SB Nation Atlanta - Braves vs. Nationals: Chipper Jones Homers (Again) In 5-2 Victoryhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2011-09-01T22:46:55-04:00http://atlanta.sbnation.com/rss/stream/21591372011-09-01T22:46:55-04:002011-09-01T22:46:55-04:00Braves vs. Nationals: Tim Hudson Dominates In 5-2 Victory
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<p>The first game of the series was a bit hairy, but the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> got back to basics in the final two matchups, which included a 5-2 victory on Thursday night.</p>
<p><span>Tim Hudson</span> rebounded nicely after struggling in New York and allowed just one run over six innings of work. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> came up with just five hits and two walks off Atlanta's ace. Hudson struck out five. He could have pitched deeper into the game, but Fredi Gonzalez pulled him after 86 pitches for a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning.</p>
<p>With a huge showdown against Philadelphia scheduled for Hudson's next start, the manager may have been choosing to keep the veteran starter fresh for his next start. That is pure speculation on my part, but it's likely the idea crossed Gonzalez's mind.</p>
<p><span>Brian McCann</span> hit a monster home run in the first inning off <span>Chien-Ming Wang</span> to give the Braves a 1-0 lead. <span>Chipper Jones</span> continued to be the team's hottest hitter in the second inning with a solo-homer of his own. <span>Eric Hinske</span>, who was filling in for <span>Freddie Freeman</span>, drove in <span>Dan Uggla</span> with a single in the fourth inning.</p>
<p>With the Nationals trailing 4-1 in the eighth, the team took advantage of a wild Jonny Venters. With the bases loaded after a single and two walks, <span>Michael Morse</span> drove in a run after Chipper Jones failed to glove a ball in the hole. Fortunately for the Braves, Venters quickly found command of his sinker and slider and promptly struck <span>Jesus Flores</span> and <span>Danny Espinosa</span> to end the threat.</p>
<p><span>Jason Heyward</span> tripled in the eighth and Alex Gonzalez drove him in with a sac-fly to give Atlanta a 5-2 lead. <span>Craig Kimbrel</span> came in and recorded his 42nd save of the season as he continues to set the rookie record for saves in a season.</p>
<p>With the series wrapped up, the Braves will welcome the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Los Angeles Dodgers</a> to Turner Field for a three-game series. <span>Brandon Beachy</span> will face <span>Chad Billingsley</span> in game one.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2011/9/1/2399382/braves-vs-nationals-score-update-tim-hudson-chipper-jonesScott Coleman2011-08-31T22:43:54-04:002011-08-31T22:43:54-04:00Braves vs. Nationals: Craig Kimbrel Makes History In 3-1 Victory
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<p><span>Craig Kimbrel</span> recorded his 41st save of the season on Wednesday night and now has the all-time saves record by a rookie pitcher. For a kid who has been dubbed the future closer of the franchise for years, it's pretty damn special to break a record with an entire month left to play. Congratulations, Craig. It's been awesome to watch you pitch this season.</p>
<p>As for the other eight innings, it was the <span>Derek Lowe</span> show. Lowe worked six strong innings and allowed just three hits and two walks. His lone mistake came on a solo-home run hit by <span>Michael Morse</span>, but the veteran starter was excellent outside of that. The slider, which was the key to his late-season success in 2010, was all over the plate against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> and they were helpless against it.</p>
<p>It may be a small sample six, but Lowe has now given up just three runs in his last eighteen innings. That's phenomenal news.</p>
<p><span>Chipper Jones</span> home run No. 450 of his career with a solo-homer in the second inning off <span>John Lannan</span>. Derek Lowe even joined in on the home run hitting parade and hit a homer of his own, the first of the season. <span>Dan Uggla</span> also drove in a run with an infield single.</p>
<p>Eric O'Flaherty and <span>Jonny Venters</span> worked quick innings to set up the ninth for Kimbrel. He struck out Morse on a 100-mph fastball to end the game.</p>
<p>The win is Atlanta's 80th of the season. The team will go for the series victory on Thursday night. <span>Tim Hudson</span> will be on the mound against <span>Chien-Ming Wang</span>.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2011/8/31/2397180/braves-vs-nationals-craig-kimbrel-saves-recordScott Coleman2011-08-31T00:49:44-04:002011-08-31T00:49:44-04:00Braves vs. Nationals: Livan Hernandez Shuts Atlanta Down In 9-2 Defeat
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<p>For the second game in a row -- albeit the games were played four days apart -- the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> were shut down by a mediocre pitcher and the starting pitcher was not good.</p>
