Game 71 Recap: Yankees 8, Braves 4

by gondeee on Jun 25, 2009 8:56 AM EDT in Braves Game Recaps

I didn't get a chance to watch all of this one, as I scored a last minute free ticket to the Mexico - Venezuela soccer match at the Georgia Dome. It was really exciting, and for the Dome being only about 80% full, that was the loudest I've ever heard it by far. It was my first professional soccer game, and it was pretty cool stuff. Mexico won in a landslide, 4-nil.

Anyway, to baseball. I was following the Braves game on my iPhone until A-Rod got that two-run hit off of Jeff Bennett, who was relieving Kris Medlen (then I got disgusted). Bennett has a respectable 3.18 ERA, but that doesn't tell the whole story. As a reliever coming into close situations he has not been that good. He has allowed 7 of the 18 runners he's inherited to score. The only other reliever on the Braves with a number that high is Peter Moylan, who has allowed 7 of 23 inherited runners to score (of course, much of that was in the first month of the season).

Kenshin Kawakami was dealing, and set down every Yankees batter he faced, though the last one cost him. Opposing pitcher Joba Chamberlain hit a comebacker up the middle that struck Kawa in the neck, causing him to fall to the ground in pain. Yunel Escobar completed the play for the final out of the third inning, but Kawa could not continue, and luckily the injury was only a deep bruise, which will hopefully mean he can make his next start.

Kris Medlen relieved him and had a good first two innings, before the wheels fell off in the sixth. He took the hard luck loss, that wasn't helped by five more runs surrenedered by his bullpen mates.

On the offensive side of the ball for the Braves, Jeff Francoeur put the Braves ahead briefly in the firth with a solo homerun. Both he and Chipper each had two hits which accounted for half of the Braves hits on the night.

This seemed like just another one of those games where we keep coming up a little short.

Final - 6.24.2009	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
New York Yankees	0	0	0	0	0	3	1	2	2	8	10	0
Atlanta Braves	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	1	0	4	8	2
WP: Joba Chamberlain (4 - 2) SV: Mariano Rivera (16) LP: Kris Medlen (2 - 3)

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I saw Transformers 2 last night (really good btw) so I only came in for the last two innings on ESPN. I just about turned it off because the announcers were all over the Yankees and Rivera’s nuts so much it was disgusting. They were using words like ‘elegance’ and ‘greatest of all time’. It was like 95% Yankee dick sucking and 5% acknowledging that they were playing the Braves.

At one point they were like ‘the Yankee offense is really running on all cylinders now’ Well no shit, you can’t get anything off of our 4-5 starter but when you hit him in the neck and you face the dross of a 4th place NL team’s bulpen you are suddenly the Big Red Machine? Give me a break.

by bbxxj on Jun 25, 2009 9:20 AM EDT reply actions

I don’t know who was calling Bennett’s pitches, but it doesn’t make a lick of sense to me to throw A-Rod 4 straight fastballs right down the middle. With that being said, it’s not like the guy is given a chance to succeed that often. Bases loaded, tie game, 2 out, A-Rod at the plate…fun times.

I was watching the first half of the game on the YES network’s coverage but switched over to ESPN for the second half. I was amazed that the Yanks own announcers were far better than the circus act ESPN put on. Even though I know it’s there, the bias surprises me every time.

by Smoltz's Beard on Jun 25, 2009 9:31 AM EDT reply actions

Chip was just a little better.

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

by 10-4 on Jun 25, 2009 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions

true

Chip Caray has such a boner for the yankees, red sox, and cubs it’s disgusting. You would think that Skip taught him better, but it seems like he’s just a poor mans version of Jon Miller and all of the other ESPN douchebags.

by cirela20 on Jun 25, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I love how they talked about how athletic Rivera was because he can shag balls in BP.

by blitzerlover on Jun 25, 2009 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Haha, that was fantastic.

He was also soooooo humble because he said he couldn’t play the outfield.

by bbxxj on Jun 25, 2009 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions

UGH…I was pulling my hair out.

by Smoltz's Beard on Jun 25, 2009 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions

I pretty much expected a game like that after 2 straight wins. I wonder if the Braves could trick some contender into trading for Bennett.

by redwards95 on Jun 25, 2009 9:36 AM EDT reply actions

What especially pisses me off is now they’re attributing Girardi’s ejection as what fired the Yankees up and magically made them start hitting a baseball. That was the weakest ejection I’ve ever seen…he practically asked the Ump to be ejected, and meekly walked off afterwards. Oh ho! But that galvanized the Yankees into better play!

by soup du jour on Jun 25, 2009 9:52 AM EDT reply actions

Well, they will see real fast that the Yankees are not quite as fired up when they aren't facing Jeff Bennett.

