http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110803&content_id=22699334&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb
08/03/11 1:21 PM ET
Uggla extends hitting streak to 25 games
By Steven Miller / MLB.com
WASHINGTON -- Ryan Zimmerman robbed Dan Uggla of a hit in his first at-bat Tuesday at Nationals Park, but there was no repeat act in Wednesday's finale.
Uggla hit a ground ball in the first inning that Zimmerman backhanded, but the throw across the diamond was not in time as Uggla legged out an infield single to extend his hitting streak to 25 games.
It was the 10th time Uggla extended the streak in his first at-bat, and seven of them were homers. Infield singles are a little less common for the Braves slugger, who entered Thursday with five doubles, 10 homers and 20 RBIs during the streak.
The hit gave Uggla sole possession of the fourth-longest streak in Atlanta history, passing Gary Sheffield, who hit safely in 24 consecutive games in 2003. Manager Fredi Gonzalez was Atlanta's third-base coach for that streak, and he also saw Edgar Renteria hit safely in 23 consecutive games in 2006. Uggla is now behind only Rico Carty (31 games in 1970), Rowland Office (29 in '76) and Marquis Grissom (28 in '96).
Steven Miller is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
08/03/11 1:21 PM ET
Uggla extends hitting streak to 25 games
By Steven Miller / MLB.com
WASHINGTON -- Ryan Zimmerman robbed Dan Uggla of a hit in his first at-bat Tuesday at Nationals Park, but there was no repeat act in Wednesday's finale.
Uggla hit a ground ball in the first inning that Zimmerman backhanded, but the throw across the diamond was not in time as Uggla legged out an infield single to extend his hitting streak to 25 games.
It was the 10th time Uggla extended the streak in his first at-bat, and seven of them were homers. Infield singles are a little less common for the Braves slugger, who entered Thursday with five doubles, 10 homers and 20 RBIs during the streak.
The hit gave Uggla sole possession of the fourth-longest streak in Atlanta history, passing Gary Sheffield, who hit safely in 24 consecutive games in 2003. Manager Fredi Gonzalez was Atlanta's third-base coach for that streak, and he also saw Edgar Renteria hit safely in 23 consecutive games in 2006. Uggla is now behind only Rico Carty (31 games in 1970), Rowland Office (29 in '76) and Marquis Grissom (28 in '96).
Steven Miller is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Going for 30 tonight !!!!
By the time the Braves leave South Florida, Dan Uggla(notes) could match the record for the franchise’s longest hitting streak since moving to Atlanta.
He can’t get there Tuesday night, but he can accomplish something a Braves player hasn’t done in four decades.
Atlanta’s last 30-game hitting streak came in 1970, a milestone Uggla can reach in the middle of this three-game set as he tries to help keep the Braves perfect on the road this season against the Florida Marlins.
Uggla was hitting .173 through July 4, 43 points worse than the next-lowest NL qualifier, and it appeared as if the Braves (67-49) had made a massive mistake in signing the former Marlin to a five-year, $62 million contract after the teams’ November trade.
Uggla’s past month has been much closer to what Atlanta hoped it was getting. The two-time All-Star extended his hitting streak to 29 games in Tuesday’s 8-5 win over his old club, tying Rowland Office for the franchise’s second-longest streak since moving from Milwaukee in 1966.
“For what he went through in April and May, and keeping levelheaded, it’s nice for him to do what he signed up for,” manager Fredi Gonzalez said of Uggla, who has 27 RBIs during the streak. “I give him all the credit in the world, because there would be a lot of guys moping around. He stayed the same guy.”
Uggla enters Tuesday looking to match the Dodgers’ Andre Ethier(notes) for the majors’ longest streak this season and get within one of the team’s Atlanta record. Rico Carty hit in 31 consecutive games in 1970, the Braves’ lone 30-game streak since arriving in Georgia.
Tommy Holmes, who hit in 37 straight with the Boston Braves in 1945, holds the franchise record.
By the time the Braves leave South Florida, Dan Uggla(notes) could match the record for the franchise’s longest hitting streak since moving to Atlanta.
He can’t get there Tuesday night, but he can accomplish something a Braves player hasn’t done in four decades.
Atlanta’s last 30-game hitting streak came in 1970, a milestone Uggla can reach in the middle of this three-game set as he tries to help keep the Braves perfect on the road this season against the Florida Marlins.
Uggla was hitting .173 through July 4, 43 points worse than the next-lowest NL qualifier, and it appeared as if the Braves (67-49) had made a massive mistake in signing the former Marlin to a five-year, $62 million contract after the teams’ November trade.
Uggla’s past month has been much closer to what Atlanta hoped it was getting. The two-time All-Star extended his hitting streak to 29 games in Tuesday’s 8-5 win over his old club, tying Rowland Office for the franchise’s second-longest streak since moving from Milwaukee in 1966.
“For what he went through in April and May, and keeping levelheaded, it’s nice for him to do what he signed up for,” manager Fredi Gonzalez said of Uggla, who has 27 RBIs during the streak. “I give him all the credit in the world, because there would be a lot of guys moping around. He stayed the same guy.”
Uggla enters Tuesday looking to match the Dodgers’ Andre Ethier(notes) for the majors’ longest streak this season and get within one of the team’s Atlanta record. Rico Carty hit in 31 consecutive games in 1970, the Braves’ lone 30-game streak since arriving in Georgia.
Tommy Holmes, who hit in 37 straight with the Boston Braves in 1945, holds the franchise record.
Uggla hitting in 56 straight would almost be like Ozzie Smith leading the league in homers.
Almost too impossible to imagine.
If I had to name any starting player in MLB that would be the least likely to hit in 30 straight, Uggla would be the 1st name out of my mouth.
I mean if he somehow got up to 56, his BA may still be below .250. LOL
Almost too impossible to imagine.
If I had to name any starting player in MLB that would be the least likely to hit in 30 straight, Uggla would be the 1st name out of my mouth.
I mean if he somehow got up to 56, his BA may still be below .250. LOL
