Talking Chop

It was quite a nail-biter tonight for the Braves -- especially in the ninth inning. But that was all after Jair Jurrjens made the best team in the National League look like the best team in the Southern League. JJ held the Cardinals scoreless through 8 innings while striking out 7, including Albert Pujols twice. Jurrjens worked his way into no-out trouble a couple of times, but he was able to get out of those jams. He had the benefit of an umpire with a wide strike zone, but give JJ credit for realizing that and hitting the corners all night.

The offense was once again pretty anemic. They had their chances and couldn't come through (except once). They also grounded into 3 double play rally killers. Their one run was thanks to some hesitance on the part of the Cards offense.

Rafael Soriano came in for the ninth -- another questionable decision that worked out this time. JJ had only thrown 105 pitches and looked pretty good in the eighth. Soriano cruised through the ninth picking up a strikeout, a groundout, and a flyout -- the important thing being that he picked up three consecutive outs and his 23rd save of the season.

The Braves also had some great defense from Martin Prado and Ryan Church, and an almost awesome play by Yunel Escobar, who turned what he thought was a triple play when Pujols ran into the batted ball, but when it hit him on the basepath the ball was ruled dead.