After a nightmare of a West Coast road trip, our Hammers returned home to take on the Red Sox Tuesday evening. Although the bats did not fully awaken from their recent slumbers, they stirred enough to score four runs.  That was enough, thanks to yet another solid start by Reynaldo Lopez and excellent work by the bullpen, who limited the Sox to two runs.

The Braves got on the board in the third, when Travis d’Arnaud was hit by a pitch and Jared Kelenic clubbed his first home run as a Brave to make it 2-0. Lopez shut them out through five, although he allowed baserunners in every inning.  In the sixth, allowing baserunners finally caught up with him. A rare Arcia error and three walks led to the first run. Aaron Bummer allowed the tying run on a grounder that he kicked over to Riley.  But to his great credit, Bummer struck out the next two to preserve the tie.  I’m liking Bummer more with each outing.

Jesse Chavez and Joe Jimenez kept the Sox off the board in the seventh and eighth.  In the bottom of the eighth, Albies led off with a walk (he managed to lay off a couple of pitches he often goes after) and Riley added a sharp single.  After Olson struck out, El So Grande (where would we be without Ozuna?) came through with a grounder up the middle to score Ozzie and send Riley to third.  That baserunning paid off, as Austin scored on a ground ball forceout by Arcia.  It probably should have been a double play, but the throw to second by the first baseman was a little wide.  Iglesias set them down easily in the ninth to preserve the victory. 

The bats may be struggling, but let’s hear it for the hurlers.  After six starts, Lopez has an ERA of 1.53.  Chavez, Jimenez, and Iglesias each has an ERA under 2.00. The team record is 21-12, and most of the hitters haven’t hit their stride.  We are in good shape.

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Watching our Braves play the Boston Red Sox, I couldn’t help but reflect upon a certain  aviator who served in both World War II and the Korean War. He was commissioned an officer in the United States Marine Corps in 1942. He undertook flight training and flew the Corsair F4U. He served until 1946 when he resumed his civilian career but remained a reserve Marine officer.  Then during the Korean War, he was recalled to active service, trained on a new aircraft that had not existed in World War II, and flew many dangerous combat missions.

All of the above applies to Ted Williams, the Splendid Splinter, one of the greatest hitters of all time. But it’s not Teddy Ballgame I was thinking about.  I was focused on my father-in-law John H. Hurst.  All of the above also describes John. He was commissioned a Marine officer in 1942, was trained to fly, and flew 54 combat missions in the Pacific in his Corsair F4U.  After returning to the U.S. in 1946, he entered the reserves, finished college and got married.  He was recalled to active duty in 1951 and was trained to fly the Sikorsky helicopter. He served for a year in Korea, dodging enemy fire as he evacuated wounded soldiers from the front lines to mobile hospitals, saving countless lives.

Ted Williams was a great ballplayer and a national hero.  John Hurst was a national hero, but he was also a great man, always faithful, generous, and kind. He passed away at 101 last Thursday evening. John faced the end with remarkable grace and generosity to those of us who love him.  He was a truly special man, whose faithfulness and love will continue to shape our lives. His obituary is here: JOHN HUNTER HURST Obituary – Visitation & Funeral Information (watsonhunt.com)

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Chris Sale faces his old teammates Tuesday evening as the Braves complete this very short two game homestand.