The Atlanta Braves were one out away from losing their fifth game of the past six against their two top rivals, the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies.
However, Braves’ Matt Diaz had something different planned. With the Braves down 8-6, Braves’ Jeff Francoeur and Martin Prado raced to beat infield hits and get on base. Yunel Escobar then walked to load the bases for Diaz.
Diaz took a big swing and landed it just out of reach of Phillies outfielder Chris Robertson. Francoeur and Prado easily scored and Escobar sprinted home to beat the throw to home making the score Braves-9 Phillies-8.
As the Braves pulled out this important win I heard the announcer say, “Braves win! Braves win!” This sounded exactly like the announcer screaming the famous “Braves win” seven times during the1992 National League Championship Series when Braves’ Sid Bream was rounding third and just barely slid in safe sending the Braves to the World Series. It gave me goosebumps to hear it again.
After Escobar got up from home plate he was greeted with pushing and high-fives by the entire Braves team. After congratulating the runners, the team tackled Diaz, thrilled with the win.
The excitement shown by all Braves players while trampling, and hopefully not injuring, Matt Diaz will ignite a fire within the Braves. This much needed win (to stay even remotely close to participating in the playoffs) is key in the rest of the season’s games.
I think the Braves are going to pull this one out. This win is just what the Braves needed to pump up the team to get excited and serious about the next few series.
Of course it takes more than just excitement to win games and make the playoffs. But baseball is just as mental as physical. With the mindset and memory of Wednesday afternoon’s excitement and win, the Braves may have a more “conquering” and “optimistic” attitude that could lead them to win the majority of the upcoming series.
Both the Phillies and the Braves players and coaches were in disbelief that the Braves could overcome 5-0 and 8-2 leads that the Phillies had over the Braves during Wednesday’s game.
Why should anyone doubt that the Braves could overcome being behind the Mets by seven games for the National League East division or coming back from being five-and-a-half games back for the National League Wild Card?
I certainly believe they can do it.
Whether you consider yourself a baseball fan or not, this winning moment is still exciting.
2 comments:
While I am not a baseball fan. The game did seem rather exciting!
Thanks, you're right. This game would be exciting for anyone.
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