-Everytime I'm ready to say John Smoltz is entering the twilight of his career, he goes and does something like he did in the muggy Atlanta weather. Smoltzie went eight on 118 pitches and gave up just five hits and two runs to improve to 11-6. He walked a trio, but struck out a dozen to become the franchise leader in that catagory, passing Phil Niekro. Smoltzie now has 2920. Pedro Martinez will likely beat him to 3K because Pedro's two away, but Smoltz will likely be the 16th pitcher in baseball history to strike out 3000. Granted, that number, like the 500 homer club, has been cheapened slightly with Clemens, the Big Unit, Maddux, and Schilling all above the mark, increasing the collection of 3000 K guys from 10 when Nolan Ryan retired to 16 by the time the next All-Star break arrives, it will be just one more major accomplishment for my favorite pitcher.
-Mark Teixeira had a huge game, homering twice and driving in four. Since he was acquired, Teix has 7 homers and 19 RBIs.
-KJ added two doubles, Mr. Dynamic had a good-sized homer, and Willie added a triple as Yusmeiro Petit was roughed up pretty bad.
-Wickmoo sucks, by the way. Thickman loaded the bases in the ninth before a game-ending groundout put the D'Backs at bay. Since June 1st, Wickman has appeared in 30 ballgames pitching 27 innings. His ERA in that time is 4.33 and his WHIP is 1.59. When you pitch just one inning a game and you are putting 1.5 runners on, you're going to get roughed up.
-Braves get an off day tomorrow and start a 10 game road-trip. I'll check in again next weekend most likely. Hopefully, the Braves will make a move by then.
Showing posts with label Game Notes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Game Notes. Show all posts
Sunday, August 19, 2007
D'Backs 12, Braves 6
-How bad was this game? Micah Owings, according to Game Scores, had the second best day of any pitcher and the best day of any hitter. That's the kind of game you can only laugh about because if you think about it too much, you might find a very tall building to jump off of, cursing Owings' name the whole way down.
-All told, Owings allowed three hits (all solo homers) and struck out seven in seven frames. At the plate, he went 4 for 5 with a double and a pair of homers. He finished with six ribbies and now has an OPS of .851. Brian McCann's OPS is .770. Yeah...
-Jeff Francoeur had a solid game, homering twive and picking up three RBI's. The Braves scored three meaningless runs in the ninth to give the impression that the game wasn't as much of a turd as it could have been.
-The defense did little to help Buddy, but then again, he also did little to help himself. He was charged with eight runs, five earned, in five innings. He struck out four and walked two while allowing ten hits. Three errors added to the shitfest. Villy sucked and allowed four insurance runs in his one inning, though two scored after Manny Acosta replaced him. Mahay and Soriano brought some calm to this storm.
-Braves leading 6-2 right now so they can salvage a game of this series.
-All told, Owings allowed three hits (all solo homers) and struck out seven in seven frames. At the plate, he went 4 for 5 with a double and a pair of homers. He finished with six ribbies and now has an OPS of .851. Brian McCann's OPS is .770. Yeah...
-Jeff Francoeur had a solid game, homering twive and picking up three RBI's. The Braves scored three meaningless runs in the ninth to give the impression that the game wasn't as much of a turd as it could have been.
-The defense did little to help Buddy, but then again, he also did little to help himself. He was charged with eight runs, five earned, in five innings. He struck out four and walked two while allowing ten hits. Three errors added to the shitfest. Villy sucked and allowed four insurance runs in his one inning, though two scored after Manny Acosta replaced him. Mahay and Soriano brought some calm to this storm.
-Braves leading 6-2 right now so they can salvage a game of this series.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Week in Review Aug 14-17
Well, I was out all week so it's time to get caught up.
Braves 5, Bonds 4
-Down 3-0 and after watching their manager get ejected the previous inning, the Braves woke up against Jack Taschner, who had replaced Kevin Correia in the fifth. Teix opened the sixth with a solo bomb and McMan singled. After a K, Andruw walked and Mr. Dynamic doubled in two to tie the game. Matty pinch hit for Smoltzie and brought the go-ahead runner in.
-It remained 5-4 until Wickmoo El Vulturized Mr. Smoltz. Dan Ortmeier tripled and after a single, a steal, and an intentional walk, Randy Winn brought in Ort with a groundout.
-Funny story on Ort. I picked him up in OOTP and brought him in on a minor league contract for 2006. He became my fourth outfielder and was a .300ish hitter as a pinch hitter. Only reason why I know who he is and feel comfortably calling him Ort.
-Anyway, Willie leads off the ninth by walking against Steve Kline, who has been Mike Remlinger horrible this year. KJ was called on to bunt him to second (hey Coxy, I know you did that) and he puts the bunt down. Dumbass Kline's throw is bad and runners are on first-and-second. Chipper ends the game with an RBI double off Randy Messenger.
-Quality start for Smoltzie. Six innings on 93 pitches. He does give up six hits, three walks, walks three, and strikes out four, but it was a quality effort for a team needing quality efforts. Um, quality.
-Mahay and Soriano were both solid before Wickmoo's sixth blown save of the year.
Braves 6, Bonds 3
-I hate Russ Ortiz. I hated him as a Brave, hated him as a non-Brave, and love every moment he suffers. It's almost unfair to him. I just hate pitchers who have no real stuff, no real talent, and still get the media to love on them. When Ortiz won 20-some games for the Braves, it proved the worthlessness of the "win" stat.
-Braves never trailed this one, though it was briefly tied at 2-2 in the sixth when the Giants' only player homered to cut the Braves one-run lead to zip. But the Braves quickly retook the lead with four runs in the sixth. Teix walked, McCann was hit, and Francoeur singled to load them. A wild pitch brought in Teix and Andruw doubled in both runners. Huddy singled him to third and Willie made it 6-2 with a sacfly.
-Huddy = Cy Young winner? Eight innings on eight hits and three runs. One walk and five K's to add to that solid effort.
-Wickmoo allowed a pair of runners, but no runs while not having it in him to get a flyball. I don't like him.
Bonds 9, Braves 3
-Wow, big surprise that Chucky James sucked it up. Four homers allowed, oddly none by Barry Bonds, and a loss is the result. James allowed only six of the 17 batters he faced to reach base, but long balls will kill you. Tyler Yates got him out of anymore trouble in the fourth before Villy sucked in his 2.1 ING. Manny Acosta looks like he could be useful and Aussie tossed a good inning.
-Braves had a chance of going apeshit in this game, but failed. After Bengie Molina's three-run bomb in the first, Willie led off against Tim Lincecum with a triple. After a walk to KJ, Lincecum uncorked a wild-pitch to make it 3-1. A Chipper Jones line drive single put runners on the corners, but Teix hit into a force out, McMan flew out to center, and Francoeur struck out looking. Teix's grounder did make it 3-2, but it could have been a huge inning.
-Braves got another run in the fourth when McMan doubled and after an out, Andruw singled to put runners on the corners. Another big inning was defused by a sacfly.
D'Backs 4, Braves 0
-Ugh.
-Brandon Webb allowed two hits, walked one, and struck out six while tossing a shutout. KJ had the first hit of the day in the fourth with a double with one out, but Chipper and Teix did nothing to follow. Francoeur singled in the fifth, but Andruw followed with a twin killing.
-Lance Cormier bought him the rest of the year as a starter with 7.1 innings in which he allowed just three runs. However, he did give up eight hits, walked two, and struck out just three so I wouldn't go too crazy. Moylan finished the 8th for Cormier and Yatesy gave up a solo homer in the ninth for the rest of the scoring.
-Oh, and ugh.
Braves 5, Bonds 4
-Down 3-0 and after watching their manager get ejected the previous inning, the Braves woke up against Jack Taschner, who had replaced Kevin Correia in the fifth. Teix opened the sixth with a solo bomb and McMan singled. After a K, Andruw walked and Mr. Dynamic doubled in two to tie the game. Matty pinch hit for Smoltzie and brought the go-ahead runner in.
-It remained 5-4 until Wickmoo El Vulturized Mr. Smoltz. Dan Ortmeier tripled and after a single, a steal, and an intentional walk, Randy Winn brought in Ort with a groundout.
-Funny story on Ort. I picked him up in OOTP and brought him in on a minor league contract for 2006. He became my fourth outfielder and was a .300ish hitter as a pinch hitter. Only reason why I know who he is and feel comfortably calling him Ort.
-Anyway, Willie leads off the ninth by walking against Steve Kline, who has been Mike Remlinger horrible this year. KJ was called on to bunt him to second (hey Coxy, I know you did that) and he puts the bunt down. Dumbass Kline's throw is bad and runners are on first-and-second. Chipper ends the game with an RBI double off Randy Messenger.
-Quality start for Smoltzie. Six innings on 93 pitches. He does give up six hits, three walks, walks three, and strikes out four, but it was a quality effort for a team needing quality efforts. Um, quality.
-Mahay and Soriano were both solid before Wickmoo's sixth blown save of the year.
Braves 6, Bonds 3
-I hate Russ Ortiz. I hated him as a Brave, hated him as a non-Brave, and love every moment he suffers. It's almost unfair to him. I just hate pitchers who have no real stuff, no real talent, and still get the media to love on them. When Ortiz won 20-some games for the Braves, it proved the worthlessness of the "win" stat.
-Braves never trailed this one, though it was briefly tied at 2-2 in the sixth when the Giants' only player homered to cut the Braves one-run lead to zip. But the Braves quickly retook the lead with four runs in the sixth. Teix walked, McCann was hit, and Francoeur singled to load them. A wild pitch brought in Teix and Andruw doubled in both runners. Huddy singled him to third and Willie made it 6-2 with a sacfly.
-Huddy = Cy Young winner? Eight innings on eight hits and three runs. One walk and five K's to add to that solid effort.
