Game 95 Recap: Giants 1, Braves 4

by gondeee on Jul 22, 2009 9:57 PM EDT in Braves Game Recaps

One of the best pitchers in baseball, you say? A pitcher who was truly All-Star worth? Yes. The ace of one of the strongest pitching staffs in baseball? Yep. But could he be beaten tonight in Atlanta? No. That's because I'm talking about Jair Jurrjens. The other guy, Tim Lincecum, was a mere human tonight thanks to the hottest offensive unit in the NL this month -- the Atlanta Braves.

The Braves' offense did some striking out tonight, but between those strikeouts -- expected against the major league leader in strikeouts -- they got more crucial two-out RBIs from two of their big guns. Brian McCann started the scoring in the first with a run scoring single after Chipper Jones had advanced into scoring position with a well-timed stolen base.

Yunel Escobar had the big two-out hit in the third inning -- a three-run homerun to right-center. Yunel enjoyed that homerun too, he rounded the bases mighty slowly, but the Giants didn't seem fazed by it.

The real story of the night was Jair Jurrjens. After a second inning single by the Giants' lead-off hitter, Jurrjens sat down 17 batters in a row, and was completely dominant until running out of gas (112 pitches) in the eighth inning. He matched Lincecum with 9 strikeouts, while only walking one and giving up 3 hits -- 3 HITS! He was nearly unhittable tonight, and he and McCann had a good plan for attacking the Giants' batters -- something the Braves have done well all series.

Mike Gonzalez came on to relieve Jurrjens and allowed one of his runners to score on an infield dribbler. Rafael Soriano gave up a rare hit in the ninth, but rallied to strikeout the last batter and record his 14th save of 2009, which ties the team-high for a single reliever (Gonzalez) from last season.

A business man's special tomorrow as the Braves go for the sweep.

Final - 7.22.2009	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
San Francisco Giants	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	2	6	0
Atlanta Braves	1	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	X	4	7	0
WP: Jair Jurrjens (9 - 7) SV: Rafael Soriano (14) LP: Tim Lincecum (10 - 3)

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ska-doosh!!!

Go Bravos. Vote 10, baby. Let’s do this.

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

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jul 22, 2009 10:02 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

nice, I like it

Yunel is the Queen of Hearts

by GoBravesNY on Jul 22, 2009 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions

an idea for tomorrow

call up KJ and Barbaro, send down NOrton and Diory.

start KJ at 2nd, marteeen at 3rd and Barbaro at 1st. give mac some rest and play rossy. also give Mclouth the day off and put church in cf.

this could get our guys some rest. no one has had an off day since the ASG. plus its barry zito, so the righties would have a field day.

just saying…

if not, play the starters and get the sweep nice and easy.

2009 Atlanta Braves Motto: We ♥ leaving RISP AND Omar Minaya!

by Scott Coleman on Jul 22, 2009 10:09 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Agreed

SubParr

by nick9314 on Jul 22, 2009 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ve been pleasantly surprised with how well we’ve done with our “second string” players. Cox seems to give random position players the off when Mac sits, ever notice that?

by rhinoskin on Jul 22, 2009 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions

that’s good stuff. Tell Bobby. Our schedule is packed, with little ~~to no~~ days off.

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

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jul 22, 2009 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Diorys not going anywhere until Infante is ready. Bowman says its probably going to be Norton, which makes sense to me.

http://www.whensidslid.com

by garriscp on Jul 22, 2009 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Norton hadn’t played in the field this year, and hadn’t done anything with the bat. Time to thank him for what he did last year and send him on his way.

Braves bench gets even better with Kelly coming back, if he brings the hot stick he had in Gwinnett.

by Bronn on Jul 22, 2009 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions

well DOB said

BMac is getting the day off tomorrow. we’ll see about the rest of the guys.

2009 Atlanta Braves Motto: We ♥ leaving RISP AND Omar Minaya!

by Scott Coleman on Jul 23, 2009 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Diory

isnt going anywhere. He is our only back up SS

If they release Norton and call up KJ. Then Bobby will prob still play chipper. He doesnt usually like to take BOTH Chip and Mac out of the lineup in the same game.

However it would most likely be Conrad at 2nd with Prado at 3rd if he does. Simply to keep an abundance of RH batters in the line up. With the whole middle of our lineup (Chip, Mac, GA) on the bench you will likely see Escobar not start the first game of our next series because i dont think Bobby will take ALL of our players out of the game.

It would be nice to see a lineup of

Prado 3B
Conrad 2B
McLouth CF
Escobar SS
Diaz LF
Church RF
Ross C
Kotchman 1B

by drumzalicious on Jul 23, 2009 2:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Words?

I do not know how to express my excitement about how we are playing.

Someone spend the twenty seconds to run us some numbers about the last time the Braves were 6-1 or when we had a month like the current (13-6)? Seems like such an unusual feeling, but almost as if I’ve felt it before… long long ago.

by rhinoskin on Jul 22, 2009 10:10 PM EDT reply actions

As long as we can dismantle the Phils, and rape the Nats, we’re gravy. We can beat any team right now. Can’t wait to play the Dodgers. Peeps will talk after that series.

