Braves Guarantee Share of Wild Card with 8-7 Win

The Braves showed up when it mattered the absolute most. The offense backed a solid performance by Tim Hudson with eight runs, and the bullpen held off a late rally as the Braves took the final game of the series and season, 8-7. The win guarantees at least a share of the wild card.

The Phillies were on the board first in the third inning when John Mayberry hit a two-run homer. The Braves answered in the home half when Jason Heyward tripled in a run to cut the lead to one. They tied it and took the lead in the fourth on RBI singles by Brooks Conrad and Hudson. Omar Infante tripled in two on a bloop down the line that brought home two more, giving them a three-run lead.

The Braves continued to add runs in the fifth and sixth, scoring three more on a solo homer by Derrek Lee, a RBI single by Conrad and a RBI single by Matt Diaz. The Phillies began their comeback in the seventh with a two-run homer by Jayson Werth. Wilson Valdez singled in a run and Ben Francisco doubled in two, making him the tying run at second with two outs. However, Billy Wagner settled down and got the next out, followed by three straight strikeouts in the ninth to end it.

Heyward went 2-4 with a triple and RBI, also adding a great catch against the wall early in the game. Infante went 2- 5 with a triple and two RBIs. Diaz went 3-4 with a RBI. Conrad went 2-4 with two RBIs. Lee added a RBI on the home run, and Hudson picked up a RBI. The Braves had 14 hits and seven walks along with their eight runs. They showed up when they needed it, and it didn’t hurt that the Phillies brought in a new pitcher every inning.

Hudson only allowed two hits, but both were two-run home runs. If you overlook the four runs on two homers, he pitched almost perfectly, not allowing any other hits and just one walk with three strikeouts in seven innings. Hudson did allow a good amount of fly balls, but that’s to be expected against the Phillies. An error prolonged the eighth for Jonny Venters and he allowed two runs while getting two outs. Billy Wagner allowed both runs to score after coming in with two outs in the eighth, but he got the final out in the inning. Wagner struck out all three batters in the ninth looking.

Cole Hamels pitched two scoreless innings. Roy Oswalt gave up a run in an inning. Danys Baez gave up four runs while getting two outs in the fourth. Joe Blanton allowed two runs. J.C. Romero allowed a run and had to leave early due to back soreness.

The Braves at least guaranteed a one-game playoff. Everything is riding on the outcome of the Giants/Padres game currently being played. If the Giants win, the Braves clinch the wild card. If the Padres win, the Giants and Padres play a one-game playoff Monday to determine the division champion, and the loser plays the Braves in a one-game playoff Tuesday. The outcome will be updated here.