Home opener is now in the books, and it was quite a game. Sure, we’d have all liked a different ending, but you have got to admit, we’ve seen two great games so far this season (but they could have been better). Every pitcher was used tonight, as well as every batter in this 12 inning marathon, unfortunately the Braves failed to improve on their woeful extra inning record they have compiled over the past couple seasons. I said it last night, it is even more true tonight, if it weren’t for defensive miscues, we’d be celebrating another Braves win. Hopefully, it’s all out of their system and we see error free baseball for a while.
Glavine had a pretty good outing, not great, but for his first game back in a Braves uniform, with a tight zone being called for all the pitchers, he did pretty well. He went 5 innings, 7 hits, only allowing 2 runs. Resop went an inning giving up a run. Ohman gave up a run, unearned. Moylan was brought in, was charged with a blown save, when an error allowed the go ahead run to cross. Ring looked great, doing his job as a left handed specialist. Acosta was AWFUL, 4 runs plated, all earned on 3 hits, 2 walks, and 2 home runs. Bennett was better, but not a lot. He allowed a run to cross on 2 hits and 2 walks. Soriano was solid, didn’t allow a run. Boyer looked great in the 11th, but gave up the 3-run shot that ended the game in the 12.
The bats were better tonight. I wish the Braves would pay better attention to the way the ump was calling the game. Everyone knew it was a tight zone, it would help them to take pitches, and force the opposing pitcher to make mistakes. But, we just seem to want to hack away. Escobar by far had the best bat of the night, he went 3 for 4 with 2 BB, 2 runs scored and 3 RBI. If he can keep that up, Renty’s loss won’t sting as much. Chipper had his stroke going as well, 2 hits along with a walk, driving in 3. McCann drove in 3 on 2 hits and crushed a home run. Kotsay had 2 hits of his own, to go along with his sparkling defense.
Unfortunately, the Braves committed 3 errors, Chipper, KJ and Escobar had one a piece. If that wasn’t enough, we also had 2 wild pitches.
No game tomorrow. Wednesday’s game 7:10 PM, not nationally televised.
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What a game, its a shame someone had to lose it and that that someone had to be the Braves.
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Comment by Robert — April 1, 2008 @ 2:37 am
Our Bullpen was suppose to be strong this year and they have been a big disappointment the last two games.
Comment by Kyle James — April 1, 2008 @ 9:23 am
Actually, this game was so poorly played and so ugly that it’s a shame someone had to win. It’s a hollow victory for the Pirates, I think.
At least this amateur stuff is happening in April instead of September. We look like a high school team.
Comment by BBlackwell — April 1, 2008 @ 12:00 pm
Our bullpen was bad tonight, but it only gave up one run Opening Night. Otherwise, Moylan and Ohman did fine. Zimmerman’s HR was the only ball hit hard off Moylan. Again, 2 games does not a season make.
Comment by bravesmith1711 — April 2, 2008 @ 1:22 am