News Forum Blogs Roster Players Schedule Depth chart Stats Videos Photos

Atlanta Braves News

News » Escobar caps Braves improbable rally


Escobar caps Braves improbable rally


Escobar caps Braves improbable rally
ATLANTA (AP) - Florida closer Kevin Gregg was disgusted with himself.

"It stinks," he said. "You can't lose games like that when you're running out of time. You can't let games like that get away."

MLB roundup


Tuesday's action


  • Dodgers drop fifth straight to Nats
  • Surging Chisox tee off on Orioles
  • Halladay, Jays slow down Rays
  • Indians' Lee wins 19th over Tigers
  • BoSox chase Pettitte, down Yanks
  • Reds' Arroyo outduels Astros
  • Soto has 7 RBI as Cubs pass Bucs
  • Escobar caps Braves rally over Fish
  • Texas' Millwood completes another W
  • Sheets, Brewers shellack Cards
  • Mets cap collapse to Phils in 13
  • Halos' Lackey completely stymies A's
  • Pads beat up D-backs' Webb
  • M's keep Twins in tailspin
  • Rox win fourth straight over Giants

More on MLB:


  • Perry: K-Rod doesn't deserve Cy
  • Rosenthal: Rollins speaks his mind
  • Hill: New-look playoffs await
  • Power Rankings: Some like it hot

Photo gallery:


  • August action is white hot

  • Bonds attends Giants game

  • Baseball's biggest hotheads

Family Friendly Ballpark Guide:


    See what makes each ballpark special, inside and out, by touring the T-Mobile Family Ballpark Guide.

Milestone tracker:


    Follow Randy Johnson's quest for 300 wins and Gary Sheffield's chase for 500 HR in the AT&T Milestone Tracker.

Yunel Escobar's single capped a four-run ninth inning against Gregg and gave the Atlanta Braves a 10-9 victory over the Marlins on Tuesday night.

With the bases loaded and one out, Gregor Blanco grounded into what could have been a game-ending double play. But shortstop Hanley Ramirez was unable to pull the ball from his glove as Mark Kotsay slid into second, and Jeff Francoeur scored to make it 9-all.

Escobar then singled into shallow right field against Gregg (6-7), who has eight blown saves in 37 chances.

"Part of this game is you can't assume a double play, but that's what we were looking for," Gregg said. "It was a situation I should not have put myself in. We have 30 games remaining. Anything's possible. Look at the Mets last year."

Ramirez refused to answer questions from reporters, but according to Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez, the $70 million shortstop told coach Andy Fox that he couldn't get the ball out of his glove.

"I kept expecting to see the ball go across the infield," Gonzalez said, "but it didn't."

Florida, which began the night 5 1/2 games behind first-place New York in the NL East, overcame a 3-0 first-inning deficit and led 8-4 in the eighth. But the Marlins were done in by eight walks.

Gregg struck out Chipper Jones with the bases loaded to end the eighth, then faced eight batters in the ninth, allowing five hits and a walk. Omar Infante singled and scored on a double by Martin Prado, who came home on Francoeur's single to make it 9-8.

Kelly Johnson singled, Clint Sammons fouled out and Kotsay, the subject of trade rumors involving Boston, pinch hit and was intentionally walked to bring up Blanco.

"It was fun," said Blanco, whose team had lost 12 of 14. "We had a lot of fun today. We didn't have any pressure."

Will Ohman (4-0) got the win despite allowing a run-scoring double in the ninth to Cody Ross, who went 3-for-5 with a homer and four RBIs.

Atlanta had closed to 8-6 in the eighth when Arthur Rhodes walked Blanco with the bases loaded and Joe Nelson walked Escobar with the bases loaded.

"It's a tough loss, but there are still plenty of games to play," Gonzalez said. "This late in the season, every loss is hard."

Mike Jacobs, batting .096 in his previous 11 games, hit his 26th homer, a two-run drive off Julian Tavarez that gave Florida a four-run lead in the seventh.

Braves starter Jair Jurrjens gave up six runs, six hits and two walks in a season-low three innings. Though the rookie right-hander avoided losing his third straight start, Jurrjens is 1-3 with 6.00 ERA in five starts this month.

"I didn't have my control at all today," Jurrjens said. "My changeup was just floating in the air. My arm feels good, but every pitch was up. Some calls weren't on my side, and I feel behind."

Florida starter Scott Olsen allowed four runs, five hits and three walks in 5 1-3 innings. Since July 19, the left-hander is 0-4 with a 5.27 in seven starts.

But Gregg blamed himself for failing to make the most of nine runs scored by the Marlins, who have yet to win consecutive games in August.

"I executed every pitch to Chipper (in the eighth)," Gregg said. "I got out of that inning and came back in the ninth, and you saw what happened."

Notes

Jones played in his 2,000th game, most in Atlanta history. He ranks third in franchise history behind Hank Aaron (3,076) and Eddie Mathews (2,223). ... Sammons' RBI single in the sixth ended a 0-for-17 streak.


Author:Fox Sports
Author's Website:http://www.foxsports.com
Added: August 27, 2008

atlanta-braves-at-washington-nationals---april-30--2008
Atlanta Braves Photos
All the latest Atlanta Braves Photos Store photographs. Major League Baseball MLB.
The most recent photo
 
Atlanta Braves Videos
All the latest Atlanta Braves Videos Store. Major League Baseball MLB.
The most recent video
 
 
 
 
 
 
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Subscribe in NewsGator Online
Add to Windows Live

Copyright © Bravesworld.com, Inc. All rights reserved 2008.