19 June 2006
Out of all the losses, this one is probably the worst.
Smoltz pitched 7 of the most gutsy innings you'll ever see, throwing 123 pitches and allowing 3 runs on 6 hits, a season high 4 walks, and struck out 8. He allowed 2 solo homers to Ortiz and Ramirez (solo homers have been his biggest problem lately). He got out of a bases loaded jam in the 6th with only 1 run scoring, and pitched a scoreless 7th on fumes.
With a 3-2 deficit and 2 outs in the 7th, Andruw singled. McCann drew a walk against a lefty. Francoeur then hit a 3 run homer off of former Brave Rudy Seanez to give the Braves a 5-3 lead.
McBride then came in to pitch. He blew Ortiz and Ramirez away. 2 outs. Then he couldn't throw a strike. He walked Trot Nixon and Jason Varitek, and gave up an RBI single to Coco Crisp. Paronto came in and gave up a double to Mike Lowell to give the Red Sox the lead. Alex Cora singled in Lowell. Kevin Youkilis homered. Remlinger in to pitch. Mark Loretta singled. Ortiz got hit by a pitch. Manny Ramirez finally popped out. But the Red Sox scored 6 times with 2 outs and the game was essentially over.
The Braves got 2 in the 8th, but then Jonathan Papelbon came in to shut it down. Ray gave up a run in the 9th.
This is the most pathetic display of baseball I have ever seen. We might win 60 games, if we're lucky.
Offensive contributors: Jeff Francoeur was 2-4 with his 15th homer and had 4 RBIs. Marcus Giles was 3-5 and scored. Andruw Jones was 3-5 with 2 RBIs and 2 runs. Wilson Betemit was 2-4 with 2 doubles and a walk. Brian McCann was 2-4 with a walk and scored. Adam LaRoche was 1-4 with a double and a walk.
The Braves are off tomorrow. They play Toronto next, and Sosa goes for his 10th loss.
