Atlanta Braves Sunday Report

This was a short week with the All-Star Game being played. The Braves went 3-0 this week while sweeping the Pirates. For the Braves it was their 6th straight win at home. The last time that happened was July 26-31, 2005. Ironically both streaks came against the Nationals and Pirates. I guess it is safe to say the Braves play good against those 2 teams at Turner Field.

FRIDAY
---Pirates
---Win 9-1
---WP: Tim Hudson (9-5)
---LP: Ian Snell (7-6)

The story of this game was Brian McCann. McCann had 2 homeruns while knocking in 4 runs. Andruw Jones also homered and Renteria added a pair of runs driven in. Tim Hudson tossed 7 shutout innings to earn win number 9. Hudson also had an RBI single.

SATURDAY
---Pirates
---Win 5-4
---WP: Bob Wickman (2-2)
---LP: Shawn Chacon (4-2)

This was a wild game. The Braves jumped on the Pirates early for 3 runs in the 1st inning including a 2-run homerun from Andruw Jones. For Jones it was homerun number 17 this season. Chipper Jones also had a good day at the plate going 3 for 4. Chuck James was lifted after pitching 6 shutout innings giving up only 2 hits. Tyler Yates than managed to give up a run and leave 2 others on base in the 7th inning when he was replaced by Rafael Soriano. Soriano than managed to give up a 3-run pinch hit homerun to the Pirates Ryan Doumit that tied the game at 4. The game was then delayed 72 minutes in the bottom of the 7th due to rain. After play resumed Jeff Francoeur won the game with a 2-out walkoff single in bottom of the 9th to give the Braves a 5-4 win. For Francoeur it was his 4th career walkoff hit.

SUNDAY
---Pirates
---Win 5-1
---WP: Buddy Carlyle (4-2)
---LP: Paul Maholm (5-12)

Buddy Carlyle was outstanding again pitching 8 innings of 1 run ball. He gave up just 5 hits over those 8 innings while striking out 4. Edgar Renteria went 4 for 5 while knocking in a run. Yunel Escobar and Jeff Francoeur also had RBIs in the game as the Braves cruised to a 5-1 win.

For the Braves it was their 4th straight win, 7 of 8 and 12 of 16. So to say the least they have been on quite a roll. As a result of their good play that have cut the Mets lead in the division down to just 1 1/2 games. The Phillies are also only 5 1/2 games behind the Mets.

Upcoming the Braves continue their 10 game homestand against the Reds and Cardinals while the Mets are on the road against the Padres and Dodgers. It looks as if this is the prime chance for the Braves to take the lead in the division.