Jurrjens Hit Hard for Seven Runs in 11-4 Loss

The Braves got off to a great start by scoring three in the first on Adam Wainwright. Unfortunately, Jair Jurrjens had nothing tonight, allowing seven runs total in route to a 11-4 loss.

The first run for the Braves came in large part to terrible defense by the Cardinals. Omar Infante reached on an infield single and made it all the way to third on two errors on the play. Jason Heyward drove him in on a single. The second and third runs came on a two-run home run by Derrek Lee, which was his first homer as a Brave, and it was a pretty shot on a curve he took the other way.

The Cardinals answered with five runs in the second inning. Pedro Feliz and Brendan Ryan each singled in a run, and Skip Schumaker hit a two-run homer. Randy Winn singled in a run in the fourth, and Albert Pujols added a solo homer. Colby Rasmus drove in the next four runs on two homers and a two-run single.

Jurrjens’ stuff and location were nowhere in sight, constantly leaving the ball up and over the plate. He gave up 10 hits – three of which were for extra bases – and seven runs in only 3.2 innings. Once the second inning began, it was obvious it would be a short outing for Jurrjens. It’s to the point where you can tell by the second inning how his night will go.

Cristhian Martinez gave up a home run to Rasmus, but otherwise he pitched well. Scott Proctor gave up two more Rasmus runs, including a homer. Kyle Farnsworth pitched a perfect inning. Craig Kimbrel did also, including two strikeouts. Kenshin Kawakami reminded everybody why he never pitches by giving up a long homer to Rasmus in the ninth.

Lee picked up two RBIs on the home run. Heyward recorded one RBI on his only hit. Eric Hinske added a meaningless RBI in the ninth inning. The Braves had seven hits off Wainwright but only one was for extra bases, the rest being scattered singles. When Jurrjens blew the early lead, that was a pretty good indication that their one chance was gone.

Mike Minor and Chris Carpenter face off Friday at 7:35. The lead for the Phillies is now a full game. The Braves currently hold a 1.5 game lead over the Giants in the Wild Card, pending their result tonight.