An Uggla Way To End It: Braves Fall To Nats In 13 On Error

The Braves lost a heartbreaker to the Nationals in the 13th inning of tonight's game when Dan Uggla botched a routine play and allowed the winning run to score. With 1 out, and runners on the corners, Chad Tracy grounded an 0-1 pitch to Uggla who did his best deer in the headlights impression. It appeared that Uggla froze trying to decide whether he should attempt to start a double play or go home. Instead, all hands were safe and the Nats stretched their lead in the East to 6 games.

After giving up 4 runs in an unsightly first innings (punctuated by a 2 run homer from Ian Desmond), Tim Hudson settled down, allowing no runs over the next 5 innings. It wasn't a great start for Hudson, but he kept the Braves in the game on a night he obviously didn't have his best stuff. When he was pulled in the top of the 7th, he exited having allowed 4 runs on 7 hits. He walked 4 and struck out 3.

Jason Heyward was a man possessed tonight, almost single-handedly keeping the Braves in the game. He had an RBI single in the first inning, and then tied the game at 4 all with a 2 run shot in the 6th. Heyward ended the day 2-6 with 3 of the Braves 4 RBIs. The other came on a Paul Janish infield hit.

The Braves pen was stellar again, as Venters, O'Flaherty, Durbin, Avilan, and Martinez combined to throw 6 scoreless frames. Martinez, despite taking the loss, pitched quite well, and didn't allow a ball out of the infield in the fateful 13th inning.

Atlanta faces a tall task for a bounceback tomorrow, as they face Stephen Strasburg. The Braves will counter with Paul Maholm. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM EST.