Game No.26 Recap: Mets 4, Braves 3
It was almost the comeback of the season — the comeback this anemic Alanta Braves (11-15) squad so desparetly needed.
Yet, like most thing have gone this season, the Braves fell short in their last swings.
Called into the game in the top of the ninth, Mike Gonzalez surrendered two runs (one earned) which were fueled by a costly throwing error by third baseman Chipper Jones that led to a Carlos Delgado two-run single.
Francisco Rodriguez headed to the hill in the bottom-half of the ninth, pinned with a three-run lead. Following two quick outs, Kelly Johnson managed a single and Clint Sammons drew a walk, before Omar Infante’s pop up to first that was thought to be the final out of the game was dropped by Delgado. Johnson scored on the error and Yunel Escobar (3-for-5) added to the drama, lacing an RBI single in Atlanta’s next at-bat to close the deficit to one.
However, as fate would have it, with their best hitter at the plate, Mets outfielder Ryan Church tracked down a deep fly ball off the bat of Jones for the final out.
At that point, I would much rather have just taken a shut out. That way, at least, I wouldn’t have to over-analyze every scoring opportunity the Braves failed to convert tonight.
Atlanta’s only other run came in the seventh when Martin Prado delivered a pinch-hit RBI single that cut the lead to one. For most of the night, the Braves bats were stymied by veteran pitcher Livan Hernandez (2-1) who tossed 6 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing seven hits on just 74 pitches.
The Braves grounded into double plays twice to end an inning (in the fourth and sixth inning) and were held scoreless in the third inning when Jones lined into a double play with the bases loaded.
I’m not quite sure how they do it, but this team continually brings us fans to the brink of frustration and leaves us wondering how these situations unravel the way they do.
Is it lack of luck, lack of consistency or just lack of talent?
You tell me!
New York scored their first two runs of the game in the third on RBI doubles from David Wright and Ramon Castro off Braves starter Kenshin Kawakami (1-4).
The Japanese-import struggled for most of the night with his pitch count, finishing the night throwing 113 total pitches in five innings while allowing eight hits, those two runs and three walks. He struck out seven.
Kawakami benefited from the Mets stranding two runners in the first, three in the second, two in the third and two in the fourth.
On a much brighter note, the Braves received two scoreless innings of relief from Eric O’ Flaherty along with a perfect eight from Rafael Soriano.
The Braves will begin yet another two-game series on Wednesday night at Dolphin Stadium against the Florida Marlins at 7:05 p.m. Derek Lowe is the scheduled starter for Atlanta.
SHORT HOPS
– One more quick thought on that ninth inning and I’m done. So Delgado drops the easy out, Johnson comes around to score, Escobar delievers the RBI single and Chipper flies out. Are the baseball Gods trying to torture us? This team can’t buy a run and then suddenly the ball rolls their way in the final inning against arguably the best closer in baseball and they still come up just short. Well, guess who’s not sleeping well tonight?
– This was the same Livan Hernandez who is 1-7 lifetime with an ERA of around six at Turner Field, right? His fastball topped out tonight around 86 mph and Braves hitters still looked lost.
– How about this stat: Jordan Schafer is 0-for-34 with runners in scoring position this year. Good grief!!
– Bobby Cox needs to strongly consider using Prado as the go-to pinch-hitter. This season he is 3-for-6 with two RBIs in that role and has consistently given us quality at-bats. Greg Norton, on the other hand, is 2-for-17 this season (all as a pinch-hitter).
– Garret Anderson is a waste in left field. Gotta love how the guy tells reporters today that him returning to the lineup could be a spark-plug for this lineup, then, promptly, goes 0-for-4 and leaves three runners on base.