Dempster went 15-12 in 2010.

"[The quality start streak] kind of gives me the idea that I'm doing something right," Arrieta said.

"He's a competitor, he's a gamer," Cubs catcher Miguel Montero said of Arrieta. "You can see the fire when he's pitching. … He's one of the best I've caught."

BRYANT UPDATE Rookie Kris Bryant left the game after five innings but the Cubs said it was because of the lopsided score and a chance to give him a breather. Bryant was visibly wincing on Wednesday after fouling a ball off his foot, but stayed in the game and totaled a career-high four hits. On Thursday against the Braves, he reached on a fielder's choice in the second, and struck out in the third and fifth innings. He fouled a ball off his leg or foot in the third. Jonathan Herrera took over at third base in the sixth.

WHAT'S NEXT Braves: Shelby Miller will take the mound when Atlanta and Chicago resume their four-game series on Friday at 4:05 p.m. ET. Miller has posted a 3.03 ERA during his current 16-start winless streak that has been a product of meager run support. He carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning of Sunday's start against the D-backs.

Cubs: Kyle Hendricks will start the second game of this four-game series, and hopes to have fixed some mechanical issues. The right-hander has had trouble with his balance, and looked at video from his Double-A games in hopes of correcting the problem. He's 4-1 with a 3.25 ERA in his last nine starts. First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. CT.

Braves impressed by Foltynewicz's ability

Right-hander struggles in loss, but displays electric arm against Cubs

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | @mlbbowman | 1:25 AM ET

CHICAGO -- The Braves are quite confident Mike Foltynewicz has the stuff and makeup necessary to become an intimidating and effective late-inning reliever. At the same time, they know that he has a special arm that could also prove quite effective as a starter if they simply remain patient and allow him to learn from outings like one he produced during Thursday night's 7-1 loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

"I told Folty to be proud of the way he threw tonight," Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski said. "I know he gave up some runs. The linescore didn't match what he had tonight. But this was definitely a step in the right direction."

It is unusual for such complimentary words to be expressed about a pitcher who had just surrendered seven earned runs and eight hits in just 4 2/3 innings. But the sentiment was aimed more toward the overpowering stuff Foltynewicz displayed, while mixing a fastball that consistently registered 97-99 mph with an occasionally nasty slider that right now is just a little too inconsistent.

"The first two innings might have been the best two innings I've seen him throw," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "That's the first time through the lineup. Now we've got to get him to pitch the second time through the lineup and develop that."

If attempting to make an immediate evaluation to determine Foltynewicz's long-term role, it would be easy to simply stamp him as a setup man or closer. But with nothing but pride and future development to play for the rest of this season, the Braves are fortunately in a position to allow the hard-throwing rookie to spend the rest of the season in the starting rotation, where he can attempt to make the same adjustments that the likes of John Smoltz or Jake Arrieta (the Cubs' starting pitcher on Thursday) made early in their careers.

After getting ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the third inning, Gonzalez returned to the clubhouse and watched Arrieta extend his recent dominance -- 1.26 ERA in his past 12 starts. In the process, he looked up the numbers Arrieta produced during his early years and gained the sense Foltynewicz has the potential to develop in the same successful manner.

"It's like somewhere down the line, Jake figured out how to pitch and I think that is where we are with Folty," Gonzalez said. "He pitched two innings and then all of the sudden, we've got to go the second time through the lineup."

Foltynewicz surrendered three hits in the third inning, including a three-run homer that Anthony Rizzo managed to hit on a 98-mph fastball that caught just the inside edge of the plate.

"It probably got an inch of the plate, but during that first at-bat against him, I didn't show him anything else but a fastball," Foltynewicz said. "So, I think he just went up there and looked for it. Sometimes, you have to tip your cap when you can turn on 98 like that."

Foltynewicz's recognition of the importance of learning how to navigate his way through a lineup multiple times appears to be a step in the right direction. Now, he'll have time to lower the 6.04 ERA he's produced through his first 14 career starts.

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"He did a lot of good things tonight," Pierzynski said. "Unfortunately, the numbers don't dictate that."

Fredi tossed after arguing with home-plate ump

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | @mlbbowman | 12:27 AM ET

CHICAGO -- Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez expressed his anger in a colorful manner after he was ejected for arguing balls and strikes with plate umpire Doug Eddings during the third inning of Thursday night's 7-1 loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Gonzalez was ejected after reacting to Eddings' call on a 1-0 fastball that Mike Foltynewicz threw to Chris Coghlan. After being tossed, the usually mild-mannered skipper stormed out of the dugout and got in Eddings' face before offering some choice words.

Gonzalez kicked dirt around the plate and then had a few more things to say to Eddings before he retreated to the dugout.

"I just said a few things, it wasn't anything crazy or anything," Gonzalez said. "But you can't argue balls and strikes, so I got to watch the rest of the game on TV."

Gonzalez's displeasure with Eddings' strike zone began in the second inning when Anthony Rizzo drew a six-pitch walk in which two inside pitches clearly appeared to be strikes.

"I watched Folty's body language," Gonzalez said. "During Rizzo's first at-bat, I thought he made some great pitches. Rizzo stands so close to the plate that it's either going to be a strike or it's going to hit him."

Foltynewicz had limited the Cubs to just two hits before Coghlan concluded the at-bat with an RBI single. Moments later, Rizzo hit a three-run homer to give the Cubs a 4-0 lead.

Though the damage was produced immediately after the argument, Foltynewicz said he was not adversely affected in any way by the short delay.

"I think I needed a little breather there," Foltynewicz said. "It's great to see my manager has my back there. When you're out there competing and trying to win a game, it's really nice to see."

Freeman sees Olivera's skills firsthand

First baseman worked with infielder while at Braves Spring Training complex

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | @mlbbowman | August 20th, 2015

CHICAGO -- When the Braves acquired Hector Olivera in the trade that sent top prospect Jose Peraza and Alex Wood to the Dodgers, Freddie Freeman was among those who wondered why such a steep price had been paid for a 30-year-old third baseman who has never played at the Major League level.

