Game 133 Recap: Braves 7, Marlins 8

by gondeee on Sep 3, 2009 8:49 AM EDT in Game Recaps Comment 36 comments

Ugh! That was a heart breaker. First we go ahead in the first, and Javier Vazquez escapes a bases loaded jam of his own in the first. Then the Marlins tie it on a homer in the third, then we take the lead in the fifth. Then the bottom drops out of the game in the sixth when the Marlins score 5 runs -- I don't think I was watching the same game Bobby Cox was trying to manage at that point. Why not use Peter Moylan to get out of a bases loaded one-out jam like you did last night? Why use Kris Medlen in that situation.

It looked like all hope was lost, then in the seventh, Chipper Jones laced a pinch-hit 3-run double to bring the Braves within one run. Then with a chance to tie the game with a runner on third and only one out, the absolute waste of space pinch hitter Greg Norton strikes out -- useless.

But a ray of hope. With the first pitch in the ninth inning Yunel Escobar hit a game-tying homerun. Then we came back to earth, and Wes Helms took a Mike Gonzalez 2-2 pitch over the teal monster for the walk-off win. Shame. We had a lot of other opportunities in this game, but we couldn't make 'em stick.

Oh well. We played them hard, and they did the same. We still have a chance to win the series on Thursday.

Final - 9.2.2009	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Atlanta Braves	2	0	0	0	1	0	3	0	1	7	10	1
Florida Marlins	0	0	2	0	0	5	0	0	1	8	13	3
WP: Leo Nunez (4 - 4) LP: Mike Gonzalez (3 - 4)

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I am totally not understanding Bobby

Why in the world did he put Norton in there when he did?!! I guess he doesn’t want the pressure of going to the playoffs. Seem harsh? If Bobby keeps making moves like that the Braves won’t make it to the playoffs. Not to mention JV probably shouldn’t have been left in the 6th, if he was going to bring Medlen in he should have done it sooner and not wait to put a rookie into a pressure situation, Joe commented on that in his commentary.

Senator, we have another old saying,"Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining." Fletcher

by jimmontg on Sep 3, 2009 9:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This

by mcboyt on Sep 3, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

NORTON? Come on Bobby….loyalty is one thing, stupidity is another.

by Southern IN Chopper on Sep 3, 2009 9:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

this was pretty much my assessment

as soon as they loaded them up I was ready for Moylan to come in, but he went to Medlen! I couldn’t grasp that, and then to leave him out there to get shelled was just horrible.

Norton…. yeah the guy is a joke. I couldn’t believe he put him in there especially now that we have other options.

by nuftjedi on Sep 3, 2009 9:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The other options is what got me

Senator, we have another old saying,"Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining." Fletcher

by jimmontg on Sep 3, 2009 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We could have brought in Conrad,Ross or etc. Don’t know if they would have got a hit or not ,but was pretty sure Norton wasn’t going too. The Medlen move cost us the game for sure though.

Senator, we have another old saying,"Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining." Fletcher

by jimmontg on Sep 3, 2009 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bobby was looking for a strikeout which is why he brought in Medlen, though he left him in there for too long. They weren’t really killing anything off him, just hitting the ball in the right spots. Norton was inexcusable.

How many warning track fly balls did we have in that game? It was something ridiculous.

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 Sep 3, 2009 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't keep count on the long flyballs,but there was a lot of themI think there were 3 I thought would go over but didn't

My point on the Medlen move was just that he should have been brought in sooner I think. They could see that Javy was off his game, I know this because I could see he was off. I would really like the Braves to at least get into the wild card. I know Bobby tends to keep pitchers in for too long, it’s just that sometimes it drives crazy. How many games has it cost the Braves this year? I can’t say, but I know it has.

