(7-6) Kansas City Royals at (12-1) Atlanta Braves Recap

"ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 16: Dan Uggla of the Atlanta Braves runs to first after a solo home run in the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Turner Field on April 16, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. All uniformed team members are wearing jersey number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)"

After an exciting start to the season for the Atlanta Braves, they returned home from their six game road to trip for a quick two game series against the Kansas City Royals at Turner Field on Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon.Kansas City entered tonight's game  having lost two of three this past weekend to the Blue Jays.As for Atlanta, they spent the weekend shocking the major leagues as they swept the Washington Nationals in D.C. and completed their road trip at a perfect 6-0 record, and extended their winning streak to nine games which ties the league high so far this season. Tonight's contest would also mark the first time Ned Yost makes his return to Turner Field after he spent twelve seasons as a coach with the Braves under Bobby Cox (1991-2002). Jeff Francoeur also makes his return to Atlanta. The Parkview High School standout spent his first 4 1/2 seasons in a Braves uniform (2005-2009). The Braves would send Kris Medlen to the mound for the opening game of this series. Medlen's last start was very impressive as he pitched (7.0) innings, allowed (3) hits, and one earned run, walked two batters and delivered (3) strike outs as the Braves defeated the Miami Marlins 3-1 last week to earn his first win of the season. Medlen will look to continue his impressive start against the Royals. Kansas City would send Jeremy Guthrie to the mound looking to earn his third win of the season. Guthrie, who was acquired last season through a trade from the Cleveland Indians, have given the Royals a huge lift to start the season. In his previous start, Guthrie pitched (6.2) innings, allowed (4) hits, (4) earned runs, (3) home runs, delivered (2) strikeouts and one walk; however, the Royals emerged with a 7-4 win. The Braves were looking to earn their first win of the season against an American League opponent and continue their dominant start to the 2013 MLB season.


FIRST INNING:

In the Royals first offensive stint of the game, Kris Medlen would deliver a 1-2-3 start to the game as Alex Gordon flies out to center fielder B. J. Upton for the first out, followed by Alcides Escobar pops out to shortstop Andrelton Simmons for the second out and Eric Hosmer flies out to left fielder Justin Upton for the final out. As for the  Braves, they would go down in a 1-2-3 fashion as well as B. J. Upton lines out to right fielder Jeff Francoeur for the first out, followed by   Jason Heyward flies out to right fielder Jeff Francoeur for the second out and Justin Upton called out on strikes as the Braves and Royal went into the second inning scoreless. 

SECOND INNING:

"ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 16: Juan Francisco celebrates a home run with Andrelton Simmons of the Atlanta Braves in the second inning of the game against the Kansas City Royals at Turner Field on April 16, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. All uniformed team members are wearing jersey number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)"

In Kansas city's second offensive stretch, Salvador Perez strikes out swinging for the first out; however, Lorenzo Cain would reach base on a fielding error by second baseman Dan Uggla. The Royals second out came when Mike Moustakas pops out to third baseman Juan Francisco in foul territory and Jeff Francoeur grounds into a force out, shortstop Andrelton Simmons to second baseman Dan Uggla. Lorenzo Cain out at 2nd for the third out. The Braves would start off their second stretch with Evan Gattis being called out on strikes; followed by Dan Uggla grounds out, second baseman Chris Getz to first baseman Eric Hosmet for the second out of the inning. Atlanta's two out offensive success would continue as Juan Francisco homered on a line drive to right field to give the Braves a 1-0 lead. It was Francisco's second home run of the 2013 MLB season and Chris Johnson would continue his impressive start to the season when he doubled on a line drive to right field; however, the inning would come to an end Andrelton Simmons grounded out, shortstop Alcides Escobar to first baseman Eric Hosmer and the Braves took a 1-0 lead into the third inning.

THIRD INNING:

"ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 16: Chris Getz of the Kansas City Royals celebrates with teammates as he enters the dugout after a home run in the third inning against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on April 16, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. All uniformed team members are wearing jersey number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)"

Kansas City would respond fast as Chris Getz homers (1) on a fly ball to right field to tie the game at 1-1. It was Getz first home run in 954 at-bats. Jeremy Guthrie reaches on catcher interference by Evan Gattis. Jeremy Guthrie to 1st.  Alex Gordon would ground into a double play, second baseman Dan Uggla to shortstop Andrelton Simmons to first baseman Chris Johnson. Jeremy Guthrie out at 2nd. Alcides Escobar would strike out as the Braves would come out of the top of the frame in a tie game at 1-1. As for the Braves, Kris Medlen . B.J. Upton would reach base after being walked by Jeremy Guthrie. Jason Heyward would hit a pop fly to deep center field to Alex Gordon for the second out and Justin Upton pops out to second baseman Chris Getz as the Braves would go down in 1-2-3 fashion as the game remained in a 1-1 tie.