But after getting a chance to spend some time with Olivera at the Braves Spring Training complex last week, Freeman at least gained a glimpse of the potential possessed by the powerful Cuban, who is targeted to start in the middle of Atlanta's lineup over the next few seasons.

"When that trade first went down, you were like, 'Man, that's a tough one to swallow,'" Freeman said. "Then you see what he looks like and you see his swing and you're like 'OK, this could be someone special for a few years.'"

Since being acquired by the Braves on July 30, Olivera has been slowly making his way back from a left hamstring strain that he suffered while playing in the Dodgers Minor League system on July 13. The highly-touted third baseman began playing with Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday night and will likely continue to do so through Sunday.

If all goes well, he could make his much-anticipated Major League debut as early as Monday, when the Braves play the Rockies at Turner Field.

"He is an imposing figure in the box," Freeman said before Thursday night's game at Wrigley Field. "He's got the Barry Bonds arm guard thing, he [leans out over the plate] and he swings hard.

"If he was taking BP here, he'd be hitting them over that [left-field video board at Wrigley]. I mean, it's impressive what he can do. He's never played a Major League game, so it's hard to know how that will translate."

While recent batting practice tales have provided a glimpse of Olivera's raw power potential, time will tell how successful he might be against Major League pitchers.

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Olivera recorded just one hit and drew a pair of walks in the 19 plate appearances he totaled for the Gulf Coast League Braves and Rome Braves before his rehab stint was transferred to Gwinnett on Thursday. Having played a couple GCL game during his own rehab stint last week, Freeman fully understands how hard it is to get motivated to play in that American Legion-like environment.

Instead of focusing on results, Freeman was more concerned with simply reintroducing his eyes and body to the pace of games.

"Personally, I was just trying to get through those games without getting hurt. I was making sure I didn't run hard enough to pull something. If a pitcher was throwing 95, I was standing in the back of the batter's box, just taking."

Miller looks to return to win column vs. Hendricks, Cubs

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com |

Shelby Miller will bid for his first win in more than three months when he takes the mound for the Braves in Friday afternoon's matchup against Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs at Wrigley Field. While going winless over his past 16 starts, Miller has produced a respectable 3.03 ERA and received a Major League-low 1.38 run support average. No other qualified pitcher has received less than a 2.43 average during this span.

The Braves have provided Miller one run or less of support in 12 of these past 16 starts. They will attempt to halt this maddening trend against Hendricks, who has produced a 6.08 ERA in the five starts he has made since allowing just one earned run in 5 2/3 innings against Atlanta on July 17.

Things to know about this game

• Former Cubs reliever Arodys Vizcaino missed this season's first three months while serving a PED suspension. But the right-handed reliever has flourished since returning in early July. His recent success in the closer's role provides indication he has distanced himself from the command issues he experienced after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2011.

• Anthony Rizzo and Dexter Fowler have been two of the Cubs' hottest hitters of late. But neither has proven to be much of a problem to Miller. Rizzo is 2-for-9 and Fowler is 0-for-5 with two strikeouts against the former Cardinals hurler.

• The Braves have lost 19 of their past 21 road games. The Cubs have won nine of their past 11 home games.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Braves quotes after Thursday’s road loss to the Cubs

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

CHICAGO — Braves quotes from Mike Foltynewicz, A.J. Pierzynski and Fredi Gonzalez after Thursday’s loss to the Cubs.

**MIKE FOLTYNEWICZ

How’d you feel about your performance overall?

“I mean, if you don’t look at the numbers, I think I threw the ball OK. It was one of the better games I’ve had (in terms of ) command of my fastball. They just hit good pitches. Sometimes you’ve to to tip your cap to them. But it’s the best I’ve felt all year, just things didn’t go my way.”

Fredi said it’s getting through a lineup the second time that you need to work on, to keep teams from getting comfortable second time through

“Yeah, the first two innings I just went out there and attacked them. I think in the third inning and later I just let things get a little too fast on me. The walks didn’t help me out much, but from here on out I’ve got to slow things down better when I get in those situations. But like I said, I think I had the best command of my fastball that I’ve had all year. Just got to tip your cap to them.”

On feeling so good tonight

“I’ve been working on stuff mechanically, and the ball’s been coming out a little bit better. It’s the best I’ve felt all year, must be the adrenaline from coming back home (Illinois native). It’s coming out good, but they hit it.”

On Rizzo homer

“When I walked him that first (time up in the second), I didn’t show him much other than a fastball, and I think he was just waiting for it. He can turn on a ball easily, and he showed it tonight. But the next start I’m going to do better the second time through the lineup, second and third time.”

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On getting frustrated by the inconsistent strike zone and getting squeezed on some pitches

“I get real competitive, and the competitive person … a little bit of it comes out in me sometimes. It’s something I can’t control, but you’ve got to have better emotions out there.”

On Fredi getting ejected arguing balls and strikes for you

“It’s great to see when somebody has your back. I was out there battling, so it was great to see that. When I’m competing, trying to win a game, it’s really nice to see that.”

**A.J. PIERZYNSKI

On Foltynewicz’ performance despite the bad stat line

“I told Folty to be proud of the way he threw tonight. I know he gave up some runs. The line score probably didn’t match kind of with what he had tonight, but it was definitely a step in the right direction. I thought his fastball command was as good as I’ve seen. I thought his breaking balls were good. He threw some really good split-fingers, got some outs on those, which is kind of a pitch-in-progress. He did a lot of good things. Unfortunately the numbers don’t dictate that. You look up and see we’re based on performance and numbers, but he should have been proud of the way he threw, and I told him that.”

On Arrieta’s dominance

“I mean, hell, he’s got four pitches he throws – plus-96 (fastball), cutter, curveball, changeup. Throws it in, throws it out, throws it up, throws it down. No one’s doing a whole lot against him. I actually thought we did a really good job of having good at-bats against him. We got him out (of the game early) A hundred pitches in six innings with no runs, that’s pretty good. He made pitches when he had to, and we didn’t have many chances.”

