The offense and defense both were lackluster at best tonight, with the Braves scoring no runs and the only runs coming against Gavin Floyd being due to defensive miscues.
Floyd lacked command this evening but pitched well enough that he should have held the Red Sox scoreless despite running his pitch count up early, but a throwing error from Ramiro Pena and a subsequent wild pitch allowed Jonny Gomes to score on a wild pitch. The following inning a Xander Bogaerts fly ball fell between B.J. Upton and Tommy La Stella, and he later came around to score on a two out single by A.J. Pierzynski. Alex Wood came in to relieve Floyd and allowed two runs himself.
The Braves threatened in the top of the seventh as they loaded the bases with two outs and Freddie Freeman at the plate against arch nemesis Chris Capuano. Freeman grounded out to Dustin Pedroia to end the threat, which would be the last time the Braves had an opportunity to change the tide of the game.
Offensively, La Stella was a bright spot with two hard hit balls up the middle for singles. He is going to give solid at bats and get on base at a solid clip. He will be refreshing for those who feel the Braves strikeout too much. Regardless of how he does it, he'll be a solid contributor in my estimation. Ramiro Pena also had two hits.
Mike Minor is on the hill tomorrow to avoid the dreaded four game sweep. He will oppose Jake Peavy.