Atlanta Braves beat San Francisco Giants 3-2 as Craig Kimbrel remains scoreless in ninth-MLB Update
Relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel continues his sublime form in the season by throwing another scoreless ninth inning as the Atlanta Braves win 3-2 against the San Francisco Giants on July 19, 2012 at Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia during the third game of the
three match series.
The game experienced a run draught with Atlanta managing to post a lead thanks to an initial offensive firework from the hitters.
For most part of the game, Braves were dominant as their starter Tim Hudson kept the Giants from bouncing back.
However, their steady progress faltered when in the top of the eighth the Giants bridged the deficit to one run. Since it was nearly the end of the game, another good inning by San Francisco would have taken them to a lead at a time when Atlanta will find
it hard to reclaim it again.
Thanks to the closer Craig Kimbrel who became fortified in the last inning before the Giants attempt to launch a game-winning rampage. He struck-out one and recorded his 28th save of the season.
Similarly, Braves’ starter Tim Hudson finished a tremendous spell of over seven innings on Thursday. He gave up two runs, while striking-out three.
Offensively, the first baseman Freddie Freeman and the catcher David Ross stepped up for Atlanta as both struck a home-run.
The former gave way to one RBI by connecting one hit in three at-bats. Similarly, the latter brought one RBI in the game.
Braves’ manager Fredi Gonzalez calls the victory an extremely significant one.
It is going to help them immensely as they take on the Washington Nationals in their next series. He believes that after failing in the first two games of the series, their confidence was down. Thus, the win can go a long way in boosting the morale of the
team now.
"You lose two in a row after winning seven and it feels like you'll never win again," the Braves manager said. “Big win. It really is a big win after losing that game last night in extra innings and not leaving here until almost 2 in the morning. Coming
back on short rest is really huge and could be the biggest win for us this year, depending on how that weekend (at Washington) goes."
Beating the Nationals in the next series is not going to be easy for Atlanta. Therefore, the manager will be looking to see his players putting up excellent performances once they are challenged.
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