Atlanta Braves outclass Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3 as Juan Francisco singles in eleventh - MLB Update
The pinch hitter Juan Francisco singles to left centre in the eleventh as he helps the Atlanta Braves edge the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3 at Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia on August 17, 2012 in the first game of the three match series.
Braves made a stunning comeback in the eighth. Trailed by two runs at the beginning of the eighth, if they had not fought back at this stage of the game, they will have lost the match.
Thanks to their left fielder Martin Prado and the right fielder Jason Heyward, they managed to make a successful come back in the game. Heyward connected one hit in four at-bats.
Meanwhile, their third baseman Chipper Jones followed with another home-run on Friday. Jones struck two home-runs in the last game and helped his side win. Similarly, when he entered the field on Friday, he continued from the last match and hammered a mammoth
hit.
Tommy Hanson threw little more than six innings. He gave up three runs and struck-out five as he yielded seven hits. However despite the fact he leaked runs, the Braves did not lose. This was due to the quality innings their relief pitchers threw.
It was not the first time that the Braves won at the back of their bullpen. On number of occasions in the season Atlanta saw the starting pitchers allowing runs and yet ending up winning the games.
More often than not, if their relievers are allowed one run lead to protect, they will be successful.
On Friday, their relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel finished one scoreless inning. Similarly, Jonny Venters who threw the eleventh inning scoreless was terrific under pressure as he did not let the Dodgers score runs.
While the Braves managed to clinch the victory, they cannot afford to grow complacent and not plan for the remaining two matches in the series. The fact it was not a convincing win by them gives credence to the point that a lot of issues remain to be resolved
in the team.
The Braves will be looking to get their starters restrict batters and disallow runs in the upcoming games.
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