Braves Come Back To Win In Extras, Take Series
by gondeee on Aug 11, 2010 6:04 PM EDT
in Braves Game Recaps
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PrintNow the Braves are back to winning series. It may seem like every game the last two weeks has been a struggle, but the Braves have won the last three series and are 7-and-3 during that span. It sure seemed like today's game against the Astros was a struggle, but the Braves pulled out the win in the end.
Tommy Hanson was on auto-pilot this afternoon. He worked some deep counts, but he used his defense and held the Astros to just two hits through seven innings. He even helped himself with a bouncing single over the third baseman's head to score the go-ahead run in the fifth.
Billy Wagner came on to close out the 2-1 game in the ninth, and after giving up a weak infield grounder and a roped single, found himself with runners on the corners and no outs. A sac fly tied the game. Wagner was able to keep Houston from taking the lead, but it spoiled an excellent start for Hanson and was Wagner's seventh blown save of the season -- good bad enough for a tie for second in the National League. What is it with great starts by Tommy Hanson in Houston that are blown by the closer. Think back to last year when Rafael Soriano blew perhaps the best start of Hanson's career.
The Braves finally laced up their hittin' shoes in the tenth inning, but only after they laced up their walking shoes. The first two Braves reached on walks and then Omar Infante broke the tie with a double that scored one. Another walk loaded the bases for Alex Gonzalez, who singled in a run. Still with the bases loaded Brian McCann pinch hit, and boy did he. He crushed a grand slam to give the Braves a six run lead. it was the Braves third pinch-hit grand slam this year (the other two were by Clutch Conrad, of course).
It was a shame that Hanson didn't get the victory, but at least the Braves came back and picked up the win. An off-day tomorrow will be good for all the ailing bodies on the Atlanta bench. Hopefully Chipper's MRI comes back with good news. Fingers are crossed.
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How many
comeback wins have wthe Braves had now this season?
Atlanta Hawks=the team that drafted big $$$$$$$$$ instead of big men.
same as yesterday – Braves never trailed in this one, but did gain a “last at bat win”.
by CharlotteChop on Aug 11, 2010 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I love Wagner,
but maybe he needs to pitch less in the 9th and maybe Saito or Venters could see more closing opportunities during Wags’ off-days. Doubt Bobby will try it.
A win’s a win, but Hanson deserved better today. Nice when these are my only complaints. Been out of town all week and this was the first game I got to listen to on the radio/watch the tail-end…
Morton hit Heyward with an offspeed pitch. Early indication is that the baseball survived the impact.
So, the tally reads 8 errors in three games. 20 in the last 12 games. And the most errors in baseball since the All Star Break.
0 wins by starters in this series. Another blown save by Wagner- 4 since the break now.
Getting two out of three is pretty lucky, but we’ll take it.
Wagner
We all know how dominant he can be, but the 7 BS are definitely a concern. With his track record, experience, and stuff, there is no way Billy gets moved out of the closer role but it would really calm all of us if he gets and convert a string of easy (2-3 run lead) saves.
It would also help if the Braves defense play better behind him. He is still much more reliable than Brad Lidge (speaking of another former Astros closer).
by LEastCoastBears on Aug 11, 2010 6:28 PM EDT reply actions
he's pitched a lot recently
7 appearances (out of 11 games) so far in August, 14 appearances (out of 26 games) since the All-Star break.
He could do with 2 things: firstly, as you say, the defense playing better behind him, and secondly, the offense blowing some games wide open (so Bobby doesn’t need to use him and Saito as frequently)
"I'm like Yankee fans. I expect perfection from my team. I wish more Braves fans were like me." by AndyInGA on Jul 29, 2010 12:43 PM PDT
by ByrneSupremacy on Aug 11, 2010 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions
It would be helpful for all of our BP if they could take the mound with more than a 1 run lead too.
Our SPs are suffering from run support and many are exiting the game with the narrowest of margins for the BP to sustain.
This means any ut-oh from the defense has huge consequences.
"Curve: The loveliest distance between two points." ~ Mae West
The most frustrating series of the season to date
a AAAA team only hit two balls hard in 3 games, yet it seemed like the Braves had to scratch and claw for anything.
Gonzalez’s defense continues to be terrible in crucial spots and Chipper may have played his last game. B-Mac is killing us behind the plate.
However, Glaus is starting to swing again, B-Mac is the best offensive catcher in the National League, and the team continues to pull out games late. Additionally, we got GREAT starting pitching, but the bullpen that has carried the team all season is showing holed.
Crazy, crazy series. Glad it’s over.
