Atlanta Braves humiliated 2-8 by St. Louis Cardinals as Tommy Hanson gives up six runs - MLB
Starter Tommy Hanson gives up stream of runs in the beginning as the Atlanta Braves are routed 2-8 by the St. Louis Cardinals at Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia on May 28, 2012 in first game of the three match series.
The Cardinals occupy dominating position in the series by winning first game. From now onward, the Braves will find it hard to launch a comeback.
On Monday, the Cardinals were aggressive right from the start. With four runs in the third and then two in the fourth, the Braves needed an epic late-innings upsurge to bounce back into the game. As it did not come about, the failure was destined.
Bulk of the disappointment for the Braves emanated from their offence. Catcher Brian McCann, who joined the line-up first time after enduring illness for weeks, was hitless. He missed four at-bats.
While he can be condoned for being unable to acclimatise quickly, centre-fielder Michael Bourn cannot escape the blame.
Despite putting up half-hearted resistance, left-fielder Martin Prado did not make the most of three at-bats he faced.
McCann spoke of the need to step-up at this time of the season. Things are slipping away from the Braves’ hands and only if every player performs, the fate can be reversed, he stated.
"We've got to turn this thing around -- soon," Brian McCann said. "We've just got to stay afloat. We hit a bump in the road. We have to bear down."
Braves’ manager Fredi Gonzalez was not shy to admit, how the Pitchers have been their weak-link. As their starter Hanson gave up six runs in little more than three innings, he is hoping for the best in upcoming games.
"We've always been known for our pitching, and we will," Fredi Gonzalez said. "We're just going through a stretch right now."
Ever since third baseman Chipper Jones is out, the Braves’ offence has lost their glitter. Thrashing homers and surging to unassailable leads right at the start of the innings has been missing.
The manager will be embarrassed for dependence on a single player for success. He will be looking forward to see the offence turning out equally reliable, regardless of injuries to a few players.
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