Braves Report

Some nights, you are just outclassed. That was the case in tonight’s affair between the Braves and Phils.

As usual, Doc Halladay was surgical on the mound tonight.  He cut through the Braves line-up tonight with ease. Halladay threw another complete game shut-out.  He struck out seven Braves while scattering five hits. The only real trouble he encountered was in the seventh. After back to back singles by Chipper and McCann to lead off the frame, he struck Glaus out. He then proceeded to walk Heyward to load the bases with only one out. Yunel would sharply hit one up the middle that would go off the mound right into Utley’s glove, enabling the Phils to turn two and end the threat.

Hudson was his old self tonight. He lasted six innings, allowing only a pair of runs to score. He battled his way out of quite a few jams and was enabled to minimize the damage.  Jonny Venters relieved him in for the seventh inning. Venters continues to impress. Venters pitched two innings facing the minimum batters.  Saito came in to pitch the ninth. After allowing a double to Ruiz, he got Halladay and Victorino to keep the lead to two.

Braves fall to the Phillies, 2-0. Rubber game of the series is tomorrow.

Next game, Thursday @ 7:10 PM EST on Peachtree TV.

Lowe (3 – 0, 4.67) vs. Moyer (1 – 1, 7.50)

Wow. I already had this recap written. I was going to talk about how the team’s offense failed them once again and cost them the game. Did I ever get a kick in the pants? The Braves had their best win of the season in extras in incredible fashion and second walk-off win in as many days. Let’s go.

Hanson started this game and despite his line, he had a decent outing: 4 and 2/3rd innings, 6 hits, a pair of runs, a walk, and 4 K’s. His night was shortened by his pitch count, which was 102 (66 strikes). O’Flaherty relieved him and allowed one of his runs to score. Moylan pitched the next inning and recorded a strikeout. Medlen followed in the next two innings, giving up another run. Jesse Chavez came in the 9th and was perfect. Wagner pitched the 10th and was perfect with a strikeout, earning the win. Same story for the pitching staff all season: pretty damn good.

When I had my recap written, it was the 9th inning, when they only had 4 hits, no runs, and had grounded into 2 double plays. The game seemed hopeless, and with 2 outs, I was ready to post this entry. Then something weird then happened. Troy Glaus hit a 2 run homer to bring the game within 1. Two pitches later, Jason Heyward slammed one over the left field fence. We were tied. Then, in the 10th, something flat out strange happened. Nate McLouth, a .167 hitter, hit his first homer of the season on a 2-2 pitch. The Braves rushed into the dugout to give him the silent treatment, but it didn’t matter. They were now tied for first in the NL East. I love seeing this team being in it until the end. Last year, these games were easily out of reach if the Braves were trailing in the 6th inning, but suddenly, everything seems possible. Keep it up, this is why we’re Braves fans.

Braves win in awesome style, 4-3 (F/10).

Next game, Wednesday @ 7:10 PM EST on Peachtree TV and ESPN.

Hudson (1 – 0, 2.84) vs. Halladay (3 – 0, 1.12).

There’s a way to rebound from a no-hitter and there’s a way to rebound from a no-hitter. I’m not sure what this was an example of, but it involved Jason Heyward and a walk-off win. A very good way to bounce back. Let’s go.

Jurrjens started this game and he was awesome: 8 innings, 5 hits, 3 runs, 3 walks, and 9 strikeouts. It’s good to see him recover from that fustercluck against the Padres. Unfortunately, in typical Braves’ fashion, he was provided with virtually no run support and received a no decision for his effort. O’Flaherty came on in the 9th, struck out 1, and would earn the win. One thing I’d like to say is how impressed I am with the pitching staff. With only a few blemishes, they’ve been very solid, and the bullpen has been phenomenal. Maybe McDowell finally figured out how to go through to these pitchers.

Apparently Jason Heyward wants this to be the year of Jason Heyward, because he has done nothing but impress this season. He only had one hit, but it was a good one. In the 9th inning, trailing by 1, he knocked in the walk-off single to left field to score Martin Prado and Brooks Conrad.

Jubilation ensued.

Other than that, he was walked in for a run earlier in the game, giving him 3 RBIs on the day and 15 for the season. How phenomenal has he been? Martin Prado also knocked in a run on a sac fly. He’s been really impressive this year, too. Keep up the good work, fellas.

Braves take the series and the game, 4-3.

Next game, Tuesday @ 7:10 PM EST on Peachtree TV and MLBN (it’ll be blacked out for me) against the Phillies.

Hanson (1 – 1, 2.38) vs. Kendrick (0 – 0, 17.47).

There are some memories that stand out in the minds of Braves fans. Some of them are good, some of them are terrible. This game was one of those ‘cover-your-face’ moments, as the Braves got no-hit. Sure, it’s always exciting to see one of these games, but it kind of blows when your team is on the receiving end of it. Let’s go.

Kawakami started this game and was pretty much doomed to fail. He wasn’t spectacular: 5 innings, 8 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts. Jonny Venters followed him and gave up a hit, a walk, and struck out 2 in his 3 innings of work. Jesse Chavez pitched the 9th perfectly while striking out 1. As usual, the bullpen shined, and the starting staff was the only blemish.

It didn’t really matter, though, because the offense only walked 6 times against Ubaldo Jimenez. To be fair, he was dealing, hitting 100 mph. Congratulations to him, but it’s just kind of lousy to have this happen twice in the past 6 years (Johnson). Oh well, get the next one.

Braves lose, 4-0.

The Braves are on a winning streak, and that makes me happy. Once again, Friday night kicked off a series against the Rockies that shows that this team has some potential. Let’s go.

Lowe started this game and was decent. He lasted 5 and 1/3rd innings, while giving up 7 hits, 4 runs (3 earned), 2 walks, and 5 strikeouts. Overall, not bad. O’Flaherty relieved him and gave up a run. Medlen pitched the last 2 innings, while striking out 3. A strong effort from the pitching staff.

The story of the night really was the offense, with no one person really dominating. David Ross, Nate McLouth, Eric Hinske, Yunel Escobar, and Melky Cabrera all drove in runs. Chipper also hit his second homer of the year. Nearly everybody contributed, that’s what I like to see.

Braves win, 9-5.