The Chopping Block: Ztevans's Atlanta Braves (MLB 10/PS2)

[ztevans]

April 5, 2010 - Atlanta Braves (1-0) 2, Chicago Cubs (0-1) 1

TM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
CHC 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 0
ATL 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 X 2 11 0

W: Derek Lowe (1-0)
L: Carlos Zambrano (0-1)
SV: Billy Wagner (1)

ATL: Nate McLouth (1-4, 2 RBI), Chipper Jones (4-4, 2 R)
CHC: Aramis Ramirez (1-4, HR), Carlos Zambrano (2-2)

The Braves open the season with a 2-1 win at Turner Field against the Chicago Cubs. Derek Lowe was nearly flawless in a duel with Carlos Zambrano, allowing four hits and one run in 8.0 IP and fanning 7 Cubs. The lone run he allowed was a solo shot to left field by Aramis Ramirez in the top of the fourth to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead.

Nate McLouth drove in Chipper Jones for both runs for the Braves. The first was to tie the game in the home half of the fourth, as McLouth dropped a single in to right field to allow Jones to score from second. The second was two innings later, as McLouth reached on a fielder's choice with Brian McCann out at second and Jones scoring from third.

After surrendering a first pitch single to Xavier Nady, Billy Wagner retired the next three Cubs in order (two with strikeouts) to record the save.


April 7, 2010 - Atlanta Braves (2-0) 2, Chicago Cubs (0-2) 1

TM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
CHC 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 7 0
ATL 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 X 2 4 0

W: Tim Hudson (1-0)
L: Ryan Dempster (0-1)
SV: Billy Wagner (2)

CHC: Alfonso Soriano (2-4, RBI), Aramis Ramirez (1-4, R)
ATL: Brian McCann (1-3, HR), Yunel Escobar (1-4, RBI)

Once again, the Cubs drew first blood, as Aramis Ramirez scored on a double by Alfonso Soriano in the top of the first. However, the Braves again answered back with two runs to claim their second straight 2-1 victory over the Cubbies. The go-ahead run came in the bottom of the fourth, as Brian McCann homered to right field for the first Atlanta round tripper of the season.

April 8, 2010 - Chicago Cubs (1-2) 10, Atlanta Braves (2-1) 6

W: Ted Lilly (1-0)
L: John Smoltz (0-1)
S: Angel Guzman (1)

CHC: Xavier Nady (2-4, HR, 3 RBI)
ATL: Nate McLouth (2-3, HR, RBI)

Since I accidentally simmed this game, this is all the information I have. Three cheers for the Playstation 2, and proving once again, as the wise mlblover15 once said, "Only losers sim." John Smoltz falls in his return to Atlanta. I can also conclude from looking at the season stats that Aramis Ramirez (2), Xavier Nady, Nate McLouth, and Matt Diaz all homered.

NL EAST STANDINGS
Mets 3-0
Phillies 2-1
Braves 2-1
Nationals 1-2
Marlins 0-3

OTHER BRAVES NEWS:
CF Terrell Conrad has been promoted to AAA Gwinnett from AA Mississippi to replace CF Jamal Lynch, who has been placed on the 15-day Disabled List with a pulled calf muscle.

OTHER LEAGUE NEWS:
The Rays placed RP Andy Sonnanstine on the 60-day DL due to a separated shoulder. The Reds' Chris Dickerson is also on the 60-day DL with a dislocated ankle. Seattle's Ryan Garko and LA of A's Joel Piniero were placed on the 15-day DL with a torn calf and an ACL sprain, respectively. Guitar Hero jokes sold separately.

NEXT SERIES:
The Braves take their first road trip of the season for a weekend series at AT&T Park against the San Francisco Giants.

4/9: J. Jurrjens (0-0) v. J. Sanchez (0-0)
4/10: T. Hanson (0-0) v. M. Bumgarner (0-0)
4/11: D. Lowe (1-0) v. T. Lincecum (1-0)

[slickdtc]

Sweet, looking forward to following this, Z. MicroDM is probably the best for MLB dynasties because you throw in the quick linescore, notable hitters, the pitcher's lines, and a few tidbits and it still gives you a decent idea of how the game went. I've found it to be very quick, easy, and fairly informative when writing for my KC Royals via MicroDM. It allows you to still chronicle your dynasty on here without feeling burdened by a full page and all its commitments.

