Game 109 Recap: Braves 4, Dodgers 5

by gondeee on Aug 7, 2009 8:29 AM EDT in Braves Game Recaps

I suppose the dominance and success that Rafael Soriano enjoyed for much of the season couldn't continue indefinitely. Our big mean-looking reliever didn't look very mean to the Dodgers hitters. In the ninth inning it was a different kind of three up three down for the closer as the first two men reached and then Andre Ethier slugged a 3-run homerun for the walk-off win. It was Soriano's third blown save on the season, and the second in the last 10 days.

That ruined a good outing by Braves starter Derek Lowe in which he once again controlled the damage. Chipper Jones had a good day offensively with his second 3-hit game in a row, including a homerun and a stolen base. Matt Diaz also had three hits, and Adam LaRoche stayed hot with a 2-for-3 night and a walk (again, why isn't he hitting higher in the order?).

Tough loss, but we've still got three more games with these Dodgers, and we need to put this one behind us and go out there and win this series.

Final - 8.6.2009	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Atlanta Braves	0	2	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	4	10	0
Los Angeles Dodgers	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	3	5	12	0
WP: Scott Elbert (2 - 0) LP: Rafael Soriano (1 - 3)

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I’m in a super bad mood. At least it’s fucking Friday.

(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 Aug 7, 2009 8:32 AM EDT reply actions

I got in my car and checked the score on my blackberry and saw that Moylan was in a jam and struck out Manny to get out of it. I felt really good, the Marlins had just lost to the Nationals, I am thinking that with this win we have sole possession of 2nd place.

I checked my phone one more time and noticed there were man on 1st and 3rd and NO OUTS! HOLY SHIT now I am freaking out. 5 minutes go by before I check my phone again and what did I see???

Dodgers 5 Braves 4……………………………………WHAT THE F&^(* happened? Now I am pissed, didnt want to watch any highlights, didnt want to talk baseball, didnt answer my calls. I was devestated. Soriano again, blew it. Not just a game but that Marlins games was important and this one as well. I still have confidence in him but this was a low blow. Dont think I am going to watch tonights game. SORRY! I am still in pain

by AlRoBraves95 on Aug 7, 2009 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions

It was a good game till the end. Looks like some more of Braves bad luck. They simply seem to do it over and over this year. Soriano losing it, I knew we were in trouble with him giving up the 1st hit and I knew we were going to lose it with the 2nd hit in the 9th. But who would you bring in from the BP? Sometimes I wish I hadn’t watched the game and last night was one of them.

by jimmontg on Aug 7, 2009 9:11 AM EDT reply actions

There is no good game if the Braves don't win.

by taney71 on Aug 7, 2009 9:19 AM EDT reply actions

I said it was good till the end, but a close game keeps me watching win or lose. Just last night to lose with a walkoff homer was just a freaking bitch.

by jimmontg on Aug 7, 2009 9:22 AM EDT reply actions

Most Important series so far this season.

Baseball is my life

by That a boy on Aug 7, 2009 9:29 AM EDT reply actions

I think your right there, although I don’t think the Braves are consistent enough to make the post season.

by jimmontg on Aug 7, 2009 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions

What a kick in the ass!!! Paying for Soriano's overuse?

JMR

by chicken little on Aug 7, 2009 9:30 AM EDT reply actions

That's what I thought too.

I really question why we went Moylan/Gonzo/Soriano 7-8-9 with a FOUR RUN LEAD over the Pads the day before. If there’s ever a time to get Medlen or Acosta some innings, that was it. Soriano would have been a lot sharper.

Of course, the LOB/RISP last night didn’t help.

by blairblink on Aug 7, 2009 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Funny you mentioned that. I was talking to my bro about it like, “Why is bobby brining in our best relievers in a blow out game?” The Pads game was not a blow out but it’s the Pads come on. ou nver saw Torre bring in Mariano in the 9th with a 4 run lead! You have to give these guys a break bobby. Bring in Manny Acosta or B. Logan….can’t burn out your best relievers man, especially when we have a beat up bullpen

by AlRoBraves95 on Aug 7, 2009 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Lowe certainly deserved a better fate – holding the Dodgers to only 2 runs. We gave him some support (wish more of the 9 LOB would have scored) but it wasn’t an Ethier-proof cushion.

The full count on Juan Pierre caused Chipper to have to play further back and he couldn’t quite get to the bunt-like hit in quickly and missed the ball. The other single was just salt in the wound and got me seriously worried with 0 outs and Ethier coming up, especially since Soriano was not throwing strikes.

This man leads the league in walk offs (8 now) and has owned us in the last series. I would have rather put him on, and give up 1 run if I had to and try for a DP. You could then get the last out with someone other than him. Even if you walked in a run, you would still have a chance for a DP and get out with a 1 run victory or at worse a tie and extra innings. Make them beat you as a team, not a grooved one down the middle to the biggest threat on their team right now for a 3-run homer.

There was so much GOOD about the game (seeing Chipper swinging well etc.) but unfortunately it ended in a heartbreaking loss.

The BRAVES played better baseball last night. The BRAVES beat the Dodgers for 8 innings.
The Dodgers beat our closer.
.
.

Oh, and LaRoche batting 8th is beyond comprehension.

by NCChopper on Aug 7, 2009 9:37 AM EDT reply actions

Ethier is becoming Pujols-like against us….