“We had long at-bats, walks, like I said we didn’t make a lot of early outs. We did it right. Unfortunately, he’s pretty good.”

He as good as anyone in the NL this season, even with Kershaw and Greinke doing what they’re doing?

“There’s a lot of good pitchers right now. But he’s pretty good. To come in here, wind blowing out, and do what he did — it was impressive.”

**FREDI GONZALEZ

On Folty getting off to a good start before things went south

“His first two innings might have been the best two innings I’ve seen him throw, really. The game didn’t turn out the way the first two innings went, but you sit back here and you watch the game on television, and you pull up numbers, and you see how well Arrieta’s done the last three years, and you look at his first two years in the big leagues. And you’re watching these guys pitch tonight, and it’s like, somewhere down the line Jake figured it out, how to pitch. And I think that’s where we are with Folty. He gets two innings, then all of a sudden we’ve got to go a second time through the lineup and throw some other pitches for strikes.

“But hopefully almost comparable careers, if you want to look at the positive side.”

On getting toss for arguing balls and strikes, why’d you do it when you did?

“I watched Folty’s body language. I thought Rizzo’s first at-bat, he made some great pitches on Riz. Riz stands so close to the plate, it’s either going to be a strike or it’s going to hit him. And he made some great pitches on him. And then later on…. I got ejected for (arguing) balls and strikes. That’s it. I see Folty, who’s out there getting after it, and I see a couple of times where he got frustrated, (apparent) with his body language. I just said a few things in the dugout. It wasn’t anything crazy or anything like that, but you can’t argue balls and strikes. I watched the rest of the game on TV.”

Home runs have really hurt Folty in recent games

“That’s a young pitcher making mistakes over the plate. Those things will happen, you hope the learning curve is there and you keep going forward, and hopefully get better.”

On Cubs starter Jake Arrieta

“All his pitches are quality pitches. Somewhere down the line, somebody gave him an opportunity to out there every fifth day and pitch, because you look at his numbers the first two years in Baltimore…. He’s figured out a way how to pitch. He throws the cutter, he’s got the great fastball that’s downhill, and he commands them all.”

More on Folty’s performance, opponents doing damage after the first time through lineup

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“I’m going to go look at some of his game logs and see where they get him, the part of the game where the opposition gets him. I’m willing to bet three-quarters of his bad outings, it’s his second time and third time through the lineup, when they’ve seen him a couple of times, they’re comfortable, and he’s not throwing other pitches. We’ve got to get him through those second times through the lineup, those middle innings.”

Foltynewicz gets rocked, Braves lose for 19th time in 21 road games

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

CHICAGO — Struggling rookie Mike Foltynewicz and the Braves were such a glaring underdog against the Cubs and surging ace Jake Arrieta, one might’ve figured the unexpected would happen and Atlanta would pull out a win.

The unexpected did not happen.

Arrieta blanked the Braves for six innings and the Cubs rocked Foltynewicz for four runs in the third inning of a 7-1 Chicago win Thursday night to open a four-game series at Wrigley Field, the Braves’ 19th loss in their past 21 road games.

Foltynewicz (4-5) showed signs of his big potential in the first two innings, but ended up allowing eight hits, two homers and a career-high seven runs in 4 2/3 innings, with two walks and six strikeouts. He fell to 1-3 with a 7.67 ERA in five starts since returning to the rotation, including a 9.00 ERA in his past four starts (21 earned runs in 21 innings).

“I mean, if you don’t look at the numbers, I think I threw the ball OK,” Foltynewicz said. “It was one of the better games I’ve had (in terms of ) command of my fastball. They just hit good pitches. Sometimes you’ve to to tip your cap to them. But it’s the best I’ve felt all year, just things didn’t go my way.”

The Braves rookie has allowed more earned runs (13) in nine innings over his past two starts than Arrieta has allowed in 86 innings over his past 12. Nevertheless, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez and veteran catcher A.J. Pierzynski were encouraged by Foltnynewicz’s work, particularly in the first two innings when he had five ground-ball outs and one strikeout and allowed one walk and one single.

“I told Folty to be proud of the way he threw tonight,” Pierzynski said. “I know he gave up some runs. The line score probably didn’t match kind of with what he had tonight, but it was definitely a step in the right direction. I thought his fastball command was as good as I’ve seen. I thought his breaking balls were good. He threw some really good split-fingers, got some outs on those, which is kind of a pitch-in-progress. He did a lot of good things.”

Arrieta gave up four singles — all on the ground — and one walk with seven strikeouts in six scoreless innings, recording his majors-leading 15th win (against six losses) and improving to 9-1 during an utterly dominant dozen-starts stretch in which he has a 1.26 ERA and .166 opponents’ average.

He’s allowed two earned runs or fewer in 11 of those 12 starts, including one or no runs in eight of them.

Gonzalez was ejected by home-plate umpire Doug Eddings in the third inning for arguing balls and strikes. Eddings’ strike zone was inconsistent all night and the Braves felt that Foltynewicz got squeezed on multiple pitches that should’ve been called strikes in the early innings.

“His first two innings might have been the best two innings I’ve seen him throw, really,” Gonzalez said. “The game didn’t turn out the way the first two innings went, but you sit back here and you watch the game on television, and you pull up numbers, and you see how well Arrieta’s done the last three years, and you look at his first two years in the big leagues. And you’re watching these guys pitch tonight, and it’s like, somewhere down the line Jake figured it out, how to pitch. And I think that’s where we are with Folty.”

Adonis Garcia’s bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the eighth inning allowed the Braves to avoid being shut out, but they’ve scored just 49 runs during their 2-19 road slide, including two or fewer runs in 11 of their past 18 road games.

The Braves had only one runner reach base until the fourth inning, by which point they already trailed 4-0 after Anthony Rizzo’s three-run homer in a four-run Cubs third inning.

When they did get two on with none out in the fourth – Cameron Maybin reached on an error and Freddie Freeman on a ground-ball single that beat the shift – the Braves failed to score after A.J. Pierzynski grounded into a double play and Garcia struck out.

