Braves Falter in 9th in 3-1 Loss to Cubs
By Brad Rowland
Sep 21, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Brian Bogusevic (left) and center fielder Ryan Sweeney (center) and right fielder Nate Schierholtz (right) celebrate a victory after the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field. Chicago won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
For 7 innings, it seemed for all the world as if the Braves were headed toward a division-clinching victory over the Chicago Cubs. Then, the wheels came off.
Kris Medlen navigated through 7 spotless innings, allowing only 5 hits and 2 walks while holding the Cubs scoreless. However, Fredi Gonzalez made the risky decision to leave Medlen on for the 8th inning with a 1-0 lead, and while he didn’t implode, the scoreboard wasn’t so fortunate.
Medlen struck out the leadoff man in Junior Lake, but allowed a single to Starlin Castro before exiting for the night. Then, Scott Downs gave the lead away with a single to Donnie Murphy and a double to Anthony Rizzo. He was removed from the game with the score still tied at 1-1, but the damage wasn’t done, and David Carpenter allowed yet another RBI single to Dioner Navarro, as well as a sacrifice fly to Nate Schierholtz that put the score at the finishing margin of 3-1.
This was a particularly brutal way to lose a potential clinching victory, but at the same time, I believe it would be irresponsible to place this loss on the decision to leave Medlen in there late, as some would suggest. The bullpen’s recent struggles surfaced again, and it’s tough to not speculate about the lack of Craig Kimbrel or Jordan Walden in pursuing the crucial outs in the 8th inning.
On the whole, this loss isn’t anything terribly detrimental. Kris Medlen was absolutely spectacular for yet another start, and while the offense went silent, it’s a one-game sample that would be tough to overrate.
Now, the focus shifts (yet again) to the Washington Nationals, as they take the field for a 7:05 pm ET first pitch against the Marlins. If Washington can hold serve against Miami, the Braves will take the field again on Sunday looking to clinch the division in their own way, but if the Nats falter, the party will begin in earnest somewhere between the Wrigley Field locker room and the team hotel.
Stay tuned.