Pitching to Barry Bonds is not recommended. Bonds hit a pair of monster two-run homers off of Ortiz, one in the third and one in the fifth, and drove in six runs on four hits in all. It was pretty awful. The Braves got the game close on a couple of occasions, but then someone, usually Bonds, would stretch the lead out again.
Russ Ortiz was even wilder than usual (though the two homers were right over the plate). He only walked three but was constantly behind in the count, gave up nine hits, and only had one strikeout. He left with two on, nobody out, in the sixth. Martin actually got two outs, giving up an intentional walk, but then Bobby yanked him for some reason and brought in Gryboski. Gryboski gave up three inherited runs, though to be fair the first one was on a really weak grounder that died in front of Chipper for an infield hit.
The Braves did have eleven hits; Furcal, Chipper, and LaRoche had three apiece. Bonds’ homers (the guys who pretend to measure such things say they were the second and third longest in Turner Field history) were all the more impressive because it didn’t look like the ball was carrying well at all.
The Dodgers won, so the Braves are back to a half-game behind them for the second-best record in the league. The Marlins and Phillies both won to move to 8 1/2 and 10 1/2 back in the division respectively… Noah Lowry is to face John Thomson tomorrow in a 1 PM game. Given that Thomson’s usually around the plate, Bonds (if he’s in the lineup; Alou often rests him the last day of a series) might hit something really long. After tomorrow, the Braves play mostly division opponents the rest of the year, the exceptions being three hosting the Reds and ending the season with three in Chicago.
I think it’s great that some of the media at least recognize the respect that the Atlanta fans have for opposing teams. Earlier this year, it was a good feeling to see our fans cheering Randy Johnson in his perfect game bid, and the same goes for cheering someone like Bonds when he hits two monster home runs. In the presence of greatness, I think it is appropriate to recognize it and applaud it because of the spirit of the game–no matter which park you are in. I wish some of the other fans in other cities would show as much respect towards the Braves as our fans show to their teams.
Davy,
Are you sure it isn’t the fact that many Atlantans have moved in from other states and come to Turner Field to cheer for their teams?
Hey, you can’t win them all. It was a fabulous baseball display. Barry Bonds is probably the best player that ever lived. I would hope that fans would appreciate what they are seeing even if it is against their team. I doubt that Dodger fans were grumbling because Al Downing gave up Aaron’s 715th. Someday, we’ll be telling our grandkids about Barry Bonds’ magnificent performance. Of course, let’s not do this every day.
Very true on the last one there. We definitely don’t want to do that every single day. As far as transplants moving in to root for their teams, I would hope that the primary population of fans at Turner Field are true Braves fans.
I think transplants are an issue everywhere because this has become such a mobil population. You hear Red Sox and Cubs fans everywhere, even in LA and it must be because people are moving. Atlanta has always had an issue with transplants rooting for their original teams. Just like you find Braves fans everywhere (although that’s more because of TBS). I live near Baltimore and I think there must not be more than six Orioles fans in the whole area because everyone seems to be there rooting for the other team.