FOURTH INNING:

As Kansas City began their next offensive stint, Eric Hosmer was called on strike outs for the first out of the inning. Salvador Perez reaches on a throwing error by third baseman Juan Francisco to put one runner on with one out. Lorenzo Cain called out on strikes for the second out of the inning; however, Kansas City would capitalize as Mike Moustakas singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Jason Heyward. Salvador Perez to 2nd and Jeff Francoeur singles on a line drive to center fielder B. Upton. Salvador Perez scores. Mike Moustakas to 3rd as the Royals would take a 2-1 lead with two outs. Chris Getz strikes out swinging and Kansas City took their 2-1 lead to the bottom of the inning. For the Braves, Evan Gattis strikes out swinging for the first out followed Dan Uggla striking out swinging for the second out and Juan Francisco grounds out, pitcher Jeremy Guthrie to first baseman Eric Hosmer as the Braves went down in 1-2-3 fashion and the Royals maintained their 2-1 lead.

FIFTH INNING:

As Kansas City began their next offensive stint, Kris Medlen would send the Royals lineup down in a 1-2-3 fashion as Jeremy Guthrie grounds out, shortstop Andrelton Simmons to first baseman Chris Johnson, followed by Alex Gordon lines out to left fielder Justin Upton and Alcides Escobar grounds out, shortstop Andrelton Simmons to first baseman Chris Johnson. For Atlanta,  Chris Johnson grounds out softly, third baseman Mike Moustakas to first baseman Eric Hosmer for the first out of the inning. Andrelton Simmons reaches on a fielding error by shortstop Alcides Escobar. With Kris Medlen batting, wild pitch by Jeremy Guthrie, Andrelton Simmons to 2nd and he would pop out to left fielder Alex Gordon and would not capitalize on the runner in scoring position as B. J. Upton flies out to right fielder Jeff Francoeur and Kansas City continued to hold on to their 2-1 lead.

SIXTH INNING:

As the Royals offense came up to bat, their inning would go pretty quick as Eric Hosmer flies out to center fielder B. J. Upton for the first out. Salvador Perez grounded out, shortstop Andrelton Simmons to first baseman Chris Johnson for the second out for the Royals.  Lorenzo Cain would keep the inning alive as he singles on a line drive to right fielder Jason Heyward; however, Mike Moustakas flied out to center fielder B. J. Upton would get the final out. As for the Braves, Jason Heyward would strike out on a foul tip for the first out. Justin Upton grounded out, third baseman Mike Moustakas to first baseman Eric Hosmer for the second out and the Braves went down in a 1-2-3 fashion as  Evan Gattis grounds out, shortstop Alcides Escobar to first baseman Eric Hosmer as the Royals maintained their 2-1 lead.

SEVENTH INNING:
 

"ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 16: Juan Francisco celebrates with Andrelton Simmons of the Atlanta Braves after a solo home run in the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Turner Field on April 16, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. All uniformed team members are wearing jersey number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)"

Kansas City offensive stretch started with Jeff Francoeur grounds out, third baseman Juan Francisco to first baseman Chris Johnson for the first out. Chris Getz flies out to left fielder Justin Upton for the second out; however, the Royals kept their inning alive with Jeremy Guthrie singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Juan Francisco and the Royals got a runner in scoring position after Alex Gordon singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jason Heyward. Jeremy Guthrie to 2nd; however, the Royals inning would come to an end after Alcides Escobar grounds out softly, shortstop Andrelton Simmons to first baseman Chris Johnson. The Braves offensive stint began with Dan Uggla lining out to third baseman Mike Moustakas for the first out. Juan Francisco would give Atlanta a huge boost with a home run on a fly ball to center field to tie the game at 2-2. This was Francisco's third home run of the season and his first career multi-homer game. Chris Johnson struck out swinging for the second out of the inning.  Andrelton Simmons singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jeff Francoeur to put a runner on with two outs. Pinch hitter Blake DeWitt doubled on a fly ball to center fielder Lorenzo Cain. Andrelton Simmons was thrown out trying to run home by right fielder Jeff Francoeur to catcher Salvador Perez and the score was tied at 2-2 heading into the next inning.

