07 June 2006
The Braves had a pathetic plane-to-catch offense and got shut down by Ramon "Cy" Ortiz and the Washington bullpen. At least the homestand is over.
Smoltz (4-4, 3.73) went 7 innings, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits, a walk, and struck out 8.
It was a scoreless game going into the 6th. Nick Johnson and Ryan Zimmerman hit consecutive doubles to break through, then Marlon "Gehrig" Anderson hit a 2 run homer.
In the bottom of the 6th, LaRoche hit a 2 out RBI single to make it 3-1. Pete Orr, of all people, hit a 2 out pinch hit solo homer in the 7th to make it 3-2.
But Macay McBride allowed an infield roller that turned into a hit to lead off the 8th. Vidro walked. Johnson bunted them over. McBride intentionally walked Zimmerman, and Bobby brought in Tyler Yates. Daryle Ward pinch hit and hit a 2 run double to put it out of reach. Yates doesn't look like the answer. Villarreal pitched a scoreless 9th.
Offensive contributors: Edgar Renteria was 1-3 with a walk. Pete Orr hit a pinch-hit homer.
The Braves now go to Houston, and either Thomson will lose to Andy Pettite, or the Braves will get creative and lose another way.
