Game 6 Recap: Nationals 5, Braves 8

by gondeee on Apr 13, 2009 8:42 AM EDT in Game Recaps Comment 19 comments

Atlanta Braves' Jeff Francoeur rounds second base past Washington Nationals shortstop Cristian Guzman (15) for a triple during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, April 12, 2009, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

7 months ago: Atlanta Braves' Jeff Francoeur rounds second base past Washington Nationals shortstop Cristian Guzman (15) for a triple during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, April 12, 2009, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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It all got started with a stolen base from the fleet-footed Brian McCann -- the first Braves' stolen base of the year. The most impressive part of this game, though, was that the Braves scored five runs with two-outs, by five different hitters. When was the last time that happened? If anyone can find that, I would be curious to know.

Everyone's falling all over themselves about Jeff Francoeur's two triples. I'm getting kind of tired of the media continuing to hype every little nugget of good performance from Frenchy. I've said it before, let's wait a month or two and see where he's at then.

Jair Jurrjens survived his wildness and five walks to get the win. The bullpen also survived some shakieness of its own (again). I'm starting to wonder about this Eric O'Flaherty guy, and whether he can get anyone out with regularity. Perhaps we can nickname him Irregularity O'Flaherty. Rafael Soriano, on the other hand, looked fantastic in notching the save. I like him putting pressure on Mike Gonzalez.

Hey! A sweep! It may not have been that pretty, but we got it done, and this team looks pretty good. We've got an off-day on Monday, but then the division leaders -- that's right, the Braves and the Marlins -- face off on Tuesday.

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I like your point...

With Soriano putting pressure on Gonzo. Gonzo has shown flashes of the pitcher we all want him to be but the better Soriano is this season, the more it pushes Gonzo to not settle into a comfort zone. Soriano looked very good and thats great to see.

by Cammando2317 on Apr 13, 2009 9:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, so Francouer had two triples. While that’s nice, he still only has 1 walk. On the bright side he seems to have cut down on his strikeouts. If he cuts way down on his strikeouts and continues his limited walks, I can live with that. It’s all about putting the ball in play then. If he can really spread the field then I think he’ll find success. on the other hand if he tries to pull the ball all the time, I think this is what will cause him to fail miserably.

I saw Frenchy’s new stance and it doesn’t look any different than the one he has last year if you ask me. He just looks like he has too many movements in his swing, especially with his head, though not quite as jerky as last year (see what I did there).

I’m with Gondeee though, we have to give him a few months to prove if he’s made any progress.

What’s the deal with using 5 pitchers per game now? I’d really love to go back to the days where starters could finish out games. Is Roy Halladay the only one left?

by Sparhawk on Apr 13, 2009 9:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Funny you should mention that, there were three complete games yesterday – Harang, Lohse, and Josh Johnson. It might be a good thing that we’ll likely miss out on Johnson this coming week.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Apr 13, 2009 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would say it’s a very good thing.

by sddbaker on Apr 13, 2009 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for that tidbit. I haven’t been able to look at the scores yet.

Good stuff!

by Sparhawk on Apr 13, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Scorer was thinking what?

The line drive to RF was legit…that was nice work.

But the one that Kearns lost in the sun…why should we feel good about that? That was an out if the game was played at night.

My first thought was that it should’ve been an error…but I guess that’s a tough call with the sun playing such a huge factor.

by volsandbraves on Apr 13, 2009 10:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

oh...

and let me just add, I’m not a Frenchy basher. I like the changes he’s made, and putting the ball in play more – walks or no walks – will result in a higher batting average.

I’d be super happy if he could just replicate his 2007 season at this point.

by volsandbraves on Apr 13, 2009 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Noticing you name..

Rocky Top Talk is a really quality UT Vols site on SB Nation

by BeantownVol on Apr 13, 2009 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

by sddbaker on Apr 13, 2009 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Francoeur’s 2nd triple is was a fucking joke. If you need a reason to understand why errors are stupid, you need to look no further.

You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the goddamn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all.

by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 13, 2009 10:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Francoeur’s 2nd triple is was a fucking joke

My brain is mush this morning…who schedules an hour long meeting at 9am about timesheets?

by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 13, 2009 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Apr 13, 2009 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

by gondeee on Apr 13, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Optimism rules early in the season.

Francoeur has 2 triples,and the Phillies show alot of mettle by coming back and beating the Braves last Wednesday.

"Ohhhh Shit."-Bobby Cox, 3/28/09

by 10-4 on Apr 13, 2009 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Test

Penis

by justincredubil02 on Apr 13, 2009 11:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ok, for some reason I cant reply to Sparhawk's post...so here it is

Re: Frenchy’s stance

It looks ever so slightly more open to me – not in his legs being farther apart, but more his hips turned towards the pitcher more. Also, he has supposedly elimintated the softball toe-tap and switched to just a small step forward instead.

Oh, and how quickly we forget our pitchers from last year only going 4, 5 innings per start…I will take 6 7 and 8 out of our SP ANY day. Beggars can’t be choosers.

Penis

by justincredubil02 on Apr 13, 2009 11:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the reply. I just thought when he said his stance was more open that it would be more open like Tex or Chipper (from the left side).

by Sparhawk on Apr 13, 2009 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I find it very noticeable

He was definitely more closed when he started, if not almost perfectly straight sideways at the plate. His bat also was held at an almost 90 degree angle, as opposed to him holding it more closer to 50-60 degrees now.

From the upper decks, it’s easy to see that he’s staying as far back in the batter’s box as he can, as opposed to prior years where he seemed to figure that being up a little more gives you a faster ball to hit further.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Apr 13, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs