KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) - Jason Heyward is back on track with the Atlanta Braves.
A year ago, the right fielder came into spring training facing major questions after a hugely disappointing sophomore season. But Heyward insisted all along that he merely needed to stay healthy to live up to the potential he showed as a rookie star.
Heyward was right. He played in 158 games and helped the Braves claim a playoff spot by hitting .269 with 27 homers, 82 RBIs and 21 stolen bases.
Now, with Chipper Jones having retired, Heyward is poised to take over as the face of the franchise. He's only 23 years old and again seems destined for a long, productive career with the Braves.
Heyward isn't concerned with long-term expectations. He's staying focused on another healthy, productive season.
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Saturday, May 25 2013 8:20 PM EDT2013-05-26 00:20:23 GMT
Dan Uggla hit an RBI single in the 10th inning soon after a suspended game resumed, and the Atlanta Braves beat the New York Mets 7-5 Saturday for their seventh straight win.
Dan Uggla hit an RBI single in the 10th inning soon after a suspended game resumed, and the Atlanta Braves beat the New York Mets 7-5 Saturday for their seventh straight win.
Saturday, May 25 2013 3:37 PM EDT2013-05-25 19:37:12 GMT
Evan Gattis had a two-run, pinch-hit single in the top of the eighth, then the Mets rallied to tie it in a downpour in the bottom half before the game was suspended by rain with the score 5-5 Friday.
Evan Gattis had a two-run, pinch-hit single in the top of the eighth, then the Mets rallied to tie it in a downpour in the bottom half before the game was suspended by rain with the score 5-5 Friday night.
Evan Gattis kept up an amazing rookie season with his first grand slam, B.J. Upton and Ramiro Pena also homered, and the Atlanta Braves finished off a sweep of the woeful Minnesota Twins 8-3 Wednesday.
Evan Gattis kept up an amazing rookie season with his first grand slam, B.J. Upton and Ramiro Pena also homered, and the Atlanta Braves finished off a sweep of the woeful Minnesota Twins 8-3 Wednesday.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:59 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:59:07 GMT
Evan Gattis just keeps coming through for the Atlanta Braves.
Evan Gattis just keeps coming through for the Atlanta Braves. The rookie hit a two-out, pinch-hit homer in the ninth to send the game to extra innings and Freddie Freeman won it in the 10th, sending the Braves to their fifth straight win.
Julio Teheran pitched 8 1-3 strong innings, Dan Uggla hit a three-run homer and the Atlanta Braves won their fourth straight game with a 5-1 victory over the struggling Minnesota Twins on Monday.
Julio Teheran pitched 8 1-3 strong innings, Dan Uggla hit a three-run homer and the Atlanta Braves won their fourth straight game with a 5-1 victory over the struggling Minnesota Twins on Monday.
Ramiro Pena had a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in a four-run eighth inning, Jordan Schafer drove in two runs and the Atlanta Braves rallied against the Los Angeles Dodgers' beleaguered bullpen for a 5-2 victory on...
Ramiro Pena had a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in a four-run eighth inning, Jordan Schafer drove in two runs and the Atlanta Braves rallied against the Los Angeles Dodgers' beleaguered bullpen for a 5-2 victory on a...
Evan Gattis and Andrelton Simmons hit consecutive homers off Kenley Jansen in the eighth inning, and the Atlanta Braves rallied to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-1 on Saturday night.
Evan Gattis and Andrelton Simmons hit consecutive homers off Kenley Jansen in the eighth inning, and the Atlanta Braves rallied to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-1 on Saturday night.
The Atlanta Braves have placed left-hander Eric O'Flaherty on the 15-day disabled list with a left elbow strain and called up right-hander Cory Rasmus from Triple-A Gwinnett.
Braves general manager Frank Wren says left-hander Eric O'Flaherty has a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow.
Justin Upton gave Atlanta the lead with a sixth-inning grand slam and the Braves finally unveiled their full-strength lineup, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-5 on Friday night.
Justin Upton gave Atlanta the lead with a sixth-inning grand slam and the Braves finally unveiled their full-strength lineup, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-5 on Friday night.