Game 138 Recap: Braves 2, Astros 1

by gondeee on Sep 8, 2009 10:58 PM EDT in Braves Game Recaps

The Braves actually won a game they were supposed to win. They actually got enough offense for the win when their starting pitcher gave them a quality start. They actually won a game in which their bullpen was shaky, but persevered.

Javier Vazquez was an escape artist tonight, creating bases loaded and runners-on situations and then wiggling his way out of them -- with help from his defense.

The offense was supplied by two almost identically placed homeruns off the bats of Adam LaRoche and Nate McLouth. Good thing we got the longball; our 3-4-5-6 hitters were hitless, and 2 of the Braves 5 hits came from the pitcher, Vazquez.

Final - 9.8.2009	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Atlanta Braves	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	2	5	0
Houston Astros	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	7	0
WP: Javier Vazquez (12 - 9) SV: Rafael Soriano (22) LP: Felipe Paulino (2 - 8)

Complete Coverage >

Tweet Comment 21 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Victory!!!!

I didnt even know what happened until i looked on TC, and what a nice surprise.

Frank Wren for GM of the Year.

by Scott Coleman on Sep 8, 2009 11:35 PM EDT reply actions

I certainly hope

The 6th Inning stigma doesn’t stick like the “can’t win in June” stigma. Every 6th inning has been a roller coaster the last few games, and the only guy not seemingly phased by it was Huddy. Javy was cruising so smoothly through the first five, I dared to think “hey, we might have our first CG victory here,” and then it’s like a whole different pitcher came out in the 6th. Walks, nibbling, but some great pitches to get out of it, much to my relief.

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

by royhobbs on Sep 9, 2009 12:29 AM EDT reply actions

Games like this are why we need to keep Vazquez and Soriano. Any move to trade the former and/or release the later is a notion seriously flawed, in my opinion.

"Brian McCann will be guest starring as Bizarro in Smallville this fall. See, he has to put his glasses on to become Superman." -by Rhyno18 on Aug 4, 2009 5:52 PM EDT

by Chopaholic on Sep 9, 2009 12:52 AM EDT reply actions

One caveat, though...

I’m more for retaining Soriano, since his arm can be a difference-maker in any given game… while Javier pitches every fifth game. Keep Soriano, and I’d be more open-minded about trading Vazquez.

"Brian McCann will be guest starring as Bizarro in Smallville this fall. See, he has to put his glasses on to become Superman." -by Rhyno18 on Aug 4, 2009 5:52 PM EDT

by Chopaholic on Sep 9, 2009 12:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Its a good win

but still disappointing to see the 3-6 hitters go hitless and for two of the FIVE hits to come from the pitcher.

I mean this team needs a spark i almost wanna say call up Heyward just so he could try and ignite some kinda offensive spark under this teams butt because lately it hasnt been there.

Or perhaps Bobby should fool with the lineup. I mean you got Diaz who was going on an absolute tear and he gets benched for the horribly defending Garrett Anderson and not only is he bad in the field but he isnt helping to much at the plate.

I think bobby should try one of two line ups either

DIaz LF
McLouth CF
Chip 3B
McCann C
LaRoche 1B
Escobar SS
Church RF
Prado 2B

Diaz LF
Church RF
McLouth CF
Chip 3B
McCann C
Escobar SS
LaRoche 1B
Prado 2B

Heck try batting Diaz Cleanup for all i care. This offense just needs to get it self in gear.

by drumzalicious on Sep 9, 2009 1:33 AM EDT reply actions

you forgot to add Jason Heyward to that lineup. :)

Frank Wren for GM of the Year.

by Scott Coleman on Sep 9, 2009 1:59 AM EDT up reply actions

I like Diaz leading off better than McLouth, and think that Bobby should drop Chipper to 7th in the order and put Escobar as the #3 until Chipper works out his problems. Something has to change.

Vazquez is amazing. He’s actually better than advertised.

by John Holton on Sep 9, 2009 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions

i dont think

we should put Escobar 3rd. He hits a fair share of GB’s.

I doubt this would happen but maybe try

Church
Prado
McLouth
Diaz
Chipper
McCann
Escobar
Laroche

by drumzalicious on Sep 9, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, we should definitely bat Chipper 7th.

That’ll certainly get him going. Be a huge boost to his confidence, too.

And Vazquez is “better than advertised” because he’s never pitched this well in his entire career.

