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Atlanta Braves Phight Back, then Put the Stake to Phils Late

By Alan Carpenter

Sep 1, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves left fielder Matt Kemp (27) hits a two RBI single in the fifth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves left fielder Matt Kemp (27) hits a two RBI single in the fifth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Braves continue their offensive outburst with another unstoppable performance against Philadelphia Friday night in the first game of their weekend series.

This thing called an “offense” – the Atlanta Braves have found a formula that seems to be working consistently enough, and it did so again tonight despite spotting the Phillies 4 early runs.

Joel De La Cruz did his thing as the starter again tonight: 5 innings, 4 runs – yes, Braves killer Ryan Howard was involved AGAIN – but he kept his team in the contest and the bullpen did the rest.

Chris Withrow, Jose Ramirez, Mauricio Cabrera, and Jim Johnson all chipped in admirably:  1 inning apiece; no runs allowed.  Cabrera was noteworthy for allowing two hits, but also mopping the floors with 3 strikeouts to spoil the host team’s thoughts of a late rally of their own.

But that Hitting!

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The final was 8-4, but it could have been even worse for the Phils.  Atlanta loaded the bases in the first inning after two had already been put out via (you’ve heard this before) Freddie Freeman extra base hit, a Matt Kemp dribbler, and a walk to Nick Markakis.  Alas, starter Jeremy Hellickson got Tyler Flowers to end the threat at that point.

After the home team plated a run in the first (Howard) and three more in the second (new catcher A.J. Ellis), the Braves were struggling to repeat that early success against Hellickson… for a while.

Then the fifth inning.  The comeback begins.

Gordon Beckham – starting at shortstop for reasons unclear – opened that frame by ripping a double to left.  De La Cruz sacrificed him over to third, then Ender Inciarte managed to get him home without getting the ball out of the infield.  A couple of batters later (and with Freeman walked), Matt Kemp launched a homer that just cleared the fence for a 3-run jack that tied the game at 4 apiece.

But Hillickson’s pitch count was mounting and the Braves got into the Phillies’ bullpen in the 7th – coming close to scoring then and again in the 8th, but coming up short.

8. 17. Final. 4. 6

In the 8th, however, Jeanmar Gomez got the full brunt of the Braves’ new bats:

  • Inciarte single
  • Garcia single
  • Freeman double
  • Kemp single
  • Markakis double
  • Flowers sacrifice fly

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That last run-scoring fly became the first out of the inning – after four runs of damage had already been done.  That made for an 8-4 lead that sucked the life out of the stadium and gave the Braves a 4-game win streak.

Winning is cool.  Winning with bats I can get used to.

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