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

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jul 22, 2009 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions

it was only a matter of time...

…before it all came together. And now, my friends, it’s coming together.

by beeswax on Jul 22, 2009 10:13 PM EDT reply actions

You know i think i would enjoy hittin a 3 run bomb off of one of the best young pitchers in the game in Lincecum as well. I would be joggin mighty slowly myself.

braves#1

by rockybull on Jul 22, 2009 10:13 PM EDT reply actions

I was wondering

If I was the only one noticing how slowly Yunel took his round. He almost walked from 3rd to home. I was actually pretty confident he would get beaned in his next at bat.

60% of the time, it works every time

by ATLandUNC on Jul 22, 2009 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions

lol, he was just enjoyin the moment, he might get beaned tomorrow. Maybe not but its possible. I know opposin teams dont like him cause of his attitude and stuff but i mean if they can put up with guys like Manny(although he quit on his own team in Boston) and then Bonds when he was playin then i think they can handle and get used to Esco which is not near as bad.

braves#1

by rockybull on Jul 22, 2009 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Just watched the DVR and if anyone has access to the game, check it out. Lincecum clearly calls Escobar a bitch after his strikes him out in his 3rd AB. I guess he just takes to insults instead of beaning people. To each his own.

60% of the time, it works every time

by ATLandUNC on Jul 22, 2009 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Bitch!

by rhinoskin on Jul 22, 2009 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions

How did he end up with a grass stain on his butt?

60% of the time, it works every time

by ATLandUNC on Jul 22, 2009 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Uggh, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: that hair on Lincecum is by no means becoming.

by soup du jour on Jul 22, 2009 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions

I was wondering if anyone else caught that. I hit rewind a couple of times and couldn’t figure out if he called him a bitch or said something about the “pitch”. Good stuff, though. If they trade Escobar, I may really show up on Wren’s doorstep.

by Bobby Cocks on Jul 22, 2009 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions

He said bitch. I DVR-ed the game and replayed it 5 or 6 times. he said bitch, and we was looking towards home plate.

esco is about 6 inches taller and 30 pounds heavier. not to mention a lil crazy at times. i wouldnt call him a bitch.

2009 Atlanta Braves Motto: We ♥ leaving RISP AND Omar Minaya!

by Scott Coleman on Jul 22, 2009 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions

lol

Well thats why Lince didn’t call him a bitch to his face, thats why he said it wayyyyy away from him.

braves#1

by rockybull on Jul 22, 2009 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions

ya, with Esco’s back most likely turned towards him.

2009 Atlanta Braves Motto: We ♥ leaving RISP AND Omar Minaya!

by Scott Coleman on Jul 22, 2009 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Only the Pirates or Mets would trade a guy like that right now. LOL

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

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jul 22, 2009 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Can't help but like Yunel

With the way he’s playing. But if he didn’t play for the Braves, I’m sure I’d really dislike him.

I don’t want to get rid of him because his glove and his bat are both on fire, but it wouldn’t hurt if he’d work a bit on his attitude. I’m just not used to Braves players who admire their home runs and celebrate before reaching the dugout (with the exception of walk-offs). Showing a little emotion is okay, but doing it directly in front of the pitcher always gets you into trouble.

Perhaps he just is what he is, and I’ll take it-but aside from guys like Deion Sanders and Kelly Lofton, I’ve always been able to genuinely admire the men who play for the Braves, without reservations.

by Bronn on Jul 22, 2009 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions

yunel

you know, before the game don sutton was talking about how yunel and brooks conrad visited with some kids in a children’s hospital earlier today, and how yunel really went out of his way to be really sweet to the kids. i guess the guy has some heart after all.

"When life gives you lemons, just say 'F*ck the lemons,' and bail."

by Bravely going forward on Jul 22, 2009 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions

the guy has alot of heart already, though. but yeah. those pics up on the official site are awesome. those guys made their young lives.

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

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jul 22, 2009 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah, i guess i just wouldn’t have expected him to be first in line for something like this, but it just goes to show that you can’t judge a book by its cover

"When life gives you lemons, just say 'F*ck the lemons,' and bail."

by Bravely going forward on Jul 22, 2009 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions

The article was really good. I liked how he said he would be thinking of the kids when he plays now. And i didn’t notice if he did it on the homerun, but i have noticed that he’s not flipping his bat as much now.

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

by 10-4 on Jul 23, 2009 8:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Tonight's game had a playoff vibe to it from the first pitch.

Loved JJ’s performance and the fact we rewarded him for it with a WIN.

I would love nothing better than to finish this home stand with not only the series, but a Sweep of the Giants before the sun goes down.

"Well behaved women rarely make history" ~ Laurel Ulrich

by NCChopper on Jul 22, 2009 10:20 PM EDT reply actions

Final Score

should credit the Giants with another run.

