McCarroll21
04-13-2007, 04:16 PM
Nationals Pitching Downs Braves In Finale
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
After an offensive outbreak on the two previous nights, the Atlanta Braves couldn't buy a hit on Thursday.
With John Smoltz facing off against Jason Bergmann, the Braves were supposed to have the sweep in hand, but after missing several opportunities to score, the game swung the other way.
The Braves collected their first hit in the fourth inning when Andruw Jones doubled to center field, but that wasn't the first opportunity they were given. Edgar Renteria and Chipper Jones walked in the first inning giving the Braves two base runners and only one out, but strikeouts from Andruw Jones and Brian McCann ended the threat.
Smoltz carried a no hitter of his own into the fifth inning but Ryan Church's one out single denied him of the feat. Smoltz then got two ground outs to get out of the inning.
There was no scoring in the game until the eighth inning. Chris Snelling led off the inning being hit by a pitch and was sacrificed into scoring position by D'Angelo Jimenez. Following a walk from Felipe Lopez, Ronnie Belliard put the Nationals on the board with a single that scored Snelling. Ryan Zimmerman followed him with another single to right field that chased home Lopez for a 2-0 score.
Smoltz left the game after eight innings, giving up just the two runs on four hits. He also walked four, two intentional, and struck out six batters.
Still 2-0, the Braves mounted a rally in the ninth inning off Chad Cordero. Chipper Jones got the rally started with a one out single into left field. Andruw Jones followed him with a walk. After Brian McCann struck out, Jeff Francoeur also walked to load the bases. The game ended when Scott Thorman tried to check his swing on a ball in the dirt, but couldn't, and was called out on what would have been ball four and a bases loaded walk.
Even with the missed opportunity for their second sweep of the season, the Braves have still won all three series thus far into the season. They will get back into action Friday night at Turner Field when they play host to the Marlins for the first time this year. The game will match Mark Redman versus Dontrelle Willis.
The game will start at 7:35 and can be seen on TBS.
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
After an offensive outbreak on the two previous nights, the Atlanta Braves couldn't buy a hit on Thursday.
With John Smoltz facing off against Jason Bergmann, the Braves were supposed to have the sweep in hand, but after missing several opportunities to score, the game swung the other way.
The Braves collected their first hit in the fourth inning when Andruw Jones doubled to center field, but that wasn't the first opportunity they were given. Edgar Renteria and Chipper Jones walked in the first inning giving the Braves two base runners and only one out, but strikeouts from Andruw Jones and Brian McCann ended the threat.
Smoltz carried a no hitter of his own into the fifth inning but Ryan Church's one out single denied him of the feat. Smoltz then got two ground outs to get out of the inning.
There was no scoring in the game until the eighth inning. Chris Snelling led off the inning being hit by a pitch and was sacrificed into scoring position by D'Angelo Jimenez. Following a walk from Felipe Lopez, Ronnie Belliard put the Nationals on the board with a single that scored Snelling. Ryan Zimmerman followed him with another single to right field that chased home Lopez for a 2-0 score.
Smoltz left the game after eight innings, giving up just the two runs on four hits. He also walked four, two intentional, and struck out six batters.
Still 2-0, the Braves mounted a rally in the ninth inning off Chad Cordero. Chipper Jones got the rally started with a one out single into left field. Andruw Jones followed him with a walk. After Brian McCann struck out, Jeff Francoeur also walked to load the bases. The game ended when Scott Thorman tried to check his swing on a ball in the dirt, but couldn't, and was called out on what would have been ball four and a bases loaded walk.
Even with the missed opportunity for their second sweep of the season, the Braves have still won all three series thus far into the season. They will get back into action Friday night at Turner Field when they play host to the Marlins for the first time this year. The game will match Mark Redman versus Dontrelle Willis.
The game will start at 7:35 and can be seen on TBS.