If you think a 9-3 lead in the ninth inning is safe, then you obviously haven't spent a lot of time watching Mike Lincoln pitch. Yes, continuing Pile On Ex-Twins Week here at RandBall, we present you the box score and some of the description of how the Braves scored seven runs in the bottom of the ninth to defeat Lincoln and the Reds 10-9. Does it get much worse than this (video also below):
Brooks Conrad slowed up as he rounded first base, unsure if his drive had cleared the left field wall to give the Atlanta Braves an improbable victory. Then he saw Laynce Nix swat at his empty glove in frustration. The ball went over. Game over. Conrad hit a pinch-hit grand slam Thursday to finish off a seven-run ninth inning that gave the Braves a 10-9 victory over the Cincinnati Reds, who fell out of first in the NL Central and can only hope the stunning loss doesn't leave a hangover on their surprisingly strong start.
"It was a horrible ending," said Reds manager Dusty Baker, who appeared close to breaking down after the game. "Boy, that was a tough one."
Atlanta fell behind 8-0 against rookie sensation Mike Leake and was still down 9-3 heading to the ninth. Four straight hits, including Nate McLouth's two-run single, gave the Braves hope. A walk to David Ross loaded the bases with no outs, bringing the potential tying run to the plate.
Martin Prado hit a grounder to third that looked like a sure double play, but Miguel Cairo couldn't get the ball out of his glove -- Cincinnati's fourth error of the game. Jason Heyward struck out against Arthur Rhodes on a 3-2 pitch, and Cincinnati turned to closer Francisco Cordero (1-3) for the last two outs.
Instead, Conrad hit a drive that deflected off Nix's glove as he reached over the top of the wall at the 380-foot sign. Standing near the mound, Cordero ripped out his jersey and looked toward the dugout in disbelief.
Per the video: "I've been to two rodeos and three goat-ropings, but I've never seen anything like that."