The Atlanta Braves put a damper on the Philadelphia Phillies playoff hopes as they hammered them by the score of 10-4 on Wednesday night. The Braves had a huge fifth inning where they scored six runs and blew the game wide open. The Bravs played the spolier role that is for sure as they took two out of three games against the Phillies in the series.

Chipper Jones pitch hit in the fifth inning and delivered a big three-run home run as the Braves blew the game wide open. Martin Prado and Casey Kotchman both had two rbi in the game as well for the Braves. To finish up the scoring, Brian McCann and Brandon Jones both had one rbi.

Starting pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes had a tough time as he was roughed up for five hits and three runs in 3 1/3 innings. Reyes got the no decision in the game as Buddy Carlyle got he victory. Carlyle only pitched 2/3′s of an inning to get the win. Julian Tavarez did give up one run in relief that I should mention as well.

Good win for the Braves and they will now be off on Thursday before playing the final series against the Houston Astros starting on Friday.

Braves Blog

The Atlanta Braves gave up four runs to the Philadelphia Phillies in the bottom of the eighth inning as they lost 6-2. The Braves thought they would have a shot in the top of the ninth but after giving up four runs, that thought was quickly gone.

Jeff Bennett was charged with three of the four runs in the eighth inning. He had a terrible outing as he took the loss. However it was Julian Tavarez who gave up the big blast when Pat Burrell took him deep for a three run home run.

Braves starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens gave up two runs on five hits in seven innings to get the no decision.

The Braves didn’t have much offense as both of their runs came on a two-run home run by Kelly Johnson. Johnson now has 12 home runs on the season. It’s too bad that the rest of the offense struggled all night long.

Braves Blog

The Atlanta Braves once again lost to the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night.  This was the third straight loss for the Braves against the Cardinals in the four game series.  They will now have to win on Thursday to avoid the four game sweep at home.

Jair Jurrjens started the game and gave up seven hits and three runs through seven innings.   He didn’t throw the ball that badly at all to be honest.  However Jurrjens took the loss and is now 10-7 on the season.  Blaine Boyer gave up two hits and two runs while only recording two outs.  Julian Tavarez had a lot of trouble in the ninth inning as he allowed the Cardinals to score two more runs.

Jeff Francoeur had a rbi single in the second inning and then Omar Infante added a rbi single in the fifth inning.  That was all the scoring for the Braves however.

I will not be around to blog about the games the rest of the week as I have to head out of town for a few weeks.  Our normal blogger should be back at the beginning of the week so check back then!

The Braves bats provided plenty of offense for Jair Jurrjens tonight, plating 9 on 12 hits.  And with ace Tim Hudson starting the rubber game tomorrow, we are in good position to take our second straight series. 

Just one night after mustering only one baserunner against Dodger starter Hiroki Kuroda, the Braves appeared to be in jeopardy of being shut out for a second straight night.  LA starter Chad Billingsly no hit us through four innings before we finally broke through with 3 runs off Billingsly in the 5th..

Billingsly, he of the disproportionately massive legs, was dominant at times, hitting his spots with an explosive low to mid 90s fastball.  He was locating his pitches at the knees and on the corners, embarrassing Chipper Jones a couple of times (It was only the third time all season Chipper struck out more than one time in a game). But in the top of the 5^th, Tree-trunk legs wasn’t able to escape a bases loaded jam when Yunel Escobar came through with the big hit for the second time in three days.

KJ and Kotsay led of the inning with back to back singles.  After a failed bunt attempt resulted in a K for Jurrjens, Gregor Blanco walked to load the bases with one out.  Yunel followed jumping on the first pitch, hitting a bases clearing, frozen-rope double just inside the third base bag.  

The Braves tacked on 3 more off Billingsly in the 6^th on a no-doubter solo bomb by Brian McCann to right center and a two run single by Blanco. 

The run support was more than enough for Jurrjen the surgeon.  He dissected the Dodger lineup to the tune of 6 Ks, lowering his ERA to an even 3 for the season.  Jair has allowed only 5 earned runs over his last 34.2 innings — an ERA of 1.32.

What else?

Jeff Francoeur doesn’t appear to have really figured anything out from a mechanical standpoint during his brief demotion. If you’re looking for silver linings, he did have a basehit and he managed to avoid any U turns on the night.  In his other three at bats, he hit two weak grounders and an inside out fly ball to right field.  The effort to stay on the ball is pretty clear, but his swing still looks long and slow.

Tex and BMac went back-to-back in the 9^th, each getting his 17^th jack of the season.

Chipper struck out thrice for the first time since August 28 of last year at the Marlins.  After reaching base safely 7 times in the Braves marathon win Sunday, Chipper is 0 for 7 with 4 Ks in the series.

Braves batters have struck out 35 times in their last 35 innings.

Kelly Johnson scored 3 times tonight, giving him 52 for the season.  That’s good for a tie for second on the team with Mark Teixeira.

Newly signed Julian Tavarez recorded only one out in the 9^th before being yanked for closer Mike Gonzalez.  There’s a reason this guy is suiting up with his third different team THIS SEASON.  I’ll continue to scratch my head on that acquisition.