After trailing for much of the game, the Braves rallied against Brian Wilson, escaped certain death in the tenth, and went ahead on a Rick Ankiel home run in the 11th that proved to be the difference. Check out more at Talking Chop and McCovey Chronicles.
Giants Vs. Braves, NLDS Game 2: Billy Wagner Leaves Game With Apparent Oblique Injury
In the tenth inning on Friday night, the Braves have serious cause to worry -- not just for Game 2, but for the remainder of the playoffs.
Closer Billy Wagner, who has been tremendously effective for the Braves in 2010, left the game after throwing a pitch in the tenth. He winced and appeared to grab at his oblique muscle. At the moment, we don’t know the exact nature of the injury, or whether he will miss any more games.
Read Article >Giants Vs. Braves, NLDS Game 2: Braves Get On The Board, Trail 4-1
After 14-plus innings, the Braves have finally scored their first run of the NLDS. Derrek Lee led off the top of the sixth inning with a hit to left-center field, and managed to advance to second on an error. The next hitter, Brian McCann, drove him in with a single.
Unfortunately for the Braves, Melky Cabrera wasted a 2-0 count advantage by popping out to left field, Brooks Conrad struck out, and Alex Gonzalez continued his slump with another flyout. Heading into the bottom of the sixth, the Braves trail, 4-1.
Read Article >Giants Vs. Braves, NLDS Game 2: Matt Cain Smacks RBI Single, Brings Giants Lead To 4-0
In his first at-bat, Giants starter Matt Cain managed to advance his own cause, roping a single to score Cody Ross. The Giants now lead 4-0 in the second inning.
The single, a one-out hit off Tommy Hanson, was only his eighth of 2010. It put runners on first and second. However, left fielder Melky Cabrera managed to make a running grab on the following play, and Cain, who apparently didn’t read it correctly, was easily tagged up for a double play.
Read Article >Giants Vs. Braves, NLDS Game 2: Giants Strike First With Pat Burrell’s 3-Run Home Run
It took only one inning for the Giants to get to Tommy Hanson.
The Braves starter, making his first career postseason start, allowed a bloop hit from Freddy Sanchez and awarded a walk to Buster Posey. Then, with two out, Pat Burrell hit his fifth career postseason to home run to left field, and the Giants lead 3-0 after an inning.
Read Article >Giants Vs. Braves, NLDS Game 2: Buster Posey, Pablo Sandoval Shaken Up In Collision
On Friday night, Matt Cain and the Giants managed to keep the Braves from scoring in the top of the first, but not before catcher Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval collided while chasing a foul ball.
Both Posey and Sandoval appeared to call for the ball, but apparently neither heard the other’s call. Both players appeared to be shaken up, but Posey, at least, has returned to bat in the bottom of the first. Good news for the Giants, as the rookie has been a huge factor in the team’s success.
Read Article >Giants Vs. Braves, NLDS Game 2: Braves Starting Lineup
Omar Infante, 3B
Jason Heyward, RF
Derrek Lee, 1B
Brian McCann, C
Melky Cabrera, CF
Brooks Conrad, 2B
Alex Gonzalez, SS
Rick Ankiel, CF
Tommy Hanson, SP
Read Article >2010 MLB Playoffs: Braves Look To Strike Back Against Matt Cain, Giants
“I don’t know (if I’ve ever pitched better), that’s hard to judge what ‘better’ would be,” Lincecum said. “If you come out on top, I think that’s good. Shutout, as far as shutouts go, I think that’s up there with one of my better ones, if I had to rate it.”
Lincecum (1-0), the two-time defending NL Cy Young Award winner, tied a major league record for the most strikeouts in the first postseason start of a career as the Giants won their first playoff game since their last postseason appearance in 2003.
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