Atlanta Braves Walkoff On Scherzer 2-1, Win 2 of 3

The Atlanta Braves win Thursday night’s series finale with the Washington Nationals 2-1 in a walkoff. In the bottom of the ninth, CF Cameron Maybin redeemed himself from a dropped catch in the 7th with a single over Yunel Escobar’s head off SP Max Scherzer to score Pedro Ciriaco from first.

It was a controversial call as the ball landed in foul territory even though it crossed the bag fair. Nationals Manager Matt Williams considered challenging the call but it ultimately stood when the umpire crew and Nationals walked off the field as the Braves celebrated their series victory over rival Washington.

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Beating Max Scherzer is a near impossibility during the last few weeks of the season. The Nationals Ace went 8.1 innings allowing 2 earned runs on 5 hits with 9 strikeouts and no walks. Even in defeat he was electric this evening, often breaking 95 MPH on the radar gun with impeccable control of his fastball.

Atlanta sent young LHP Manny Banuelos to the mound today to try to best Scherzer. It was also Banuelos Major League debut. But you couldn’t tell with how Manny pitched tonight. He pitched a strong 5.2 innings of shutout baseball, allowing just 2 hits and striking out 7.

In the fifth, Banuelos felt the Atlanta humidity and after hitting Denard Span and Danny Espinosa, Fredi Gonzalez had to pull Banuelos as he was apparently suffering from dehydration and cramps. It was a shame because he was cruising tonight, potentially having good enough stuff to go the distance with Max Scherzer. His changeup this evening could not be touched by Nationals hitters.

For baseball fanatics that love pitchers’ duels and walkoffs, this game was very fun to watch. Both teams had to work to get runners on base and in scoring position. Small ball won tonight as the Atlanta Braves stranded fewer base runners (2) than did the Washington Nationals (4).

This was certainly one of the best games for the Atlanta Braves this season. To take two of three from a division rival that simply dominated you for the entire season has to feel good, especially with a walkoff against arguably the league’s best starting pitcher.

I’m glad Cameron Maybin came through in the clutch as his dropped sliding catch attempt turned an impressive out into a leadoff Bryce Harper double. Harper came around to score on a Wilson Ramos single to the right side to tie the game up at 1 in the 7th. But with the way the game was going, I could sense that the Atlanta Braves were going to deliver in their final at-bat. In a game where runs are scarce, the home team usually has the advantage.

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