Disagree
Definitely not the most frustrating series. Hell, it doesn’t even rank in the top 5 for me. How about the Marlins series a few weeks ago? That was just slightly more frustrating, blowing two games. How about when we were swept in 4 games to the Cardinals? How about losing 2 of 3 to the crappy Nats two weeks ago?
This was a really good series. We hit a lot of HR and did have a few timely hits (like Omar and B-Mac today). The Astros are also not as bad as some may think. We are basically the first team to shut down their offense since the break.
I AM a little worried about Wagner though.
Agreed with ryantex
While it was frustrating how close the games were, it was ultimately rewarding to see how the Braves came back in both games to get the series win.
Ha, not counting the Cards series, or the Nats series that preceded that,
as those were played by a totally different Braves team.
This series was just awful because Houston never hit a ball hard. All their runs were the result of duck snorts and dribblers, and of course, we lost Chipper.
Yet another reason why we should stop talking about pitcher wins: the Braves scored more runs for Billy Wagner and Jonny Venters this series (9) than they scored for their starters (7). It’s no wonder, then, that Wagner and Venters got the two wins, despite not really deserving them.
As crappily as we played in all but two innings of this series (the 9th yesterday and the 10th today), a series win on the road is pretty damn good. Now let’s go home and pretend like we’re not actually a little league team.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
Figures that I’d miss the most exciting game of the series because of work. Should’ve called in sick. Bravos back to winning series is great news. Here’s hoping Philly coughs it up again tonight against LA. Heading into Atlanta this weekend for a couple games of the Dodgers series. Pumped.
A baseball diamond is, most simply, the intersecting of four 90-foot baselines, and, most powerfully, the intersecting of seemingly random lives.
two closers...
i think that bobby needs to worry more about the righty lefty match-up when closing… use saito more with righties coming up in the nineth – would give wags more time off.
"If I had known I was going to live this long I'd have taken better care of myself" ~ Mickey Mantle
Thank goodness
A much-needed off day and then 7 games at home. Sounds pretty good to me.
"Based on stereotypes that are totally untrue and I do not agree with, you would maybe-not be a very good driver..."
"Oh man am I a woman?!"
by Scott Coleman on Aug 11, 2010 6:45 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I understand Wagner blew the save....
First batter with a weak roller to 3B reached. Lee went down and lined a pretty good pitch over SS. It’s not like he pitched terribly…..
I still have more faith in Wagner than I do any of the Braves closers after Smoltz. His stuff is really good, and yes, he’s blown some 1-run, 2-run games this year. But the Braves came back and won a few of them and at least two of them weren’t helped with TERRIBLE defense. He isn’t Brad Lidge and his closer role shouldn’t be in jeopardy……
I agree...
That said, I honestly wouldn’t mind Saito closing every now and then…Hopefully when EOF returns, we can rest Venters, Saito, etc. more…
I missed everything cause of work
But watched the 10th inning online when I got home – awesome stuff.
The blown save by Wagner is painful, and it almost begs the question as to why Cox doesn’t let starters finish the games themselves. I have no idea what the pitch count was for Hanson, but if he was really that good, he just have just stayed in the game.
I think Hanson’s pitch count was in the high 80’s-low 90’s? I don’t remember the exact number. I definitely could have seen him coming back out in the 8th, but people keep complaining about Bobby leaving in his starters for that one inning too many, so it was kind of a catch-22 there.
Yeah
We have an awesome bullpen, so its really not much of an idea, but it just seems silly to me sometimes to not let a pitcher who is so dominant to finish a game.
Does make me curious though – under Bobby Cox, how many pitchers have thrown complete games?
Hey has anyone heard anything on Chipper!!
by cali viking on Aug 11, 2010 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Two points
One – BC pulled Tommy at the right time. If he’d have pitched the 8th, that would have been the 4th time through the line-up and pitchers historically don’t fare as well under these circumstances (idea stolen from here, although it makes intuitive sense).
Two – You are using “begs the question” improperly. I’ve always used it this way, but I saw someone point out the actual meaning of the term. Kinda neat, huh? Anyways, now you know. And as GI Joe so smugly points out, “Knowing is half the battle”.
Don't kiss an ass if it's in the process of shitting on you.
"…aren’t worthy enough to hold his (Pujols) ass cheeks apart while Playboy models wipe him with thousand dollar bills after he craps out the cure to whatever previously-incurable disease." by royhobbs 1/7/09
I saw the Tommy Hanson link:
and look at the first comment:
Alvaro Andres Pizza Varela Says:
August 11th, 2010 at 10:39 AM
I can’t wait for Bobby Cox to leave
he has commented several times.
