Braves struggling to catch the ball

By

Posted 4:19PM on Monday, April 29, 2002

ATLANTA - Pitching and defense that's been the Braves' mantra throughout their decade-long playoff run. Suddenly, though, Atlanta can't catch the ball, putting the team on pace to make as many errors as the bad ol' days of the 1980s. Young players in vital positions (shortstop Rafael Furcal and second baseman Marcus Giles) haven't helped matters. Older players in new positions (Chipper Jones) have contributed to the early season woes, as well. ``We've played really bad defensively,'' said Jones, who is getting on-the-job training in left field. ``Like hitting, it's contagious. A couple of guys have gotten into fielding slumps.'' The Braves have made 24 errors in 26 games, putting them on pace for 150 this season. Since 1991, when Atlanta's streak of 10 straight playoff appearances began, the team has never had more than 138 errors in a season. Just four years ago, the defense turned in the best full season in Atlanta history 91 errors and a .985 fielding percentage. Last season, the Braves made just 103 errors, but the way things are going now, they'll eclipse that number by mid-August. Not surprisingly, the Braves are off to a slow start (12-14), assured of just their 10th losing month since 1991. ``I think everybody would be lying if they said they weren't concerned about it,'' Jones said. ``Our formula has always been pitching, defense and timely hitting.'' Defense is especially important in Atlanta, where the top two starters Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux rely on ground balls for outs. The trend runs throughout the staff; closer John Smoltz and set-up reliever Mike Remlinger are the only pitchers averaging more than a strikeout per inning. ``We don't have guys who can go out there and strike out 15 guys whenever they take the mound,'' Jones said. ``They need good defense for them to be effective. That's the reason we're under .500 instead of six or seven games over.'' The Braves already have surrendered 17 unearned runs, a pace that would give them 106 by the end of the season. Atlanta hasn't given up that many freebies since 1979. Much of the blame for the defensive woes has focused on the youthful combination of Furcal and Giles, both 23. Furcal already has made 10 errors, while Giles has been charged with six as many as he made in 68 games with the Braves a year ago. Together, they have more errors than any double-play combination. Coach Glenn Hubbard has been working with both players, giving them extra ground balls before each game and telling them to put the past month out of their minds. ``We're going to make another error this year,'' Giles said. ``I can promise you that. The worst thing we can do is dwell on it and carry it over to the next day.'' Furcal is coming off shoulder surgery, which may account for some of problems. Then again, neither player made his reputation with defense in the minor leagues. Giles had 25 errors at Class A Macon in 1998, but covered for it by hitting .329 with 37 homers and 108 RBIs. Furcal began his pro career as a second baseman, making 34 errors during the conversion to shortstop in '99. That same year, he hit .322 with 96 stolen bases. ``Neither one of them is a Gold Glove,'' Hubbard said. ``Some guys are born with great hands. They don't have great hands. But they can be more than adequate. And they can become really good if they just work hard at it and relax.'' Jones, a third baseman throughout his Atlanta career, was shifted to left field this season to make room for Vinny Castilla. Jones already has made two errors at his new position and misplayed a few other balls that cost the team. Last week, for instance, rookie Jung Bong had a chance to get out of a bases-loaded jam but Jones failed to make a catch going to his knees. The ball skidded off the webbing of his glove, but was ruled officially as a three-run double. Jones still feels a bit out of place in the outfield. ``I don't have that mindset, to be honest with you,'' he said. ``I've been (all) out pretty much all the time, diving. A couple balls haven't stuck but a couple have. I'm playing it as aggressively as I can.'' The Braves had a horrendous defensive team in the late 1980s and 1990, but general manager John Schuerholz reversed that trend by signing players such as Sid Bream, Rafael Belliard and Terry Pendleton. They didn't hit that many balls out of the park, but they sure knew how to catch it. This year, Schuerholz took steps to improve the offense, trading for Gary Sheffield and signing Castilla. In the process, has defense been shifted to the back burner? Glavine says no. ``They'll be fine,'' he said. ``It's like everything else in this game: When you start thinking about it, you make mistakes. All they need to do is just keep playing.''