The Braves Overcome 3 Home Runs to Beat The Diamondbacks 7-5
by BenDuronio on Jun 9, 2010 1:06 AM EDT
in Braves Game Recaps
Email
Print
In a back and forth battle, the Braves outlasted the Diamondbacks to take the second game of the series and even the four game set 1-1. Kris Medlen had a rough performance on the mound, allowing three solo shots in the game's first two innings and giving up four total runs across five innings. Offensively, Medlen got on base in all of his at bats, but he suffered a posterior left shoulder strain on his non-throwing arm as he slid into home plate with what was then the game tying run. Kris will be further re-evaluated tomorrow.
Predictably, the Braves' bullpen proved to be stronger than the Diamondbacks'. Jonny Venters, Eric O'Flaherty, and Billy Wager were all effective and pitched 3.1 scoreless innings between them. Peter Moylan walked two and allowed an earned run as Bobby Cox questionably took the Aussie out for Jonny Venters against Kelly Johnson. Johnson has a higher OPS this season and in his career against lefties and he subsequently singled off of Venters to tie the game at 5.
Troy Glaus came through for the Braves in a big way in the top of the eighth as he tied the game with a two out double off of the losing pitcher Esmerling Vasquez (0-2). Jonny Venters (1-0) was able to shut down the Diamondbacks in the eighth, and despite allowing the inherited runner to score in the seventh he earned his first Major League win. Melky Cabrera added an insurance run on a wild pitch by Juan Gutierrez in the top half of the ninth, and Billy Wagner was able to close the game down for his tenth save of the season.
The Braves offense was able to keep up with the Diamondbacks due to Omar Infante, Melky Cabrera, and Kris Medlen having big days offensively. Each got on base at least three times and Infante was able to get on four times in place of Martin Prado in the leadoff spot.
Kelly Johnson was pestering the Braves the entire night as he opened the Diamondbacks scoring with a first inning homer and added two more hits along with two more RBI throughout course of the game. Justin Upton hit an absolute bomb off of Medlen in the first and Mark Reynolds added a mammoth shot to center in the second. Outside of the two big homers and Johnson's big day, the Diamondbacks offense struggled as the rest of the team combined for just two hits.
It's good to see the Braves win these types of games. In the past few seasons, these are the kind of games the Braves would have a difficult time coming out on top in. They had solid clutch hits throughout the game, which is expected from a first place team. With the win, the Braves remain two games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies in the N.L East.
Tomorrow, Kenshin Kawakami (0-8) looks to get his first win of the season against Ian Kennedy (3-3) at 9:40pm at Chase Field.
129 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
It's not a wager, when you've got Wagner! :)
Predictably, the Braves’ bullpen proved to be stronger than the Diamondbacks’. Jonny Venters, Eric O’Flaherty, and Billy Wager were all effective and pitched 3.1 scoreless
+1
so much win.
"UNLIKE CYBORG REYES JOJO MY CPU DOES NOT REQUIRE 'EARNED RUNS' FOR NOURISHMENT"
by Smoltz's Beard on Jun 9, 2010 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions
This win was about as ugly as Elaine’s dancing.
Kenshin getting his first win tomorrow. I feel it.
The birth of Jason Heyward was God’s punishment for the sins of the people in New York and Philly.
I sure hope so.
I’m getting tired of seeing headlines “Kawakami looks for first win against _________”
"Matt Diaz is a baseball player."-Joe Simpson
lose Kawakami.
"UNLIKE CYBORG REYES JOJO MY CPU DOES NOT REQUIRE 'EARNED RUNS' FOR NOURISHMENT"
by Smoltz's Beard on Jun 9, 2010 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Good win. Bullpen pitch great great and troy had a clutch hit. Now let’s get KK his first win and Heyward a day off.
its all good
Resop is going to have to come up anyway, unless we want to pay more money to stay in the minors. Resop or Todd Redmond
I was reading Braves Journal
and decided if I ever pitch or hit in the major leagues (ha!), my entrance/walkup music will be the Imperial March.
I hate the Phillies so much...
+1
that would be awesome…
"Sometimes I think it is a great mistake to have matter that can think and feel. It complains so. By the same token, though, I suppose that boulders and mountains and moons could be accused of being a little too phlegmatic."
