Improving Braves fall to the Birds 5-4
by Scott Coleman on Apr 27, 2010 11:43 PM EDT
in Braves Game Recaps
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Agh. Another tough loss.
The Braves took an early 2-0 lead in the 2nd inning thanks to RBI singles by Melky Cabrera and Derek Lowe. For the 2nd night in a row the Braves had an early lead.
Ryan Ludwick plated the first run for the Cardinals with a deep HR in the bottom of the 4th. Ludwick then drove in the 2nd run of the game for the Birds after dropping a double into LF just in front of Melky Cabrera. Braves killer Yadier Molina then ripped a 2-RBI single into CF which was followed by a RBI single from Mr. Freeze David Freese.
Things could've gotten ugly at that point, but the Braves battled back. In the 7th inning, Brooks Conrad delivered a PH double into the left-center field gap and then scored on a throwing error from the pitcher. Chipper then drove in Yunel Escobar with a dinky infield single. The Braves trailed 5-4 when Jason Heyward stepped to the plate with the bases loaded. He struck out looking at a pitch down the middle.
That was your ball game. Cardinals win 5-4.
The Good, Bad and Ugly after the jump.
The Good:
Derek Lowe - Despite the not so great looking line score, DLowe actually pitched well tonight. And if it wasn't for an umpire who refused to call a strike below the belt, he could've done even better. Let's all hope Derek can continue this.
Chipper Jones - 1-for-3 w/ 2BBs, 1RBI
Kris Medlen and Billy Wagner - 2IP 0H 0R 1BB/3K
Brooks Conrad - Nice job by Brooksy to deliver a PH double in the 7th. He also scored a run.
The Bad:
Peter Moylan - His line doesn't look bad, but for the 2nd night in a row he allowed an inherited runner to score.
Nate McLouth - 0-for-3 w/ 1K, 3 LOB
The Ugly:
Jason Heyward - 0-for-3 w/ a BB and K, 5 LOB
Martin Prado (WTF?) - 0-for-5, 1 LOB
Brian McCann - 1-for-5 w/ a K, 4 LOB
Upcoming Game:
Game 3 of a 4 game series will have Kenshin Kawakami pitching for the Braves and lefty Jaime Garcia going for the Cardinals. Let's all hope Jason Heyward gets the night off. He needs it. First pitch is at 8:15EST.
Open Thread Comment Count: 1,695
GO BRAVES.
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At this point I will be an alcoholic by July. I don’t know what the answer is for this but something needs to happen. Maybe we need to fire someone to get the ball rolling. I cannot stand that we are leaving so many people on base anymore.
by ChipperForManager on Apr 27, 2010 11:56 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Just stop watching the games like I have. I just go to bed expecting the loss.
God typed "iddqd" before creating Jason Heyward.
I’m considering killing myself.
"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
Oh dear....
That is what comes of housesitting in a palatial mansion with a very well stocked bar.
"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
+1
Another uninnocent, elegant fall into the unmagnificent lives of adults...
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 28, 2010 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
+Liter-cola
"I should have been like, 'Thank you, new guy. Don’t try the veal!'" - Chief Noc-A-Homa (Hohn's offspring)
Ah, the all powerful hunger strike...
“How come you look like Cesar Romero?”
“Because you don’t know what Cesar Chavez looks like.”
by Mr. Sanchez on Apr 28, 2010 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Aaaaaand, how are we feeling this morning?
Another uninnocent, elegant fall into the unmagnificent lives of adults...
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 28, 2010 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Actually...
surprisingly well.
Thanks for asking! ;-)
"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
Glad to hear it.
Another uninnocent, elegant fall into the unmagnificent lives of adults...
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 28, 2010 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Singles POWAH
A well timed HR thrown in the mix would do wonders for our team.
/begin rosterbation. . .I know I’m crazy, but Carlos Pena sure would look good manning 1B for the next 5 or 6 years.
well if our ace can't even get a win we might as well just end the season now
…but heyward, man, colorado was ages ago
Cockchafer
no kidding.
"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- you know he's going to get you, you just don't know where or when."
by Scott Coleman on Apr 27, 2010 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah....season over.
D. Lowe, super ace, losing? That’s unpossible!
And Colorado does seem like ages ago….so does that first game of the Phillies series.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Apr 28, 2010 1:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Starting to get Ugly
Not sure if there is an answer for this team. The entire outfield is not hitting
I know its tough to look at stats, but we are fans we have to
Atlanta Braves NL Ranks (16 teams for those with little math skills)
Average (AVG) 16th
Slugging (SLG)13th
On-Base Percentage (OBP) 9th
Stolen Bases (SB) 14th
Strikeouts (SO) 7th
Walks (BB) 1st
Total Bases (TB) 15th
Home Runs (HR) 15th
Its going to take a few good weeks to break these numbers up
by UltimaParadox on Apr 28, 2010 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions
Combine These with our middle of the road pitching so far
And the situation we are in makes more sense
by UltimaParadox on Apr 28, 2010 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions
"Middle of the road pitching" ?
