McCarroll21
04-18-2007, 01:55 PM
Braves Sneak Out Of Washington With Split
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
Over the years, John Smoltz has made it clear that he does not like RFK Stadium. If it's not the mound that is on a hydraulic lift, it's the infield that has been torn up by the many years of football being played in the stadium.
Tuesday, it was the infield that led to three Atlanta errors that gave the Nationals two extra runs to make the game interesting. The Braves won the game 6-4, a game that wouldn't have been in doubt had it not been for the errors.
Smoltz left the mound Tuesday with no one out in the seventh inning, a run already in and a runner on third. He left the game with a 5-3 lead and one strikeout away from tying Cy Young on the all-time list. The runner on third eventually scored in the inning, but great work from Oscar Villarreal and Rafael Soriano out of the bullpen kept the Braves in control.
The Braves started the game in classic Braves style, scoring three runs on four consecutive hits, a walk and a sacrifice fly. Kelly Johnson started the game by lining a single into right field for his first of four hits on the night. He then stole second and moved to third on a throwing error. He scored on a single by Edgar Renteria, who advanced to third on a single by Chipper Jones. Renteria scored on a single from Andruw Jones before a walk to Brian McCann loaded the bases. Just missing a grand slam, Jeff Francoeur lined out to left field, but deep enough to allow Chipper Jones to score the third run of the game.
The Braves added another run in the third inning as McCann led off the inning with a double and scored on the next play for Francoeur's second RBI of the night.
The Nationals got their first run in the third inning. Chris Snelling, who reached after being walked, came around and scored on an errant throw to first on Felipe Lopez' infield single.
They added another unearned run three innings later when Ryan Church hit a ground ball that bounced over Renteria's glove and into to left field with two out in the inning. Ryan Zimmerman scored on the play making the score 4-2.
The Braves got a run back in the seventh inning after Brian McCann singled home Kelly Johnson, who was on base after another single.
Smoltz came out to start the seventh inning, but couldn't retire a batter and left after another run had scored. Brian Schneider started the inning with a single and scored on a triple by Snelling.
It was here that Villarreal was called upon. Villarreal's first batter reached on an error. Lopez followed the error with an infield single allowing Snelling to score and make the score 5-4. Villarreal struck out Ronnie Belliard with runners on first and second to end his night.
Soriano was called in from the bullpen to relieve Villarreal with runners on first and second and one out in the inning. Soriano struck out Zimmerman and got Dmitri Young to fly out to left field to end the threat. Soriano also pitched a scoreless eighth inning before handing the ball to Bob Wickman for the ninth.
Chipper Jones did his part in making the save a little easier as he extended the score to 6-4 on a long home run to right field. The homerun was his fourth of the season.
Wickman came in and got the Nationals in order to finish the game.
The Braves will now go back to Atlanta and play host of the Chicago Cubs for two days. Kyle Davies will pitch Wednesday night against Carlos Zambrano. The game will start at 7:35 and can be seen on FSN South.
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
Over the years, John Smoltz has made it clear that he does not like RFK Stadium. If it's not the mound that is on a hydraulic lift, it's the infield that has been torn up by the many years of football being played in the stadium.
Tuesday, it was the infield that led to three Atlanta errors that gave the Nationals two extra runs to make the game interesting. The Braves won the game 6-4, a game that wouldn't have been in doubt had it not been for the errors.
Smoltz left the mound Tuesday with no one out in the seventh inning, a run already in and a runner on third. He left the game with a 5-3 lead and one strikeout away from tying Cy Young on the all-time list. The runner on third eventually scored in the inning, but great work from Oscar Villarreal and Rafael Soriano out of the bullpen kept the Braves in control.
The Braves started the game in classic Braves style, scoring three runs on four consecutive hits, a walk and a sacrifice fly. Kelly Johnson started the game by lining a single into right field for his first of four hits on the night. He then stole second and moved to third on a throwing error. He scored on a single by Edgar Renteria, who advanced to third on a single by Chipper Jones. Renteria scored on a single from Andruw Jones before a walk to Brian McCann loaded the bases. Just missing a grand slam, Jeff Francoeur lined out to left field, but deep enough to allow Chipper Jones to score the third run of the game.
The Braves added another run in the third inning as McCann led off the inning with a double and scored on the next play for Francoeur's second RBI of the night.
The Nationals got their first run in the third inning. Chris Snelling, who reached after being walked, came around and scored on an errant throw to first on Felipe Lopez' infield single.
They added another unearned run three innings later when Ryan Church hit a ground ball that bounced over Renteria's glove and into to left field with two out in the inning. Ryan Zimmerman scored on the play making the score 4-2.
The Braves got a run back in the seventh inning after Brian McCann singled home Kelly Johnson, who was on base after another single.
Smoltz came out to start the seventh inning, but couldn't retire a batter and left after another run had scored. Brian Schneider started the inning with a single and scored on a triple by Snelling.
It was here that Villarreal was called upon. Villarreal's first batter reached on an error. Lopez followed the error with an infield single allowing Snelling to score and make the score 5-4. Villarreal struck out Ronnie Belliard with runners on first and second to end his night.
Soriano was called in from the bullpen to relieve Villarreal with runners on first and second and one out in the inning. Soriano struck out Zimmerman and got Dmitri Young to fly out to left field to end the threat. Soriano also pitched a scoreless eighth inning before handing the ball to Bob Wickman for the ninth.
Chipper Jones did his part in making the save a little easier as he extended the score to 6-4 on a long home run to right field. The homerun was his fourth of the season.
Wickman came in and got the Nationals in order to finish the game.
The Braves will now go back to Atlanta and play host of the Chicago Cubs for two days. Kyle Davies will pitch Wednesday night against Carlos Zambrano. The game will start at 7:35 and can be seen on FSN South.