-Kurt Vonnegut, "The Sirens of Titan"
by Bravely going forward on Jun 9, 2010 1:25 AM EDT up reply actions
yep.
he kept finding ways to hurt us with his bat despite being on the team.
the Atlantaxation of Chattanooga.
meds injury update
ajcbraves
Medlen posterior left shoulder strain, will be reevaluated tomorrow
ajcbraves
Medlen injury isn’t a big deal at all, as it turns out. He said it hurt a lot when it happened, but by game’s end he’d iced it and felt fine
that makes me happy.
now we can laud him for a mighty impressive slide!
the Atlantaxation of Chattanooga.
do we bring up resop as a log reliever anyway?
we dont have one until medlin steps back into the role when jj gets back. Sounds like thats gonna be pretty soon..so do we bring resop up? Even though he is stretched out as a starter, he could be pretty valuable in our pen, but for that matter so could dunn. Whats wren gonna do? Even if he wants to trade resop, it seems like he would get more value out of him by bringing up to the majors…but really, doesnt he hit 100 mph?
those logs do need relieving
haha, it’s always so refreshing when it happens organically. medlin medallin medlen…
I wish I had a dime
For every time I’ve said that.
HUMANS AT WEBADDRESS FANGRAPHS & BASEBALLPROSPECTS PERHAPS WILL SPEAK ILL OF PERFORMANCE TONIGHT DUE TO MAGICAL MEANINGLESS "WHIP"
we kinda have 3
Martinez
Chavez
Venters
although as of late Venters has been used in more critical situations.
by drumzalicious on Jun 9, 2010 3:16 AM EDT up reply actions
And Martinez doesn’t exist. And Chavez is fucking terrible.
MUST RECONFIGURE STRIKEZONE PARAMETERS TO ACCOUNT FOR FALLIBLE HUMAN UMPIRE - CyborgHanson48
That's a great theory
what if Martinez’s career is really just some elaborate ploy by the FO…
...fuck lucky charms
by VivaLosBravos on Jun 9, 2010 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions
This has nothing to do with tonight’s game but…
Remember at the first game of the year the team had to wait until the 5th inning to sell Jason Heyward Atlanta merchandise? I saw on MLBN tonight that there were a good number of people wearing Strasburg 37 shirts and stuff like that. I can only assume they didn’t buy it at the ballpark.
As for us, I only saw the last 3 innings but Glaus is still coming up aces for us. Good to see the W.
MUST RECONFIGURE STRIKEZONE PARAMETERS TO ACCOUNT FOR FALLIBLE HUMAN UMPIRE - CyborgHanson48
I was at the game...
There were people wearing non-official gear before the game Strasburg 37 shirts and stuff but they didn’t start selling things in the team shop and official Majestic merchandise until he threw his first pitch.
I was confused because I thought they had to wait till the fifth for the game to become official as had happened with Heyward… not sure what the rule is but they definitely made an announcement in the park that they would start selling official licensed Strasburg gear after the first pitch.
Go USA, Braves, BU Terriers, Irish, Caps, Colts, Hoyas, NU Cats, Wizards, DC United, Washington Freedom
BU Hockey: National Champions 1971, 1972, 1978, 1995, 2009
Or perhaps the Nats are desperate for money.
Jason Heyward is the reason that Chuck Norris parks his car in a garage.
Interesting...
what would be the fine MLB puts on a franchise for jumping the guy on that sort of thing, and would it not be a small fraction of the profits you’d make in those premature sales?
Strasburg signed a Major League contract with the Nationals upon being drafted and has been on the 40-man roster all year. I believe under those conditions, his jersey would have been available after the first game of the season became official, i.e. middle of the fifth, even though he did not play in that game nor was he even on the active roster at the time.
Shouldn't Brent Clevlen get a shot in LF before...awww, forget it!
kinda like, “i don’t mean to be a dick, but…”
by CharlotteChop on Jun 9, 2010 7:21 AM EDT up reply actions
"Peter Moylan walked two and allowed an earned run as Bobby Cox questionably took the Aussie out for Jonny Venters."
I’m still not understand our reaction to this move by Bobby… the sentence clearly says it.. he’d walked two guys and didn’t seem in control so Bobby went to the pen.
Go USA, Braves, BU Terriers, Irish, Caps, Colts, Hoyas, NU Cats, Wizards, DC United, Washington Freedom
BU Hockey: National Champions 1971, 1972, 1978, 1995, 2009
People are never happy
If Bobby left Moylan out there you would hear: “OMG I can’t believe he’s leaving him out there! Pull him already! Bobby Cox cost us that game!”
If Bobby had put a remaing RHP (Chavez/Martinez) you would hear: “OMG I can’t believe he’s bringing in a scurb reliever! Use our best guys already! Bobby Cox cost us that game!”
Rediculous.
With crappy overpaid vets of course!
by TheBravestWay To Block A Decent Prospect on Jun 9, 2010 4:55 AM EDT up reply actions
True, but I think it was more of an issue with bringing a lefty in to face Johnson, who has really good lefty/righty splits. But lets not make it a big deal, since we won and Bobby is still the man
"But skip, I have nine home runs today"....