I think our pitching has been there for the most part. As bad as the skid has been, the pitching has kept us close enough to lose by a run or two.
by romone_braves91 on Apr 28, 2010 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions
The stats dont lie so far
The pitching has been very middle of the road
by UltimaParadox on Apr 28, 2010 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Grantes its early in the season
I am just saying at this point in the season (Only 20 games)
by UltimaParadox on Apr 28, 2010 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions
The stats are only middle of the road because of the 17 runs given up to San Diego....
and half of that was Jo-Jo Reyes…
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Apr 28, 2010 1:19 AM EDT up reply actions
slams manhood in car door...
… then looks at box score.
It’s not so bad this way! Try it!
So Close but Braves still have BO
Man the team has a strong funk of stench going on and it sucks. I hope tomorrow we can break the skid and play enough ball to win again. Let’s ____ Go Braves!
by romone_braves91 on Apr 28, 2010 12:09 AM EDT reply actions
It wasn't that bad
We had some bad breaks. Did you guys see some of them calls by the ump? Maybe JHey had a poor outing but he did walk once and almost hit a homer. Glaus was walked twice and Melky did quite well. We are waking up. They didn’t win tonight because their getting used to it, after all they haven’t won a game since forever, or was it just last week. The Braves are going to go on a tear and when they do, remember what a bunch of negative Nellies we’ve all been. The Braves will get it together, please have a good thought, also by the way, it wouldn’t hurt anything if you added them to your prayers.
Senator, we have another old saying,"Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining." Fletcher
+1
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Apr 28, 2010 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions
I still believe we are hitting right at a fielder. Our long fly balls will eventually fall into holes. I’m still not worried yet. I’ll get worried once it’s June and we are still on the bottom of the standings. The bad teams always seem to start off hot anyways – they just lack the ability to maintain the hot starts.
"You guys. You lollygag the ball around the infield. You lollygag your way down to first. You lollygag in and out of the dugout. You know what that makes you? Larry!"
"Lollygaggers!"
"Lollygaggers"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXRVX1AKAew
so give me coffee and tv… I’ve seen so much I’m going blind, and I’m braindead virtually.
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
"i’m going to keep stats on you for as long as it humors me….target is unclear" - BMacAttack (Hohn's queef)
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Apr 28, 2010 12:16 AM EDT reply actions
Oh man.
Great song and video. Thumbs up.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Apr 28, 2010 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Damn, Bobby kinda called out Heyward to the media tonight
It wasn’t bad, but was saying Heyward had to be more agressive when he steps in and needs to be ready to hit on every pitch.
"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- you know he's going to get you, you just don't know where or when."
by Scott Coleman on Apr 28, 2010 12:29 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
He should have called out Chipper for not turning that double play. That is the point when the floodgates let loose.
by romone_braves91 on Apr 28, 2010 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions
He does
He’s too patient at the plate. He takes strike 1 way too often and many times he’s K’d on pitches right down the middle.
heyward will learn, he needed to get called out. Once he snaps out of it, we’ll start raking
by Braves Biceps on Apr 28, 2010 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Bobby shouldn't say that in public should he?
Senator, we have another old saying,"Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining." Fletcher
Are you kidding me?
That’s same shit they tried to get KJ do. Cut down on looking Ks. Taking pitches is not a bad thing.
With crappy overpaid vets of course!
by TheBravestWay To Block A Decent Prospect on Apr 28, 2010 2:02 AM EDT up reply actions
It is when you let 1-0 and 2-0 fastballs coast down the heart of the plate.
I’m not saying he should swing at everything, but man he just watches some juicy ones go by.
by DogDaysofSummer on Apr 28, 2010 8:30 AM EDT up reply actions
I perhaps agree with Bobby, depending on Heywards approach.
He needs to pick a zone where he’ll swing, and if its outside of that (even if its a strike), he doesn’t swing. That zone expands with every strike. He has been leaving some meatballs on the table, and while patience is good, those are the pitches you’re suppose to be patient FOR, rather than watch go by and getting yourself in a bind.
by soup du jour on Apr 28, 2010 8:06 AM EDT up reply actions
Finally proof that Bobby is a bad manager. The reason Heyward is in the big leagues at age 20 is because of his plate discipline. Even with his recent struggles his OBP is still around .350. Bobby should shut up and stick to what he is best at: putting together bizarre starting line ups and randomly bringing in relief pitchers to situations they are poorly suited for.
