Braves score 7 run in 9th inning... win 10-9

Well, gosh... that was a heck of a game! Trying to think of a bigger Braves comeback that I've witnessed and I can't come up with anything. For those that missed it...

Tommy Hanson got rocked today as the Braves fell behind 8-0 after 2 innings. The Braves threatened to make it a game in the bottom of the 5th, scoring twice to cut the defict to 9-3. But with runners on the corners and 1 out, Chipper Jones hit into a double play. I remember thinking at the time... if he can hit a homerun here, it's 9-6 and we have a game here. But, nope.

The game remained scoreless from there... and the Braves pulled Chipper Jones... until the bottom of the 9th. There, the Braves collected 4 straight hits off of Mike Lincoln. I'm sure Baker was trying to save his bullpen... and maybe get Lincoln a 3 inning save... but he waited too long.

When he finally pulled Lincoln... with the score 9 to 5, runners on the corners and none out... the game was clearly in doubt.

Now here is where it gets tough for me! Baker brings in Nick Masset, my pitcher. This is a save situation too, since the potential tying run is on deck. I'm a huge Braves fan, and have been for well over a quarter of a century now. I like seeing the Braves win! But, Masset is my pitcher... and we are talking about a SAVE situation here (I need saves!). Plus, I have serious doubts about the Braves ability to make the playoffs this year. I'll pull for my fantasy players before I'll root for the Braves to, say... come in third place.

Of course, I'm just guessing that the Braves wont make the playoffs. They were 20-20 headed into this game. If they win, they are over .500... they have a 5-2 home stand... and they hit the road with some pretty serious momentum. But... lol... this is a SAVE situation for my pitcher... and there is a prize fund in the Mostly Lazy Boys League.

So, I watched with mixed feelings. Nick Masset walked the first batter he faced, which was ridiculous. He HAS to throw strikes in that situation and not free pass the tying run into the batter's box. I'm not happy with my pitcher... but... hey, now the game is REALLY wide open.

Next batter, Martin Prado, hits a one hopper to Reds backup 3B Miguel Cairo (Scott Rolen was given the day off). Cairo fields it cleaning... an easy 5-4-3 double play is coming up... and... he can't throw the ball. It slips from his grip, then slips again... and again... and he has no play. E5... and now the tying run is on base.

A bummer for my fantasy team, for sure... because if that DP is turned, I'm pretty sure Masset gets the save. A huge break for the Braves though. And, at this point... I am full force going for the Braves. This is a chance at a pretty magical win.

Dusty Baker goes to his closer, Francisco Cordero. He faces Brooks Conrad first... who is in the game for Chipper Jones (who was pulled when the game was seemingly over). Cool thing is, it is looking like I can root for both the Braves and my fantasy team... because after Conrad, Omar Infante and Troy Glaus are due up (my players).

So, just don't hit into a double play is what I'm thinking. Perfect would be a single.

Conrad falls behind 1 and 2... and then very-very nearly gets hit with a pitch. He really should have, and would have had he not been able to get his leg out of the way so quickly. Could tell he was thinking... why didn't I let that hit me!?! Exact thing I was thinking too, lol.

Well, good thing he didn't... because a couple of pitches later... BANG... he was able to sneak a ball over the right field fence for a dramatic game winning grand slam home-run! Wow! And it was close... L Nix almost caught the ball.

So, Infante and Glaus didn't get to the plate... and Nick Masset ended up 0ip, 1er, 1on... but, I was pretty thrilled. Like I said, the best Braves comeback I can recall. Maybe they get something going now?

A question... do you root more for your fantasy team or your favorite major league team? How do you balance the two??