The Braves scored twice in the first inning off of Reds starter Bronson Arroyo but could not muster another run afterward despite numerous chances. Jair Jurrjens gave up a solo home run to Scott Rolen in the fourth inning but otherwise pitched very well for his first six innings. Unfortunately, he fell apart in the seventh inning and Bobby Cox was too slow to pull him. Jay Bruce singled in a run to tie the game at two, then Ryan Hanigan hit a ball into the left-center field gap that scored two runs. When the ball flukily slipped out of Melky Cabrera’s hand as he was throwing, Hanigan was able to come all the way around to score, making it 5-2, Reds. The throwing error turned out not to matter because the next batter singled, but it was an embarrassing play that pretty much summed up the Braves’ poor game. Right before the game, the Braves traded for Rick Ankiel and Kyle Farnsworth, so perhaps they will give the team a spark of energy. With Martin Prado hurt (see below), they need someone else to step up.
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