Hanson Dominates, Heyward Homers, as Braves Snap Losing Streak
by gondeee on Apr 30, 2010 10:14 PM EDT
in Braves Game Recaps
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PrintTommy Hanson had another dominating starting pitching performance against the Astros, and the offense was supplied by Nate McLouth and Jason Heyward. Hanson tossed 8 brilliant innings, allowing only 2 runs on 4 hits and a hit batsman while striking out 7. It was almost as dominant as his start last year against the Astros in which he went 8 shutout innings only to see the game blown by the closer at the time, Rafael Soriano.
The same script seemed to be playing out again tonight, as Hanson dominated for 8 innings and gave way to closer Billy Wagner in the ninth inning. Wags walked the second man he faced with one out, but got Carlos Lee to ground into the game ending 5-4-3 double play. Atlanta comes away the winner and ends its 9-game losing streak.
The Braves got on the board quick in the first inning as leadoff man Nate McLouth sent the first pitch from Brett Myers over the centerfield fence. It was his seventh career leadoff homerun. The Braves added another run later that inning thanks to an error, and actually left the bases loaded in the first.
Hanson promptly surrendered two runs the next inning and the game was tied at 2 until Jason Heyward came up in the third inning after Troy Glaus had walked. J-Hey parked another homerun beyond the center field wall and gave the Braves a 2-run lead they would never relinquish. He now has homered in the last two games. He should have had another homerun in the eighth inning if not for the leaping grab by Hunter Pence over the outfield fence to rob Heyward of 2-homerun glory.
Per my suggestion earlier today, the Braves attempted some base stealing off of Astros catcher J.R. Towles. Unfortunately they were only successful in 1 out of 3 attempts. It's good to see them running, though, and despite getting caught a couple of times I hope this does not discourage Bobby from giving folks the green light.
Nate McLouth had a great game, going 2-for-3 with a walk. It was great to see the Braves get the most out of their hits, something they haven't done a lot of lately. One has to think that this is just one of many more games in which Tommy Hanson and Jason Heyward will combine to bring the Braves a victory. Too bad we can't pitch Hanson every day. Let's see if Tim Hudson can start a winning streak tomorrow.
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Riley Approves.
"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- you know he's going to get you, you just don't know where or when."
DAMNIT
THIS TEAM F*CKING SU……..oh wait, we won.
"My God! Good news fans, the Braves are showing signs of life for the first time in weeks. As a matter of fact, they appear to be beating the crap out of each other."
Great Post
Man you posted this up quick. I like the Hanson/Heyward combo to win games. I’ll take anything that reads, “________________ had a great game. Braves Win!” Hudson should have been the one to break the streak earlier this week. Anyway, I believe he can carry it on to the next game. Man I feel good now that we won.
by romone_braves91 on Apr 30, 2010 10:21 PM EDT reply actions
WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE!!!!! I gotta be honest though, when Wags gave up that walk I started to get that feeling, but tonight was our night!
by thenightstallion on Apr 30, 2010 10:23 PM EDT reply actions
Excellent WIN. Such a joy to watch after the last 9.
"Curve: The loveliest distance between two points." ~ Mae West
Can you guys imagine how good Jason Heyward will be in 3-5 years? His power and approach at the plate is incredible right now and the dude can’t even buy a beer yet.
"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- you know he's going to get you, you just don't know where or when."
by Scott Coleman on Apr 30, 2010 10:27 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
That’s a shame, because I would love to buy him a beer
by BraveSaluki on Apr 30, 2010 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions
They said he was on pace for 36 dingers this year, and he damn near upped that ante if it weren’t for Pence. 36 homers- as a goddam 20 year old rookie. That’s off-the-charts awesome. I’m starting to think folks really weren’t joking when they said he could be the next Pujols.
I have a friend who does some umpiring, and he said this kids swing is so much purer than Pujols’ was during his rookie season.
by thenightstallion on Apr 30, 2010 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions
it’s gonna be ridiculous
"Dum spiro spero"
by Bravely going forward on Apr 30, 2010 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions
We won a game today...
We win one tomorrow…that’s two in a row….we win one on Sunday….that’s called a winning streak….it has happened before…(Major League)
by Nova Scotia Steve on Apr 30, 2010 10:29 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Heyward is a barometer of our success
Games where Heyward has at least 1 hit: Braves are 9-3
Games where Heyward has no hits: Braves are 0-10
That’s crazy.
Another uninnocent, elegant fall into the unmagnificent lives of adults...
by Smoltz's Beard on May 1, 2010 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Troy Glaus blows!
Nah, I jest.
Now THAT, boys, is what we call MOTHER#$%^ING BASEBALL!!! Let’s see some more of that awesomeness going forward.
Seems like the worst of the slumps are over. McCann and Diaz will come around, Chipper should get well. Now just don’t get rained out Sat and Sun and get used to winning
Heyward is pretty good
The weather looks good for tomorrows 4:10 start. I think we’ll play.
"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- you know he's going to get you, you just don't know where or when."
by Scott Coleman on Apr 30, 2010 10:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
4:10? Does that mean FOX?
"My God! Good news fans, the Braves are showing signs of life for the first time in weeks. As a matter of fact, they appear to be beating the crap out of each other."
Braves win, Hawks win
The city of Atlanta is back!!!! The South will rise again!
Watching Bobby Cox pick boogers since 1995
by a hooter's baby on Apr 30, 2010 10:46 PM EDT reply actions
+1
I think you might be on to something here.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on May 1, 2010 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Nice. Solid. Win.
They almost made it look easy. Great job in the leadoff spot. Great game by Hanson after a scary start. Crazy to think… If Heyward doesn’t get robbed, he’d be on 42 home run. 120 RBI pace
Braves Win! Braves Win!
by Frozen Fan on Apr 30, 2010 11:00 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
So glad I got to see the Braves snap the streak!
Great game! Hanson was lights out after that weird 2nd inning and J-Hey is a beast. I don’t even care that Brett Myers shut us down his last 4 innings. It was a quality, Braves-style victory.
One question for you folks who watched on TV: were the caught stealing calls on Melky and McLouth correct? The one on Melky especially seemed just horrible from my view in the stadium.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
Nate was out and Melky looked safe, but the camera angles weren’t too good.
"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- you know he's going to get you, you just don't know where or when."
by Scott Coleman on May 1, 2010 12:34 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Melky was safe
and Nate was out only because of a perfect throw. I want to see those guys (and anyone else who can make a decent try at it) take off more often that they have so far. Tonight was a good start on that.
Thanks, guys
That’s more or less what I thought.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on May 1, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Melky was probably safe because the tag was really high. The ball beat him by a mile though, and from the umpire’s angle it probably looked like the tag got him earlier than it did.
That's how it usually goes.
It’s a de facto force play. The thing that always really annoys me is that when they’re on defense, the Braves too often get the conscientious umps who insist on seeing a clean tag (like with the play where Pujols was called safe at third a couple of days ago.)
They seem to get the worst of both sides of the coin.
Couple things to feel good about.
Signing out from the far west coast. Still Friday here. Beutiful day, beutiful win! At the end of the day… Braves are only 4 1/2 games out of a playoff spot, with 139 games to play. So thankful that the losing streak is over. Saw some good things on the field tonight. Go Braves!!
Braves Win! Braves Win!
by Frozen Fan on May 1, 2010 3:26 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Good to see a nice crowd at the Ted.
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
"i’m going to keep stats on you for as long as it humors me….target is unclear" - BMacAttack (Hohn's queef)
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on May 1, 2010 1:05 PM EDT reply actions
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