Now the Braves are back to winning series. It may seem like every game the last two weeks has been a struggle, but the Braves have won the last three series and are 7-and-3 during that span. It sure seemed like today's game against the Astros was a struggle, but the Braves pulled out the win in the end.
Tommy Hanson was on auto-pilot this afternoon. He worked some deep counts, but he used his defense and held the Astros to just two hits through seven innings. He even helped himself with a bouncing single over the third baseman's head to score the go-ahead run in the fifth.
Billy Wagner came on to close out the 2-1 game in the ninth, and after giving up a weak infield grounder and a roped single, found himself with runners on the corners and no outs. A sac fly tied the game. Wagner was able to keep Houston from taking the lead, but it spoiled an excellent start for Hanson and was Wagner's seventh blown save of the season -- good bad enough for a tie for second in the National League. What is it with great starts by Tommy Hanson in Houston that are blown by the closer. Think back to last year when Rafael Soriano blew perhaps the best start of Hanson's career.
The Braves finally laced up their hittin' shoes in the tenth inning, but only after they laced up their walking shoes. The first two Braves reached on walks and then Omar Infante broke the tie with a double that scored one. Another walk loaded the bases for Alex Gonzalez, who singled in a run. Still with the bases loaded Brian McCann pinch hit, and boy did he. He crushed a grand slam to give the Braves a six run lead. it was the Braves third pinch-hit grand slam this year (the other two were by Clutch Conrad, of course).
It was a shame that Hanson didn't get the victory, but at least the Braves came back and picked up the win. An off-day tomorrow will be good for all the ailing bodies on the Atlanta bench. Hopefully Chipper's MRI comes back with good news. Fingers are crossed.