McCann’s Big Bat, Vazquez’s Gem Fuel Braves Win
By Staff
Game No.29 Recap: Braves 6, Phillies 2
Looking at Brian McCann this afternoon, you’d be hard pressed to believe his vision has been bothersome.
In just his second game back from a 15-day stint on the disabled list, the Braves backstop returned to his accustom form as a dominant centerpiece in an otherwise lethargic Atlanta (14-16) lineup.
McCann went 3-for-4 on the afternoon and put the final dagger in Phillies (15-13) starter Joe Blanton’s day when he launched a two-run homer into the right-center field bleachers in the eighth to cushion Atlanta’s lead.
The Braves offense had the upper hand for most of the game, grabbing an early lead in the first inning on a Jeff Francoeur RBI single before extending the advantage with three runs in the fifth on a Yunel Escobar two-run shot and a Kelly Johnson RBI double.
Javier Vazquez (3-3), per usual, endured a couple of rough patches that included solo home runs by Chase Utley in the fourth and Raul Ibanez in the eighth.
The right-hander tossed 7 2/3 solid innings, allowing just four hits and striking out seven. He didn’t walk a batter.
Eric O’ Flaherty and Mike Gonzalez combined to throw an inning and a third of scoreless baseball while closing the door on any thought of a Philly comeback.
The Braves will take on the Phillies in the rubber match on Sunday afternoon at 12:40 p.m. Kenshin Kawakami is the scheduled starter for Atlanta.
EDITOR’S NOTE: No “Short Hops” today — currently having some computer issues which deleted my original post. Don’t fret though, we’ll be back tomorrow with more in-depth insight on the Braves rubber match with the Phils.