Catcher's hero...

C David Ross heading back to dugout after 3-run blast vs Mets/ Photo: Daniel Shirey, US Presswire

Doesn't it seem that the plan always works out. Though Braves fans would have enjoyed seeing catcher Brian McCann in the All Star game, there were other plans for him that were way more important. This coming from me who just welcomed my first child, a daughter, six months ago. On Friday the 13th, instead of playing in the second half opener against the Metropolitans at the Ted, McCann was welcoming his first child, a baby boy into this awesome country we call America. So in his place behind the plate steps in backup David Ross. Ross is not the ordinary backup, He could probably start for half of the teams around the league. But he is content just being behind McCann, and staying close to home, literally, from Bainbridge, Georgia.

Ross stepped in and went 1-3 with three walks and four RBI's. But the lone hit was the difference in the ball game as he blasted a three run homer to left field to put the Braves atop the Mets as the final score was 7-5 in favor of the good guys.  So two hero's emerged that night and there were smiles and cigars about.

So I know I haven't posted much in awhile. Just many other things to do. But I have kept up with the games. You could say the Braves are on a roll, winning the last six out of eight, but have lost two straight at home. So far on this current homestand, the Braves have swept both the Philadelphia Phillies and NY Mets, three games each, but have dropped the last two to the SF Giants. At 49-41., Braves are still in the hunt for the wildcard, with a better chance this year since Major League Baseball is adding a second wildcard team to the mix of the playoffs. But there is always that one team in the NL East that the Braves just can't surpass. The last five seasons it has been the Phillies, this year it's the Washington Nationals. The Braves close out the homestand today with a business man's special against the Giants, gametime set for 12:10pm. Braves then travel to our Nation's Capital for a weekend series with the Nationals. Maybe the Braves can take that series and gain a little ground on Washington.

Don't forget to follow me on twitter @makirkley.

Mark A. Kirkley: twitter @makirkley
I am a loving husband, father.  God and family are #1 in my life.
Kennesaw State Univ alum in Journalism. 
Academic librarian/writer/blogger. "Your thoughts are better organized 
when they are written."