Braves Report

When it rains, it pours. That seems to be how this season has been going for the Braves. Either they beat the shit out of the other team, or they get their heads kicked in. Fortunately, Saturday night’s game against the Giants was the former, and it allowed them to snap their 5 game losing streak.

Mike Hampton got the nod, and how fun has it been to watch him pitch? I never really know what to expect, but either way, I can expect it to be good. Hampton did have his good stuff, and provided a decent outings for the Braves. He went 6 innings, gave up 7 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, and stuck out 4. Not too bad, not too bad at all. My favorite shouldn’t be in the bullpen pitcher, Buddy Carlyle, pitched the 6th and his only blemish was a hit. Matt DeSalvo, who was called up from Richmond after Glavine was placed on the DL, pitched the 8th, and let up 3 hits and a run. Nunez started the 9th, and for whatever reason just didn’t have it. He only recorded an out, but allowed 3 hits, 2 runs, and 2 walks. Bennett had to relieve him, threw one pitch, and induced the game-ending double play. Nice.

As I said, when it rains, it pours. The offense that didn’t do anything the night before just laid it on the Giants’ rookie pitcher, who was making his Major League debut. Francoeur probably had his best game of the year, going 4 for 5 and doubling and singling in a pair of runs. Keep it up, Jeff, please.

[Image: Yahoo! Sports]

These runs amounted to the first lead the Braves have had in nearly a week. From there, they kept on going. Omar Infante, who I’m now convinced simply cannot be stopped, doubled in a run and had two RBIs on the day. Gotay came off the bench to pinch-hit and doubled in a run. Norton hit a long home run to left field. McCann and Escobar had two hits each, and Blanco had one. Hell, even Mike Hampton, power hitter, singled in a run. Kelly Johnson did, too, and Chipper had an RBI of his own. Truly an offensive pounding. Good.

Braves take game two, 11 – 5.