The Braves only had three hits in tonight’s game against the Mets.  Fortunately, those three hits included a solo shot by Ozzie and a two run blast from Olson.  Matty is now tied for the ML lead in homers with 35, and Ozzie has 20 for the fifth time in his career, putting him in the top ten all time among second basemen with 20 homer seasons.

In addition to the three runs from those two homers, the Braves managed another run without the benefit of a hit.  Those four runs were three more than absolutely necessary, as Martin Perez and the three horsemen at the back end of the pen shut out the Mets.

Perez has been one of the great stories of this season ab initio.  Signed to a minor league deal, he made the opening day roster thanks to the cascade of injuries to the starting rotation in the spring.  But after three appearances (in which he pitched pretty well), he was designated for assignment on April 12.  After clearing waivers he re-signed with the Braves two days later on another minor league deal. Nunc pro tunc.  Since then, he’s been solid as a rock.  Res ipsa loquitor.  He’s certainly been paid far less than quantum meruit. Glad no one else picked him up in April.  (OK, I’ll stop the silly lawyer Latin.  Blame Cliff—he started it.)

After six scoreless innings tonight, Perez is now sporting an 18 inning scoreless streak.  Just a little over 40 to go to top Hershiser.  Perez reminds me a lot of Tom Glavine, relying mainly on a four seam fastball with below average velocity and an excellent changeup.  Most importantly, he has terrific command; he consistently hits the corners and never throws it in the middle of the plate.  He gets a lot of ground balls and induces a lot of double plays. He’s having the second best season of his 15 year career, and if he keeps this up for the last six weeks, it may turn out to be his best ever.  As an old guy at the end of my own career, Perez is an inspiration!  I just watched Perez in the post-game presser, and he reminded us all again what a class act he is. He’s already surpassed Pascual, Williams, Odalis, and Marty on my all time favorite Braves Perez list, and he’s at least tied with Eddie.

And the bullpen continues to be a real strength.  Didi, Lee, and Iggy got them nine up and nine down in the 7th, 8th, and 9th, on just 33 pitches.

What more can I say—this team is a joy to watch.  (And by the way, it’s almost as much fun to watch the Phillies.  Trailing 1-0, they loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the 8th, and then somehow failed to score. The Cards promptly scored in the bottom of the 8th to go up 2-0, and held on in the 9th. Braves back up by 8.5). 

Tomorrow night, Tyler Mahle seeks to continue his own scoreless innings streak as the Braves go for a series win.