0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
The Atlanta Braves had the most prolific offense in the majors this past week, and starting pitcher John Thomson hopes his team has saved some runs for him Sunday as the Braves look to sweep the Washington Nationals . Atlanta (17-19) has led the league in runs (49), hits (75) and batting average (.339) since last Sunday, winning five of its last six games. Thomson (1-2, 1.88 ERA) has the lowest ERA in the NL, but has been the victim of little run support.In his first five starts of the season, Thomson pitched two shutouts and allowed just six earned runs in 29 2-3 innings, but the Braves scored only nine runs for him. ''I'm sure it's been frustrating for him,'' said Braves first baseman Adam LaRoche . ''He has pitched some great games. Unfortunately our hitting has been shut down a few times with him on the mound.'' Thomson finally won his first game of the season Tuesday, when he allowed no earned runs and four hits in five innings as Atlanta defeated Florida 10-2. Thomson has been extremely tough to hit at Turner Field, where opponents are batting just .164. He has allowed just one earned run in 17 2-3 innings in three starts, but has just one win to show for it. The right-hander is 6-6 with a 3.90 ERA in 16 starts against Washington (12-25), and allowed just one run and seven hits in six innings April 23 in the Braves' 3-1 win over the Nationals, but did not factor in the decision. Atlanta posted an 8-5 victory as Jeff Francoeur hit his first career grand slam in the bottom of the ninth with two outs to cap a five-run rally. ''I love those situations,'' Francoeur said. ''If you don't love 'em, you're in the wrong sport. It's games like this that keep bringing you back.'' The 22-year-old right fielder also had a first-inning RBI double to extend his hitting streak to 11 games, matching a career high. Francoeur is batting .333 (17-for-51) with three doubles, three home runs and 17 RBIs in his run. Francoeur hit his dramatic grand slam off Nationals closer Chad Cordero , who gave up career highs of five runs and five hits on just 15 pitches. ''It was pretty obvious what happened,'' Cordero said. ''I gave up a couple of hits and a few home runs. I stunk.''Tony Armas (3-2, 3.58 ) started against Thomson on April 23, and will oppose him again on Sunday. Armas scattered three hits in 6 1-3 scoreless innings, but did not factor into the decision after his bullpen squandered a 1-0 lead. Armas has won his last three decisions, allowing 11 runs in 26 2-3 innings in his last five starts. The eight-year veteran has not won four straight games since Sept. 4-26, 2002. Armas, though, has struggled against the Braves in his career, recording just one win in his last 17 starts against Atlanta. The right-hander is 4-6 with a 3.56 ERA lifetime against the Braves, who have won 16 of 20 games Armas has started against them. He is 2-2 with a 5.29 ERA in nine starts at Turner Field. Atlanta center fielder Andruw Jones went 2-for-5 on Saturday, but is just 10-for-54 (.185) with 11 strikeouts in his career against Armas. Washington has lost four straight overall and seven of its last nine road games.
in the end we all know that our bullpen will blow this game for us.too bad.
