Maybe there’s a reason why fans don’t show up until the 4th inning in LA. Absolutely nothing happened in this one for the first 4 and a half frames. Derek Lowe and Tim Hudson were literally perfect, recording the first 27 total outs of the game in order. Both guys had their nastiest sinkers working. Between the two, 29 ground ball outs were recorded. Lowe was just a little bit better though, his only mistake coming in the 8th when he surrendered a solo home run to Jeff Francoeur.

Known as one of the best dirtballers in the game with Brandon Webb and Chien-Ming Wang, Lowe was filthy tonight. 16 of the 23 outs he recorded were on the ground.

The Dodgers got on the board first in the bottom of the sixth on a Matt Kemp home run.

The Braves had a chance to pull even the next half inning. Gregor Blanco led off the top of the 7th with a solid line drive single to center field. Sensing that this might be their only opportunity to score, Bobby Cox decided to play hit and run with the next batter, Yunel Escobar, and it worked. On one of the most heady baserunning plays you’ll see, Blanco went 1st to third on Yunel’s groundball out to the SS. But the all of a sudden struggling Chipper Jones couldn’t get him in from third with less than two out. He grounded out weakly to the pitcher. Chipper was probably trying to put the ball on the ground to a middle infielder. Unfortunately, his aim was off, and the Blanco was stranded at third.

The Dodgers stretched their lead to two in the bottom of the inning when the much loathed Andruw Jones handled an 0-2 pitch from Hudson for an RBI single.

The Braves pulled within one on Francoeur’s home run in the 8th. But it was all they could manage. Dodger closer Takashi Saito slammed the door in the 9th, retiring the side in order. The Braves have now lost 24 consecutive 1 run games on the road.

What else?

-Mark Kotsay inexplicably tried to steal second in the top of the 8th with 2 outs and pinch hitter Ruben Gotay batting. Mark was thrown out by 10 feet, and the decision ensured that the Braves would need to get a guy on base for Chipper to have a chance in the 9th down by only a run. Whomever’s decision it was, Bobby’s or Mark’s, it was a terrible one. Sure enough, Saito retired the final Brave batter in the 9th, while Chipper watched from the on-deck circle. The Braves have lost 24 straight 1 run games on the road.

-Cueball had it working tonight, undoubtedly summoning strength from the tarantula on his right wrist. But Chip Caray’s man crush, Lowe, just wasn’t going to be denied. This was not a game for long-ball digging chicks or the casual fan. For those who can see the artistry in what Lowe and Hudson were doing, though, it was as good as it gets.

-Lowe started the season hot and then cooled off quickly with a 6.11 May ERA. I’d say he has settled back into good form. Tonight he recorded his 7th quality starts over his last 10.

Tim Hudson only lasted 4 1/3 innings as he gave up six hits and six runs.  Hudson didn’t have his pitches working for him and you could tell right away in the game as Josh Hamilton took him deep for a solo home run in the first inning.

I will give the Braves bullpen some credit however as they did a pretty good job.  Jeff Ridgway pitched 1 2/3 innings and gave up one run but then Blaine Boyer and Royce Ring were able to pitched the final two innings of the game without any problems.

Brian McCann had a three run home run in the eighth inning to lead the Braves with three rbi.  Mark Teixeira and Omar Infante both had one rbi in the game to contribute as well but it still was not enough to get by the Rangers.

Braves Blog

Manny Acosta actually took the loss for the Braves and is now 3-5.  It was actually a pretty good day for the Braves pitching staff before all that happened.  Well except for the blown save in the ninth inning when Jim Edmonds took Blain Boyer deep to tie the game.  Tim Hudson got the start on the mound and threw 6 2/3 innings and gave up seven hits and only one run.

The Braves offense once again struggled to put up runs in the game even though they had 11 hits.  Jeff Francoeur had a two run home run in the second inning and that was all the Braves could get off the Cubs as they left 25 runners on base.

Braves Blog

Hudson gave up seven hits and two runs in the game.  Two solo home runs in the second inning was all Hudson gave the Mets.  Hudson is now 7-3 on the season with the win.  Manny Acosta came in and got the first two outs in the ninth inning before Will Ohman came in to get the last out and record the save which was his first of the year.

The Braves were led at the plate by Kelly Johnson who went 3-4 with an rbi.  Chipper Jones, Omar Infante, Mark Teixeira, and Johnson all had one rbi in the game.  The Braves offense had 12 hits in the game compared to 8 for the Mets.

Braves Blog

Tim Hudson pitched a great game as he improved to 6-2 on the season.  Hudson tossed seven innings of two hit baseball and only allowed one run which was unearned.  Hudson struck out two five batters while walking two.

Blaine Boyer and Will Ohman both pitched an inning in relief and did a good enough job not to let any runs score.

Brian McCann had the big hit for the Braves when he hit a three run home run in the fifth inning.  McCann finished the game with three rbi.  Mark Kotsay also finished the game with three rbi as he had two doubles in the game.  Yunel Escobar and Chipper Jones both had one rbi in the game as well.

The Braves are now one game over .500 at 19-18 on the season.  Braves Blog

Tim Hudson picked up the win over the Padres as he tossed seven innings of six hit ball.  Hudson did allow two earned runs while walking and striking out three batters.  Hudson is now 5-2 on the season.

Blaine Boyer, Will Ohman, and Manny Acosta pitched the final two innings for the Braves.  Acosta  ended up picking up the save which was his third of the season.

Braves Blog

Brian McCann got his fifth home run of the year in the 2nd inning off of Matt Chico giving him his 12th RBI of the season.  Tim Hudson had a pair of RBIs with Chipper Jones, Martin Prado, and Jeff Francoeur all getting an RBI as well.

Hudson was the starting pitcher for the Atlanta Braves throwing for 6.2 innings giving up 10 hits and two runs but was able to pick up the win putting him at 3-1 for the season.  Royce Ring, Buddy Carlyle, and Manny Acosta were brought in the finish out the last 2.1 innings of the game.  Carlyle was the only reliver to give up a run.

Tonight the Atlanta Braves battle the Washington Nationals in the second game of the two game series.

Braves Blog

Tim Hudson had a terrible outing for the Bravs as he only lated three innings and gave up four runs on six hits.  Jorge Campillo did a good job for the next three innings as he didn’t allow any runs but then Jeff Bennett came into the game and gave up three runs in one inning of action.  Blaine Boyer pitched the last inning of the game and did a pretty good job as he didn’t allow a run.

Yunel Escobar hit a two-run home run for the Braves but also grounded into three double plays.  Brian McCann and Matt Diaz both had one RBI each.

Do Braves fans think the this team can turn it around and get back into things? Let us know by leaving a comment!

Braves Blog

Chipper Jones did hit the first homerun at the Nationals new ballpark as he went deep in the fourth inning.  Other then that the Braves didn’t score until the 9th inning when Martin Prado scored on a passed ball.  Other then that, the Braves really didn’t have much offense in the game.

Tim Hudson pitched a pretty good game as he lasted seven innings and only gave up two earned runs.  Peter Moylan did pick up the loss as he served up the homer to Zimmerman.

The Braves will now play at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Talk about some weird scheduling

Braves Blog