Atlanta Braves Collapse In The 9th To The Washington Nationals 13-12
By Jeff Schafer
Would you like some offense with your wine?
The runs came early, often and even at the end of the game on Tuesday night for both teams. The Atlanta Braves were unable to secure more though as they let the game slip away from them in the 9th inning as the Washington Nationals won 13-12 in game two of this series.
A day after Dan Uggla was booed by the Braves fans, he got his payback to them.
How about some hits?
The Braves and the Nationals totaled 32 hits on Tuesday and 18 on Monday (13 of which came from the bats of the Braves.
Everyone of the hitters in the Braves starting lineup had at least one hit with Freddie Freeman and A.J. Pierzynski having four hits. Pierzynski totaled three RBIs and raised his batting average to .439 for the 2015 season. He is 18-41 for the season with 11 RBIs and only two strikeouts. Yes, he’ll continue to play over Christian Bethancourt for the time being.
Braves faced pitcher A.J. Cole and were able to knock him around early. Cole is the number six ranked prospect in the Nationals organization and got the spot start because Max Scherzer has a minor thumb injury.
Atlanta scored two runs in the first inning with a sac fly by Pierzynski and a double by Alberto Callaspo. Then scored seven runs in the second inning. Cole was able to finish the inning, but didn’t throw another pitch after the second.
Julio Teheran started the game for the Braves, but once again didn’t have a great outing. He lasted into the 6th inning giving up seven runs, off 10 hits and two homers. Only three of those runs were earned runs and he struck out four, but we have to start getting quality starts from our starters and it begins with Teheran.
Braves scored one run in the 4th, 6th and 7th inning of the game.
The Nationals continued to fight throughout the game especially in the 5th inning when they scored four runs, the 7th when the scored three and the 9th inning when they scored three runs. Dan Uggla was the star of the game as he hit his second triple of the series in the 7th inning to drive in two runs and hit the game winning homer in the 9th. He went 3-5 with five RBIs and two runs scored.
Jason Grilli came into the game in the 9th inning to wrap up the victory, but struggled. He gave up a single, then a walk and then the homer to Uggla.
Could we say we were jinxed?!?!? Thanks Chipper!!
Atlanta took game one on Monday night with an 8-4 victory. The Braves will look to win the series on Wednesday night as the projected starters are Alex Wood versus Jordon Zimmermann.