Official MCM Hater!
"I'm a professional towel stomper...I've seen the big Ben Roethlisberger sandwich on TV"

by gramsey712 on Jun 25, 2009 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Bennett didn’t give up all 8 runs.

by Smoltz's Beard on Jun 25, 2009 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions

I turned it off when I saw him coming in.

Official MCM Hater!
"I'm a professional towel stomper...I've seen the big Ben Roethlisberger sandwich on TV"

by gramsey712 on Jun 25, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions

awesome!

by Smoltz's Beard on Jun 25, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I know it's shitty.

I wish it didn’t feel this way. But I have no faith in that guy, and all it does is put me in a bad mood and make me sick to my stomach when our bullpen goes south. I just can’t watch it anymore for the sake of my sanity.

Official MCM Hater!
"I'm a professional towel stomper...I've seen the big Ben Roethlisberger sandwich on TV"

by gramsey712 on Jun 25, 2009 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions

I can’t barely watch when he comes in too. And Medlen…why is it every year we seem to have at least one pitcher who just plain stinks?

"The crows seemed to be calling his name, thought Caw."

by WienerDog on Jun 25, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions

2ND WAVE OF BRAVE RELIEVERS (BORROWING A QUOTE FROM BUTTHEAD) “SUCK AS NOTHING HAS EVER SUCKED BEFORE”

JMR

by chicken little on Jun 25, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I think...

That has a lot to do with the fact that it’s tougher and tougher to find kids who really profile as good long-term relievers, and if you have to go outside the organization, the price for MRs is going nowhere but up.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jun 25, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Why Bennent?

He is another Blaine Boyer, get rid of him.

by Fortune favors the brave(s) on Jun 25, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

You knew that was coming, too. Ultimate facepalm.

by Smoltz's Beard on Jun 25, 2009 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Traffic

The ensuing traffic for the Mexico/Venezuela soccer match made the onslaught of Yankee fans look like we were playing the Nationals. I swear, it took me 20 minutes just to get on to the highway, because the North Ave/GA Dome exit ramp was backed up for miles.

As for the Braves game, yeah, the outcome of it stunk, and the umps really decided to payback the botched pick-off at a poor time, but I will still admit that it was an exciting game. Maybe it’s because it was against the Yankees, but it was good to see that the Braves were capable of scoring in multiple innings, instead of one, and kept it tense all the way into the bottom of the 8th.

Bobby Cox made some interesting comments on the radio before the game, especially how he hates the mindset that fans and players often “get pumped up and amped for certain opponents” like the Yankees, because it often implies that they doesn’t get as mentally prepared for less notable opponents.

Not sure if it was shown on the ESPN broadcast, but there was a brief clip of Gonzalez giving a walking pep-talk to Bennett as he was walking out of the pen, clearly trying to pump him up and encourage him. Despite that it didn’t really work, it’s always awesome to see good displays of team encouragement and solidarity in times like that.

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

by royhobbs on Jun 25, 2009 9:53 AM EDT reply actions

Gonzo seems like the cheerleader type, like Hudson is. Good to see him try and give his teammates a mental lift.

An I noticed that it took a LONG time for the place to fill up…yay for soccer matches!

by soup du jour on Jun 25, 2009 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions

FYI – estimated sports fans in Atlanta last night, reported in at 100,000+

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

by royhobbs on Jun 25, 2009 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions

more power to soccer fans, but I don't think I'll ever "get it"

Soccer lulls me to sleep, but then again American football lulls me to sleep as well. I’m not the norm.

"The future is no place to place your better days." - Dave Matthews ~ RIP Roi
(self-appointed President of Yunel's Cartel~~~)

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jun 25, 2009 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions

No you are not

But I’m with ya. I don’t like football either. I can stomach the college variety because of the rivalries, I suppose but NFL….zzzzzzzzzzzz. And soccer is way better than Ambien…

"The crows seemed to be calling his name, thought Caw."

by WienerDog on Jun 25, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

To each their own

To me, a soccer match is like a good pitching duel, which a lot of people here don’t seem to mind.

There’s something to be said about the war of attrition that a baseball or soccer match that ends in a 1-0 final score that really keeps the atmosphere tense, the crowds lively, and to the winner, ultimate jubilation, and towards the loser, heartbreak.

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

by royhobbs on Jun 25, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions

And riots!

