As bad a night as last night was for the Braves, tonight was that good (ok, it wasn’t THAT good, but close). Last night we lost, for the season, one of the greatest Braves in history. Tonight, one of the greatest Braves in history made his stamp on the record books. Of course, I am referring to Chipper. Chipper hit his 400th career home run. An accomplishment only two other switch hitters have managed. With the way he is hitting, 500 isn’t out of the question. Congrats to Chipper.
Once again Jurrgens didn’t have his best stuff, once again he battled and battled and, in the end, got the win. For awhile, it looked like death by a million cuts. They weren’t hitting the ball hard, but every time the bat hit the ball it was a seeing eye single. Jurrgens ended up giving up five runs and eleven hits in six innings. Not an outing to remember, but the bats were able to pick him up. In came Ring, he pitched well, going an inning without allowing a hit. Bennett pitched the eighth, struck out two, no runs (will he need to move back into the rotation?). Soriano closed out the game for his third save. The pen was outstanding.
The Braves pounded out 12 hits and the top of the order got it done. Escobar, KJ and Chipper were a combined seven for fifteen. First up Escobar, he went two for five with two runs scored, an RBI and a home run. Chipper, who was once again amazing, went four for five including his fourteenth home run of the season. Tex had two hits, drove in one and scored one. A great day at the plate for the Braves!
Tomorrow’s game 7:35 PM. Not nationally televised.