-Wickmoo allowed a pair of runners, but no runs while not having it in him to get a flyball. I don't like him.
Bonds 9, Braves 3
-Wow, big surprise that Chucky James sucked it up. Four homers allowed, oddly none by Barry Bonds, and a loss is the result. James allowed only six of the 17 batters he faced to reach base, but long balls will kill you. Tyler Yates got him out of anymore trouble in the fourth before Villy sucked in his 2.1 ING. Manny Acosta looks like he could be useful and Aussie tossed a good inning.
-Braves had a chance of going apeshit in this game, but failed. After Bengie Molina's three-run bomb in the first, Willie led off against Tim Lincecum with a triple. After a walk to KJ, Lincecum uncorked a wild-pitch to make it 3-1. A Chipper Jones line drive single put runners on the corners, but Teix hit into a force out, McMan flew out to center, and Francoeur struck out looking. Teix's grounder did make it 3-2, but it could have been a huge inning.
-Braves got another run in the fourth when McMan doubled and after an out, Andruw singled to put runners on the corners. Another big inning was defused by a sacfly.
D'Backs 4, Braves 0
-Ugh.
-Brandon Webb allowed two hits, walked one, and struck out six while tossing a shutout. KJ had the first hit of the day in the fourth with a double with one out, but Chipper and Teix did nothing to follow. Francoeur singled in the fifth, but Andruw followed with a twin killing.
-Lance Cormier bought him the rest of the year as a starter with 7.1 innings in which he allowed just three runs. However, he did give up eight hits, walked two, and struck out just three so I wouldn't go too crazy. Moylan finished the 8th for Cormier and Yatesy gave up a solo homer in the ninth for the rest of the scoring.
-Oh, and ugh.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Braves 7, Filthydelphia 5
-Gotta like any game you can steal when Lance Cormier is on the mound. He sucked, by the way. He was able to hold the Phils at bay for most of the first four innings, allowing a few hits (including a Jimmy Rollins homer) and picking up a walk before the fifth inning when the true shitty pitcher came out to play. Chris Coste singled, Chris Roberson singled, and both runners advanced on a wierdass wild pitch. The ball hit a foot in front of the plate, bounced up and hit the bottom of McCann's mask and then slid behind the chest protector. According to MLB rules, the runners were awarded a base because of it.
-After Rollins walked, Iguchi doubled in a pair and Burrell singled in Rollins to make it 6-4. Ryan Howard, Aaron Rowand, and Greg Dobbs were due up so Cox goes to Ron Mahay and he K's the first two and gets a weak grounder to first. He gets the victory.
-Braves scored early when Willie doubled, advanced on a groundout, and scored on a sacfly by Chipper. Another Willie double with two outs in the third preceded a Kelly Johnson homer to make it 3-0 and then things got nutty. It goes down as back-to-back triples by Chipper and Teix, but the truth is, it should have been a single and an out. Burrell, who is the immovable object, completely sucks and bellyflops after a Chipper single, turning it into a triple. Then Teix lines the very next pitch toward Burrell and it goes off his glove, generously called a triple. That made it 4-0.
-A Francoeur homer on the first pitch of the fourth was followed by singles by Andruw and Mr. Dynamic. After a weird bunting mishap with Cormier, Willie K's and the runners are still out there, but KJ singles in Andruw. Andruw nearly hit a homer of his own in the 8th, but settled for an RBI triple.
-That was big because Soriano gave up his obligatory homer to make it 7-5 in the 8th. Wickmoo followed by allowing a leadoff double to Coste, but was able to get a flyout and a pair of groundouts to end it.
-The Mets and Padres lost yesterday so the Braves are 2.5 GB in the division, a half-game back in the Wild Card. At about 2:45 when this post was typed up, the Mets are tied 4-4 with the Marlins in the top of the fourth and the Pads have a 5-1 lead on the Reds, who everyone but the Braves can beat. Buddy Carlyle and Jamie Moyer face off tonight on ESPN. Joe Morgan and Jon Miller have the call. I really should have got my prozak filled Friday...
-After Rollins walked, Iguchi doubled in a pair and Burrell singled in Rollins to make it 6-4. Ryan Howard, Aaron Rowand, and Greg Dobbs were due up so Cox goes to Ron Mahay and he K's the first two and gets a weak grounder to first. He gets the victory.
-Braves scored early when Willie doubled, advanced on a groundout, and scored on a sacfly by Chipper. Another Willie double with two outs in the third preceded a Kelly Johnson homer to make it 3-0 and then things got nutty. It goes down as back-to-back triples by Chipper and Teix, but the truth is, it should have been a single and an out. Burrell, who is the immovable object, completely sucks and bellyflops after a Chipper single, turning it into a triple. Then Teix lines the very next pitch toward Burrell and it goes off his glove, generously called a triple. That made it 4-0.
-A Francoeur homer on the first pitch of the fourth was followed by singles by Andruw and Mr. Dynamic. After a weird bunting mishap with Cormier, Willie K's and the runners are still out there, but KJ singles in Andruw. Andruw nearly hit a homer of his own in the 8th, but settled for an RBI triple.
-That was big because Soriano gave up his obligatory homer to make it 7-5 in the 8th. Wickmoo followed by allowing a leadoff double to Coste, but was able to get a flyout and a pair of groundouts to end it.
-The Mets and Padres lost yesterday so the Braves are 2.5 GB in the division, a half-game back in the Wild Card. At about 2:45 when this post was typed up, the Mets are tied 4-4 with the Marlins in the top of the fourth and the Pads have a 5-1 lead on the Reds, who everyone but the Braves can beat. Buddy Carlyle and Jamie Moyer face off tonight on ESPN. Joe Morgan and Jon Miller have the call. I really should have got my prozak filled Friday...
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Filthdelphia 5, Braves 4
-Weird little game. Braves put a four spot on the board in the first on Cole Hamels and then serve up four runs in return. What followed was less miracalous and more strange as fuck. Chuck James actually tossed scoreless frame after scoreless frame. Five straight, actually, after the first and retired the last 16 batters he faced.
-However, Hamels had calmed down himself and was getting enough groundballs to overcome not having his best stuff. That led to the bottom of the seventh when Peter Moylan replaced James. After a single and a bunt, Greg Dobbs hit a deep short grounder that Mr. Dynamic Yunel Escobar tried to do entirely too much and Mark Teixeira did entirely too little to keep it in front of him. That led to an error and the go-ahead run and eventually, winning run.
-Braves managed six hits, but five were part of the first. Matty hit a solo bomb before Chipper doubled and scored on a Teix single. After Francoeur singled and the runners advanced on an Andruw groundout, McCann doubled in both for the early lead. The Braves would not get another hit until the top of the 8th when Francoeur doubled with two outs.
-Andruw Jones should be on the DL. He just can't swing right now.
-For the second time this week, we lost a game in which we had a chance to at least tie the game in the ninth. After McCann opened the inning with a walk, Woody ran for him and took second on a KJ groundout. KJ was ahead 2-0, but swung at ball three (after a four pitch walk no less) and grounded back to the pitcher. That left it up for Willie and Mr. Dyanmic, but neither could get the ball out of the infield.
-Tough loss, though Yatesy had a good game a day after his Big Apple meltdown.
-Octavio Dotel was placed on the DL and in a move that just confuses the fuck out of me, Manny Acosta gets the call. Why, Bobby, why?
-Adam Eaton and Lance Cormier tonight. Las Vegas is predicting 20 runs from this game.
-Not really...well, maybe they are, I don't know.
-However, Hamels had calmed down himself and was getting enough groundballs to overcome not having his best stuff. That led to the bottom of the seventh when Peter Moylan replaced James. After a single and a bunt, Greg Dobbs hit a deep short grounder that Mr. Dynamic Yunel Escobar tried to do entirely too much and Mark Teixeira did entirely too little to keep it in front of him. That led to an error and the go-ahead run and eventually, winning run.
-Braves managed six hits, but five were part of the first. Matty hit a solo bomb before Chipper doubled and scored on a Teix single. After Francoeur singled and the runners advanced on an Andruw groundout, McCann doubled in both for the early lead. The Braves would not get another hit until the top of the 8th when Francoeur doubled with two outs.
-Andruw Jones should be on the DL. He just can't swing right now.
-For the second time this week, we lost a game in which we had a chance to at least tie the game in the ninth. After McCann opened the inning with a walk, Woody ran for him and took second on a KJ groundout. KJ was ahead 2-0, but swung at ball three (after a four pitch walk no less) and grounded back to the pitcher. That left it up for Willie and Mr. Dyanmic, but neither could get the ball out of the infield.
-Tough loss, though Yatesy had a good game a day after his Big Apple meltdown.
-Octavio Dotel was placed on the DL and in a move that just confuses the fuck out of me, Manny Acosta gets the call. Why, Bobby, why?
-Adam Eaton and Lance Cormier tonight. Las Vegas is predicting 20 runs from this game.
-Not really...well, maybe they are, I don't know.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Braves 7, Metatags 6
-I hate games that give me reason to punch my dog and this game did that. Luckily, my dog Chipper knows when this happens and had baracaded himself in the front closet. He is a smart puppy.
-The Braves fell back by two runs in the early frames. Tim Hudson, like John Smoltz the day before, didn't have his best stuff and got into a lot of jams. His GB/FB ratio was slightly over 50%, which is a sign that he's not getting the late sinking movement he typically enjoys. Nevertheless, the Mets lineup continued its struggles and couldn't take advantage. They scratched a run across in the first and third for the 2-0 lead.
