August 21, 2003
Braves vs. Giants
San Francisco
Intro- Javy Lopez and Marcus Giles were not able to start due to Javy being rested after fouling a ball of his ankle in a previous game and Marcus Giles had a flu-like cold.
1st Inning-
The game started off with a walk to Eric Young on a full count. The runner at first was quickly erased as Horacio threw a good down and away pitch to Rich Aurilla to get him to ground into the the double play. Grissom was next but grounded out to Furcal on the 1-1 pitch. Horacio threw 11 pitches that inning.
Giants 0 Braves 0
2nd Inning-
The ever dangerous Barry Bonds was the lead off batter in the second inning but Horacio allowed the Braves to breathe a sigh of relief when Barry hit a liner right to Rober t Fick for the first out. Andres Galarraga grounded out for the second out of the inning. Benito Santiago walked on 4 straight balls. With the runner on first Edgardo Alfonzo came up to the plate and hit a liner right down the right field line, Runners were now on first and third when Jose Cruz came up and his a single up the middle. 1-0 Giants. The pitch to Cruz was the first one all night that Horacio really left up. Horacio's pitching opponent Jason Schmidt followed with a strike out to end the inning. Horacio threw 18 pitches that inning.
Giants 1 Braves 0
3rd Inning-
Horacio faced the top of the line up again. Eric Young grounded out on the first pitch to Mark DeRosa playing second for the first out of the inning. Aurilla grounded out to furcal who made a great play to get the out. Grissom followed by grounding out to Derosa on the 3-1 pitch. Horacio threw 15 pitches and made all his outs on groundballs.
Giants 1 Braves 0
4th Inning-
Barry Bonds led off with a walk. Andres singled up the middle and just like that 2 runners are on base. Santiago flied out to Andruw on the first pitch but Edgardo Alfonzo doubled and the two runners score. Jose Cruz flied out to center and Jason Schmidt grounded out to furcal for the final out. Once again the walk hurt Horacio. 22 pitches that inning.
Giants 3 Braves 0
5th Inning-
Eric Young began the inning with a single to left. Aurilla followed with a hit to center. Grissom followed with a pop up to Fick. Bonds walked to load the bases. Galarraga popped out and Santiago ended the inning with a grounder to DeRosa.
Giants 3 Braves 0
6th Inning-
Alfonzo flied out to Bragg, Jose Cruz gounded out to Vinny Castilla and Schmidt struck out! Great 1, 2, 3 Inning for Horacio!!
Giants 3 Braves 0
7th Inning-
Eric Young stuck out to start the inning. Young was followed by Aurilla's flyout to sheffield and ended with a liner caught by Vinny Castilla to end the inning!
Giants 3 Braves 0
*MY THOUGHTS*
Horacio pitched pretty well. Yes, he gave up three runs but he never really looked out of control tonight. He was making good pitches, the giants got enough to take the 3-0 lead. The braves scored 3 in the ninth to tie the game and go into extra innings. This allowed Horacio not to get the loss and settle for another no decision. I think Horacio pitched well enough to get a win just was out pitched tonight. I definetly think its something to smile about. He was in control tonight!
The Braves of course loss to Barry Bonds in the 10th but Horacio pitched great and thats what i walked away from the game knowing!