The number of one-run losses the Braves have racked up so far this season -- eight of them through April -- tells us that there is not a lot of timely hitting going on. And here's why it isn't going on: With the notable exceptions of second baseman Kelly Johnson and shortstop Yunel Escobar, the Braves are too aggressive at the plate.
Only Johnson and Escobar consistently work the count, making sure opposing pitchers are throwing more pitches than they want to and -- in Johnson's case -- inducing opposing pitchers to show multiple examples of their repertoire to the rest of the Braves watching from the on-deck circle or the bench. Third baseman Chipper Jones is the immediate beneficiary of Johnson and Escobar's expertise since they hit first and second in the order and Jones bats third; Chipper's batting over .500 with runners on base, where Johnson and Escobar consistently are. The rest of the Braves' lineup isn't so much hacking away at the first pitch as they are reaching for balls that are out of the strike zone.
BRAVES 2, REDS 0: Right-hander Tim Hudson pitched the Braves' first complete game of the season and his 11th career shutout, allowing only three hits and striking out 10. With a performance like that, catcher Brian McCann's two-run home run in the fourth inning was enough offense.
