(My apologies for a late post…)

Evan Gattis’ 10th inning home runs salvages the game for the Braves and brings Atlanta into a tie for the 2nd wild card spot , 6 back of Washington.

This game was really fun… until, that is… until Jordan Walden came on in the 8th. Walden did what he has been doing lately, which was… walk a few, give up a looping single, a wild-pitch or two and 2 runs later we have lost the lead!

Enough of that….

In the fourth, the Braves put together a great series of fundamental baseball. Jupton was hit by a pitch, Evan singled and Andrelton, (hitting .186 since the All-Star break) actually shortened his swing and laced a pitch into centerfield. Justin scored. BJ was intentionally walked to get to the pitcher. I’m guessing Alex thought to himself, “if this is going to get done, i have to do it…”! Alex then lined a pitch into center (only his third hit of the year), scoring both Gattis and Andrelton.
Having said that,…finally, Alex had something to work with, a 3 – 0 lead.

For his part, Alex was very effective. As Freddie Freeman said in a pre-game interview, Alex has
developed a ‘Maddux – esque’ front door two seamer that makes it very difficult on right-handers. Alex pitched 7 giving up 6 hits, 2 BBs and 2 runs. His game score was 60…(anything above 50 is a quality start). Alex had to settle for a no-decision but clearly deserved the win.

At this point, Jordan Walden came in and did his thing. The game was then tied 3 – 3 (in the 8th).

However, in the 10th, Evan sent one 408 ft. to bounce off wall in center. At first it was thought that it did not clear the line, but upon replay, it was clear that Gattis had homered.

Kimbrell came on in the 9th and got his 43rd save of the year.

(NOTE: In the early game commentary by Chip, he mentioned the Braves have played 71 games when they have hit a homer, they have won 51. They have 70 games when they did not hit a homer and have won 22 of those. With 524 runs scored they are next to last ahead of only San Diego.)

We have 20 games left and 6 of those against the Nats. Upward and onward!