Elliot Johnson, Gerald Laird Lead Braves To Blow-Out Of The Phillies In Season Finale
By Eric Graff
Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports
The Braves offense finally exploded on the last game of the season. The Braves had 5 multi-run innings and collected 17 hits in their 12-5 blow-out of the Phillies in the 2013 season finale. Funny thing was, it was Elliot Johnson and Gerald Laird leading the offensive explosion. Johnson had 2 hits including a triple and knocked in a career high 5 runs along with Gerald Laird’s perfect 4-4 night. Laird, who matched his career high with 4 hits, also walked once and scored 4 times. The Braves also got big 3 hit games from Evan Gattis, who homered in the 1st, and Andrelton Simmons, who doubled twice and knocked in a run. Dan Uggla got the start at second, and while he went 0-2 to finish the season with a pitiful .179 average, he did walk 3 times.
Julio Teheran earned his 14 victory of the season, but didn’t pitch particularly well. I should say he pitched well other than the 4th inning when he gave up 4 runs to the Phillies thanks to a 2 out, 3 run homer by Phillies catcher Eric Kratz. Teheran came out after 5 innings giving up 6 hits and those 4 runs. He didn’t walk anyone, but only struck out 3. Lots of bullpen arms got their final tune-up in for the playoffs as Avilan, Ayala, Wood, Carpenter and Kimbrel finished out the regular season.
Even though the Braves won the game, they still lost home field advantage for the playoffs as the Cardinals finished the season with 3 game sweeps of the hapless Nationals and the worthless Cubs. The Braves do get the #2 seed and will start their post-season at home Thursday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Stay tuned for all of our coverage of the Dodgers series and hopefully beyond.