Atlanta Braves beat Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2 as they register tenth regular season victory - MLB
Starter Tommy Hanson takes Atlanta Braves to a 3-2 win against Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona on April 21, 2012.
Braves continue with an ideal regular season start. They rank second on the table with a 10-5 win loss record, as they have a perfect opportunity to make up for the miseries that came splashing over them last year, resulting in their thumping September collapse.
First two innings brought a 2-2 score and then the homer Dan Uggla sent proved decisive as Braves’ relievers never allowed Diamondbacks go past one run lead later in the innings.
Manager Fredi Gonzalez will be happy the way their bullpen did not betray at a time when it was the most vulnerable.
By the time Hanson completed his run of seven innings, with seven strike-outs, five hits and giving up two earned runs, Diamondbacks had the perfect opportunity to beat their lead.
However that did not happen as both Craig Kimbrel and Jonny Venters were near perfect. Kimbrel was accorded the save as he struck-out three in one inning.
Third baseman Chipper Jones drew a walk and as a result first run was added to the score of the Braves because the bases were loaded at the moment. Jones went hitless in three at-bats.
Freddie Freeman who hit a flurry of homers in the last few games was unable to replicate even a fraction of those as he did not add any hit in four at-bats.
Almost similar happened with Brian McCann, the catcher who has a lot to prove this season after crumbling in the last half of the previous season.
Starter Joe Saunders though struck-out five conceded six hits and three runs. The hits he allowed were the only ones the Braves managed in the whole game amply clarify the reason of the loss he was given in the end.
Things are unfolding ideally for the Braves at the moment. Putting all what happened with them in Spring Training aside, they are well on their way to stand out in the National League East Division.
With Chipper Jones back in the side and Tim Hudson about to make a return in next week, they have everything in their ranks to give them a decent and competitive 2012 regular season.
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