The 4th game of our tour (and first Major League game) ended quite differently than anticipated. Surely, the NL East division leaders with Tommy Hanson can take the ill-begotten Florida Fish in a contest on their home turf, where they statistically dominate?
Not tonight. There were so many times when I felt like I was watching a Cubs game, especially the creepy big first baseman, I've seen him somewhere before.
FLA 7 10 1
ATL 1 6 2
Marlins starter Chris Volstad didn't really dazzle...3K, no BB, 1ER in 8 innings, 11 flyouts, 10 groundouts. It was Tommy Hanson's game to lose, giving up back-to-back homers to the first 2 batters in the first inning, then doing the same thing again to start the 6th. He needs to share the blame with his teammates, who pulled some nice 2010 Cubs-esque lack-of-run-support antics. The Braves' improvement on this practice was only leaving 6 on base for the entire game. Also, it was nice to see the Braves fans at home giving most of those HR balls back to the field...who needs 'em?
The Offical Scorer originally ruled Hanley Ramirez' single in the 3rd as a double, no error charged. Sometime during the 7th inning, the ruling was 'magically' revised to reflect the error charged to Hinske. I ruled it a single and 2 errors to Hinske, the play was THAT BAD. One error for each base earned by Ramirez.
A light and steady rain started in the top of the 9th and didn't last long enough to finish the inning. Mark snagged a flipped ball during BP, I didn't. I hunted high and low all over Turner Field looking for a pencil with the Braves logo. I collect one thing from each ballpark I visit and Turner Field doesn't believe in these, I guess.
When we arrived in Atlanta, we stopped here for a beer. There were no other taverns in the area.
Turner Field, from the green lot. We played catch out here.
Statue of Phil Niekro
Homer doesn't like my Royals George Brett shirt...
Inside Turner Field
Mark catches a ball! Yeah!!!
BIL in effect!!! All of us are Brothers-in-law: Mike, John, Stevo and Mark in our GREAT seats (thanks again, Mike!!)
This is Derrek Lee, 1st baseman for the...Atlanta Braves
Tommy Hanson delivers to Chad Tracy (he was a Cub very briefly)
Brian McCann at bat, Lee on deck...speaking of George Brett, on the day I decide to wear this shirt, guess who's calling balls and strikes? Yes, that is none other than Tim McClelland!
Altanta Braves fans LOVE Rick Ankiel, mostly for his eyebrows
It's not as bizarre as the Klemenz Sausage Race, and it's a shorter run, but this is the Home Depot Tool Race. Oh boy!!
Billy Wagner starts the 9th, so does the rain
Gameday Magazine and Roster
Official Scorecard (pencil not included, and not available either!)
Souvenir Program
BIL Tour Bonus: The EXCLUSIVE Braves Service Menu! You can spend gobs of money without leaving your seats!!
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