James Looks Good as Braves Down Pirates

The Braves improved to 6-2 in the Spring with Friday's 8-5 win over the Pirates (Laroche didn't play). Chuck James, Ryan Langerhans, Kelly Johnson, and Chad Paronto all made good impressions in the game. James threw 3 shutout innings with 2 Ks and 0 BBs, while Kelly Johnson and Ryan Langerhans continued their bids to start at their respective positions. Johnson went 2/4, Langerhans went 2/3, and both added homers to the win. Willy Aybar went 3/5, but it seems like no matter what he does, he will be backing up Chipper and not starting at second. Chad Paronto may have done the most so far this spring to solidify a spot. He was a fringe player that had an advantage as a ground ball guy out of the pen, but the circle change that he added over the off-season is making him look like more and more of a lock for one of the spots in the pen. He has now thrown 5 innings in the spring with 5 Ks, no BBs, and only 3 hits.