-After getting a run in the fourth on an Andruw Jones sacfly, Chipper Jones absolutely crushed a John Maine pitch. Apparently, he was targetting the Chipper bio on that massive Shea scoreboard. Chipper rarely begins his homerun trot right out of the box, but he could have Barry Bonds'd that one up. Walked half-way to first, did a turn, thank God, hugged his son, ignored his son, whatever. That thing was one of the prettiest homers I have ever seen. My dog Chipper approved.
-Teix followed with a homer of his own. Jones-Teix is going to be a threat for at least another year so enjoy it.
-Braves even got a run on a two-strike safety squeeze bunt by Hudson after Mr. Dynamic Yunel Escobar stole second and advanced on some shitty defense from Jose Reyes as he failed to knock the throw down. The Huddy bunt wasn't perfect, but Maine couldn't make the play and was removed.
-After another run in the seventh when the Mets pretty much conceded a run to get a double play, it was 7-3 entering ninth after some solid work from Ron Mahay and Peter Moylan (5 pitches = 3 outs). Cox goes to Tyler Yates, who hadn't worked in the series. However, Yatesy was horrid. Gotay singled, Reyes doubled, and after a groundout, David Wright make it a one-run ballgame with a homer. Bob Wickman's sore fat arm kept him out so the Braves savior was...
-...Oscar fucking Villarreal? On the second pitch, Carlos Delgado hit what is referred to as a "flyball: LF" It was a bit more.
-Willie Harris EndyChavez'd the Mets and after Moises Alou grounded out, the Braves escape with a 7-6 win and Villy's first save.
-KJ added a pair of hits, including his tenth triple, and Brian McCann had two hits of his own.
-Bob Wickman has returned to Atlanta. No word yet on whether or not he will miss this weekend's series with the Phillies.
-The Braves fell back by two runs in the early frames. Tim Hudson, like John Smoltz the day before, didn't have his best stuff and got into a lot of jams. His GB/FB ratio was slightly over 50%, which is a sign that he's not getting the late sinking movement he typically enjoys. Nevertheless, the Mets lineup continued its struggles and couldn't take advantage. They scratched a run across in the first and third for the 2-0 lead.
-After getting a run in the fourth on an Andruw Jones sacfly, Chipper Jones absolutely crushed a John Maine pitch. Apparently, he was targetting the Chipper bio on that massive Shea scoreboard. Chipper rarely begins his homerun trot right out of the box, but he could have Barry Bonds'd that one up. Walked half-way to first, did a turn, thank God, hugged his son, ignored his son, whatever. That thing was one of the prettiest homers I have ever seen. My dog Chipper approved.
-Teix followed with a homer of his own. Jones-Teix is going to be a threat for at least another year so enjoy it.
-Braves even got a run on a two-strike safety squeeze bunt by Hudson after Mr. Dynamic Yunel Escobar stole second and advanced on some shitty defense from Jose Reyes as he failed to knock the throw down. The Huddy bunt wasn't perfect, but Maine couldn't make the play and was removed.
-After another run in the seventh when the Mets pretty much conceded a run to get a double play, it was 7-3 entering ninth after some solid work from Ron Mahay and Peter Moylan (5 pitches = 3 outs). Cox goes to Tyler Yates, who hadn't worked in the series. However, Yatesy was horrid. Gotay singled, Reyes doubled, and after a groundout, David Wright make it a one-run ballgame with a homer. Bob Wickman's sore fat arm kept him out so the Braves savior was...
-...Oscar fucking Villarreal? On the second pitch, Carlos Delgado hit what is referred to as a "flyball: LF" It was a bit more.
-Willie Harris EndyChavez'd the Mets and after Moises Alou grounded out, the Braves escape with a 7-6 win and Villy's first save.
-KJ added a pair of hits, including his tenth triple, and Brian McCann had two hits of his own.
-Bob Wickman has returned to Atlanta. No word yet on whether or not he will miss this weekend's series with the Phillies.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Metrosexuals 4, Braves 3
-If there is a more disappointing loss this season, I hope I sleep through it.
-We should have won this game. Simple as that. But we did not and that breeds a devastating loss. Luckily, there is that earlyass start-time tomorrow to get over it in some ways.
-John Smoltz struggled some through the first few frames and was around 90 pitches entering the seventh with a 3-1 lead. I feel he's transferring in front of our very eyes. He simply doesn't have his best cutter anymore or his overpowering fastball. He's having to locate more and seems to struggle in the early innings before hitting his stride.
-However, the seventh opened. Smoltz immediately struggled, giving up a single to Old Man Green before Paul LoDouch flew out. However, Smoltz couldn't set down Lastings Milledge and the kid singled. That brought out Bobby Cox for a discussion which eventually led to Smoltz's night ending. Cox had Peter Moylan and Ron Mahay ready. The Mets went with Ruban Gotay, who rakes righties. Cox played the book and brought in the lefty and Randolph in turn went to Damien Easley. Here is where I start to really disagree with Cox. It was a by-the-book move, but you need a twin-killing here and Moylan's sinking action would be a big key. However, Mahay, who has been a LOOGY his entire career, stays in obviously.
-Well, Mahay walks Easley and brings up Jose Reyes with the bases loaded. If you didn't mutter or yell "fuck," you have, as Lewis Black said, "anger problems." However, Mahay got him to hit a looper that Jeff Francoeur _just_ got to. Two away and Luis Castillo, a guy I absolutely hate, steps in. He gets sawed off and singles in two. In some ways, it was bad luck. But bad luck usually needs a situation in which it can go bad. Going to Mahay over Moylan in that situation is the kind of thing that asks for bad luck.
-Moylan, by the way, got the final out.
-After Moises Alou broke the tie in the 8th, the Braves had a real shot in the ninth, but like they do every October, they broke some real hearts. Chipper Jones singled before Mark Teixeira snaked a single through the left side. Cox starts getting cute again and goes to Chris Woodward _OVER_ Brian McCann to get a bunt down. Now, I hate the bunt and I especially hate wasting a pinch hitter on a bunt. Not to mention you possibly force the Mets to walk your hottest hitter, Francoeur. Matt Diaz should have gotten the call if you want to waste McCann here.
-However, Billy Wagner walks Woodward on five pitches. It was the oddest damn thing I'ver seen. Jeff Francoeur hits a hot shot toward third that David Wright briefly bobbles, but recovers to get Chipper at the plate. The bobble kept the twin killing from happening, but it only postponed it. Andruw grounded into the easiest double play ever to end it.
-Horrid game. Just horrid. One I'd like to forget. At 12:10 tomorrow, it will be forgotten.
-We should have won this game. Simple as that. But we did not and that breeds a devastating loss. Luckily, there is that earlyass start-time tomorrow to get over it in some ways.
-John Smoltz struggled some through the first few frames and was around 90 pitches entering the seventh with a 3-1 lead. I feel he's transferring in front of our very eyes. He simply doesn't have his best cutter anymore or his overpowering fastball. He's having to locate more and seems to struggle in the early innings before hitting his stride.
-However, the seventh opened. Smoltz immediately struggled, giving up a single to Old Man Green before Paul LoDouch flew out. However, Smoltz couldn't set down Lastings Milledge and the kid singled. That brought out Bobby Cox for a discussion which eventually led to Smoltz's night ending. Cox had Peter Moylan and Ron Mahay ready. The Mets went with Ruban Gotay, who rakes righties. Cox played the book and brought in the lefty and Randolph in turn went to Damien Easley. Here is where I start to really disagree with Cox. It was a by-the-book move, but you need a twin-killing here and Moylan's sinking action would be a big key. However, Mahay, who has been a LOOGY his entire career, stays in obviously.
-Well, Mahay walks Easley and brings up Jose Reyes with the bases loaded. If you didn't mutter or yell "fuck," you have, as Lewis Black said, "anger problems." However, Mahay got him to hit a looper that Jeff Francoeur _just_ got to. Two away and Luis Castillo, a guy I absolutely hate, steps in. He gets sawed off and singles in two. In some ways, it was bad luck. But bad luck usually needs a situation in which it can go bad. Going to Mahay over Moylan in that situation is the kind of thing that asks for bad luck.
-Moylan, by the way, got the final out.
-After Moises Alou broke the tie in the 8th, the Braves had a real shot in the ninth, but like they do every October, they broke some real hearts. Chipper Jones singled before Mark Teixeira snaked a single through the left side. Cox starts getting cute again and goes to Chris Woodward _OVER_ Brian McCann to get a bunt down. Now, I hate the bunt and I especially hate wasting a pinch hitter on a bunt. Not to mention you possibly force the Mets to walk your hottest hitter, Francoeur. Matt Diaz should have gotten the call if you want to waste McCann here.
-However, Billy Wagner walks Woodward on five pitches. It was the oddest damn thing I'ver seen. Jeff Francoeur hits a hot shot toward third that David Wright briefly bobbles, but recovers to get Chipper at the plate. The bobble kept the twin killing from happening, but it only postponed it. Andruw grounded into the easiest double play ever to end it.
-Horrid game. Just horrid. One I'd like to forget. At 12:10 tomorrow, it will be forgotten.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Braves 7, Metropolitians 3
-Holy foshizzle, the Braves can hit Oliver Perez. Well, for three innings before the offense went in shutdown. I don't buy much into a player's domination over one team, but Ollie was testing that theory with every solid effort he had against the Braves. However, six runs in the first three innings changed that.
-Matt Diaz, hitting second because Cox loves to bury Kelly Johnson, had a solo shot in the first, but was quiet from there. Not so quiet was Jeff Francoeur. He became the latest Brave to challenge Albert Hall's immortality by nearly reaching the cycle. His three-run bomb in the third was the biggest blow to Ollie's day and best birthday gift of the day to yours truly. Francoeur finished with four hits (two doubles, a homer, and a measly single) to with his three ribbies and two walks.
-Chipper Jones, famed Mets killer, got the triple Francoeur needed (bwah) and also challenged Hall, finishing a homer short of the cycle with three hits.
