Game 12 Recap: Braves 11, Pirates 1

by gondeee on Apr 19, 2009 4:45 PM EDT in Braves Game Recaps

The Braves all-or-nothing pendulum swung back to all on Sunday, as everyone in the lineup got a hit, they got great starting pitching, and decent bullpen work.

On the mound, Javier Vazquez acted as stopper by pitching brilliantly and finally picking up a win, even though all three of his starts this season have been quality starts. He has been everything we expected when we traded for him this off-season.

The bats woke up with Chipper Jones in the lineup, as seven of the team's hits went for extra bases, including the first homeruns of the year from David Ross and Martin Prado. Prado's fourth inning homerun was the team's first since their first game against the Marlins last Tuesday.

Jordan Schafer got off the schnide by collecting three hits, and contributed in the field with an outfield assist. Jeff Francoeur got the scoring started in the first with a 2-run single and collected three RBI's on the day.

Another sign that the team was going good today was that the Braves collected 10 of their 11 RBI's with 2-outs. Let's hope they can keep this momentum going when they start a three game series in Washington tomorrow night.

Garret Anderson had to leave the game after tweaking a quad muscle. Bobby Cox indicated after the game that Yunel Escobar will be in the starting lineup tomorrow.

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Wait for it.......wait for it.......there it is.

"The future is no place to place your better days." - Dave Matthews

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Apr 19, 2009 5:02 PM EDT reply actions

Did you?! Oh no ...

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on Apr 19, 2009 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions

haha. Did I what?

"The future is no place to place your better days." - Dave Matthews

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Apr 19, 2009 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Mess yaself ... I suck at being humorous

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on Apr 19, 2009 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions

One of my favorite things

I’ve ever read…mirrors my feelings exactly

by Bravenewworld on Apr 19, 2009 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I have to say that I’m liking what we I’m seeing so far from Frenchy. The season is very young but he is leading the team with 7RBI and has a .853OPS. He still is not taking many BB but I’ll take that if he can drive in some runs hitting in the 6th or 7th hole. I’m not convinced hes back to ‘normal’ but he is leaving me hopeful.

by bbxxj on Apr 19, 2009 5:36 PM EDT reply actions

Francoeur

I just hope this isn’t some “hot” streak he is on and that he is actually back to his old form. Now if he could add some more extra-base hits plus a few more walks, I’d say he’s on his way up.

by ChipperTeixeira89 on Apr 19, 2009 7:21 PM EDT reply actions

haha. What more does the guy have to do?

He’s been back “on” since spring training and hasn’t looked back. I was praying to God that he would be back to playing like this. He definitely found whatever it was he was looking for, to my great surprise. He really looked fucked for a while last year. I think we’re going to be climbing back into this thing. I mean hey, we are tied for 2nd right now, after losing 5 out of 6. And I think people are heating up. Hopefully Chipper will get rested with a full extra day before the game.

"The future is no place to place your better days." - Dave Matthews

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Apr 19, 2009 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m as happy as the next guy that Frenchy’s getting good wood right now, but the fact of the matter is that his walk rate is the lowest it’s ever been and unless he plans on keeping his BABIP at .351 (before today)…that’s going to be a problem. He has cut back on strikeouts though, so that’s a big step in the right direction.

Braves 2009 offense: in play, out(s)
Braves 2009 bullpen: in play, run(s)

by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 19, 2009 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Just hope he isn’t a multiple home run game away from an extended overswinging not-listening-to-anyone Babe Ruth-minded gimme-the-fences slump.

I’d take an 18 homer Frenchy any day if he can maintain a .300 average—holding RF long enough for Heyward to bump him off that is. You know Francouer is big enough that even taking an easy, level swing is going to produce a few homers by accident. I think the same thing of Kotchma—not that he can’t hit but rather he is going to hit 20 even by accident.

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Braves Fan Since 1982. Go Braves!
"All opinions welcome..."

by proeye on Apr 19, 2009 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Oops, meant to say “Kotchman” obviously.

I don’t think the team is as bad as the past few games by any stretch, however, I don’t think they are as good either without making some changes. I still don’t think they may make the playoffs. It would be nice but the chances of Chipper staying healthy long enough is doubtful.

Man, Prado needs more playing time, one way or another. They should stick him in the line up whenever anyone goes down.

I’m still concerned about the bullpen because it seems to me that this team needs some really reliable guys if they are going to do anything this year. They have the starters but it’s kinda scary that Gonzo and Moylan are seemingly so far off their usual stats. I hope they can put it together soon since the whole bullpen situation and this year really depends on them. We can’t depend on Soriano! We’ve been fooled before.

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Braves Fan Since 1982. Go Braves!
"All opinions welcome..."

by proeye on Apr 19, 2009 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions