Gonzalez Hits Game-Winner in 12th for a 6-3 Win

Another game, another walk-off win for the Braves. Alex Gonzalez hit a three-run homer in the 12th to give the Braves a second straight win, 6-3.

The Braves took advantage of early wildness by Jake Westbrook, scoring in the first inning on a walk-in run. The score remained the same until the fifth, when Nate McLouth tripled in a run for a two-run lead. Albert Pujols struck in the sixth with a two-run double to tie it at two, but the Braves took the lead back in the seventh on a solo homer by Jason Heyward.

Bad defense haunted Jonny Venters for a second straight game, allowing a run to score in the eighth that tied the game at three. The score remained tied through nine and Gonzalez struck in the 12th with the game-winner off Mitchell Boggs.

The home run was Gonzalez’s only hit over six at bats. McLouth recorded two RBIs. Heyward picked up one on the homer. Omar Infante, Martin Prado, and Brian McCann each had two hits. The Braves had 11 hits and eight walks but struggled in scoring runs. It was a great game for them as far as getting on base, though.

It was a great game for the pitching staff as well. Tommy Hanson pitched seven strong innings, allowing two runs on five hits, not walking any and striking out five. He pumped in strikes all night and threw just 94 pitches. As I mentioned in the series preview, Hanson has lived uncharacteristically lately by not racking up strikeouts, but rather keeping the ball in the park and on the ground often. He got nine grounders to six fly balls. Whether this is a fluke or a different Hanson (I would guess the first one), it is great to see the grounders. However, it is not great to see him pitching to contact. It is not his game.

Venters gave up another unearned run on a Prado error that tied it in the eighth. Peter Moylan got the final two outs in the eighth behind Venters. Billy Wagner walked the leadoff guy in the ninth but pitched a scoreless inning. Takashi Saito pitched back-to-back days and got a perfect 10th. Kyle Farnsworth pitched a scoreless 11th. Craig Kimbrel struck out two in a perfect 12th for his third win.

Westbrook walked five and allowed seven hits in six innings, but only allowed two runs. Several relievers did well behind him, but Boggs finally blew it in the 12th by giving up the home run. Pujols recorded all three RBIs for the Cardinals.

The Phillies lost to the Mets, putting the Braves back in a tie for first. The Padres beat the Giants to put them back in first alone. Kyle Lohse and Tim Hudson face off in the series finale Sunday, airing on ESPN at 8:05.