“Yes, but you see, the pitcher is a lefty, so I’m putting in a righty. It’s called playing the percentages. It’s what smart managers do to win ball games.”
by Mr. Sanchez on Jun 9, 2010 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
You win a gold star for that.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Jun 9, 2010 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions
HERE WE GO GALAXY HERE WE GO
Lonnie approves of the win.
"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- You know he's gonna get you, you just never know when or where."
Hey Scott,
if you were at the game tonight, great job. I heard the chant break out a few times. There seemed to be more Braves fans than Dbacks fans, based on jerseys and the like, too.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Jun 9, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Medlen is a Ballplayer
I like that guy. Tried a steal. Slid head first into home. Pitched. Ran the bases well. Love that from a guy.
I love his enthusiasm
but if it causes him to go on the DL, I’d prefer he just slide normally. Losing one game is better than having someone take his spot in the rotation and be less effective.
He said after the game that his shoulder feels fine and it’s just tight. That shouldn’t cause him to miss his next scheduled start on Sunday.
The birth of Jason Heyward was God’s punishment for the sins of the people in New York and Philly.
yeah it was his non-throwing shoulder, plus he has 4 days to rest it. IT may affect his swing though
OMG!!
We can’t lose his offensive production! He’s better than some of the non-pitchers!
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Jun 9, 2010 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
Medlen is the Matt Diaz of the pitching staff.
If heyward sits today who do you think will start in RF? With Nate banged up do you think they will put Blanco in center and move Melky to right.
Jason Heyward showed bunt once.....he was promptly intentionally walked
Can brooks play right field?
I would prefer his bat to gregor or Nates at this point.. Or hell think we could get huddy some flyballs before the game and he relieve heyward for the day.. I like his bat too.
by SidKotchman on Jun 9, 2010 8:56 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
haha if prado is in there i wonder if bobby would give infante a shot in right, i doubt it though
Jason Heyward showed bunt once.....he was promptly intentionally walked
Infante has played in left a couple games. And if he’s more comfortable there than in right, Bobby could easily swap Melky over to right….
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Jun 9, 2010 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I approve of this decision. However, against a righty I believe Hinske should move to RF with Infante in LF. You can keep Melky in at RF though, either way works. Infante is rolling right now though, and it would be wise to find a place for him to get in tonight.
Twitter: @Ben_Duronio
Medlen
People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.
If Bobby waits until the weekend to sit Heyward I’m going to set myself on fire right in the LF bleachers of Bullseye Field.
"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton
Can you do
us a favor and set yourself on fire behind home plate? That improves our chances of winning that series.
I hate the Phillies so much...
LOL! For real. I, and a lot of people, use that expression, but this actually did make me laught out loud. Thanks.
I feel your pain, btw. A few years ago it seemed every game I had bought tickets to, John Thompson was pitching. :(
I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. ~ Crash Davis
by Old Braves' Fan on Jun 9, 2010 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Np haha. Have you heard anything of nate’s health?
Jason Heyward showed bunt once.....he was promptly intentionally walked
I expect that too.
That’s the best defensive alignment (sans Heyward). Also, Nate had a hit last night, so Bobby probably wants to reward him by getting him back in there.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Jun 9, 2010 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions
It was actually pretty bad. I hear Jo-Jo-itis isn’t very treatable, either.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Jun 9, 2010 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I would like to congratulate Justin Upton
For being selected to represent the Diamondbacks on the Alfonso Soriano Honorary Douchecanoe Team.
What an asshole.
Official MCM Hater!
"If anyone asks you, you fixed my television. Now go!"
He flipped his bat theatrically
and then stood and admired his homer for like 10 seconds before running to first. A real douchey move if you ask me. You won’t see Heyward doing that.
Also, expect Upton to get plunked in the first non-critical situation that he comes up in tonight or tomorrow.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Jun 9, 2010 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions
It was excused as trying to see if it stayed fair...
although the bat toss kind of pokes a hole in that theory.
I'd love to see Hanson take a shot at his earhole
Official MCM Hater!
"If anyone asks you, you fixed my television. Now go!"
Seriously. Tommy’s been a bit wild as of late, hasn’t he? Then he comes back and blows them away. At times I’m sitting there thinking to myself, “Is he just trying to scare them; plant a seed of doubt in their minds?” Sort of like, “Plunk the mascot,” from Bull Durham, ya know?
