You know what's awesome? When your favorite team gets a ton of recognition for a record of 29-0 when scoring 5+ runs, and then the streak is ended the very next game. It always works out that way, doesn't it?
The Braves got on the board right away when Martin Prado lined a HR over the left field wall on a belt-high changeup. They added on again in the 2nd when Brooks Conrad delivered a huge 2-out, 2-run double down the LF line. The lead was 3-0 after only two innings and Tommy Hanson looked great in his first inning. Surely the Braves were on their way to their 43rd victory, right? Wrong.
The White Sox pounded Tommy Hanson in the 2nd inning. AJ Pierzynski ripped a 2-run single in the 2nd inning to drive in Paul Konerko and Carlos Quentin. After getting Gordon Beckham to pop out for the 2nd out, Hanson hit Juan Pierre with a 0-2 slider and then gave up a 2-run single to 64-year old Omar Vizquel. Alex Rios followed with another single to score Alexei Ramirez. The Sox led 5-3.
The White Sox scored another run in the 3rd on a Ramirez RBI-single to make it 6-3 after three innings.
The 4th inning was a nightmare. After setting down the first two batters of the inning, Alex Rios reached on a single to 3B Brooks Conrad when he lost the ball inside his jersey. Paul Konerko then singled up the middle, to put two runners on for Carlos Quentin. The inning should've been over. It's a shame it wasn't. Quentin hit a 400-foot HR to left field that Omar Infante just turned to watch. The Sox led 9-3 after 4. So much for the good start by the Braves.
The Braves were held scoreless from the 3rd to the 8th inning until Jason Heyward drove in Martin Prado with a groundout to 2nd. Brian McCann hit a solo-HR to lead off the 9th and Brooks Conrad hit a double to drive in Omar Infante, but it wouldn't be enough in the end.
Braves lose 9-6. The 5+ runs win streak is over.
Braves MVP: Jesse Chavez; For how bad that game was, Jesse pitched his heart out. I know the game was basically won for the Sox, but Chavez threw 4 and 1/3 innings of shutout baseball. The best part? He threw 55 pitches, and 40 were strikes. JC has been frustrating to watch this season, but he was great on Tuesday. Thank you for saving the bullpen.
Braves LVP: Tommy Hanson - 3.2IP,13H, 9R, 1BB, 0K; Ha. Ha. Ha.
Sox MVP: Carlos Quentin - 2-for-4, HR, 3RBI, 2R
Sox LVP: Gordon Beckham - 0-for-4, 4 LOB
While the Braves were losing, the Mutts and Sillies both won. The Braves still have a 1.5 game lead over NY and a 4.5 game lead over Philly in the NL East.