McCarroll21
04-11-2007, 03:45 PM
Braves Rout Nationals In Opener
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
The Washington Nationals had their first off day of the season on Monday, but that didn't show on Tuesday night. The Nationals have trailed every game this season by a score of 4-0, a streak that stood after Tuesday night's rout in Turner Field.
On a night that Tim Hudson continued to be outstanding, the middle of the order may have woken up to join him. Atlanta's three through six hitters combined to score five and drive in seven of the eight runs scored during the game. Chipper Jones was 2-4 with a walk and a run scored. Andruw Jones went 1-3, hitting his first home run of the season, along with two walks on his way to scoring twice and driving in one. The big night belonged to Jeff Francoeur. Francoeur was 2-5 on the night with five RBI and two runs scored. He hit a two run double in the fifth inning, and added a three-run home run in the eighth. Brian McCann was also 1-3, walking twice and driving in one run. The other runs were scored by Kelly Johnson, one run, and Edgar Renteria, two runs. Renteria also drove in a run.
The game started out somewhat slowly offensively. The Braves got chances through the first couple of innings but couldn't score. The first run of the game was scored in the fourth inning on Andruw Jones home run.
The Braves scored thrice more in the fifth inning as Francoeur doubled home Edgar Renteria and Chipper Jones. Brian McCann followed him with another double to make the score 4-0.
The offenses were again quiet until the eighth inning when Renteria doubled home Johnson, who reached on a walk. After an Andruw Jones walk to put runners on first and second, Jeff Francoeur hit his second home run of the season, a three-run bomb off Ray King.
Francoeur's night could have been even larger had he not grounded into a double play with the bases loaded and one out in the first inning.
Tim Hudson, fresh off a great start in Philadelphia, turned in another one on Tuesday. He had a bid for a no hitter lost in the top of the fifth and was in total control all night. He finished the game after pitching seven innings, allowing three hits and one walk. He also recorded a season high seven strike outs.
With the outing, Hudson's ERA on the season has dropped to 0.64. He also has a 0.71 WHIP to open the season.
Behind the strong performance of the offense and pitching alike, the Braves have extended their record to 6-1 for the first time since 1995, when the team started the season 7-1.
The blowout allowed Mike Gonzalez to work on his control in a pressure free situation, also giving relievers Rafael Soriano and Bob Wickman an extra day off.
The Braves will play the Nationals again on Wednesday night when left hander Chuck James tosses against Jerome Williams of the Nationals. The game will be aired on FSN-South at 7:35 PM.
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
The Washington Nationals had their first off day of the season on Monday, but that didn't show on Tuesday night. The Nationals have trailed every game this season by a score of 4-0, a streak that stood after Tuesday night's rout in Turner Field.
On a night that Tim Hudson continued to be outstanding, the middle of the order may have woken up to join him. Atlanta's three through six hitters combined to score five and drive in seven of the eight runs scored during the game. Chipper Jones was 2-4 with a walk and a run scored. Andruw Jones went 1-3, hitting his first home run of the season, along with two walks on his way to scoring twice and driving in one. The big night belonged to Jeff Francoeur. Francoeur was 2-5 on the night with five RBI and two runs scored. He hit a two run double in the fifth inning, and added a three-run home run in the eighth. Brian McCann was also 1-3, walking twice and driving in one run. The other runs were scored by Kelly Johnson, one run, and Edgar Renteria, two runs. Renteria also drove in a run.
The game started out somewhat slowly offensively. The Braves got chances through the first couple of innings but couldn't score. The first run of the game was scored in the fourth inning on Andruw Jones home run.
The Braves scored thrice more in the fifth inning as Francoeur doubled home Edgar Renteria and Chipper Jones. Brian McCann followed him with another double to make the score 4-0.
The offenses were again quiet until the eighth inning when Renteria doubled home Johnson, who reached on a walk. After an Andruw Jones walk to put runners on first and second, Jeff Francoeur hit his second home run of the season, a three-run bomb off Ray King.
Francoeur's night could have been even larger had he not grounded into a double play with the bases loaded and one out in the first inning.
Tim Hudson, fresh off a great start in Philadelphia, turned in another one on Tuesday. He had a bid for a no hitter lost in the top of the fifth and was in total control all night. He finished the game after pitching seven innings, allowing three hits and one walk. He also recorded a season high seven strike outs.
With the outing, Hudson's ERA on the season has dropped to 0.64. He also has a 0.71 WHIP to open the season.
Behind the strong performance of the offense and pitching alike, the Braves have extended their record to 6-1 for the first time since 1995, when the team started the season 7-1.
The blowout allowed Mike Gonzalez to work on his control in a pressure free situation, also giving relievers Rafael Soriano and Bob Wickman an extra day off.
The Braves will play the Nationals again on Wednesday night when left hander Chuck James tosses against Jerome Williams of the Nationals. The game will be aired on FSN-South at 7:35 PM.