Game No.24 Recap: Astros 7, Braves 5
It’s no secret the Braves (11-13) have had their share of troubles scoring runs this season.
But they’ve had an even tougher time executing small ball.
This afternoon they succeeded on both and, yet, still managed to lose the rubber match against the Astros (11-14).
After Atlanta starter Jo-Jo Reyes allowed just two hits through the first five innings of the game, the Houston bats strung together four consecutive singles in the sixth and scored three times to overcome a then 3-1 Braves lead.
Reyes was done after 5 1/3 innings, surrendering six hits and three walks while being charged with four runs on 77 pitches.
The Astros brought four runs across the plate via the sacrifice fly, while tagging Peter Moylan (1-2) with two runs in the seventh and one run in the eighth off Rafael Soriano.
Michael Bourn caused havoc at the plate as well as on the base paths for Braves pitchers, finishing the day by going 3-for-4 with an RBI and two stolen bases.
Much like Houston, Atlanta’s offense used small ball to near perfection as they were able to tie the game twice (once in the fourth and once in the sixth) and grab the lead for a short time in the fifth with the help of timely sacrifice bunts and key base hits.
Facing Astros starter Wandy Rodriguez, who boasted an 0-1 lifetime record with a 9.90 ERA at Turner Field heading into the game, Atlanta managed to score twice in the fifth for a short-lived lead when Rodriguez balked home a run and Jeff Francoeur (1-for4) delivered an RBI sacrifice fly.
The Braves would tie the game in the sixth on a Greg Norton pinch-hit two-out RBI single that scored Matt Diaz. However, when the bullpen coughed up the lead, the only other run Atlanta could muster was a seventh inning RBI single from Diaz (2-for-4, one RBI).
Omar Infante and Yunel Escobar both had two hit games.
The Braves will begin a short two-game series against the New York Mets on Monday night at 7:05 p.m. at Turner Field. Javier Vazquez is the scheduled starter for Atlanta.
SHORT HOPS
–This is another one of those games where, as a fan, you just have to scratch your head. Offensively, the Braves were at their best manufacturing runs. Sure, they went 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position, but they did the little things to give the pitchers a chance to win the game. Jo-Jo had another decent performance. Take away that sixth inning, where he was consistently leaving the ball up in the strike zone, and we could be looking at this game in a completely different light.
– The Astros were very productive with runners in scoring postion (3-for-7) and left just six runners on base the whole day.
– Tip of the cap to Norton in the sxith, who picked up his second pinch-hit of the season — a timely two-out RBI single that tied the game at four at that point. I know with a loss it doesn’t mean as much, but execution like that is definitely something to build upon.
– After just one day with Jordan Schafer as Atlanta’s leadoff man, manager Bobby Cox changed the lineup. This time Schafer was in the eight hole, Infante was leading off and Kelly Johnson was sitting on the bench. I can understand playing the matchups with a left-hander on the mound, but you’ll never now if having the youngster at the top of the lineup will work unless the lineup is consistent.
– A quick mention: Today was “Bark at the Park” at Turner Field. I only say this, because I just don’t get it. I’ve been to both a Major League game and a Minor League game (Single A) where they’ve held this promotion and it’s just mind boggling (This coming from a dog person). Nothing like sitting at a ballpark with a sweaty, smelly, panting canine. There’s got to be a better way of marketing to get fans in the seats, right?
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