Braves win marathon battle against Astros

I guess when the game is delayed by an hour and 50 minutes to begin with, it’s going to be a long day, but no one could have predicted the additional 17 innings that would accompany the rain delay especially after Houston jumped out to an early 5-1 lead. But the Braves never gave up, getting a run here and there until finally tying it up at six a piece thanks to Yunel Escobar’s two-run single in the eighth. Nine innings later and the Braves found themselves with the bases loaded and Mark Teixeira up at bat. Big Tex knocked a walk off single into right that scored Gregor Blanco to give the Braves a 7-6 victory. The game marked just their second win in extra innings and fifth in one run games this season, which will hopefully spark something during their six game west coast road trip.

Atlanta, like every other major league team, sported fresh caps for the holiday weekend. The Navy hats were sparked with an American flag embedded “A”, as sported by recent call-up Jason Perry (right). I thought they especially looked nice with the red alternative home jerseys. Although that may just be because I am one of the few people who actually like that jersey.

News&Notes: Add Omar Infante, Jeff Bennett and Manny Acosta to the Braves players on the DL. Atlanta has had 13 players make 18 trips to the DL in the opening three months of the season. Bennett and Acosta became the seventh and eighth pitchers currently out, joining Mike Hampton, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Peter Moylan, Anthony Lerew and Rafael Soriano…Speaking of Soriano, after throwing a bullpen session, he told pitching coach Roger McDowell that he’s about “80 percent.” Although not ready for a rehab assignment, yet, the Braves are hoping he’ll be ready by the end of the week. I’m putting Soriano into my Hampton file, in that I’ll believe it when I see him jogging out of the bullpen during a game.
(Photos: John Amis/AP)


It's been fun blogging with you,
Kate