Sunday, September 2, 2012

Chipper Knocks Out Phillies with Ninth Career Walkoff Blast



Old number 10 never ceases to amaze Braves fans. Exactly four months to the day that Chipper Jones hit a game-winning walkoff homer against the Philadelphia Phillies to win 15-13 on May 2nd he had a little more walkoff magic.

Braves starting pitcher Paul Maholm got roughed up early by the Phillies lineup and exited the game in the third inning down 7-1. However, the Braves started a comeback in the bottom of the ninth inning that culminated with Chipper blasting a fastball from Phillies All Star closer Jonathan Papelbon into the seats at Turner Field for a dramatic 8-7 win.

Jones’ game-winning blast was a much-needed boost for the Braves who have now won only five of their last 15 games and are trying to remain clinging on to one of the two National League wild card spots. The last couple of weeks the Braves have looked eerily similar to the hot team last year that saw a 9.5 game wild card lead blown during the final month of the season to a hard-charging St. Louis Cardinals squad that would go on to win the World Series.

With one month to play in this season, the final month of Chipper Jones’ career, the Braves hold a 3.5 game lead over the Pittsburgh Pirates for the crucial second wild card spot.

Hopefully Chipper’s late inning heroics will get the Braves back on the right track and send them to the playoffs. The Braves will likely have to settle for a wild card position, because the Washington Nationals have a 6.5 game lead in the National League East Division with the final month left to play.

The homer, which was Jones’ 14th of the season, was the ninth walkoff home run hit during his illustrious and future hall of fame career. 

You can see Chipper’s dinger right HERE

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