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

by justincredubil02 on Aug 7, 2009 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m really starting to hate the guy now..

by WeStillHaveBobby on Aug 7, 2009 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Might as well call him the Terminator.

(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 Aug 7, 2009 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, Soriano blew the lead…but if McLouth our Prado had been on base at all, we wouldn’t be moaning about a loss, but rather a great win and a great night from Chippa.

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

by justincredubil02 on Aug 7, 2009 9:38 AM EDT reply actions

We had plenty of times to add runs on the board against Wolf but couldn’t get it done.

by WeStillHaveBobby on Aug 7, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions

We had 9 LOB

by NCChopper on Aug 7, 2009 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions

I cut the game off after the 5th, to go to bed. I woke up and checked on the game in the 7th, then cut it off, and woke up again and it was the top of the 9th, and we had a 4-2 lead. I thought, “well, Soriano’s got this”, and cut it back off with comforted dreams of a good win. Needless to say, i was quite pissed when i checked the tv this morning.

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

by 10-4 on Aug 7, 2009 9:41 AM EDT reply actions

I watched the whole game, and got too confident when Soriano came into the game. I also thought we had this until Ethier crossed home plate I just couldn’t believe it…. At least you were able to sleep last night :(

by WeStillHaveBobby on Aug 7, 2009 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Hubby had to be at work at 5am this morning, he called me from hotel at the bottom of the 7th and said goodnight, happy the Braves looked like they were doing well and Lowe would get a victory.

He called me early this morning saying..WTF happened? I was painful, but I had to recap for him what he missed.

by NCChopper on Aug 7, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions

I watched the whole game and enjoyed it right to the freaking end.

by jimmontg on Aug 7, 2009 9:43 AM EDT reply actions

I went to bed because I thought it was in the bag.

by blitzerlover on Aug 7, 2009 9:45 AM EDT reply actions

Funny part

about the game though were the Dodgers announcers. They kept messing up some names like “Eduardo Prado,” and “Martin Diaz..” haha I swear I heard Martin Diaz at least 5 times last night and I laughed each time.

by WeStillHaveBobby on Aug 7, 2009 9:50 AM EDT reply actions

Once again should I say it, It was a game the Braves should have won. 9 LOB is a start, and you have a guy in Laroche batting 8th who is getting on base but is losing chances to drive in men in la la land. Though my point might be moot because he did have an RBI still what about the other times. I am pretty sure when Wren got Adam he did not see him being put so far down in the line up. Chipper has a great night and we still lose guys and gals its just the story of our season. We just have to stick it out love and support this team till the end.

Baseball is my life

by That a boy on Aug 7, 2009 9:56 AM EDT reply actions

Hey thataboy, you got it right, too many LOB and right to the end the Braves put up a good game. Why O why didn’t Soriano walk Ethier? Should woulda coulda, too late now. OH well like you said just support them and Hell you never Know,they could, maybe,just barely make the wild card.LOL

by jimmontg on Aug 7, 2009 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m glad this one was too late for me to watch. If the Braves go on to win the next 3, they’re still in it. But at this point I’m pretty much expecting them to only win 1 or get swept. And if that happens, it’ll be hard to deceive oneself into believing the team still can make the playoffs.

by redwards95 on Aug 7, 2009 10:05 AM EDT reply actions

Im questioning your fanhood??? Is it real or just pretend .

Baseball is my life

by That a boy on Aug 7, 2009 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Like I said the last time Soriano blew it, he’ll give up his fair share of HR. Its in his nature with a mid 90s fastball that lives up in the zone without a lot of movement. We know we can beat the Dodgers, we just need to go out and do it.

by soup du jour on Aug 7, 2009 10:31 AM EDT reply actions

Probably the 6th or 7th game this year that WAS a lock.

(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 Aug 7, 2009 10:34 AM EDT reply actions

p.s. I know we’ve had alot of close games, but I’m talking about locking up the game, and having it stolen from us.

Without a guy like Heyward in the line-up, we can’t measure up. Because if you get by Ramirez, and you get by Kemp, you still have to get by Andre ‘The Terminator’ Ethier…..who the Braves should just start intentionally walking…

(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 Aug 7, 2009 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions

I just learned how to use PitchFX.

Soriano didn’t have his control working

If Dunn walks 30 fewer times, he'll drive in 15 more runs. This is thanks to the scientifically proven formula: RBI = (this is nonsense) (I made it all up).

Here's a stat: Wins as manager: Dusty Baker, 1,162; Bill James, 0.

by TradeAndruw on Aug 7, 2009 10:56 AM EDT reply actions

I was watching the Dodgers broadcast because I like to hear Vin. He had no sooner got out his mouth that he thought Soriano didn’t look like he was on then Ethier hit the bomb.

by musicman on Aug 7, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Blame goes all around

The 9 LOB is terrible.

Soriano obviously didnt have any control tonight

I’m still trying to figure out why Bobby removed Diaz and put Church in RF. Instead he should have put Diaz in LF and Church in RF. there were two foul balls down the left field line that GA almost got. Diaz is faster than GA and would have gotten them. that changes the whole look of that 9th inning.

Anywho. Lets go for 3 of the next 4

by drumzalicious on Aug 7, 2009 12:36 PM EDT reply actions