In their last series at Shea Stadium before the Mets move across the street, the Braves finished in the same way they have finished many three-game sets in Flushing since 1991. They won the series two games to one. After halting their infamous one-run game losing streak on the road with a 3-2 win in the opener of the double header against Johan Santana and Company yesterday, the Braves failed to score with a lineup that even the eternally optimistic Bobby Cox had to feel a little down about putting up.
Gregor Blanco, CF
Martin Prado, 2B
Kelly Effin Johnson, 2B
Omar Infante, LF
Krotchy McKrotchman, 1B
The French Prince, RF
Lillipad, SS
Clint Sammons, C
Jo-Jo Reyes, P
While there is never an excuse to get shutout by a rookie who the Brew Crew tore a new one in his major league debut, that is still pretty bad.
However, they dusted off, got off the mat, shook off the cobwebs, insert sports cliche here, and came from behind to beat the Mets 7-4 earlier today. The Mets fans, who enter hysteria at the smallest sign of failure, were on suicide watch following the game as nightmares of last September began. Luis Ayala, who I picked up for my fantasy team (oops) entered with a 4-2 lead, built by Braves slayer Oliver Perez and seven quality innings. Ayala then allowed three consecutive hits to Krotchy, PH KJ (sounds like code), and Greg "The Hammer" Norton. Norton's hit went the distance, though, and the game was quickly 5-4. Not to be outdone, Pedro Feliciano entered to allowed two hits and walk two and get charged with the other two runs to build a three run lead that Gonzo could not surrender.
Jorge Julio, who tossed an unimpressive 8th, improved to 2-0 in seven games with the Braves. He has pitched like shit, but that's why win-loss record is increasingly frustrating.
The win, combined with Philly sweeping a pair from the Brewers, has tightened the race in the NL East and the Wild Card. The latter is now tied between the Brewers and Phillies and the NL East is now separated by just a game. But none of that matters. The Braves have now won seven of their last ten. This is a team that won just nine of 29 games in the month of August so perspective, people!
CHIPPER WATCH 2008
Chipper Jones went 3 for 5 today. Albert Pujols went 2 for 4. Here is the updated batting average.
Chipper - .36471
Pujols - .36008
Elsewhere, these people believe Matt Holliday might be in the future for the Braves. A hypothetical offer...KJ, Thomas Hanson, Gorkys Hernandez, and Kyle Cofield. Holliday is due $13.5M next season and will be a free agent after 2009. His agent is Scott Boras. I'm just not too keen on trading away the system for another player. And for the record, though I am not trying to say his OPS away from Coors will turn into his full season OPS, he is only OPSing .803 away from Coors in his career. He is a good hitter, but he's certainly not that awesome.
This quote from Ned Colletti bugs me. “I’ll let you know in a year.” The quote was to the question did he regret signing Andruw Jones? Well, you know, Colletti, you knew the dangers. Andruw has not changed. What, did you think you could throw a shitload of money at him and suddenly, he is Alex Rodriguez? It does not work like that. You should take responsibility for that signing, not pass it on to Andruw.
By the way, I am in love with Kat Dennings. She makes me feel funny like I gotta hurl. Wayne says that I should hurl and "If you blow chunks and she comes back, she's yours. But if you spew and she bolts, then it was never meant to be." Hmm...worth a shot.
Showing posts with label Mets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mets. Show all posts
Monday, September 15, 2008
Monday, September 3, 2007
The Sweep
Three loses.
Three demoralizing days.
Three cheers for the end of the season...
There's hope and there's the real facts. I never got into religion much because of the idea that you ignore the more sensible in your face evidence for the figure in space you can't touch, nor feel in any tangible way.
Well, my hope is completely gone for similar reasons. The truth is that starting pitching is the name of the game and that won't change. Sure, you can get unreasonably hot at any particular time of the year and maybe you can even sustain it ala Cardinals of last year. However, the more likely outcome will be that the team with the most pitching will be playing in October while the other teams pack up their locker room belongings.
The Braves put up little fight as the Mets trampled them at the Ted. The score of the last game was close, a one-run affair, but anyone who watched the game knows that the Braves never seemed like they even had a shot.
Somewhere among the nagging Chipper Jones injuries, Andruw Jones going through the worst year of his career, and Schuerholz seemingly throwing away any young pitcher in the system, the truth about the Braves became abundantly clear. They are not good enough. Not this year, not with this pitching staff, not in a division that includes teams willing to get better.
So mark it down as two straight playoffless years after 14 straight division titles. Say goodbye to Andruw Jones, which I know will be easy for many of you. Adios to Octavio Dotel. We hardly knew you. And bon voyage to Roger McDowell. Someone will have to be the scapegoat and while I think Leo gets overrated and you haven't been given near the talent Leo was, someone's gotta get canned after this year, right?
Oh wells, hopefully my Cowboys will succeed where my Irish and Dukes failed Saturday. God knows I can't look at the baseball diamond with much fondness anymore.
Three demoralizing days.
Three cheers for the end of the season...
