Braves Victimize Marlins Bullpen En Route To Victory

by gondeee on May 26, 2010 10:46 PM EDT in Braves Game Recaps

The Braves did all of their damage in the seventh inning, scoring six runs and batting around. Up to that point the bats were flat as Florida starter Nate Robertson limited the Braves to just one run on two hits, and one of those hits was a Brian McCann bunt to the left side of the infield when the Marlins had the over-shift on. But in the sixth inning the Braves victimized the Florida bullpen. It took the Fish three relievers to make it through the inning. The Braves used their patience and a little luck. They got three walks that inning -- all of which scored -- and five singles. The first single came off the bat of Yunel Escobar, and was a ball that the opposing shortstop had a hard time getting out of his glove.

Escobar came up to bat a second time in that inning and came through with his second hit. Yunel had collected just two hits in his previous eight games (spanning 28 at-bats), and he serves up two hits in one inning tonight. Troy Glaus also broke an 0-for-14 slump in the seventh inning with a key two-run single.

As good as the Marlins starting pitcher threw on the night, Braves starter Tommy Hanson struggled, and for a moment in the first inning it looked like he might have a repeat of that disaster in the first inning. Again with two outs Hanson gave up an opposite field line drive solo homerun to Hanley Ramirez, then allowed three straight walks. He looked completely spooked after that homerun. His pitches were all over the place, but he finally pulled it together and struck out the final man in the inning.

Hanson settled down some, but ran into a few more rough spots. He did manage to go six innings, which is another testament to the way he battles through games. He ended up only giving up four hits in his six innings of work, though he did issue five walks. Hanson might be overthrowing in those tight situations. He seems to be more effective when he backs off his fastball just a bit.

Overall it was a good night for the Braves. Thank goodness for the seventh inning rally, otherwise it would have been another rough night. Escobar made it on base three times, and Melky Cabrera and Brian McCann also contributed two hits apiece. Chipper Jones, though, continues to struggle, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and a walk. He looked quite fooled on those two strikeouts, and rather unsettled all night at the plate. He needs to get it going. I'll once again call for him to be moved down a bit in the lineup. Maybe not bottom third, but fifth or sixth.

Braves go for the series win tomorrow night with Tim Hudson on the mound.

Final - 5.26.2010	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Atlanta Braves	0	0	0	0	1	0	6	0	0	7	7	1
Florida Marlins	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	3	8	2
WP: Tommy Hanson (4 - 3) LP: Burke Badenhop (0 - 5)

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Chipper/Heyward Swap

Chipper seems to be swinging at balls and looking at strikes a lot right now, so a move is probably necessary but why not bat Chipper second for awhile, hopefully get him some more fastballs in front of J-Hey and see what happens. I just don’t see 5th or 6th working because he’ll be in the same run producing situations he is struggling in right now. Get him on-base for Heyward instead of the other way around.

by McLouth Maniac on May 26, 2010 10:50 PM EDT reply actions

Only if Chipper agrees to it

Good idea switching Chipper and J-Hey. But I doubt this will happen unless Chipper agrees to it. Bobby Cox has shuffled the line up when the Braves were not hitting but never touched Chipper at the 3rd spot though he too was struggling.

by rubbles88 on May 26, 2010 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions

It's overdue

We are not going to win anything this year with Chipper Jones batting third the way he is.

It's hard to say what's been most impressive. The seamless jump from AA? The ability to hit for average? The ability to hit for power? The 18 walks in 111 trips to the plate? The flair for the dramatic? When you're trying to isolate the most impressive aspect of Jason Heyward's game, there's a lot to choose from, and it's only been a month and a half.

by Richie Grogan on May 26, 2010 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions

He’s already given his say-so. It was Bobby who said there’s really no difference between the 2 and 3 hitters and refused to make the swap.

by J-Freak on May 26, 2010 11:51 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Yeah, they reported on one of the TV games that Chipper actually suggested this.

by McGriff the Crime Dog on May 27, 2010 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Bobby's interview

Said Glaus has a problem foot, McCann has a quad bothering him. Hope neither turns serious.

Heyward is pretty good

by bighop on May 26, 2010 10:50 PM EDT reply actions

That foot looked ok going second to home in the 7th.