-"My Buddy" Carlyle (don't fucking steal that, Berman) was good for a few innings, but ran into trouble in the fourth and fifth. A runners-on-the-corners and no out situation was helped by a double play that scored the first Mets run. The Mets grounded into three killer twin killings (too much?). In the fifth, My Buddy really sucked, but no Met could get some real contact off of him. Despite just 79 pitches, Carlyle's day was very Chuckish in that it lasted just five innings.
-The bullpen was pretty awesome. Ron Mahay, Octavio Dotel, Rafael Soriano, and Peter Effin Moylan each tossed hitless frames. Mahay walked a batter, but all faced the minimum.
-Huge win and Mets fans are certifiably insane. They are the ones up by 3.5 games, yet they are the ones panicking and talking about how this series and possibly season is lost. I mean, jeez, you still have El Dukie and John Maine going, though they are facing John Smoltz and Tim Hudson.
-Unlike today's shitfest scheduling that had this game on no widely available and easy to access channel (see TBS or WPIX), tomorrow's game will be covered by ESPN and Thursday's EARLY day game (12:10) gets TBS treatment. The Phils destroyed the Marlins to keep pace. If you're a Wild Card watcher, Jake Peavy shutdown the Padres (hardly much of an effort for most human beings (*ahem*, Boomer, *ahem)) and they stay 1.5 games up on the Braves in the Wild Card.
-Matt Diaz, hitting second because Cox loves to bury Kelly Johnson, had a solo shot in the first, but was quiet from there. Not so quiet was Jeff Francoeur. He became the latest Brave to challenge Albert Hall's immortality by nearly reaching the cycle. His three-run bomb in the third was the biggest blow to Ollie's day and best birthday gift of the day to yours truly. Francoeur finished with four hits (two doubles, a homer, and a measly single) to with his three ribbies and two walks.
-Chipper Jones, famed Mets killer, got the triple Francoeur needed (bwah) and also challenged Hall, finishing a homer short of the cycle with three hits.
-"My Buddy" Carlyle (don't fucking steal that, Berman) was good for a few innings, but ran into trouble in the fourth and fifth. A runners-on-the-corners and no out situation was helped by a double play that scored the first Mets run. The Mets grounded into three killer twin killings (too much?). In the fifth, My Buddy really sucked, but no Met could get some real contact off of him. Despite just 79 pitches, Carlyle's day was very Chuckish in that it lasted just five innings.
-The bullpen was pretty awesome. Ron Mahay, Octavio Dotel, Rafael Soriano, and Peter Effin Moylan each tossed hitless frames. Mahay walked a batter, but all faced the minimum.
-Huge win and Mets fans are certifiably insane. They are the ones up by 3.5 games, yet they are the ones panicking and talking about how this series and possibly season is lost. I mean, jeez, you still have El Dukie and John Maine going, though they are facing John Smoltz and Tim Hudson.
-Unlike today's shitfest scheduling that had this game on no widely available and easy to access channel (see TBS or WPIX), tomorrow's game will be covered by ESPN and Thursday's EARLY day game (12:10) gets TBS treatment. The Phils destroyed the Marlins to keep pace. If you're a Wild Card watcher, Jake Peavy shutdown the Padres (hardly much of an effort for most human beings (*ahem*, Boomer, *ahem)) and they stay 1.5 games up on the Braves in the Wild Card.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Atlanta 2, The Good Land 1
Game Notes...
- Strange game. One, the Braves won, which is pretty strange of late. Two, the Braves got pitching - also a bit odd. Three, Andruw Jones hit an opposite field homerun - very queer (context circa 1950's). Oh, and four, Chris Woodward had a hit and Edgar Renteria did not.
- The good pitching came from Chuck James...sorta. He looked a lot like last year's version of working into a big problem inning or two and then getting out of it, something he has lacked this year. He struck out eight and went six innings, easily major accomplishments for a pitcher on this staff not named Tim Hudson or John Smoltz.
- Yatesy...sucked again. But Rafael Soriano is a beast and even Blob Thickman had a good inning.
- Andruw's homer was very strange. He took a swing at a high fastball away and the thing just flew out. Somewhere, Joe Simpson had to change his shorts.
- Chipper missed yet another game. I have never heard of one other player missing games because his thumbs hurt, but that's Chipper for ya.
- Huge, big, monstrous win. With Smoltz and Huddy going in the other two games, Braves have a real shot of taking this road series. They need it. By the way, if my Milwaukee name is too vague of a reference, watch "Wayne's World." If it's not, watch "Wayne's World." In short, watch "Wayne's World."
- Strange game. One, the Braves won, which is pretty strange of late. Two, the Braves got pitching - also a bit odd. Three, Andruw Jones hit an opposite field homerun - very queer (context circa 1950's). Oh, and four, Chris Woodward had a hit and Edgar Renteria did not.
- The good pitching came from Chuck James...sorta. He looked a lot like last year's version of working into a big problem inning or two and then getting out of it, something he has lacked this year. He struck out eight and went six innings, easily major accomplishments for a pitcher on this staff not named Tim Hudson or John Smoltz.
- Yatesy...sucked again. But Rafael Soriano is a beast and even Blob Thickman had a good inning.
- Andruw's homer was very strange. He took a swing at a high fastball away and the thing just flew out. Somewhere, Joe Simpson had to change his shorts.
- Chipper missed yet another game. I have never heard of one other player missing games because his thumbs hurt, but that's Chipper for ya.
- Huge, big, monstrous win. With Smoltz and Huddy going in the other two games, Braves have a real shot of taking this road series. They need it. By the way, if my Milwaukee name is too vague of a reference, watch "Wayne's World." If it's not, watch "Wayne's World." In short, watch "Wayne's World."
Monday, May 28, 2007
Two Game Recap
Game Notes...
- Due to responsibilities and whatnot, I wasn't able to do a recap for each of the last two games. Here they are...in all their...shitiness.
Filthydelphia 6, ATLANTA 4
- It wasn't that Buddy Carlyle was bad in his first game with the Braves. He just wasn't that good and didn't get a lot of defensive help outside a nice Andruw Jones catch. A few breaks and he's looking at a possible victory. But...they didn't come.
- Not that it mattered much because the Braves offense has Derek Bell disease. You know you have a longshot at best on the mound and the bottom six spots in the order managed 3 hits, all singles, to help the top three hits, who had five hits and four extra base hits. Giant surprise you lose that game. With Adam Eaton on the mound for the visiting team no less.
- Renty had the only big day; raising his OPS over .900 with a double and a homer and picking up all four Braves RBIs.
- McCay McBride and Oscar Villarreal kept the team in the game, though McBride let Carlyle's fifth run score after replacing Carlyle in the fifth. Yatesy got touched up for a Shane Victorino homerun in the all-Hawaiian matchup.
- Bobby Cox got ejected from his second straight game. I think of it less of a "ejection" as much as it was an "escape." He's now one ejection away from the record. The ejection came on a chopper that crossed the first base bag, but landed *just* foul. Ron Kulpa immediately ejected Cox without letting him have a word. John Smoltz followed after bitching at Kulpa from the dugout.
- Of all the people in the world, Antonio Alfonsixfingers got the save. God, that's embarrassing.
Filthydelphia 13, ATLANTA 6
- Ugh, it was 4-0 in the first and 11-1 after the top of the fifth came to a close. I didn't even bother to watch this game because I didn't have the power to not poke my eyes out and cut my testicles off. The Braves, still without Chipper Jones and still without the foggiest clue how to win games of late, saw Hiram fail, as Carlyle did the previous day, to get the Braves out of the fifth. He left the game with the bases loaded and just kinda sucked and the overworked pen soon followed in equally sucking fashion.
- Big number for Hiram? 4 grounders to 7 flyballs.
- McBride, Moylan, and Paronto were charged with five runs in 2.2 ING to complete the shitfest.
- Start Villy. Can't hurt.
- The game wasn't even half as close as the final score was. Atlanta scored three runs in the ninth before finally dying their slow and painful death. The only bright spot was Salty and Andruw's homers. It was Salty's first and Andruw's first in about three weeks so maybe they can take that with them up to Milwaukee. Diaz, Willie Harris, Salty, and Thor each had a pair of hits.
Here are the pitching matchups for the series in Miller Park.
Chuck James vs. Chris Capuano
John Smoltz vs. Ben Sheets
Tim Hudson vs. Dave Bush
I like the finale and Capuano hasn't been *that* good. Tuesday's game is obviously the best one of the series.
- Due to responsibilities and whatnot, I wasn't able to do a recap for each of the last two games. Here they are...in all their...shitiness.
Filthydelphia 6, ATLANTA 4
- It wasn't that Buddy Carlyle was bad in his first game with the Braves. He just wasn't that good and didn't get a lot of defensive help outside a nice Andruw Jones catch. A few breaks and he's looking at a possible victory. But...they didn't come.
- Not that it mattered much because the Braves offense has Derek Bell disease. You know you have a longshot at best on the mound and the bottom six spots in the order managed 3 hits, all singles, to help the top three hits, who had five hits and four extra base hits. Giant surprise you lose that game. With Adam Eaton on the mound for the visiting team no less.
- Renty had the only big day; raising his OPS over .900 with a double and a homer and picking up all four Braves RBIs.
- McCay McBride and Oscar Villarreal kept the team in the game, though McBride let Carlyle's fifth run score after replacing Carlyle in the fifth. Yatesy got touched up for a Shane Victorino homerun in the all-Hawaiian matchup.
- Bobby Cox got ejected from his second straight game. I think of it less of a "ejection" as much as it was an "escape." He's now one ejection away from the record. The ejection came on a chopper that crossed the first base bag, but landed *just* foul. Ron Kulpa immediately ejected Cox without letting him have a word. John Smoltz followed after bitching at Kulpa from the dugout.
