Braves Report

Tonight, it’s easy to know who to start with, Chipper. Last night, he said he was, “starting to get comfortable.” Well, I’d have to argue, he is locked in. Tonight, I gotta say, the entire team did well. Bennett did more than we could have expected, the pen held and the bats came through. We need more games like this until Glavine, Smoltz, and Hampton get back to 100%.

Bennett is rapidly becoming the most overworked player on the Braves pitching staff. I swear it seems like he is in every game. He spot starts, he’s long relief, he even pitches an inning here and there. Tonight, he was called on again. He struggled in the first, probably causing him to not get the win, since he couldn’t finish the fifth after so many pitches. But after the first, he was very effective. He ended up going 4.2 innings, only allowing 2 hits, but walking 3. When it was clear he’d gone as far as he could go, Ohman came in. He has been great this year. Tonight, he gave us 1.1 innings, only allowing 1 hit. Carlyle went .2 innings, giving up a run. Boyer pitched 1.1, perfectly. Acosta closed it out, only allowing a hit to Andruw. Our pen seems to be solidifying, despite the injuries. When I look at ERAs, I’m starting to see numbers in the fours, rather than in the teens.

As I mentioned before, Chipper is in the zone. He CRUSHED two more home runs tonight, giving him 4 in 2 days. He ended up going 3 for 5, 2 runs scored and 4 RBI, batting .455. McCann is starting to get his swing back, he had 2 hits, one a double, and scored a run. Blanco, subbing in for Diaz, had 2 hits, driving in one as well.

Tomorrow’s game 3:30 on FOX.

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