"Matt Diaz is a baseball player."-Joe Simpson

by 10-4 on May 27, 2010 8:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Good

hope it isnt a lingering thing otherwise we will see Lance Berkman threads popping up

by drumzalicious on May 27, 2010 8:20 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah

It was weird, because when he drew the BB, he was basically hobbling over to first. But he was hauling down the 3rd base line towards home. Must not be that bad.

by Fatvirus on May 27, 2010 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Not Surprised

Especially by the Glaus problem. He’s such a big man. And he’s really had a history of injury problems. I’m really surprised he started and appeared in as many games as he has already this season. He was hurt a lot in Toronto – though I though he had knee problems there. And of course the shoulder last year etc. Hope he’ll be alright. Really don’t expect McCann to be in the line-up tonight…its unfortunate cause Mac was finally starting to turn the corner.

Kawakami is not absolute shit, but he isn’t any good either.

by Nova Scotia Steve on May 27, 2010 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

I wonder if there is a stat for?

Number of times reached base due to fielders error. Heyward would have to be high on the list. Great win! Tommy scared me a little tonight. Suck it Florida!!

Braves Win! Braves Win!

by Frozen Fan on May 26, 2010 11:03 PM EDT reply actions

Viva los Bravos

I want Phillie.

"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 May 26, 2010 11:04 PM EDT reply actions

I dunno

they seem due to bust out the big bats

I fed a fish to a pelican and Frisco bay and he tried to eat my cell phone he ran away

by TradeAndruw on May 26, 2010 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Let 'em phucking bring it.

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on May 27, 2010 1:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Phuckin A right

The road to the division title goes through Philly. Can’t be scared. Take the Marlins tomorrow, take the pirates series, then show the phils what the other side of the wood shed looks like. If this team wants to be champions, this week would be a perfect opportunity to send the message.

Braves Win! Braves Win!

by Frozen Fan on May 27, 2010 1:29 AM EDT up reply actions

I am not an expert by any means but it seems like Hanson has better control when his fastball is around 91-93 mph compared to 94-97 mph. His slider was not good at all for majority of the night. Having said all of this, Hanson was still good enough for the win. That’s all that really matters, the Win.

by romone_braves91 on May 26, 2010 11:21 PM EDT reply actions

nice to see esco melky and heap with multi-hit games. we need these guys to get it going

by Slee on May 26, 2010 11:35 PM EDT reply actions

Melky

has been really good on the road trip. It was good to see him get another start in place of McLouth, who has really been fighting it lately and is also apparently nursing an injury.

"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson

by Jacob Peterson on May 26, 2010 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions

He's looked really good lately.

We got good contributions from most of the recent whipping boys in this game.

"Yeah, and if your Aunt Minnie had a moustache she'd be your Uncle Fred.." - Ernie Johnson

by Sam Jethroe on May 27, 2010 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Didn’t McClouth start and play the whole game in center? I didn’t see the game, just looked at the box score. I assumed Melky started in left b/c of the lefty Robertson,

by CharlotteChop on May 27, 2010 7:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes, Melky started in place of Hinske.

"UNLIKE CYBORG REYES JOJO MY CPU DOES NOT REQUIRE 'EARNED RUNS' FOR NOURISHMENT"

by Smoltz's Beard on May 27, 2010 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Chip

Never thought this would happen — The Melk Man with a better avg than Chipper at this point…WOW! Bobby please please please drop him in the lineup.

by BBLoyolaMD on May 26, 2010 11:40 PM EDT reply actions

I’m glad the Braves won the game tonight to make me feel a little better about my tv.

"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."

by EricGreggWasPaidOff on May 26, 2010 11:40 PM EDT reply actions

I wasn't expecting that come back

It looked like another long-night was in store for fans in Braves land – Good game to win.

Kawakami is not absolute shit, but he isn’t any good either.

by Nova Scotia Steve on May 27, 2010 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Good win tonight— now let’s win tomorrow and take our first intra-division series of the year. Only 2.5 games out of first place!

