Thursday, August 12, 2004
Braves 2, A's 1 (11 inn)
Game of the year?
Rocket batted what would have been a walkoff 2-run HR by The Pirate back into the yard, and made a circus catch off his own deflection to get the third out in a thrilling, exhausting 2-1 for the Braves in a season high 11 inning contest. The players nearly walked off the field after 8 innings to continue the game at at later time, but finally decided to finish it out. The pitchers in this one were so good, they needed extras to decide it. Sanchez (7-4) who ultimately picked up the win, had a no-hitter going through six. The Pirate (7-4), who lost a heartbreaker, was PERFECT through six. Who would blink first? Chops led off the Braves' top of the 8th with a three bagger, then was driven in on Sanchez' ground out for a 1-0 lead. The A's answered back when Larry went yard to lead off the bottom of the 8th, tying it at 1-1. The Braves would do damage again when Rocket hit a solo HR with 2 out in the top of the 11th to make it 2-1. The Pirate led off the bottom of the 11th with a single up the middle. He came up again with two outs, and his liner down the left field line, a certain game winning homer, was batted back into play by an outstretched Rocket, who made a circus catch of his own game-saving deflection to nail it down for the Braves, their 7th straight. Frickin' sweet.
Submitted:
Aug 12, 2004
Hitting Stars
Series at a Glance