Game Recap: Atlanta Braves Rally Comes Up Short; Nats Walk Off On Harper HR

On a perfect Saturday afternoon, the Atlanta Braves sought to even things up in our Nation’s Capital against the NL East rival Nationals. The Braves sent out Julio Teheran to try to stifle the Nats. Doug Fister would start things off for Washington.

Things got going in the bottom of the second. After giving up a one out base hit to Ian Desmond, Jose Lobaton tattooed the first pitch from Teheran out to center field to give Washington a 2-0 lead. Danny Espinoza would follow with a double that just got out of the reach of Cameron Maybin in center. A very ominous beginning for Teheran. His troubles still continue to puzzle us.

After giving up the double to Espinoza, he would walk lead off man Denard Span with two out to put guys on 1st and 2nd. Not the kind of start you want from your “ace”. Former Brave Yunel Escobar (we just can’t seem to break the curse of the former Braves) Then bloops a single allowing Espinoza to score and make it 3-o Nationals. Teheran would finally get out of it by getting Jayson Werth to strike out to end the inning.

Teheran would continue his inconsistent ways in the 4th. With one out, Teheran would give up a booming double to Nationals pitcher … yes, pitcher Doug Fister that barely missed getting into the first row of seats in right. Thankfully, the double wouldn’t though hurt as Span lined out into a double play.

The Braves would finally get their first hit of the game in the 5th. A little flare off the bat of Alberto Callaspo out to Werth in short left. After two quick outs, Maybin would come up and on a 3-2 pitch, roped a double down the left field line scoring Callaspo from 2nd, getting the Braves on the scoreboard too; 3-1 Nationals. Callaspo had advanced to 2nd on a ground out to 3rd baseman Yunel Escobar. However, the ball deflected off of his glove and when SS Ian Desmond got to it, his only play would be at 1st.

The Nationals would add three more on a Ryan Zimmerman home run, the second allowed by Teheran on the day. Scoring ahead of Zimmerman was Jayson Werth and Bryce Harper who had each singled in the previous at bats. What was initially ruled a double on the field, the shadows were playing with the eyes of every one, and after review, the call was overturned and ruled a home run. This would extend the Nats lead to 6-1. Teheran would get the last out on a strike out.

Through five full innings, Julio Teheran sat at 97 pitches, 61 for strikes. Teheran never seemed to get settled in during the course of the game. Concerns over Teheran’s recent performances are continuing to grow. Something isn’t right with him. Of course everyone refers back to the game Julio tweaked his knee earlier in the season.

We continue to be told over and over the nothing physical is wrong with Teheran. This is coming from both Teheran himself and the Braves coaches and staff. Someone is either in denial, or there is something legitimately wrong with him. All we as fans can do is speculate, but if you’re judging based off the eye test, something is definitely amiss.

Teheran’s closing line: 5 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 3 BBs, 6 Ks, and 2 HRs allowed. This is supposed to be our “ace”. His ERA for the year now sits at 4.74. Not exactly “ace” worthy numbers. For comparison sake, through five innings, Fister sat at 82 pitches and 58 went for strikes.

The Braves would get back in it in the 6th, pulling to within 3. Christian Bethancourt would single with two out and Maybin would follow that up with another double down the line. With runners at 2nd and 3rd, Pedro Ciriaco, pinch-hitting for reliever Trevor Cahill, would rope a solid double of his own plating Bethancourt and Maybin. That would be all for Fister.

Andrelton Simmons would extend his hitting streak to 8 games with a single to lead off the 8th. Freddie Freeman follows up with a single of his own to put runners on 1st and 2nd with no out. With Callaspo at the plate after a Kelly Johnson strike out, Callaspo would draw a 10-pitch walk to load the bases. Jace Peterson is able to bring Simmons in on a weak grounder to 1st to cut the lead to 6-4 and now two out.

On a 2-2 pitch Bethancourt scorched a double to the gap in left center. Both Freeman and Callaspo come around to score to tie the game at 6. Callaspo had the key at bat of the inning drawing the 10-pitch walk. The Braves finally got through Tanner Roark and the Nats pen in the 8th. The Braves 6, 7, and 8 hitters are a combined 4 for 12 with 4 RBI. Pedro Ciriaco is 1 for 1 with 2 RBI. He pinch hit for Cahill in the 9th spot in the 7th.

What looked to be the go ahead run scoring single to left by Dan Uggla, was all for naught. Standing on 2nd base was the Nationals fast man, Michael Taylor. As Taylor was rounding 3rd, Kelly Johnson fielded the ball and fired a cannon-shot to Bethancourt. On an equally great effort, Bethancourt caught the throw up the line a little, but was able to turn in time and peg Taylor out at home to preserve the tie.

The Braves gave a valiant effort, so much so that they were able to tie it in the 8th. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t meant to be today. All the Braves can hope for now is to salvage the last game of the series tomorrow afternoon. Alex Wood will hope to bounce back from a disappointing outing last time out. He looks to move to 2-2 on the year. The Nationals will counter with Jordan Zimmerman as he attempts to earn his third win of the year. First pitch is slated for 1:35 EST at Nationals Park in D.C.

Next: Troubled Teheran?