McCarroll21
04-02-2007, 06:11 PM
Braves Make Comeback To Quieten Phillies
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
All you could want, and then some, for Opening Day in Philadelphia.
After failing to advance Kelly Johnson to second base on two bunt attempts, Edgar Renteria redeemed himself immediately afterwards. It was at that time that Renteria hit his second home run of the game, and of the season, to carry the Braves on to victory.
When the game was in it's early stages, you got the feel it would be a pitchers duel. Atlanta starter John Smoltz started the game by striking out five of the first ten batters he faced, but as dominant as he was, Brett Myers matched him pitch for pitch in the early going.
It was in the fourth inning that we finally saw some offense break through. Chipper Jones led off the inning with a walk and catcher Brian McCann followed two batters later hitting a home run into the right field seats, giving the Braves a 2-0 lead.
From there, the wheels started to fall off for Smoltz as he struggled to get through the bottom half of the fourth inning. Much of the trouble could have been avoided, as the Phillies were aided by a questionable call on a 3-2 fastball to Pat Burrell. The pitch appeared to be a strike, which would have started a strike out and throw out double play as the throw from McCann beat Chase Utley to second base. However, the pitch was called a ball and the inning continued. After a ground out advanced the runners, Smoltz got Aaron Rowand to line out to Renteria to end the threat.
Luck wouldn't be on his side during the next two innings, however. Smoltz took the mound in the fifth, and appeared to be in control again, until a pitch to Phillies lead off hitter Jimmy Rollins hung out over the plate and Rollins hit it into the right field seats to cut the lead in half at 2-1.
In the sixth inning, Smoltz, again appearing to be in control, got the reigning MVP Ryan Howard and Utley out to begin the inning. After that, he found himself in more two out trouble as Burrell then singled to center field, followed by a run scoring double by third baseman Wes Helms to tie the game. Shortly after, the Braves found themselves trailing by a run as the new Braves second baseman, Kelly Johnson, lost a popup in the sun, allowing Helms to come around and score.
Brett Myers then took the ball in the eighth inning with a one run lead and seemingly in control of the game. He sat down the first two batters rather easily and ran the count to 0-2 on the next hitter. After that, Renteria blasted the ensuing pitch over the center field wall to knot the game at 3-3.
The two teams then exchanged outs until they moved to the tenth frame. Kelly Johnson got the inning started by drawing a leadoff walk on a 3-2 pitch. Renteria, now trying to move Johnson into scoring position, fouled off two bunt attempts to set up the dramatic moment. Renteria fouled a ball off to the first base side, then took a ball out of the zone to work himself into a more manageable count. He then got a 2-2 pitch that he was able to drive into the right center field bleachers for a home run. The ball barely cleared the wall, and was immediately thrown back onto the field of play by a lucky Phillies fan.
It was then up to Chad Paronto to nail down the save, which he did in rather uneventful fashion by sitting the batters down in order.
Smoltz pitched six innings, giving up three runs and striking out seven on his way to a no decision. New pitchers Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano followed Smoltz as the two combined for the first of four scoreless innings from the revamped bullpen. Closer Bob Wickman was called on to pitch the ninth inning, thus forcing Paronto to pitch the tenth inning and the chance to earn his first career save.
The two teams will meet again on Wednesday as Tim Hudson and Cole Hamels face off at 7:05 PM. The game can be seen on Fox Sports South.
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
All you could want, and then some, for Opening Day in Philadelphia.
After failing to advance Kelly Johnson to second base on two bunt attempts, Edgar Renteria redeemed himself immediately afterwards. It was at that time that Renteria hit his second home run of the game, and of the season, to carry the Braves on to victory.
When the game was in it's early stages, you got the feel it would be a pitchers duel. Atlanta starter John Smoltz started the game by striking out five of the first ten batters he faced, but as dominant as he was, Brett Myers matched him pitch for pitch in the early going.
It was in the fourth inning that we finally saw some offense break through. Chipper Jones led off the inning with a walk and catcher Brian McCann followed two batters later hitting a home run into the right field seats, giving the Braves a 2-0 lead.
From there, the wheels started to fall off for Smoltz as he struggled to get through the bottom half of the fourth inning. Much of the trouble could have been avoided, as the Phillies were aided by a questionable call on a 3-2 fastball to Pat Burrell. The pitch appeared to be a strike, which would have started a strike out and throw out double play as the throw from McCann beat Chase Utley to second base. However, the pitch was called a ball and the inning continued. After a ground out advanced the runners, Smoltz got Aaron Rowand to line out to Renteria to end the threat.
Luck wouldn't be on his side during the next two innings, however. Smoltz took the mound in the fifth, and appeared to be in control again, until a pitch to Phillies lead off hitter Jimmy Rollins hung out over the plate and Rollins hit it into the right field seats to cut the lead in half at 2-1.
In the sixth inning, Smoltz, again appearing to be in control, got the reigning MVP Ryan Howard and Utley out to begin the inning. After that, he found himself in more two out trouble as Burrell then singled to center field, followed by a run scoring double by third baseman Wes Helms to tie the game. Shortly after, the Braves found themselves trailing by a run as the new Braves second baseman, Kelly Johnson, lost a popup in the sun, allowing Helms to come around and score.
Brett Myers then took the ball in the eighth inning with a one run lead and seemingly in control of the game. He sat down the first two batters rather easily and ran the count to 0-2 on the next hitter. After that, Renteria blasted the ensuing pitch over the center field wall to knot the game at 3-3.
The two teams then exchanged outs until they moved to the tenth frame. Kelly Johnson got the inning started by drawing a leadoff walk on a 3-2 pitch. Renteria, now trying to move Johnson into scoring position, fouled off two bunt attempts to set up the dramatic moment. Renteria fouled a ball off to the first base side, then took a ball out of the zone to work himself into a more manageable count. He then got a 2-2 pitch that he was able to drive into the right center field bleachers for a home run. The ball barely cleared the wall, and was immediately thrown back onto the field of play by a lucky Phillies fan.
It was then up to Chad Paronto to nail down the save, which he did in rather uneventful fashion by sitting the batters down in order.
Smoltz pitched six innings, giving up three runs and striking out seven on his way to a no decision. New pitchers Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano followed Smoltz as the two combined for the first of four scoreless innings from the revamped bullpen. Closer Bob Wickman was called on to pitch the ninth inning, thus forcing Paronto to pitch the tenth inning and the chance to earn his first career save.
The two teams will meet again on Wednesday as Tim Hudson and Cole Hamels face off at 7:05 PM. The game can be seen on Fox Sports South.