- Of all the people in the world, Antonio Alfonsixfingers got the save. God, that's embarrassing.
Filthydelphia 13, ATLANTA 6
- Ugh, it was 4-0 in the first and 11-1 after the top of the fifth came to a close. I didn't even bother to watch this game because I didn't have the power to not poke my eyes out and cut my testicles off. The Braves, still without Chipper Jones and still without the foggiest clue how to win games of late, saw Hiram fail, as Carlyle did the previous day, to get the Braves out of the fifth. He left the game with the bases loaded and just kinda sucked and the overworked pen soon followed in equally sucking fashion.
- Big number for Hiram? 4 grounders to 7 flyballs.
- McBride, Moylan, and Paronto were charged with five runs in 2.2 ING to complete the shitfest.
- Start Villy. Can't hurt.
- The game wasn't even half as close as the final score was. Atlanta scored three runs in the ninth before finally dying their slow and painful death. The only bright spot was Salty and Andruw's homers. It was Salty's first and Andruw's first in about three weeks so maybe they can take that with them up to Milwaukee. Diaz, Willie Harris, Salty, and Thor each had a pair of hits.
Here are the pitching matchups for the series in Miller Park.
Chuck James vs. Chris Capuano
John Smoltz vs. Ben Sheets
Tim Hudson vs. Dave Bush
I like the finale and Capuano hasn't been *that* good. Tuesday's game is obviously the best one of the series.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Filthydelphia 8, ATLANTA 3
Game Notes...
- No Series Preview this week. Just don't have time for that.
- Today's lesson, kiddies, is when to pull the trigger. No, no, not on the gun in your mouth that seemed to be there the entire time you watched this game, but on when to take a pitcher out. Here's a SAT-worthy question.
Leaving your high-priced starter in the game, despite him not pitching well, laboring, and already up to 98 pitches coming out of the sixth, is to Losing as _____ is to ____
A - Masturbation is to blindness
B - Masturbation is to winning the lottery
C - Shooting Off Your Foot and then Being Surprised It Hurt
D - Masturbation is to finding the fountain of youth
- Not only was that retarded, but in the seventh, after Hudson loaded the bases with two outs on a HBP, an intentional pass, and an unintentional pass (he worked a wild pitch in there as well) and he stood at 119 pitches, the Braves LEFT him in there. Huge surprise when Greg Dobbs drives in two on Hudson's 122nd pitch.
- I am almost convinced Bobby Cox was making these decisions, too, despite the fact that he was sitting in his office. In the fourth, Paul Emmel rang up Edgar Renteria on a ball that Tom Glavine would have creamed his pants for. Renty, who never argues, was irate and with good reason. Emmel immediately ejected him, which makes me thing back to Bull Durham and this piece of dialogue
Teddy Cullinane: [broadcasting on the radio] I've never seen Crash so angry. And frankly, sports fans, he used a word that's a no-no with umpires.
Millie: [Annie snaps off the radio] Crash must've called the guy a cocksucker.
- Of course, Renty getting ejected caused Bobby to blow a head gasket, which incidentally, my mom did last week. He got his say in before and after the ejection from Emmel was directed at Cox. He's now two away from the record, but despite him being ejected, I am pretty positive the word to keep Huddy in the game came from him and it's just sad that the Braves did that.
- Not that the Braves offense came to play. They managed five hits and only Andruw Jones's double in the second went for extra bases. Weak, weak effort. Chipper Jones, at one point, was on the on-deck circle, but did not bat. In fact, had the Braves gotten to the pitcher's spot in the sixth, he would have hit and Hudson would have been out of the game. Sad.
- Of course, the Mets won. Surprised? Didn't think so. Now, we have to try to win a series with Buddy Carlyle and Kyle Davies pitching. Not good.
- No Series Preview this week. Just don't have time for that.
- Today's lesson, kiddies, is when to pull the trigger. No, no, not on the gun in your mouth that seemed to be there the entire time you watched this game, but on when to take a pitcher out. Here's a SAT-worthy question.
Leaving your high-priced starter in the game, despite him not pitching well, laboring, and already up to 98 pitches coming out of the sixth, is to Losing as _____ is to ____
A - Masturbation is to blindness
B - Masturbation is to winning the lottery
C - Shooting Off Your Foot and then Being Surprised It Hurt
D - Masturbation is to finding the fountain of youth
- Not only was that retarded, but in the seventh, after Hudson loaded the bases with two outs on a HBP, an intentional pass, and an unintentional pass (he worked a wild pitch in there as well) and he stood at 119 pitches, the Braves LEFT him in there. Huge surprise when Greg Dobbs drives in two on Hudson's 122nd pitch.
- I am almost convinced Bobby Cox was making these decisions, too, despite the fact that he was sitting in his office. In the fourth, Paul Emmel rang up Edgar Renteria on a ball that Tom Glavine would have creamed his pants for. Renty, who never argues, was irate and with good reason. Emmel immediately ejected him, which makes me thing back to Bull Durham and this piece of dialogue
Teddy Cullinane: [broadcasting on the radio] I've never seen Crash so angry. And frankly, sports fans, he used a word that's a no-no with umpires.
Millie: [Annie snaps off the radio] Crash must've called the guy a cocksucker.
- Of course, Renty getting ejected caused Bobby to blow a head gasket, which incidentally, my mom did last week. He got his say in before and after the ejection from Emmel was directed at Cox. He's now two away from the record, but despite him being ejected, I am pretty positive the word to keep Huddy in the game came from him and it's just sad that the Braves did that.
- Not that the Braves offense came to play. They managed five hits and only Andruw Jones's double in the second went for extra bases. Weak, weak effort. Chipper Jones, at one point, was on the on-deck circle, but did not bat. In fact, had the Braves gotten to the pitcher's spot in the sixth, he would have hit and Hudson would have been out of the game. Sad.
- Of course, the Mets won. Surprised? Didn't think so. Now, we have to try to win a series with Buddy Carlyle and Kyle Davies pitching. Not good.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
ATLANTA 2, Metrosexuals 1
Game Notes...
- Gotta start with the big news. John Smoltz wins his 200th career game, at Turner Field, against Benedict Arnold Glavine, with a hugeass crowd cheering him on. Gotta love that. 36,660 was the announced attendance, but for once, it felt like a packed house and a vocal packed house at that. They wanted Smoltzie to win so badly and he pitched his heart out. Gave up seven hits, but like with Davies, a few of them were little pussy hits that most games would be outs. Of the 28 batters he faced, nine got it out of the infield. Of those nine, four were outs. Tells ya something. He added five K's and improves to 7-2 with a 2.58 ERA. In his last six starts, Smoltz is 5-1 with an ERA of 1.29. He's been as good as now as ever.
- Wickman made it interesting with an assist from KJ. After Carlos Delgado served a single to left, Shawn Green hit what probably was only a groundout, but KJ was facing toward second to try to turn two and never got control of the ball. A sacrifice bunt and groundout brought home the Mets' one run and put a runner on third, but Jose Reyes popped it up to Renty to end the game.
- Speaking of Renty, he was channeling Rafael Furcal in the sixth. Going toward third, he grabbed a groundball by Carlos Beltran and threw out the fast runner. He did the same thing to Paul LoEffinDuca, but obviously had a bit more time. He batted third because Chipper is out till at least Saturday after a cortisone injection.
- Matt Diaz had another good game with a double and a homer, showing surprise power for the singles machine.
- Braves and Phillies start tomorrow. Hopefully, a preview before the series begins.
- Gotta start with the big news. John Smoltz wins his 200th career game, at Turner Field, against Benedict Arnold Glavine, with a hugeass crowd cheering him on. Gotta love that. 36,660 was the announced attendance, but for once, it felt like a packed house and a vocal packed house at that. They wanted Smoltzie to win so badly and he pitched his heart out. Gave up seven hits, but like with Davies, a few of them were little pussy hits that most games would be outs. Of the 28 batters he faced, nine got it out of the infield. Of those nine, four were outs. Tells ya something. He added five K's and improves to 7-2 with a 2.58 ERA. In his last six starts, Smoltz is 5-1 with an ERA of 1.29. He's been as good as now as ever.
- Wickman made it interesting with an assist from KJ. After Carlos Delgado served a single to left, Shawn Green hit what probably was only a groundout, but KJ was facing toward second to try to turn two and never got control of the ball. A sacrifice bunt and groundout brought home the Mets' one run and put a runner on third, but Jose Reyes popped it up to Renty to end the game.
- Speaking of Renty, he was channeling Rafael Furcal in the sixth. Going toward third, he grabbed a groundball by Carlos Beltran and threw out the fast runner. He did the same thing to Paul LoEffinDuca, but obviously had a bit more time. He batted third because Chipper is out till at least Saturday after a cortisone injection.
- Matt Diaz had another good game with a double and a homer, showing surprise power for the singles machine.
- Braves and Phillies start tomorrow. Hopefully, a preview before the series begins.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Metrosexuals 3, ATLANTA 0
Games Notes...
- Don't you hate it when the Braves just seem to accept a loss is coming? Bobby sure did or he had a bet going with his bookie that the Braves would fall in this game because he benched KJ, McCann, and Thorman. The traditionalist says, "Oliver Perez pitches with his lefthand and therefore, lefthanded batters shouldn't be up there." The conspiracy nut wants an investigation started. And now dammit.
- Beyond that, Chuck James was his usual shitty self. Seven hits and three walks, James skated through a lot of trouble, but runs were bound to score. A no-catch by Martin Prado on a stolen base attempt led to one of the three runs being unearned. He just was not able to keep runners off base and thus had a high pitch count and was lifted before finishing the fifth. That marked the 8th time in ten games James has failed to give the team six.
