This series was about pitching; pitching and strikeouts and making hitters look ridiculous. The Braves came out on top, though, with two wins in the three-game series thanks to Evan Gattis.
Gattis continues to be a Marlins predator. In 13 games: .370/.420/.783, 4 HR, 17 RBI. Of his 76 career RBI, 25 have come from the seventh inning onward, and 13 of them as a pinch-hitter. His game-winning hit in the finale pushed his pinch-hit avg. to .538 with a 2.240 OPS. Them's video game numbers!
Atlanta's bullpen looked much better in this series than before. In seven innings, only one unearned run scored with 11 strikeouts. Craig Kimbrel was the victim of that lone run and despite blowing the save in that opening game, looked like the Kimbrel of old in the finale.
Altogether, there were 78 strikeouts between both teams in the three games. Jose Fernandez struck out 14 by himself on Tuesday, and made Braves hitters look foolish. I know we make fun of Fredi for his "tip your cap" comments, but that was one of those games. Atlanta's offense had no chance the way he was pitching.
Surprisingly enough, B.J. Upton was not one of those 14. He was 0-6 for the series, but he drew three walks in the opening game.
Alex Wood struck out 11 opposite Fernandez and continues to look impressive, but for the second straight start was on the short end of a 1-0 loss. Is a little run support too much to ask?
Aaron Harang is the first pitcher to allow one or fewer runs and complete at least six innings in each of his first five starts since Pedro Martinez in 1997.
Jason Heyward appears to be coming around. He was 4-11 with two walks and now has a five-game hitting streak.
Freddie Freeman, on the other hand, was 0-12 in the series with six strikeouts. He said he may be having eye problems again, but that they'll clear up by the weekend.
Oh, and Chipper Jones celebrates his 42nd birthday today.
Thank you to everyone for all the birthday wishes! I would also like to wish my new 'fiancé' @lilgeorgiapeach happy bday as well. God Bless
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) April 24, 2014
Finally, for your viewing pleasure, here's is the Gattis walk-off homer.