McCarroll21
06-02-2007, 11:08 AM
Braves Win In The Not So Friendly Confines
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
After an emotional come from behind win in Milwaukee on Wednesday, the Braves were forced to take a day off. The day off didn't cost the Braves any momentum as they came out swinging against the Cubs Friday afternoon. The Braves collected a season high twenty hits and scored eight runs on their way to an 8-5 win over the Cubs.
The Braves weren't the only team that came out swinging. After a five run fifth inning that broke the game open, the Cubs did a little swinging of their own. When Carlos Zambrano and Michael Barrett got to the dugout, the two players began to shove each other and exchanged a few glancing blows. The fight boiled over into the clubhouse where Zambrano busted Barrett's lip so badly that the catcher was forced to go to the hospital.
Oh yeah, the game.
The Braves scored single runs in the first and fourth innings before the deciding five run fifth inning decided the game. After the Braves got out to a 8-1 lead behind a strong pitching performance from Kyle Davies, Peter Moylan and Bob Wickman each allowed homeruns in the eighth and ninth to make the score a more respectable 8-5.
Davies pitched seven innings, giving up only one run on a homerun by Derrek Lee. He allowed six hits, walked one batter and picked up two strike outs on the day. He wasn't bad at the plate either as his three hit day paced the team.
In the barrage of hits seen off Braves bats, Kelly Johnson, Willie Harris, Edgar Renteria and Davies each collected three hits. Brian McCann, Jeff Francoeur and Pete Orr had two hits each. Every Braves starter recorded a hit.
Back to the fight, it's more entertaining.
Zambrano usually uses Henry Blanco to do his catching, but Blanco was placed on the disabled list before Friday's game forcing Barrett into the lineup. In the fifth inning, Barrett was charged with a pass ball on a pitch that he appeared to be crossed up. It appeared that he was expecting slider and got a fastball. The ball ricocheted off his glove and Scott Thorman took off for third base. Barrett's throw to third went into the outfield allowing Thorman to score.
After the inning, Zambrano went to Barrett pointing at his own temple, as if to say "think." Barrett responded by pointing at the scoreboard, as if to say "look at all those hits." That was when the players started shoving each other.
Lou Piniella said in his post game press conference that both players would be disciplined, but isn't sure what he is going to do with the team in the meantime.
"I only have so many players that I can play. You know?" manager Lou Piniella said during a postgame media session with reporters that escalated into shouting. "And it's about time some of them start playing like major leaguers! Or, get somebody else in here that can catch the damn ball or run the bases properly! All right? That's all I can say!"
The Braves and Cubs will play again Saturday afternoon in Wrigley. Chuck James is set to pitch against Rich Hill for the Cubs. Yunel Escobar is expected to make his Major League Debut after the Braves purchased his contract to replace the injured Chipper Jones on the active roster.
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
After an emotional come from behind win in Milwaukee on Wednesday, the Braves were forced to take a day off. The day off didn't cost the Braves any momentum as they came out swinging against the Cubs Friday afternoon. The Braves collected a season high twenty hits and scored eight runs on their way to an 8-5 win over the Cubs.
The Braves weren't the only team that came out swinging. After a five run fifth inning that broke the game open, the Cubs did a little swinging of their own. When Carlos Zambrano and Michael Barrett got to the dugout, the two players began to shove each other and exchanged a few glancing blows. The fight boiled over into the clubhouse where Zambrano busted Barrett's lip so badly that the catcher was forced to go to the hospital.
Oh yeah, the game.
The Braves scored single runs in the first and fourth innings before the deciding five run fifth inning decided the game. After the Braves got out to a 8-1 lead behind a strong pitching performance from Kyle Davies, Peter Moylan and Bob Wickman each allowed homeruns in the eighth and ninth to make the score a more respectable 8-5.
Davies pitched seven innings, giving up only one run on a homerun by Derrek Lee. He allowed six hits, walked one batter and picked up two strike outs on the day. He wasn't bad at the plate either as his three hit day paced the team.
In the barrage of hits seen off Braves bats, Kelly Johnson, Willie Harris, Edgar Renteria and Davies each collected three hits. Brian McCann, Jeff Francoeur and Pete Orr had two hits each. Every Braves starter recorded a hit.
Back to the fight, it's more entertaining.
Zambrano usually uses Henry Blanco to do his catching, but Blanco was placed on the disabled list before Friday's game forcing Barrett into the lineup. In the fifth inning, Barrett was charged with a pass ball on a pitch that he appeared to be crossed up. It appeared that he was expecting slider and got a fastball. The ball ricocheted off his glove and Scott Thorman took off for third base. Barrett's throw to third went into the outfield allowing Thorman to score.
After the inning, Zambrano went to Barrett pointing at his own temple, as if to say "think." Barrett responded by pointing at the scoreboard, as if to say "look at all those hits." That was when the players started shoving each other.
Lou Piniella said in his post game press conference that both players would be disciplined, but isn't sure what he is going to do with the team in the meantime.
"I only have so many players that I can play. You know?" manager Lou Piniella said during a postgame media session with reporters that escalated into shouting. "And it's about time some of them start playing like major leaguers! Or, get somebody else in here that can catch the damn ball or run the bases properly! All right? That's all I can say!"
The Braves and Cubs will play again Saturday afternoon in Wrigley. Chuck James is set to pitch against Rich Hill for the Cubs. Yunel Escobar is expected to make his Major League Debut after the Braves purchased his contract to replace the injured Chipper Jones on the active roster.