Atlanta Braves slip to Houston Astros 2-3 as Paul Maholm surrenders two home runs - MLB Update
The starter Paul Maholm gives up three runs in seven innings as the Atlanta Braves lose to the Houston Astros 2-3 at Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia on August 4, 2012 in the second game of the three match series.
It was a low scoring game with Astros maintaining the lead for most part of the game, Atlanta fought back in the sixth with two runs. As the score was tied, ending moments of the game had to be nerves-packed with either side equally poised to win the game.
Atlanta failed to use the throws from Astros’ relievers to manage one run. On the other hand, the latter scored one run in the seventh and restored their lead, which remained intact until the end of the ninth inning.
The Braves relievers were outstanding on the mound, but their starter Maholm leaked runs, which cost them the defeat in the end.
However, regardless of the outcome of the game, one cannot negate the strike-outs that Maholm drew in an incredible fashion on Saturday.
Staying on the mound for seven innings and keep bringing strike-outs on regular basis show that Maholm was impressive by-and-large but unfortunately the Braves’ offence did not provide him enough support.
Maholm confirms that other than two home-runs that he surrendered, his performance was not far from the best.
"The two home runs were probably the only two mistakes I really made," Maholm said. "The first one was a fastball that ran back over and the second one was a hanging curveball. He did a good job of hitting them a long way."
While in the last few games Atlanta saw their batters striking home-runs and hammering productive hits on Saturday they struggled in this regard.
Their centre fielder Michael Bourn was hitless in four at-bats. Similarly, one hit that their left fielder Martin Prado struck was dead-rubber as nothing useful came out of it.
Braves’ manager Fredi Gonzalez will be looking to see his catcher Brian McCann achieve some consistency in the upcoming games as opposed to occasional display of striking home-runs.
The Braves are known for making stunning comebacks. Therefore, it will be no surprise if they go on to winning the last game of the series.
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