An Amazing Victory
Atlanta 7, Houston 6 (17 fucking innings). Of the official crowd of 24,000 this afternoon, maybe two thirds waited out the two hour rain delay before this game started. Plenty of people left after Kyle Davies Charlie Morton gave up a grand slam that gave the Astros a 5-1 lead. And as each inning of free baseball ticked by, the crowd shed hundreds more souls, so that by the time Gregor Blanco led off the bottom of the 17th for the Braves, even the lower level was sparsely populated. But you couldn’t tell by the noise when Mark Teixeira hit a bases-loaded single to end the longest game in Turner Field history with a win.
I know there will be the temptation to view this as a turning point, a game changer for a thus far disappointing season. Coming back from a four-run deficit, winning a marathon one-run game in extra innings. Doing what we’ve seemingly been unable to do all season. But we’re still a long way out, and I for one intend to just enjoy the moment for what it was rather than to try to imbue it with some deep meaning. It was grueling and mentally exhausting, but I’m truly priveleged to have been able to witness this game from start to finish.
What Was Ugly
Kyle Davies Charlie Morton gave up 6 runs in 6 innings, including a grand slam. I’ve found the kid unimpressive so far and I hope his trouncings over the last couple of games don’t contribute to the kind of mental blocks that have so obviously hurt a number of young pitchers that we’ve rushed to the majors. He’s obviously not ready to be here yet. Nonetheless, Morton’s forgettable performance was forgotten by the end of the game.
What Was Amazing
After Morton came out, we got 11 innings from the bullpen. Over those 11 innings, the Astros were unable to score another run. Everyone in the bullpen was fantastic. Extra special props go to Buddy Carlyle. he seems to have found himself in the bullpen this year and is quietly having a great season. He went 3 scoreless, striking out 4, and dropping his ERA to 1.38. Mike Gonzales was also outstanding in his two innings, striking out 4, and looking untouchable.
What Was Fascinating
- Brian McCann and Mark Kotsay both got the day off and both ended up playing almost full games worth of innings. Jason Perry didn’t get the start, but played 15 innings after coming into the game early for an injured Omar Infante.
- Manny Acosta pitched 3 innings and had two plate appearance, trying to bunt a runner over both times. Acosta turned out to be the worst bunter ever, striking out the first time by fouling a third strike bunt on an eye-level pitch. The second time, he bunted it straight back to the pitcher who made the out at second. Acosta hustled to beat out the double play but injured himself stretching for the bag and had to come out of the game.
- Jeff Bennett was the only reliever who didn’t pitch. He was in the dugout the whole game. [Ed. - DLed]
- In the bottom of the 17th, with the bases loaded, nobody out, and Mark Teixeira at the plate, the Astros brought their left fielder into the infield, playing with three five infielders. Perhaps this is the baseball equivalent of pulling the goalie. It didn’t matter though, as Tex drove a base hit to deep center for the win.
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