In a proceeding that attempted to redefine “exhibition, nonetheless televised for your enjoyment or something like it,” the Braves routed Team Colombia as a warm-up before the latter proceeds into World Baseball Classic play later this week. It’s tempting to describe Team Colombia’s efforts in this game as “going through the motions,” but that wouldn’t be accurate, as they played pretty sloppy ball defensively, and had to use loaner pitchers from Atlanta to get through the game.
The Braves’ lineup of regulars (plus fill-ins for their own guys at the WBC or… suspended for doing dumb stuff again) plated eight runs in the first three frames. Former top prospect Luis Patino struggled as Colombia’s starter, more or less showing why the Padres moved on from him after years of elbow troubles and ineffectiveness. Patino managed just a 1/2 K/BB ratio, and his inning had to be finished by a loaner from the Braves, Isaac Gallegos. Amusingly, Gallegos actually would’ve wrapped up his appearance after just a handful of pitches, but Gio Urshela, playing shortstop, made a not-great throw to first on an Eli White grounder, and the Colombian first baseman absolutely pooched the attempt to scoop the ball.
The Braves also blew up Colombian hurler Pedro Garcia in the third, as six consecutive Braves reached against him, including back-to-back homers by White and Sandy Leon. (In Garcia’s defense, Urshela muffed another ball behind him, as well.) Another loaner, Riley Frey, had to work in Garcia’s stead, and he actually got outs from Drake Baldwin, Austin Riley, and Ben Gamel… but Matt Olson drilled a double as well.
The Braves had fun overall, though the level of competition was really just kind of sad.
On the pitching end, the Colombian lineup wasn’t particularly impressive, so take the Braves’ collective 9/3 K/BB ratio from their pitchers with a grain of salt. Elieser Hernandez got the start and was cruising early, but was pulled after 2 2/3 when his command collapsed. Tyler Kinley, Dylan Lee, Jhancarlos Lara, and Austin Pope all threw a perfect frame with a strikeout, and then James Karinchak came in a threw a frame with a walk and a strikeout as well.
There was a point where the game descended into silliness, as Colombia requested loaners not just on the pitching end but also to take the field. Luke Williams had a pop single because Luis Guanipa couldn’t flag it down in left field, that sort of thing. The mercy rule was apparently in effect for this game, and the Braves were a couple of runs from triggering it, which created a weird situation like Shay Schanaman pitching the eighth against his own team in a way where, if he gave up some runs, the game would just end. But, he didn’t, and this one went nine, even if it was a scrimmage more or less the whole time.
The WBC begins in earnest with real competition later tonight. Meanwhile, the Braves will host the Blue Jays tomorrow afternoon in what may be a less silly exhibition contest.
