Braves Drop Series Opener to White Sox 9-6
By Editorial Staff
Everything seemed great going into this game. The Braves were riding a five game winning streak and had Tommy Hanson on the mound who was riding a four game winning streak of his own into Chicago. The Braves even staked Hanson to a three run lead after Martin Prado led off the game with a home run and Brooks Conrad doubled home two in the second inning.
However, it was at that point where everything went wrong for the Braves. Hanson surrendered five runs in the second inning, one in the third, and then a three run bomb to Carlos Quentin in the fourth. By the time the dust had settled Hanson had allowed 9 earned runs on 13 hits in just three and two thirds innings which is easily one of the worst starts of his young career.
The Braves were able to scratch across a single run in the eighth on a Jason Heyward ground out and two more in the ninth on a Brian McCann home run and a Brooks Conrad double but it ultimately was too much to overcome. Jessie Chavez came on in relief of Hanson and pitched four plus shut out innings in what was one of his best outings of the season.
Martin Prado Yunel Escobar, and Brooks Conrad each had two hits apiece for the Braves. Prado hit his seventh home run of the season leading off the game and Brian McCann added his eighth home run in the ninth. Conrad was in the lineup at third base while Chipper Jones
White Sox starter John Danks settled down after allowing those three early runs to pitch seven innings while only allowing six hits. Paul Konerko had three hits and Carlos Quentin had two including his ninth home run of the season.
There hasn’t been many nights where Braves pitching has let them down like tonight. Most nights that the club has scored six runs then they have found themselves in the win column. They will try and bounce back tomorrow night with Tim Hudson (7-2, 2.34) on the hill. Mark Beuhrle (5-6, 4.71) is scheduled to start for the White Sox.
Roster News: Before tonight’s game the Braves activated Takashi Saito from the 15 day disabled list and optioned reliever Craig Kimbrel back to Triple A Gwinnett. Saito made one relief appearance at Gwinnett before rejoining the club.