SB Nation Atlanta - Braves Win Thriller In 9th Inning Over Dodgers

Braves vs. Dodgers Score: Atlanta Wins Thriller Late In Los Angeles

2012-04-26T05:38:00Z

The Braves claimed yet another late-inning victory on Wednesday night against the Dodgers, snatching a victory from the jaws of defeat in the 9th inning. Brandon Beachy and Ted Lilly both pitched very well and the bullpens did their job before the final frame, which set up a furious comeback from Atlanta.

Beachy worked 6.1 innings of two-run ball and allowed seven hits and just one walk on 109 pitches. He struck out six batters. He was relieved by Chad Durbin in the seventh inning who recorded an out before being lifted for Eric O'Flaherty who struck out Andre Ethier to end a two-out scoring threat. Lilly was even better, allowing just one run to score on three hits and a walk.

Dan Uggla got Atlanta on the board in the fourth inning with a two-out RBI-single that sailed just over shortstop Dee Gordon. The Dodgers tied it up in the fifth inning on an RBI-groundout from Gordon. Matt Kemp belted -- and I mean BELTED a ball to left field for his 10th home run of the year in the sixth inning, giving LA a 2-1 lead.

Javy Guerra came in the ninth inning to try and close the game out. After a deep flyout from Martin Prado, Freddie Freeman singled to get things going.

In what was a horrific (and potentially fatal) play, Brian McCann lined a fastball right up the middle that ricocheted off Guerra's face. The ball rolled to the third baseman and both runners were safe. Amazingly Guerra remained in the game and appeared to have nothing more than swelling on the right side of his jaw, but I'm sure we'll hear more on any potential lingering effects in the coming days. He remained in the game.

After getting ahead of Uggla with an 0-2 count, the slugging second baseman lined a ball into the right-center field game to tie the game. McCann hustled into third putting runners on the corners with one out and Chipper Jone coming to the plate. The recently-turned-40-year-old Jones drove a ball to right scoring the go-ahead run, and Uggla moved into third base again.

Jason Heyward continued his impressive hitting at the plate and sent a ball down the left field line to score yet another run, giving the Braves a 4-2 lead. Guerra exited the game in favor of Josh Lindblom, who hit a batter before forcing a 4-6-3 double play from Juan Francisco off the bench.

Craig Kimbrel came on for the save in the ninth and struck out his first two batters. Dee Gordon slapped a ball at Chipper, but the veteran third baseman made a clean pick and threw over to first for the final out.

This was a huge win for the Braves, finishing their west coast road trip with a record of 5-2. After starting the season winless in their first four games, Atlanta has now won 12 of their last 15 games. They will have a much needed off-day on Thursday before returning to Turner Field for a four-game series against the Pirates.

For more on the club and their late-inning heroics, check out Talking Chop.

Braves vs. Dodgers Lineups: Chipper Jones Playing Once Again

2012-04-25T22:44:04Z

The Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers will conclude their three-game series this evening assuming the weather cooperates. With rain in the forecast all evening, the two clubs are hoping it stays away long enough to get the game in, especially with the clubs not meeting in LA after this week. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 locally from Dodgers Stadium.

The lineups have been released for Wednesday. Here they are:

Braves

Michael Bourn CF
Martin Prado LF
Freddie Freeman 1B
Brian McCann C
Dan Uggla 2B
Chipper Jones 3B
Jason Heyward RF
Tyler Pastornicky SS
Brandon Beachy P

I still do not understand why Freddie Freeman continues to hit above Chipper Jones and Jason Heyward, but I guess it's tough to complain when the team continues to win.

Dodgers

Dee Gordon SS
Mark Ellis 2B
Matt Kemp CF
Andre Ethier RF
James Loney 1B
Jerry Hairston Jr. 3B
Tony Gwynn Jr. LF
A.J. Ellis C
Ted Lilly P

You can use this link for updated hour-by-hour weather forecasts throughout the evening.

For more on the Braves, check out Talking Chop.

Braves Vs. Dodgers: Game Three Preview, TV Info And More

2012-04-25T15:21:26Z

Brandon Beachy will go to the hill in hopes of taking the series for Atlanta when they face Los Angeles Wednesday night in L.A. Both Beachy and Dodgers starter Ted Lilly have sub-.500 ERAs so far this season. Beachy has been remarkable recently, giving up only seven hits and one run in 14 and 1/3 innings in his last two outings.

The Braves will look to take the series and remain red hot one night after Martin Prado's two-out ninth inning triple gave Atlanta a 4-3 win, aided by a solo homer from Chipper Jones on the day of his 40th birthday.

Date / Time: Wednesday, April 25, 10:10 p.m. ET

Location: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California

TV: Fox Sports South

Radio: WNNX 100.5, WCNN 680

Starting Pitchers: Brandon Beachy (2-1) vs. Ted Lilly (2-0)

For more on the Atlanta Braves, check out Talking Chop. L.A. Dodgers news and info can be found at True Blue L.A., and all your MLB news is available at Baseball Nation.

Martin Prado's Heroics Lead Braves To Victory Over Dodgers

2012-04-25T05:35:40Z

The Atlanta Braves trailed by a score of 2-0 early on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but a clutch RBI-double from Martin Prado proved to be the difference as the Braves won 4-3.

Mike Minor pitched well after a shaky start, going six innings and allowing just three runs to score. He struck out two and did not issue a walk. Aaron Harang was equally as effective, working six innings and allowing just three runs to score.

