Braves Fall To Dodgers 5-3 In Extra Innings
by Scott Coleman on Apr 21, 2011 7:12 PM EDT
in Braves Game Recaps
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PrintThe Braves had multiple opportunities to win today's game and earn a split with the Dodgers, but they just couldn't put everything together to win the game.
Lost in all of the extra innings madness were the fine starts made by Jair Jurrjens and Clayton Kershaw, and they had the opposition fooled for a majority of the game. Jurrjens threw a lot of pitches early on, but really settled in and threw six strong innings and struck out six batters. He allowed just one run on seven hits and two walks. Kershaw was equally impressive, and he was just one out away from a complete game. Before the ninth inning he had the Braves batters completely fooled, outside of Freddie Freeman who rocked a monster home run off the lefty in fifth inning.
Don't look now, but Freddie Freeman is now 2nd on the team in OPS (.837) and of his four career home runs, two of them have come against Roy Halladay and Clayton Kershaw. That's pretty damn impressive.
With the Dodgers up 2-1 in the 9th inning, Clayton Kershaw came out of the dugout once again to finish the game. After two quick outs my Martin Prado and Alex Gonzalez, Chipper Jones singled and Dan Uggla doubled. Freddie Freeman walked after putting together a fantastic 8-pitch at-bat, which loaded the bases for David Ross. After falling behind 0-2, Ross "fisted" a ball into left field to score two runs. With a 3-2 lead in hand, the Braves had a chance to add on to their lead, but Jonathon Broxton struck out Nate McLouth to end the inning.
Craig Kimbrel came in to close out the game, but similar to Kershaw, wasn't able to get that final strike. He walked Jamey Carroll on four pitches to lead off the inning, but then got Aaron Miles to pop out in foul territory. Kimbrel threw a wild pitch to move Carroll into scoring position, but responded with a strikeout of Jerry Sands. With two outs and an 0-2 count on Casey Blake, Kimbrel inexplicably threw a fastball right down the middle. Blake drove it into left field and the Dodgers had tied the game.
Neither team posed much of a threat in the tenth, but the Braves had a chance to take the lead in the eleventh. With runners on the corners, Nate McLouth came up with a chance to be the hero. Instead, he struck out on a slider in the dirt and the threat was ended.
After pitching three times in four days, Fredi Gonzalez brought Cristhian Martinez out for his second inning of work in the twelfth. He retired Casey Blake, but then gave up a double to Andre Ethier, which brought up Matt Kemp. Keep in mind this is the Matt Kemp who has had an OPS of 1.000+ for the entire season. With first base open and Juan Uribe on deck and the pitcher's spot in the hole, we decided to pitch to Kemp and he sent a 1-0 fastball 400 feet to center field. Dodgers Stadium erupted, and the Braves lost their fourth game in the past five days.
The Braves had this game won, but mistakes from both the players and manager Fredi Gonzalez derailed any chance the team had of winning the game.
MVP(s):
Outside of Matt Kemp, it's tough to award an MVP to multiple guys on the losing team, but I'm giving it to David Ross and Freddie Freeman. Ross, who has been underutilized all season long, came up with a huge 2-run single in the 9th which should have won the game for Atlanta, and Freddie Freeman might have played the best game of his career. The kid is locked in right now, and it's a joy to watch him play every night.
LVP(s):
Martin Prado (0-5, BB, 2K), Nate McLouth (0-4, BB, 3K, 4LOB) and Matt Young (0-5) all had forgettable days. Fredi Gonzalez is also an idiot for allowing Martinez to pitch to Matt Kemp. That's just bad managing.
What's Next:
The Braves will make the trip north to face the San Francisco Giants for a 3-game series. It'll be Tommy Hanson against Madison Bumgarner tomorrow night at 10:15.
Comment of the Game:
Fat Dingflyer wins today. We all know David Ross is a Boss.
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Fredi didn’t leave 7 men on base.
Fredi didn’t go 7 of 41.
Fredi didn’t get picked off first base.
I’m not saying Fredi has done a good job, quite a few of his decisions have been head-scratchers. But at the end of the day it doesn’t matter who your manager is, if your offense is this bad you aren’t going to win many games.
by Buffalo Braves on Apr 21, 2011 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Fredi
let Martinez pitch to Matt Kemp with first base open in a walk-off situation..you’re right on all counts but that is a basic move for a rookie manger.
