Game Story: Braves 8, White Sox 1

The Braves put it all together Tuesday night, scoring seven runs in their last two at bats to break open a close game and defeat the White Sox, 8-1. The victory moves the Braves into a tie for second place in the Majors. Both the Braves and the powerful Phillies have six wins in eight games.
Tuesday’s victory featured power pitching, superb defense when it counted, and timely hitting. The pitching was especially impressive because the White Sox had been one of the highest-scoring teams in the league, averaging 10 runs a game.
Connor allowed no runs in the first two innings, fanning four White Sox. Alec took over in the third inning; the top of the White Sox order was coming to the plate. With one out and White Sox runners on first and third in the scoreless game, first baseman Chris made a diving stab of a soft line drive to get the second out and prevent the runners from advancing. The next batter smoked a line drive toward left-center field. It had two RBIs written all over it, but shortstop Jason leaped high – very high – and snared the ball in the webbing of his glove to end the inning with no White Sox player having crossed the plate.
The game was still scoreless in the bottom of the third. Matt led off with a single and advanced to third base on two groundouts. Then came a wild pitch, and Matt dashed for home plate, scoring standing up for the game’s first run.
Jason took over pitching in the fourth inning, holding the White Sox scoreless. When the Braves came to bat in the fourth, Connor led off with a booming triple over the right fielder’s head. Chris walked and stole second, and Alec rifled a single to the outfield to score both of them. Alec stole second and third, which enabled Ryan to drive him in with an infield single. Braves ahead, 4-0, after four innings.
The White Sox got a harmless unearned run in the fifth inning, and then the Braves’ bats got really hot. Jason and Scott hit singles; they both advanced on a passed ball. Connor lined a single to the outfield, driving in two runs, and then kept on running himself, scoring as the White Sox booted the ball all over the field. Chris lined a double to the fence in right center, stole third, and then trotted home when Alec got his second RBI hit. Four runs on five consecutive hits.
Chris strode to the hill in the final inning with a seven-run lead. The first White Sox batter got on base via an infield error, but Chris struck out the next three hitters to seal the victory.
A complete team victory – the best kind.
The Braves have a rematch against the White Sox Friday, followed by a tussle with the Phillies Saturday at 11 a.m. You won’t want to miss those games!
-- Dave