SB Nation Atlanta - Braves Earn Wild Card Berthhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2010-10-03T20:06:06-04:00http://atlanta.sbnation.com/rss/stream/14795492010-10-03T20:06:06-04:002010-10-03T20:06:06-04:00VIDEO: Braves Players Celebrating Wild Card, Spraying Champagne In Turner Field Locker Room
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<p>Via <a href="http://twitter.com/zachkleinwsb">@zachkleinwsb</a>.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2010/10/3/1728745/video-braves-players-celebrating-wild-card-spraying-champagne-inJason Kirk2010-10-03T19:11:50-04:002010-10-03T19:11:50-04:00Braves Clinch Wild Card Berth With Win Over Phillies and Padres Loss
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<p>The Braves have officially earned a Wild Card berth into the playoffs since the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">San Diego Padres</a> have lost to the San Fransisco <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> 3-0 on the season's final day. The Braves beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> 8-7 earlier this afternoon, putting the pressure back on the Padres.</p>
<p>This means the Braves are in the playoffs for the first time since 2005. In both Bobby Cox's and <span>Billy Wagner</span>'s final season, the Braves have entered the playoffs and are vying for their first World Series title since 1995. They will play the Giants in the first round, which will begin on Thursday night.</p>
<p>The Giants will throw <span>Tim Lincecum</span>, <span>Matt Cain</span>, and <span>Barry Zito</span> out in the first three games of the series. The Braves will counter with <span>Derek Lowe</span>, <span>Tommy Hanson</span>, and <span>Tim Hudson</span>. Both teams boast stellar starting staffs and great bullpens, so there shouldn't be many high scoring games in this series.</p>
<p>Congratulations to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> on a hard fought season. They battled through injuries and new player acquisitions to get here. Although winning the division would have been nice, coming away with the Wild Card certainly does not hinder their chances at advancing further in the post-season.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2010/10/3/1728644/braves-clinch-wild-card-berth-with-win-over-phillies-and-padres-lossBenDuronio2010-10-03T16:45:46-04:002010-10-03T16:45:46-04:00Braves Earn At Least Share Of Wild Card, Beat Phillies 8-7
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<p>In a wild game and a wild season, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> have earned the right to play at least one more game. If the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> win, they will play the loser of a Padres vs. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> one game playoff on Tuesday night. If the Padres lose, the Braves will play the Giants in the division series. Here's a part of the recap I wrote for <a href="http://www.talkingchop.com/2010/10/3/1728340/braves-play-at-least-one-more-game-beat-phillies-8-7">Talking Chop</a>:</p>
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<p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 18px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><span>Tim Hudson</span> threw seven masterful innings, allowing just two hits in his outing. Both hits were two-run homers, but thankfully the offense was able to come together to back Hudson. Every starter had a hit, and each had an RBI aside from <span>Brian McCann</span> and <span>Rick Ankiel</span>. <span>Omar Infante</span> and <span>Jason Heyward</span> both had huge triples, and<span>Derrek Lee</span> blasted a solo shot to extend the lead to 6-2. <span>Brooks Conrad</span> had two RBI hits and played a solid second base.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 18px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><span>Jonny Venters</span> entered the eighth inning and allowed a single to <span>Jimmy Rollins</span>. The following play, <span>Mike Sweeney</span> hit a line drive that got through Infante's legs. The Braves then brought in <span>Billy Wagner</span> for the four out save. The first batter he faced, <span>Wilson Valdez</span>, battled through a tough at bat and singled in a run. Ben Fransisco followed with a two-RBI double, making the score 8-7.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 18px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">In the bottom of the eighth, the Braves loaded the bases with one out only to see Alex Gonzalez ground into a 6-4-3 double play. At this point, I was admittedly nervous. Wagner did not look his best and the tables seemed to have turned. Thankfully, Wagner came through in the ninth in dominant fashion. Wagner struck out the side, including two nasty sliders to catch <span>Shane Victorino</span> and <span>Brian Schneider</span> looking.</p>
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<p>We'll keep you updated on the happenings of the Giants and Padres game. This was simply a tremendous way to send both Bobby Cox and Billy Wagner out in what is hopefully their last regular season game ever.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2010/10/3/1728364/braves-earn-at-least-share-of-wild-card-beat-phillies-8-7BenDuronio2010-10-03T16:15:32-04:002010-10-03T16:15:32-04:00Third Base Error Proves Costly, Braves Clinging To 8-7 Lead
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<p><span>Omar Infante</span> made a crucial error at third base that ended up being a main cause for three runnings crossing the plate.</p>
