Finally some success, of course, playing the Astros at home always helps. Game 1 was Tommy Hanson versus Brett Meyers. The Braves were sliding on a 8-game losing skid, but it would be different this game. Nate McClouth got the nod at the leadoff spot, and came through with a leadoff homer to open the bottom of the 1st. The Braves got another run, but the Astros tied it in the 2nd with back-to-back RBI singles. Then in the 3rd, Heyward homered again, driving in 2 and those runs were enough with Hanson working. With 8 strong innings and 7 K’s Hanson dominated the Astros and handed Wagner an easy 9th for his 2nd save of 2010. Meyers went 7 giving up 4 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits. The skid was over, but more good was to come.
W-L – 9-15; HRs – 15; RBIs – J Heyward (19); BA% – M Prado (.356); K’s – T Hanson (33); http://tinyurl.com/24kr75v
Game 2 was a party for Atlanta. Top-tier pitchers Hudson and Wandy Rodriguez faced off. Wandy has been struggling in 2010 and this game was no different. Infante, leading off, Prado and Glaus all had 3 hits as the Braves pounded out 10 runs on 15 hits. Glaus showed signs that his potent bat may be awakening as he went 3 for 5 with 2 doubles and 4 RBIs. Wandy only survived 5 innings, giving up 10 hits and 5 runs, though only 2 were earned. Hudson went 6 2/3 allowing 1 run on 5 hits. Moylan finished the 7th, O’Flaherty tossed a scoreless 8th, and Venters tossed a scoreless a 9th. Oh, and Jason Heyward homered…again!
W-L – 10-15; HRs – 16; RBIs – J Heyward (20); BA% – M Prado (.368); K’s – T Hanson (33); http://tinyurl.com/2dwkszf
Jason Heyward pretty much owns the Astros. Bud Norris pitched against Derek Lowe. Norris only went 4 2/3 allowing 7 runs on 8 hits. Heyward drove in 3 and scored twice with a double, for once he didn’t homer. Lowe was unusually sharp, going 5 with only 1 run on 6 hits. Kris Melden pitched a spotless 6th and 7th, Saito followed suit in the 8th and Wagner pitched a fake-save for the 9th. Melky Cabrera also added 3 RBIs and the Braves completed their first sweep of ’10. Next they head to Washington for a 3 game series against the Nats.
W-L – 11-15; HRs – 16; RBIs – J Heyward (23); BA% – M Prado (.354); K’s – T Hanson (33); http://tinyurl.com/345wa73