The PuertoRican Kid
by Kobe:The Legend on Aug 11, 2010 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions
does anyone know the name of the best met blog?
good win today- took two out of three- hope CJ’S knee is ok- good time for a day off- its too hot outside.
This is a trick question, right?
"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton
Not sure why you’d like to know but MetsBlog. I HATE the Mets but I actually read it pretty regularly. They do some great stuff.
I suppose...
If one were to read a Mets blog, you’d want it to be the best one…Lord knows what crap is on a bad Mets blog…
But can anything associated with the Mets be deemed “best”?
"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton
kind a Big good team win.....
we get the W, that´s the good news here , great teams wins like this , in ugly way or pretty fashion , no matter what , great outing by Tommy Boy… now have a cold ones , some rest and defend our BRAVES COUNTRY , vamos bravos , CARAJO!!!!!!!!
Carajo si, estos bravos son los mejores!!!
The PuertoRican Kid
by Kobe:The Legend on Aug 11, 2010 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Good series win
I’ve said that if our middle the order produces then I think we can beat any team. Mac has been hitting just about all year, Troy has been cold-hot-cold and hopefully is now heating up, and Chipper was doing great before his injury. I really hope Chipper will be back soon and we can finally have a consistent lineup
by Braves24 on Aug 11, 2010 7:27 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I feel bad for Tommy. He’s pitched incredibly well his last… 4? starts now, and he hasn’t been able to come up with the win in any of them. I blame the blown save today on Billy Wagner being jealous of Hanson’s beard. Because really now. It’s ballin’.
Glad we were able to come up with the W anyway! I knew when they walked Hinske to get to Omar that they were going to pay for that. And Heap, holy crap. After last year of not having any grand slam’s, I cherish each one we get this year.
Hanson’s Beard is the new Smoltz’s Beard.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Aug 11, 2010 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Sacrilege!
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Aug 11, 2010 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Admittedly, I was baiting for an indignant response. Unfortunately, you were not my intended target. This is not the trap you are looking for. waves hand
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Aug 11, 2010 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't trust Billy Wagner with a one run lead....
at least 5 of his blown saves came when he had only a one run lead to protect. Maybe the nerves get the best of him in those giving situation.
by romone_braves91 on Aug 11, 2010 8:14 PM EDT reply actions
just curious...
how many of his saves came with a one run lead?
''We cover the outfield like kudzu covers the land around here" - Bobby Cox, 2004
Last 7 games for Braves
NL Hitting
.232/.362/.456 (11th/12th/1th)
6-2B (T-12)
13 HR (1th MLB)
30 R (T-6th)
29 RBI (6th)
22 BB (T-6th)
48 SO (4th)
NL Pitching
5W 2L (T-1th)
ERA 2.36 (2nd)
21 R (11th)
17 ER (12th)
1HR (Last in MLB)
23BB (4th)
42SO (10th)
NL Fielding
12 E (Most in MLB)
FPCT .960 (Lowest in MLB)
SB 5 (4th Most in NL)
CS 2 (4th Most in NL)
Lately, we are showing some power but poor defense and pitching great games
1th?
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Aug 11, 2010 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I think you meant 1st for the HR allowed too….I think we are definitely the winners of “not last place” (bonus points to whoever gets that reference) on this one.
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Aug 12, 2010 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Good Win...
But ugly…To take 2/3 on the road is tough; it doesn’t matter who you play…Now we get a nice day off before the home-stand…
I am anxiously awaiting Chipper’s MRI results! I really, really want Chipper back for the home-stretch…
why
alot of people thought he needed to retire early
Count me...
As someone who (a) didn’t want him to retire and (b) wanted him to retire on his own terms, not because of an injured knee…
Tommy is the new KK. lol.
"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
______________
Nothing is worse than the end of the chip bag.
by MBL1 on Aug 11, 2010 10:07 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
naww, Tommy is the new JJ because of the ND
The PuertoRican Kid
by Kobe:The Legend on Aug 11, 2010 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Tommy is not a WINAR
therefore trade him for FYF and then…..VOTE FOR PEDRO!
Ok seriously, Tommy is really helping my fantasy team ERA wise but we’ve got to start getting him into the W column.
If I have to explain my username to you, you're obviously a Philly fan.
"Kill my boss?! Do I dare live out the American dream?" - Homer Simpson
In the picture?
Where’s the runner on 3rd base since that’s a grand slam? He did a hell of a job hiding!
Heyward is pretty good
How awesome is it
Seven grand slams in five years for McCann?
In other news, is it at all possible that McCann could sometimes play first base while Ross was catcher?
