BravesNuWorld || An Atlanta Braves Blog

Last night, the Atlanta Braves found themselves embroiled in a game they have been losing with freakish consistency–an extra inning, one run nail biter that featured several grotesque bunts, bases loaded debacles, and perhaps scariest of all, Corky Miller.

But they won.

With the bases loaded and nobody out, Mark Texeira hit a ball into the gap, ending a 17 inning epic that, in all likelihood would have nailed the coffin shut for the 2008 Atlanta Braves had it gone the other way. The bullpen was masterful, essentially pitching a shutout for what nearly equaled the second game of a double header, due in no small part to Buddy Carlysle, who has quietly cobbled together a string of near flawless performances since coming off the DL. If this game turns out to be the turning point (gee, have I optimistically written that before?) Buddy ought to be remembered as a main catalyst.

Jeff Francoeur went 4-5 for AA Mississippi and is on his way back to Atlanta.  The reunion will hardly be bittersweet, at first. If, however, he can do what Texeira did last night with the bases loaded–or at least do it better than 2-20–he should find his status restored with the fans in Atlanta who are irritable but never rabid.

Bloggers, on the other hand, have very good memories, and Benchy Le Frenchy is so damn clever. But I digress.

I hope Jeff’s hitting doesn’t.