By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Braves' Teheran rebounds from six-homer start
Placeholder Image

TAMPA, Fla. — Julio Teheran kept the ball in the ballpark, and the result was a much better outing.

Hoping to earn a spot in Atlanta's rotation, Teheran allowed one run and three hits over three innings as a Braves split squad lost 3-0 to the New York Yankees on Friday.

The 21-year-old struck out three, including Robinson Cano, and walked one in his second spring training start.

"I think his poise is something that's going to help him down the line," said Braves coach Carlos Tosca, who managed the split squad. "I don't see any panic in him. He's aggressive. He kept going after them, and I thought he did a good job."

Teheran gave up six home runs in two innings last Sunday when the Braves were beat 18-3 by the Detroit Tigers.

"I just forget about that," Teheran said. "Keep pitching, keep throwing and be ready for the season."

Teheran's parents from Colombia attended the game.

"I was excited because it was my dream when I was little to throw to the Yankees," Teheran said.

Freddy Garcia gave up one hit over three innings for the Yankees. The right-hander had two strikeouts and one walk.

"That's vintage Freddy," New York manager Joe Girardi said. "Changed speeds, changed location. Used his split. Pretty much that's Freddy."

Garcia is competing for a rotation spot behind opening day starter CC Sabathia and Hiroki Kuroda.

"He's not afraid of adversity or any situation," Yankees catcher Russell Martin said. "He goes out there. He gives his best effort. That's what you're expect from Freddy. He's going to bring his 'A' game every time he's out there."

Nick Swisher had an opposite-field RBI double to deep left off Teheran during the first.

Teheran, who recorded two outs on long fly balls, kept the Yankees scoreless in the second after giving up a leadoff double to Martin. He walked Curtis Granderson in the third.

"He's got a good life to his fastball, but I think he just kind of keeps it a little bit elevated," Martin said. "He just needs to work down in the zone a bit. I think if he does that, he's going to be successful. He's got a good run on his fastball, but as soon as you elevate it, it flattens out, and that's where guys like that get in trouble."

Teheran allowed only five homers while going 15-3 at Triple-A Gwinnett last season. He had a rougher time in the majors, giving up four homers in 19 2-3 innings.

"He looked like the guy they wanted to have the ball out there, and it looked like he wanted the ball," Granderson said.

Among the Braves' making the trip were Michael Bourn (1 for 3), Matt Diaz (0 for 4), Freddie Freeman (0 for 4) and David Ross (1 for 3). Atlanta finished with five hits against six pitchers.

Bourn had a single taken away in the third when Martin fielded a bunt down the third-base line and threw out the speedy outfielder at first with a nifty spin move.

"I said, hey, Russell, Yogi (Berra) wanted to know why you made that play look so hard?" Girardi joked.

Berra is in camp as spring training instructor.

Notes: Yankees reliever Joba Chamberlain (elbow-ligament replacement surgery) increased his rehabilitation program by throwing one curveball and four sliders to a catcher in front of the plate after a 30-pitch fastball bullpen session. He is set to throw breaking pitches off a mound next Friday. ... New York LHP Boone Logan didn't throw his scheduled bullpen session because of neck stiffness. ... The Yankees said former New York hitting coach and Atlanta hitting coordinator Jay Ward died Feb. 24 at age 73. He worked with players including Dave Winfield, Ricky Henderson, Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones and David Justice. ... Braves RHP Todd Redmond struck out two during a perfect sixth. ... New York C Austin Romine (back) has not been cleared yet to resume baseball drills. ... Yankees INF Eduardo Nunez (right hand) had a CT scan, which was negative. He was sore after taking batting practice Thursday.

Friends to Follow social media