Love this post
our lineups are crap and bobby should shut it till he realizes this.
Seriously?
Finally proof that Bobby is a bad manager
I hope this was a joke post and something designed to agrivate fans like me. I won’t get into an argument about whether he is a good manager or not because he is a great manager.
Plate discipline is not taking pitches, its not swining at BAD pitches. Watching strike 3s is not good plate discipline. I agree that he needs to be more aggresive…. not swinging at bad pitches but more agressive.
by The Devil Wears Prado on Apr 28, 2010 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Where's TP on this one???
Not his job to call out a player maybe? But isn’t this TP’s department.
by Nova Scotia Steve on Apr 28, 2010 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions
KK going today
Pujols probably didn’t sleep last night he’s so excited to destroy this guy and his looping breaking balls.
by Nova Scotia Steve on Apr 28, 2010 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought bobby lost that game for us. Was late to pull D-lowe. I would have taken him out after that RBI double. Way to let him get shelled. He pitched a great game, just ran out of juice.
Also Chipper’s defense might be the worst in league at 3b? anyone dissagree?
That’s what I was thinking. I wouldn’t have let DLowe finish the 6th. I knew that would be trouble.
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
"i’m going to keep stats on you for as long as it humors me….target is unclear" - BMacAttack (Hohn's queef)
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Apr 28, 2010 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Well leaving pitchers in for to long is kinda Bobby's thing isn't it?
Senator, we have another old saying,"Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining." Fletcher
Chipper wasn't a great defender last year either
Senator, we have another old saying,"Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining." Fletcher
honestly...
i think it’s kind of a manager thing. don’t all managers do that?
by Braves Biceps on Apr 28, 2010 12:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes you are pretty much right, just that Bobby is a little more slow to pull pitchers than average, it seems.
Senator, we have another old saying,"Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining." Fletcher
this really bothers me about cox and managers… how many games are won and lost when a pitcher begins to tire? like 40%? or 50%? i mean we have a great deep bullpen, why let a lead die when it doesn’t have to?
by Braves Biceps on Apr 28, 2010 1:13 AM EDT up reply actions
I said something similar last year about Bobby leaving pitchers in too long
It is something he does and sometimes he is kind of extreme about it. I remember 1 game where Lowe barely got out of the 5th inning, but Bobby put him right back in the 6th and left him there till he loaded the bases . Then, he finally called the rooky Medlen in to lose the freaking game.
Senator, we have another old saying,"Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining." Fletcher
You're right,
but there’s a flipside to that coin. Namely, you don’t want to tire your bullpen too much. You get lesser returns on your pen if you use them too often (as we often complain around here, in fact).
In a perfect world, your starter doesn’t tire until the 7th inning and you’ve got the bullpen guys to take it the rest of the way. Unfortunately, our starters keep tiring in the 5th and 6th. I don’t blame Bobby too much for wanting to get a bit more out of them, even if in this case it was clear that Lowe was done.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Apr 28, 2010 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Also
Bobby (IMO) has been too quick on the bullpen trigger with certain pitchers, Hanson being the first one that comes to mind. D-Lowe is supposed to be the horse… that’s what the Braves are paying him for at least. This game seems to be because of questionable umpiring, but Bobby should be able to normall count on D-Lowe for 6-7.
by Andy Braves Fan on Apr 28, 2010 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s not a new thing. Bobby’s been doing that with Braves pitchers for twenty years.
by Mr. Glavine #47 on Apr 28, 2010 1:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Wait, I thought it was he used his bullpen too much….can’t have it both ways guys…
by dunnytwogloves on Apr 28, 2010 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions
seriously.
Another uninnocent, elegant fall into the unmagnificent lives of adults...
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 28, 2010 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
If there’s a silver lining, the Phillies haven’t been playing so hot, either, so we’re still within striking distance.
The birth of Jason Heyward was God’s punishment for the sins of the people in New York and Philly.
Nobody has been too hot which is good
But we have to start hitting! And helping out our pitchers.
Mets have been playing good ball.
Granted, they played US, but still…
by soup du jour on Apr 28, 2010 8:07 AM EDT up reply actions
rough to watch live
My roomate made an astute observation after seeing Glaus tonight: a cardboard cutout could essentially do the same. 2k 2BB. At least he hustled and scored a run but my point is the middle of the lineup is rough.
When Chip, Mac, Glaus, and Heyward are not producing what they need to (ok Chip had an ok game) the confidence is shot. Its feels like doom instead of joy that we SHOULD be shouting.
In the end, damn, it is COOL as hell to see Heyward from 30 feet away.
a 2K, 2BB game
is good. Don’t knock on getting on base. One of those walks led to a run, remember. All the walks are offense is getting are a excellent. It’s not the walkers fault that the guys after them can’t get a hit (much less an extra-base hit).
