Jason Heyward came up with the score tied 3-3 in the first, runners on first and third and one out. After he laid off of a pitch away, he sent a ball screaming into the bullpen 435 feet away. A legend isn't just born but it has been cemented.
Derek Lowe gave up a three-run home run in the first only to see the Braves battle back to tie the game up at three and THAT is when the fireworks started. WOW. Heyward was a MAN today. Then Brian McCann sent a home run into the frenzied Turner Field crowd. Though DLowe gave up another home run, the Braves supported him with even more runs in the seventh thanks to Yunel Escobar's bases-loaded double to finish with five RBI for the game and Heyward drove in yet another run (he finished with four though another runner scored when he reached on an error.) Heyward scored a few runs and he looks like a superstar.
I said yesterday on Score Atlanta Sports Sunday that I hoped people didn't put too much on him too soon like everyone did with Jeff Francoeur, but perhaps this kid can handle it. I do hope though that Chipper continues to carry the team this season and then maybe McCann takes "control" of the team next year. Let Heyward ease into the "face of the franchise" role.
Between Hanson, Jurrjens, McCann and now Heyward on board, this team scored 16 runs today and really looks like a strong wild card contender, if not the leader in the clubhouse.
Doc Holladay looked strong in an 11-1 Philly win, but if the Braves offense averages just 6 runs per game....hello playoffs.
This is going to be a special season with Bobby leaving and McCann going to the all-star game yet again, and Hanson hopefully ascending to "ACE" of the team...Heyward though could make this one of the most special we've seen perhaps since 1999, the last time the Braves went to the World Series. Hopefully it is more like 1995...and you know what happened then.
No comments:
Post a Comment