Six Run Seventh Propels Braves over Marlins

(Source: Yardbarker.com)

The Braves drew even in their current three game set with the Marlins in much the same way that the Marlins took game one. By beating up on the bullpen. The Braves did most of their damage against the Marlins bullpen scoring six times in the seventh inning to allow pitcher Tommy Hanson to grab his fourth win of the season.

The Braves opened up that seventh inning trailing 2-1 with a Yunel Escobar infield single followed by a Melky Cabrera single to right. With two men on Nate McLouth sacrificed them both into scoring position. Pinch Hitting Eric Hinske walked to load the bases. A Martin Prado sacrifice fly tied the game. Then two straight walks to Jason Heyward and Chipper Jones gave the Braves the lead at 3-2. After the walks the Braves got three big hits in a row, a two RBI single by Troy Glaus, a run scoring single by Brian McCann, and another RBI single by Yunel Escobar to make the score 7-2.

The Marlins were able to tack on another run off of Braves reliever Peter Moylan who pitched two innings in relief allowing four hits but only that one run. Billy Wagner closed everything out with a 1-2-3 ninth. Tommy Hanson got the start and bounced back from his last two rough outings that he had. He pitched six innings allowing four hits and one home run to Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez. Hanson did walk five batters while striking out four, so his command is still not where it needs to be but he looked a lot better in this one.

The win leapfrogged the Braves back ahead of the Marlins for second place in the NL Eastern Division. Combine this win with the Phillies’ fourth loss in a row and the Braves find themselves only 2.5 games back of the division lead. They will play the rubber game with the Marlins tonight with Tim Hudson (5-1, 2.09) facing off against Ricky Nolasco (4-3, 4.50). Following the game the Braves will head home to begin a six game home stand against the Pittsburgh Pirates and those first place Philadelphia Phillies.