There's hope and there's the real facts. I never got into religion much because of the idea that you ignore the more sensible in your face evidence for the figure in space you can't touch, nor feel in any tangible way.
Well, my hope is completely gone for similar reasons. The truth is that starting pitching is the name of the game and that won't change. Sure, you can get unreasonably hot at any particular time of the year and maybe you can even sustain it ala Cardinals of last year. However, the more likely outcome will be that the team with the most pitching will be playing in October while the other teams pack up their locker room belongings.
The Braves put up little fight as the Mets trampled them at the Ted. The score of the last game was close, a one-run affair, but anyone who watched the game knows that the Braves never seemed like they even had a shot.
Somewhere among the nagging Chipper Jones injuries, Andruw Jones going through the worst year of his career, and Schuerholz seemingly throwing away any young pitcher in the system, the truth about the Braves became abundantly clear. They are not good enough. Not this year, not with this pitching staff, not in a division that includes teams willing to get better.
So mark it down as two straight playoffless years after 14 straight division titles. Say goodbye to Andruw Jones, which I know will be easy for many of you. Adios to Octavio Dotel. We hardly knew you. And bon voyage to Roger McDowell. Someone will have to be the scapegoat and while I think Leo gets overrated and you haven't been given near the talent Leo was, someone's gotta get canned after this year, right?
Oh wells, hopefully my Cowboys will succeed where my Irish and Dukes failed Saturday. God knows I can't look at the baseball diamond with much fondness anymore.
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, August 7, 2007
Don't Call It a Comeback
Hey...I'm back.
Sorta. I don't really know how much I'll post during the week, but I figure the weekend should give me ample opportunity to post.
Today is my birthday and for my present, I get the Braves and the Mets. I figure it's time for a little background on this most important of all days for you, me, and every Corkscrew Swing reader who is glad to see my ramblings return. Today's game is the first time in my life that the Braves and Mets have ever faced off on my birthday. Here is the seven most recent games on my birthday.
2006 - Phillies 9, Braves 6
...What the hell was Bobby Cox doing starting Horacio Effin Ramirez on my birthday? Of course, also not in the lineup was Chipper Jones (probably broke a nail) and the pinch hitters used in the game were Pete Orr and Tony Pena. Cox didn't give this day a chance of ending positive.
2005 - Cardinals 5, Braves 3
...This one hurts the most. Up 3-2 on a ninth inning RBI double by Jeff Francoeur, Chris Reitsma proceeds to load the bases on three singles before David Eckstein steps in. Eckstein, who is all of 2'6" in heels, takes Reitsma deep for Reitsma's fifth blown save of the year and a highly depressing birthday.
2004 - Braves 6, Diamondbacks 2
...Paul Byrd posts one of his few quality starts of his second stint as a Brave and the Braves score three in the third and ninth to cruise to their 62nd win over the absolutely horrible D'Backs.
2003 - Braves 7, Brewers 1
...The biggest dog the Braves have had in years actually tosses a complete game five-hitter. Mike Hampton even added a two-run double and Vinny Castilla homered and...tripled? Weirdass game.
2002 - Diamondbacks 6, Braves 3
...Just so you know, the Braves bullpen's troubles weren't limited to just 2005-06. A 1-1 game in the seventh ends with five runs allowed by the wonderful pen of 2002 that included Chris Hammond, Mike Remlinger, and Darren Holmes. Oh, and Tim Spooneybarger sucked it up, allowing a two-run bomb to Rod Barajas of all people. Chipper Jones had a two-run shot for the Braves, but surprisingly, they couldn't win a game in which Wes Helms, Keith Lockhart, and Henry Blanco all started.
2001 - Braves 6, Astros 5
...Greg Maddux improved to 15-6 despite looking pretty shitty. Brian Jordan and Marcus Giles each helped out with homers and the Braves were quite efficient, turning six hits and five walks into six runs.
2000 - Reds 3, Braves 2 (10 innings)
...I remember this game if only because my mother is a Reds fan. Greg Maddux started for the first of three straight years on the holy day and tossed 7.1 scoreless innings, but a Chipper Jones error led to two unearned runs off John Rocker in the ninth and Kerry Ligtenberg lost it in the tenth.
1999 - Braves 15, Giants 4
...I hate Russ Ortiz. Hated him as a Brave, hated him otherwise. So imagine my happiness to see the Braves crush him to the tune of 9 runs in a 15-4 rout. Gerald Williams and Brian Jordan each homered in the sixth after Ortiz left and Ryan Klesko added three ribbies.
Overall, the Braves are 12-11 on my birthday. They lost a double header in 1990, received their only official off-day for my birthday in 1986, and in 1985, they were rained out. Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux have he most wins on my birthday with two.
Today's starter Buddy Carlyle has never worked the holy day, but neither has Oliver Perez so what happens is completely unknown.
I'll call it, though. KJ homers off Billy Wagner to break a 4-4 tie in the ninth. Wickmoo has a scary ninth, but the Braves win.
Possible?
Sorta. I don't really know how much I'll post during the week, but I figure the weekend should give me ample opportunity to post.
