Mike Gonzalez Makes Successful Return in Braves Win

 Wednesday 6/18/08 Braves 5 – Rangers 2

Box Score

Mike Gonzalez made his first appearance for the Braves since having Tommy John elbow surgery in May of last year. Gonzalez pitched a perfect ninth inning for Bobby Cox, who finally got some positive news from his pitching staff. The closer got his first save of the season and put a nice finishing touch on what was a very impressive outing by starter Jo-Jo Reyes.

Though Reyes didn’t get the win, he pitched 7 strong innings, giving up only two runs, one earned, on five hits. In the third inning Reyes hit German Duran with an 0-2 pitch. Duran then stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch under the mit of Brian McCann. Duran scored off of Gerald Laird’s RBI single. Reyes didn’t give up a run again until the sixth when Brandon Boggs drove in Marlon Byrd on an infield single.

Chipper Jones, who came into the game batting a MLB best .400, went 2-5 and kept his average at .400. In the first inning Jones hit a two out solo homer, his 16th of the year. The home run came off of Eric Hurley, who was making just his second start in the majors, and only gave up two runs in five innings.

The decisive moment in the game came in the top of the ninth when Jeff Francoeur sparked a three run inning as pitcher C.J. Wilson fielded his swinging bunt and made a wild throw down the right field line, allowing Francoeur to advance to second. Frenchy would later score on an Omar Infante RBI single. The Braves would add two more runs in the second, giving Gonzalez more than enough insurance.