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| "WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 14: Starting pitcher Paul Maholm #28 of the Atlanta Braves throws to a Washington Nationals batter during the first inning at Nationals Park on April 14, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)" |
FIRST INNING:
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| "WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 14: Justin Upton #8 (L) and Evan Gattis #24 (C) celebrate with teammate Andrelton Simmons #19 of the Atlanta Braves after they both scored during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on April 14, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images" |
In Atlanta's first offensive stint of the game, B.J. Upton would get a lead off double. Jason Heyward would pop out to shallow right field and Upton advanced to third base for the first out of the inning. Gio Gonzalez preceded to walk Justin Upton as the Braves had a runner on first and third base with one out. Evan Gattis continued his hot stretch with a double to bring home B.J. Upton and gave Atlanta a 1-0 lead and placed both runners in scoring position. Dan Uggla would strike out for the second out of the inning. Chris Johnson would continue the explosive inning with a two run single and gave the Braves a commanding 3-0 lead. Andrelton Simmons was walked and there are two runners on with two outs. Ramiro Pena would go down swinging and the Braves took a 3-0 lead to the bottom of the inning before Paul Malholm even threw his first pitch. In Washington's first offensive inning, Denard Span would ground out to first base for the first out of the inning. Paul Malholm gave up a walk to Jayson Werth with one out in the inning. Bryce Harper would hit into a fielders choice for the second out. Ryan Zimmerman ground out to first base and Atlanta took their 3-0 lead into the second inning.
SECOND INNING:
In the Braves second offensive stretch, Paul Malholm would strike out for the first out. B.J. Upton would ground out to first base for the second out. Jason Heyward would hit a line drive out to deep center field for the third out and the Nationals would come out to bat. In Washington's second offensive stint, Paul Malholm would earn his first strike out on Adam Laroche for the first out of the inning. Ian Desmond would hit a ground ball for the second out. Danny Espinosa would reach base after being hit by a pitch with two outs. Kurt Suzuki would get a single and the Nationals would have two men on with two outs. Gio Gonzalez would ground out and the Braves would get out of a little trouble and maintain their 3-0 lead.
THIRD INNING:
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| "Atlanta Braves left fielder Justin Upton (8) is greeted by teammate Evan Gattis, right, after he crossed home plate on his solo home run against the Washington Nationals in the third inning at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sunday, April 14, 2013. (Chuck Myers/MCT via Getty Images)" |
Justin Upton continued the Braves offensive success by getting a solo home run extending the Braves lead to 4-0. Evan Gattis would ground out for the first out of the inning. Dan Uggla would walk with one out in the inning. Chris Johnson would earn his second hit of the game which put two men on with one out. Andrelton Simmons would capitalize on a three run home run to put the Braves up 7-0. Ramiro Pena would reach first base on yet another throwing error by Ryan Zimmerman with one out. Paul Malholm would but into a double play bunt and the Nationals would dodge a bullet but Atlanta extended their lead to 7-0. In Washington's third offensive stretch, Denard Span would ground out to first base for the first out of the inning. Jayson Werth would line out to short stop for the second out. Bryce Harper would ground out as well and the Braves put Washington out in a 1-2-3 fashion to maintain their 7-0 lead.
FOURTH INNING:
Atlanta's fourth offensive stretch went pretty quick as B.J. Upton grounded out to shortstop followed by Jason Heyward grounded out to first and Justin Upton flied out to center as the Braves would go down in 1-2-3 fashion. As for the Nationals, Ryan Zimmerman would hit yet another ground out to short stop for the first out of the inning. Adam Laroche would hit a line drive out to the warning tracks in left field for the second out. Ian Desmond would strike out swinging and the Braves continued to hold their 7-0 lead heading into the next inning.
FIFTH INNING:
Evan Gattis would ground out to shortstop for the Braves first out of the inning. Dan Uggla would barely miss on a line drive to second base for the second out. Chris Johnson would earn his third hit of the day with two outs. Andrelton Simmons would fly out for the final out. For Washington, Steve Lombardozzi, who came in for Danny Espinosa, would earn a single with no outs. Paul Malholm would respond by striking out Kurt Suzuki for the first out. Malholm would precede to strike out Tyler Moore. Denard Span lined out to right and Atlanta kept their 7-0 lead.
