Thursday, March 8, 2012

Braves take 2 of 3 from Dodgers

August 29 - Dodgers (8-3) 6 – Braves (8-3) 2
Jose Lima vs. John Smoltz

This was a great pitching match-up for the first 6 innings. The only runs allowed were solo home runs to Ron Gant in the 2nd and Adrian Beltre in the 3rd. The Dodgers struck for 3 runs off Smoltzie and reliever Kent Mercker in the 7th. Jayson Werth had a key pinch hit single to drive in the winning run and that man Beltre added a 2-run double. Lima-time was spectacular, going 7 innings allowing just the 1 run and picking up his second victory.

August 30 – Dodgers (9-3) 0 – Braves (8-4) 6
Hideo Nomo vs. Pete Smith

With both teams forced to use their 5th starters this game had the potential to be an American League type game. The Dodgers started fast scoring 5 runs in the 1st. It took Smith 35 pitches to get out of the inning. The Braves answered with 2 in the bottom half and it looked like the scoring race was on. But a funny thing happened. The Dodgers would not score again and the Braves continued to pound a hapless Nomo (real life ERA over 8) for 8 runs in 4.1 innings. Smith righted the ship and lasted 5 innings. Justice, with his 6th homerun and Terry Pendleton were the key contributors to the Braves 14 hit attack.

August 31 - Braves (9-4) 3 – Dodgers (9-4) 1
Greg Maddux vs. Jeff Weaver

The rubber match of the series was a tense struggle all the way. Both Weaver and Maddux were in top form. Greg Maddux finally prevailed as the Braves pushed across solo runs in the 5th, 6th and 9th inninings to pull away for the win. Maddux went 8 innings in picking up his 4th win of season and lowering his ERA to 1.29. Weaver was also spectacular allowing only 2 runs in 7 innings.  --submitted by Ron Burnette--

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