Chipper Jones, who was celebrating his 40th birthday tonight, belted a home run in the fifth inning to cut the deficit down to just one run. With the bases loaded and Prado at the plate, he hit a weak grounder to the second baseman that scored another run, tying the game at 2-2. Brian McCann came around to score on a wild pitch in the sixth.

The Dodgers tied the game up in the bottom of the sixth, which led to a bullpen battle in the seventh and eighth innings. Neither team was able to mount much of a rally until the ninth rolled around.

Tyler Pastornicky, who had a perfect night going 3-for-3 with a walk, led off the inning with a single to right field. Jack Wilson came on as a pinch-hitter and bunted Pastornicky over to second. Michael Bourn struck out, bringing up Prado with two outs. The left fielder fouled off pitch after pitch from closer Javy Guerra before sending a high fastball to the center field wall. Matt Kemp made a great attempt on the ball, but he would end up face planting into the wall as Prado dashed in safely for an RBI-triple.

Craig Kimbrel allowed a single and walk in the bottom of the ninth, but a strikeout of Tony Gwynn Jr. ended the game as the Braves' closer struck out three batters in the ninth.

Atlanta is schedule to conclude their series with the Dodgers on Wednesday night, but rain is in the forecast all day and night. Keep an eye on the weather report for a possible window of time to get the game in.

For more on the Braves, check out Talking Chop.

Braves Vs. Dodgers: Starting Line-Ups Announced

2012-04-24T21:28:04Z

As Chipper Jones turns 40-years-old today, the Braves announced that he's also in the team's starting line-up as hoped as the Braves take on the Dodgers for another important game between two teams faring well early in the season. For the Dodgers, things are better than expected as Matt Kemp is hitting at historic levels while the team is at 13-4. For the Braves they hope to improve on their 10-7 record. Here's tonight's starting line-ups.

ATLANTA BRAVES
1. Michael Bourn (L) CF
2. Martin Prado (R) LF
3. Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
4. Brian McCann (L) C
5. Dan Uggla (R) 2B
6. Chipper Jones (S) 3B
7. Jason Heyward (L) RF
8. Tyler Pastornicky (R) SS
9. Mike Minor (R) P

LA DODGERS
1. Dee Gordon (L) SS
2. Mark Ellis (R) 2B
3. Matt Kemp (R) CF
4. Juan Rivera (R) 1B
5. Andre Ethier (L) RF
6. Jerry Hairston (R) LF
7. Juan Uribe (R) 3B
8. A.J. Ellis (R) C
9. Aaron Harang (R) P

Read more about the Braves at Talking Chop. For more on the Dodgers, check out True Blue LA. To stay updated on news and notes around the league, be sure to visit Baseball Nation.

Chipper Jones Injury: Braves' Slugger Eyeing Birthday Return To Lineup

2012-04-24T14:46:12Z

Chipper Jones turns 40 on Tuesday when the Atlanta Braves take on the Los Angeles Dodgers and he'd like to play on this milestone moment in his life. Jones sat out with a sore left knee in the opening game against the Dodgers on Monday after injuring it against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday.

Jones wants to play, but said he won't be too upset if he doesn't see in any action.

"It'd be nice [to play on his birthday], but it's not going to hurt my feelings," he said to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "That's the good thing about having Juan [Francisco]. He's provided us some power and some offense, so it's not a necessity that I be in there. I can take my time when I'm not feeling good. When something's hurting I can yield and not worry about the offense."

Read more news and notes about the Braves at Talking Chop.

Braves Vs. Dodgers: Game Preview, TV Info And More

2012-04-24T14:33:24Z

The Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers play the second of the three-game series between the teams Tuesday night. Los Angeles defeated Atlanta on Monday when Jair Jurrjens struggled on the mound.

Atlanta looks to respond, still with a chance to take the series with victories on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Braves (10-7) are also looking to end a two-game losing streak which goes back to Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Dodgers are on top of the National League West Division with a 13-4 record, which also ties for the best mark in the league.

Here is a look at the schedule and television information for the Braves-Dodgers game:

Date: Tuesday, April 24, 10:10 ET

Location: Dodger Stadium

TV: SportsSouth

Online streaming: MLB.TV

Read more about the Braves at Talking Chop. For more on the Dodgers, check out True Blue LA. To stay updated on news and notes around the league, be sure to visit Baseball Nation.

Jair Jurrjens Optioned To Triple-A Gwinnett By Braves

2012-04-24T05:59:29Z

Following his fourth poor start to begin the 2012 season, the Atlanta Braves announced late on Monday night that Jair Jurrjens has been optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett. The move was announced after the players had left the clubhouse, so we will likely get more details on the move early Tuesday morning, according to MLB's Mark Bowman.

Jurrjens lasted just 3+ innings against the Dodgers, allowing five runs to score on nine hits and a walk. He did not strike out anyone and only induced two swings-and-misses at the plate. His ERA for the year is now 9.37.

The velocity on his fastball has dropped considerably since last summer and the lack of development on his breaking pitches is concerning. He simply just isn't the same pitcher that impressed so many in Atlanta from 2008-2010.

Tim Hudson is set to make his final rehab start on Tuesday night, likely meaning he will take Jurrjens' turn in the rotation come Saturday or Sunday against the Pirates. Many felt that 22-year-old Randall Delgado would be the one sent to the Minors once Hudson returned, but that appears to no longer be the case.

This is a very surprising move for the Braves, but undoubtably the right one. Even though he said he felt fine on the mound following another poor performance, Jurrjens clearly has something going on. Whether it be physical or mental, well, he should get plenty of time in Gwinnett to figure it out.

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For more on the Braves, check out Talking Chop.