<p><span>Livan Hernandez</span> dominated Atlanta in what seems to be a reoccurring theme on Tuesday night. The veteran, who tossed the 50,000 pitch of his career in the third inning, worked seven innings and allowed just two runs on five hits and three walks. He struck out just one. </p>
<p><span>Jair Jurrjens</span> was terrible once again and gave up three home runs -- including a three-run bomb to <span>Ryan Zimmerman</span> -- in six innings of work. The struggling righty gave up eight hits, six runs and two walks on the night, and he only struck out three. </p>
<p><span>Jason Heyward</span> tied the game at 1-1 with a sacrifice fly in the second inning that was just short of a grand slam, but that was all the Braves would muster when the game was still in hand. Mike Morse, who had previously hit a monster home run in the second inning, double to left field to give Washington a 2-1 lead. Zimmerman hit his three-run homer in the fifth inning, <span>Danny Espinosa</span> hit his nineteenth of the year in the sixth with a solo-shot to right field, and <span>Laynce Nix</span> added a two-run homer of his own to give Washington a 9-1 lead.</p>
<p>Heyward drove in the second run of the game with an RBI-single to right field. I'm sure Fredi Gonzalez will have him on the bench Wednesday night against a left-handed pitcher.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2011/8/31/2395098/braves-vs-nationals-livan-hernandez-shuts-atlanta-down-in-9-2-defeatScott Coleman2011-08-30T08:01:12-04:002011-08-30T08:01:12-04:00Braves vs. Nationals Preview: Jair Jurrjens Takes The Mound As Baseball Returns To Atlanta
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<p>The Braves will (finally) resume baseball after having four days off because of bad weather. Will the team be ready for the Nationals, a team they typically struggle against?</p> <p>Tuesday will bring both good and bad news.</p>
<p>The good news: baseball is back! The Braves have not played in nearly four days and it seems like so much longer with the team playing well. The rest may have done some good for <span>Jason Heyward</span>, <span>Chipper Jones</span>, the bullpen, and others, but it sucks for the fans. Fortunately, it will resume Tuesday evening at Turner Field.</p>
<p>The bad news: The Washington Nationals are the opponent. Yes, the same Washington Nationals who have the crazy idea that their 18 or so games a season with the Braves count as their World Series and they must do whatever they can to pull out a victory. It's frustrating to consistently struggle against a lesser team, yet it seems to continue year after year. </p>
<p>Hopefully that ends this week. We've got a playoff spot to clinch, after all.</p>
<p>Here is a closer look at the 62-70 Nationals, who have lost six straight games.</p>
<p><b>Mor(s)e isn't always less:</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<div class="pane sports_data_widget player_info clearfix"><b><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/player_photos/l.mlb.com/xt.fss.l.mlb.com-p.16140.gif">
<h2><span>Michael Morse</span></h2>
<h4 class="player-position">#38 / First Base / <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a>
</h4>
<div class="player_info_body">
<p><label>Height:</label> 6-5</p>
<p><label>Weight:</label> 230</p>
<p><label>Bats:</label> R</p>
<p><label>Throws:</label> R</p>
<p><label>Born:</label> Mar 22, 1982</p>
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</b></div>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p> </p>
<div style="font-weight: bold;" class="pane sports_data_widget player_stats clearfix">
<table class="zebra">
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th> <th>G</th> <th>AB</th> <th>R</th> <th>H</th> <th>2B</th> <th>3B</th> <th>HR</th> <th>RBI</th> <th>BB</th> <th>K</th> <th>SB</th> <th>CS</th> <th>AVG</th> <th>OBP</th> <th>SLG</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first">2011 - <span>Michael Morse</span>
</td>
<td>120</td>
<td>420</td>
<td>57</td>
<td>132</td>
<td>31</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>22</td>
<td>73</td>
<td>29</td>
<td>97</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>.314</td>
<td>.372</td>
<td class="td-last">.545</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<hr style="font-weight: bold;" class="widget_boundry_marker">
<p> </p>
<p> Michael Morse has always been capable of becoming one of the better hitters in the National League, but it wasn't until 2011 when he finally broke out. The first baseman has been Washington's best hitter this season and leads the team in home runs, RBIs, BA, OBP, SLG, and wRC+. Be careful of him in this series.</p>
<p>If there is a downside to his play, it would be his defense. While he is nowhere near <span>Adam Dunn</span>'s level of awfulness, he ranks near the bottom of the league in first baseman in terms of range and runs saved. Hopefully Atlanta can shoot a couple of well-hit balls his way in the series.</p>
<p><b>Pitching Matchups:</b></p>
<p>Tuesday, 7:10 p.m. EDT -- Jair Jurrjens vs. Livan Hernandez -- PeachTree TV, Fox Sports South</p>
<div class="pane sports_data_widget player_stats clearfix">
<table class="zebra">
