Atlanta Braves beaten 1-4 by Chicago Cubs as Tommy Hanson gives up tie-breaking three runs-MLB
Starter Tommy Hanson leaks three runs in the seventh, allowing the Atlanta Braves to lose 1-4 against the Chicago Cubs in first game of the four match series at Turner Field, Atlanta, on July 2, 2012.
Heat at Turner Field, it seems, is affecting more the home team than the visitors. Last game against the Washington Nationals saw the Braves being defeated despite the fact former was relatively unaccustomed to an excruciating sunshine in the field. This
time Cubs stand up and turn out victorious against them.
Volatile nature of the Braves' offence that has been seen in the last couple of weeks is not what they are actually known for.
Boasting hitters who rival big-wigs present in the modern world of baseball, their offence was consistent until first two months of the season. However, things are heading in the wrong direction at the moment.
Their line-up is not living up to its potential. Striking just six hits on Monday, Atlanta cannot fancy big unless the present run-drought taking roots in their ranks is eliminated.
If the Braves’ hitters failed for most part of the game, so did the Cubs’. For first six innings, both sides were competitive before Hanson forgot the spot in the strike-zone and gave up a costly double, which led to three runs.
Notwithstanding the seventh inning run-spree that Hanson allowed, he was commendable by-and-large. Seven innings he pitched brought eight strike-outs, which explain how effective he was for the rest of the game.
He regretted after the game that one inning ruined the effort he had built until then.
"I wanted to throw a back-door slider right there and it kind of leaked over the middle," Hanson said. "I felt really good with my stuff. I was throwing strikes and getting ahead of guys. It just came down to that last inning."
Only run that Atlanta added came at a single by Martin Prado to left-field, which led Michael Bourn aboard.
Winning first game of the series is always important. A kind of psychological edge has been missed now by the Braves. Unless they draw splendours from their offence in the next three games, it will not be easy to bounce back into the series.
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