May 10 2008
Streak snapped as Braves’ road woes continue in loss to Bucs
By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com
Pirates 3, Braves 2
Top of the Order: Freddy Sanchez’s single in the bottom of the ninth sent the Braves to their first loss of May, ending a six-game winning streak as Atlanta fell to 1-10 in one-run decisions.
The Good: It was a pitchers’ duel, and Tom Glavine did everything he could to help the Braves win. Glavine carried a shutout into the seventh inning, finishing with five hits allowed and two runs, those coming on Sanchez’s double down the line in right to give Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead. Glavine also surpassed two pretty good hurlers – Bob Feller and Warren Spahn – on the all-time strikeout list. The Braves battled back, tying the game in the eighth on Jeff Francoeur’s single off former Brave Tyler Yates. Francoeur finished with two RBIs, driving in the game’s first run on a fielder’s choice in the sixth. Brian McCann finished 3-for-3. Royce Ring, Blaine Boyer and Will Ohman pitched well out of the bullpen.
The Bad: While it’s true Pittsburgh starter Ian Snell threw it well, the Braves did absolutely nothing offensively until the late innings. Chipper Jones went hitless, as did Yunel Escobar and Kelly Johnson, the top three spots in the order combining to go 0-for-10. Mark Kotsay stranded seven runners on base. Jeff Bennett couldn’t push the game into extra innings, allowing three hits and the game-winning run in the ninth.
View from the Sports Garage: What is it about this team when they leave Turner Field? I wouldn’t make too much out of this one loss, other than to say the Braves’ inability to support Glavine’s excellent effort is frustrating. With Jair Jurrjens and Tim Hudson still slated to pitch in this series, the Braves stand an excellent chance to win at least two games of this four-game set. It’s not like the Braves didn’t have their chances late in this one, but just couldn’t cash it in like they did at home during the six-game win streak. The Braves are 14-4 at home, yet 4-12 on the road, a dismal split that has to get better. Especially when you get performances like Atlanta did out of Glavine, the Braves got to get victories. It’s important for somebody to go out and set the tone offensively for the Braves in these road games. Too many chances in the late innings passed by without the Braves scoring more runs. Just a frustrating loss, but you’re going to lose some games like this during the course of a 162-game season.
On deck
Braves at Pirates
7:05 p.m. today, PNC Park
The Skinny: Chuck James appears to have found himself. Two of his three starts at the big-league level this season have been stellar, and he authored seven fine innings for Richmond on Monday. James (2-1, 7.62 ERA) returns to the scene of perhaps his best big-league start. Last May, he carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning at PNC. Toeing the slab for the Buccos is Tom Gorzelanny (2-3, 6.91 ERA), who missed his last start with back trouble. The Bravos need to bounce back tonight, and give James plenty of run support.
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