Braves Bash Their Way To Victory
By Brad Stiene
Jul 31, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann (16) runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Colorado Rockies during the third inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
The Braves bats were at it again tonight as they scored a whopping seven times in the bottom of the third inning en route to a 9-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night.
Mike Minor had ace-like stuff again, allowing just two hits over seven innings pitched, no runs, six strike outs and my favorite stat of the night: no walks. To make things even better, Minor did not allow a base runner past first the entire night en route to his 11th victory of the season.
Chris Johnson continued his hot ways tonight picking up two more hits and pushing his league-leading batting average to .342. It’s been an absolute joy to watch him swing the bat during this home stand and he has really fueled this Braves offense.
Speaking of fueling the Braves, Freddie Freeman continues to tear up Rockies’ pitching. Freeman went 4-4 tonight and drove home two more RBIs tonight. With Heyward and Upton setting the table at the top of the Braves lineup Freeman has continually delivered at the plate this series and one can assume it will happen again Thursday night.
The Braves were 7/17 with runners in scoring position tonight and are 16/39 with said RISP for the series. The Rockies were happy with the way the three starters they have thrown out there in this series and the Braves have sprayed the ball all over the field. If this continues, the Braves are going to be a tough team to beat come October.
Wednesday marks the first time since 1900 the Braves have gone three straight games with a six run or more inning. Needless to say that is very impressive.
Wednesday also marked the first time in this home stand that the Braves committed an error when Chris Johnson threw wide of first to a covering Joey Terdoslavich. With an offense as potent as the Braves have the pitching and defense have been an anchor during this six game win streak.
The Braves will be vying for a perfect 7-0 home stand tomorrow night when they give the ball to Julio Teheran. Teheran seemingly turned the corner this season when he last faced the Rockies in the below freezing game the Braves had while Colorado. He will be facing off against Chad Bettis who will be making his first career start.