by Tim Evearitt
posted April 3, 2008
) Photo by Tim Evearitt Jeff Bennett |
The Pirates took 2-out-of-3 in the first series of the year -- both wins were in extra innings.
Atlanta used 23 pitchers in the three games.
Scheduled starter Mike Hampton was a late scratch due to a strained left pectoralis muscle causing the game to be delayed for seven minutes at the start. Jeff Bennett made his first start of the year.
After the game, it was announced that Hampton was being placed on the 15-day disabled list. Lefty JoJo Reyes is being called up from Richmond to take his place.
Considering the circumstances, Bennett pitched quite well. He surrendered two runs in
four innings while giving up four hits.
Pirates starter Zach Duke kept the Braves scoreless through the first five innings.
But the 24-year-old southpaw surrendered three runs in the sixth inning. Former Lookouts catcher Corky Miller's single to left tied the game.
Unfortunately Bobby Cox's decision to move reliever Chris Resop to the outfield for one batter in the 10th-inning didn't work out.
With one out and runners at the corners, Cox wanted left-handed specialist Royce Ring to face Adam LaRoche and still have the option of having Resop to finish the inning.
Thus, after being moved to left field while Ring got LaRoche to strike out, the hard-throwing right-handed reliever returned and promptly saw Xavier Nady deliver the game-winner through the infield's right side.
While it's been a good opening week for Nady and the Pirates, the Braves have already encountered plenty of frustration. Each of their three losses have been by one run, and now they are without Hampton.
In the top of the seventh inning, Jack Wilson singled in a run, but pulled up limp on his way to first base. He left the game with a strained left calf. He is day-to-day, and will be re-evaluated on Friday.
Chipper Jones went 3-for-5 with a run scored, while Mark Kotsay went 2-for-5 with a 10th inning triple for Atlanta. Kotsay was stranded at third when pinch hitter Brian McCann grounded out to first to end the game.
Former Brave Tyler Yates (1-0) got the win in relief while Resop (0-1) got the loss.
* * * * *
Hopefully things will turn around when the NY Mets come to town for a three-game set beginning Friday night. Tim Hudson makes his second start of the year.
The temperatures are expected to be in the mid-70's for the game.
_______
Portions of this article were adapted from MLB.com
) Photo by Tim Evearitt Corky Miller went 1-for-4 with an RBI, but also had two passed balls that led to Pirate runs. |
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