McCarroll21
04-09-2007, 05:36 PM
Braves Rally To Take Series From Mets
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
After the first two games of the series saw a combination of bad pitching and bad defense at the worst times imaginable, the final game of the series was the reverse.
The Braves sent Kyle Davies to the mound out of need. With Lance Cormier on the disabled list with shoulder stiffness, Davies was recalled from AAA-Richmond to take over the fifth spot in the rotation.
Davies did nothing to warrant losing his hold on that spot for anytime in the near future. He went to the mound without his best control, and pitched himself into jams as a result of it. But when in those jams, he buckled down and got the outs he needed to get to minimize the damage.
Davies pitched 6.2 innings, giving up two runs on four hits and three walks. He struck out a career high tying eight batters. The two runs were a result of back to back solo home runs by Shawn Green and Ramon Castro in the second inning.
The Braves went to the plate in first inning and made the game look like they were going to give the Mets a reverse treatment of Friday night’s game. Kelly Johnson hit a home run on the first pitch he saw, appearing to jump start the offense, but Orlando Hernandez bounced back to retire the next eight hitters before Johnson reached again with a walk in the third.
The second inning saw the Mets score two runs off the Green and Castro homers, a lead that would hold until the bottom of the eighth inning.
After both starters left the game, both deserving wins for their performances, the game was put into the hands of the Mets bullpen. Mets right hander Aaron Heilman was greeted in the eighth inning by a lead off double from Chipper Jones. After Andruw Jones struck out, Brian McCann hit a double down the left field line to score Chipper, tying the game at two. With the potential winning run in scoring position, McCann was lifted for pinch runner Brayan Pena. Pena scored during the next at bat as Jeff Francoeur doubled him home.
After taking the lead in the bottom of the eighth, closer Bob Wickman was called on to record the save. Wickman pitched a perfect inning for his third save of the young season.
Mike Gonzalez pitched in the Mets half of the eighth inning, again looking very shaky out of the pen. After allowing Carlos Beltran and David Wright to reach on singles, Bobby Cox turned to Rafael Soriano to clean up the mess. Soriano took the mound, threw two pitches and got the out and was also credited with the win.
The Braves will now take on the Washington Nationals for three games in Atlanta. Tim Hudson will face off against right hander Matt Chico at 7:35 on Tuesday in the first game of the series. The game can be seen on TBS.
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
After the first two games of the series saw a combination of bad pitching and bad defense at the worst times imaginable, the final game of the series was the reverse.
The Braves sent Kyle Davies to the mound out of need. With Lance Cormier on the disabled list with shoulder stiffness, Davies was recalled from AAA-Richmond to take over the fifth spot in the rotation.
Davies did nothing to warrant losing his hold on that spot for anytime in the near future. He went to the mound without his best control, and pitched himself into jams as a result of it. But when in those jams, he buckled down and got the outs he needed to get to minimize the damage.
Davies pitched 6.2 innings, giving up two runs on four hits and three walks. He struck out a career high tying eight batters. The two runs were a result of back to back solo home runs by Shawn Green and Ramon Castro in the second inning.
The Braves went to the plate in first inning and made the game look like they were going to give the Mets a reverse treatment of Friday night’s game. Kelly Johnson hit a home run on the first pitch he saw, appearing to jump start the offense, but Orlando Hernandez bounced back to retire the next eight hitters before Johnson reached again with a walk in the third.
The second inning saw the Mets score two runs off the Green and Castro homers, a lead that would hold until the bottom of the eighth inning.
After both starters left the game, both deserving wins for their performances, the game was put into the hands of the Mets bullpen. Mets right hander Aaron Heilman was greeted in the eighth inning by a lead off double from Chipper Jones. After Andruw Jones struck out, Brian McCann hit a double down the left field line to score Chipper, tying the game at two. With the potential winning run in scoring position, McCann was lifted for pinch runner Brayan Pena. Pena scored during the next at bat as Jeff Francoeur doubled him home.
After taking the lead in the bottom of the eighth, closer Bob Wickman was called on to record the save. Wickman pitched a perfect inning for his third save of the young season.
Mike Gonzalez pitched in the Mets half of the eighth inning, again looking very shaky out of the pen. After allowing Carlos Beltran and David Wright to reach on singles, Bobby Cox turned to Rafael Soriano to clean up the mess. Soriano took the mound, threw two pitches and got the out and was also credited with the win.
The Braves will now take on the Washington Nationals for three games in Atlanta. Tim Hudson will face off against right hander Matt Chico at 7:35 on Tuesday in the first game of the series. The game can be seen on TBS.