McCarroll21
05-07-2007, 12:41 PM
Braves Use Seventh Inning Rally To Win Series
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
It took a seventh inning that saw a pinch hitter go to the plate twice, two players get ejected, a pitcher give up his first five runs of the season, a player drive in his first major league run, and three more two out runs for the Braves, but through it all the Braves recorded another come from behind win and the Dodgers lost their first game when leading after six innings.
Braves-Nation.com Player of the Game Jarrod Saltalamacchia picked up his first major league hit in the sixth inning and recorded his first major league RBI, which also figured to be the winning run, in the five run seventh inning. He
also threw out two more base runners, his second and third runners caught stealing in as many chances in his young career.
So, with all that, you would think that Saltalamacchia stole the show, right? Wrong. That honor belongs to Chipper Jones. After being called out on a check swing for the second out in the seventh inning, an irate Chipper Jones went after third base umpire Bob Davidson. When all was said and done, both Chipper and Bobby Cox were ejected. Cox’s ejection was the 128th ejection of his career, just three behind John McGraw for first all-time in that category.
The Braves, as they seemingly always do, scored the first run of the game. Matt Diaz, batting in the fifth spot due to certain off-days, drove in Edgar Renteria with a single into right field in the first inning.
The Dodgers broke through to take the lead in the fifth inning. They tied the game on what appeared to be a blown call at the plate. After an Andre Ethier single into right field, Jeff Francoeur appeared to throw Andy La Roche out at the plate, but the umpire missed the call and allowed the run to score. Ethier then scored on a single from Mike Lieberthal to give the Dodgers a 2-1 lead.
With Lieberthal on in front of him, Wilson Betemit hit a two-run homer off Kyle Davies to broaden the score to 4-1 in the seventh inning. Davies was lifted for Chad Paronto after walking Rafael Furcal.
Paronto threw one pitch, a pitch out. Furcal attempted to steal on the first pitch and Saltalamacchia threw him out by a wide margin to end the inning.
Now we’re to the dramatic seventh inning.
Chin-Hui Tsao entered the game without allowing a hit or a walk in eight innings on the season, much less a run. Willie Harris started the inning with a walk. He moved to third on a double down the left field line from Kelly Johnson. Both of the runners scored on a double to the right center field gap from Renteria to make the score 4-3. After a foul out to the catcher, Andruw Jones walked to put runners at first and second. This is when Chipper Jones was ejected on the borderline check swing call. Now with two outs and down a run, Scott Thorman singled sharply to right field, scoring Renteria to tie the game. Saltalamacchia followed with a single of his own to score Andruw Jones for the go ahead run, 5-4. A Chris Woodward single followed to give the Braves an insurance run.
The Braves then handed the ball to Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez to shut down the Dodgers and preserve the win.
Soriano pitched a perfect eighth inning. Gonzalez allowed only one hit in the ninth to nail down the save. The save is the first of Gonzalez career with the Braves, but the 29th consecutive save dating back to last season with the Pirates.
The Braves have won or split every series this season except one. The win, coupled with a Mets loss later in the day, moved the Braves back into a tie for first place at the top of the National League East.
The Braves will now take on the Padres in the first of a four game series on Monday night. Chuck James will pitch for the Braves. He will face off against Chris Young of the Padres at 7:05.
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
It took a seventh inning that saw a pinch hitter go to the plate twice, two players get ejected, a pitcher give up his first five runs of the season, a player drive in his first major league run, and three more two out runs for the Braves, but through it all the Braves recorded another come from behind win and the Dodgers lost their first game when leading after six innings.
Braves-Nation.com Player of the Game Jarrod Saltalamacchia picked up his first major league hit in the sixth inning and recorded his first major league RBI, which also figured to be the winning run, in the five run seventh inning. He
also threw out two more base runners, his second and third runners caught stealing in as many chances in his young career.
So, with all that, you would think that Saltalamacchia stole the show, right? Wrong. That honor belongs to Chipper Jones. After being called out on a check swing for the second out in the seventh inning, an irate Chipper Jones went after third base umpire Bob Davidson. When all was said and done, both Chipper and Bobby Cox were ejected. Cox’s ejection was the 128th ejection of his career, just three behind John McGraw for first all-time in that category.
The Braves, as they seemingly always do, scored the first run of the game. Matt Diaz, batting in the fifth spot due to certain off-days, drove in Edgar Renteria with a single into right field in the first inning.
The Dodgers broke through to take the lead in the fifth inning. They tied the game on what appeared to be a blown call at the plate. After an Andre Ethier single into right field, Jeff Francoeur appeared to throw Andy La Roche out at the plate, but the umpire missed the call and allowed the run to score. Ethier then scored on a single from Mike Lieberthal to give the Dodgers a 2-1 lead.
With Lieberthal on in front of him, Wilson Betemit hit a two-run homer off Kyle Davies to broaden the score to 4-1 in the seventh inning. Davies was lifted for Chad Paronto after walking Rafael Furcal.
Paronto threw one pitch, a pitch out. Furcal attempted to steal on the first pitch and Saltalamacchia threw him out by a wide margin to end the inning.
Now we’re to the dramatic seventh inning.
Chin-Hui Tsao entered the game without allowing a hit or a walk in eight innings on the season, much less a run. Willie Harris started the inning with a walk. He moved to third on a double down the left field line from Kelly Johnson. Both of the runners scored on a double to the right center field gap from Renteria to make the score 4-3. After a foul out to the catcher, Andruw Jones walked to put runners at first and second. This is when Chipper Jones was ejected on the borderline check swing call. Now with two outs and down a run, Scott Thorman singled sharply to right field, scoring Renteria to tie the game. Saltalamacchia followed with a single of his own to score Andruw Jones for the go ahead run, 5-4. A Chris Woodward single followed to give the Braves an insurance run.
The Braves then handed the ball to Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez to shut down the Dodgers and preserve the win.
Soriano pitched a perfect eighth inning. Gonzalez allowed only one hit in the ninth to nail down the save. The save is the first of Gonzalez career with the Braves, but the 29th consecutive save dating back to last season with the Pirates.
The Braves have won or split every series this season except one. The win, coupled with a Mets loss later in the day, moved the Braves back into a tie for first place at the top of the National League East.
The Braves will now take on the Padres in the first of a four game series on Monday night. Chuck James will pitch for the Braves. He will face off against Chris Young of the Padres at 7:05.