The Braves also had runners on the corners with one out in the fifth after Jace Peterson’s ground-ball single, stolen base, a wild pitch and Michael Bourn’s nine-pitch walk. But with the Braves trailing 5-0, Foltynewicz was left in to bat for himself and struck out, and Nick Markakis grounded out to end the inning.

They did not hit a ball in play in the air against Arrieta, who gave up only four hits, all on the ground, two by Peterson through the right side.

Arrieta’s streak of 12 consecutive quality starts is the longest by a Cub since Greg Maddux had 14 during a stretch in June-August 1992, the year that Maddux won the first of his four consecutive NL Cy Young Awards. (Maddux won the next three awards as a Brave).

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“I mean, hell, he’s got four pitches he throws – plus-96 (fastball), cutter, curveball, changeup,” Pierzynski said. “Throws it in, throws it out, throws it up, throws it down. No one’s doing a whole lot against him. I actually thought we did a really good job of having good at-bats against him. We got him out (of the game early) A hundred pitches in six innings with no runs, that’s pretty good. He made pitches when he had to, and we didn’t have many chances.”

Arrieta matched his fewest innings during the streak, and needed 107 pitches to get through six innings.

“We had long at-bats, walks, like I said we didn’t make a lot of early outs,” Pierzynksi said. “We did it right. Unfortunately, he’s pretty good.”

After Gonzalez was tossed in the third inning, Coghlan followed immediately with an RBI single on a 96-mph fastball in a 2-0 count, putting the Cubs ahead 1-0. Rizzo ambushed Foltynewicz on the next pitch, a 98-mph fastball that he drove over the fence in the right-field corner for a three-run homer, his 24th of the season.

In two pitches, the Braves had gone from scoreless tie to trailing by four runs. Addison Russell added a solo homer with two out in the fourth for a 5-0 lead, the ninth homer that Foltynewicz has allowed in 27 innings over five starts.

Cubs 7, Braves 1

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

How the game was won: Anthony Rizzo hit a three-run homer in a four-run third inning, more run support than the Cubs would need on a night when ace Jake Arrieta dominated the Braves for six innings of a 7-1 Chicago win at Wrigley Field. Braves rookie Mike Foltynewicz gave up a career-high seven runs on eight hits (two homers) and two walks with six strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings. Foltynewicz has allowed nine homers in his past five starts, and 21 earned runs in 21 innings over his past four starts. Meanwhile, Arrieta is 9-1 with a 1.26 ERA in a streak of 12 consecutive quality starts.

Number: 19. Losses for the Braves in their past 21 road games. They’ve scored just 49 runs in the 21 games, including two or fewer runs in 11 of the past 18 road games.

What’s next: The Braves and Cubs play the second game of a four-game series Friday at 4:05 p.m., when Shelby Miller (5-9, 2.43 ERA) faces Chicago right-hander Kyle Hendricks (6-5, 3.97).

Hot-hitting Markakis returns to leadoff spot in Braves order

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

CHICAGO – Hot-hitting Nick Markakis was moved back to the leadoff spot in the Braves lineup and Michael Bourn was dropped to eighth.

Bourn had two hits in Wednesday’s 3-2 loss at San Diego, but that made him just 4-for-32 (.125) since being traded to the Braves, including 4-for-29 with two walks and eight strikeouts from the leadoff spot.

Markakis, who last batted atop the order on Aug. 5, had a team-high .304 average and .376 OBP in 112 at-bats from the leadoff spot before Thursday. Markakis went 3-for-3 with a double and a walk Wednesday to raise his average to .333 (37-for-111) in his past 27 games with nine extra-base hits and 15 RBIs.

“I talked to (Markakis) this morning — he doesn’t care where he hits,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said of the decision to move the right fielder back to the leadoff spot. “He just gives you the on-base percentage, gives you the good at-bats. And with (Freddie) Freeman back in the lineup it makes perfect sense, for me. But that’s the reason (for the move) – you put your best on-base guys up there, and put Bourny down at the bottom and it still gives you some speed down there.”

Markakis batted in the third spot in 11 consecutive games before Wednesday, when Freeman came off the 15-day disabled list and returned to his customary third spot in the order. Markakis hit fourth Wednesday with catcher A.J. Pierzynski out of the lineup, but Pierzynski was back in the cleanup spot Thursday.

Braves’ Olivera era likely to begin next week

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

CHICAGO – The Olivera era in Atlanta is about to begin.

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Hector Olivera had his rehab assignment moved up to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday, and there are indications the Cuban infielder’s much-anticipated major league debut with the Braves could be Monday against Colorado in the opener of a nine-game homestand.

Olivera hoped to join the Braves in Chicago during a four-game series against the Cubs that started Thursday and runs through Sunday. But Braves officials wanted him to play a few high-level minor league games to continue working on his timing at the plate and conditioning his legs after he missed several weeks with a strained hamstring.

He’s 30 and hasn’t played a major league game, but the Braves believe in Olivera enough to have given up one of their top prospects (infielder Jose Peraza) along with starting pitcher Alex Wood and relievers Jim Johnson and Luis Avilan in the recent three-team deal to bring the former Cuban national team and Serie Nacional standout to Atlanta.

Olivera was 1-for-17 in six rehab games before Thursday, the hit coming in a doubleheader Wednesday at low Single-A Rome. Olivera played four games at Rome, after playing two in the Gulf Coast League, where he impressed rehabbing Braves slugger Freddie Freeman. Olivera’s light-tower power hitting displays in batting practice gained a lot of notice.

“It’s like Evan Gattis hitting balls,” Freeman said. “He can hit them a long, long way.”

Some scouts have compared the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Olivera to former All-Star third baseman Scott Rolen in terms of size and power, and a general consensus is that he might be expected to hit .280-.290 with more than 20 homers in a major league season. But it’s difficult to project, given his age and background.

Olivera can play all the infield positions except shortstop, and can play left field. The Braves plan to make him their regular third baseman.

