Game 13 Recap: Braves 2, Natinals 3

by gondeee on Apr 21, 2009 8:28 AM EDT in Braves Game Recaps

A lot of misery in this game. The rain was a bit depressing. We managed to lose a one-run road game -- shades of 2008. We managed to lose another game in which our starting pitcher threw a quality start. Other than that there's not much to write about. All of that equals a pretty frustrating night.

And just two runs, despite 4 of our 6 hits going for extra bases.

Final - 4.20.2009	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Atlanta Braves	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	6	0
Washington Nationals	0	0	0	2	0	1	0	0	X	3	8	0
WP: Jordan Zimmerman (1 - 0) SV: Joel Hanrahan (1) LP: Derek Lowe (1 - 1)

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Quality start may be a bit of a misnomer, because Lowe was having trouble finding the strikezone. I think if it was a team besides the Nationals it would have been a lot worse. But kudos to Lowe for giving us 6 innings even when it was obvious that he didn’t have his best stuff.

by soup du jour on Apr 21, 2009 8:40 AM EDT reply actions

The validity of a “quality start” will always be up in the air, but it seems like out starters have thrown 10 of them and we only have 6 wins to show for it…pretty frustrating.

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

by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 21, 2009 9:16 AM EDT reply actions

Derek Lowe always has to pitch in the rain. Might it have affected his grip on the ball maybe?

by eaheckman10 on Apr 21, 2009 9:37 AM EDT reply actions

Quality start is such a flawed concept. Lowe’s last three innings were pure crap, and he was playing with fire with poor pitches, lack of command, an inconsistent strike zone from the ump, runners always seemingly on, and of course, walks.

It’s like the Lowe was playing for the early lead and hope the wash would come, and subsequently forgot to really play baseball after they took the lead. He was always minimizing the effectiveness of Johnson, Zimmerman and Dunn, but then constantly falling asleep on Jesus Flores, who pretty much was the Natinal offense.

Plus the lack of an ump and the blown interference call was bullshit. Isn’t it possible to go bring in a minor-league ump from Woodbridge or Hagerstown for a night?

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

by royhobbs on Apr 21, 2009 9:37 AM EDT reply actions

The walk are troubling. I know it’s early, but his BB/9 and K/BB are down so far. He had five starts last season where he walked 3 or more people, and he’s already got two this season.

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

by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 21, 2009 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions

I have a suspicion

That all-baseball-wide, we’re going to see more walks than ever this season.

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

by royhobbs on Apr 21, 2009 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Early returns are in favor of your theory.

Last night was one of those games where, after reading about it, I’m glad I couldn’t watch. Not only would I have stayed up late and been pissed at the outcome, I would have been pissed about spending the money on EI. It’s bad enough that I spend it on XM.

I do like the BB’s trade however, so the day wasn’t a total wash.

"People need help, and you know how to help them."

by VegasAces on Apr 21, 2009 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions

There’s a TV always on ESPN outside of my workspace, and every time I look up and see baseball highlights, it’s always the same thing: pitcher walks a guy or two, runs subsequently score then, or from another at-bat, that team loses. Or Kyle Farnsworth taking a loss.

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

by royhobbs on Apr 21, 2009 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions

The Braves were facing a rookie pitcher for the first time. A loss was all but inevitable.

by redwards95 on Apr 21, 2009 10:30 AM EDT reply actions

Exactly what I was going to post about! It’s always the case isn’t it? I’ve never understood why a pitcher we’ve never faced before always kicks our collective butts.

Zimmerman wasn’t a surprise, and yet they act like they didn’t even take time to look at film or read the scouting report. I realize the advantage is on the pitcher somewhat, but these are supposed to be big league hitters that have the capability to ADJUST after a couple times through the order.

I’ve yet to see that happen with the Braves and I dread any game when I know we’re facing a rookie.

~ Someone please promise me '95 will not be the ONLY championship. ~

by NCChopper on Apr 21, 2009 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions

I hate to insinuate it, but I’m guessing it has to do with TP, or whomever saying “he’s a rook, he’s going to try and establish the strike zone, and throw first-pitch strikes, BE AGGRESSIVE!” Because “being aggressive” is what the Braves are doing, and it’s biting them in the ass as they’re doing down in three pitches or less now.

I would rather see patient batting than aggressive batting any day of the week, because if anything at all, it causes the pitcher to throw more pitches and eventually tire him out sooner rather than later. A pitcher getting out of multiple innings with under ten pitches thrown is unacceptable.

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

by royhobbs on Apr 21, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Exactly. We hardly ever get an opposing pitcher out early in a game because we rarely make them throw a lot of pitches. The opposing teams know when we’re playing them their bullpen gets a rest.

~ Someone please promise me '95 will not be the ONLY championship. ~

by NCChopper on Apr 21, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

On Braves Live, Jerome was axing about their strategy for Zimmerman.

Diaz: “we’re gonna be patient, make him throw strikes.”

Francouer: “We’re gonna jump on him early, be aggressive.”

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

by 10-4 on Apr 21, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions

good lord

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

by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 21, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Baseball is very routine. If you the batter fall into a 0-2, there’s about a 90% chance the next pitch is going to be some junk pitch to try to get you to chase that if you do not swing on, will be a ball. There will then be a 65% chance the next pitch will be another junk pitch to see if you’ll chase it. On a 2-2 count, it is more likely you’ll get a hittable pitch, because pitchers don’t like being at 3-2 counts.

Okay, so the numbers are not factual, but the point is, almost any batter should be able to nurse at least four pitches out of a pitcher, which would equate to at least a 12-pitch inning, instead of the 6-8 pitch innings that Braves have been looking at by “being aggressive.”

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

by royhobbs on Apr 21, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions