Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; General view during the final game at Turner Field in the sixth inning of a game between the Atlanta Braves and Detroit Tigers. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
The 2016 Season is over for the Braves, but not without a flurry of a finish with a pitching duel that did not disappoint.
There was pomp, circumstances, celebration, a few tears, a completely sold out stadium, and a heckuva game to close out a 20-year run for the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field.
Julio Teheran was pitching like a man knowing he had the entire Winter to rest. His fastball had a ton of late life from pitch 1, and he went after the Tiger hitters with some authority. Justin Verlander was no slouch either, but the Braves managed to jump on him early on.
Ender Inciarte jumped on him for a lead-off single. Adonis Garcia pushed him to third with a single, then Freddie Freeman lofted a sacrifice fly to bring home the first run of the last game, his 91st RBI on the year. That 1-0 score held up with neither team mounting another serious threat until the sixth.
???????????? #TurnerFieldFarewell pic.twitter.com/Dl6GIVVG4s
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 2, 2016
Offense Tough to Come By
In that sixth inning, Adonis Garcia fought off a tough pitch – all pitches were tough today – banging it for a single. After Freeman popped out, he then stole second off of Verlander and ended up on third base after the throw bounded off him into short center field.
Up next, Matt Kemp fought Verlander well, but struck out. Nick Markakis was intentionally walked to allow Justin to face Tyler Flowers… despite an earlier single from the Atlanta catcher.
So Verlander then did his usual thing: found another gear. Flowers worked the count full, but ultimately was out-guessed as a fastball stayed on the outside corner to end the inning.
The Big Story
Julio Teheran. 7 innings, 3 hits, a career-high-matching 12 strikeouts, 1 walk and no runs allowed over 100 pitches. He finishes the season with a 3.21 ERA. Very impressive.
Weird stat: Teheran was 2 for 2 at the plate against his opposite number… a solid single to right center along with a dribbler down the third base line. Garcia was the only other Brave to match that number of hits today.
Verlander came close to matching Teheran’s performance, also going 7 innings and striking out 7 against 1 walk and 6 hits, but that 1st inning sacrifice fly allowed was the difference between the pair of aces.
You could say that the Tigers can only blame themselves for not staying in the Wild Card hunt this weekend. They averaged 11 strikeouts per game for the 3-game series in Atlanta. At the same time, the Braves’ pitching was obviously a huge reason for this – and showed up at an opportune time given that the Atlanta offense was well challenged by the Detroit starters.
"Oh heyyyy!" #TurnerFieldFarewell pic.twitter.com/EsOwAejBb4
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 2, 2016
Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves and Detroit Tigers players line up for the National Anthem before the final game at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Bullpen Time
INNING EIGHT
Both starters were removed in the 8th.
Jose Ramirez came in to relieve Teheran and immediately gave up a double to Jose Iglesias. Victor Martinez then replaced Verlander as a pinch hitter… a role that Martinez has been very good at this season.
Speed killed, though. Ramirez got Martinez with a moving fastball that splayed well out of the strike zone… but Martinez committed early and got to sit down.
Ian Kinsler came up and eventually rocketed a liner… unfortunately for him and the Tigers, it was ever-so-slightly placed to Dansby Swanson‘s right. He speared it and immediately fired the ball to Jace Peterson at second, who beat Iglesias back to the bag. For the second game in a row, a late double play snuffed a Tigers rally attempt.
.@Julio_Teheran's final start on the mound at Turner Field: DOMINANT. #ChopOn #TurnerFieldFarewell pic.twitter.com/DMYbrJGsub
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 2, 2016
INNING NINE
Jim Johnson came on to nail down the victory. He had some news today, too:
Braves reliever Jim Johnson could have hit free agency during the offseason, but the 33-year-old will instead continue his career in Atlanta. He and the Braves have agreed to a two-year contract extension, according to a team announcement. Financial details are not yet available, but the deal will keep the Moye Sports Associates client under Atlanta’s control through the 2018 season.
More on that announcement here, but back to the game…
Here’s what happened:
DetroitTigers0
AtlantaBraves1Next: The Lists of Lasts
Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; General view of a Turner Field logo on first base before a game between the Atlanta Braves and Detroit Tigers at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Quick Notes About the 2016 Season
Also of note: while today was the last broadcast games for Vin Scully and Dick Enberg, it also marks the retirement of Braves’ broadcaster Joe Simpson, as announced during the 8th inning today.
The Braves finish 2016 at 68-93. Very solid end to a tumultuous and often tortuous season.
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