Game 2: Braves Find New Life

 

With his 11th inning shot into McCovey Cove, Rick Ankiel was the hero for the Braves in Game 2. (Justin Sullivan/Getty)

 

The clutch plays came from unlikely sources tonight, but nobody in Atlanta will complain. First, Alex Gonzalez’s two-run double sent the game into extra innings. From there, the Braves relied on a gutsy pitching performance from Kyle Farnsworth, some tricky defense by Troy Glaus (at the hot corner for the second time all season), and a very long, very loud, game-winning homer from Rick Ankiel to tie the National League Division Series at 1-1.

Farnsworth entered the game in the bottom of the 10th, after Billy Wagner pulled his oblique muscle on an Edgar Renteria bunt single. Wagner pitched to one more batter, but doubled over in obvious pain after fielding a sacrifice bunt. The word on Wagner’s injury is a pulled oblique, so it’s doubtful he pitches again this series. This is obviously terrible news. Barring a minor medical miracle, Craig Kimbrel and Johnny Venters will probably shoulder the bulk of the late-inning work from here.

As for the ejection, think it’s a coincidence that Cox was ejected by the same ump who made the erroneous call on Buster Posey’s steal attempt in Game 1?

“Well, I brought that up,” said Bobby, when asked about it in the post game presser.

After two innings, it looked to be a long night for Atlanta.  Tommy Hanson never  struggled with his control early, and left a mistake fastball up to Pat Burrell with two runners on. The 3-run homer was bad enough, then in the next inning, Hanson gave up another run, this time a single up the middle from pitcher Matt Cain. Not gonna lie, with the Braves mired in a 15-inning scoreless streak, I thought that the 4-run lead was insurmountable.

The players believed though, and more importantly, Chino Cadahia believed. He believed in every player who the fans were no longer able to trust. Chino put his faith in the scapegoats, the easy targets, the guys who get ripped endlessly in the press, the guys who nobody believed in. Much has been made about what is missing from the Braves’ lineup, and what the Atlanta hitters can’t do. Credit to them for not listening.

Now, the Braves head home with an even series, and nominal ace Tim Hudson ready to pitch for Game 3.

After 15 innings of sorrow, things are suddenly looking up.

Time to Get Serious (Update: Jurrjens scratched, Brandon Beachy to make his debut)

Derrek Lee's grand slam propelled the Braves to a sweep, and prompted one lone Braves fan to lose his mind in Citi Field's nosebleeds. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Update: At 3:25 PM, the team announced that Jair Jurrjens will be replaced with rookie Brandon Beachy.

First things first, I had a great time at Citi Field (gorgeous park and relatively reasonable concessions prices) on Sunday. Mainly because with the Jets playing at home, no Mets fans showed up and my gal and I had the entire section to ourselves. As the only person within ten rows of me, I was able to stand up and clap obnoxiously loud after Derrek Lee’s grand-slam. The duration of my one-man ovation was excessive, but it’s not like I was outnumbered or anything. While sweeping the Mets was fun, important business awaits.

(Update) Braves Take Opener With Huge Inning

Jason Heyward's 18th home run was the difference maker Friday night. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)

Bad news New Yorkers, the Met-Killer torch has officially been passed. At the rate Jason Heyward his drilling Mets pitching this year, he’ll have to name his first born son Citi.

Jonathon Niese pitched well for the Mets, save for a nightmarish fourth inning which saw the Braves push across six runs, five of which followed a two-out walk to Tommy Hanson. The big inning was capped by Heyward’s bomb which turned a tie game into a Braves lead, and left a huge dent in the Subway sign on the upper-deck facade. The runs would prove sufficient for Tommy Hanson (who was solid, if not dominant) and the Braves held on for a 6-4 win.

Braves-Mets Series Preview

Braves starter Derek Lowe, pictured with catcher David Ross, has been lights out in his last two starts. (AP Photo/ Gene J. Puskar)

This weekend, the Braves will make their final visit of the season to Citi Field.

The trip will kick off a crucial stretch of nine straight road games. If this team is going to make it to the playoffs, it is going to have to earn it.

Pitching probables for the upcoming series with the Mets, plus an update on the other teams in the race after the jump.

Free Falling

The Braves lost a series at home for just the second time all year. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Seriously? I’m not disappointed in the team for dropping the series to the Nationals (while falling three back of the Phillies) as much as I am in the crowd, which was as small as I’ve seen it all year during Wednesday afternoon’s series finale.

I get that it was a day game, and that school is back in session, and that the Nationals aren’t exactly a huge draw. But come on people, there’s a damn pennant race going on. Have you given up already?

Ruh Roh: Phils’ Lead Up to Two

Jair Jurrjens allowed four runs in five innings of work as the Braves fell to the Nationals on Monday. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Since I’m too depressed to come up with a snappy lede, here’s the news: Philadelphia won, Atlanta lost. Phillies are now up two games in the division. Cole Hamels pitched another gem for the Phillies, while Jair Jurrjens pitched another non-gem at The Ted. (Remember when JJ was lights out at home? Can we get that JJ back please?)