Last season the Braves lost 25 one run games. This season, they've already lost two. And we are only two days into the season. For the second straight game the Bravos wasted a fantastic starting pitching performance with a cruddy bullpen effort, this time Ohman letting a man on, only to have him score on an error by Yunel. Manny Acosta did his best Jorge Sosa out of the pen impression with a three run shot allowed. The Braves DID manage to rally for 5 runs in the bottom of the 9th, but it was for naught as Blaine Boyer (thanks for working so hard on that rehab, just to lose this game) with another three run shot allowed in the 12th. Francoeur did homer and Matty Diaz drove home Mark Kotsay to get it to within one in the bottom of the 12th, but Corky Miller (apparently the Braves catcher and not the actor from 30something) flew out to end the game.
Crud. I was seriously hoping the Braves had this bullpen thing fixed. They acquired OH-MAN from Chicago and apparently Peter Moylan's Michael Scoefield Tats were supposed to make him hardcore, and Soriano was going to be LIGHTS out as the closer. Throw Gonzo into the mix when he returned in July and the Braves Bullpen was going to be the X-factor in getting the Braves to the playoffs. Well, consider the X still unknown.
Hudson sat down 19 straight last night, but it was Moylan in the 9th that gave up the home run and he couldn't hold Ohman's runner tonight. True it was because of an error, but the Braves had three errors. That needs to shore up quick. Tommy Glavine looked sharp for the most part, and if Atlanta can get 5+,6 innings per start from him, HUGE.
And I like that the Braves aren't quitting when down to their last at-bat, but let's stop putting ourselves there, huh? Score more than one run for Hudson. quite leaving men on base with a chance to step on the other team's throat. Stop hitting into double plays.
As Earl Weaver once said, if you ever feel you are about to hit into a double play, just strike out.
And Bravos....you are on pace for an 0-162 season. Let's turn it around!
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