"What happened yesterday is history. What happens tomorrow is a mystery. What we do today makes a difference - the precious present moment."- Nick Saban
by Richie Grogan on Apr 21, 2011 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Definitely disagreed with the move, but if the offense didn’t suck (again) and Kimbrel didn’t blow the save, it wouldn’t have mattered.
I don’t mind some Fredi bashing, he has earned it, but to continually blame every single loss on the guy is ludicrous.
by Buffalo Braves on Apr 21, 2011 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions
yes
What especially bothered me was how many scoring opportunities we had. No one really stepped up.
I live in the OC.
The one in OH.
There's a "Mr. Ross" calling for you
On line 2
"All told, Philadelphia stadiums house the most monstrous collection of humanity outside of the federal penal system." - GQ
they’re giving it to fredi on mlb tonight…
"It's simply beyond words. It's incalculacable."
by Bravely going forward on Apr 21, 2011 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Fredi is starting to feel...
As a Gator fan…
Fredi is starting to really fee to me like RON ZOOK.
Guy who was a former assistant coach that got promoted over his head and then started making all sorts of head-scratching calls that got him canned. Ironically, both Zook and Fredi got fired from “Florida.”
Then both get lucky and somehow get hired AGAIN… only to continue with the crappy coaching. Zook is a lost cause at Illinois.
BUT… both served purposes… because Zook was following a “legend” at UF in Spurrier…
and Fredi is following a legend in Atlanta in Bobby.
So maybe both will just be gap-fillers until we fully appreciate what a good thing we had…at which time management will realize the importance of a great coach and go spend the money to get one.
UF did this after firing Zook and Urban Meyer won 2 titles in 4 years.
Maybe we can let Fredi flounder for a year or two and then go hire someone with proven baseball knowledge and success.
Who?
That may be the million dollar question.
Chicken pot, chicken pot, chicken pot pie!!
wow... extremism at it's best...
I see the comparison you’re making but don’t whole heartedly agree…. …. yet. It’s way to early for Fredi to be on the hot seat. He’s made some questionable calls… but just because we’re used to getting Filet Mignon (Bobby) doesn’t mean our Prime Rib won’t taste good and if we let it marinade and age properly, it could be even better…
by Klemson Krash on Apr 22, 2011 7:31 AM EDT up reply actions
You're making me hungry.
God typed "iddqd" before creating Jason Heyward.
Per O'Brien
“Upper arm soreness, said he could have pitched. Braves wanted to be cautious”
"What happened yesterday is history. What happens tomorrow is a mystery. What we do today makes a difference - the precious present moment."- Nick Saban
by Richie Grogan on Apr 21, 2011 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Good to hear.....
……shame it had to happen on a day the Braves could’ve REALLY used him. Oh well, hope he’s alright from here on out.
by Undocorkscrew on Apr 21, 2011 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Sigh
Frustrating losses are starting to become a habit
/Cries himself to sleep
You sir......
…..will have to wait for the recap. No spoilers, but I will say that it seemed pretty horrible……..was following on Gameday, which may have been worse than watching the game.
by Undocorkscrew on Apr 21, 2011 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I doubt it...
Unless he brings some rum or a bucket of chicken to the locker room.
Let's look at the bright side...
We managed to string together a nice 9th inning rally to take the lead. Even though we lost, it was encouraging.
Things will get better, I’m sure.
You're right
In April, I’d rather play well and lose than play poorly and just get lucky to win a game.
That Heyward guy is pretty good.
by another simpsons avatar on Apr 21, 2011 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Warning this is a rant
Linebrink and Sherril make me ANGRY everytime they come to the mound. Those two have proved nothing to me in value to the team. They remind me of the countless crappy relievers (Yates, Kolb, etc) we would put out there to see fail over and over again. I have zero faith when they show up. ZERO!!! The only position I don’t mind Braves over paying for in prospects or money is above average bullpen. Bad starting pitching, whatver, at least I know before hand not to have high hopes cause I know winning is kinda slim. But when your team has the lead a you blow it, it ruins my freaking day. I wasted two/three hours just to see you cough it up. DAMN!!!!
by romone_braves91 on Apr 21, 2011 7:55 PM EDT reply actions
Is it just me?
