Andrelton Simmons News

Mike Minor provided the element of surprise when he crushed the first home run of his career during a five-run fifth inning that provided him more than enough support and enabled the Braves to extend their winning ways with Saturday night's 6-0 victory over the Mets at Citi Field.

Andrelton Simmons #19 of the Atlanta Braves sores ahead of the tag by Anthony Recker #20 of the New York Mets in the fifth inning at Citi Field on May 25, 2013 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.

B.J. Upton didn't quite work out there . Neither is Andrelton Simmons doing so. But fortunately, it looks like the third time might actually be the charm for the team, as Jordan Schafer may finally be able to stick in the all-important table-setting spot atop the lineup.

Evan Gattis certainly enjoyed circling the bases on his first career grand slam and 10th homer of the season, tops among Major League rookies, off Minnesota starter Vance Worley , which capped a five-run fourth inning and helped lift the Atlanta Braves to an 8-3 win -- their sixth in a row -- over the Twins on Wednesday afternoon at Turner Field.

Third baseman Trevor Plouffe left Tuesday's game against the Braves in the 10th inning after being kicked in the head by second baseman Dan Uggla while trying to break up a double play.

The Atlanta Braves had a four-run rally in the eighth inning and swept a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers with a 5-2 win on Sunday.

The Dodgers on Monday before their game against the Brewers activated Ted Lilly from the disabled list and, as expected, optioned Matt Magill to Triple-A Albuquerque.

The Braves already knew rookie Evan Gattis is an impressive power hitter. He's also proving a quick learner.

The bottom-line reason that the Braves are carrying three catchers on their roster is because one of them, Evan Gattis, is capable of hitting a game-changing home run at any time.

Miami Marlins third baseman Placido Polanco, left, looks on as Arizona Diamondbacks' Gerardo Parra heads for third base after hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, May 18, 2013, in Miami.

The Dodgers bullpen continues to struggle, and a pair of eighth inning homeruns by Evan Gattis and Andrelton Simmons stopped Kenley Jansen and the Dodgers in their tracks.

Atlanta Braves left fielder Justin Upton celebrates with teammates Jordan Schafer and Andrelton Simmons after hitting a grand slam in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday, May 17, 2013, in Atlanta.

This 10-game road trip might not have been quite as disastrous as the one the Braves experienced in April.

The 2013 MLB season is now at the quarter-pole, and each team has had a chance to evaluate what's working and what's missing.

The Braves' quest for relief help has become obvious. Over the weekend, they announced the signing of yet another retread, right-hander Kameron Loe, one day after his release by the Chicago Cubs.

The pitching side has been addressed in MOD 1 so now its time to take a look at the hitters and see where we are lacking.

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez , looking to get more life into a line-up that has scored only three runs the past two games against the Giants, has shaken things up.

Freddie Freeman knocked in the go-ahead run as part of a four-run fifth inning that lifted the Atlanta Braves to a 6-3 victory over the San Francisco Giants in the opener of a four-game set Thursday at AT&T. Brian McCann clubbed a two-run homer in the second and added an RBI single in the fifth, with Andrelton Simmons and B.J. Upton each knocking ... (more)

Entering Wednesday, Simmons had played 680 innings in his major league career and the Baseball Info Solutions numbers have him with 30 defensive runs saved.

The Atlanta Braves welcomed catcher Brian McCann back from the disabled list this week but have still yet to put their projected starting nine on the field for a game this season.