Georgia sports for Tuesday, July 15th

Atlanta Braves--

Two Braves will participate in tonight's major league baseball All-Star Game in New York City. Chipper Jones leads the majors with a .276 batting average, and returns to baseball's Midsummer Classic for the first time since 2001. Catcher Brian McCann is an All-Star for a third straight season. McCann is a reserve on the National League roster, while Jones will be in the starting lineup at 3rd base, batting fifth in the lineup.

Georgia sports for Tuesday, April 1st

The Atlanta Braves lost their home opener to the 2008 season, falling in a wild contest 12-11 in 12 innings to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Down 9-4 in their 9th inning last at-bat, the Braves came off the deck to score 5 runs. The final 2 runs scored with 2 outs and 2 runners on base--catcher Brian McCann's seemingly game-ending pop fly to left-center field dropped between the outfielders for a hit, scoring the tying runs. 3 innings later, after falling behind 12-9, the Braves mounted another comeback, but fell a run shy. Brian McCann and Jeff Fracouer hit home runs in the contest. Chipper Jones and Yunel Escobar tallied 3 RBI's each. For pitcher Tom Glavine, his return to the Braves went well: 7 hits and 2 runs, 1 earned allowed in 5 innings of work. The teams are off today...the Braves and Pirates resume their series tomorrow night.

Pro basketball from last night--another win for the Atlanta Hawks, 116-99 over Memphis. From hockey, the Atlanta Thrashers were 2-0 winners over Tampa Bay.

Georgia sports for Thursday, March 13th

The Atlanta Braves exploded for 9 runs in the 4th inning last night to comeback and beat the Cleveland Indians 11-4 in spring training action. Braves' starting pitcher Buddy Carlyle had a rough outing, surrendering 3 home runs. But the Braves' offense did its damage in the 4th--that included a home run from catcher Brian McCann. The Braves today face the Tigers in Lakeland-Florida. Chuck James makes his spring debut on the mound.

The major conference men's college basketball tournaments get underway today. From Atlanta, the Southeastern Conference gathering sees Georgia in action tonight. The Bulldogs face Ole Miss a little before 10pm at the Georgia Dome. Georgia posted a 13-16 regular season. For Georgia Tech, its team is in Charlotte for the Atlantic Coast Conference tourney--the Yellow Jackets face Virginia. Tech had a 14-16 mark in the regular season, and split its 2 games with the Cavaliers.

From pro basketball, the Atlanta Hawks ran into the streaking Houston Rockets last night and absorbed the 83-75 defeat. Houston has won 20-straight games.

Georgia sports for Wednesday, July 11th

Braves catcher Brian McCann had one at-bat in last night's All-Star Game in San Francisco. McCann popped-out in the 9th inning during a rally by the National League--that comeback fell short in the American League's 5-4 victory.

McCann was one of two Braves' players selected as reserves for the game. Fellow teammate John Smoltz was not there however. He was back in Atlanta to rest his sore right pitching shoulder.

The Braves resume their season schedule on Friday night, back home in Atlanta to start a homestand against the Pittsburgh Pirates.


Out of pro hockey, the Atlanta Thrashers have re-signed physical forward Eric Boulton. The 30-year-old is a 6-year veteran of the National Hockey League. In 45 games for the Thrashers last season, he scored 3 goals with 4 assists.

Georgia sports for Tuesday, July 10th

There will be one member of the Braves to watch in baseball’s All-Star Game tonight, set to be played in San Francisco. Catcher Brian McCann was selected as a reserve for the National League team—-his 2nd appearance as an All-Star. Pitcher John Smoltz was also picked as a reserve, but he’s back in Atlanta resting a sore shoulder. The Braves resume their season schedule on Friday night, opening a homestand against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

From pro basketball, the Atlanta Hawks have signed their two 1st round draft picks to multi-year contracts. Number-3 pick Al Horford, and number-11 selection Acie Law have their rookie deals in place.

Georgia sports for Monday , July 9th

The Braves were able to hold-on for a 5-4 victory over the Padres last night in San Diego, winning 2-of-3 games in the series, and posting a 6-4 road trip.

In last night’s game, the Braves roughed-up former teammate Greg Maddux for 5 runs, including knocking a pair of home runs. Catcher Brian McCann had a homer and 4 RBI’s. 2nd baseman Kelly Johnson added a solo home run.

It was a solid pitching performance for Kyle Davies, who threw 6 strong innings for the win. Things got interesting in the 9th inning: The Braves held a 5-1 lead, but the Padres scored 3 times against Bob Wickman before Marcus Giles struck-out to end it.

With baseball's All-Star break here, the Braves are in much better shape than at this point last season. In 2006, they trailed the NL-East lead by 13 games--now, they trail the Mets only by 2 games.


