Series 3: vs. Philadelphia

April 8, 2011
Joe Blanton vs. Jair Jurrjens

Maybe if the pen hadn't been an abysmal failure, tonight would have turned out differently. But just the same, Atlanta falls 6-5. Jurrjens tossed seven quality innings and left with a 2-2 tie, but Eric O'Flaherty gave up three, two earned, and Craig Kimbrel surrendered what turned out to be an important solo homer in the ninth.

Down by four in the ninth, the Braves loaded the bases with a single and two walks. But pinch-hitter Eric Hinske grounded into a twin killing, scoring a run but leaving the rally with no margin for error. Brian McCann, pinch-hitting, doubled in another run and Martin Prado followed with a double of his own. That finally brought Ryan Madson in and he retired Nate McLouth.

Jason Heyward, McLouth, and Chipper Jones each had two hits with David Ross, Jones, and McLouth joining McCann and Prado with doubles throughout the night.

6-5 LOSS (2-6)
W - J. Blanton (1-0)
L - E. O'Flaherty (0-1)
SV - R. Madson (3)

April 9, 2011
Cole Hamels vs. Derek Lowe

Our long national nightmare is over. Atlanta wins another game. While a negative person can play up the awful defense that led to three errors and three more hits and a missed double play...oh, and leaving the bases loaded in the 8th...a win is a win.

Lowe gave up seven hits, but really, he pitched better than that. In his five innings, he walked none, struck out four, and gave up four runs, three earned. Another run scored ahead of the Ryan Howard two-run homer in the fifth after Lowe had gotten a double play ball that the Braves didn't turn.

Atlanta scored early, even taking a 2-1 lead after two. In the fifth, down 4-2, Chipper Jones hit a homer. In the sixth, Brandon Hicks hit his first extra base hit, a double, to drive in his first run. Nate McLouth ended the brief tie with a solo homer in the next inning. The bullpen was solid. Scott Linebrink tossed a hitless inning with a walk and a K, Peter Moylan worked around a leadoff baserunner, Johnny Venters was unhittable with a K, and Craig Kimbrel picked up his third save. McLouth, Jones, and Jason Heyward all had two hits. Jones upped his RBI total from one to three.

5-4 WIN (3-6)
W - P. Moylan (1-1)
L - C. Hamels (0-1)
SV - C. Kimbrel (3)

April 10, 2011
Roy Oswalt vs. Tim Hudson

Nate McLouth's offensive statistics last year were comparable to a pitcher that somehow played in 82 games. He batted .190 and generally look lost. Only a decent, not great, but decent finish got him that close to the Mendoza line. Knowing he needs to rebuild his value if he ever hopes to touch his current salary again, McLouth has been the Braves early MVP. A day after breaking up a 4-4 tie with a 7th inning moonshot, McLouth added a three-run bomb that gave the Braves the lead in the third and they never trailed as they squeak by the Phillies 5-4, taking a series that include a trio of one-run affairs.

After Tim Hudson gave up two in the second, the Braves got some two out damage going in the third. Freddie Freeman singled and after a Huddy sacrifice, reached third on a Martin Prado single. Freeman got a late red late, but probably would have been dead meat on Shane Victorino's throw from center. Regardless, it didn't matter as McLouth pulled one over the right field wall.

While Hudson gave up four and definitely lacked his best stuff, he got through six innings before the pen took over. With Craig Kimbrel in need of a day off, the Braves used their trio of left-handed relievers and George Sherrill, Eric O'Flaherty, and Jonny Venters all pitched perfect innings.

Jason Heyward and Brandon Hicks added RBIs in the fourth that ended up being the difference.

5-4 WIN (4-6)
W - T. Hudson (1-0)
L - R. Oswalt (0-2)
SV - J. Venters (1)