The Dodgers signed Olivera to a six-year, $62.5 million contract last winter, outbidding the Braves, Padres, Marlins and Yankees, after several other teams dropped out of the bidding due to the escalating price tag. The deal included a $28 million signing bonus, which the Dodgers are paying in full.

Freeman stands to benefit most from additional protection that Olivera could provide when he’s added to the middle of their lineup in the near future and for as much as the next five seasons. Freeman is the only Brave who’s seen Olivera play other than Adonis Garcia, who knows him from Cuba and played with Olivera years ago.

“He hits them a long ways in BP, but a lot of people hit balls a long way in BP,” Freeman said of Olivera. “Is it going to translate (into major league games)? I hope so. Because we gave up a lot for him. But we’ll see. We’ll find out in less than a week. Hopefully what they say about him is going to happen. I hope it translates. I really do. It’d be nice to see him coming up behind me.”

Coincidentally, it’s Garcia’s playing time that will be most affected by Olivera’s arrival. Garcia has been the Braves’ primary third baseman in recent weeks, but he might have to share time in left field with Michael Bourn and Jonny Gomes after Olivera arrives and takes over at third base.

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez has conceded it will be difficult to divvy up the playing time among those outfielders and Nick Swisher, but Olivera is expected to be the regular third baseman.

“He’s a big boy,” said Freeman, who believes that Olivera is closer to 6-3 and 230 pounds. “He can put on a show in BP (batting practice). I only saw the six at-bats in GCL; it’s hard to judge off that. But he looks good. He looks like he’s going to be an intimidating figure in the box, he’s a big guy. I think he’s still feeling for it coming back from the hamstring (injury), so it’s hard to tell. But I think he’s going to be a run-producer in the middle of the lineup….

Some pictures that circulated during the Olivera sweepstakes this winter showed a rangy-type athlete, long and slender, during his days with the Cuban national team and in the Serie Nacional, the highest-level league in Cuba. He doesn’t look like that anymore. He’s put together better than anyone on the current Braves roster, with wide shoulders an overall muscular physique.

Freeman had seen those same photos of Olivera from years ago, and was a bit surprised when he saw him in person.

“He’s filled out,” Freeman said. “He’s super strong. Remember Barbaro Canizares? (Another Cuban and a former Braves minor league first baseman, who was listed as 6-3 and 240.) He kind of looks like him, to me. Kind of walks like him too. But Barbaro was more of .300 hitter with not a lot of power. I think Hector’s going to hit for power.”

Gonzalez said the Braves haven’t set a specific date for Olivera’s major league debut, but acknowledged it could be Monday or Tuesday

“(The trade) was tough for me on a personal level because we traded, like, six guys for him,”Freeman said, “and he hasn’t played a game yet. So when that trade first went down, it’s a tough one to swallow. And then you see him and you see his swing and see what he looks like and you’re like, ok, this could be someone special for a few years. He is 30, 31, so I don’t know how long that’s going to last. But he is special-looking specimen.”

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Freeman on soon-to-be Braves 3B Olivera: ‘He’s a big boy’

By David O’Brien

CHICAGO – For those who’ve not seen video of Hector Olivera, or don’t put much stock into what scouts and officials from various teams have said about him, and are maybe bit worried by his 1-for-17 hitting line in his rehab games for the Braves, perhaps a brief review from Freddie Freeman will help alleviate your concerns.

After all, it’s Freeman who stands to benefit from additional protection the Braves believe Olivera will provide when he’s added to the middle of their lineup in the near future and for as much as the next five seasons (that’s how long his contracts runs).

And it’s Freeman who is the only Brave who’s seen Olivera play other than Adonis Garcia, who knows him from Cuba and played with Olivera years ago.

Freeman spent some time with him in Florida while both were rehabbing from injuries, Olivera from a strained hamstring that he injured while excelling at the Triple-A level for the Dodgers, not long before he would likely have been called up by the Dodgers.

Olivera and Freeman took batting practice together several times and played a couple of games together in the Gulf Coast League – that’s rookie ball, and the young pitchers can be all over the place with their command, or lack thereof — before Freeman moved up to Triple-A for his last couple of games prior to being activated from the DL on Wednesday at San Diego.

Olivera moved on to low-Single A Rome for a few games, and on Thursday the Braves bumped him up to Triple-A Gwinnett, where he’s set to play tonight at Coolray Field at 6:35 p.m., for those in the Atlanta metro area who might want to get a sneak preview of sorts before his big-league debut.

Olivera, 30, was acquired by the Braves in last month’s big three-team trade that sent Braves pitchers Alex Wood, Jim Johnson and Luis Avilan, plus infield prospect Jose Peraza, to the Dodgers. The Dodgers signed Olivera to a six-year, $62.5 million contract this winter, outbidding the Braves, Padres, Marlins and Yankees for the services of the former Cuban national team standout. The deal included a $28 million signing bonus, which the Dodgers are paying in full.

“He’s a big boy,” Freeman said. “He can put on a show in BP (batting practice). I only saw the six at-bats in GCL; it’s hard to judge off that. But he looks good. He looks like he’s going to be an intimidating figure in the (batter’s) box, he’s a big guy. I think he’s still feeling for it coming back from the hamstring (injury), so it’s hard to tell. But I think he’s going to be a run-producer in the middle of the lineup.”

Olivera can play all the infield positions except shortstop, and left field. The Braves plan to use the 6-foot-2, 220-pound right-handed hitter at third base.

“In the GCL he lined out a couple of times to right field,” Freeman said. “He looks good. It’s just more at-bats and get his timing again, that’s all it is.”

Some pictures that circulated during the Olivera sweepstakes this winter showed a rangy-type athlete, long and slender, during his earlier years with the Cuban national team and in the Serie Nacional, the highest-level league in Cuba. He doesn’t look like that anymore. He’s probably put together better than anyone on the current Braves roster, with wide shoulders an overall muscular physique.

Freeman had seen those same photos of Olivera from years ago, and was a bit surprised when he saw him in person.

