a step forward

Mississippi Braves right-hander J.R. Graham finally got his first win of 2014, throwing five shutout innings tonight against Chattanooga at Trustmark Park. It has been an uneven year for Graham, 24, ranked as Atlanta’s No. 3 prospect in preseason. Coming back from a shoulder injury that abruptly ended his 2013 campaign in May, Graham has been on a short leash. In only three of his 13 starts has he pitched five innings, and 5 1/3 is the deepest he has gone. He went into tonight’s start with an 0-3 record and 5.27 ERA, though the team was 7-5 in his games. It once looked like just a matter of time before Graham made the big leagues. He may have work to do now to get back on that path. He looked sharp against the Lookouts, consistently hitting the mid-90s while yielding just three hits and fanning three with no walks. He threw 48 of 74 pitches for strikes. Three relievers, including new closer James Hoyt, preserved the 1-0 victory.