Game 22 Recap: Astros 2, Braves 7

by gondeee on May 2, 2009 10:31 AM EDT in Braves Game Recaps

On a rain-inturrpted night Derek Lowe provided yet another quality start and Jeff Francoeur provided the fireworks. But the real story was obviously Mike Hampton making his return to Turner Field. Hampton was mercelessly booed by the Atlanta faithful, who were no doubt mad about seeing him actually pitching and healthy.

While batting in the cleanup spot for the first time this year, Francoeur gave the Braves the lead in the first with a two-run homerun. Then after Omar Infante broke the tie in the fifth with a two run single, Francoeur came through again with an opposite field run scoring single, which should have scored two runs, but Yunel Escobar was called out after the phantom tag at home.

Bobby Cox is going with the hot hand at lead-off, refusing to take Omar Infante out of the lineup in favor of the struggling Kelly Johnson the last three games. During that time, Infante has responded by hitting .500 (6-for-12) with two runs scored and three RBI. As much as I like Kelly, I've gotta agree that we should keep Infante in there until he stops hitting.

A lot of good offense in this game, and Derek Lowe pitched around some mistakes effectively. The bullpen also pieced together some more great work.

Final - 5.1.2009	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Houston Astros	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	10	1
Atlanta Braves	2	0	0	0	4	0	1	0	X	7	8	1
WP: Derek Lowe (3 - 1) LP: Mike Hampton (1 - 2)

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Go Bravos!!! Go Omar!!!!

Let him play!!! The kid is hot right now!

"The future is no place to place your better days." - Dave Matthews ~ RIP Roi

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on May 2, 2009 11:10 AM EDT reply actions

Infante is showing no secondary skills. His start is completely driven by luck on balls in play; in fact, regress his BABIP to his career rates and his season looks like last season with less power. The idea we should bench a hitter with a career .790 OPS in favor of one with a career .700 OPS. Selectively platooning Johnson against tough lefthanders isn’t a bad idea, but Hampton has no platoon split.

by 17843 on May 2, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

KJ is slumping. Why take out a hot hitter? just because his career stats are a little lower?? Infante is helping us win games.

by typodemon on May 2, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

line up

Looks like Bobby’s finally got some good chemistry working in his line up. As much as you like Kelly, you’ve got to keep Omar in there as productive as he’s been. W/Frenchy’s improved batting it was a smart move to put him in clean up over Kotchman. He’s more of a threat & maybe Chipper will get more swings than intentional walks as a result of that greater threat batting behind him. This may be the way to go until Brian returns. Here’s hoping the glasses do the trick. If they do he needs to have many extra pairs on hand.

by adc62 on May 2, 2009 12:38 PM EDT reply actions