House That Hank Built
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Atlanta Braves come to the end of the 2018 campaign

By Alan Carpenter

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 08: The Los Angeles Dodgers pose together in celebration of winning Game Four of the National League Division Series with a score of 6-2 over the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on October 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Dodgers won the series 3-1. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 08: The Los Angeles Dodgers pose together in celebration of winning Game Four of the National League Division Series with a score of 6-2 over the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on October 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Dodgers won the series 3-1. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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It was improbable, but became possible.  In the end, it was too much Dodger pitching that outgunned a scrappy team that was really fun to watch.

Deep down, we knew it was probably inevitable, though as this team willed itself to so many victories, a raucous SunTrust Park crowd was trying to do its part to ‘will’ their Atlanta Braves to wins this weekend.

It worked once – a bizarre game in which 4 hits produced 6 runs while yielding only 5 despite 9 walks.  But this afternoon… while you could argue that it was a better-played game, the same gotchas that have plagued many an opponent of the Dodgers this year did so again:

  • Their pitching was excellent
  • Their homer-hitting could not be stopped

Today it was ‘only’ 7 walks issued – 4 from starter Mike Foltynewicz, plus 2 critical ones by Chad Sobotka – a fairly unlikely source.

It is noteworthy that umpire Tom Hallion was behind the plate and his strike zone was consistent, though overall it was roughly a ball’s-width below the Fox Box display, which led to some frustrations.

Dodger starter Rich Hill actually seemed to have more trouble with Hallion’s strike zone.  He walked 5 batters as his curve balls consistent sat on the box’s top line… but seldom below.  But the pitchers generally failed to adjust.

Missing the Chances

Accordingly, the Braves failed to get the ‘big hit’ that they got on Sunday.

Only Kurt Suzuki came through in such a key situation, lacing a single to center that fell in to score Johan Camargo and Tyler Flowers in the 4th inning – giving the Braves a 2-1 lead.  Both of them had walked.

But as for the rest of the opportunities…

  • Inning 1:  Camargo fouled out with runners at 1st and 2nd
  • Inning 3:  Markakis popped out with runners at 1st and 2nd
  • Inning 4:  Acuna grounded out immediately after Suzuki’s hit
  • Inning 5:  With bases loaded and only 1 out, Tyler Flowers fouled out and Ender Inciarte popped out.
  • Inning 8:  After 2 two-out hits (1st and 3rd), Lucas Duda flied out to center… after just missing on a titanic foul beyond – and to the right of – the RF pole

More from Tomahawk Take

So there the Braves had 6 scoring opportunities (not counting Acuna above) and cashed in just 1 of them.

In the meantime, the Dodgers did Dodger things – not with the best of defense, but with great pitching and the long ball.

Manny Machado continued his extended audition for his next team with a double and homer – his second in the series.  This drove in 4 runs by himself, which was enough today.

So there was no October Miracle Braves this year – and now we all will sit and watch the remaining festivities from afar.

But even at that, we will be able to do this and rightly believe “that will be our team doing these things… soon.”

This season, they beat all expectations – including those that many expressed just this week.  Two teams got swept out of Round 1 – the Braves were not one of those.

Next. The up-and-coming Southpaws. dark

Congratulations to our Atlanta Braves on a spirited and productive 2018.  Here’s our toast to you on what should be the launching pad for an even better 2019… and beyond.

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