McCarroll21
04-26-2007, 07:04 PM
Hudson Dominates Early, Falters Late In Loss
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
Through the first eight innings, Tim Hudson pitched one of the best games of his career. That went down the drain when the ninth inning began, however.
When Hudson loaded the bases with no one out in the ninth, the Braves called on Bob Wickman to save the day. Not even Wickman could get out of the situation, leading a four run inning, and a Marlins victory.
The game started right as Kelly Johnson led off the game with the third lead off home run of his career. Following a fly out that sent the left fielder to the wall by Edgar Renteria, Chipper Jones hit a home run of his own to make the score 2-0 Braves.
The Braves added their third home run in the second inning when Matt Diaz hit an opposite field homer, making the score 3-0.
After that, Marlins starter Scott Olsen settled down and matched Hudson for the rest of the game.
Hudson, meanwhile, was on cruise control. With his impeccable control, Hudson dominated hitters, striking out a career high twelve batters through eight innings. Those who didn’t strike out grounded out. Hudson had given up six hits in the first eight innings of the game before heading out for the ninth inning.
The ninth inning is where things fell apart. Miguel Cabrera started the ninth inning against Hudson with a single, followed by singles by Cody Ross and Aaron Boone to load the bases.
The Braves then turned to Wickman in a less than stellar situation. Miguel Olivo welcomed Wickman with a double to right center field, scoring two runs. With runners at second and third, the Braves elected to walk Joe Borchard to load the bases. Wickman then struck out Josh Willingham for the first out of the inning.
The Marlins caught a break after that, as the corners of the infield were playing in to cut down the tying run at the plate, Alfredo Amezaga lofted a blooper over the head of third baseman Chipper Jones to tie the game. Following the hit, a pitch got away from catcher Brian McCann and went to the backstop allowing Olivo to score the winning run.
The blown save is the second for Bob Wickman since becoming a Brave on July 20.
Hudson finished the game giving up the three runs on nine hits over 8+ innings.
The Braves will now enter the last leg of their current road trip when they go to Colorado for three games with the Rockies. They will resume play on Friday when Chuck James takes on Jeff Francis.
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
Through the first eight innings, Tim Hudson pitched one of the best games of his career. That went down the drain when the ninth inning began, however.
When Hudson loaded the bases with no one out in the ninth, the Braves called on Bob Wickman to save the day. Not even Wickman could get out of the situation, leading a four run inning, and a Marlins victory.
The game started right as Kelly Johnson led off the game with the third lead off home run of his career. Following a fly out that sent the left fielder to the wall by Edgar Renteria, Chipper Jones hit a home run of his own to make the score 2-0 Braves.
The Braves added their third home run in the second inning when Matt Diaz hit an opposite field homer, making the score 3-0.
After that, Marlins starter Scott Olsen settled down and matched Hudson for the rest of the game.
Hudson, meanwhile, was on cruise control. With his impeccable control, Hudson dominated hitters, striking out a career high twelve batters through eight innings. Those who didn’t strike out grounded out. Hudson had given up six hits in the first eight innings of the game before heading out for the ninth inning.
The ninth inning is where things fell apart. Miguel Cabrera started the ninth inning against Hudson with a single, followed by singles by Cody Ross and Aaron Boone to load the bases.
The Braves then turned to Wickman in a less than stellar situation. Miguel Olivo welcomed Wickman with a double to right center field, scoring two runs. With runners at second and third, the Braves elected to walk Joe Borchard to load the bases. Wickman then struck out Josh Willingham for the first out of the inning.
The Marlins caught a break after that, as the corners of the infield were playing in to cut down the tying run at the plate, Alfredo Amezaga lofted a blooper over the head of third baseman Chipper Jones to tie the game. Following the hit, a pitch got away from catcher Brian McCann and went to the backstop allowing Olivo to score the winning run.
The blown save is the second for Bob Wickman since becoming a Brave on July 20.
Hudson finished the game giving up the three runs on nine hits over 8+ innings.
The Braves will now enter the last leg of their current road trip when they go to Colorado for three games with the Rockies. They will resume play on Friday when Chuck James takes on Jeff Francis.