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| "ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 1: Tim Hudson #15 of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the Washington Nationals at Turner Field on June 1, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)" |
After a tough 3-2 loss last night against the Washington Nationals, the Braves look to return to their winning ways as Tim Hudson would take the mound for Atlanta. Tonight's starting pitchers are both winless in their past four starts and will try to regain their footing Saturday night in Atlanta, when Nats southpaw Gio Gonzalez faces off against Braves right-hander Tim Hudson. Following Stephen Strasburg's early exit on Friday because of a strained right oblique, Gonzalez getting back on track is even more important for the Nationals, who enters into play tonight a game over .500 and 4.5 games behind the Braves. Before his outing against the Orioles, Gonzalez went four consecutive starts allowing two runs or fewer and pitching at least six innings, but against the Orioles, Gonzalez allowed four runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings pitched en route to his third loss of the season. Veteran RHP Tim Hudson struggled in May, posting an ERA of 7.33 after ending April with a 3.86 ERA. In his last start against the Blue Jays, Hudson surrendered six runs on eight hits in six innings as he lost his fourth game of the season. A gem from Hudson tonight is imperative for not only his confidence, but to keep the Nationals from closing the gap on the Braves in the division. Due to his offensive struggles, BJ Upton has seen his playing time decrease significantly over the past week and Greg Walker has been working with him to help him get his timing down. Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez stated that he will need to get Upton back in the lineup on a consistent basis soon and he'll start tonight. As for Washington, they received some unfortunate news as Bryce Harper was not in the lineup in Friday night's game against the Braves and was put on the 15-day disabled list Saturday. The DL stint is retroactive to May 27th. Harper hurt the knee while running into the right field wall at Dodger Stadium on May 13th and aggravated the injury on the 26th against the Phillies. A couple of interesting notes about tonight's game is Atlanta catcher Brian McCann is just three hits shy of 1,000 for his career and Tim Hudson has owned Washington in his career, going 16-5 with a 2.55 ERA in 28 career starts. Atlanta looked to return to their winning ways in front of a large crowd at Turner Field tonight.
FIRST INNING:
In Washington's first at-bats of the evening, Denard Span grounds out, pitcher Tim Hudson to first baseman Freddie Freeman for the first out. Steve Lombardozzi would follow as he grounds out, pitcher Tim Hudson to second baseman Dan Uggla to first baseman Freddie Freeman and Atlanta earned a 1-2-3 inning as Ryan Zimmerman lines out softly to right fielder Jason Heyward. In Atlanta's first at-bats of the evening, Andrelton Simmons popped out to shortstop Ian Desmond for the first out; followed by Jason Heyward strikes out swinging and Justin Upton would strike out as well and there was no score after the first inning.
SECOND INNING:
In Washington's second offensive stretch, Adam LaRoche lines out to left fielder Justin Upton for the first out; followed by Ian Desmond grounds out, shortstop Andrelton Simmons to first baseman Freddie Freeman and Atlanta earned another 1-2-3 inning as Roger Bernadina grounds out, second baseman Dan Uggla to first baseman Freddie Freeman. As for the Braves, Freddie Freeman flies out to left fielder Steve Lombardozzi for the first out; followed by Evan Gattis grounds out, second baseman Danny Espinosa to first baseman Adam LaRoche and the Nationals earned a 1-2-3 inning as Chris Johnson grounds out, shortstop Ian Desmond to first baseman Adam LaRoche and the score was still 0-0.
THIRD INNING:
In the Nationals next at-bat, Danny Espinosa opened the frame by grounding out, shortstop Andrelton Simmons to first baseman Freddie Freeman; followed by Kurt Suzuki striking out swinging. The first hit of the game would come as Gio Gonzalez singled on a ground ball to left fielder Justin Upton; however, the inning would end as Denard Span grounded into a force out, shortstop Andrelton Simmons to second baseman Dan Uggla. Gio Gonzalez out at 2nd. In the Braves next at-bat of the game, Dan Uggla walked putting the first runner on base of the game. B. J. Upton singles on a line drive to center fielder Denard Span, deflected by pitcher Gio Gonzalez. Dan Uggla to 3rd to place runners on the corners with no outs. Tim Hudson out on a sacrifice bunt, first baseman Adam LaRoche to second baseman Danny Espinosa. B. J. Upton to 2nd and placed both runners in scoring position. Atlanta would capitalize as Andrelton Simmons grounds out, shortstop Ian Desmond to first baseman Adam LaRoche. Dan Uggla scores. B. J. Upton to 3rd to give the Braves a 1-0 lead. The inning came to an end as Jason Heyward was called out on strikes but the Braves now held a 1-0 lead.