[ztevans]

Slick: Thank you, sir. This update will be less than pleasing, however.

April 9, 2010 - San Francisco Giants (3-1) 4, Atlanta Braves (2-2) 3 (11 innings)

TM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11R H E
ATL 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 3 16 1
SF 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 14 10 0

W: Jeremy Affeldt (1-0)
L: MIchael Dunn (0-1)

ATL: Chipper Jones (4-5, R), Eric Hinske (1-1, HR)
SF: Aaron Rowand (2-4, HR (2), R, 2 RBI), Bengie Molina (2-4, HR (2), 2 R, RBI)

In a rare twist of events, the Braves were first on the board in this one, as Brian McCann singled to bring home Matt "Don't say Dee-az" Diaz for a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. However, the game was tied and we were promised a game of "Name That Molina" on BBTN as Bengie (no, not Yadier) hit a solo homer to right field...not far enough for a splash, though. Not that it matters since the splash counter is non-functional on the PS2...

A moment that would come back to haunt Atlanta came in the third inning, as a Chipper Jones single advanced a slumping Yunel Escobar to third. Escobar went for the go-ahead run, but was gunned down by Eugenio Velez.

In the fourth, the Giants claimed the lead when Aaron Rowand plated Pablo Sandoval on an infield single. Four innings later, Troy Glaus returned the favor with a two-out single to score Chipper Jones and tie the game.

With the score tied entering the ninth, Eric Hinske entered the game to pinch hit for Takashi Saito, and promptly drove a shot over the right field brick wall to give the Braves a 3-2 lead. All is well, right? Not so much, as Billy Wagner's walks on the wild side (he allowed two runners in scoring position in his two saves against the Cubs) finally caught up to him and Edgar Renteria drove in Molina to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth.

In the bottom of the 11th, Michael Dunn entered the game for Kris Medlen, with hopes of forcing a 12th inning with the heart of the Braves lineup coming to the plate. Two pitches later, Rowand also homered to right field, ending the game.

April 10, 2010 - San Francisco Giants (4-1) 10, Atlanta Braves (2-4) 2

TM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
ATL 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 11 1
SF 1 2 0 3 0 0 4 0 X 10 20 0

W: Madison Bumgarner (1-0)
L: Tommy Hanson (0-1)

ATL: Troy Glaus (2-4, 2 RBI, BB), Chipper Jones (2-3, R, 2 BB)
SF: Pablo Sandoval (2-5, HR (2), 3 RBI, 2 R), Fred Lewis (4-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI)

Really, there's no need for an elaborate description of this one. The entire pitching staff got shelled, from starter Tommy Hanson on down. We needed a mercy rule. Pablo Sandoval had a three-run bomb in the fourth. Troy Glaus did manage to save a little face with a 2-RBI single in the 9th, but Omar Infante quickly killed that rally by swinging and missing on three straight pitches.

April 11, 2010 - San Francisco Giants (5-1) 8, Atlanta Braves (2-4) 1

TM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
ATL 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 1
SF 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 4 X 8 19 0

W: Tim Lincecum (2-0)
L: Derek Lowe (1-1)

ATL: Melky Cabrera (2-3), Omar Infante (1-4, RBI)
SF: Aaron Rowand (1-4, HR, 3 RBI), Eugenio Velez (5-5, R)

T3 - Infante single scores Diaz
B6 - Sandoval single scores Lewis...3 run homer Rowand
T7 - Glaus ejected

Twice this season the Braves have scored the first run of the game, and in both instances Aaron Rowand put the opposing team ahead for good with a deep ball. This game started innocently enough as a pitcher's duel, as Derek Lowe and Tim Lincecum went toe-to-toe for five and a half innings with only one run between them. That run was scored by Matt Diaz, crossing the plate on an Omar Infante single.

However, the dam broke in the sixth inning. First, Pablo Sandoval singled to score Fred Lewis and put runners on first and second. One batter later, Aaron Rowand brought back the whooping stick from his Friday walk-off for a three run moon shot to put the Giants ahead 4-1. With Lincecum pitching impeccably on the other side, the Giants breezed from there to a sweep.

Troy Glaus, clearly frustrated with the weekend's proceedings, was ejected in the top of the seventh arguing a call at first base.

