McCarroll21
06-12-2007, 05:02 PM
Braves Comeback To Earn Split
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
After Saturday's game that saw both teams have to go to the bullpen early, the Braves and Cubs were in need of a long start to help save the bullpen on Sunday. The Braves got just that from Buddy Carlyle, but the Cubs weren't so fortunate. Ted Lilly was ejected from the game in the first inning after hitting Edgar Renteria in the face with a pitch.
The Braves got on the scoreboard first in the third inning. With Carlos Marmol, the Cubs second pitcher, on the mound, Kelly Johnson hit a one out homer to give the Braves a 1-0 lead. Yunel Escobar and Renteria followed with singles before Jeff Francoeur drove in Escobar with another single.
The Cubs would eventually come back to take the lead 4-2 in the middle innings. Mark DeRosa lead off the fifth inning with a single and scored on a triple by Mark Fontenot. Fontenot would later score on a sacrifice fly from Alfonso Soriano to tie the game 2-2.
The Cubs scored single runs in the sixth and seventh innings on homeruns by Michael Barrett and Fontenot, respectively.
The Cubs had a chance to put the game away in the top of the eighth inning but failed to score a run when presented with a bases loaded, none out situation. Chad Paronto recorded a double play and a ground out to end the threat.
To add to an already miserable eighth inning, the Cubs were forced to use their closer for a potential two inning save. Ryan Dempster was welcomed with consecutive doubles from Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Scott Thorman. Thorman's double drove home Saltalamacchia to cut the lead to one run. Willie Harris collected a pinch hit single, with Thorman moving to third base. After Harris stole second, the Cubs elected to walk Kelly Johnson to load the bases with no one out, hoping the Braves would fail in a similar scenario to the one they had just a half inning prior.
The Cubs got the double play, just as the Braves did in the top of the eighth, but they weren't able to come home to get the out, tying the game 4-4. Brian McCann then pinch hit for Chris Woodward and after the count ran 3-0, he received an intentional pass to bring Andruw Jones to the plate. Jones was staring at a full count when Dempster fell off the mound, forcing the ball to go in the dirt and allowed Harris to scamper home to put the Braves ahead.
Bob Wickman entered in the ninth inning and recorded his eleventh save with a perfect inning.
Edgar Renteria was forced to leave the game in the fourth inning as the result of being hit in the first inning.
The Braves will now start their second round of Interleague Play, starting with a three game series in Minnesota. Kyle Davies will take the mound against Kevin Slowey in the first game of the series on Tuesday.
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
After Saturday's game that saw both teams have to go to the bullpen early, the Braves and Cubs were in need of a long start to help save the bullpen on Sunday. The Braves got just that from Buddy Carlyle, but the Cubs weren't so fortunate. Ted Lilly was ejected from the game in the first inning after hitting Edgar Renteria in the face with a pitch.
The Braves got on the scoreboard first in the third inning. With Carlos Marmol, the Cubs second pitcher, on the mound, Kelly Johnson hit a one out homer to give the Braves a 1-0 lead. Yunel Escobar and Renteria followed with singles before Jeff Francoeur drove in Escobar with another single.
The Cubs would eventually come back to take the lead 4-2 in the middle innings. Mark DeRosa lead off the fifth inning with a single and scored on a triple by Mark Fontenot. Fontenot would later score on a sacrifice fly from Alfonso Soriano to tie the game 2-2.
The Cubs scored single runs in the sixth and seventh innings on homeruns by Michael Barrett and Fontenot, respectively.
The Cubs had a chance to put the game away in the top of the eighth inning but failed to score a run when presented with a bases loaded, none out situation. Chad Paronto recorded a double play and a ground out to end the threat.
To add to an already miserable eighth inning, the Cubs were forced to use their closer for a potential two inning save. Ryan Dempster was welcomed with consecutive doubles from Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Scott Thorman. Thorman's double drove home Saltalamacchia to cut the lead to one run. Willie Harris collected a pinch hit single, with Thorman moving to third base. After Harris stole second, the Cubs elected to walk Kelly Johnson to load the bases with no one out, hoping the Braves would fail in a similar scenario to the one they had just a half inning prior.
The Cubs got the double play, just as the Braves did in the top of the eighth, but they weren't able to come home to get the out, tying the game 4-4. Brian McCann then pinch hit for Chris Woodward and after the count ran 3-0, he received an intentional pass to bring Andruw Jones to the plate. Jones was staring at a full count when Dempster fell off the mound, forcing the ball to go in the dirt and allowed Harris to scamper home to put the Braves ahead.
Bob Wickman entered in the ninth inning and recorded his eleventh save with a perfect inning.
Edgar Renteria was forced to leave the game in the fourth inning as the result of being hit in the first inning.
The Braves will now start their second round of Interleague Play, starting with a three game series in Minnesota. Kyle Davies will take the mound against Kevin Slowey in the first game of the series on Tuesday.