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Apr 28, 2010 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions
But is that the best we can hope for?
Especially considering that that stat line is coming out of the cleanup spot.
Why would you want the TV and the stereo on at the same time?
'Cause I like to party.
by Zach Towery on Apr 28, 2010 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
every time i think we can pull it out
omething crazy happens and we lose by a run. Remember how many 1 run games we lost last year? We need a spark, and that spark is a lead-off hitter who can make contact and batters being more aggressive. I need some wins so I can get my braves swagger back.
If peeing your pants is the coolest, consider me Miles Davis
Last year we were good in 1-run games
it was the 2 years before that in which we lost like 80% of them.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Apr 28, 2010 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Did Anyone have Peachtree TV Tonight?
Because Smoltz and Joe were calling the game and I’ve got to say Smoltz is pretty doggone good. His insight on the pitching was very good. He called a lot of the pitches before they were pitched. I really like him and Joe together. Better than anyone else I’ve seen call the Braves, plus he can be funny too!
Senator, we have another old saying,"Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining." Fletcher
Of course I coud be wrong, I'm just a simpleton after all.LOL
Senator, we have another old saying,"Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining." Fletcher
Well no one is.
I think after Smoltz runs out of baseball stories, he might be insufferable. The large majority of his announcing is stories from his playing days (good) and his jokes (bad, very bad).
by Mr. Glavine #47 on Apr 28, 2010 1:20 AM EDT up reply actions
He played for a loooong time, though.
I think he has enough baseball stories to last for at least a few seasons as an announcer.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Apr 28, 2010 1:25 AM EDT up reply actions
I wasn't talking about his baserball stories or his corny jokes. Just his insight into the game with the emphasis on pitching
He was a lot better than Herschiser. BTW he said he wasn’t going to tell anymore jokes till the Braves started winning.
Senator, we have another old saying,"Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining." Fletcher
So he didn't tell a lame joke tonight?
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Apr 28, 2010 1:28 AM EDT up reply actions
No he didn't
Senator, we have another old saying,"Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining." Fletcher
Baserball? meant baseball sorry I can't remember how to spell Herchiser as I'm too lazy to look it up.
Senator, we have another old saying,"Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining." Fletcher
Smoltz said he wouldn’t tell another joke until the Braves win. Almost makes me wish the Braves stay on the losing streak.
by Mr. Glavine #47 on Apr 28, 2010 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Well this sucks
It might be the weekend before we hear one of his awesome jokes then. sigh
Hate to beat a dead horse but...
We really had no business scoring 4 runs in this game. I mean we get a hit from derek lowe to score one, and rely on an error to score 2 more. This game was alot closer than it should have been, and when you get breaks like we did tonight, you have to find a way to win.
Theyll break out. I just hope its not too late when they do.
"We really had no business scoring 4 runs in this game."
…….huh?
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Apr 28, 2010 1:23 AM EDT up reply actions
uh no
that’s just dumb
"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
It’s baseball…that shit happens.
Another uninnocent, elegant fall into the unmagnificent lives of adults...
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 28, 2010 8:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Pitchers do get hits, you know
And before Tommy’s hit a couple days ago, we hadn’t had any. It makes sense that we’d get some. And after all the runs we’ve allowed to score on errors, it’s nice to get a couple that way.
This is baseball. These things happen.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Apr 28, 2010 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
I tried, I really did....
I told myself that I wasn’t going to watch tonight’s game. I figured the Braves would win on a night I didn’t watch. I think I turned the tv on around 11:00pm EST (I don’t remember the exact time), but Troy Glaus was batting with a runner on, full count, 2 outs in the 9th with the Braves down by a run. He immediately hit a fly ball to make the final out of the game. I blame myself. :(
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Apr 28, 2010 1:28 AM EDT reply actions
With regards to Moylan's two bad outings in a row...
Maybe he’s just getting the inevitable bad ones out of the way now, so he can be lights out for a good long winning streak?
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Apr 28, 2010 1:30 AM EDT reply actions
Every pitcher is going to have "Off" outings
Hell just look at Carpenter tonight,he didn’t do to well did he? Everyone said he’d stop our clock,but he didn’t. Moylan will be fine as long as he stays healthy don’t you think?
Senator, we have another old saying,"Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining." Fletcher
I don't think anyone has mentioned it
…and I hate to keep piling on the guy, but Melky trying to catch that fly with his elbow didn’t help much. That and Chipper’s screw up on the DP chance were both pretty glaring.
I’ve defended Chipper’s fielding over the years against that canard that he’s always been bad, but at this point, his body just won’t do what his mind wants it to, at least not consistently.
I think you're being unfair to Melky there
He had a good game.