NL EAST STANDINGS
Mets 5-1
Phillies 5-1
Nationals 2-4
Braves 2-4
Marlins 2-4

OTHER BRAVES NEWS:
With one week in the books, Chipper Jones is an early second place in batting average in the majors. He is batting .542, with three doubles. Billy Wagner is also one of several closers tied for the NL lead in saves, with two. Yes, if he hadn't given up that run on Friday, he would have three and lead this category.

OTHER LEAGUE NEWS:
Jayson Werth is batting .333 this season, with eight base hits. Fortunately for Phillies Phaithful (yes, that's the second time I've done that today on the boards), all eight hits have been home runs. Werth's eight jacks easily lead the Bigs, with Aramis and Manny Ramirez, Rick Ankiel, and Hideki Matsui having four apiece in a tie for second.

The Twins placed SP Scott Baker on the 15-day DL with a shoulder pull. Glen Perkins was recalled from AAA Rochester to assume his place in the rotation.

NEXT SERIES:
The Braves continue their California road trip (with hopefully better results), taking part in a series against the San Diego Padres (also 2-4)

4/12: T. Hudson (1-0, 1.35) v. J. Garland (0-1, 12.46)
4/14: J. Smoltz (0-1, 13.50) v. K. Correia (1-0, 2.45)
4/15: J. Jurrjens (0-0, 3.18) v. M. Latos (0-0, 6.75)

[ztevans]

April 12, 2010 - Atlanta Braves (3-4) 3, San Diego Padres (2-5) 2 (10 innings)

TM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 R H E
ATL 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 3 9 0
SD 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 5 2

W: Eric O'Flaherty (1-0)
L: Mike Adams (0-1)
S: Billy Wagner (3)

ATL: Martin Prado (3-5, R, 2B), Brian McCann (1-4, HR (2))
SD: Chase Headley (2-4, R), Kyle Blanks (1-4, HR (2), 2 RBI)

The Braves' second extra-inning game of the season ended much happier (and slightly more strangely) than their first, as Atlanta picked up a 3-2 win at Petco Park.

Brian McCann opened the scoring with a solo home run that just did carry through the seaside breezes to right field, giving Atlanta a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning. Kyle Blanks was anything but shooting blanks in response, however, as he fired off a two run homer to left field after the seventh inning stretch to give the home team a 2-1 lead.

Nate McLouth drove home the tying run in the top of the eighth with an infield single to plate Yunel Escobar. Despite a bases loaded jam for Peter Moylan in the bottom of the eighth, both teams were scoreless for the remainder of regulation, sending the game to extra innings.

Martin Prado got aboard to start the tenth with a leadoff single. Chipper Jones sac-bunted to advance him to second, and a ground out by Brian McCann moved Prado to third with two outs. With McLouth again at the plate facing a 1-2 count, Mike Adams's curveball kicked away from backstop Yorvit Torrealba and towards the Friars' dugout, allowing Prado to score from third. Billy Wagner came out of the 'pen in the ensuing half-inning to pick up his third save of the season and secure the victory.


April 14, 2010 - Atlanta Braves (4-4) 7, San Diego Padres (2-6) 1

TM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
ATL 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 0 3 7 15 0
SD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 8 1

W: John Smoltz (1-1)
L: Kevin Correia (1-1)
S: Peter Moylan (1)

ATL: John Smoltz (6.0 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 7 K), Nate McLouth (4-5, 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI)
SD: Kyle Blanks (1-4, HR (3), RBI, R), David Eckstein (3-4)

Everything went right for the Braves in this game: John Smoltz looked like the Smoltz of old in a Braves jersey, the runs came early and often, and Atlanta returned to .500 with a 7-1 win.

Nate McLouth left his fingerprints all over this game on the offensive side. He crossed the plate for the first three Atlanta runs on runs batted in by Melky Cabrera in the second, Troy Glaus in the fourth, and Cabrera again in the sixth. In the top of the ninth, McLouth returned the favor by plating Martin Prado and Chipper Jones with a single off the left field wall. The other runs were scored by Glaus (Diaz single on an 0-2 pitch in the fourth) and Brian McCann (coming home on a ground rule double by Glaus)

On the mound, John Smoltz was nearly untouchable. He only surrendered two hits, both to David Eckstein, and a walk to Jerry Hairston, Jr. over the course of six complete innings, fanning seven Friars along the way. Despite this gem, I pulled him in favor of Eric O'Flaherty to start the 7th out of fear of AARP protests at future Braves' home games for overworking him. O'Flaherty also pitched well, surrendering only four hits in 1 2/3 and striking out three. Peter Moylan finished the job, and was robbed of completing a shutout when Kyle Blanks dropped a fastball into the second deck of Petco Park's left field seats, his second homer of the series.

