What a crappy game. It looked like the Braves' offense was coming around after scoring 2 runs in the 3rd inning and then another in the 4th inning. Troy Glaus was showing his singles POWAH. Melky Cabrera was swinging the bat well. Nate McLouth ripped a double down the RF line. And Yunel Escobar had some great ABs in the leadoff spot.

But that certainly didn't last long.

After leading 3-0, the Braves fell asleep at the plate. The Braves went 1-2-3 in the 5th, 6th, 7th inning and left 2 runners on base in the 8th. The Cardinals chipped away at the lead until Yadier Molina delivered the big blow in the 8th inning, hitting a GW RBI double into left-center field. The Braves battled back and had a leadoff infield single in the 9th inning via Matt Diaz, but Eric Hinske promptly hit into a 6-4-3 double play. Yunel Escobar walked to keep hope alive, but Martin Prado grounded out to 2nd to end the game.

And just like that the Braves lose (again) 4 to 3.

I'm not sure about the TC faithful, but this loss hurts a lot more than any of the Mets or Phillies losses.

Timmy Hudson pitched a good game and even contributed at the plate going 1-for-3 with a run. Huddy was cruising in the first few innings but the Cardinals chipped away until they got within striking distance. Once again though, the offense had a bunch of chances to get our starter more runs to work with, but failed to do so leaving 8 runners on base. Eight. Ocho. Jeff Francoeur's old number +1.  Ugh.

Takashi Saito struggled tonight, giving up the GW run along with 2 hits and a walk. Peter Moylan failed to strand his inherited runner, Yadier Molina, after he gave up a stolen base and then was victim to a bloop double from Bryan Anderson. All-in-all, not a strong night from the bullpen.

The Good:

Troy Glaus - 2-for-3 w/ a BB, 1RBI

Nate McLouth - 1-for-3 w/ a RBI 2B

Melky Cabrera - 2-for-4, 1R

Tim Hudson - 6+IP  3ER  4K/3BB

The Bad:

Peter Moylan - BS, allowed the tying run to score in the 7th after Yadier Molina stole 2nd off him.

Chipper Jones - 0-for-3 w/ a BB

Jason Heyward - 0-for-3 w/ a BB, 3 runners LOB

The Ugly:

Innings 5, 6 and 7 - 9 consecutive outs, 27 pitches seen. Good lord.

Takashi Saito - L, 1IP  1ER  2H  1K/1BB

Upcoming Games:

The Braves send their $60MM ace #5 starter Derek Lowe to the mound to face Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter. First pitch is at 8:15EST.

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GO BRAVES.