Don’t forget soccer riots are some of the best tomfoolery out there.

by soup du jour on Jun 25, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

USA 2 ..Spain Nil (0)

These days they keep an automated list of the die hard Hooligans..and don’t let them even travel to another country to view a match let alone let them in the stadium! When I was stationed over there I had asked to see a match and one of the Brits I worked with said “You have to be for somebody…you know choose sides” Because your ticket sits you either in a Home section or the visitors (usually only 2,000 seats) if you are not sitting in your proper seat they can remove you from the match and add you to the automated list!…..
Before I close FYF got his first HR in three weeks…I guess that bought him another month of start time?

by bravestatoo on Jun 25, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah...

My son played soccer, baseball, and basketball. The most emotionally draining of the three, as a fan, was soccer. If you want an incredibly intense sport, watch indoor soccer. Wow. The games are short, there’s hardly any time-out, and even though there isn’t a ton of scoring (if the goalies are decent), it’s still super exciting.

"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti

by sddbaker on Jun 25, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Indoor is SO much more exciting than outdoor.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jun 25, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Any game you can play for 90 minutes and not score...

Sucks.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jun 25, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

I thought this was a pretty good game, and we didn’t score for about almost 120

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

by royhobbs on Jun 25, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes, I knew I should have amended that statement almost as soon as I wrote it...

But what I really meant was a game you often play for 90 minutes and don’t score sucks.

Also, at least in baseball there are things going on. All too often soccer will have 75:00 of dribbling and passing in the neutral third. And I’ll…postface?…that by saying I actually do like watching good soccer, like national team and Premier League stuff.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jun 25, 2009 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Try watching all of an MLS game. Makes me want to claw my eyes out.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jun 25, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions

That is NOT Soccer

by cirela20 on Jun 25, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions

lol, +1

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

by royhobbs on Jun 25, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions

The fans

Soccer in places where people actually give two turds about football/futbol is amazing. It’s hard to not be fascinated with a sport where the crowd is roaring for 80% of the time. The fans are the difference between watching an international friendly, World Cup, or a Premiere League match, compared to MLS. And if and when a goal actually scores, it’s arguably comparable to a crowd reaction to a walk-off homer – in Boston.

Hell, just last night, after Mexico beat Venezuela, the amount of green Mexico jerseys and apparel easily drowned out the reminders of Yankee fans who weren’t even close to ecstatic that their team won. Made me feel a little good knowing that despite the loss, the Yankee fans couldn’t even really enjoy the night without knowing that they were second fiddle in the city.

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

by royhobbs on Jun 25, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Just like hockey

hockey fans are probably the most intelligent, loyal, best fans out there.

Hockey sucks on TV, but being at an arena is just electrifying.

"Actually, Justin was right."
by bigjoe on May 15, 2009 9:04 AM PDT

by justincredubil02 on Jun 25, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Then again...

If national teams played 200 times a year (including ST and/or playoffs), maybe some of the luster would wear off. It’s a big drawback to fan appreciation of baseball.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jun 25, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Good point – the oversaturation of baseball games leads to a lot of ambivalent attendance and a “Eh, I can just hit up the Ted tomorrow. (I raise my hand)”

I had acquaintances vacationing in Portugal during the 2006 World Cup, and he said there was nothing like it – ever. During any of Portugal’s games, all businesses halted, except for restaurants with tvs, and bars.

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

by royhobbs on Jun 25, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions

During the World Cup a couple of years ago, I was in London, and it was like that there as well….

by sddbaker on Jun 25, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm not ready to react to last night

I want to see what happens tonight. We cant play the “what if” game but if Kawa was able to continue, well, I dont know…. It wasnt like the Braves imploded or anything, just some regular bullpen bullshit. I just want to see how they can come back from this and see if we can get a series win agains ESPN’s crush.

by traphicg on Jun 25, 2009 9:54 AM EDT reply actions

Derek Lowe better get back to inducing those freaking ground balls. That's all I have to say.

"The future is no place to place your better days." - Dave Matthews ~ RIP Roi
(self-appointed President of Yunel's Cartel~~~)

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jun 25, 2009 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Exactly

If Kawakami pitched like he was pitching he would have easily pitched about 7IP of 1R or less ball and then handed it over to the most rested of Medlen/Moylan/Soriano/Gonzo to take the last two. In that scenario we win 4-2 or something. I know that there are a ton of other possible outcomes but if KK doesn’t get hit by that pitch it is a much different ballgame.

by bbxxj on Jun 25, 2009 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Right. But that's baseball. Shit happens.

