Giants Rout The Atlanta Braves – The Decisions and The Reasons

Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez (33) looks on pondering what he do. his options are limited and his choices always questioned. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Last night the Giants exploded for six runs in the eighth against the Braves bullpen. Were the decisions managerial malfeasance or good team exposing a weak roster?

What happened – Just the facts

You can find a full game recap here  and the box with detail here. This is simply a look at one inning and what caused it; first the timeline

Top of the eighth:

• Andrelton Simmons led off the top of the eighth with a single.
• Pedro Ciriaco pinch hit for Shelby Miller and hit into a fielders choice.
  • The Giants brought in LHP Jeremy Affeldt replacing Chris Heston.
• Jonny Gomes pinch hit for Jace Peterson and struck out.
  • Sergio Romo replaced Affeldt
• Cameron Maybin ground out ending the inning.
• Ciriaco replaces Peterson at second base.

Bottom of the eighth:

• Brandon Cunniff now pitching for the Braves.
• Matt Duffy Walks.
• Gregor Blanco pinch hits for Romo and singles sharply up the middle. Ciriaco dives and gloves it keeping the runners at first and second.
• Nori Aoki bunts and beats it out for an infield hit loading the bases.
  • Roger McDowell visits the mound.
• Joe Panik doubles into the right field corner off the glove of Nick Markakis scoring Duffy and Blanco
• Hunter Pence triples scoring Aoki and Panik.
• Buster Posey lines out to Maybin in center for the first out.
  • LHP Donnie Veal replaces Cunniff
• Veal throws a wild pitch allowing Pence to score.
• Brandon Belt doubles to left.
• Brandon Crawford doubles when his line drive to left bounces into the stands scoring Belt.
• Angel Pagan hits a sharp groundball single that bad hops Simmons.
• Matt Duffy strikes out ending the inning.

That’s what happened but why did it happen?

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