The Game
When you load the bases with nobody out, you’re expected to score 2.3 runs on average. I checked whether it was any different in the first inning, where you’ve set up your lineup for big innings, and your cleanup hitter is at the plate. The mean over 11,988 games is 2.4 runs. In those 11,988 games, the team loading the bases in the first inning with no outs was shut out in that inning 550 times, about once in every 22 games.
Well, it happened tonight against Zack Wheeler. And when it did, you began to get the idea that this was going to be one of those nights. Martin Perez giving up 2 in the first and one in the second didn’t help.
Things began to look a little brighter when Ronald Acuña Jr. hit one 450 feet. (PS RAJ: you’re in Citizens Bank Park… you’re wasting a lot of feet.)
It looked like Perez settled down after that, but Kyle Schwarber begged to differ in the fourth, making it 4-1. Another couple of hits and it was time for a bullpen carousel, beginning with an extended appearance from Ray Kerr. Ha-Seong Kim saved a run with a great play on Kerr’s first pitch, after which Kerr pretty much dominated. 3 1/3 giving up only one hit was exactly what you need the long man to do.
The forgotten man, Austin Riley, got that run back in the 7th on a blast.
A chance to tie the game in the 8th died when RAJ hit into a double play.
Brent Suter stumbled through the bottom of the 8th and the Braves had their last chance in the 9th against closer Jhoan Duran. I’m not sure whether that H is silent or not. Harris struck out. Dubón grounded to short. Ozzie bounced to first.
All in all this game was very much like last night, reversing the teams. Three runs off a starter, not quite enough for the other team to catch up.
Tomorrow’s game on NBC at 1:10. Nobody said it would be easy.
(And the Carty jersey is retired for a while.)
It’s just one loss on the scoreboard, but missing out on the Carty jersey is tough to take.
That’s quite a handsome cheesesteak, JF. Do you deliver? I’ll take two and a Braves win today, thank you very much.
A win today will help but the Braves had no business losing yesterday….
Unfortunate time for Mahle to have a leadoff walk and appear mortal, but the error did him no favors.
so the Braves have the only earned run and are still behind. The Phillies WILL score again.
There may be a big question as to who starts game three of a playoff series, but Mahle’s made it clear who is starting game two.
Lordy what a win! BDLC hit a missile in a drawn-in infield that by rights should’ve tied it up. He’s gone to the Phillies and become a .330 hitter natch.
Satisfactory.
One more data point for Rogerball: you need 5.
Whew!
Geez, this team is going to kill me with so many stressful games!
Great to see Acuña catch up to 102 heat!
JonathanF, I was just about to say that…… 5 is still the magic number. WHEW!
I think stampton is right, too. We had no business winning today but we had no business losing yesterday. I guess it all comes out in the wash…….
I was driving to the Y & turned the car radio off after Schwarber’s HR in the bottom of the 7th, so I missed the excitement. ESPN’s recap says all 7 of McFarlane’s pitches to RAJ were 100 or 101. That combination seems like it ought to be a first – 7 straight at 100 or more ending with a late game-tying HR. I know 100 is the new 95, but still.
Don’t know if anyone on the broadcast mentioned it, but with today’s result, Philadelphia no longer controls its regular-season destiny. 5 back of the Braves with 4 head-to-head games left, and today’s result also gives the Braves the season series & so the tiebreaker. Split the remaining four & they’ll be in good shape, and even 1-3 wouldn’t be the end of the world. Might be tough to catch the Dodgers or Brewers for a bye given the relatively difficult remaining schedule, but there’s certainly a chance.
Recapped.