Folks, if you like singles, then the 2009 Braves are for you. We are fantastic at hitting singles, but just not enough to score anywhere near enough runs to win a ballgame. The 2009 Braves continue to frustrate, and that showed again on Tuesday in a rain-soaked Cincinnati.
Eleven singles, one double, and two runs. The rally killer himself, Jeff Francoeur, contributed an RBI late in the game, but had many more chances and squandered them all by grounding into a double play and leaving six runners on base. He is now hitting .200 (6-for-30) with runners in scoring position and two outs.
Jair Jurrjens took the tough-luck loss after two innings and a couple of rain delays. Jeff Bennett saved the pen by going four innings, and only giving up a couple of runs, but that's too many when your offense isn't scoring. Mike Gonzalez, with the help of an errant throw by Chipper Jones, couldn't keep the Braves close in the eighth inning.
Casey Kotchman was back in the lineup fresh off the disabled list, and went 2-for-3 with a walk. Barbaro Canizares was demoted to triple-A to make room for Kotchman. On the hitting side of the game, Chipper had a good night, getting three hits and snapping an 0-for-20 skid.