Senator, we have another old saying,"Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining." Fletcher

by jimmontg on Sep 3, 2009 10:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I know what you mean

Some things aren’t in the stats. Watching the game last night was an up and down affair.Watching Chipper’s 3 rbi double is the sort of thing that brings you out of your doldrums,from thinking “we’re going to lose to we might win after all.” But I think keeping Vazquez in as long as he did was a bigger mistake than batting Norton. Though when I saw Norton with a damned bat in his hands I couldn’t believe my freaking eyes, high OBP or not, we needed a hit not a walk!!!!! Waiting till the bases were loaded and then bringing in Medlen? Bobby should have brought in Moylan, get the outs, then bring in the long reliever Medlen if he wants too. I know Chris has done a good job out of the bullpen, but he is still a rookie and hasn’t always done well. Right now is not the time to “give the Kid some experience”. We are trying to make the playoffs Bobby needs to get over his “THING” for leaving pitchers in and putting nonhitters in make or break situations! Is there a stat for dumb decisions by managers?

by not2wired on Sep 3, 2009 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Go Bobby

Bobby’s stingy player management has cost the Braves about as many games as LOBs and lack of offense this season. I love seeing Javier Vazquez go six-plus innings every single start as much as the rest of us do, but it was no reason for Bobby to keep him in as long as he did. Javy was gassed on a hot and muggy Miami night, and the leadoff walk was clear indication that he’s tiring up.

Remember the debates of Jeff Bennett and how he was always put into abysmal situations with RISP and less than two outs? I don’t care if you’re Jeff Bennett, Rafael Soriano, or Kris Medlen, nobody wants to be put in a bases loaded with one out situation, and be told “get to work.” Medlen was loose after the walk, but instead of Bobby Cox coming out, it was McDowell. And the rest was typical Bobby stinginess.

RM: “Javy, Bobby said ‘Javy, can you stay in there for one more batty, and take care of Paulinoey . . . and ehhh. . . may as well stay in there to turn Boney to his bad sidey and get one more outey.’ You think you can handle that?”

/Javier Vazquez looks at fatigued arm hanging loosely from his sternum by a tendon

Vaz: “huff, huff, huff . . . I’m tired coach. I’ll do what I can.”

/gives up single to Ronny Paulino, Cody Ross advances from first to third. Looks back to dugout, where Bobby Cox is trying to pick his nose and doesn’t realize that he’s still wearing the catcher’s mitt he’s forced to wear at Landshark Stadium because there are no safety nets for foul balls
/works weak hitting from left side Emilio Bonifacio to a 3-2 count and then plunks him to load the bases. Bobby Cox signals to bullpen for Kris Medlen

KM: /pisses his Pampers, removes Sailor Moon backpack and takes field
KM: /promptly gives up bases-clearing double to best hitting rookie in NL
KM: /gives up two more runs, this time on his own record, lines Vazquez up for loss, but eventually gets out of the inning with the Braves down by four runs now

Bobby: /claps hands “Alright! Let’s go get them runnies backy!”
Medlen: /stares daggers at Bobby Cox, eyes teary, wishes he were put in with one on, one out instead
Vazquez: /stares daggers at Bobby Cox, plots his death

/Braves admirably fight back, Chipper Jones laces bases clearing pinch-hit double, cut lead to one-run. Bobby Cox pinch hits Greg Norton in RISP chance, despite Brooks Conrad, David Ross, Clint Sammons, Kelly Johnson, Brian Snitker, Chino Cadahia, and a guy in street clothes who looks like Julio Franco being more logical options. Norton strikes out. Ultimately, Braves lose by 1

Bobby: “eh, shit”

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

by royhobbs on Sep 3, 2009 11:01 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Hilarious, but maddenly TRUE.

Senator, we have another old saying,"Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining." Fletcher

by jimmontg on Sep 3, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hilarious, and so true. I can’t help but think that if someone other than Norton pinch hits and if Moylan comes in instead of Medlen, the Braves win last night. It’s as though Bobby is just too toired to manage anymore.

by John Holton on Sep 3, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, “tired”.

by John Holton on Sep 3, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was actually thinking that if he had brought in Moylan, he still might have gave up 1 or 2 runs, but certainly not 4 runs, we still might have won. Mr. Hobbs is right , Bobby’s stingy player management does and has cost us games. Bobby has helped take this team to many playoffs, but his nice guy attitude, while very commendable, isn’t what the team needs in a Commanding Officer. I mean giving Francouer a chance is fine,but he should have been sent down the beginning of June and Diaz put in his place.

by not2wired on Sep 3, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bobby is a GENIOUS!!!