My first argument against socialized healthcare? Yunel Escobar's grill.

by MichaelProcton on Sep 9, 2009 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Vasquez has been great all year no doubt, but damn, I wish he could have brought that A game in Florida last start. Maybe the end was inevitable but that game seemed to tip the scale toward the final plunge.

by CharlotteChop18 on Sep 9, 2009 7:32 AM EDT reply actions

2 of the Braves 5 hits came from the pitcher, Vazquez.

Against of which were against a pitcher going into the game with a 2-7 record a 6.62 e.r.a. and an astronomical whip. Sad. Kudos to Vazquez for manning up, as he’s done all year long.

by Cracker! on Sep 9, 2009 9:40 AM EDT reply actions

6 innings of which were against

sorry, not drunk I swear

by Cracker! on Sep 9, 2009 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions

But you should know by now we suck out loud against shitty pitching.

My first argument against socialized healthcare? Yunel Escobar's grill.

by MichaelProcton on Sep 9, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah

Guess I am just belaboring that point out of frustration.

by Cracker! on Sep 9, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions

The Giants were the only team we needed to lose last night that did so. Philly won, Marlins won, Colorado won. Thank goodness we won too and didn’t back up any more.

At this point I’m dumbfounded that Bobby keeps LaRoche so far down in the lineup below GA and Yunel. I’d put him hitting 3rd or 4th until the men who have been there start finding a way to hit the dang baseball. Nobody got out of their funk last night, that’s for sure. We allowed Paulino that had a ERA of 6.50 or so and struggling his last few starts get 6Ks.

Thank goodness Vazquez pitched another gem with 9Ks to keep the Astros off base because this anemic offense gave him just 2 runs to work with. He deserved the victory.

The late innings drama with the Gonzo’s scaring me to death with that long one hit to left, and Soriano giving up 3 hits and a run – it was another nail-biter until the end.

THANK GOODNESS we managed to hang on for the WIN.

I have an idea, let’s get another tonight – and take this series.

by NCChopper on Sep 9, 2009 9:57 AM EDT reply actions

I am confused on how LaRoche and Yunel are hitting below Fuga. That’s insane!

by Sparhawk on Sep 9, 2009 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions

I stopped watching after the 7th. It was a good game, but I’m so addicted to the new Batman game on my 360.

The game kicks so much ass!

by Sparhawk on Sep 9, 2009 10:13 AM EDT reply actions

Arkham Asylum

Ah, I love the demo. I will have to pick it up eventually.

"A Tar Heel Born and a Tar Heel bred, and when i die ill be a Tar Heel dead."

by mad_dog_maddux on Sep 9, 2009 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Vazquez Did His Usual Fine Job plus Hitting Too

I can’t believe they only got 2 runs and off homers at that. Of course Bobby left Diaz out. I hope Bobby doesn’t come back next year if he’s going to manage like he did this year. Leaving Laroche down in the order and keeping Diaz out. What is it with these guys? The talent is there, why haven’t they been hitting except in streaks? The whole season’s been like this. I have no idea why the whole damn team except LaRoche goes into slumps. It’s been an aggravating year. I thought they looked very strong back in April. Oh well, just goes to show you can’t go by 1st impressions in this game. I hope the Braves finish above .500 this year. The pitching has been just more than you could possibly hope for. Just glad Javy got the win last night. I hope they don’t trade him for a possible heavy hitter. Coming to the Braves is liable to put him in a slump.

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

by jimmontg on Sep 9, 2009 10:25 AM EDT reply actions

I've heard some fans

say they’d like to trade him for Braun, but that’s just not realistic. Brewers aren’t idiots. But what other power hitting LF’ers out there could we get that would be equal value to a pitcher like Javy coming off of a dominating season. He’s not a spring chicken, but he’s not over the hill yet.

After seeing the Stros last night I looked at Carlos Lee’s backloaded 6 year 100 million dollar contract, and it’s just too scary. As much as I think he’d be the hitter we’d need, if he could stay healthy, it’s a terrible contract for us to take on even just for the three years remaining on it. I just don’t see any attractive options that we could afford, that we could get via trade for Javy.

The dilemma..

Trading Javy for prospects, freeing up money to keep Hudson. We’d lose a step in our rotation, but just a small step.

Lose Hudson, get nothing in return and keep Javy, hoping for a deep playoff run next year. Worse comes to worse, trade Javy at the deadline and get some sort of return.

Maybe this is a false choice, but if I’m looking at it correctly, it’s a tough one.

by Cracker! on Sep 9, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions

This just in....

Javy is hot.

"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 9, 2009 2:12 PM EDT reply actions