OK, it’s still pretty much over, but at least the Braves are making it interesting. We are actually getting closer in the Wild Card. San Diego has injury issues. We have a great opportunity to gain ground on the Phils right now. Colorado is still the hottest team in baseball. The Braves have won eight of their last ten, this is the kind of streak we were looking for when Tex first came over, but this is largely credited to improvement in the back half of our starting rotation.
James was bit by the long ball today, but it wasn’t totally his fault. The ump was calling a very tight zone and James just doesn’t have the stuff to overpower people over the heart of the plate. Once James gave up the tie, Bobby couldn’t risk letting him go any further. He went 3.2 innings giving up 3 hits, all of them home runs, giving up 4 ER in the process. Bennett came in in the 4th, went 1.1 innings, allowing one run. It was a gutsy move by Bobby, but it worked out well as Bennett ended up getting the win, his second. Acosta pitched 2 innings, he gave up one long ball, but no one else reached base. After that run the pen really stepped up. Mahay did his job getting out a left hander. Moylan finished the inning and was also perfect. Soriano pitched the ninth, non save, and didn’t allow a hit.
I think its pretty clear with scoring 10 runs that our bats were pretty good. Tex saw to the early lead and Chipper put the game out of reach. I guess that’s what you want the heart of the order to do. Escobar was in the lead off spot and did his usual outstanding job going 2 for 5 with a double. His average is back up over .330. He has been the picture of consistency. Chipper commented today that Renty is far more deserving of the batting title than he his. He said Renty is such an unselfish hitter and constantly gives himself up to move runners over, just think what his average would be without some of those outs. Well, Renty snapped out of his mini slump with 2 hits and walk, scoring 2 and driving in 2. Chipper lost a point on his average with only 1 hit, but it was a biggie. He crushed a 2-run shot in the 9th, putting the game out of reach. Tex got the game off to a good start with a 3-run shot in the first. Frenchy might not end the season at .300, but he had 2 hits today, scoring once. Surprisingly the hottest hitter of the night was Andruw. He notched 3 hits, scoring twice and driving in one. A nice day for the bats.
Tomorrow’s game, 7:05 PM on ESPN.
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