April 15, 2010 - Atlanta Braves (5-4) 3, San Diego Padres (2-7) 1

TM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
ATL 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 6 1
SD 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 8 0

W: Jair Jurrjens (1-0)
L: Mat Latos (0-1)
S: Billy Wagner (4)

ATL: Jair Jurrjens (7.0 IP, 4 K, 7 H, 1 ER), Chipper Jones (2-4, 2B, RBI)
SD: Mat Latos (6.0 IP, 6 K, 5 H, 3 ER), Chase Headley (2-4, RBI)

The bats were largely quiet in the rubber game of this series, probably because all involved were distracted by the Padres' truly hideous camouflage alternate jerseys. While the Padres may have been harder to spot in their uniforms, it did not prevent a sweep, as the Braves won 3-1.

The Padres' only run came in the first inning, when Chase Headley's double brought David Eckstein home. The advantage was short-lived, however, as the Braves claimed the lead for good in the third inning. First, Matt Diaz singled to bring home Melky Cabrera. Diaz was then rewarded for his efforts with a run, scoring from third on a ground out by Yunel Escobar. In the sixth inning, Chipper Jones picked up his first RBI of the season (no, really) with a single to score Escobar from second base.

NL EAST STANDINGS
Phillies 7-2
Mets 6-3
Braves 5-4
Marlins 4-6
Nationals 3-6

OTHER BRAVES NEWS:
RF Ambrose Sykes (AAA Gwinnett) was placed on the 15-day Disabled List, suffering from inflammation in his hip. Chipper Jones and his one run batted in lead the NL in batting average (.459). Maybe he won't cool off too much. Maybe.

It should also be noted that Atlanta is fourth in the majors in batting average, but last in home runs. I blame it on getting to play at both San Francisco and San Diego in my first two road series'. Stay tuned.

OTHER LEAGUE NEWS:
The Diamondbacks called up C Carlos Corporan while Miguel Montero hits the 15-day Disable List with a broken finger. In Colorado, Shaun Poe has joined the big club from AAA Colorado Springs as Jorge de la Rosa mends an inflamed hip (all these hips just need to CHILL OUT). Royals fans won't be passing any sympathy around, however, as free-agent signee Rick Ankiel has hit the 60-day Disabled List with a broken shin.

NEXT SERIES:
It's back to the Peach State for the Braves. There, they will host the Colorado Rockies (6-3), led by Seth Smith (.433, 3 HR, 6 RBI) and Ian Stewart (.444)

4/16: J. Hammel (0-0, 2.84) v. T. Hanson (0-1, 7.36)
4/17: U. Jimenez (0-2, 5.11) v. D. Lowe (1-1, 2.77)
4/18: A. Cook (1-1, 3.38) v. T. Hudson (1-0, 2.08)

[slickdtc]

Ehhh, a sweep for a sweep, right? That Giants series read like it brutal to play, way to bounce back against the Padres. Don't want those 3 game slumps to turn into anything more then just a slump.

[ztevans]

Slick: Speaking of three game slumps (I end up doing this every time you comment. Log in as someone else or hire a messenger next time you want to encourage me, dammit!)

April 16, 2010 - Colorado Rockies (7-3) 5, Atlanta Braves (5-5) 2

TM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 R H E
COL 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 5 15 0
ATL 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 6 0

W: Jason Hammel (1-0)
L: Tommy Hanson (0-2)
S: Huston Street (4)

COL: Todd Helton (4-5, RBI, 2B), Seth Smith (1-1, HR (4), 3 RBI)
ATL: Chipper Jones (2-4, 2 R, HR, RBI), Brian McCann (2-4, RBI)

It was bad...but it could have been SO much worse. Whether by means of poor execution by the Rockies, clutch pitching by the Braves, or sheer dumb luck, the Rox left an innumerable amount of runners stranded on the bases in a 5-2 win over the Braves.