- Pen was awesome. Paronto got the final batter of the fifth before Aussie Moylan shut down all six batters he faced. El Vulture hit a pair of Mets (kudos for one of them being Paul EffinDuca) and mixed an intentional walk in there, but struck out two and Shawn Green grounded out on a belt-high pitch to end a bases loaded mess. Yatesy then came in and threw hard cheese by every batter he saw.
- Offensively, there were four instances in the game in which the leadoff runner was on. Their production went like this.
2nd - Andruw HBP - wiped out on a double play
3rd - James singles - wild pitch and a flyout got him to third, stranded.
5th - Willie Mays Hayes Harris walks - Steals second with one out, stranded.
7th - Salty singles - stranded after two K's and a popup.
- Salty had a two-hit game, but nobody else was able to do anything against Oliver Perez. Woody and Prado, the two retarded replacements, went a combined 0 for 8 with Woody striking out three times, none more embarrassing than the final one in which he stared at strike three from Billy Wagner.
- Oddly, the best chance to score came in the third. After James singled and Oliver Perez uncorcked a wild pitch, Prado got under a flyball to right. Green made a diving catch and it allowed James to get to third. Renty walked on a close pitch and stole second. Chipper at the plate, you like your chances, right? Well, he hit it hard, right at Delgado. Two away. Francoeur takes a ball right off his foot and had he just danced out of the way, it would have been a second wild pitch and James would have scored. As it was, it hit his foot and Diaz flied out. Miserable.
- Frustating game with few moments to smile about...and Joe "Other Way" Simpson bugs me as much as Chip Carey bugs me. I can't sync the radio feed with what I'm seeing on the TV cause if I could, I would listen to the radio. Simpson fails to understand that just because you always went the other way does not mean everyone should.
- Don't you hate it when the Braves just seem to accept a loss is coming? Bobby sure did or he had a bet going with his bookie that the Braves would fall in this game because he benched KJ, McCann, and Thorman. The traditionalist says, "Oliver Perez pitches with his lefthand and therefore, lefthanded batters shouldn't be up there." The conspiracy nut wants an investigation started. And now dammit.
- Beyond that, Chuck James was his usual shitty self. Seven hits and three walks, James skated through a lot of trouble, but runs were bound to score. A no-catch by Martin Prado on a stolen base attempt led to one of the three runs being unearned. He just was not able to keep runners off base and thus had a high pitch count and was lifted before finishing the fifth. That marked the 8th time in ten games James has failed to give the team six.
- Pen was awesome. Paronto got the final batter of the fifth before Aussie Moylan shut down all six batters he faced. El Vulture hit a pair of Mets (kudos for one of them being Paul EffinDuca) and mixed an intentional walk in there, but struck out two and Shawn Green grounded out on a belt-high pitch to end a bases loaded mess. Yatesy then came in and threw hard cheese by every batter he saw.
- Offensively, there were four instances in the game in which the leadoff runner was on. Their production went like this.
2nd - Andruw HBP - wiped out on a double play
3rd - James singles - wild pitch and a flyout got him to third, stranded.
5th - Willie Mays Hayes Harris walks - Steals second with one out, stranded.
7th - Salty singles - stranded after two K's and a popup.
- Salty had a two-hit game, but nobody else was able to do anything against Oliver Perez. Woody and Prado, the two retarded replacements, went a combined 0 for 8 with Woody striking out three times, none more embarrassing than the final one in which he stared at strike three from Billy Wagner.
- Oddly, the best chance to score came in the third. After James singled and Oliver Perez uncorcked a wild pitch, Prado got under a flyball to right. Green made a diving catch and it allowed James to get to third. Renty walked on a close pitch and stole second. Chipper at the plate, you like your chances, right? Well, he hit it hard, right at Delgado. Two away. Francoeur takes a ball right off his foot and had he just danced out of the way, it would have been a second wild pitch and James would have scored. As it was, it hit his foot and Diaz flied out. Miserable.
- Frustating game with few moments to smile about...and Joe "Other Way" Simpson bugs me as much as Chip Carey bugs me. I can't sync the radio feed with what I'm seeing on the TV cause if I could, I would listen to the radio. Simpson fails to understand that just because you always went the other way does not mean everyone should.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
ATLANTA 8, New York Metrosexuals 1
Game Notes...
- You know its a good day when your pitcher drives in more runs than he gives up. Hiram gave up six hits, three of which were pretty weak, in eight innings to cruise to his second win. He walked two, struck out three, and allowed the only Muts run. In the sixth, I wrote in the chopnation game thread "Try to hit a homer, Hiram." He did and it was a three run bomb to dead effin center. It was the icing on the cake for him. In the fifth, he pitched around a shitty seeing-eye single that neither KJ or Renty could get to and got a mini break that a runner was called out at second after KJ dropped the ball. He was trying to turn two, but forgot to catch it. Luckily, it was called an out and shortened the inning (though, it should have been a double play anyway).
- KJ, McCann, and ANDRUW each had a pair of hits. And Thorman orgasmed all over a ball from Jorge Sosa. That sounds gross, but if you had seen him hit the ball, you'd understand. High fastball (though technically, Sosa has no real "fastball") and Thor had one of those moments that makes you say "holy shit..."
- Andruw did look much better. He had more balance in his swing. His battle with Delgado for worst cleanup hitter in the NL East is over with Andruw batting sixth, but whereas Delgado went 0 for 4, Andruw had an RBI single and a double.
- Great moment when Hiram hit his homer. To watch Francoeur and McCann jump around like little leaguers. I'm sure Jenny will talk about it either at her blog or at Talking Chop, but was awesome to see.
- Wickmoo got into the game and had a very Wicky McFatty outing. Two quick outs, two singles, a third out.
- Gotta like your chances to take the series when you win the first game.
- You know its a good day when your pitcher drives in more runs than he gives up. Hiram gave up six hits, three of which were pretty weak, in eight innings to cruise to his second win. He walked two, struck out three, and allowed the only Muts run. In the sixth, I wrote in the chopnation game thread "Try to hit a homer, Hiram." He did and it was a three run bomb to dead effin center. It was the icing on the cake for him. In the fifth, he pitched around a shitty seeing-eye single that neither KJ or Renty could get to and got a mini break that a runner was called out at second after KJ dropped the ball. He was trying to turn two, but forgot to catch it. Luckily, it was called an out and shortened the inning (though, it should have been a double play anyway).
- KJ, McCann, and ANDRUW each had a pair of hits. And Thorman orgasmed all over a ball from Jorge Sosa. That sounds gross, but if you had seen him hit the ball, you'd understand. High fastball (though technically, Sosa has no real "fastball") and Thor had one of those moments that makes you say "holy shit..."
- Andruw did look much better. He had more balance in his swing. His battle with Delgado for worst cleanup hitter in the NL East is over with Andruw batting sixth, but whereas Delgado went 0 for 4, Andruw had an RBI single and a double.
- Great moment when Hiram hit his homer. To watch Francoeur and McCann jump around like little leaguers. I'm sure Jenny will talk about it either at her blog or at Talking Chop, but was awesome to see.
- Wickmoo got into the game and had a very Wicky McFatty outing. Two quick outs, two singles, a third out.
- Gotta like your chances to take the series when you win the first game.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Red Sux 6, Atlanta 3
Game Notes...
- For a game we never seemed to have a shot at, we did a damn good job sticking around long enough to make it one of the most frustrating loses. Tim Hudson was pretty horrible the first two frames. His location was all over theplace strikezone and the Boston Red Sox are too damn good to miss mistake pitches. The worst pitch was a fastball to Jason Varitek in the first. Verrrrrytech had been late on the inside fastball and Hudson had him ready to end the first. Instead, his fastball was practically down the middle (McCann was set up inside) and Very Tech.edu took it into right field, ending up with a triple.
- Jeff Francoeur has absolutely no range. We essentially have no-hit defender in center and all-hit, no-glove guy in right. Francoeur overran a belted flyball to right in the first that could have potentially put a stop to the inning. If you want to be a contender, you gotta make those plays. It's not just the errors that show up as defensive mistakes.
- Speaking of the no-hit guy in center...Andruw hit rock bottom. 0 for 5, 5 strikeouts, and 7 runners left on base - including two in the ninth - as he was hitting sixth. Part of me says he has to start hitting now, right?
- Matt Diaz may be the most complete outfielder we have. God, that's odd to think. Mr. Unathletic went 4 for 5, made a nice catch, and picked up an RBI. Granted, everything he hit went for singles...
- Macay McBasesOnBalls didn't walk anyone and set down all four people he faced after relieving Huddy. Crafty. Most dominating performance by anyone came via Rafael Soriano. He totally pwned three Red Sox batters in the eighth, getting a pair of K's.
- Martin Prado got the start at second and may have hit a two-run homer had we played in a less-nutty park with a Green Monster. No word on how long he will remain with the team, but it can't be for too long.
- Salty had the at-bat of the game. In the 6th, he faced Brendan Donnelly and was the main reason Donnelly faced four batters and threw 23 pitches. J-Salt saw about ten pitches and coaxed a walk that brought in Francoeur. Of course, Thor followed with a double play to end the rally in the sixth.
- Later today, I'll preview the series with the Muts.
- For a game we never seemed to have a shot at, we did a damn good job sticking around long enough to make it one of the most frustrating loses. Tim Hudson was pretty horrible the first two frames. His location was all over the
- Jeff Francoeur has absolutely no range. We essentially have no-hit defender in center and all-hit, no-glove guy in right. Francoeur overran a belted flyball to right in the first that could have potentially put a stop to the inning. If you want to be a contender, you gotta make those plays. It's not just the errors that show up as defensive mistakes.
- Speaking of the no-hit guy in center...Andruw hit rock bottom. 0 for 5, 5 strikeouts, and 7 runners left on base - including two in the ninth - as he was hitting sixth. Part of me says he has to start hitting now, right?
