BJ Upton Explodes in Walk-off, 5-4 Win

Aug 30, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves outfielders B.J. Upton (2) Jordan Schafer (17) and Elliot Johnson (30) (left to right) react after defeating the Miami Marlins at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Marlins 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Mark your calender, and remember this day.

August 31st. The day that BJ Upton woke up from a season-long slumber.

It may be slightly hyperbolic to suggest that one night’s performance can “awaken” a player, but if it’s possible, then BJ Upton achieved it with a 4-for-6 night that included a walk-off single in Atlanta’s 5-4 win. Upton took a Ryan Webb offering into right-center field to plate the pinch-running Paul Janish, and after an 11-inning marathon, that was that.

It has been a long season (to say the least) for BJ, but he was tremendous on this night. He tied the game at 3-3 in the 6th inning with a 2-run home run, and the 29-year-old outfielder put together positive at-bats throughout. Obviously, it was a team effort, but his showing will be the long-term takeaway.

On the mound, Mike Minor was nothing better than so-so, as he allowed 4 earned runs through 7 innings. The first 3 runs that plated against Minor came as a result of the home run ball, as Justin Ruggiano and Giancarlo Stanton took him deep, but he settled in for the most part. Four-run outing from your de facto #1 starter aren’t exactly awe-inspiring, but Minor continues to give the team a chance to win, even when he struggles.

Elsewhere on offense, Chris Johnson turned in yet another impressive night. The NL Batting leader went 4-for-6 with two doubles, and in the process, raised his already stellar batting average to .331 on the year. His storybook campaign continues, and if not for a pinch-runner, he would have scored the game winning run for good measure.

Lastly, the unsung hero of the night was the Atlanta bullpen. David Carpenter, Craig Kimbrel, Luis Avilan, and Luis Ayala each pitched a scoreless frame, and the Marlins never seriously threatened after Minor exited the game. It was nice to see Fredi Gonzalez utilize Kimbrel in a tie game, and he was typically fantastic in a 12-pitch inning.

The Braves will go for another sweep on Sunday, when Alex Wood takes on Nate Eovaldi for a rare, 5:00 pm start. Stay tuned.