Chipper’s fielding is fast approaching abysmal levels, though. Maybe it’s time to switch him and Glaus? Might make both of them more comfortable, at least for a while.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Apr 28, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Chipper has no experience at 1st...
if he’s hurting and needs to sit, it’ll be Infante or Hinske filling in. Both can play 3rd, or if Bobby thinks it’s better defensively he can use Hinske at 1st flipping Glaus back to his familiar hot corner.
by Mr. Sanchez on Apr 28, 2010 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
You know, I don’t think that’s a bad idea. I don’t think it’s going to happen, but it’s something that should be considered.
Chipper has publically stated at least once, if not multiple times...
that he will not consider a switch to 1B. Doesn’t think his legs can handle it.
I’ve been wondering for some time if the reason the Braves signed Glaus was in the event that Chipper went down for an extended period of time or called it quits. It certainly seems like putting Glaus at third would be the answer. Who knows, Troy might start hitting as well. Might it be time to bring Freeman up to play first?
Heyward
looks as though Bobby moved Heyward up a little too soon. He cooled off considerably after that move up in the line up.
Hey on a positive note I found this video of Homer (our mascot) at a Hawks game.
He has some awesome dance moves and I would like to see them displayed at Turner Field.
Please, lets not rag on JHay till at least the end of May
The Kid has a lot of promise. I’m just not to sure of how he’s being coached. I’m kind of sold on the idea that it aint TP’s fault. But the worst is yet to come. I think it’s Bobby’s fault, simple as that! He’s the CO and he’s the one who will not take pitchers out when they are starting to meltdown at critical parts of the game. Don’t forget his trotting Norton out there for no effect at best all last year. I can think of at least a few games that we might have won, except for his incompetence. And I don’t like to be mean,
Senator, we have another old saying,"Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining." Fletcher
Heyward
needs to be send down, if only so his confidence is not destroyed prior to sending him down. He just looks so overmatched out there, not knowing when to swing, then swinging at pitches that bounce in front of him
It will improve the OF play as well, If Diaz, McLouth and Cabrera plays everyday, at least Diaz and McLouth might start hitting
How did you come up with that?
I think Heyward is doing about as well as a rookie could expect right now. He’s been clutch for the Bravos and is learning the way to hit Major League stuff.
No amount of time in AAA ball is going to keep him from looking outmatched at times. He has to learn to adjust and recognize mistakes and do the things he needs to do to correct them.
A rare few guys have come up to the bigs and just instantly settled in and not look so ‘overmatched’ Its a learning process.
War Eagle
That does not follow.
Heyward is hitting better than any outfielder even now. Our OF play would not improve. I’m also not privy to the inner mind of Heyward, but from what I’ve heard he’s got a great head on his shoulders and won’t lose faith with a cold streak.
by soup du jour on Apr 28, 2010 8:10 AM EDT up reply actions
He's not doing worse than everyone else on our roster right now.
Let him get acclimated, even the best go through some kind of slump during the season. I’d rather have his now, when everyone is struggling early. The pitchers are game planning for him better and he’ll make the adjustments.
"You guys. You lollygag the ball around the infield. You lollygag your way down to first. You lollygag in and out of the dugout. You know what that makes you? Larry!"
"Lollygaggers!"
"Lollygaggers"
My list of people about whom I'm NOT worried:
1. Heyward, Jason
tUMD Hockey: In search of a title! But probably not this year.
Still only
1 extra base hit last night. and it was a pinch hit. I’m beginning to get disheartened. Our pitching staff is so good… Even Lowe was really sharp last night. But this offense is so frustrating. No clutch hits or “big” hits. The last big hit was Nate’s homer in Philly. We literally haven’t had a hit when we really needed it since. They’re showing awesome patience and getting on with singles, but this team needs to start hitting for power, or we’re going to have to win a lot of games to catch up this summer. What’s even worse, is this is starting to look like the same thing that happened last year. And we were one of the best teams in baseball from June-Sept last year. A shitty May-April can definitely keep you out of the playoffs.
I agree
The Braves aren’t set up as a team that can play “small ball”. The pitching’s great, but the defense is questionable at times. There are no true base-stealing threats, and although they “get ’em on” (though not by leadoff men), they have trouble “getting ’em over” and “getting ’em in”. This team needs extra-base hits to score runs, and they’re barely getting singles. That ain’t gonna cut it.
i would say that McLouth is a true base-stealing threat (or was before coming to atl) , however, we don’t give him the green light when second base is open, frustrating when the team is struggling to score
by MemphisBravo on Apr 28, 2010 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions
7 games without a win
Politicians are like diapers. They both need changing regularly and for the same reason.
At least
I can thank the Braves for keeping me from spending the $$$ for the MLB package on Cox Cable…
Less painful to read about it than to actually watch it.