<p>With Jonny Venters pitching, a <span>Jimmy Rollins</span> single preceded a <span>Mike Sweeney</span> line drive to Infante. Infante let it go between his legs, which allowed <span>Brian Bocock</span> — who ran for Rollins — to move to third base. <span>Wilson Valdez</span> battled through a tough at bat against <span>Billy Wagner</span>, eventually driving in a run on a single. Ben Fransisco followed that up with a two-<span class="caps">RBI</span> double.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> walked <span>Jayson Werth</span> to attack the left-handed <span>Raul Ibanez</span>. Both Fransisco and Werth stole, putting the winning run in scoring position. Wagner toughened up and struck Ibanez out on three pitches to end the inning. Entering the ninth, the Braves still have a 8-7 lead.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2010/10/3/1728291/third-base-error-proves-costly-braves-clinging-to-8-7-leadBenDuronio2010-10-03T14:49:22-04:002010-10-03T14:49:22-04:00Huge Inning Gives Braves a 5-2 Lead
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<p><span>Matt Diaz</span> got on base via a misplayed ball by Placido Polanco. Alex Gonzalez followed with a single and <span>Brooks Conrad</span> drove Diaz in with a base hit of his own. After <span>Rick Ankiel</span> struck out, <span>Tim Hudson</span> came through with yet another <span class="caps">RBI</span> single. <span>Omar Infante</span> lofted a triple down the right field line to drive in both Hudson and Conrad, pushing the score to 5-2.</p>
<p>This was probably the biggest half inning of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> season. Now all they need to do is limit the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a>’ bats and try and tack on while they are back at the plate.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2010/10/3/1728132/huge-inning-gives-braves-a-leadBenDuronio2010-10-03T14:32:08-04:002010-10-03T14:32:08-04:00Jason Heyward Triples to Make Score 2-1
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<p><span>Jason Heyward</span> came through with a huge <span class="caps">RBI</span> triple in the bottom of the third inning, right after the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> pinch-hit for <span>Cole Hamels</span> with John Mayberry Jr. Mayberry hit a two-run homer off of Hudson, the 19th homer allowed by Hudson this year.</p>
<p>Heyward’s triple seemed to re-ignite the crowd, so hopefully the offense can come together after Hudson pitched a scoreless top of the fourth.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2010/10/3/1728096/jason-heyward-triplesBenDuronio2010-10-03T13:17:56-04:002010-10-03T13:17:56-04:00Last Regular Season Game at 1:35
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> are shaking up their defense a bit against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a>, switching <span>Brooks Conrad</span> and <span>Omar Infante</span> at second and third base.</p>
<p>Braves Lineup:</p>
<p>Omar Infante, 3B<br>
<span>Jason Heyward</span>, RF<br>
<span>Derrek Lee</span>, 1B<br>
<span>Brian McCann</span>, C<br>
<span>Matt Diaz</span>, LF<br>
Alex Gonzalez, SS<br>
Brooks Conrad, 2B<br>
<span>Rick Ankiel</span>, CF<br>
<span>Tim Hudson</span>, P</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2010/10/3/1727947/last-regular-season-gameBenDuronio2010-10-02T19:59:25-04:002010-10-02T19:59:25-04:00Braves Shut-out, Bullpen And Defensive Collapses Conspire for 7-0 Loss
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<p>Going into the last weekend, coming off of a fairly impressive sweep of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/teams/florida-marlins">Marlins</a>, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> were in control of their own destiny. With their magic number at two, they only needed a combination of a win and a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> loss or just a couple of wins to ensure their playoff berth. Playing a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> team with nothing on the line and not having to face the Roys Halladay and Oswalt, it seemed a simple task. Today, though, they utterly collapsed under the pressure.</p>
<p><span>Tommy Hanson</span> was largely effective through his five innings of work. He struck out six while allowing five hits and two walks. He played with trouble against the Phillies, but his ability to get strike-outs in key spots helped him to dance out of trouble. Johnny Venters continued to dance that fine line in the 6th, but the defense let him. <span>Brooks Conrad</span>’s errant throw turned a manageable situation into a first and third, no out situation. With the infield playing in, <span>Omar Infante</span> had no chance to field the Utley’s ground ball to the right side. The Phillies went on to score four runs in the inning without hitting the ball particularly hard. Conrad would be let off the hook a bit with a complete collapse of the Braves bullpen afterward, as the Phillies continued to add to their lead through the 8th and 9th innings.</p>
<p>The Braves offense couldn’t get anything going all day. Facing Vance Whorley and the bottom part of the Phillies bullpen, they only mustered three hits. The Braves line-up that, earlier in year, had an enormous command of the strike zone is gone-seven strikeouts against two walks. The whole team appeared tight, tense, and nervous, completely uncharacteristic of a Bobby Cox team. Losing two of their leaders, <span>Chipper Jones</span> and <span>Martin Prado</span> can’t help, but it’s upsetting to see a an effort so atypical of past Braves teams on a day that the Braves were giving Bobby Cox his big send off. What seemed like destiny-putting Bobby Cox in the playoffs in his last year-now seems a desperate cause. Winning tomorrow cures a lot of ails, but the team that played today did not look like a playoff team.</p>
<p>Visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.talkingchop.com/2010/10/2/1726849/braves-fall-to-phillies-again-the-end-is-nigh">Talking Chop</a> if there's anything else to be said.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2010/10/2/1726870/braves-shut-out-bullpen-and-defensive-collapses-conspire-for-7-0-lossBronn