The Braves had 2 players selected for Tuesday's All-Star game to be played in San Francisco. Catcher Brian McCann will be there, but will not be joined by fellow teammate John Smoltz. Smoltz will stay home in Atlanta to rest his ailing right shoulder.


The Georgia Force won their Arena League Football playoff game on Sunday, blasting the Philidelphia Soul 65-39. Chris Greisen threw for 301 yards and 7 touchdowns. The Force will host the Columbus Destroyers for the National Conference Championship this Saturday.

Georgia sports for Monday, July 2nd

The Braves suffered a tough loss Sunday afternoon in Miami, falling to the Florida Marlins 6-5 in 10 innings. Down to their final strike in the top of the 9th and trailing by a run, rookie Yunel Escobar came up with a 2-RBI single to give the Braves a 5-4 lead. That edge was short lived, as Miguel Olivo in the bottom of the 9th tied the game on a solo home run. In the Florida-10th, the Marlins' Josh Willingham ripped an RBI-single off Rafael Soriano for the end result. The Braves won 2-of-3 games in the series--they'll start a new series in Los Angeles late tonight against the Dodgers.

Baseball's All-Star rosters were announced Sunday, ahead of the game a week from Tuesday. Two Atlanta Braves made the National League team as reserves: Catcher Brian McCann goes for a 2nd time in his young career. Pitcher John Smoltz is an All-Star for an 8th time in his long career.

Georgia sports for Thursday, June 28th

The Braves got healthy in a big way in their 3 games against the Washington Nationals--they swept the series, wrapping with a 13-0 rout of the Nats last night.

The Braves came up with a season-high 22 hits: 2nd baseman Yunel Escobar had 4 hits, 2 of them doubles and 4 runs scored from the leadoff spot. Chipper Jones had 3 RBI-singles. Edgar Renteria added 3 hits and 2 RBI’s. Brian McCann added a 2-run homer last night. On the mound, John Smoltz worked 5 innings for the pitching win, improving his record to 9-5.

The Braves completed the homestand outscoring the Nationals 23-3 in the series, this after being outscored 27-1 in their recent 5-game losing streak. Atlanta is 3-and-a-half games off the top of the NL-East.


The NBA Draft will be held tonight. The Atlanta Hawks look to score big with some key draft picks. They have the excellent opportunity to do so, with selections at #3 and #11 of the 1st round.

Georgia sports for Tuesday, June 26th

The Braves snapped their 5-game losing streak last night, scoring the 4-1 win over the Washington Nationals at Turner Field. Brian McCann had the big blow, a 3-run homer in the 6th inning. Along with his run-scoring single in the 4th inning, McCann accounted for all 4 RBI's for Atlanta.

The 4 runs represented an outburst for the Braves, who had been shut-out in 4 of their previous 5 games, with only a run scored. Tim Hudson earned his 7th pitching win of the season, with Bob Wickman recording his 13th save.

Georgia sports for Tuesday, June 19th

It was a great start for the Braves to their 9-game homestand, as they roughed-up the Red Sox last night at Turner Field, 9-4.

Catcher Brian McCann ripped a 3-run homer within a 4 RBI night. 1st baseman Scott Thorman added a 2-run homer. Chipper Jones and Edgar Renteria each posted 3 hits.

The Braves did much of their damage against Boston starting pitcher Curt Schilling--10 hits and 6 runs in 4-and-a-third innings. For the Braves on the hill, Chuck James got the pitching win, as he allowed 5 hits and 2 runs across 5-and-a-third innings.

Georgia sports for Thursday, May 31st

The Braves used their biggest scoring inning of the season to beat the Brewers yesterday afternoon in Miwaukee, 9-3.

Down 2-1, the Braves erupted for 7 runs in the 8th, led-off by catcher Brian McCann's 3-RBI double. Kelly Johnson had one of the RBI-hits in that inning, to go along with a solo home run earlier in the game. Andruw Jones also was part of the mix in that 8th inning with an RBI-double. The pitching win went to Tim Hudson. He allowed 6 hits and 2 runs across 7 innings of work to improve his record to 6-3. The Mets lost their game last night, so the Braves are now 4 games behind New York in the NL-East.

Off today, the Braves start a weekend series against the Cubs in Chicago Friday afternoon.


A Virginia prosecutor says informants have come forward to say Atlanta Falcons' quarterback Michael Vick was involved in dogfighting. Commonwealth Attorney Gerald Poindexter told a Virginia TV-station there is evidence that links Vick to dogfighting, which is a felony in Virginia. The investigation into Vick's property began in late April. No charges have yet been filed in the case.