“He’s filled out, he’s a big boy,” Freeman said. “He’s super strong. Remember Barbaro Canizares? (Another Cuban and a former Braves minor league first baseman, who was listed at 6-3 and 240 pounds.) He kind of looks like him, to me. Kind of walks like him too. But Barbaro was more of .300 hitter with not a lot of power. I think Hector’s going to hit for power.”

The highly anticipated debut of Olivera could come next week, though the Braves haven’t given a specific date yet.

• Faltering ‘pen: The Braves’ bullpen, at this point mostly a patchwork of well-traveled journeyman and rookies, gave up 10 runs 13 hits in 6 2/3 innings during the three-game series at San Diego, where the Braves were swept for the third year in a row to run their Petco Park losing skid to 10 games.

That pushed the Braves’ bullpen ERA to 4.32, ranked 27th in baseball and the second-highest ERA in the National League ahead of only the Rockies (5.03).

Of the whopping 29 pitchers who’ve made at least one relief appearance for the Braves this season, 15 have a relief ERA of 5.00 or higher, including 10 with an ERA of 6.00 or higher and seven with an ERA above 7.00.

• Folty vs. Arrieta: The Braves face the Cubs in a four-game series at Wrigley Field that starts Thursday night, and the opening-game matchup figures to be difficult for the visitors, to say the least.

Rookie Mike Foltynewicz (4-4, 5.61 ERA) vs. Cubs ace Jake Arrieta (14-6, 2.39). Go get ’em, kid.

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Arrietta is 8-1 with a 1.35 ERA and .166 opponents’ average in his past 11 starts, with 74 strikeouts and 20 walks in 80 innings. That includes a July 19 win in Atlanta when he allowed just three hits and three walks with 10 strikeouts in seven scoreless innings, which matched his season-high strikeout total.

A.J. Pierzynski is 7-for-11 with two homers against the right-hander, while Cameron Maybin (2-for-6) is the only other Brave with more than one hit against him. Freddie Freeman is 1-for-5 with three strikeouts against Arrieta, Andrelton Simmons is 1-for-6, Nick Markakis is 0-for-6, and Nick Swisher is 0-for-18.

Foltynewicz is 1-2 with a 6.45 ERA and .322 opponents’ average in four starts since returning to the rotation, and he’s allowed two runs twice and six runs twice in that span, alternating between those two results. He gave up nine hits in each of the six-run outings, including Saturday against Arizona when he lasted 4 2/3 innings in an 8-4 loss at Turner Field.

“Folty” is 0-2 with a 4.78 ERA in eight road games (five starts), with an impressive 35 strikeouts and 11 walks in 32 innings, but also seven homers allowed. He hasn’t faced the Cubs.

Hector Olivera gets two hits in Gwinnett debut, nears call-up

By Jeff Schultz

Hector Olivera arrived in the vicinity of Atlanta Thursday, making his debut just up I-85 with the Gwinnett Braves. He won’t be in Triple A long enough for Gwinnett to have a Hector Olivera Bobblehead Night.

Olivera, a Cuban defector who was the central piece for the Braves in a three-team, 13-player trade, had a successful night. He went 2-for-3 with two singles, a walk and a run scored. That’s significantly better than he did in his first six games in the organization after the July 30 trade, having gone 1-for-17 (0-for-5 in the Gulf Coast League and 1-for-12 with Single A Rome).

My post-game conversation with Olivera is below.

Olivera’s name was written on a piece of tape above his locker, adjacent to Christian Bethancourt.

Manager Brian Snitker said he didn’t “know anything” about Olivera, but laughed, adding, “But I have him playing third and hitting third.”

Yeah. He knew something.

Olivera said through a translator that expects to play only three games or four games with Gwinnett. That lines up with the Braves’ return home for a three-game series against Colorado at Turner Field that starts Monday.

The Los Angeles Dodgers won a bidding war for Olivera, giving him a six-year, $62.5 million contract in March that included a $28 million signing bonus. He hit .348 (24 for 69) in 19 games in the Dodgers system. The Braves’ interest in the 30-year-old didn’t continued — so much so that they were willing to part with a successful young pitcher (Alex Wood) in the trade.

Therein lies the gamble. Wood was a proven commodity, Olivera isn’t. But Braves president of baseball operations John Hart and assistant John Coppolella felt it was time to use the organization’s pitching depth to acquire some needed hitting, and they believe Olivera, who will play third base in the majors, fills that void. The Braves also are not responsible for Olivera’s $28 million signing bonus.

Here’s a transcript of my post-game conversation with Olivera with the help of translator Alex Cotto:

Question: How does it feel to be so close to the majors now?

Answer: “I’m very excited. This is something I’ve strived for and now I’m close to experiencing it and being at that level. I’m three or four games away from being ready to go up and face that challenge.”

Q: What’s the plan in terms of how many games you’ll play with Gwinnett?

A: “If everything goes as planned and I feel 100 percent, the plan as far as I know is to play three games here and then, depending on how everything looks at the end of the three games, if I’m ready to go up, maybe Monday, that’s the plan. But that’s a call (the Braves) have to make. I feel I’m three or four games away from being ready.

Q: In the first six games after the trade, you didn’t hit well in the Gulf Coast League or with Rome. Do you feel you were pressing?

A: “I just look at it as part of the process. I don’t think much about it. I haven’t played in quite some time so it’s just part of the process of getting back to the level I need to. I’m almost there. Today went well, I’m just a little bit off.”

Q: The Braves gave up a lot in the trade to get you. Do you feel more pressure to perform because of that?

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A: “I don’t worry about those things. This is a business. I’ve learned that. I’m here to help the Braves win. One thing that the fans and everybody in the front office should know is when I’m out there playing I’m going to give 100 percent for me and my teammates. I don’t spend time thinking about the outside things I can’t control.”

Q: The Dodgers spent a lot of money to get you. Were you surprised when they traded you?

A: “As I’ve said in previous interviews, I don’t have any hard feelings towards the Dodgers. I’m thankful for the opportunity they gave me. But I’m here to help the Braves and I know the future of the Braves is bright and I want to be a part of it.”

Q: How many words of English do you speak?

A (Olivera answers in English for the only time): “Yes and no.”

