BRASSBALL
LEAGUE |
The Georgia Braves finally broke out of their home slump in June (previously 15-13), sweeping Plaza, Iowa, and Box City, before losing 2 of 3 to Cook County. The offense came to life at home with the addition of Andrew Jones (.411, 3 doubles, 5 hr, 11 rbi), Fernando Vina (.345, 2 doubles, 1 triple, and sparkling defense), and Paul O’Neill (.333, 1 double, 1 hr). Other heroes included Jeff Liefer (.500, 3 doubles, 5 hr, 9 rbi), Bubba Trammel (.455, 3 doubles, 3 hr, 16 rbi), and Derrek Lee (.452, 6 doubles, 1 triple, 3 hr, 15 rbi). Overall, the Braves hit .345 at home, scored 104 runs, 32 doubles, and 26 hr.
The Braves pitching was equally impressive as the starting rotation finally lived up to their potential. Russ Ortiz went 3-0, 1.05 era, 2 shutouts and only allowed 1 hr in 25.2 innings. Freddy Garcia was 1-0 in 2 starts, 2.20 era, 1 cg, and, get this, 0 dingers allowed! Not to be outdone, Wade Miller went 1-1 in 3 starts, 3.66 era, and pitched a NO HITTER vs. Box City. Overall, the pitching staff had a 3.80 era, only allowed 64 runs, 16 hr, and sported a 2-1 k to bb ratio.
Russ Ortiz (9 inn shutout), Tim Hudson (9 inn, 1 run), and Freddy Garcia (9 inn, 2 runs, 1 earned) dominated the Plaza Lions. The Braves outscored Plaza 33-6. Five Braves (Liefer, Trammel, O’Neill, Jones, Pierzynski) hit .500 or better.
Braves offense continue to scorch anything thrown at them, hitting .330. Bubba Trammel continues to have a hot bat, hitting .545, 2 hrs, 5 rbi’s. Manager Don Baylor sits down R. White and M. Cameron to get Bubba more ab’s.
Braves make it 11 wins at home in a row, sweeping Box City. Wade Miller tossed a no-hitter in game 1, and the Braves never looked back. Miller dominated Box City as 49,268 fans cheered him on, “I didn’t even know I had a no-hitter going until after the 6th inning. All of a sudden, as I walk off the mound, I’m getting a standing ovation. Then when I walk in the dugout, no one is sitting around me. I looked at the scoreboard and saw all those zero’s. That’s when I freaked out. I don’t remember getting the last 9 outs.”
With the Braves trailing 9-5 in game 2 going into the bottom of the 9th, it looked as if their home streak was about to end. With two out and the bases loaded, D. Lee hit a walk off grand slam to win game 10-8.
In game 3 Box City battled back, scoring 1 run in 8th and 1 run in 9th inning to tie game 4-4. Jeff Liefer hit a walk off homer in 9th inning to win game 6-4.
Game 4 saw the lead change 4 times. Box City scored 5 in the 3rd to take 5-0 lead, chasing Hudson to the showers. Wakefield came in and provided 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, while the offense scored 2 in the bottom of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th. Heading into the top of the 9th, the Braves had a comfortable 8-5 lead, and closer Foulke was primed to get the save. Box City scored 3 in the top of the 9th to send game into extra innings, however, Braves scored in their half of the 11th for series sweep.
Maulers Stop Braves Streak
The Braves couldn’t keep pace with the power of the Maulers, losing 2 of 3 at home. While the Braves offense tried their best (.305, 20 runs, 5 hr’s), it just wasn’t enough. The Braves starters just couldn’t get it done – Hudson allowed 7 runs in 6 innings, and Wade Miller was touched for 9 runs in 3.1 innings. On the bright side, Ortiz threw his 2nd shut out of the month, a gem of a 3 hitter.