Fireworks were in full force this Memorial Day weekend in Chicago, at least for America's team. The Braves came to mash and didn't disappoint, clubbing 8 homeruns. There were enough homers hit yesterday that we can create a list!
Marcus Giles ATL 2 2nd, 2 on CHC Jae-Kuk Ryu
Andruw Jones ATL 12 6th, Solo CHC Glendon Rusch
Adam A. LaRoche ATL 7 2nd, Solo CHC Jae-Kuk Ryu
Adam A. LaRoche ATL 8 6th, Solo CHC Roberto Novoa
Ryan Langerhans ATL 4 2nd, Solo CHC Jae-Kuk Ryu
Brayan Pena ATL 1 7th, Solo CHC Roberto Novoa
Edgar Renteria ATL 4 1st, Solo CHC Jae-Kuk Ryu
Edgar Renteria ATL 5 6th, Solo CHC Glendon Rusch
Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending how you look at it), I had to go out yesterday around 4:00 PM EDT while Atlanta led the game, 12-8. I don't take anything for granted anymore with the Braves bullpen, especially when the wind is blowing out at Wrigley Field. Al over at Bleed Cubbie Blue has a very nice take on the events of Sunday afternoon.
So, needless to say, I wasn't at all surprised when I found that the Braves eventually won 13-12 in 11 innings. It was easy enough to guess that Chris Reitsma was somehow involved in the 9th inning disaster, but Lance Cormier did his part to blow the game as well.
Thankfully, Marcus Giles, Oscar Villarreal, and Ken (Can you say new closer?) Ray saved the day for Atlanta. Don't get me wrong, a win is a win. But how much longer are we going to stick with Reitsma in the bullpen? I feel like a broken record talking about this again. I could just copy and paste some of my blog entries from last August and September. NOTHING HAS CHANGED WITH THIS GUY!
According to the The Sports Xchange, the Braves bullpen now has 13 saves and 12 blown saves. That's hardly something to be proud of. And oh yeah, Reitsma has one-third of those blown saves.
I suppose I can go on and on here about the bullpen, but it's time to move on. Atlanta did sweep the Cubs and remain 3.5 games behind the Mets. It's time to focus on the red hot Los Angeles Dodgers, who stroll into town today winners of 7 of their last 9. Here's today's pitching matchup...
LAD: RHP Brad Penny (5-1, 2.31 ERA)
Penny is 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA in two afternoon starts this year.
ATL: RHP John Thomson (2-3, 3.04 ERA)
Thomson is 0-2 with a 0.79 ERA in four home starts this year.
Looks like a good one! Right-hander Brad Penny, victorious in his last three starts, will try to run his consecutive win streak to four games.
Penny has been able to keep opposing hitters in the yard thus far this season -- the last player to homer against Penny was San Francisco's Randy Winn on April 14.
Open thread coming up...Go Braves!