Chipper Jones shines as Atlanta Braves defeat San Francisco Giants 1-0 – MLB Update
Chipper Jones put in a brilliant performance as his home-run proved decisive to shut-out the San Francisco Giants in the four game series final at Turner Field in Atlanta on Thursday, August 18.
The Braves made the series to their name with 3-1 dominating numbers as they lost only third outing of the competitions. Braves won first game 5-4, second 2-1 and now the third in commanding 1-0 numbers to take their lead to 6-1 in the seventh game series
scheduled between the clubs for the 2011 regular season.
In the fifth inning, the Braves’ third baseman Jones entered the plate and launched a huge 434-feet long one-run homer to shatter the scoreless tie. This hit then proved to be the decision-maker between the clubs.
Jones showed a mercy for the Giants when he talked to reporters after the game.
Jones said, "It's almost embarrassing how many young pitchers who can help this club we have at the minor league level."
Braves’ starter Mike Minor won his third game of the season, allowing just four hits and taking nine strike-outs over his six innings. He allowed only one walk of 98 pitches to help the Braves take their 73rd win of the season.
Eric O’Flaherty, Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel all tossed scoreless innings to close down the five-hitter game. O’Flaherty snatched his 22nd hold Venters earned his 25th hold while Kimbrel won his 37th save of the season.
Taking this save, he is now only the second pitcher to make 37 saves in a rookie season after 1969.
Giants’ reliable starter Tim Lincecum restricted hard and held the Braves scoreless in his first four innings. He allowed the only run of the game in the fifth inning on a homer to Jones. Besides this hit, he allowed four more and completed his seven innings,
taking seven strike-outs over 101 pitches. However, he could not save himself from his eleventh loss of the season.
"Chipper's a great hitter," the Giants’ starter said. "I gave up that one timely home run. That cost me."
Closer Ramon Ramirez closed down the game with a one-hitter ninth inning, but the Giants have lost another outing.
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