Braves Sweep in Battle of Basement Dwellers

Both teams entered the series in last place in their respective divisions. Los Angels was 5-12. Atlanta was 4-13 and riding a 7 game losing streak.

A couple of stats before the series started. Los Angeles was last hitting with a .212 average (that would go down to .206). Atlanta by contrast was hitting a robust .241. Alas, Atlanta was last in home runs with 3 and runs scored with 44. Los Angeles was second last in runs scored with 53. A pitcher's paradise for the upcoming series? Let's see. Oh, another juicy stat. Shawn Green ended the series with a 9 game hitting streak. That's fantastic you say? Well, he raised his average all the way up to .179. Sounds like real life for Dan Uggla!

Game 1 – Los Angeles 2 – Atlanta 3

Indeed it was a pitcher's paradise. Hideo Nomo and Javier Vasquez matched up in a good pitcher's duel. Los Angeles scored single runs in the 1st and 2nd before Atlanta tied the score with single runs in the 5th and 6th. It stayed that way until the bottom of the 9th when Chipper Jones drove in the winning run on a groundout. Yes with these anemic hitting teams would you expect anything else? Rafael Soriano got the win throwing 3 pitches in the top of 9th in relieve of Vasquez.

Game 2 – Los Angeles 0 – Atlanta 3

Yes, another pitcher's duel. This time it was Odalis Perez vs. Jair Jurrjens. It was 0-0 going into the bottom of the 7th when the Braves erupted for 3 runs (for these teams that is an eruption. Jurrjens was the star going 7 innings for the win allowing only 4 hits. Peter Moylan and Rafael Soriano completed the shutout.

Game 3 – Atlanta 7 – Los Angeles 3

Don't let your eyes deceive you. This game, at Dodger stadium no less, was a hitter's dream. Atlanta entered the game with 3 home runs in their first 19 contests. They blasted 2 tonight, a 2 run blast by Martin Prado and a solo shot by Adam LaRoche. Andy Ashby lasted only 3 innings and he was rocked for 5 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks. Kenshin Kawakami earned his 1st win of the season going 8 innings allowing only 3 runs.

As Manager MacDonald so accurately put it, both teams are looking forward to KOD18!

--Submitted by Ron Burnette with an assist to Keith MacDonald--