"The future is no place to place your better days." - Dave Matthews ~ RIP Roi
(self-appointed President of Yunel's Cartel~~~)

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jun 25, 2009 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah, but...

even though it was 8-4, i’m ok with that type of loss. FYF GIDP w/RISP in Bot 9th and i’m going to have a reaction.

by traphicg on Jun 25, 2009 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Death by a thousand tiny cuts

Do a few things differently and we win. It’s as simple as that. But every little thing just got compounded into a bigger thing.

Also, with A-Rod down 0-2, Bennett should have been keeping his pitches down and away. But what does he do? Right down the middle. Oy.

Also, Rick Sutcliffe is absolutely the worst announcer anywhere.

by beeswax on Jun 25, 2009 10:14 AM EDT reply actions

I wanted to shoot him in the face so he would stop talking.

Not really, but you get the picture.

But I do really miss play by play anouncers on the big network games. Its almost all fluff and mindless talk and nothing about the actual play on the field.

by bbxxj on Jun 25, 2009 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Yep. I never take Joe and Boog / Joe and Chip for granted.

"The future is no place to place your better days." - Dave Matthews ~ RIP Roi
(self-appointed President of Yunel's Cartel~~~)

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jun 25, 2009 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Joe Morgan

by adc62 on Jun 25, 2009 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Just bad luck

KK was on cruise control and if he doesn’t get hit by that fluke hit, I think we might have a different outcome.

The Braves really can’t complain here because we might be the most fortunate team in baseball when it comes to pitching. I can’t remember a single injury, blister, strain, etc…outside of Campillo I guess. You can’t ask for better luck in the health department then what we’ve had with our pitchers in the first half.

On the other hand this game was a wakeup call that our pitching is not as solid as people think. A quality start plus Gonzo and Soriano is great, but absent that I don’t have much faith in this pitching staff. And we certainly don’t have the hitting, fielding or intangibles to make up for any weaknesses on the mound.

by DCP916 on Jun 25, 2009 10:24 AM EDT reply actions

Cano

shoulda been called out b/c he was in the baseline running to 1st. The ump missed that but what the hell was Kotchman doing in the beggining of the inning on the ground ball. That was all him. He had no need to toss it to the pitcher it was a easy play that started the inning for the yankees.

Frenchy 2-4 suprised me. Did anyone see Escobar relay to home plate when he got the cut from the rightcenter. Where the ball was offline and he caught it off balance in the air. I knew he had an arm but that was crazy. I feel like he gave this game away tho.

by braves077 on Jun 25, 2009 11:10 AM EDT reply actions

To be fair, it was a bad throw by Kotchman. If he didn’t force McCann so far to the foul side of the line it wouldn’t be an issue. For the record, I think the ump probably made the right call…Cano was close to the line, but it was close enough to let it go.

by soup du jour on Jun 25, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Kotchman made two mistakes that inning. I thought Kotchman should have tried to outrun Johnny Damon to first base, instead he gave up with that flip to EOF, that had no chance of getting him out. I completely agree that Kotchman was trying to get the call of Interference while the ball is slowly rolling away from him. Maybe if he would have worried about the ball first, that inning would of been different.

"Braves fans in the hizzy" -Boom
"Is that like the crib?" - Joe

by GwinnettBraves on Jun 25, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions

You mean Johnson

I thought the same thing. If he reaches down and picks up the ball, that guy doesn’t score. Then argue.

Official MCM Hater!
"I'm a professional towel stomper...I've seen the big Ben Roethlisberger sandwich on TV"

by gramsey712 on Jun 25, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Crazy stuff...

pitcher hit in the neck, bad no call on the interference — I know I’ve seen a Braves player called out it in that situation a couple of times in the last year or so, the Irishman asleep and Kotchman not realizing it. AAARRRGGG. We seem so close, yet so far, far away.

by sddbaker on Jun 25, 2009 11:18 AM EDT reply actions

Well give credit where credit is due

It takes diving into the Braves long relief corps trying to cover for an injured starter for the Yanks 200 million dollar payroll to string a couple hits together.

Really need Lowe to come out firing tonight. Taking two of three here would be big.

by kalesi on Jun 25, 2009 1:06 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

+1

by Smoltz's Beard on Jun 25, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions

The thing that gets me

When the Yankees were stringing something together in the 6th, why didn’t Mac go to the mound to slow things down? Why didn’t they send Roger to the mound to help him get himself together? They just left the rookie out there on an island.

by Lennox on Jun 25, 2009 5:50 PM EDT reply actions