"If it weren't for baseball, many kids wouldn't know what a millionaire looks like." - Phyllis Diller
And so much for my prediction about the Braves winning tonight.
Oh well. The Braves did show some positive things.
by DogDaysofSummer on Apr 28, 2010 8:39 AM EDT reply actions
I still don't see how we are "improving"
Last night’s game was identical to the one the night before.
Man....
I thought something was weird.
"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
No, I state facts
You guys who berate me are either ignorant or just entirely too positive. We had 6 hits last night. One came from DLowe. 5 fucking hits from our regular starters and you say the 4 runs we scored were well deserved. You guys can keep on polishing terds if it makes you feel better abuot yourselves, but deep down inside I know you know this team has major problems that aren’t going to be solved by all your cheerleading. I don’t know what buzz you are on, but I am certainly not killing it.
Go Braves
Again, that sort of shit happens in baseball. It doesn’t make the runs any less deserved or valuable. The offense sucks right now, no doubt, but saying that the runs were not well deserved is asinine.
Another uninnocent, elegant fall into the unmagnificent lives of adults...
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 28, 2010 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Any time a pitcher gets a hit, it is pure luck. You should know that.
"Matt Diaz is a baseball player."-Joe Simpson
Just like it's pure luck when someone hits a rocket shot...
to a perfectly positioned fielder. Some say it balances out, but I don’t believe them.
by Mr. Sanchez on Apr 28, 2010 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Do you think we’re all not painfully aware that we’ve lost 7 straight, and looked horrible at times along the way? I assure you we all are. I would say with with great certainty that alot of us cuss, groan, or hit something when things don’t go the way we would like in a game. You say that our “terd polishing” doesn’t solve any problems, well guess what: neither does depressing or angry one-liners. Frank Wren and Bobby Cox are not reading this board and seeing someone’s post and saying “hey, thats a good idea”, or “he’s right, we’re not playing good right now”.
If you want to break it down, not one single thing that happens on this blog affects the play of the Atlanta Braves. We come here to socialize with other Braves fans, and most of us actually enjoy each others company. If you scroll through a game thread, you’ll notice that the most entertaining parts are when some little off-topic conversation gets going. You’ll see it go on and on with each little reply box getting smaller and smaller. Compare that to angry little one liners about how so and so sucks that get overlooked and forgotten. People want to be around and interact with positive people, its just a fact of life. Thats why piss parties are usually poorly attended.
"Matt Diaz is a baseball player."-Joe Simpson
by 10-4 on Apr 28, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 11 recs
+1
Another uninnocent, elegant fall into the unmagnificent lives of adults...
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 28, 2010 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I have stayed positive throughout this debacle
This all got started because I said we were lucky to have scored 4 runs yesterday. I know shit happens in baseball, I have more experience with the game than 99% of the people on this board. But if you go back and watch the game, how can you possibly dispute my original statement?
Okay, I have to ask
I have more experience with the game than 99% of the people on this board.
Justification?
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Beat me to it.
The birth of Jason Heyward was God’s punishment for the sins of the people in New York and Philly.
by TonyAlmeyda on Apr 28, 2010 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Anyone remember that guy last year who thought he was the shit and kept on saying he knew more about baseball cause he played in AAA for like 3 years…but neither milb, baseball-reference, etc. had any info on him? I miss his comedy.
"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- you know he's going to get you, you just don't know where or when."
by Scott Coleman on Apr 28, 2010 12:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I miss
The guy that said he worked for the Kansas City Royals, and when he was called out, he flipped out, crossed the line a few times and had to be ultimately banned. I think he just worked at the park for one of their single-A affiliates.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Link.
Another uninnocent, elegant fall into the unmagnificent lives of adults...
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 28, 2010 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Playing MLB2K10 on
XBox 360 doesn’t count as baseball experience
Lead off walks usually lead to runs, unless they don't. -Joe Simpson
So you played collegiate, D-I baseball for a Big 12 or ACC school?
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
But I thought you said "best"
Kidding, since LSU has like a million titles. But come on, you’re not going to fess up to if you’re the best pitcher for Auburn, or the walk-on guy designated to be the pinch-runner late in the game for Vanderbilt; I’m pretty sure you’re not the only member out of 2,000+ non Hong Kong spambot members to have played D-I baseball who happen to like the Atlanta Braves here.
Okay, in all fairness, I can’t disagree with your initial post, wholly. Things aren’t necessarily getting that much better. Whereas at the start of the season, the pitching was solid, the bullpen was solid, but the offense was getting blanked. Now, the offense is somehow putting up 3-4 runs, ugly as they may have been created, but the starting pitching can’t get past the sixth, and the bullpen is allowing the nails to be punched into the coffins. And yes, we’re still not hitting nearly enough as necessary to win.
