Finally, a win. I was starting to think me writing here was a big jinx. I could’ve done without all of the drama late in the game, but I’ll take the win however we can get it. We got out of the gates quickly with a two-run double from Kotchman in the 2nd. It stayed that way until the 5th, when Vazquez gave up an RBI single to Ronny Paulino. McLouth pushed the score to 3-1, after a single in the 7th that scored Kotchman. Then, things started to unravel. Vazquez gave up a lead off homer in the 8th to Cody Ross. That probably should’ve been Bobby’s cue to get him out of there, but instead he let him pitch to Paulino (flied out) and Brett Carroll (walk) before he yanked him for Gonzalez. After giving up a single to Wes Helms and getting a strikeout from Bonifacio, they intentionally put Hanley on so they could pitch to Cantu. Cantu hit a slow chopper toward 3rd which Chipper couldn’t do anything about and suddenly the game was tied.

It stayed that way until the top of the 10th. McLouth led off with a single. KJ then sac’d him to second. After an intentional walk to Chipper, McCann blasted a 2-2 pitch deep to right center to give the Braves the 6-3 lead, which eventually became the victory.

Vazquez was excellent, as usual, striking out eight and walking just one over 7 1/3. McCann, Kotchman and McLouth all had multi-hit games, while Kelly Johnson, Hernandez and Diaz all put up 0-4′s.

The biggest story coming out of this game was the fact that both Prado and Escobar got hurt. Prado was hit on the ankle by a line drive during warmups. It swelled and he was not available for the game. Escobar was then hit on the wrist by a 2nd inning pitch and had to leave the game. X-rays were negative. He’s day-to-day. Dodgers come to town for 3, with Jason Schmidt vs.  Tommy Hanson scheduled for tonight. Series preview coming later.

While I didn’t expect a win, I did expect to not have the winning margin come from a Josh Johnson homer. Kawakami was terrible. He was chased in the fifth after giving up his third homerun in seven batters. Seven hits and three walks before the fifth is over is not the recipe for success. In a game where Josh Johnson only gets one strikeout in six innings, you need to hope you can bunch some hits. Unfortunately, Kotchman’s homerun was a solo shot and Anderson’s came at a time when it really didn’t matter anymore. McCann and Escobar both put up the 0-4′s, although Brian was able to score after a fielder’s choice.

The play that hurt us the most, other than the Johnson dinger, happened in the top of the 5th. With one out and runners on the corners, Prado stepped up in a 4-1 game with a chance to keep it interesting. After fouling off the first pitch, Prado took two balls. That would be the best part of the at-bat, as he promptly grounded into an inning ending double play which lowed our chances to win the game by 11%. Ouch.

Vazquez/VandenHurk tonight. Vegas line says we are 59.7% to win. Let’s hope Vazquez can stop the bleeding and get us out of Florida. Unfortunately for us, we leave Florida in order to go home to welcome the Dodgers.