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 So Kimbrel converted a rare four-out save Thursday night, when
the hard-throwing right-hander retired the potential go-ahead run to
end the eighth inning before throwing a perfect ninth inning to
preserve the Braves' 3-1 win over the New York Mets at Citi Field.
The four-out save -- just the fourth of Kimbrel's career -- put the
finishing touches on a win that ended a four-game losing streak for
the Braves (50-42), who regained a share of first place in the
National League East when Washington lost to Baltimore.
"It's just nice to see No. 46 anytime," said Braves first baseman
Freddie Freeman, who went 2-for-4 with an RBI double during
Atlanta's two-run first inning. "That means we're winning, so that's
a good thing."
Kimbrel hadn't pitched since July 4, so manager Fredi Gonzalez asked
him before the game if he could get four outs if necessary. Gonzalez
went to right-hander Jordan Walden to start the eighth -- Walden
relieved right-hander Aaron Harang, who tossed seven strong innings
-- but called for Kimbrel with runners at first and second.
"That's the first time I have seen Kimbrel come in in the eighth
inning against me," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "That tells me
that they're concerned."
Kimbrel fell behind pinch-hitter Kirk Nieuwenhuis 2-0 but came back
to strike him out on a full-count fastball. Kimbrel, who threw more
than one inning for the sixth time in 269 career appearances, needed
just 14 pitches to close the Mets out in the ninth for his major
league-leading 28th save.
"I hadn't pitched in a few days, so it was one of those things
(where I was) just getting back out there, making sure I throw the
ball over for a strike and things like that," Kimbrel said.
The sight of Kimbrel on the mound in the eighth inning evoked
memories of the Braves' final game last season, when he remained in
the bullpen as right-hander David Carpenter gave up the go-ahead
two-run homer to Juan Uribe with none out in the eighth inning of
the Los Angeles Dodgers' 4-3 win in Game Four of the NL Division
Series.
Gonzalez said he may never be comfortable using Kimbrel to get six
outs, but that efforts such as Thursday night's will make him more
likely to go to Kimbrel for four- or five-out saves.
"The more he could do that, the more we feel comfortable using him
in the postseason that way," Gonzalez said. "During the course of
the year, (if) the situation's right where he hasn't pitched in four
or five days, maybe he goes five outs.
"The more we could get him used to that, I think the better he's
going to be experience-wise. And I think the better we'll be."
Kimbrel's unusual usage capped a taut, October-type game in which
runs were at a premium thanks to a pair of crafty right-handers --
Harang and the Mets' Bartolo Colon -- who entered the game with a
combined 759 major league starts.
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Harang (9-6) gave up four hits and four walks while striking out
two. He gave up the Mets' lone run in the third, when left fielder
Eric Young singled, stole second and scored on third baseman David
Wright's single. But Harang stranded two baserunners in the second
and left the bases loaded in the fifth.
Colon (8-8) allowed three runs and scattered 10 hits while walking
none and striking out seven in eight innings. He got to a three-ball
count twice and ended up throwing just 98 pitches (73 for strikes).
"Those are the fun ones -- those pitcher's duels where you can get
two guys that are going up like that and wriggle out of jams when
need be and keep your team in the game all the time," Harang said.
The RBI double by Freeman scored shortstop Andrelton Simmons.
Freeman scored one out later on a single by right fielder Jason
Heyward.
Simmons and Freeman led off the third with singles and Simmons
scored on left fielder Justin Upton's double play grounder.
Wright reached base three times in four plate appearances for the
Mets (42-50), who had their season-high four-game winning streak
snapped.
NOTES: Mets LHP Jonathon Niese (left shoulder strain) was scheduled
to throw Thursday for the first time since being placed on the
disabled list Sunday. He is expected to return to the Mets' rotation
immediately after the All-Star break. ... Braves 3B Chris Johnson
got a rare day off. He started 87 of the Braves' first 91 games at
the hot corner. INF Ramiro Pena drew the start and went 2-for-3. ...
The Braves have one home run in their past 11 games (379 at-bats).
Meanwhile, the Mets failed to hit a homer Thursday, ending a run in
which they homered in nine consecutive games at Citi Field, the
longest stretch in the park's history.
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