I was really against signing Sherril in the offseason. He’s never struck me as that good of a reliever, and he ended last year in absolutely horrible fashion. But after watching him I gotta say I like what I’m seeing. He’s throwing a good fastball and his other pitches have had a ton of movement on them. Maybe he’s just fooling me better than the hitters.
I’m also feeling a bit sympathetic towards all the pitchers right now, since the offense has been horrendous.
by CourtesyLaughs on Apr 21, 2011 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Chipper...
Looked solid at the plate, one hit hard long out, a walk, and started the ninth inning rally. Thats a solid contribution in comparison to everyone else.
Good game
And effort from the ‘b’ squad (altho i hate using that term). JJ pitched well, Freeman’s starting to look more and more comfortable (that 3-2 walk in the 9th was clutch), Chipper (as well as Freeman) seemed to be the only one who had Kershaw slightly figured out, and Ross came through. All in all, I enjoyed watching this game today. We will eventually put it together. The way the Braves seem to be approaching at bats, I see us being a hot and cold team all year. Several long stretches of victories are on the horizon.
One question on Kimbrel… He throws both a 4-seam fastball (95-98mph, tons a movement at 95 and rises at 97,98) and a sinker at (94mph) right? Thats what it looks like, and the Dodgers announcer stated the same thing. But everywhere I look states or indicates that he throws only the sinker between 94-98. A rising sinker just doesnt make sense to me.
Venters throws a sinker...
I’ve never heard kimbrel throwing a sinker. I know he has a 4 seamer and a slider. The one he lost to casey blake in the 9th looked like a 2 seamer though that trailed back over the plate
"My everything, or nothing. My everything, or nothing. WE gonna fight, til we can't fight no more. We gonna lie down, and bleed a while. Gonna get up, and fight again." -Tashard Choice
by SouthernPanther on Apr 22, 2011 1:19 AM EDT up reply actions
I think just the 4 seamer.
I good live 4 seam fastball sill often rise or “hop” in the zone.
Well hmm
Another day another loss, another chance to win a series gone by the waste side.
Dang it all.
Still I really believe in this team we are just in a slump right now to start the year, I mean seriously FLA in second place is a joke LOL.
Braves are just off to our typical start to the season playing .500 or below; all will be well in ATL shortly just stay tuned.
Their is to much talent on this team to be playing below .500 and I don’t place all the blame on Freddi but our new hitting coach on the other hand, yikes so far I am not at all impressed.
Go Braves.
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Apr 21, 2011 8:35 PM EDT reply actions
Theres nothing worng with our hitting coach...
You cant practice patience, you either have it or you dont. The Braves do, so im far from worried. But putting the bat on the ball generates far more runs than the opposite. I actually like the teams aggressive approach. Itll pay dividends later in the season.
I don’t place all the blame on Freddi but our new hitting coach on the other hand, yikes so far I am not at all impressed.
Because Larry Parrish is totally responsible for how well the team hits. It’s a fair cop.
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
Not making excuses but
this is a pretty tough schedule to start off the year.
Who is LeBron, and where is Miami?
by Kineticist on Apr 21, 2011 9:46 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
and we were facing
Kershaw
People are like at least I'm not that guy on stage. That guy on stage is like at least I'm not that guy in the looney bin. The guy in the looney bin are like at least I'm an orange
without
McCann/Heyward in our starting lineup
People are like at least I'm not that guy on stage. That guy on stage is like at least I'm not that guy in the looney bin. The guy in the looney bin are like at least I'm an orange
Can't wait to face the freak
Who is LeBron, and where is Miami?
by Kineticist on Apr 21, 2011 10:00 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Has our schedule really been that tough?
We’ve faced the Nats, Mets and Marlins who are mediocre at best. The dodgers have one of the worst offenses in baseball and a horrible bull pen so losing a series to them is also a really shitty result regardless of how you try to spin it.
This team sucks right now and Fredi needs to find a way to turn it around quickly. Our pitching has been inconsistent and our offense has been consistently shitty. If this continues for another few weeks, we could easily be out of contention before June.
by letsgobravos on Apr 21, 2011 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions
What?
The Nationals aren’t great, but they’ve typically played well at home in the past and playing in rainy, 40 degree weather pretty much throws everything out of whack.
The Brewers are one of the better teams in the NL and four games against them in Milwaukee was no easy task. We then followed them up with the Phillies, who might be the best team in baseball.