Friday’s game: Braves at Cubs

By Carroll Rogers Walton - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago

When: 4:05 p.m.

TV; radio: FSSO; 680, 93.7, 106.7

Probable starting pitchers: Braves RH Shelby Miller (5-9, 2.43) vs. RH Kyle Hendricks (6-5, 3.97 ERA)

What’s new: Miller is trying to snap a 16-game winless streak against a team that helped extend it on July 19 at Turner Field, even though Miller gave up just one earned run (two more unearned) in a 4-1 loss. Nick Markakis went 3-for-3 in the series finale in San Diego to raise his average for the month of August to .333 (22-for-66). He leads the Braves in hitting this month, followed closely by Cameron Maybin, who was hitting .328 (11-for-64) entering the Cubs series. Freddie Freeman went 1-for-3 with a walk in his first game back from the disabled list. Michael Bourn finally got some hits to fall Wednesday, going 2-for-4 to match his hit total in his first nine games since rejoining the Braves (2-for-28).

UPCOMING

Saturday: at Cubs, 4:05 p.m.

Sunday: at Cubs, 2:20 p.m.

Monday: vs. Rockies, 7:10 p.m.

Tuesday: vs. Rockies, 7:10, p.m.

Wednesday: vs. Rockies, 7:10 p.m.

Atlanta Business Chronicle

Braves mull new Spring Training home as Orlando departure looms

Mark Meltzer - Executive Editor

The Atlanta Braves plan to decide by the end of this year where they will build a new Spring Training home, team President John Schuerholz said.

The Braves have spent the last 18 springs at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Fla. But with the decision by the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals to move from central Florida to West Palm Beach, the Braves have little choice but to leave once their 20-year lease expires after Spring Training in 2017.

Eight Major League teams train on Florida’s West Coast and, after the Astros and Nationals move, five will be on the East Coast. That will leave the Braves and the Detroit Tigers alone in central Florida, too far from their competitors.

Schuerholz said the Braves have had no complaints about their facilities at Disney.

“But even they recognize that there’s nothing anybody can do because you can’t make teams come to central Florida if they have no interest,” he said, “and we need more teams around us so that we’re appropriately keeping our players on the field, learning their craft and improving their craft than on a bus traveling miles and hours, many hours, each and every day.”

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That includes Major League players and some 200 Minor League players, who compete in Spring Training, extended spring training and other programs, Schuerholz said.

The Braves have had conversations with “several” Florida cities, Schuerholz said, and have not narrowed their discussions to the East or West Coast. They do plan to remain in Florida. Half of the 30 Major League teams train in Arizona.

“We’re making progress,” he said. “We’ve had conversations with several communities within the state of Florida, some at different levels than others, some preliminary, and we’re optimistic and feel confident that at the end of this process, we’ll find a new Spring Training home.”

Deciding by the end of 2015 will allow the Braves to build a facility that will be ready for Spring Training 2018, the first spring after the team moves into its new Major League home, SunTrust Park, in 2017.

NPR Atlanta

Chairman Tim Lee: Cobb County Will Be ‘Absolutely’ Ready For Braves

By WENDY PARKER

As questions linger about traffic issues related to the Atlanta Braves’ relocation to SunTrust Park, Cobb Commission Chairman Tim Lee said he is confident the county will be ready for opening day in 2017.

Lee, speaking on “A Closer Look,” said “we are working day and night to make sure” all preparations are completed when the Braves play their first game in the new $672 million facility being built near Cumberland Mall.

Those obligations include transportation improvements in an already-congested corridor and a proposed pedestrian bridge across Interstate 285 that has been the subject of controversy.

Lee was interviewed by “A Closer Look” hosts Rose Scott and Denis O’Hayer as part of a series on Atlanta stadiums titled “Under Construction.”

An estimated $1 billion in planned road projects in the Cumberland area was in the Cobb pipeline before the Braves announced in late 2013 that they were leaving Turner Field in downtown Atlanta.

When asked by O’Hayer if Cobb will have everything in place by opening day, Lee didn’t hesitate: “Absolutely.”

The county has committed $9 million for the bridge, which will link fans and possibly circulator buses to parking decks, and is seen as a crucial component for game-day traffic flow.

A preliminary design was approved last month and a final plan could come this fall. Lee took issue with reports the bridge won’t be ready until September 2017 and said the county is looking for "partners" in state and federal government to assist with the funding.

“It’s evolving, like every project does,” Lee said.

The stadium, which the Braves are building with nearly $400 million in public bonds, was approved 4-1 by the Cobb Commission only two weeks after it was announced in November 2013.

Lee, who was accused of a lack of transparency, apologized a year later for how he handled the deal after an ethics complaint was made against him.

In his interview with Scott and O'Hayer, however, Lee said that "if I had to do it over again I’d take the same approach. I think we did the right thing.”

Lee said it was “phenomenal” that two of Atlanta’s pro sports teams have major stadium projects underway, referring to the new Atlanta Falcons facility being built next to the Georgia Dome and that also is slated to open in 2017.

“The Atlanta region should be proud of what’s going on,” Lee said.

Scott and O’Hayer also asked Lee about other issues in Cobb government, including complaints from two commissioners that they weren’t provided with timely information on the proposed fiscal year 2016 budget before it was released to the public last week.

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Associated Press

Arrieta picks up 15th win, Cubs pound Braves 7-1

By ANDREW SELIGMAN (AP Sports Writer)

CHICAGO (AP) -- Jake Arrieta had no desire to tout his high win total or his place in the NL Cy Young Award race.

All that mattered to him was the Cubs stopped their recent skid.

Arrieta pitched six scoreless innings for his major league-leading 15th win, and Anthony Rizzo andAddison Russell homered to lead Chicago to a 7-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night.

The Cubs snapped a three-game losing streak after winning nine straight and 15 of 16, with Arrieta (15-6) dominating on the mound and Rizzo and Russell supplying the power at the plate.

''The only thing that matters is getting back on track as a team,'' Arrieta said. ''We had a couple tough games against Detroit after a good run. My mindset was to come out (and) put a stop to that, get us going in the right direction and get another streak going.''

