Atlanta Braves vs. Tampa Bay Rays — May 19, 2012 — ESPN.

Randall Delgado is having an up-and-down rookie year, like much of the Braves’ pitching staff. Through his first four starts, he had a 6.30 ERA and 12 walks in 20 innings; then, in his next three starts, he had a 1.33 ERA and just 6 walks in 20 1/3 innings. When Randall’s control is on, the 22-year old is already a good major league pitcher. Last night, he didn’t have it.

He only gave up three hits in four innings — but he walked five men and one of those hits was a grand slam. And that’s all the Rays needed. The Braves scratched two early runs off Alex Cobb, a well-regarded prospect who was recalled from the minors just before the game, by stringing together three straight hits in the second inning. But then their bats went to sleep. They got just two hits and one walk over the last seven innings of the game.

The Rays are obviously a good team; there’s no dishonor in losing to them. But that plate approach was vintage 2011. There had better not be any cap-tipping today.