Bullpen implodes, Braves rally but fall short

Two hours after I talked about the bullpen finally coming around, it not only blows a two run, but it does it in dramatic style giving up five runs over two innings.

Atlanta started well, scoring four runs in the bottom of the second inning, mainly curtorsy of Marcus Giles' bases clearing double with two outs, but struggled to increase their lead throughout the middle of the game, as the Braves were shut down from the third inning onwards recording just two hits through to the end of the eighth inning, since Renteria's RBI line drive in the bottom of second.

In the seventh inning, the big man Paronto gave up three runs without recording an out, but it was Tyler Yates that did the damage coming in with two men on and one out in the same inning. With a 1-1 count Austin Kearns took him deep hitting a three-run home run just inside the right field foul pole. Talk about crowd killing. Wayne Franklin then added misery to the Braves by giving up another run on Felipe Lopez's deep fly ball to Matt Diaz in left field.

Kevin Barry came in to pitch in the eight inning and looked impressive, holding the Nationals to one hit through one and a third innings. He stuck out Daryle Ward to end the top of the ninth after Alex Escobar looked to have dislocated his shoulder sliding back to first base on a fly ball out to Jeff Francouer. The Braves down to their last three outs.

Resting their closer Chad Cordero, the Nationals, brought in Saul Rivera instead to close out the game in the bottom of the ninth inning with a three run lead. Adam LaRoche struck out seemingly capping off a torturous night for Atlanta, but Matt Diaz didn't seem to read the script and was patient at the plate drawing a one out walk. Pinch hitting for Kevin Barry, Ryan Langerhans took a pitch deep to right field and into the stands bringing the Braves to within a run, pumping the crowd up. Marcus giles then walked, and Edgar Renteria singled to left field making the crowd go wild with the Jones brothers due up. Chipper Jones then struck out on three pitches and Andruw Jones with hot hitting McCann on deck, popped up on the third pitch of his at-bat and just like that, the ball game was over.

The Braves yet again struggled to capitalize on another late rally in a ball game failing to get that last RBI base knock to tie the game up. They now find themselves hoping that Cincinnati lose tonight to salvage any inkling of hope of making the playoffs, but it sure does look dim for Atlanta after tonights game.