Atlanta Braves: 95 World Series Team Honored, Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn Added, Oh … Braves Win too!
By Dan Horton
Atlanta Braves Alumni Weekend, the 1995 World Series Champions honored, newest Brave Nick Swisher and a Brave back in a Tomahawk in Michael Bourn. The only thing that could top tonight off would be a win, along with clinching the series against the Fish. It was Mike Foltynewicz‘s turn to hold back the Marlins.
Michael Bourn was in the leadoff spot and Swisher was hitting fifth. I have to admit, it was great to see Bourn back in a Braves jersey and Swisher sported the look very nicely! Andrelton Simmons was also back in the lineup after some extended time off after his injury. His return obviously overshadowed by the ’95er’s, the return of Bourn, and addition of Swisher.
The Braves got things started early, something they have been doing more of lately. In the first inning, Cameron Maybin laced a ground-rule double down the right field line. After a Nick Markakis ground out, which moved Maybin to 3rd, our friend A.J. Pierzynski drove him in with a solid single to center. That extended A.J.’s hit streak to 13 games.
Andrelton got the rust off in the 2nd. After a walk to Jace Peterson and base hit from Adonis Garcia, Simmons made it 2-1 Braves on a SAC fly. The last few games it has been a pleasant surprise and fun to watch the Braves get back to A-B-C baseball. Get them on, get them over, and get them in.
Folty hit a speed bump of sorts in the 3rd. Actually, it was more of a case of a blowout. Foltynewicz walked the bases loaded in between outs. An infield single tied the game at 2.
In the bottom of the 3rd, Nick Markakis continued his hitting streak. A base hit up the middle pushed Nick’s streak to 15.
With what looked like the worst of Folty in the 3rd, the 4th looked like the best, OK maybe not the best, but it was certainly better. A quick 1-2-3 inning was the shutdown inning needed after the wild 3rd inning he had. Through 5 he was about as wildly effective as you could be. It was like Nook LaLoosh. You really had no idea where it was going to go.
A great hustle double by Maybin with one out in the bottom of the 5th, set the Braves up to take the lead. They did just that. Nick the Stick (Markakis), with his 37th multi-hit game of the year, gets Maybin in from second to push it 3-2 Braves.
Adonis Garcia continues to impress me. His defense has seemed to fly under the radar though. I attribute that to his uncanny knack to hit game winning or go-ahead home runs. But Garcia made fine stop in the 6th that he kept in front of him. He didn’t panic, picked up the ball, and fired to first to get his man at first.
Foltynewicz labored through 5 2/3 innings. He was pulled with 2 down in the 6th after he issued a walk to Marlins pitcher Tom Koehler. Folty gave up 5 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 4 BBs, and 3 K’s. Ross Detwiler came on to try to put out the flames.
New kid on the block Nick Swisher flashed some leather of his own. In the top of the 7th, with men on 1st and 2nd, Swisher snared a liner off the bat of Casey McGehee. As he made the grab, he was falling toward foul territory. He slapped his hand on to the first base bag two double off Yelich.
Nick Swisher treated the Atlanta faithful to a double off the base of the wall in the 7th. A 2-run double to be exact to put the Braves up 5-2. It brought Markakis and A.J. around to score. As Nick (Swisher that is) pounded out claps of his hands standing on 2nd, he gave a hearty ‘Tomahawk Chop’! Have a debut Mr. Swisher! I don’t know if that’s something the previous wearer of the number 23 could have done.
Atlanta added more in their half of the 8th. A double by Garcia, followed by a double by Simmons made it 6-2 Braves. Andrelton then stole third standing and pinch hitter Jonny Gomes roped a bullet to shortstop. Simmons scored easily on the misplay by Hechavarria; 7-2 Braves. Then, just for fun, Bourn got in on the fun. A base hit in his return, giving every hitter in the lineup a hit on the night, except Peterson and the pitchers spot.
David Aardsma came on in the 9th to finish out the win. A great debut by Swisher, Bourn’s return, and the honoring of the 1995 World Champs made this win all that more fun.
The Braves go for the sweep of the Marlins tomorrow afternoon as Shelby Miller looks to get out of that loss column. After the last few days, it’s looking a little more promising. First pitch is slated for 5:05 PM. Brad Hand opposes Miller for the Marlins.
Keep on Choppin’ Braves Country!