The fact that the Braves had a chance to win until the ninth inning says enough. Starter Tommy Hanson was shelled, surrendering nine hits and three walks in five innings...but giving up only two runs, thanks in no small part to his seven strikeouts.

Chris Iannetta (Tar Heel!) opened the scoring at last in the third, singling with the bases loaded to score Melvin Mora. One inning later, another run slipped through the cracks, as Mora again came home, this time on a Todd Helton double. In the bottom of the fourth, Chipper Jones picked up the first Braves' hit of the game...and his first bomb of the season, clanging a rope off the right field foul pole to make it a 2-1 game.

So the game went for the next four innings, with the Braves dodging bullets and the Rockies' Jason Hammel mowing down batters with relative ease until Colorado went to the 'pen in the seventh. Finally, the Atlanta rubber band snapped in the ninth. With runners on first and second and the struggling Takashi Saito on the mound, Seth Smith crushed a three run shot to right to give Colorado a 5-1 lead. Brian McCann responded in the home half of the ninth with an RBI single to score Jones, but it was not nearly enough, and the Braves lost 5-2.

April 17, 2010 - Colorado Rockies (8-3) 6, Atlanta Braves (5-6) 5

TM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
COL 0 0 1 1 4 0 0 0 0 6 12 0
ATL 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 5 12 1

W: Ubaldo Jimenez (1-2)
L: Derek Lowe (1-2)
S: Huston Street (5)

COL: Brad Hawpe (3-5, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI), Melvin Mora (2-4, HR, 2 RBI)
ATL: Jordan Schafer (2-4, 2B, R, RBI), Troy Glaus (2-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI)

Jordan Schafer shined in his first start of the season, but a catastrophic fifth inning led to a 6-5 Rockies victory.

The Braves took an early lead, scoring two runs in the second inning with three doubles (one apiece by Jordan Schafer, Troy Glaus, and Matt Diaz). Colorado responded with a Brad Hawpe solo home run in the following half-inning to make it a 2-1 ballgame.

The see-sawing continued for the next two innings. In the home half of the third, Schafer struck again, singling to plate Martin Prado and give the Braves a 3-1 lead. Again, it was a solo homer for the Rockies to draw within a run, this time with Melvin Mora doing the honors. Atlanta was quite persistent about having a two-run lead, though, as Yunel Escobar singled to score Matt Diaz and extend the lead to 4-2.

At last, the dam broke for Derek Lowe in the fifth, as the Rox scored four runs. Ubaldo Jimenez (yes, the pitcher), Hawpe, Troy Tulowitzki, and Mora all scored, giving Colorado a 6-4 lead.

The Braves showed life in the bottom of the eighth, as Glaus’s home run to right field drew the Braves within a run. However, Huston Street entered in the ninth to pick up his second save in as many games in Atlanta.

April 18, 2010 – Colorado Rockies (9-3) 4, Atlanta Braves (5-7) 2

TM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
COL 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 4 10 0
ATL 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 8 0

W: Aaron Cook (2-1)
L: Tim Hudson (1-1)
S: Huston Street (6)

ATL: Nate McLouth (2-4, HR, R, 2 RBI), Chipper Jones (2-4, R)
SD: Melvin Mora (3-4, RBI), Aaron Cook (8.0 IP, 6 K, 6 H, 2 ER)

This was a tale of two halves, as a pitchers’ duel gave way to offensive fireworks in the late going. In the end, the Rockies completed a sweep of the Braves on the road with a 4-2 win.

The only run for six innings came in the top of the third, when Melvin Mora singled to bring Carlos Gonzalez home from third. Tim Hudson was dealing for the Braves, but Aaron Cook was even better, sitting down the first 13 batters he faced before Nate McLouth singled in the fifth.

In the top of the seventh, Aaron Cook provided some run support for himself, singling to score Miguel Olivo from second, thanks in no small part to a truly horrendous throw by Eric Hinske in right field to the plate. However, it was McLouth again coming through for Atlanta, as his two run homer in the ensuing half inning tied the game.