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th> <th>W-L</th> <th>G</th> <th>GS</th> <th>CG</th> <th>SHO</th> <th>SV</th> <th>BS</th> <th>IP</th> <th>H</th> <th>R</th> <th>ER</th> <th>HR</th> <th>BB</th> <th>K</th> <th>ERA</th> <th>WHIP</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first">2011 - <span>Jair Jurrjens</span>
</td>
<td>13-5</td>
<td>22</td>
<td>22</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>146.0</td>
<td>134</td>
<td>46</td>
<td>44</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>42</td>
<td>87</td>
<td>2.71</td>
<td class="td-last">1.21</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div class="pane sports_data_widget player_stats clearfix">
<table class="zebra">
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th> <th>W-L</th> <th>G</th> <th>GS</th> <th>CG</th> <th>SHO</th> <th>SV</th> <th>BS</th> <th>IP</th> <th>H</th> <th>R</th> <th>ER</th> <th>HR</th> <th>BB</th> <th>K</th> <th>ERA</th> <th>WHIP</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first">2011 - <span>Livan Hernandez</span>
</td>
<td>7-12</td>
<td>29</td>
<td>27</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>163.0</td>
<td>186</td>
<td>90</td>
<td>79</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>42</td>
<td>97</td>
<td>4.36</td>
<td class="td-last">1.40</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<p>Wednesday, 7:10 p.m. EDT -- Derek Lowe vs. John Lannan -- PeachTree TV, Fox Sports South</p>
<div class="pane sports_data_widget player_stats clearfix">
<table class="zebra">
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th> <th>W-L</th> <th>G</th> <th>GS</th> <th>CG</th> <th>SHO</th> <th>SV</th> <th>BS</th> <th>IP</th> <th>H</th> <th>R</th> <th>ER</th> <th>HR</th> <th>BB</th> <th>K</th> <th>ERA</th> <th>WHIP</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first">2011 - <span>Derek Lowe</span>
</td>
<td>8-12</td>
<td>28</td>
<td>28</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>157.1</td>
<td>171</td>
<td>84</td>
<td>81</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>59</td>
<td>114</td>
<td>4.63</td>
<td class="td-last">1.46</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div class="pane sports_data_widget player_stats clearfix">
<table class="zebra">
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th> <th>W-L</th> <th>G</th> <th>GS</th> <th>CG</th> <th>SHO</th> <th>SV</th> <th>BS</th> <th>IP</th> <th>H</th> <th>R</th> <th>ER</th> <th>HR</th> <th>BB</th> <th>K</th> <th>ERA</th> <th>WHIP</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first">2011 - <span>John Lannan</span>
</td>
<td>8-10</td>
<td>27</td>
<td>27</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>153.0</td>
<td>155</td>
<td>72</td>
<td>61</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>65</td>
<td>87</td>
<td>3.59</td>
<td class="td-last">1.44</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<p>Thursday, 7:10 p.m. EDT -- Tim Hudson vs. Chien-Ming Wang -- Fox Sports South</p>
<div class="pane sports_data_widget player_stats clearfix">
<table class="zebra">
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th> <th>W-L</th> <th>G</th> <th>GS</th> <th>CG</th> <th>SHO</th> <th>SV</th> <th>BS</th> <th>IP</th> <th>H</th> <th>R</th> <th>ER</th> <th>HR</th> <th>BB</th> <th>K</th> <th>ERA</th> <th>WHIP</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first">2011 - <span>Tim Hudson</span>
</td>
<td>13-8</td>
<td>27</td>
<td>27</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>177.0</td>
<td>151</td>
<td>70</td>
<td>61</td>
<td>12</td>
<td>45</td>
<td>126</td>
<td>3.10</td>
<td class="td-last">1.11</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div class="pane sports_data_widget player_stats clearfix">
<table class="zebra">
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th> <th>W-L</th> <th>G</th> <th>GS</th> <th>CG</th> <th>SHO</th> <th>SV</th> <th>BS</th> <th>IP</th> <th>H</th> <th>R</th> <th>ER</th> <th>HR</th> <th>BB</th> <th>K</th> <th>ERA</th> <th>WHIP</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first">2011 - <span>Chien-Ming Wang</span>
</td>
<td>2-2</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>33.0</td>
<td>34</td>
<td>21</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>3.82</td>
<td class="td-last">1.33</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
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<p><b>On the verge of history:</b></p>
<div class="pane sports_data_widget player_info clearfix">
<img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/player_photos/l.mlb.com/xt.fss.l.mlb.com-p.20745.gif">
<h2><span>Craig Kimbrel</span></h2>
<h4 class="player-position">#46 / Pitcher / <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a>
</h4>
<div class="player_info_body">
<p><label>Height:</label> 5-11</p>
<p><label>Weight:</label> 205</p>
<p><label>Bats:</label> R</p>
<p><label>Throws:</label> R</p>
<p><label>Born:</label> May 28, 1988</p>
</div>
</div>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<p>Craig Kimbrel has 40 saves. One more and he sets the all-time rookie record for saves in a season. Let's take care of that accolade nice and early on Tuesday night, eh, Craig?</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2011/8/30/2392952/braves-nationals-scores-updates-pitching-matchupsScott Coleman