The Atlanta Braves beat the San Diego Padres in game two of their series at Petco park. Former Brave’s legend Greg Maddux gave it his all, even stealing a base during his seven innings of work. But after manufacturing a run in the third inning, Atlanta broke it open in the sixth with a bases loaded two-run single from rightfielder Jeff Francoeur. Rookie shortstop Brent Lillibridge hit a solo shot in the top of the ninth to make it 4-1. Brave’s closer Mike Gonzalez was lights out once again in the bottom of the inning, earning his third save of the year.
Even the worst teams in MLB win around seventy games a year. Morton’s performance was superb, he used the advantage of the spacious confines of Petco well. Maddux probably deserved a better fate, but he pitched one inning too many tonight. Tomorrow Atlanta will try to concentrate on the last game of what has been a dreadful first half of the season. It will be Mexican Maddux vs. the ageless lefty Randy Wolf.
Minor League notes
You won’t believe this, but Saturday in Charlotte Chuck James was DOMINANT. Six innings, two hits, one run and only one walk; James notched TEN strikeouts in AAA Richmond’s 12-8 win over the Charlotte Knights. DH Barbaro Canizares and second baseman Diory Hernandez both hit homeruns and centerfielder Josh Anderson went 3 for 5. Catcher Clint Sammons went 3 for 5 with three rbi.
Duente Heath got rocked for six runs in 5.2 innings as AA Mississippi got shutout 6-0 on Saturday. The Braves got only three hits in the game.
The A Rome Braves lost 8-2 hosting the Kannapolis Intimidators (you can’t make stuff like that up) on Saturday. The powerful Rome middle of the order hitters (outfielders Jason Heyward and Cody Johnson and first baseman Frederick Freeman) were kept at bay while Braves starter Jeff Locke surrendered three earned runs in seven innings. But a series of Rome relievers let Kannapolis blow it wide open in the eighth, and the Braves could do nothing against the Intimidators bullpen.