FOURTH INNING:
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| ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 1: Manager Fredi Gonzalez #33 of the Atlanta Braves is ejected by Umpire Larry Vanover during the game against the Washington Nationals at Turner Field on June 1, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) |
In the Nationals next offensive portion of the frame, Steve Lombardozzi reached on a throwing error by first baseman Freddie Freeman. During Ryan Zimmerman's at bat, Atlanta Braves Manager was Fredi Gonzalez ejected by HP umpire Larry Vanover after arguing a questionable call. Ryan Zimmerman grounds out, shortstop Andrelton Simmons to first baseman Freddie Freeman. Steve Lombardozzi to 3rd on the throw. Washington would capitalize as Ian Desmond singles on a line drive to center fielder B. J. Upton. Steve Lombardozzi scored and tied the score at 1-1 and the inning would end for the Nationals as Roger Bernadina pops out softly to third baseman Chris Johnson. In the Braves next offensive stint, Justin Upton grounded out, pitcher Gio Gonzalez to first baseman Adam LaRoche for the first out; followed by Freddie Freeman being called out on strikes and Evan Gattis strikes out swinging and the score was tied heading into the next inning.
FIFTH INNING:
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| Atlanta Braves center fielder B.J. Upton makes a sliding catch on a fly ball from Washington Nationals' Danny Espinosa in the fifth inning of a baseball game in Atlanta, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) |
In Washington's offensive stretch, Danny Espinosa lines out to center fielder on a great catch by B. J. Upton.; followed by Kurt Suzuki flies out to center fielder B. J. Upton and the Braves earned a 1-2-3 inning as Gio Gonzalez strikes out swinging. In Atlanta's offensive portion of this inning, Chris Johnson earned a lead-off double on a line drive to right fielder Roger Bernadina. Dan Uggla flied out to center fielder Denard Span. Chris Johnson to 3rd with one out. However, the Braves couldn't capitalize as B. J. Upton pops out to shortstop Ian Desmond; followed by Tim Hudson grounds out, third baseman Ryan Zimmerman to first baseman Adam LaRoche and the score remained tied at 1-1.
SIXTH INNING:
Denard Span opened the Nationals offensive stretch as he popped out to shortstop Andrelton Simmons in foul territory; followed by Steve Lombardozzi grounds out, second baseman Dan Uggla to first baseman Freddie Freeman. Washington would keep the inning alive as Ryan Zimmerman singled on a ground ball to third baseman Chris Johnson and Adam LaRoche would also walk advancing Ryan Zimmerman to 2nd. Washington's threat would end as Ian Desmond flies out to right fielder Jason Heyward and the score remained 1-1 heading into the bottom portion of the inning. In Atlanta's offensive stretch, Andrelton Simmons singled on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Steve Lombardozzi. Jason Heyward would strike out swinging for the first out; followed by Justin Upton flies out to left fielder Steve Lombardozzi and wouldn't capitalize as Freddie Freeman grounds out, second baseman Danny Espinosa to first baseman Adam LaRoche and the score was still tied at 1-1.
SEVENTH INNING:
In the Nationals next inning, Roger Bernadina grounds out, second baseman Dan Uggla to first baseman Freddie Freeman for the first out; followed by Danny Espinosa strikes out swinging and the Braves earned another 1-2-3 inning as Kurt Suzuki flies out to right fielder Jason Heyward. As for the Braves, Evan Gattis grounds out, shortstop Ian Desmond to first baseman Adam LaRoche for the first out.; followed by Chris Johnson flies out to right fielder Roger Bernadina and the Nationals earned a 1-2-3 inning as Dan Uggla strikes out swinging and the score remained tied at 1-1.
EIGHTH INNING:
In the Nationals next offensive inning, An offensive substitution was made as pinch-hitter Jeff Kobernus replaced Gio Gonzalez. Jeff Kobernus strikes out swinging. After the strikeout, Atlanta brought in reliever Luis Avilan to replace Tim Hudson and would finish Washington as Denard Span flies out to left fielder Justin Upton and Steve Lombardozzi strikes out swinging and the score remained tied at 1-1. As the Braves came out to bat, B. J. Upton struck out swinging. Pinch-hitter Brian McCann would replace Luis Avilan and Brian McCann was called out on strikes and the Nationals earned a 1-2-3 inning as Andrelton Simmons grounds out, shortstop Ian Desmond to first baseman Adam LaRoche and the score was still tied at 1-1.