SIXTH INNING:
Zach Duke would pitch for Gio Gonzalez who went (5.0) Innings, gave up (7) hits, (7) earned runs,(3) walks,(3) strikeouts and also gave up (2) home runs. As the Braves started their next offensive run, Ramiro Pena lined out to center for the first out, pitcher Paul Maholm singled to center.B.J. Upton singled to center and Paul Maholm to second with one out. Jason Heyward doubled to deep right field, scoring Paul Maholm ,and B.J. Upton advanced to third base as the Braves took a 8-0 lead. Zach Duke would intentionally walk to load the bases.Evan Gattis hit a sacrifice fly to right field scoring B.J. Upton and Atlanta took a 9-0 lead with two outs. Dan Uggla grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop to earn the third out but Atlanta now lead 9-0. As for the Nationals, Jayson Werth flied out to right field on a great catch by Reed Johnson, who came in for Jason Heyward for the first out. Bryce Harper struck out swinging for the second out of the inning and Ryan Zimmerman grounded out to third as the Braves sent Washington down in a 1-2-3 fashion and maintained a 9-0 lead.
SEVENTH INNING:
Chris Johnson got a lead off single to center field for Atlanta. Andrelton Simmons grounded into fielder's choice to third, Chris Johnson out at second for the first out.Ramiro Pena grounded into another fielder's choice to third, and Andrelton Simmons out at second for the second out of the inning.Paul Maholm struck out looking as the Braves went to the stretch. As for Washington, Adam Laroche flied out to right field for the first out of the inning. Ian Desmond would strike out for the second out for the Nationals followed by a ground out from Steve Lombardozzi in a 1-2-3 fashion and Atlanta continued to dominate the Nationals by a score of 9-0.
EIGHTH INNING:
B.J. Upton would start off the inning with another lead off double. Reed Johnson would ground out to short stop for the first out. Justin Upton would reach first base on a error by Steve Lombardozzi; however, the inning would end as Evan Gattis hit into a double play and the Braves threat was halted but they continued to maintain a 9-0 lead. Kurt Suzuki would get a lead off single for Washington to open the inning. Tyler Moore would pop out to shallow right field for the first out of the inning. Denard Span would single and the Nationals would have two runners on first and third base with one out. Roger Bernadina would strike out and that would be Paul Malholm final batter of the game. Malholm's day ended with (7.1) innings pitched, allowed (4) hits, one walk, and struck out (6) batters. Bryce Harper walked and advanced Chad Tracy to 2nd base with two outs. And with the bases loaded, Ryan Zimmerman grounds out, pitcher Luis Avilan to first baseman Chris Johnson and Atlanta led 9-0 heading into the final inning.
NINTH INNING:
Henry Rodriguez replaced Zach Duke as the pitcher for Washington in the final inning. Dan Uggla pops out to shortstop Ian Desmond for the first out. Chris Johnson grounds out, second baseman Steve Lombardozzi to first baseman Adam LaRoche for the second out. Andrelton Simmons walked and Ramiro Pena walked advancing Andrelton Simmons to 2nd. Pinch hitter Blake Dewitt would hit a line drive out and the Braves offense was done for the day taking a 9-0 lead into the bottom of the ninth inning.Cory Gearrin replaced Luis Avilan and would finish the game for Atlanta and put the Nationals away in a 1-2-3 fashion as Adam LaRoche lines out to left fielder Jordan Schafer, followed by Ian Desmond lining out to right fielder Reed Johnson and Steve Lombardozzi grounded out to pitcher Cory Gearrin to first baseman Chris Johnson and the Braves would win by a final score of 9-0
WINNING PITCHER:
Paul Malholm (3-0):
(7.1) innings pitched, allowed (4) hits, one walk, and struck out (6) batters.
LOSING PITCHER:
Gio Gonzalez: (1-1)
(5.0) Innings, gave up (7) hits, (7) earned runs,(3) walks,(3) strikeouts and (2) home runs allowed
PLAYERS OF THE GAME:
Paul Malholm/B.J. Upton:
Paul Malholm was dominant in today's contest as he shut down the Nationals explosive offense and had a very impressive stat line with (7.1) innings pitched, allowed (4) hits, one walk, and struck out (6) batters. Malholm improved to 3-0 on the season and currently holds a (0.00) ERA. He's arguably been the best pitcher on the team to open the 2013 MLB season and showed it against one of the best teams in baseball. B.J. Upton earned player of the game because for a lead-off hitter who was struggling like he was heading into today's game, his lead off double in the first inning started the huge day for Atlanta's offense and he would finish hitting (3-5) with two doubles and accounted for two of the Braves runs today. Hopefully, today was the game that lifts such a tremendous player in Upton into a nice streak and that he continue to provide big plays on offense and in the field for the Braves.
CONCLUSION:
With today's win, the Braves improved to a MLB's best (11-1) record to start the season and would extend their impressive winning streak to an amazing nine games. Atlanta would also earn their third consecutive sweep and they have not lost a series this season. Atlanta continues to be one of the most impressive teams around the majors to open the 2013 season and today's win displayed how special this unit could be throughout the season.The Braves will have tomorrow off before a two-game set back in Atlanta against the Kansas City Royals. Until Tuesday, LET'S GO BRAVES!!!!!!
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