Photo Story: Gregor Blanco Is Safe At Home In Braves Phillies' Game Photo Gallery

Thursday, July 02, 2009 - by Tim Evearitt

One of the most exciting plays in baseball is a close play at home when the runner and the ball arrive at the same time. Timing is crucial.

In the third inning Thursday with one out, pitcher Jair Jurrjens and Gregor Blanco hit back-to-back singles off Cole Hamels. The next batter, hot-hiting Martin Prado, doubled down the left field line. Jurrjens scored easily from second while the speedy Blanco rounded third and raced home.

Catcher Paul Bako (a former Chattanooga Lookout, 1996) set up for the play and readied to block the plate.

As Blanco came on, Jurrjens signaled him to "get down" while the on-deck hitter, Chipper Jones, looked on.

Instead of sliding, Blanco went around Bako's outstretched foot and as the ball arrived late, Blanco reached in to touch the plate with Atlanta's second run of the inning.


Cleveland State Baseball Drops Doubleheader

COVINGTON, GA. - The first road trip of the season for the Cleveland State baseball team was not a happy one as the Cougars traveled south for a cat fight with the Jaguars of Georgia Perimeter on Saturday afternoon. The Cougars dropped both ends of the doubleheader by scores of 10-7 and 8-3.   The Cougars jumped on top in game one with a pair of runs in the first as Alex ... (click for more)

German Leads Lee Women To 72-60 Win Over Branau

Sophomore Hollie German led three Lady Flames in double-figures with 21 points, as the Lee University Lady Flames won their 17th consecutive contest, a 72-60 decision at Brenau University. The Lee ladies move to 26-1 on the season, 18-0 in Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) play. It wasn’t easy for the Lady Flames, who mounted a second half comeback after trailing by ... (click for more)

Man Tells Police He Just Murdered His Wife

An Chattanooga man told police Monday night that he had just murdered his wife.  Police said Robert Hardnett showed up at the County Jail to turn himself in. He said his wife's body could be found at his place of employment, Power Supply Company, 1907 Daisy St.   Officers responded to that address and found the victim inside the warehouse with multiple gunshot ... (click for more)

Ammonia Leak At BASF On Amnicola Highway Causes Major Traffic Backups

A leak of anhydrous ammonia at BASF Corporation on Amnicola Highway forced the closure of main thoroughfares Tuesday morning, causing major problems for rush-hour traffic heading into Chattanooga.  The incident began around 4:30 a.m. at the plant when a small fire broke out at an anhydrous ammonia pump. Tactical Services Chief Danny Hague said the plant's fire protection ... (click for more)

Thoughs On The Mathews Sentencing

It is not by coincidence I haven’t submitted an opinion piece in some time to the Chattanoogan.  The topics I cover are generally vitriolic in regards to local political decisions and their makers regarding public safety and I do not wish to associate my name with more noble subjects such as that of the heroic death and cowardly murder of Chattanooga Police Sergeant Tim Chapin, ... (click for more)

Thank You, Judge Mattice And Chattanooga

I would like to thank Judge Mattice for handing down a 30.5 year sentence for Kathleen Mathews.  Obviously, no amount of jail time, fines, or lashings can bring back Tim Chapin.   A 30-year sentence will, however, make the world just a little safer.  That's what Sgt. Chapin would have wanted.  He was a protector and sacrificed his life so the rest of ... (click for more)