Loading ...
Chipper Returns To Try To Avoid Sweep
Written by Jonathan on April 19, 2009 – 12:05 pmWith Chipper Jones out of the lineup for the past 4 games, the Braves have been nothing short of abyssmal. In those 4 games, the Braves have only managed 6 total runs, as well as being shut out by the Pirates the last two games. After starting out the season 5-1, they have dropped 5 straight to fall below .500 on the season.
Chipper has been nursing a bruised left thumb for the entire season that he reaggravated during a home game against the Marlins last Tuesday. Yunel Escobar, who has missed two games with a strained abdominal muscle, is a game-time decision today. Hopefully one, or both, of the two can provide a much needed spark for the Braves’ offense today and avoid the sweep by the Pirates.
Javier Vazquez takes the mound for the Braves today with an 0-1 record and 4.50 ERA. Vazquez has been dominant with the strikeout this season, but still has been giving up some runs. Zach Duke will be on the hill for the Pirates with a 2-0 record this season and a non-existent 0.59 ERA. Chipper however, has hit .500 on his career against the left-hander.
Stay with us for ongoing updates throughout the game.
Braves: 11 Pirates: 1 |
|
| Bot 9th: | James Parr on for the Braves. Parr labors a bit but only gives up a run. Braves win 11-1. |
| Top 9th: | A couple of base runners in the inning but nothing further for the Braves. Let’s hope 11 runs is enough to get through one more inning for the bullpen. |
| Bot 8th: | Jeff Bennett taking the mound for the Braves. Morgan grounds back to Bennett who proceeds to throw the ball halfway to the wall in right field. Morgan takes third. Bennett recovers with a pop-out and a strikeout to keep the shutout. |
| Top 8th: | Donnie Veal on to pitch for the Pirates. Infante doubles to center. Prado walks and a wild pitch moves the runners over. Chipper walks to load the bases. Sac fly for Diaz scores Infante. 11-0 Braves. |
| Bot 7th: | Moylan on to pitch for the Braves. 1-2-3 inning. The bullpen only needs to survive 6 more outs. |
| Top 7th: | Craig Hansen in to replace Zach Duke. Chipper gets hit by a pitch with one out. Francoeur doubles down the right field line and Chipper scores. 7-0 Braves. Kotchman walks. Dave Ross with a three-run homer. 10-0 Braves. That’s why we signed him. |
| Bot 6th: | Morgan leads off with a single up the middle. Sanchez follows with another single. A couple of good plays in the field and Vazquez’s 8th strikeout on the day saves any further trouble. |
| Top 6th: | Schafer singles, 3-3 for him today. Vazquez bunts him over to second but he doesn’t make it any further. |
| Bot 5th: | 1-2-3 inning for Vazquez and the game is official now. Let it rain. |
| Top 5th: | Diaz singles to lead off the inning but is thrown out on a double play ball from Francoeur. Kotchman pops out and it’s a quick inning for Zach Duke. |
| Bot 4th: | Diaz in to replace Anderson in right field. Vazquez strikes out another pair for 7 today. He’s second in MLB right now on the season (24), behind Johan Santana (27). |
| Top 4th: | Ross doubles to right. Schafer bunts Ross to third and is safe at first. Vazquez make the sacrifice bunt to move the runners to 2nd and 3rd with one out. Infante pops out. Prado with a 3-run homer to left center. 6-0 Braves. |
| Bot 3rd: | Starting to rain in Pittsburgh. Vazquez strikes out another two. 5 on the day now. Sanchez hits a double but is left standing on second. |
| Top 3rd: | Chipper Jones leads the inning off with a single. Francoeur hits a two-out single to center but Chipper is thrown out after overrunning second base. A couple of base running mistakes on the day, let’s hope they don’t come back to haunt us. |
| Bot 2nd: | Another K for Vazquez. Wilson singles to center and is thrown out by Schafer trying to stretch it into a double. |
| Top 2nd: | Schafer singles. Vazquez bunts and Duke throws the ball into center field. Infante pops out on a bunt and Prado grounds into a double play. Wasted chance there. |
| Bot 1st: | A single and a walk, but Vazquez strikes out two and gets Adam LaRoche to ground out to avoid any damage. |
| Top 1st: | Prado doubles to left but is caught in a rundown on a Chipper fielder’s choice. Garret Anderson doubles to left. Francoeur with a 2 RBI double to center. 2-0 Braves. Kotchman with an RBI single. 3-0 Braves. |
Tags: Chipper Jones, Game Thread, Javier Vazquez, Yunel Escobar, Zach Duke
Posted in Game Threads | No Comments »
