Around the beast

Marlins rally not enough against Reds

Despite three early homers by Jeremy Hermida, Hanley Ramirez, and Dan Uggla, the Marlins were not able to hold a lead against the Reds.  The Reds scored a pair of runs in the fifth and sixth innings to take a 4-3 lead, but Uggla tied it up with a sac-fly in the 7th.  In the top bottom of the 7th Taylor Tankersley gave up two 2-run home runs to Jeff Keppinger and Brandon Phillips.

In the top of the 8th the Marlins gave their best effort to tie the game, rallying with two outs.  Luis Gonzalez scored two on a single to center and Mike Rabelo knocked in another after an error by Ken Griffey Jr. But that would be all for the Marlins, who left two on base to end the inning.  Francisco Cordero notched his sixth save of the season, securing the Aaron Harang‘s first win since April 10th.  Tankersley picked up the loss, breaking a 7 game winning streak for the first place Marlins.

Final score: Reds 8-Marlins 7

Braves split double header against Pirates in two lopsided affairs

In game 1, the Pirates shutout the Braves, needing only a Freddy Sanchez bases clearing double in the 3rd to get the job done.  Despite 5 walks and 3 fielding errors, Zach Duke let up no runs and only 5 hits in six innings of work to get his second win of the year.  Jair Jurrjens only lasted five innings and recorded his third loss of the year.  Adam LaRoche knocked a ball out of the park in the 8th inning against Jeff Bennet, icing the win.  It was the sixth in a row for the the streakingPirates.

Final Score: Pirates 5-Braves 0

The Pirates would not have as much luck in game 2.  Tim Hudson pitched a gem, going 7 innings, allowing no earned runs, only 2 hits, two walks and striking out 5.  The only runs the Pirates managed all day was on an error in the first inning Braves first baseman Greg Norton. The Braves shook off their offensive struggles from game 1 and crossed the plate 8 times in the win.  Steady hitting throughout the lineup helped the Braves break a three game losing streak; a streak that came right after winning 6 in a row at home.

Final Score: Braves 8-Pirates 1

-Greg Berlin