But the simple fact that the offense actually responded to a Cardinal rally by gaining back two, albeit hideous runs (runs are runs), shows a modicum of improvement from the night prior, when the Braves had the lead, lost the lead, and then died a pitiful collapsing demise. Even you had to have noticed that. As negligent as you may believe it to be, I consider it a tiny improvement.
Anyway, as was stated by 10-4, we’re all aware of the seven-game losing streak, and naturally, everyone’s a bit testy due to the situation. If you haven’t noticed there are lot of people trying their damnedest to keep their chins up, and don’t like being told the obvious. Wait until we do reel off our 4-5 wins that will inevitably happen, the tune will most certainly change for the better, and suddenly people might want to actually hear some cool stories you might have from your D-I experiences.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
I agree they showed a sign or 2 last night
And I know as quickly as we got into this funk, we can come out of it. I for one am tired of the hostility between the “eternal optimists” and the “realists”. Hopefully tonight that will end.
The SEC has 7 CWS banners, and 6 of them are hanging in the Box. I’d be a little careful claiming that quite so quickly.
STILL stopping every few minutes to realize "Whoa. The Saints won the Super Bowl."
by AllSaintsDay on Apr 28, 2010 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Good point
But there is so much parity in college baseball it would be hard to point at one conference and definitively say that they are the best.
Got time on the bump on weekends
If you read my older posts you will see some of my stories (some shortcomings as well haha).
regardless
you are missing the point. I still believe we are not getting better. That doesn’t mean we won’t reel off 4 or 5 wins in a row here soon, but we did not improve last night from the night before.
I'm not questioning anyone's baseball knowledge
Most everyone here is real sharp when it comes to knowing the game. I was just using that example to let people know that I am very aware of the fact that “shit happens in baseball”.
Anytime you want to go toe to toe in bird law I’ll be happy to wipe the floor with you.
Everyone here is painfully aware of the team’s struggles right now, but dwelling on failure doesn’t help anyone. Teams go through stretches like this every season and the Braves are fortunate enough that it’s happening early in the season when everyone is still bunched together. Nobody has any need to be a Negative Nancy around here pissing on everyone’s optimism.
The birth of Jason Heyward was God’s punishment for the sins of the people in New York and Philly.
by TonyAlmeyda on Apr 28, 2010 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
If you think those two games were identical
You’re blind.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Apr 28, 2010 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
We Improved...
By one frickin RUN!…But we still lost by one DAMN RUN! We need sum clutch hits/runs when they count…
Watchin' Bobby Cox Turn Falcon Red Since 1991...
(A True ATLien)
by Dirtybyrdatl4life on Apr 28, 2010 10:19 AM EDT reply actions
I'm glad
my fiancè doesn’t get Peachtree TV (for some reason her cable provider doesn’t provide that even though we live in Gwinnett). But it just as painful to get the updates on my phone and see what appears to me to be two good games just fall apart.
I'd just like to say
that I wish one of our pitchers would man up, put the team on his back, and throw a shutout. I know they’re under a lot of pressure and none of them are pitching badly, but the offense could really use the boost. I feel like if we could just win a game, even if only 1-0 or 2-1, the pressure would be off and we’d be fine.
I can’t really blame the pitchers too much; it’s hard when your defense sucks an you don’t have much margin for error. But wouldn’t it be great to see one of them go 9 and win a game singlehandedly?
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Apr 28, 2010 12:00 PM EDT reply actions
Maybe Jair to the rescue?
He said in the off-season that one of his top goals going into this year was to throw his first complete game. If the offense can finally stay true to what they’ve been doing the last few nights and actually give Jair 3-4 runs on Thursday, maybe he’ll be able to settle into a nice groove to where he could go the distance. I agree that it would totally make my day to see one of our guys go a full 9, and it doesn’t even have to be a SHO as long as we win it.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Nice Saved by the Bell there...
and Jair vs. Hanson, neither has a complete game. Think Bobby will break his streak? And I’d think we’d need 5 or 6 runs, but then it’s damned if you do, damned if you don’t with the old man. Have it be a 1-3 run game, he’ll use Wagner for the save as a fresh arm in a close game. Make it 5-6+, and he’ll use Chavez or another end of the pen guy to rest the regulars for when they might really be needed later in the year.
Either way, I’ve got no hope for a CG from either of our young starters until Fredi G is running this show.
by Mr. Sanchez on Apr 28, 2010 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions
This is very true
though the pitchers shouldn’t have to do that.
by Andy Braves Fan on Apr 28, 2010 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Troy Glaus
how come were giving glaus a free pass here??? this guy literally makes my stomach churn when he comes up to bat with risp…..he might be the worst signing of all mlb thus far….im not sure how many more double plays i can take from this guy.
Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen
Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen
War Eagle
That last out was hit solidly...
unfortunately about 40 feet short.
by Mr. Sanchez on Apr 28, 2010 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions
You guys suck.
I guess I’ll be back in a few days. Glaus won’t make you guys happy until he hits .600 with a million RBIs.
by DogDaysofSummer on Apr 28, 2010 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
???
its not even that, the guy flat out cant hit when we need him to…we brought him here to be our cleanup and hes batting under 200??? thats ridiculous…..at least be productive and move runners over or something…..on several occasions iv seen guys on 1st and 2nd…glaus comes up…the pitcher and catcher have a 4 second meeting…..first pitch he dribbles for a double play…..then he trots to first base..come on
I’m going to laugh so hard at you if Glaus hits at least 20 HR this year.
Seriously, don’t beat the guy up just because of one bad month.
The birth of Jason Heyward was God’s punishment for the sins of the people in New York and Philly.
by TonyAlmeyda on Apr 28, 2010 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
If you are going to play the SSS bullshit then so will I
You do realize that last night Glaus probably had the best baserunning the Braves’ have seen so far this season (sad, I know). You do realize that Glaus has been hitting the ball extremely well for the last week and a half even if everything hasn’t been dropping.
At the low point his avg. was about .175. Over the last few days it’s already back up to .200.
You guys just want someone to blame and who better than the new fat guy at first base who started out the year in a slump. Meanwhile, let’s ignore the fact that McCann has been sucking it big time in the cleanup spot (He’s been hitting .190 for the last week).
by DogDaysofSummer on Apr 28, 2010 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree. Not that I want to turn the attention to McCann or any other individual player, but it kills me that only a couple of these guys are catching flak (Glaus, McLouth, Melky until late). But really, the whole team is in a pretty solid slump. Let’s be fair with the criticisms.
That's kinda my point.
Everyone’s quick to pile on those guys because “OMG THEY HAVE SUCKED RECENTLY” but there’s no consistency when it comes to the “loved” players.
by DogDaysofSummer on Apr 28, 2010 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Not that I'm saying that people should be piling on McCann mind you.
Just pointing that out is all.
by DogDaysofSummer on Apr 28, 2010 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions
4/16, 5 BBs
Another uninnocent, elegant fall into the unmagnificent lives of adults...
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 28, 2010 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Where's the "Don't Worry Be Happy Song" ?
We sure can use one right now. It’s going to be a matter of time before things will turn around. If anybody has notice, we could have easily been in a 3 game winning streak right now. I still think we have a good but not great team. As soon as 3 guys get hot and tear up the baseball (or at least hit the long ball or get some clutch hitting), we will win some ballgames.
by romone_braves91 on Apr 28, 2010 12:23 PM EDT reply actions
If you think Bobby is the problem...
You obviously never watched baseball in the 90s.
Remember, the “Miracle Braves” in 1914 started off 4-18 and went on to win the NL Pennant.
We can still do this! Things will turn around.
A lotta room in right-center, if he hits one there we can dance in the streets. The 2-1. Swung, line drive left field! One run is in! Here comes Bream! Here's the throw to the plate! He is...safe! Braves win! Braves win! Braves win! Braves win!...Braves win! They may have to hospitalize Sid Bream; he's down at the bottom of a huge pile at the plate. They help him to his feet. Frank Cabrera got the game winner! The Atlanta Braves are National League champions again! This crowd is going berserk, listen!
by HereComesBream on Apr 28, 2010 12:41 PM EDT reply actions
Both the ’91 and ’93 team had to overcome some significant deficits to win their divisions. Heck, even at the strike in ’94, the Braves were like 8 1/2 back of Montreal in mid-August.
tUMD Hockey: In search of a title! But probably not this year.
it's funny...
that people give Cox credit for coaching when he was blessed with three hall of fame pitchers and yet no one seems to point out we won one World Series with perhaps the greatest staff ever.
One World Series win is one more than a lot of managers these days will ever get. Three World Series appearances with the greatest staff ever and five overall is five appearances that a lot of today’s managers could only fathom to dream for. Why people belittle Bobby and the Braves for “just one” world championship baffles me to this day, considering there are squads that are decades away from having a chance. At least unlike the Buffalo Bills, the Braves did manage to get a championship out of all those chances.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
I always felt
we didn;t get the respect due because of the strike and not being a complete 162 game season, IMHO.
Lead off walks usually lead to runs, unless they don't. -Joe Simpson
Improving is right. Because .....
…the first 2 games of this series – I actually had hope we could would pull it off.
Looking forward to watching Braves baseball – no matter what.
After all, it will be November before we know it and I’ll be going through withdrawals again.
"Curve: The loveliest distance between two points." ~ Mae West
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