In a series where 3 runs scored had proven to be enough, Austin Riley‘s 3 run homer in the 1st probably had the Braves feeling pretty good. Five more runs only solidified that feeling.
The Red Sox came into Sunday 28th in the majors in runs scored, and Grant Holmes was able to take advantage, lasting 6 innings, allowing 5 hits and a walk, and striking out 4. Reynaldo Lopez took over in the 7th after a 30-minute rain/hail delay and pitched 2 more scoreless innings. A 2-out double in the 9th off Tyler Kinley gave Boston their 6th run of the series.
Mike Yastrzemski went 2 for 3, including his 2nd home run of the season. He ended the series 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs, including the game winner on Friday. It would probably take 23 more seasons of series like this one for Mike to make “Yaz” a bad word in Boston, but hey, it’s a start.
I just found out from the recap of Saturday’s game that Buzz Capra has passed. JonathanF, ububba, and tfloyd shared some memories there. I doubt I got to see even 10 games live in Atlanta-Fulton County stadium, but one of them just so happened to be Buzz Capra poster day. It hung on my closet door for an amount of time lost to memory. The only image of this poster that I could find online was the one you see above from EBay. You can have one for $10.99 plus shipping, and hopefully the seller will accept this plug in return for me jacking his or her image. Vintage 1974 Atlanta Braves Pitcher Buzz Capra Poster – Still Rolled Up! | eBay
The Braves take the series 2 games to 1 to move to 32 -15. Atlanta maintains an 8-game lead over the Phillies, who have won 7 of their last 10. At Miami Monday, JR Ritchie and Max Meyer scheduled at 6:40 Eastern.
Nice memory of AFC and a nice recap. One of my best memories was the day after the fire when Crime Dog hit two dingers. Hard to believe that was 2 stadiums ago.
Unfortunately the Phillies have done a lot better than 7/10. They’ve won 15/19. Christopher Sanchez is on pace for one of the all-time seasons. Not that he wasn’t unbelievable last year. But he just pitched a 9-inning shut out against a Pirates team that had been hitting pretty well. Whatever the Phillies do, if they make the playoffs they’ll pitch Sanchez and Wheeler in a short series and be awful tough.
The Braves are on pace to win the division by 28 games, and we should expect that to narrow substantially and soon. If for no other reason than that it is really hard to play .681 over 162 games.