Sunday’s season finale against the D’backs was a game in which the Braves sought their first series sweep, where they were on the broom handle end, since May. Unfortunately, they had to face then-16 game winner, Brandon Webb, and their plans were spoiled a bit.
Mike Hampton had to combat this foe, and this proved not to be such an easy task. Hampton was less than perfect, and had one of his shortest outings of the season. He only lasted 4 innings, but gave up 5 hits, 6 runs (more runs than hits [!]), while walking 2 and striking out 3. Not very impressive, but the D’backs must’ve stolen some of his hitting juice.
[Image: Yahoo! Sports]
The rest of the pitching staff was pretty good. Nunez relieved Hampton in two innings of work, striking out 3. His only blemish was a walk. Tavarez followed with a perfect inning, striking out one. Boyer pitched the last inning for the Braves, giving up a hit and striking out two.
The offense didn’t do much today. They managed 7 hits, but they were too scattered throughout the ballgame to be effective, and they were all singles. Blanco, Chipper, Norton, McCann, and Kotsay each had a hit. Infante, who was filling in for KJ today, was the only one who really hit well, with two singles, and a sacrifice fly for the only Braves’ run of the game. Those two hits raised his batting average up to .304, and, oh, how fun it’s been to watch this kid play. I really hope Bobby finds a way to fit him into the lineup everyday, because he’s just playing too damn well not to be. That was all the offense the Braves could muster up. Francoeur was back in the lineup tonight in the 8 spot, but he went 0-for-4 on the day, with two strikeouts and a not-so-clutch inning-ending double play. Maybe Bobby should’ve given him another day off.
Braves drop the finale, 6 - 1.
No game tomorrow. Tuesday’s game, in Atlanta against the Cubs, at 7:00 PM EST, not nationally televised.
Man, what a great picture!! Could depict the entire season in that one shot, the “what the heck has happened” look on everybody’s faces. Priceless!
Tough end, but Webb is 17-4 for a reason. Good road trip. Faced some good pitching out there and still came away 4-3. Now, time to come home, pay our respects to the late and great Skip, then take on the Cubs.
Bud.
http://braves.today.com
Comment by Bud — August 11, 2008 @ 6:41 am
I agree. The only way the photo could be the complete epitome of the season is if one of the starting pitchers was writhing on the ground in pain, grasping their arm.
Honestly, I’m surprised that they were even able to take 3 out of 4. I’ve become so accustomed to them getting killed on the road, that it was just a pleasant change of pace to see them actually win a series.
Comment by BenMurphy — August 12, 2008 @ 12:22 am
Indeed, a nice change to actually see a few games of decent play. And on the road, too? Who knew? And that’s funny as hell, what you said about the picture and the pitchers … OK, maybe it’s not really funny, but after watching this team for the past four and a half months, what else can you do but laugh?
Bud.
http://braves.today.com
Comment by Bud — August 12, 2008 @ 6:45 am