EIGHTH INNING:

"ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 16: Jason Heyward celebrates a solo home run with Justin Upton of the Atlanta Braves in the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Turner Field on April 16, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. All uniformed team members are wearing jersey number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)"

As Kansas City entered the eighth inning, reliever Eric O'Flaherty was brought in for Kris Medlen. Medlen finished his night pitching (7) innings, allowed (6) hits, allowed two runs, including one home run, and struck out five batters. O'Flaherty started his night off by striking out Eric Hosmer swinging for the first out, followed by Salvador Perez lines out to right fielder Jason Heyward for the second out. The Royals kept their inning alive with a Lorenzo Cain single on a pop up to first baseman Chris Johnson; however, the inning would come to an end as Mike Moustakas strikes out swinging. As for the Braves, B.J. Upton would ground out to third baseman Mike Moustakas for the first out but Atlanta would respond with back to back home runs as Jason Heyward homers on a fly ball to left field to give the Braves a 3-2 lead followed by a Justin Upton homers on a fly ball to left field, which was his (8th) of the season to give Atlanta a 4-2 lead. After Evan Gattis pops out to first baseman Eric Hosmer in foul territory for the second out, Dan Uggla homered  on a fly ball to left center field to give the Braves a 5-2 lead. After Juan Francisco walked, Chris Johnson singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jeff Francoeur and Jordan Schafer, who was pinch running for Juan Francisco scores and gave Atlanta a commanding 6-2 lead. Andrelton Simmons flies out to center fielder Lorenzo Cain for the final out and the Braves took their four run lead to the final inning.

NINTH INNING:

As the Royals came out for their final attempt on offense, the Braves made yet another pitching change as Luis Avilan would come in to pitch the last frame. Jeff Francoeur singles on a line drive to center fielder B.J Upton to put a runner on with no outs. Chris Getz grounds into a force out, second baseman Dan Uggla to shortstop Andrelton Simmons. Jeff Francoeur out at 2nd. Chris Getz to 1st for the first out of the inning. Unfortunately, during the at-bat to Billy Butler, reliver Luis Avilan suffered an injury and would exit the game and regular closer Craig Kimbrel would enter the game. Billy Butler struck out swinging for the second out and Alex Gordon singles on a line drive to right fielder Jason Heyward. Chris Getz scores and the Braves lead was now 6-3. After a wild pitch advanced Alex Gordon to second base, Alcides Escobar grounds out, second baseman Dan Uggla to first baseman Chris Johnson and the Braves would finish with yet another dramatic win.


WINNING PITCHER:

Eric O' Flaherty (3-0):

(1.0) Innings Pitched, Two Strikeouts

LOSING PITCHER:

Kelvin Herrera (1-1):

(0.2) Innings Pitched, (3) Hits, (4) Earned Runs, Allowed One Walk


PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Juan Francisco/ Braves Offense:

This was a tough honor to award tonight but Juan Francisco gave us a huge boost in tonight's game early and kept us in it when the odds seemed against us. Francisco finished his night batting (2/3) with two home runs, one in the second and one in the seventh inning that proved costly for the Braves.Francisco's performance tonight shows how special this Atlanta Braves unit is. On any given night, any member of this offense can deliver in a huge moment to earn a win for this ball club. The Braves offense earned honors due to their clutch eight inning heroics as Jason Heyward, who was in a slump for the most part to start the season delivered a huge home run to give Atlanta the lead and Dan Uggla and Justin Upton followed with solo homers as well. Chris Johnson's double would add yet another run for the Braves as they would put this game away. The Braves offense can heat up at any moment throughout the game and tonight showed once again that this explosive, power hitting offense is tough to beat. 

CONCLUSION:

Tonight's victory extended Atlanta's record to an outstanding 12-1 start to open the season as well as extending their winning streak to ten games. The Braves will look to earn a sweep tomorrow afternoon against Kansas City at 12:30. Atlanta continues to be one of the most impressive teams around the majors to open the 2013 season and tonight's win displayed how special this unit could be throughout the season. Each night, the Braves are showing the nation that they can win ball games in many different aspects and tomorrow, they will look to extend their winning streak to a tremendous eleven games in a row. Until tomorrow, GO BRAVES!!!!