"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson

by Jacob Peterson on May 26, 2010 11:56 PM EDT reply actions

Very fortunate the phils have lost four straight. The division is tight. No team in the east has a losing record

Braves Win! Braves Win!

by Frozen Fan on May 27, 2010 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions

I would like to let everyone know

that right now Chipper Jones has a .250 BAbip his career BAbip is .316

That is all.

by drumzalicious on May 27, 2010 12:18 AM EDT reply actions

That might the due to bad luck a little bit, but it won’t go up much until he starts hitting the ball hard.

by Southern IN Chopper on May 27, 2010 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions

wait...

if SLG is a measure of power, and Chip’s SLG is down, (.336, career .537)……

and his Babip follows the same trend……..

could it be possible that BAbip is not a measure of luck?

could it be that merely putting the ball in play doesn’t guarantee a 3/10 chance of a base hit?

Sorry for being a complete ass, but I really hate BABIP, and I think it should leave because I was here first.

by someguy1 on May 27, 2010 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Chipper’s ISO is a whopping .117.

For contrast sake: McLouth’s ISO is .124 and he is having arguably a worse offensive season.

"Give him the heater Ricky."

by Pavy848 on May 27, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Heres my problem with the babip argument with chipper. Someone said he has like 13 warning track flyouts this year. Two years ago those balls probably leave the park or hit the wall. Basically he’s added 13 balls in play that he normally wouldnt have and he’s 0-13 on them. So that isn’t luck, thats him not hitting the ball as far as he used to be able to.

Cockchafer

by bpk228480 on May 27, 2010 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Awesome

scored some RUNZ for Tommy. If only KK knew how to get RUNZ

by Erihury on May 27, 2010 1:32 AM EDT reply actions

kk

should dye his hair red and change jersey’s with hanson for his next start

by drumzalicious on May 27, 2010 1:37 AM EDT up reply actions

he's already working on more blisters like Lowe

by Mr. Sanchez on May 27, 2010 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Also

Heyward needs to start hitting DINGERZ

by Erihury on May 27, 2010 1:40 AM EDT reply actions

Troy Glaus was like:

And Talking Chop was like:

"Batting 4th and doing the catching, says here this guy weighs 210 pounds...I'm not buyin it! It's Brian McCann."

by Scott Coleman on May 27, 2010 1:53 AM EDT reply actions

MLB news saying McCann probably won't start tomorrow.

I can only hope the line-up is:

Prado, M.
Heyward, J./Jones, C.
Jones, C./Heyward, C.
Glaus, T.
Hinske, E.
Escobar, Y.
McLouth, N.
Ross, D.

I imagine McCann would be available to pinch-hit in a dire situation.

by Wren_and_Stimpy on May 27, 2010 2:47 AM EDT reply actions

is Heyward, C. the brother of Jason Heyward? is he as good as Heyward, J.? ;)

by atl192485 on May 27, 2010 4:44 AM EDT up reply actions

"C" stands for

“Cosmic Overlord”

Get used to it, puny humans!

"Yeah, and if your Aunt Minnie had a moustache she'd be your Uncle Fred.." - Ernie Johnson

by Sam Jethroe on May 27, 2010 5:34 AM EDT up reply actions

"Hey Honey, could you fist the salt over here?"

by GeneParmesan on May 27, 2010 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Where's Melky?

He’s hot, Hinske and McLouth are not….sit one of them and ride the hot bad while you can.

by Southern IN Chopper on May 27, 2010 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions

bat

Hot bat while you can. Stupid morning typo.

by Southern IN Chopper on May 27, 2010 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions

If you’d gotten it right the first time, it was perfectly teed up for a TWSS.

by Bronn on May 27, 2010 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Chipper oughtta be hitting in the #2 spot with Heyward at #3, at least until Chipper shows he can back up that monster OBP with some SLG%. He gets on base like it’s going outta style, but I’m really tired of watching him roll into easy outs. Get on, let Heyward, McCann, and Glaus knock you in, old man.

"Baseball is the only major sport that appears backwards in a mirror." ~George Carlin

by FineHamAbounds on May 27, 2010 3:53 AM EDT reply actions

Never too late for:

I thought Yunel looked good at the plate, he had some good line drives that just went foul in addition to the good hit he had in the 7th. When he gets that line drive swing back, look out!

"Matt Diaz is a baseball player."-Joe Simpson

by 10-4 on May 27, 2010 8:24 AM EDT reply actions