July 25, 2003
Vs. Brewers
This game Horacio was OUTSTANDING! The bullpen blew the game however and the crafty lefty was stuck with a no decision once again!
1st Inning- Horacio looked very confident out there shaking Javy off a couple of times showing that he was confident in his pitches and knew how he wanted to approach the game. He had all first pitch strikes to all three batters he faced in the inning! GREAT INNING HORACIO!
2nd Inning- Horacio gave up a homerun to Vladimir Guerrero, the ball was hight than Horacio wanted it to be and Vladimer took it deep. The next batter Will Cordero followed with a double and this is a time when the Rookie southpaw needs to relax and trust his stuff. Horacio got the next batter, Brad Wilkerson to strike out, the next batter Jose Macias grounded out to Vinny leaving Cordero at second. They walked Barrett after getting behind in the count 2-0, but it paid off cause after 2-2 count on the pitcher batting next he lined out to Marcus. 1 run, 2hits.
Besides the homer to Guerrero Horacio proved that he was tough after getting into a little trouble, I think after the homer Horacio had not regrouped when he gave up the double to Cordero. Good damage control by the young pitcher, the inning could have gotten out of hand and horacio did not allow that!
3rd Inning- Horacio started the inning by walking Jamey Carroll on four straight pitches, the preceded to throw only one strike to the next hitter. Two on with no outs. Cabrera gave the Braves just what they needed with a double play ball!!! Guerrero was next, I wanted for Horacio to pitch to him and challenge him not to give into him but the braves decided to go with the "unintential walk" and the next batter Cordero doubled scoring the runner from third, Carroll. Guerrero however was thrown out at home.
Braves 1, Expos 2
4th Inning-
Brad Wilkerson hit a comebacker back to the pitcher (Horacio of course!). Jose Macias followed with a grounder to second. Barrett hit through the whole at third, Horacio looked a little irritated or atleast anxious due to this hit. Vargas walked. Carroll hit to flied out to Andruw ending the inning. Horacio once again got into a little trouble and climbed right back out of it. Youd have to think he is going to get hurt by doing that sooner or later.
5th Inning-
Vidro hit a tapper back to the mound, Cabrera hit the 3-2 pitch right at Vinny playing third and Guerro flied out to Andruw in Center! Great 1, 2, 3 Inning by Horacio!!! He needed that!!!
6th Inning - (Score is 2-2)
Cordero popped foul which was caught by Javy! Wilkerson grounded out to Marcus. and Macias struckout. Another quick excellent inning by Horacio! Ramirez has retired 7 in a row!
7th Inning -
Barrett was the first to come up in the inning, he was also the first out as Horacio got him to strike out! Henry Mateo came off the bench and quickly grouned out to the shortstop, followed by a ground out to Vinny by Carroll. The MAN is on a roll now, Horacio has retired 10 in a row.
*A little tidbit* Horacio has made three starts against the expos, each of those times he went atleast 7 Innings and gave up just one homer in each of those starts!
The Braves took the lead on a three run homer by Horacio's Pal Javy Lopez. This may have allowed Horacio to pitch into the next inning so everyone say THANKS JAVY!!!
8th Inning-
Vidro started the 8th inning by flying out to short center. Cabrera followed with a double to left and then Bobby elected to go to the bullpen. BIG MISTAKE!
Horacio had an excellent outing and definitely deserved the win but once again I guess "it happens" and it has been happening to Horacio alot! Any other night the bullpen would have been great so lets try to focus on the positives here! Horacio pitched great and looked confident and did his job..the others didn't.