Come on people Bobby is just waiting for Norton to heat up and when he does he is going to get like 50 hits in a row. I mean he is a 250 carrer avg so to get there (147 avg right now) he HAS to hit like 50 hits in a row. Sorry but that was stupid but its frustrating. I mean SERIOULY Greg F#$@ing Norton with a men on third and one out. I DO like Bobby but maybe he is getting too old.

by jvvenez on Sep 3, 2009 12:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The miss spell was on purpose :)

by jvvenez on Sep 3, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That was a hard loss to swallow after battling back. But you know what, we fought them the whole way, and still have 2 out of 3. We could have easily won last night. And despite the loss, we sent a message.
Also, side note, how BADASS was Matty Diaz getting riled up like that. Dude is a certified beast.

I thought hurricane season was over........

by bravesguy311 on Sep 3, 2009 12:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah....

the Norton thing is a real head-scratcher for me too. I love Bobby Cox, but I’m really baffled by his devotion to this guy, and his insistence on using him in the most crucial situations when so many better options are available (not that it’s hard to be a better option). I also cannot understand not giving KJ some more playing time.

Matt Diaz is my new official dreamboat. He’s a lover, not a fighter, but he’s also a fighter, so don’t get any ideas….

"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 Sep 3, 2009 1:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

it was funny to read he threw a joke in his tirade, but i definitely know what he said after the joke.

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

by 10-4 on Sep 3, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I read that too....

….but what did he say after?…. Were you able to read his lips?

by sddbaker on Sep 3, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just found this:

"I kept saying ‘find a clue,’ which looks really bad on film," Diaz said. "(I’m thinking) why does everyone think I’m dropping f-bombs? I went and looked at the film. If I didn’t know what I’d said, I’d think I’d dropped an f-bomb. I did tell Ronny Paulino ‘Get out of my way,’ which is kind of funny because you can’t move that guy."

Thats more like the Matty we know and love.

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

by 10-4 on Sep 3, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I head a definite f@*k from Moylan when he wasn’t getting the low strike called.

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 Sep 3, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was pretty sure he wasn't cursing....

because that’s just not him, for several reasons…although I wondered what he was saying into his batting helmet after he grounded into the double play.

by sddbaker on Sep 3, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m not surprised: Bobby was pretty much the same with Keith Lockhart and Rafael Belliard, loyal to the point that it was hurting the team.

Diaz is a real ballplayer. It took everyone else being hurt to get him a fulltime job, but he’s done great.

by John Holton on Sep 3, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hanson better have it tonight, I hate Nolasco.

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 Sep 3, 2009 1:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

as long as we win tonight

this series will be a success. if we lose…well, we’re pathetic and dont deserve to make the playoffs.

Frank Wren for GM of the Year.

by mvhsbball on Sep 3, 2009 2:09 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Oh I wouldn't go that far yet, ain't over till it's over

by not2wired on Sep 3, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree...

the outcome of one game determines if we are a successful baseball team or a pathetic losers. Definitely.

by sddbaker on Sep 3, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A simply case of three way over-used arms in our bullpen. GONZO, SORIANO, and MOYLAN and way overused. Medlen simply needs more experience. We just had Sept call ups ?? Why not put Buddy in the game with the bases loaded ??? Has more experience and looked good in MLB and really good at AAA rehab start. Sometimes Cox makes me wonder anyway all is forgiven if we win tonight and take the series !

by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Sep 3, 2009 2:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, screw Soriano for those hits he allowed last night!!!1 Why did Bobby pitch him for the 9th night in a row???

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

by justincredubil02 on Sep 3, 2009 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That ump’s strikezone was the size of a fist.

(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 Sep 3, 2009 5:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If our offense had taken advantage of the opportunities they had to score more runs.....

We would have gone into the late innings with more runs for the BP to work with!

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

by HEYJUDE on Sep 3, 2009 6:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

These are the other opportunities we had to score.......

5-13 RISP (yes, 13)
12 LOB (yes 12)

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

by HEYJUDE on Sep 3, 2009 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

7 runs is decent number.

by sddbaker on Sep 3, 2009 6:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

reply should have been to HEYJUDE…. I’m brain dead.

by sddbaker on Sep 3, 2009 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cox and closers

Why in the world does Cox send in relievers and leave them in after the first two batters get on base? He always leaves them in until the other team gets the lead. I am beginning to think he is betting on baseball and throwing the game…LOL. Seriously…it is extremely frustrating to see the same pattern again and again. He has done this his entire managing career. Is he really a great manager or has he simply had some great Braves teams that won in spite of him?

by DOCHOLLIDEY on Sep 4, 2009 7:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs