Atlanta Braves lose to Pittsburgh Pirates 1-5 as Tommy Hanson struggles - MLB Update
Starter Tommy Hanson surrenders hits and runs as Atlanta Braves fall to Pittsburgh Pirates 1-5 at PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on October 2, 2012 in the second game of the three match series.
Pirates started off extremely well as they jumped to a lead right in the beginning of the game.
Throughout the match Pirates' pitchers did not allow the Braves to bounce back and dismantle their lead.
Offensively Atlanta will be working on a number of areas before heading into the playoffs. Their weaknesses were visible during the match. For a team which is aiming to achieve new heights in the current season, such a performance can never help their cause.
Braves were scoreless throughout the match, except for the fourth inning in which they posted one run. On the other hand the Pirates thrashed 10 hits in the game and managed five runs.
Braves' third baseman Juan Francisco doubled to left and sent a base-runner aboard.
Hanson completed six innings and yielded nine hits. He struck-out six and gave up five runs.
Hanson is unhappy with himself stating that he did not intend to throw the pitches in these areas. His fastball command was also not consistent.
He will be regretting the way he cost his side a defeat at a time when the Braves are all set to unleash their best possible performances before the playoffs.
"It's not the way I wanted to finish -- but it is what it is," Hanson said. "It kind of got away from me at times and I've got to make adjustments and get better. My fastball command was there at times then I lost it."
Braves’ manager Fredi Gonzalez speaks about the changes he introduced in the line-up keeping in view the need to rest some of the players for helping them stay fresh in the post-season.
"It was good to get (reserves) at-bats to keep them sharp," Fredi Gonzalez said. "We're going to have a lot more position players on the roster for Friday's game than the other rounds so I feel it's important that we get them at bats."
Irrespective of the fact that the Braves are without regular players, they cannot afford to lose matches. They will be looking to regain momentum by defeating the Pirates in the last match of the series.
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