Pete Rose was actually banned from baseball for teaching Jeff Francoeur how to play. He made up the gambling stuff to hide his shame.

by VivaLosBravos on Jul 22, 2009 10:21 PM EDT reply actions

yep noticed that too

Bodyguard of the Official Matty I Fan Club.

by dolphinsinbuffalo on Jul 22, 2009 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions

meh. either way, we Won.

8 P

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

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jul 22, 2009 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Waiting for that minor league thread

Don’t want to spoil it, but the top two Braves’ prospects both had good nights…

by Bronn on Jul 22, 2009 10:55 PM EDT reply actions

its up now..

2009 Atlanta Braves Motto: We ♥ leaving RISP AND Omar Minaya!

by Scott Coleman on Jul 22, 2009 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Cubbies tried to help

But decided that the Phillies relievers were amazing yesterday but not today.

by cubsfaninatl on Jul 22, 2009 11:00 PM EDT reply actions

They obviously

thought it was 1997 the way they laid down for Chan-Ho Park. But hey, they really went nuts today with their offense.

The Braves finally gained a game on the Phillies, something they haven’t done since sweeping them, before the Phillies reeled off 14 out of 15.

by Bronn on Jul 22, 2009 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Not much to say...

…except that the Braves rule. Look out, NL.

Tigers love pepper; they hate cinnamon.

by Jareth Cutestory on Jul 22, 2009 11:16 PM EDT reply actions

if only the Phillies would lose more than 1 out of 10 games. If we won 6/7 a month or two ago, we would be in 1st place by 5 games.

2009 Atlanta Braves Motto: We ♥ leaving RISP AND Omar Minaya!

by Scott Coleman on Jul 22, 2009 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions

that’s a good shot

the best

javy v……one of our many secret weapons

Let’s sweep these fools. Especially you, Winny.

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

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jul 23, 2009 12:08 AM EDT reply actions

p.s.

I know Javy isn’t pitching tomorrow. Just a random shot. I’m in a good mood.

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

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jul 23, 2009 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions

A better mood than Pablo Sandoval

judging by that facial expression.

Pete Rose was actually banned from baseball for teaching Jeff Francoeur how to play. He made up the gambling stuff to hide his shame.

by VivaLosBravos on Jul 23, 2009 1:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Amazin' Avenue Failcoeur animation

Oh boy. FYF pulled up short on a liner and turtled and they’re none too pleased.

http://www.amazinavenue.com/2009/7/23/958855/failcoeur-nationals-3-mets-1

by eglenn on Jul 23, 2009 1:23 AM EDT reply actions

still..

kk is pitching 2morro i wouldnt be too excited. im shocked we just dont trade him for a bat along with kj, and just let medlin come into a zone till hudson is ready.

by ca$hmere36 on Jul 23, 2009 2:03 AM EDT reply actions

uh what?

Im trying to recall the last time he gave up more than 3 runs in a game . . .

by drumzalicious on Jul 23, 2009 2:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, what kk are you watching?

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

by 10-4 on Jul 23, 2009 8:24 AM EDT up reply actions

ken kawakami is da man.

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

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jul 23, 2009 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Church should have had the final out though and he’s lucky it didn’t end up costing the Braves more than 1 run in the 9th.

The Braves scoring 4 run on Lincecum is amazing!! Yunel continues to amaze.

by Sparhawk on Jul 23, 2009 8:32 AM EDT reply actions

Have yourself a homestand, Atlanta.

For pete’s sake don’t blow a great thing against fargin’ Zito.

by kalesi on Jul 23, 2009 9:23 AM EDT reply actions

JJ rocks

Another gorgeous pitching performance, a pleasure to watch.

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

by WienerDog on Jul 23, 2009 10:41 AM EDT reply actions

Biggest win of the season so far!

I think that this was the biggest win of the season so far for us. As well as we had been hitting, we had been hitting against some pretty low quality starting pitching. We hit well against all the Mets starters, minus Johan, and we had hit the Giants well so far, but hadn’t faced their big 2. Last night we got the chance and we came up with the big hits when we needed them and I think the players probably proved to themselves that they can get those hits. Yunel keeps ripping it up and I love it. I think he may end up being out team MVP this year despite all of his mental lapses. When he puts it all together he is really going to be something. Great confidence booster for JJ as well, beating the reigning Cy Young winner and probably the front runner for this year so far. As if JJ neded the confidence booster anyway, but awesome for him and great to see us score him some runs early. As long as we can keep the Phillies within our sights with 9 games left against them this year I’m really confident. Especially considering they have proved that even though they have the best offense in the game, they can’t hit our pitching.

by michaelcooksey on Jul 23, 2009 10:48 AM EDT reply actions

this rotation > 95 rotation

No, we don’t have the 1-2-3 punch of GM, JS, TG, but one through five is straight quality. Jair looked filthy last night. That was the best I’ve seen him all year. Explosive fastball, wicked changeup.

Lowe was the best I’ve seen him all year last night.

Ditto for Hanson. Kawakami is a superb #5 and Vazquez has been an ace all seasaon long.

What a rotation.

by nathan rothschild on Jul 23, 2009 1:12 PM EDT reply actions