Braves Report

Some say that bad calls by umpires are a part of the game. That may be, but that doesn’t mean they have to be. This game was riddled with an inconsistent strike zone and several botched calls, both of which partially contributed to the Braves’ demise. Had the Braves won, would I still be complaining? Probably not, but the fact of the matter is, this is the only sport, other than soccer, where terrible calls are allowed to exist, and I’m getting tired of it. Let’s get on with this train wreck.

Hudson started and he was very solid. He only gave up 3 hits in 7 innings of work, while allowing 2 runs and striking out 2. Saito followed him and pitched a perfect inning with a strikeout. Wagner came in for the save but blew it, giving up the first runs the bullpen has allowed all year on an Edgar Renteria homer. O’Flaherty and Moylan pitched in extras, each only giving up a hit. Medlen followed them in the 12th, giving up a double in that inning. He got out of it, but in the 13th, he was tagged with the loss after an Aaron Rowand infield single. Juan Uribe scored from third on the play after he advanced an extra base on a McCann throwing error into the outfield. From the video, it looked like Rowand hit McCann with his bat, causing interference and the errant throw.

Kind of hard to tell, but it was ruled no contact (both teams’ announcers disagree), and the game ended one pitch later. Not the bullpen’s best outing of the season, but they can’t win them all.

Once again, the offense was not its Day 1 self. Troy Glaus seems to have found his swing, as he had two hits and drove in a run. Matt Diaz played this game and also drove in a pair of runs. Martin Prado had 3 hits on the day, as he continues to be unstoppable. Altogether, the Braves managed 11 hits, but they ended up stranding 12 runners. They also grounded into 3 double plays. Hopefully, somebody can step up in the clutch, but I guess you just can’t expect that every game.

Oh well.

Braves lose in 13, 5-4.

Next game, Saturday @ 10:05 PM EST on Sports South.

Lowe (1 – 0, 0.00) vs. Wellemeyer (0 – 0, -.–).