Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009
Braves 9
Astros 7
W: Lowe | L: Oswalt | S: Gonzalez comma M
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Game Zone
Roy Oswalt gave what he had last night and it was just enough to help his team mates – many of them tasting the big-league cup of joe for the first time – experience what it takes to scratch and claw and fight from behind to get a win. They almost did.
“He was inspirational,” said Wilton Lopez, one of the young pitchers freshly up to the big club. “He set things up nicely for us to show what we’re really made of. I just wish we could have won.”
Roy wasted no time. His second pitch was blasted into the right-center bullpen. Not feeling he’d done enough, he hung a slider to the 2nd batter for a double. As a gift to his friend Chipper Jones, he tossed a change up thigh-high and a 2-run hole was dug. Next batter, single. Next, sac fly. 3-0.
Chris Johnson, getting his first start as a major leaguer, was impressed. “I saw a guy who battled out there. The concentration, the effort, it’s no wonder he’s had such success for so long.”
After the Astros got one back, Roy didn’t let up for the 2nd as he got the first 2 Braves to single. Then, after striking out Chipper for fun, he unloaded a double for McCann and singles to Anderson and LaRoche to leave things at 6-1. His work done, Roy K’d the last 2 batters to end the 2nd.
“I love watching him pitch,” said Billy Sadler, who’s been up before with the Giants. “He’s a real pro and he’ll do what it takes to win, or to not.”