McCarroll21
06-16-2007, 04:00 AM
Braves Avenge Ninth Inning Meltdown With Ninth Inning Victory
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
Just twenty four hours after losing the finale of the Twins series as the result of a blown save, the Braves were on the other side of things. Thursday night, Bob Wickman allowed three runs in the ninth inning to blow a 2-0 lead and handed the Twins a sweep of the Braves. Friday night, the Braves scored two runs in their ninth inning to take a one run lead, this time Wickman converted the save, breaking the Braves three game losing streak.
Buddy Carlyle moved up one day to take John Smoltz place in the rotation for Friday's game and responded with another quality start. Carlyle pitched six innings, giving up just six hits and three runs -- two of which were earned runs.
After four innings, the Braves were staring at a 3-0 deficit against a pitcher that hadn't allowed a run in all of June, but a single run in the fifth and two runs in the sixth inning tied the game at 3-3.
Matt Diaz lead off the fifth inning with a single and moved to third on a broken bat single by Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Chris Woodward singled in Diaz for the Braves first run. In the sixth inning, the Braves started the inning with four consecutive singles. Chipper and Andruw Jones started the inning with singles. Jeff Francoeur followed them with a single to drive in Chipper. Matt Diaz then dropped down a bunt single to load the bases. Brian McCann lifted a fly ball to centerfield to drive in Andruw Jones and tie the game.
The score remained tied until Casey Blake hit a homerun off Rafael Soriano to give the Indians a 4-3 lead. Soriano has allowed runs in only four of his 30 appearances this season, this one being the only game that was within four runs at the time of him allowing a run.
C.C. Sabathia went back to the mound to start the ninth inning, a gesture that could be taken as the Indians being scared to go to their bullpen. Sabathia was welcomed in the ninth inning with a lined double by Saltalamacchia. Pete Orr pinch ran for Saltalamacchia, but was unable to advance when Brian McCann grounded to shortstop Jhonny Peralta, who misplayed the ball for an error. Chris Woodward bunted both runners into scoring position and Escobar lined a shot over the head of the left fielder to drive in the tying and eventual winning runs.
"When I saw C.C. come back out for the ninth, I had a good feeling that we were going to do something. I just felt it," said Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who was making just his second career start at first base.
John Smoltz will go to the mound on Saturday for the Braves. Smoltz will be pitching in Cleveland for the first time since game three of the 1995 World Series.
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
Just twenty four hours after losing the finale of the Twins series as the result of a blown save, the Braves were on the other side of things. Thursday night, Bob Wickman allowed three runs in the ninth inning to blow a 2-0 lead and handed the Twins a sweep of the Braves. Friday night, the Braves scored two runs in their ninth inning to take a one run lead, this time Wickman converted the save, breaking the Braves three game losing streak.
Buddy Carlyle moved up one day to take John Smoltz place in the rotation for Friday's game and responded with another quality start. Carlyle pitched six innings, giving up just six hits and three runs -- two of which were earned runs.
After four innings, the Braves were staring at a 3-0 deficit against a pitcher that hadn't allowed a run in all of June, but a single run in the fifth and two runs in the sixth inning tied the game at 3-3.
Matt Diaz lead off the fifth inning with a single and moved to third on a broken bat single by Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Chris Woodward singled in Diaz for the Braves first run. In the sixth inning, the Braves started the inning with four consecutive singles. Chipper and Andruw Jones started the inning with singles. Jeff Francoeur followed them with a single to drive in Chipper. Matt Diaz then dropped down a bunt single to load the bases. Brian McCann lifted a fly ball to centerfield to drive in Andruw Jones and tie the game.
The score remained tied until Casey Blake hit a homerun off Rafael Soriano to give the Indians a 4-3 lead. Soriano has allowed runs in only four of his 30 appearances this season, this one being the only game that was within four runs at the time of him allowing a run.
C.C. Sabathia went back to the mound to start the ninth inning, a gesture that could be taken as the Indians being scared to go to their bullpen. Sabathia was welcomed in the ninth inning with a lined double by Saltalamacchia. Pete Orr pinch ran for Saltalamacchia, but was unable to advance when Brian McCann grounded to shortstop Jhonny Peralta, who misplayed the ball for an error. Chris Woodward bunted both runners into scoring position and Escobar lined a shot over the head of the left fielder to drive in the tying and eventual winning runs.
"When I saw C.C. come back out for the ninth, I had a good feeling that we were going to do something. I just felt it," said Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who was making just his second career start at first base.
John Smoltz will go to the mound on Saturday for the Braves. Smoltz will be pitching in Cleveland for the first time since game three of the 1995 World Series.