Game No.22 Recap: Braves 7, Astros 2
The Braves know they’ll never get back the $44.5 million they paid Mike Hampton over the last two years of his six season tenure in Atlanta.
Consider it a bad investment, a risky gamble or a flat-out terrible acquisition.
After all, the left-hander made just 25 starts in that span — suffering mightily from extensive elbow and back problems.
That’s why the Braves (11-11) can view Friday night’s victory over the Astros (9-14) as a well-earned payback — a redemption for lost time and irrevocable salary.
Making his first start against the Braves since he signed a free-agent contract with Houston this past winter, Hampton (2-1) lasted just 4 1/3 innings, coughing up five hits, six runs (five earned) and two walks on just 72 pitches.
Right fielder Jeff Francoeur (2-for-4, 3 RBIs) welcomed Hampton back to Turner Field in fine fashion in the first inning, sending a 2-2 changeup over the center field wall for a two-run home run — his third of the season.
After Houston tied the game at two in the fourth inning, Hampton was in the process of retiring 10 consecutive batters dating back to the last out of the first inning.
However, Hampton’s good fortune wouldn’t last in the fifth.
Following a lead off single from Matt Diaz (1-for-4, run) and a one-out walk of Jordan Schafer, Atlanta starting pitcher Derek Lowe loaded the bases when he reached on an error trying to lie down a sacrifice bunt. Omar Infante (2-for-4, 2 RBIs) would make the Astros defense pay, lacing a two-run single into left. Yunel Escobar (2-for-4, 2 RBIs) followed with an RBI double, giving Atlanta a 5-2 advantage.
After intentionally walking Chipper Jones, reliever Geoff Geary was summoned to stop the bleeding.
But the wound only worsened when Francoeur connected on an RBI single — a run that was charged to Hampton.
The Braves would add one more run in the seventh inning on an Escobar RBI single to conclude their offensive outburst.
Lowe (3-1) took care of the rest for Atlanta on the mound, tossing 6 2/3 innings of two-run ball while allowing eight hits, two walks and striking out three on 112 pitches.
The right-hander surrendered a one-out triple in the first inning to Michael Bourn, who later scored on a Lance Berkman groundout. The only other run to cross home plate came in the fourth when Hunter Pence scored on a Hampton fielder’s choice.
A two hour rain delay stopped play in the top of the eighth before Jeff Bennett and Mike Gonzalez combined to thr0w two scoreless innings to close out the victory.
The Braves will take on the Astros in game two of the three-game set on Saturday afternoon at Turner Field at 3:35 p.m. Jair Jurrjens will take the mound for the Braves.
SHORT HOPS
– This is what I, personally, have been expecting from this team. We get another strong outing from our starting pitcher and the offense comes alive. I don’t know if facing Hampton had much to do with it (he was a likable guy when he was in Atlanta — he just didn’t perform), but the patience at the plate paid off. There was, of course, the staple of timely hitting with two outs that we’ve seen for much of the year, but there was also hitters delivering with runners in scoring position with less than two outs that we’ve been missing for quite some time.
– For the life of me, I don’t understand why they didn’t cancel this game. After more than a two hour rain delay in the eighth, they decided to start play again just minutes before midnight. With a day game tomorrow (or today, I guess), it would have only made sense.
– Frenchy’s home run in the first inning was the first long ball for the Braves since last Saturday. Talk about a cold spell.
– Speaking of Frenchy…..You have to be impressed with his output of late. Aside from the fact he hasn’t struck out in nearly 40 plate appearences, the right fielder is so much more patient at the plate. Particularly tonight, you could see his conviction in trying to hit the ball into right field. His new batting stance not only allows him to see the ball better, but has given him the mindset to work the count — something that almost never occurred in his first three seasons in the majors.
– I can’t say enough about Infante. This kind of play is why Braves fans were so excited about the bench prior to the season starting. When one Braves goes down or is stuck in a slump (a la Kelly Johnson), guys like Omar and Martin Prado are more than capable of picking up the slack.
– Clint Sammons took over starting catching duties tonight as David Ross was at home celebrating the birth of his first son, Cole, who was born early this morning.
– Second baseman Kelly Johnson was out of the lineup for the third consecutive game. Sure, the Braves were facing a left-hander tonight but this only shows that manager Bobby Cox has more confidence in Omar right now than he does in Kelly.
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