- Matt Diaz may be the most complete outfielder we have. God, that's odd to think. Mr. Unathletic went 4 for 5, made a nice catch, and picked up an RBI. Granted, everything he hit went for singles...
- Macay McBasesOnBalls didn't walk anyone and set down all four people he faced after relieving Huddy. Crafty. Most dominating performance by anyone came via Rafael Soriano. He totally pwned three Red Sox batters in the eighth, getting a pair of K's.
- Martin Prado got the start at second and may have hit a two-run homer had we played in a less-nutty park with a Green Monster. No word on how long he will remain with the team, but it can't be for too long.
- Salty had the at-bat of the game. In the 6th, he faced Brendan Donnelly and was the main reason Donnelly faced four batters and threw 23 pitches. J-Salt saw about ten pitches and coaxed a walk that brought in Francoeur. Of course, Thor followed with a double play to end the rally in the sixth.
- Later today, I'll preview the series with the Muts.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Atlanta 14, Red Sux 0
Game Notes...
- Something weird happened on the way to the park today. The Red Sox said to themselves, "well, being we are so close to Haaavard, we should be smart about this. Oh, I got it! We will focus entirely on the game with Dice-K against some French guy. LaRue? Lerew? Whoever." Meanwhile, the Braves said to themselves, "Ya know, we got Smoltzie on the mound and we just hate to waste his great effort. And being from the south, what kind of guests would we be if we did not give the Red Sox their moment? We will focus on the second game and let the first Jap since that hot dog eating guy have his way with an American sport." It worked.
- John Smoltz is from another era. Five days after dislocating his pinky on his pitching hand, Smoltzie allowed three hits, a walk, and struck out seven. He did throw two wild pitches and seemed to struggle to have his control popping in the first, but after that, he was the Smoltzie we all love and cheer. He improved to 6-2, lowers his ERA under 3.00, and is now 17th all-time in strikeouts. In slightly over 20 innings at Fenway, hardly a pitcher's haven, the man, the myth, the balding hero has now allowed a run. I guess what I'm saying is: Smoltzie, did you ever know you're my hero? (the Bette Midler in us all begins to sing)
- Chipper Jones got it started early with his 12th homerun. He went 3 for 5, but oddly did not have one of the _EIGHT_ doubles the Braves cranked out. Brian McCann had three of them and drove in a pair while Matt Diaz doubled and homered, showing unusual power for the singles machine.
- KJ busted out of his slump that had him at .265 at one point with a double, a homer, and a triple in that order. He was not able to get the single, but drove in five runs.
- Salty got the start at DH and had his first extra base hit, predictably a double, and drove in a run.
- According to the announcers, Andruw Jones was scratched with a sore back. Oddly, when the lineup was originally announced, it was Brian McCann in Andruw's usual cleanup spot with Andruw demoted to sixth. Was his back hurting or his ego? Guess we'll find out tomorrow.
- Something weird happened on the way to the park today. The Red Sox said to themselves, "well, being we are so close to Haaavard, we should be smart about this. Oh, I got it! We will focus entirely on the game with Dice-K against some French guy. LaRue? Lerew? Whoever." Meanwhile, the Braves said to themselves, "Ya know, we got Smoltzie on the mound and we just hate to waste his great effort. And being from the south, what kind of guests would we be if we did not give the Red Sox their moment? We will focus on the second game and let the first Jap since that hot dog eating guy have his way with an American sport." It worked.
- John Smoltz is from another era. Five days after dislocating his pinky on his pitching hand, Smoltzie allowed three hits, a walk, and struck out seven. He did throw two wild pitches and seemed to struggle to have his control popping in the first, but after that, he was the Smoltzie we all love and cheer. He improved to 6-2, lowers his ERA under 3.00, and is now 17th all-time in strikeouts. In slightly over 20 innings at Fenway, hardly a pitcher's haven, the man, the myth, the balding hero has now allowed a run. I guess what I'm saying is: Smoltzie, did you ever know you're my hero? (the Bette Midler in us all begins to sing)
- Chipper Jones got it started early with his 12th homerun. He went 3 for 5, but oddly did not have one of the _EIGHT_ doubles the Braves cranked out. Brian McCann had three of them and drove in a pair while Matt Diaz doubled and homered, showing unusual power for the singles machine.
- KJ busted out of his slump that had him at .265 at one point with a double, a homer, and a triple in that order. He was not able to get the single, but drove in five runs.
- Salty got the start at DH and had his first extra base hit, predictably a double, and drove in a run.
- According to the announcers, Andruw Jones was scratched with a sore back. Oddly, when the lineup was originally announced, it was Brian McCann in Andruw's usual cleanup spot with Andruw demoted to sixth. Was his back hurting or his ego? Guess we'll find out tomorrow.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Red Sux 13, Atlanta 3
Game Notes...
- The Braves have lost five of six and if they do not win tonight's double header conclusion, it is time to sound the panic alarm. It may still be May, but you can lose a division in May and the Mets do not look like a team that is going to let up anytime soon.
- The marks I had in my last column will take a dive. Anthony Lerew went two innings, 48 pitches, and 13 batters. In that time, he gave up five hits, walked two (one intentional), surrendered a lucky amound of just three runs, and served up a pair of homers. His ERA rests at 7.71 and sadly, that is the third highest of the six pitchers the Braves used today. Just the third!
- The Indian gave in and gave up a Grannie. Apparently Bobby wanted to see how high his ERA could get jacked up. Chad Paronto is the Veggie Burrito now as he doesn't have enough beef to get any outs anymore. I think he's afraid to let loose.
- Only Villy and the Aussie thrrew scoreless innings. They are the heroes. Nobody went longer than Lerew's two innings and we have another game tonight? I have to believe someone is getting called up. Hell, right now, I'll take Tanyon Sturtze getting his chance.
- The Braves had a nice seventh inning and eight shitty innings. Chipper Jones doubled and after Andruw Jones grounded out (as he was in the process of another 0-for-4 day), Jarrod Saltalamacchia singled in Andruw and jogged home on a Jeff Francoeur jack. Salty had two hits after replacing McCann when the score got a little nuts while Francoeur had three. Renty had three. Hell, we had ten hits, but only Chipper's double and Francoeur's homer went for extra bases. Until the seventh, we couldn't even get a runner to second.
- Oh, and the Mets are winning. Super! I need a hug.
- The Braves have lost five of six and if they do not win tonight's double header conclusion, it is time to sound the panic alarm. It may still be May, but you can lose a division in May and the Mets do not look like a team that is going to let up anytime soon.
- The marks I had in my last column will take a dive. Anthony Lerew went two innings, 48 pitches, and 13 batters. In that time, he gave up five hits, walked two (one intentional), surrendered a lucky amound of just three runs, and served up a pair of homers. His ERA rests at 7.71 and sadly, that is the third highest of the six pitchers the Braves used today. Just the third!
- The Indian gave in and gave up a Grannie. Apparently Bobby wanted to see how high his ERA could get jacked up. Chad Paronto is the Veggie Burrito now as he doesn't have enough beef to get any outs anymore. I think he's afraid to let loose.
- Only Villy and the Aussie thrrew scoreless innings. They are the heroes. Nobody went longer than Lerew's two innings and we have another game tonight? I have to believe someone is getting called up. Hell, right now, I'll take Tanyon Sturtze getting his chance.
- The Braves had a nice seventh inning and eight shitty innings. Chipper Jones doubled and after Andruw Jones grounded out (as he was in the process of another 0-for-4 day), Jarrod Saltalamacchia singled in Andruw and jogged home on a Jeff Francoeur jack. Salty had two hits after replacing McCann when the score got a little nuts while Francoeur had three. Renty had three. Hell, we had ten hits, but only Chipper's double and Francoeur's homer went for extra bases. Until the seventh, we couldn't even get a runner to second.
- Oh, and the Mets are winning. Super! I need a hug.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Gnats 4, Atlanta 3
Game Notes...
- It has taken me about eight or nine hours to write this post so that it would not be filled with hate and disgust at losing 3-out-4 to the Washington Nationals. The friggin' Nationals. Their cleanup hitter is Ryan Church. The .456 career slugging Ryan Church. Oh, and they started Tony Batista and Nook Logan today. And the Braves lose. Shit on a stick, what the hell is going on? My take is that the Braves were not as good as their record made them out to be.
- Yet again, the Braves offense mailed it in. Chipper homered, a towering blast that had NORAD on stand-by because of how far it went, but that was about all of the excitement for the Braves. Salty went 0 for 3, dropping his AVG to .200. Matt Diaz, batting leadoff because Bobby apparently didn't take his meds today, had a pair of singles and even got an RBI, but all told, the Braves managed five hits and one - ONE! - extra base hit. Against Matt Chico. I don't have enough creativity to make shit up like that.
- Chuck James sucked. Oh, he looked decent coming into the fifth inning, but that was only because he hadn't found his complete suckitude. Despite laboring through a horrible fifth inning, Cox again forgot his meds and sent Chuck(ie) out for a sixth inning. It...did...not...go...well. All told, the strikes were there, the quality effort was not. Chad Paronto comes in and faces two hitters and both seem to be Ty Cobb and single on pitches that weren't even strikes.
- Yatesy was golden. 1.2 ING, he walked a batter and got a double play. Peter Moylan Aussie'd up a Kevin Gryboski-esk inning with a base hit and a walk, but no runs.
- The terrible threesome of Billy Traber, Jesus Colome, and Jon Rauch allowed - wait for it - no runners in their three innings.
- Gerry Davis had an interesting strikezone. Borderline calls over the inside, balls. Borderline pitches that aren't even close to the strikezone on the outside, strikes. I felt like Erik Gregg was back from the dead and terrorizing us yet again.
