After winning the first two games of a seven-game home stand, a winning record in those games looked within reach. Unfortunately, that didn't turn out as hoped when the Mets came to town. The Braves bullpen had a couple of off days: in 4.2 innings of relief, Atlanta relievers coughed up five runs. Hopefully, this was just a bump in the road and they can get back to being an effective relief corps.
Before Friday, there had been no occurrence of Eric O'Flaherty and Craig Kimbrel both giving up home runs in the same game. Marlon Byrd and David Wright changed all that with home runs in the eighth and ninth innings respectively; Wright's homer traveled 464 ft. Friday's loss was especially heartbreaking because Atlanta had come from behind 3-1 to take the lead and Mike Minor had pitched a great ballgame after giving up two home runs in the first two innings.
What also hurt was the two-strike damage in the 10th: the walk to Valdespin, Baxter's HBP and the singles by Tejada and Murphy all came with two strikes. Even Wright's homer in the ninth was hit on a two-strike pitch.
Kimbrel has allowed three runs over his last three appearances after allowing three runs total in his previous 61 appearances.
One pleasant surprise was Jordan Schafer drawing four walks; B.J. Upton had three hits (although one was a gift), as did Dan Uggla. I'm sure we'd like for them to start hitting like this more frequently because this lineup is insane at full strength.
Uggla also hit a triple in Sunday's win, the first one for any Braves hitter this year. The Braves were the last team without a triple before today.
Juan Francisco rolled his right ankle in getting picked off in the third inning of Friday's game. Thankfully nothing was broken and he is day-to-day.
Saturday's rainout will made up as part of a doubleheader Tuesday, June 18.