Braves Fall to Dodgers

Left work shortly after 4:30 yesterday. Anna had been in downtown Norcross all afternoon working on a group project. We left for the game around six. Usually I beat traffic and arrive early. Since we were staying late we were in no hurry to get there early. But since I was driving I was the one who had to deal with traffic and turned left into the parking lot on a gridlocked street. Walked around looking for something to eat. M got fries covered in buffalo sauce with bleu cheese. Anna got a hot dog, and Ceil and I got a dog and fries. Made it to our seats just before first pitch.

Had decent seats down the right field line, right by the ball boy. Just to our right was where the stands jut out near the foul line. In the first inning a high foul pop came near the corner. The fans were good about staying out of the way, but rightfielder Matt Kemp was too slow to make the play. The fan made a barehanded catch just before Kemp arrived, so Kemp gave him five with his glove. Later Kemp was replaced defensively by Andrew Toles. The first batter Toles saw lofted another high pop down the line. Toles sprinted over but he too was a tag late. A different fan made a barehanded catch.

A few seats down on our left was a young kid completely absorbed with the game. He was excited about everything, and he couldn’t sit still. Somehow he had collected two baseballs. He was hollering and eating Cracker Jack. Typical sports kid with the unmatched Braves cap and Freddie Freeman t-shirt, long shorts, sneakers, and basketball socks.  Then a foul pop headed his way, and his dad made a clean catch. You should’ve seen the look of pride on that boy’s face when his dad handed him the ball.

Between innings there was no Beat the Freeze race nor a RaceTrac Home Run Inning. There was a Home Depot Tool Race. The Braves also ran a video on the just announced ThyssenKrupp office tower to be built in The Battery at the corner of Cobb Parkway and Circle 75. Thyssen is one of our steel suppliers. They also make elevators. The tower will feature exterior elevators on the southern wall, giving riders a  panoramic view of downtown Atlanta, Buckhead, Stone Mountain, and Perimeter Center.
 

Ran into legendary usher Walter Banks on the concourse. When I said hello he brightened and shook my hand. He complimented me on the old school Greenville Braves cap I was wearing. I was dressed like an usher in my Braves Facilities golf shirt, kaikis, sneakers, and Braves cap. As the game ended a lady asked if I worked for the Braves. I was tired and said no, but we both had a chuckle.

 

Saw Matthew’s former baseball coach George White. His daughters had brought him to the game for his birthday. 

Sloppy game for the Braves – three errors, including two poor throws by Albies, who should know better. Plus Albies flipped too high to second on a double play ball. Shortstop Culbertson had to leap off the bag to catch the toss, and everyone was safe.   

 

Albies is a joy to watch, though. Glides around the infield and hustles on the bases. Batting style similar to Stan Musial. Serios expression on his face, but he’s quick to smile and joke around with a teammate or opponent. Freeman did make a nice play on a bunt, charging in and firing to second in time to nail the lead runner. Not crazy about Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp. Spent his entire time with the Braves either hurt or overweight. Goes back to the Dodgers and get in shape, plays great, and makes the all star team.

 

The game almost ended on a replay. Pinch hitter Preston Tucker blasted a two-out line drive off the padded wall in right field. He hit it so hard that Toles was able to grab the ball and fire to second. Tucker rounded first and never stopped. With the Braves down six runs, perhaps not the smartest of decisions. He barely avoided the tag, and we all watched the replays on the jumbotron while the umpires awaited the decision from New York. Tucker was ruled save, but rookie outfielder Michael Reed’s line drive to centerfield ended the game.