In a questionable managerial decision (hindsight is 20/20, my left eye is 20/200), Hudson returned to the mound for the start of the eighth inning. With a runner on first, Brad Hawpe barely drilled a ball over the right field fence, giving the Rockies a 4-2 lead. For the THIRD straight day in Atlanta, Huston Street came in the game in the ninth to lock up the win.


NL EAST STANDINGS
Phillies 8-4
Mets 6-6
Nationals 6-6
Marlins 6-7
Braves 5-7

OTHER BRAVES NEWS:
The Street family donated a large sum of money to various charities in the greater Atlanta area in response to the generosity

Manny Acosta was placed on the 15-day Disabled List with a strained pectoral. Jame Dooley has been promoted from AA Mississippi to AAA Gwinnett to replace him.

OTHER LEAGUE NEWS:
Pirates' OF Lastings Milledge broke his forearm and has been placed on the 15-day Disabled List. More drastically, Baltimore's Kevin Millwood suffered a shoulder tear and has been placed on the 60-day Disabled List. Nick Punto also joined Millwood on the 60-day list, tearing an MCL.

Eric Stults threw a complete game shutout, surrendering only five hits and fanning three Giants in a 9-0 Dodger win at Los Angeles.

NEXT SERIES:
Good news, Braves fans! Atlanta gets a day off to rest up and lick the wounds. Bad news, Braves fans! The NL East leading Phillies come into down on Tuesday for a three game series. Good news, Braves fans! The opening game of the series is bobblehead night! Get there early!

4/20: J. Blanton (1-1, 4.97) v. J. Smoltz (1-1, 5.40)
4/21: J. Happ (0-0, 1.84) v. J. Jurrjens (1-0, 2.13)
4/22: J. Moyer (1-1, 5.06) v. T. Hanson (0-2, 5.19)

[slickdtc]

Sorry.

Another Good News, Braves Fans!: They miss both Halladay and Hamels, drawing Blanton, Happ, and Moyer.

You better take at least 2 of 3. Muhaha!

[ztevans]

Slick: My reaction exactly after I submitted this (didn't really notice it while reading it off the screen and typing it).

Because I am easily amused, there has been a slight change to the projected matchups for this series. John Smoltz has been moved from third to fifth in the rotation, for no other reason than to be able to say he's younger than the opposing pitcher for once.


4/20: J. Blanton (1-1, 4.97) v. J. Jurrjens (1-0, 2.13)
4/21: J. Happ (0-0, 1.84) v. T. Hanson (0-2, 5.19)
4/22: J. Moyer (1-1, 5.06) v. J. Smoltz (1-1, 5.40)

It should also be noted that I put the line score for the first Rockies-Braves game as lasting ten innings, when it only lasted nine. That was just me being stupid and not proofreading closely enough.

[ztevans]

April 20, 2010 – Atlanta Braves (6-7) 8, Philadelphia Phillies (8-5) 1

TM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
PHI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 8 0
ATL 0 0 0 3 5 0 0 0 X 8 11 0

W: Jair Jurrjens (2-0)
L: Joe Blanton (1-2)

PHI: Placido Polanco (3-4, RBI), Juan Castro (1-3, R)
ATL: Jair Jurrjens (7.1 IP, 9 K, 8 H, 1 ER), Nate McLouth (2-4, HR (3), 2 R, 3 RBI)
The Braves dominated early and often on Bobblehead Night at Turner Field, as the Braves rolled to an 8-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Troy Glaus opened the scoring dramatically in the fourth inning, hitting a three run homer deep to left field. In the following inning, Jair Jurrjens helped to provide his own run support, scoring from second on a bizarre play. With Martin Prado batting, Jurrjens advanced to third on a passed ball, then scored when Ruiz overthrew Placido Polanco in an attempt to nail Jurrjens at third. Prado then proceeded to plate Yunel Escobar with an RBI single. Finally, Nate McLouth placed an exclamation mark on the inning with a three-run homer of his own, giving the Braves an 8-0 lead.

On the mound, Jair Jurrjens was pitching extremely well, recording nine strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings before giving way to Takashi Saito.