Rizzo's three-run drive capped a four-run third inning that saw Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez get ejected for arguing balls and strikes.

Russell singled and scored in the third and added a solo homer in the fourth to make it 5-0. Chris Coghlan contributed an RBI single and a run-scoring triple and scored twice.

Arrieta improved to 9-1 in his past 12 starts. The right-hander gave up four hits, struck out seven and walked one while lowering his ERA to 2.30. Arrieta threw 107 pitches, and with the lopsided score not to mention an eye toward the postseason, manager Joe Maddon decided not to leave him in a little longer.

''I want him to be well for that moment,'' Maddon said. ''Regardless of how they feel right now, you've got to make those decisions.''

The Cubs got back to winning after they gave up a combined 25 runs and 40 hits in a two-game sweep by Detroit. With Pittsburgh beating San Francisco on Thursday, Chicago trails the Pirates by four games for the top wild card and leads the Giants by four games for the second spot.

Atlanta lost for the 19th time in 27 games and remained tied for the major league lead with 44 road losses.

Mike Foltynewicz (4-5) gave up a career-high seven runs and eight hits over 4 2/3 innings.

The Cubs grabbed a 4-0 lead in the third in a span of two pitches after Gonzalez got tossed.

''I see Folty out there getting after it, and I see a couple of times where he gets a little frustrated with his body language and I just said a few things in the dugout,'' Gonzalez said. ''It wasn't anything crazy, but you can't argue balls and strikes so I got to watch the rest of the game on TV.''

The ejection - his first - came with runners on first and second and one out.

Coghlan had a 2-0 count when plate umpire Doug Eddings raised his hand twice toward the Atlanta dugout. Gonzalez came out to argue and kicked dirt on the plate.

Coghlan then singled in the game's first run. Rizzo made it 4-0 when he drove the next pitch just inside the right-field foul pole for his 24th homer.

ROAD SLIDE

Atlanta has dropped 19 of 21 road games.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Braves: 3B prospect Hector Olivera (left hamstring), currently at Triple-A Gwinnett, could join the Braves as early as Monday, Gonzalez said. Olivera, acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers last month, is expected to be the everyday third baseman once he makes his major league debut.

Cubs: 3B Kris Bryant left the game in the sixth. The Cubs said he was not injured.

UP NEXT

Braves: RHP Shelby Miller (5-9, 2.43 ERA) looks to snap a 16-start winless streak. He is 0-8 despite a 3.03 ERA in that stretch.

Cubs: RHP Kyle Hendricks (6-5, 3.97) looks to rebound from his shortest outing of the season after going 3 1/3 innings against the White Sox last week.

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Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez ejected

CHICAGO (AP) -- Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez has been ejected from Thursday's game against the Chicago Cubs.

Gonzalez got thrown out with the Cubs batting in the third inning. Chris Coghlan of the Cubs had a 2-0 count with runners on first and second when plate umpire Doug Eddings raised his hand twice toward the dugout.

Gonzalez came out to argue and kicked some dirt on the plate. The ejection was his first of the season.

Braves-Cubs Preview

By JEFF MEZYDLO (STATS Senior Writer)

Considering the Atlanta Braves' struggles on the road, Shelby Miller might again find it difficult to end his lengthy winless stretch no matter how well he pitches.

Looking to record his first victory in more than three months, Miller tries to help the Braves avoid matching a season high with their seventh consecutive road loss Friday against the Chicago Cubs.

Miller (5-9, 2.43 ERA) flirted with a no-hitter for the second time this season before allowing a single to open the eighth in Sunday's 2-1, 10-inning victory over Arizona. The right-hander yielded another hit before departing, was charged with that run and struck out 10.

However, he's 0-8 with a 3.03 ERA in 16 starts since coming one out away from no-hitting Miami in a 6-0 victory May 17. It's the longest winless stretch by an Atlanta pitcher since Jo-Jo Reyes went 31 games - 28 starts - without a win from June 2008-May 2011. With a 6.59 ERA in that span, though, Reyes had much more to do with his drought.

"I'm going out there every time and I'm trying to put up zeros," Miller told MLB's official website. "At the end of the day, we've got to win."

Miller's teammates haven't helped by scoring 15 runs with him on the mound in those 16 outings, including six while he's gone 0-4 with a 3.98 ERA through seven road starts in that span. He struck out eight but gave up three runs - one earned - and walked four in six innings of a 4-1 loss to the Cubs on July 19.

Chicago (68-51) snapped a three-game skid with Thursday's 7-1 win, handing the Braves (53-68) a 19th loss in their last 21 road contests. The majors' lowest-scoring team has averaged 2.4 runs while dropping 25 of their last 30 on the road, where its 44 losses are tied for the most in baseball.

The Cubs allowed 25 runs and 40 hits to Detroit in the previous two games but yielded only an eighth-inning sacrifice fly Thursday.

Though they've won the last four starts by Kyle Hendricks (6-5, 3.97), he's posted a 5.66 ERA while going 2-0 in those games. The right-hander's ERA rose to 6.08 over his last five after he allowed five runs in a season-low 3 1-3 innings of last Friday's 6-5 victory over the White Sox.

"It's been frustrating," he told MLB's official website. "All year, trying to find the answer. All year, it hasn't felt right. Even when I had a good outing, it just happened that my hand position was good that day."

Following last week's start, Hendricks looked at minor league video of himself to possibly fix things.

"Everybody has different mechanics," he said. "Some guys are rotational. For me, being rotational is not good at all. I have to be on line, my shoulders square, then I can get to the bottom of the zone."

Hendricks hopes to have ironed things out in time to be more efficient than he was July 17, when he allowed one earned but threw 100 pitches through 5 2-3 innings while not factoring in the decision of a 4-2 loss at Atlanta.

Teammate Jorge Soler is 1 for 11 in the last three games but 3 for 7 with two homers against Miller.

Atlanta's Freddie Freeman is batting .357 in his last eight games at Wrigley Field.