All it takes for a struggling pitcher to right the ship is a visit by the Braves. Tyler Chatwood has allowed one run through five innings as the Angels lead, 2-1.
The Braves took a 1-0 lead in the second when Freddie Freeman doubled with two outs and Joe Mather singled him in. Mather continues to swing a good bat.
The Braves loaded the bases in the third on two singles and a walk, but Dan Uggla fouled out to first to end the inning. Uggla continues to swing a terrible bat. The Angels threatened for the first time in the home half of the third with two in scoring position, but Erick Aybar struck out to end the inning.
The Angels quickly took the lead in the fourth when Bobby Abreu walked and Torii Hunter hit a two-run homer.
Chatwood has allowed one run on four hits in five innings, walking two and striking out four. Derek Lowe has allowed two runs on four hits in five innings, walking three and striking out five. Lowe is getting a good amount of whiffs but also is having a some control issues. I wouldn't expect either pitcher to go past the sixth, or possibly the seventh, unless they have very efficient sixth innings.
Nate McLouth left the game after four pitches in the first inning with a tweaked oblique. Diory Hernandez came in to finish the at-bat and moved to third base, putting Martin Prado in left field and Mather in center. The injury bug bites again.
For more on the series, Braves fans check out Talking Chop and Angels fans check out Halos Heaven.