Today is my birthday and for my present, I get the Braves and the Mets. I figure it's time for a little background on this most important of all days for you, me, and every Corkscrew Swing reader who is glad to see my ramblings return. Today's game is the first time in my life that the Braves and Mets have ever faced off on my birthday. Here is the seven most recent games on my birthday.
2006 - Phillies 9, Braves 6
...What the hell was Bobby Cox doing starting Horacio Effin Ramirez on my birthday? Of course, also not in the lineup was Chipper Jones (probably broke a nail) and the pinch hitters used in the game were Pete Orr and Tony Pena. Cox didn't give this day a chance of ending positive.
2005 - Cardinals 5, Braves 3
...This one hurts the most. Up 3-2 on a ninth inning RBI double by Jeff Francoeur, Chris Reitsma proceeds to load the bases on three singles before David Eckstein steps in. Eckstein, who is all of 2'6" in heels, takes Reitsma deep for Reitsma's fifth blown save of the year and a highly depressing birthday.
2004 - Braves 6, Diamondbacks 2
...Paul Byrd posts one of his few quality starts of his second stint as a Brave and the Braves score three in the third and ninth to cruise to their 62nd win over the absolutely horrible D'Backs.
2003 - Braves 7, Brewers 1
...The biggest dog the Braves have had in years actually tosses a complete game five-hitter. Mike Hampton even added a two-run double and Vinny Castilla homered and...tripled? Weirdass game.
2002 - Diamondbacks 6, Braves 3
...Just so you know, the Braves bullpen's troubles weren't limited to just 2005-06. A 1-1 game in the seventh ends with five runs allowed by the wonderful pen of 2002 that included Chris Hammond, Mike Remlinger, and Darren Holmes. Oh, and Tim Spooneybarger sucked it up, allowing a two-run bomb to Rod Barajas of all people. Chipper Jones had a two-run shot for the Braves, but surprisingly, they couldn't win a game in which Wes Helms, Keith Lockhart, and Henry Blanco all started.
2001 - Braves 6, Astros 5
...Greg Maddux improved to 15-6 despite looking pretty shitty. Brian Jordan and Marcus Giles each helped out with homers and the Braves were quite efficient, turning six hits and five walks into six runs.
2000 - Reds 3, Braves 2 (10 innings)
...I remember this game if only because my mother is a Reds fan. Greg Maddux started for the first of three straight years on the holy day and tossed 7.1 scoreless innings, but a Chipper Jones error led to two unearned runs off John Rocker in the ninth and Kerry Ligtenberg lost it in the tenth.
1999 - Braves 15, Giants 4
...I hate Russ Ortiz. Hated him as a Brave, hated him otherwise. So imagine my happiness to see the Braves crush him to the tune of 9 runs in a 15-4 rout. Gerald Williams and Brian Jordan each homered in the sixth after Ortiz left and Ryan Klesko added three ribbies.
Overall, the Braves are 12-11 on my birthday. They lost a double header in 1990, received their only official off-day for my birthday in 1986, and in 1985, they were rained out. Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux have he most wins on my birthday with two.
Today's starter Buddy Carlyle has never worked the holy day, but neither has Oliver Perez so what happens is completely unknown.
I'll call it, though. KJ homers off Billy Wagner to break a 4-4 tie in the ninth. Wickmoo has a scary ninth, but the Braves win.
Possible?
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
The Crazy NL East
So far, through the first 45 days of the season, this is how the division has gone between the Braves and Mets as the division frontrunners.
Braves by two games: One day
Braves by a game and a half: One day
Braves by a game: Four days
Braves by a half-game: Fifteen days
Tie between Mets and Braves: Ten days
Tie between Mets, Braves, and Marlins: One day
Tie between Mets and Marlins: One day
Mets by a half-game: Nine days
Mets by a game: Three days
Overview
Braves have led the division for 21 days.
Mets have led the division for 12 days.
The biggest control of the lead was five days, twice done by the Atlanta Braves between 4/8 and 4/12 along with 4/14 and 4/18.
The Mets' biggest control of the division was four days, set 4-23 to 4/26.
The Braves and Mets passed the lead back-and-forth for six straight days between 4/18 and 4/23.
The Braves and Mets were tied for the division lead for a season-high four straight days between 5/6 and 5/9.
...hmm, could be a long and stressful year.
Braves by two games: One day
Braves by a game and a half: One day
Braves by a game: Four days
Braves by a half-game: Fifteen days
Tie between Mets and Braves: Ten days
Tie between Mets, Braves, and Marlins: One day
Tie between Mets and Marlins: One day
Mets by a half-game: Nine days
Mets by a game: Three days
Overview
Braves have led the division for 21 days.
Mets have led the division for 12 days.
The biggest control of the lead was five days, twice done by the Atlanta Braves between 4/8 and 4/12 along with 4/14 and 4/18.
The Mets' biggest control of the division was four days, set 4-23 to 4/26.
The Braves and Mets passed the lead back-and-forth for six straight days between 4/18 and 4/23.
The Braves and Mets were tied for the division lead for a season-high four straight days between 5/6 and 5/9.
...hmm, could be a long and stressful year.
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