Braves @ Padres 5/7

Control issues costly in Braves 18-8 Defeat
Braves produce off Padres Bates,
Unable to keep opposition off
the Base Paths

As a coach, nothing is more exciting than being locked in a back and fourth game against the best pitcher in the league, for a shot at first place. And as a coach, nothing is more frustrating than watching the defense stand helpless as batter after batter reaches base via the walk.

Both the high and low described above was the reality Thursday as the Braves led twice and trailed by one entering the bottom of the third before the walk reared its ugly head and stuck around, in favor of the Padres.

Braves Ace Johnny Huizar suffered through his toughest outing of the season lasting only one and two third innings. Over this span, Huizar was taken deep by Kaleyl Anderson for two runs in the first and then proceeded to labor through the second, walking four, hitting one and allowing three singles before being lifted for Jose Martinez.
Martinez fared little better lasting through the third allowing three runs on three hits and two walks. Martinez recorded all four outs via the strikeout but was replaced in the fourth by Josh Marquez.
Marquez walked three and struck out three in the fourth surrendering two runs. But the fifth proved to get much worse as Marquez walked five of the six batters he faced, four of which would eventually score. With one out and runners at first and second Vision Pluma became the fourth Braves Pitcher. Pluma got Joey Leclair to pop up and with the runner straying off second, it looked to be a double play, but seeing the runner off the bag, secondbaseman Bryant Valenzuela took his eye off the ball for a split second, allowing it to drop behind him. However, Valenzuela was able to recover in time to get the out at second and with two outs, Solomon Bates proceeded to walk, loading the bags for the man of the night, Kaleyl Anderson.
Anderson wasted little time, (his theme these days) lining a ball up the middle and into center field. Two runs would score and as the ball bounced around behind home plate, Solomon Bates advanced home with what would prove to be the game ending run.
At the plate, the Braves looked much better than in their first meeting with the Padres. Rick Rivera was 2 for 3, Bryant Valenzuela made good contact, reaching base three times on the night. Martinez and Huizar each had hits, Brett Woods added an RBI single, Josh Marquez doubled and scored as well. Javier Solorio continued to shine, coming off the bench with a two RBI double and Vision Pluma continued to fight his way out of a slump with a 38 foot infield single. 8 hits and 14 baserunners for the Braves off the leagues top arm, Solomon Bates. An amazing improvement from the 2 Braves hits in their previous meeting. Braves players seem to definitely overcome any fear of Bates, now they need to overcome the walks and they'll be primed for victory.