- After the game, the Braves did something that only means they want me to jump off something really tall. They sent down Brayan Pena, after activating him for a game, and promoted Mark Redman. Well, jeez, that will be swell.
- It has taken me about eight or nine hours to write this post so that it would not be filled with hate and disgust at losing 3-out-4 to the Washington Nationals. The friggin' Nationals. Their cleanup hitter is Ryan Church. The .456 career slugging Ryan Church. Oh, and they started Tony Batista and Nook Logan today. And the Braves lose. Shit on a stick, what the hell is going on? My take is that the Braves were not as good as their record made them out to be.
- Yet again, the Braves offense mailed it in. Chipper homered, a towering blast that had NORAD on stand-by because of how far it went, but that was about all of the excitement for the Braves. Salty went 0 for 3, dropping his AVG to .200. Matt Diaz, batting leadoff because Bobby apparently didn't take his meds today, had a pair of singles and even got an RBI, but all told, the Braves managed five hits and one - ONE! - extra base hit. Against Matt Chico. I don't have enough creativity to make shit up like that.
- Chuck James sucked. Oh, he looked decent coming into the fifth inning, but that was only because he hadn't found his complete suckitude. Despite laboring through a horrible fifth inning, Cox again forgot his meds and sent Chuck(ie) out for a sixth inning. It...did...not...go...well. All told, the strikes were there, the quality effort was not. Chad Paronto comes in and faces two hitters and both seem to be Ty Cobb and single on pitches that weren't even strikes.
- Yatesy was golden. 1.2 ING, he walked a batter and got a double play. Peter Moylan Aussie'd up a Kevin Gryboski-esk inning with a base hit and a walk, but no runs.
- The terrible threesome of Billy Traber, Jesus Colome, and Jon Rauch allowed - wait for it - no runners in their three innings.
- Gerry Davis had an interesting strikezone. Borderline calls over the inside, balls. Borderline pitches that aren't even close to the strikezone on the outside, strikes. I felt like Erik Gregg was back from the dead and terrorizing us yet again.
- After the game, the Braves did something that only means they want me to jump off something really tall. They sent down Brayan Pena, after activating him for a game, and promoted Mark Redman. Well, jeez, that will be swell.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Gnats 6, Atlanta 4
Game Notes...
- Here is a mathamatical equation, don't try too hard. If you get a flyball and two easy grounders right at the infielders, how many outs is that? Well, if you were the Braves in the fifth inning of tonight's game, that actually equals just two outs. In the fifth, Ryan Langerhans singled off Kyle Davies and thus, Langer is now dubbed Langer The Rally Starter. Jesus Flores, some random Rule 5 pick, then worked his way on via a walk. Christian Guzman followed with a little grounder to second...double play...or not. Kelly Johnson got distracted by a penny or something. Actually, he tried to get a triple play despite there being one out. He hurried, bobbled the ball, and then had to fetch it like a dog. Ronnie Belliard followed with a fielder's choice to bring in Langer. A walk to Ryan Zimmerman followed before Ryan Church doubled on Davies' biggest mistake of the game. The Braves entered the inning leading 4-2. They exited the inning losing 6-4.
- And the offense apparently was employing Derek Bell because it was on Operation Shutdown. After the lead was given up, they managed a KJ single to open the seventh. That's about it. Facing the incredible Ray King, Winston Abreu, Saul Rivera, Chad Cordero, and Jon Rauch. Good job, team!
- Davies looked great. For about four innings. Zimmerman is getting hot and hit some good pitches off of him, but beyond that, Davies had his best stuff. He gave up six runs, but two were earned, in 4.2 ING.
- The bullpen stepped up to keep it close. Chad Paronto walked the first batter he faced, but he finished the fifth, Villy set down all six batters he faced, and Wickmoo got into his first game and set his guys down as well.
- The Braves were officially sold. Fuckadoodledoo.
- And finally, looks like Gonzo is hurt. Now, we have Macay McBasesOnBalls (credit: Jenny). Could we have had any good news today? Just a little? Oh, yeah, Chipper was back in the lineup. Good to see he avoided the DL.
- Here is a mathamatical equation, don't try too hard. If you get a flyball and two easy grounders right at the infielders, how many outs is that? Well, if you were the Braves in the fifth inning of tonight's game, that actually equals just two outs. In the fifth, Ryan Langerhans singled off Kyle Davies and thus, Langer is now dubbed Langer The Rally Starter. Jesus Flores, some random Rule 5 pick, then worked his way on via a walk. Christian Guzman followed with a little grounder to second...double play...or not. Kelly Johnson got distracted by a penny or something. Actually, he tried to get a triple play despite there being one out. He hurried, bobbled the ball, and then had to fetch it like a dog. Ronnie Belliard followed with a fielder's choice to bring in Langer. A walk to Ryan Zimmerman followed before Ryan Church doubled on Davies' biggest mistake of the game. The Braves entered the inning leading 4-2. They exited the inning losing 6-4.
- And the offense apparently was employing Derek Bell because it was on Operation Shutdown. After the lead was given up, they managed a KJ single to open the seventh. That's about it. Facing the incredible Ray King, Winston Abreu, Saul Rivera, Chad Cordero, and Jon Rauch. Good job, team!
- Davies looked great. For about four innings. Zimmerman is getting hot and hit some good pitches off of him, but beyond that, Davies had his best stuff. He gave up six runs, but two were earned, in 4.2 ING.
- The bullpen stepped up to keep it close. Chad Paronto walked the first batter he faced, but he finished the fifth, Villy set down all six batters he faced, and Wickmoo got into his first game and set his guys down as well.
- The Braves were officially sold. Fuckadoodledoo.
- And finally, looks like Gonzo is hurt. Now, we have Macay McBasesOnBalls (credit: Jenny). Could we have had any good news today? Just a little? Oh, yeah, Chipper was back in the lineup. Good to see he avoided the DL.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Atlanta 6, Gnats 2
Game Notes...
- Bob Wickman was activated and Kevin Barry sent down with Bobby Cox expressing that Wickmoo was his man in the ninth. Enjoy it now, Blob Thickman because the Braves saw all they needed from Rafael Soriano to know that next year, he will be the closer. Fatty Wickfatty just doesn't inspire much confidence.
- Edgar Renteria had his second two-homer game of the year in the victory. He was batting third because Chipper still has sore wrists. I've had sort wrists before, though the product of that may have differed. Renty went 3 for 5 with 3 runs scored and 3 RBIs. And my chopnation friend KB said that having him hit third was a bad idea. Bwahahaha
- Tim Hudson brought a perfect game into the fifth before he seemed to lost his effectiveness for an inning. For some reason, he seems to do this every start. If he throws six innings, five were good. If he throws eight innings, seven were good. This time, he throws seven and six were good. All except the fifth when he had a few fullcounts and walked Brian Schneider before Robert Fick singled to first. That play, though, probably should have been an out. Somewhere, Lou Brown was telling Scott Thorman to stop his "o'lay" bullshit and get in front of the damn ball. Ryan Langerhans stepped in and Huddy had him 0-2 on inside fastballs, which Langer just can't hit right now. McCann called another and had it been there, Langer probably K's. It was over the plate and Langer served it to left for an RBI single. But beyond that, Huddy allowed just a hit and struck out four while inducing 14 grounders on the day.
- The Braves as a team induced 16 grounders and struck out five. Damn good work.
- Gonzo looked bad, though. He was checked for an injury and didn't throw his fastball. Gotta wonder what's up with him. Soriano, on the other hand, looked awesome in getting the last four outs. He's a monster.
- Francoeur can't hit a fastball with velocity. He's the anti-Pedro Serrano. Two Major League references in the same post? And they thought it couldn't be done...
- The tag line for the Nationals this year is "Pledge Your Allegiance to the Nationals." Every time I hear Don Sutton say that, I want to have him brought up on treason charges.
- Bob Wickman was activated and Kevin Barry sent down with Bobby Cox expressing that Wickmoo was his man in the ninth. Enjoy it now, Blob Thickman because the Braves saw all they needed from Rafael Soriano to know that next year, he will be the closer. Fatty Wickfatty just doesn't inspire much confidence.
- Edgar Renteria had his second two-homer game of the year in the victory. He was batting third because Chipper still has sore wrists. I've had sort wrists before, though the product of that may have differed. Renty went 3 for 5 with 3 runs scored and 3 RBIs. And my chopnation friend KB said that having him hit third was a bad idea. Bwahahaha
- Tim Hudson brought a perfect game into the fifth before he seemed to lost his effectiveness for an inning. For some reason, he seems to do this every start. If he throws six innings, five were good. If he throws eight innings, seven were good. This time, he throws seven and six were good. All except the fifth when he had a few fullcounts and walked Brian Schneider before Robert Fick singled to first. That play, though, probably should have been an out. Somewhere, Lou Brown was telling Scott Thorman to stop his "o'lay" bullshit and get in front of the damn ball. Ryan Langerhans stepped in and Huddy had him 0-2 on inside fastballs, which Langer just can't hit right now. McCann called another and had it been there, Langer probably K's. It was over the plate and Langer served it to left for an RBI single. But beyond that, Huddy allowed just a hit and struck out four while inducing 14 grounders on the day.
- The Braves as a team induced 16 grounders and struck out five. Damn good work.
- Gonzo looked bad, though. He was checked for an injury and didn't throw his fastball. Gotta wonder what's up with him. Soriano, on the other hand, looked awesome in getting the last four outs. He's a monster.
- Francoeur can't hit a fastball with velocity. He's the anti-Pedro Serrano. Two Major League references in the same post? And they thought it couldn't be done...
- The tag line for the Nationals this year is "Pledge Your Allegiance to the Nationals." Every time I hear Don Sutton say that, I want to have him brought up on treason charges.
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