NINTH INNING:
To start off the ninth inning, Atlanta sent out closer Craig Kimbrel to replace Luis Avilan. After Ryan Zimmerman singles on a soft line drive to shortstop Andrelton Simmons and Adam LaRoche doubled on a fly ball to center fielder B. J. Upton. Ryan Zimmerman to 3rd, the Braves would battle out of trouble as Ian Desmond was called out on strikes; followed by Roger Bernadina reaches on a fielder's choice out, third baseman Chris Johnson to catcher Evan Gattis. Ryan Zimmerman out at home. Adam LaRoche to 3rd and finally, Danny Espinosa flies out to left fielder Justin Upton to keep the score tied at 1-1. In the Braves offensive stint, Fernando Abad replaces Drew Storen as the pitcher for the Nationals and Pinch-hitter Reed Johnson replaces Jason Heyward. He would capitalize as Reed Johnson singled on a ground ball to center fielder Denard Span. Justin Upton struck out swinging for the first out. The inning would end as Freddie Freeman lines into a double play, second baseman Danny Espinosa to first baseman Adam LaRoche. Reed Johnson doubled off 1st and the game headed to extra innings tied at 1-1.
TENTH INNING:
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| Atlanta Braves' B.J. Upton (2) celebrates after driving in the game-winning run with a base hit in the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals in Atlanta, Saturday, June 1, 2013. Atlanta won 3-2. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) |
For the Braves, Jordan Walden replaced Craig Kimbrel in the first offensive stretch for Washington in extra innings. Kurt Suzuki grounds out, shortstop Andrelton Simmons to first baseman Freddie Freeman; An offensive substitution was made as Pinch-hitter Chad Tracy replaces Fernando Abad and he would fly out to right fielder Reed Johnson and Atlanta earned a 1-2-3 inning as Denard Span lines out to left fielder Justin Upton. For the Nationals, another pitching change was made as Henry Rodriguez replaces Fernando Abad. Evan Gattis started Atlanta's inning with a lead-off walk. Two offensive substitutions were made as Pinch-hitter Ramiro Pena replaces Chris Johnson and Pinch-runner Jordan Schafer replaces Evan Gattis. Ramiro Pena bunt pops out to first baseman Adam LaRoche in foul territory. With Dan Uggla batting, Jordan Schafer steals 2nd base. Dan Uggla walked and placed a runner on first and second. B. J. Upton singles on a line drive to right fielder Roger Bernadina. Jordan Schafer scores. Dan Uggla to 2nd and the Braves earned a walk-off victory by a final score of 2-1.
WINNING PITCHER:
Jordan Walden (2-1):
(1.0) Innings Pitched, No Hits, Runs, or Walks Allowed and No Strikeouts Earned
LOSING PITCHER:
Henry Rodriguez (0-1)
(0.1) Innings Pitched, One Hit, One Run Allowed, One Earned Run, Two Walks Allowed
PLAYER OF THE GAME:
B.J. Upton:
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| "Atlanta Braves' B.J. Upton shouts after driving in the game-winning run with a base hit in the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals in Atlanta, Saturday, June 1, 2013. Atlanta won 3-2. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)" |
If there is one player who have been through a lot of ups and downs this season, it's B.J. Upton. Upton entered this game seen his playing time decrease significantly over the past week and Greg Walker has been working with him to help him get his timing down. Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez stated that he will need to get Upton back in the lineup on a consistent basis soon. Due to his inconsistency offensively, Upton have raised concerns among Atlanta Braves fans nationwide; however, tonight was a step in the right direction for the 27-year old centerfielder. In tonight's game, B.J. Upton was (2-4) tonight including two singles, and one of them which led to Atlanta's victory tonight. He's still batting a rough average of (.153) but to be able to come through for the Braves as he did tonight is a huge step ahead and could launch him out of a slump and provide the Braves with yet another offensive weapon.
CONCLUSION:
Tonight's dramatic victory pushes the Atlanta Braves lead back to (5.5) games in the NL East and the Braves also improve to 6-3 on the season against their divisional foes. Tomorrow will be the rubber game of this three game series before Atlanta prepare for another set with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Although the Braves only earned five hits and won a game in an unusual fashion, the production from B.J. Upton could lead to a nice stretch for the next few weeks. The Braves will look to win the series again and continue their winning ways in the month of June. 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 two games in a row. Until tomorrow, GO BRAVES!!!!
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