I have virtually no idea if McCann has ever played first or has any skill there. I’m sure he would hate doing that, but sometimes I feel like Ross would be a better impact than Glaus.
Even more amazing, none of those came last season – it is really 7 slams in 4 seperate years.
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Aug 12, 2010 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I think it was close to 2 years in between our last GS of 08 and our first of 10
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Aug 12, 2010 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions
And all 5 of them this year (so far) have been beautiful to see!
"Curve: The loveliest distance between two points." ~ Mae West
Yes they have!
With the record in games where we score 5 or more runs, getting 4 all at once is HUGE.
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Aug 12, 2010 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions
I am wishing for a 4-game sweep of the Dodgers. That would be a huge boost going into mid-August. Also we need the Phillies to start losing NOW.
I hate Philadelphia.
Nah
While that would be awesome, its a bit optimistic. I’m hoping for a series win at home.
I just have a gut feeling that the decider in the NL East champ will come down to the last week of the season in September, where we play the Phillies 6 times in 2 weeks.
I think its something like at Philly, at Nats, vs. Marlins, vs Phillies.
If either team (Braves or Phillies) is 3-5 games behind the other at that point of the season, things could change around really, really easily.
I know
This shouldn’t be a shock, but comeeeee on.
ESPN front page: “Oswalt, Phils rout Dodgers”
Final score of Phillies game? Phillies 2, Dodgers 0.
How the hell is a 2 run win a rout?!
Oh well, at least SI is far more accurate: Oswalt, Phils blank Dodgers | Braves slam Astros
It should have read: Phillies annihilate the Dodgers, who never really had a chance to beat the amazing Phillies anyway, who did they even try?
Let me amend...
“Phillies annihilate the Dodgers, who never really had a chance to beat the amazing Phillies who are the “real” leaders in the NL East and are far superior to the Braves in every single way and Oh My God when Utley and Howard and all the other players return this team will be even amazinger except not as awesome as the Yankees who are the best team on the planet because we love the Yankees…what were we talking about?"
Rout? 2 runs?
I hope that pathetic headline inspires the Dodgers to take the field with purpose today.
"Curve: The loveliest distance between two points." ~ Mae West
Maybe Victorino should just talk about how much he hates the dodgers and how they are all bitches and how they whine and bitch all the time and how he hates them so much. He hates them.
Seriously, what was Brandon Phillips thinking???
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Aug 12, 2010 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, nice one huh. You mess with the bull, you get the horns. Could there be any more of a failure in talking trash?
About that headline Chopper, I noticed it too and I also noticed NO headline on front page or MLB page about Chipper leaving with his injury after Tuesday’s games. Such bullshit. That ‘rout’ thing really annoitated me.
by CharlotteChop on Aug 12, 2010 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Rout by ESPN:
. . . LAD / 6 Hits, 2BB, 1-10 RISP, 7 LOB
. . . PHI / 7 Hits, 3BB, 1-10 RISP, 8 LOB
Whew, how can the Dodgers look themselves in the mirror this morning. ESPN Pricks.
"Curve: The loveliest distance between two points." ~ Mae West
i was really
encouraged by the way that Glaus swung the bat the last two games of this series. Even today, despite an 0fer he hit the ball hard a couple of times.
Dale Murphy should be a hall of famer!
Me too.
I think that home run on Tuesday gave him a bit more confidence to be swinging the bat better. He kept hitting the ball hard today, just right at people. I think he’ll find the gaps soon enough.
Optimistically
He’s starting to look a lot like he did late April/early May before he really took off…
''We cover the outfield like kudzu covers the land around here" - Bobby Cox, 2004
Great win last night!
This team may be ready to start rolling again. Losing Chipper is going to hurt, but if Prado is coming back, and Glaus is heating up, things are looking pretty good.
The pitching has been just dominant lately, the BP solid – even with the Blown Saves, and I am just as giggley as a school girl when I think about our potential Sept callups – McLouth, Kimbrel, Freeman, Young, etc…
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Aug 12, 2010 1:02 AM EDT reply actions
Interesting
Not really a factor for the Braves anymore since the Mets suck so bad, but from DOB’s twitter feed:
So the Mets closer (K-Rod) is arrested for allegedly assaulting his own father-in-law in the Mets family room. Really, K-Rod? In the family room?
I never liked that guy to begin with, but now I have justification.
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Aug 12, 2010 2:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Interesting Fact from DOB
#Braves are the first team to hit 3 pinch-hit grand slams since 1982 Orioles. (Conrad has 2, McCann hit 3rd Wednesday)
I enjoy seeing this posted...
For obvious reasons. Hopefully, at the end of the year “Series” will take on a much more substantial meaning!
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