I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. ~ Crash Davis
by Old Braves' Fan on Jun 9, 2010 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Heyward swings and starts running if the ball is fair. Heyward is awesome
"Tony Gwynn made sacrifices. Cal Ripken made sacrifices. I'm not sure Derek Jeter made sacrifices given the ungodly deep pockets the Yankees have." - Chipper Jones
by MBL1 on Jun 9, 2010 2:52 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
You get credit for calling this first if it happens. And I hope it does.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Jun 9, 2010 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Poor KK. Can someone get him a win???
God typed "iddqd" before creating Jason Heyward.
I just hate the fact that Lowe is doing just as bad/worse and has 8 wins
God typed "iddqd" before creating Jason Heyward.
Let's just pretend
that they both have 4 wins and call it even. Problem solved!
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Jun 9, 2010 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes, if only it worked that way...
We could take half of D. Lowe’s winz and give them to Kawakami. Then, they’d be 4-5 and 4-8, respectively. That would be more fair.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Jun 9, 2010 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Game MVP:
Melky
Game LVP:
Yunel (0/5, 2 K, idiotic slide into first)
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
+53
We have traded away great players for less than nothing and let Texierra walk away, and much much more so pray that Hayward is sent from God and that his energy can ignite the veterans and cause the younger players to hustle more and play winning baseball...
I’d do +280 there. Use Melky’s weight instead of his number.
Shouldn't Brent Clevlen get a shot in LF before...awww, forget it!
+530
I forgot a zero for MVHS weight
We have traded away great players for less than nothing and let Texierra walk away, and much much more so pray that Hayward is sent from God and that his energy can ignite the veterans and cause the younger players to hustle more and play winning baseball...
Proof that the mystical Yankee way dominates baseball.
Not the, you know, money.
by DogDaysofSummer on Jun 9, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
I like the attitude they brought with them to Braves
It’s evident they were taught to hustle down the line no matter how slow they were. It’s obvious Hinske wants to make the most of every at bat. When he fails, he shows real emotions. I like their “never give up attitude”. They play hard no matter what the score. If we are winning by 6 they continue to play as if the score were tied. If we are losing by 6 they continue to try to help the team get back in the game. This attitude is impressive to me. I hate to see players give up, and turn for the dug-out when they feel they will be called out at first, or drop their heads and sit in the dug-out as if the game is over after the other team gets up several runs on us. I have noticed during these times, it’s Hinske, Glaus, and even Melky that continue to hold their head up and encourage the other players to do the same. These guys have a winning attitude! We needed that. Props to FW for picking up Hinske and Glaus for pennies on the dollar. They have been great additions in more ways than one! Wags has fire also. I love these guys.
Chipper: "It has never been about money for me, and it never will be about money. It has always been about winning, comfort and playing for Bobby Cox."
Glaus gets incredibly emotional at times, it’s great to see out of a player.
"UNLIKE CYBORG REYES JOJO MY CPU DOES NOT REQUIRE 'EARNED RUNS' FOR NOURISHMENT"
by Smoltz's Beard on Jun 9, 2010 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions
It was hilarious seeing him chuck the bat down the hallway the other day.
"UNLIKE CYBORG REYES JOJO MY CPU DOES NOT REQUIRE 'EARNED RUNS' FOR NOURISHMENT"
by Smoltz's Beard on Jun 9, 2010 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I swear he’s gonna kill an ump one of these days arguing balls and strikes.
"UNLIKE CYBORG REYES JOJO MY CPU DOES NOT REQUIRE 'EARNED RUNS' FOR NOURISHMENT"
by Smoltz's Beard on Jun 9, 2010 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions
MVP = Melkiest Valid Player?
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Jun 9, 2010 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Other game MVP:
Adam LaRoche. That guy is terrible defensively. At least 3 of our “hits” were fieldable by LaRoche. It’s hilarious how even our announcers rush to come up with ludicrous explanations for every ball that he whiffs on or boots. “Chipper hit that so hard he couldn’t get his glove down!” Haha, right, guys. That was a routine ground ball.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Jun 9, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
We got a Win
regardless of he did this, he didn’t do that. I am happy:)
Chipper: "It has never been about money for me, and it never will be about money. It has always been about winning, comfort and playing for Bobby Cox."
What’s baseball without the “he did this, he didn’t do that”? I think it’s a rule or something.
"UNLIKE CYBORG REYES JOJO MY CPU DOES NOT REQUIRE 'EARNED RUNS' FOR NOURISHMENT"
by Smoltz's Beard on Jun 9, 2010 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I hate rules :)
Chipper: "It has never been about money for me, and it never will be about money. It has always been about winning, comfort and playing for Bobby Cox."
You…you….anarchist, you! ;-)
I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. ~ Crash Davis
by Old Braves' Fan on Jun 9, 2010 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Talking Chop
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