April 21, 2010 – Atlanta Braves (7-7) 3, Philadelphia Phillies (8-6) 1

TM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
PHI 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 0
ATL 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 X 3 7 0

W: Tommy Hanson (1-2)
L: J.A. Happ (0-1)
S: Billy Wagner (5)

PHI: Chase Utley (3-4, RBI), Placido Polanco (1-4, R)
ATL: Matt Diaz (2-4, HR (2), 2 R, RBI), Tommy Hanson (6.0 IP, 5 K, 4 H, ER)

The Braves trailed for the first time in the series early in the going on Wednesday night, as Chase Utley drove in Placido Polanco with an RBI single in the top of the first. Youngsters Tommy Hanson and J. A. Happ continued to duel for several innings before Matt Diaz burst through in the bottom of the fourth with a solo home run to left field that eeked its way over the fencing to tie the game.

Yunel Escobar claimed the lead in the bottom of the sixth, hitting his own one-run homer to put the Braves ahead 2-1. After that, Matt Diaz scored on a double by Chipper Jones, producing the eventual final score of 3-1.

April 22, 2010 – Atlanta Braves (8-7) 5, Philadelphia Phillies (8-7) 4

W: Eric O’Flaherty (2-0)
L: Jose Contreras (0-2)
S: Billy Wagner (6)

PHI: Shane Victorino (4-4, HR (3), R, 2 RBI), Jayson Werth (1-4, HR (11), 2 RBI)
ATL: Matt Diaz (3-4, 2B, R, RBI), Melky Cabrera (2-3, 2 R, RBI, SB)

The rubber game of this divisional series proved to be the most dramatic, but in the end the Braves left with a sweep of the Phillies.

It was “Oxygen Mask Night,” in the words of DrMcAwesome in a conversation we had, as the 42 years young John Smoltz faced Jamie Moyer, age 47. Neither pitcher, it should come as no surprise, would not make it out of the sixth inning, but Moyer did leave his mark before it was all said and done.

Brian McCann helped the Braves draw first blood in the first inning, singling to bring home Matt Diaz. Later that same inning, Troy Glaus plated Chipper Jones with a ground out, giving the Braves an early 2-0 lead.

The Braves seeked to expand that lead in the second, beginning with a Melky Cabrera single to score Nate McLouth. With runners on first and second, Moyer lost control of a slider and nailed Yunel Escobar in the hand. Escobar left the game and was replaced by Omar Infante. With the bases loaded, the Braves could only muster a sac fly by Chipper Jones to score Cabrera, but the Braves had a 4-0 lead after two innings.

The Flying Hawaiian, Shane Victorino, took advantage of a tiring Smoltz in the fifth inning, hitting a two run homer to cut the deficit in half, 4-2. When Eric O’Flaherty took over the reins in the sixth, Jayson Werth tied the game with a two run homer off the left field foul pole.

In the bottom of the seventh, Matt Diaz came through once more on the series, doubling to score Melky Cabrera from second base. Peter “The Pharmacist” Moylan and Billy Wagner pitched the eighth and ninth innings, respectively, to shut down the Phillies and secure the sweep.

NL EAST STANDINGS
Marlins 9-7
Phillies 8-7
Braves 8-7
Mets 7-9
Nationals 7-9

OTHER BRAVES NEWS:
LF Renaldo Morgan of AAA Gwinnett broke his arm, and has been placed on the 15-day Disabled List

Indeed, two home series’ improved the Braves’ power numbers. Atlanta hit eight home runs over the six games, an improvement on the four bombs hit in the nine prior games. However, the Braves are still tied for last in the bigs (with the Cardinals) in team home runs. The Rangers lead the way with 27.

OTHER LEAGUE NEWS:
Joel Pineiro has returned to the Angels’ rotation. Sean O’Sullivan was optioned to AAA Salt Lake to make room for Piniero. OF Brandon Jones has been called up to Pittsburgh to replace Jonathan Van Every, who tore a hamstring.

Jayson Werth’s homer in the rubber game of the series extended his lead in the home run category to two. The nearest competitor is Texas’s Chris Davis, with 9

NEXT SERIES:
After a sweep of one division rival, the Braves will head north to face another. The 7-9 Mets will host the Braves at Citi Field for a weekend divisional series.

4/23: D. Lowe (1-2, 5.00) v. J. Maine (1-1, 4.91)
4/24: T. Hudson (1-1, 2.61) v. M. Pelfrey (0-1, 8.03)
4/25: J. Jurrjens (2-0, 1.80) v. O. Perez (1-0, 0.83)

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