The Marlins suck, huh? That’s why they’re tied for the 2nd best record in the NL at 11-6, right? They’re a legit threat to 85+ wins this year if they stay healthy.
The Mets suck.
The Dodgers are a .500+ team and traveling 2,000 miles across the country with no off-day is never an easy task.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Apr 21, 2011 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions
When did I say the Marlins (or any of the other teams we've faced) suck?
I said they are mediocre which is accurate, imo. Obviously the Marlins are off to a nice start, but they also weren’t considered by anyone (that I saw) to be a serious contender for a playoff spot this year. Overall, our schedule has not been overly difficult thus far. We’ve played 2 series against good teams (Phils and Brewers), a middle of the pack team in the Marlins, the worst offense in the NL in the Dodgers and the nats and lolMets. I honestly don’t see how any could excuse our crappy start due to the difficulty of our schedule thus far.
by letsgobravos on Apr 22, 2011 3:58 AM EDT up reply actions
This.
Freddie Freeman might have played the best game of his career. The kid is locked in right now, and it’s a joy to watch him play every night.
I’ve been thoroughly impressed with Freddie. I’m glad he’s one of the good guys.
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
Trash this tough schedule argument
If that’s the case, then we better crush the shitty teams like the Mets, Marlins, and Nats, and wouldn’t you know it, that’s where we always seem to just scrape by, if not completely flounder. Just falling back on the old “Hey, we always start slow” stuff doesn’t negate the big flaws this team has.
by goesbetterwithbeer on Apr 21, 2011 10:31 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
12 home games vs 17 away through the first month IS a tough schedule no matter who you’re playing. So before everyone goes and jumps of the bridge, or the bandwagon, just relax
Who is LeBron, and where is Miami?
by Kineticist on Apr 21, 2011 10:46 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
TODAY!!!!!!!
……
………
………..
…
.
sucked
"I wasn’t thinking about it. That’s the worst celebration of all time. I didn’t know what to do. I got lost in the moment." - Brian McCann
by HansonManCrush on Apr 21, 2011 10:52 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
:(
I'm a former CTU agent, so don't f--k with me!
by TonyAlmeyda on Apr 21, 2011 11:03 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Wow.
Tonight episode of The Office was incredible. Probably the best episode since The Wedding…no questions asked.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Apr 21, 2011 11:29 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
The opening was the best of the season and I nearly died when Michael impersonated Phyllis. I haven’t laughed that hard at an episode of The Office in a while. The song at the end was pretty damn great too.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Apr 22, 2011 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions
They brought back the awkward factor in a MAJOR way with Erin’s acceptance speech. I was cringing.
Coming soon: winningugly visits Atlanta, takes dump in royhobbs’ Braves hat.
“I’m being perfectly honest…because…right Pam?”
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Apr 22, 2011 1:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The Marlins
Are a good team. I really hope the Braves take them more seriously than some of the people posting here, or we’re destined for third place.
Now, I believe that we’re a playoff team, and in order to be a playoff team you have to beat good teams. No excuses. But don’t get petty and say a team sucks just because we lost to them. “Be like water”
by CourtesyLaughs on Apr 22, 2011 12:15 AM EDT reply actions
I take them very serious, great staff and some solid hitters. Bullpen has worries, but most bullpens do.
Twitter: @Ben_Duronio Stop calling Tommy Hanson "Big Red"
mvhsbball... I denominate you for all future recaps...
you in fact.. do not bring the WINZ… that is all
Tough Loss...
But, I throughly enjoyed this string…
Thats why Talking Chop is the best sports blog out there!
We need to sweep somebody and soon. Giants are going to be toughto beat in SF.
Let’s get some wins! Go Braves!!!
by Gjmoody on Apr 22, 2011 1:29 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Tremendous reporting by beat writers
Not one of them asked Gonzalez why he decided to pitch to Kemp, from what I have read. Thanks for the cupcakes…
Twitter: @Ben_Duronio Stop calling Tommy Hanson "Big Red"
As Georgia's most famous 'resident' says
“Tomorrow is another day”
I wish Fredi would have walked Kemp. It seems to me that you have to make someone else beat you in that situation.
BEAT the giants!
I blame the throwback/throw up unis for the loss
No one can concentrate on baseball when you’re dressed like Bozo the clown.
A baseball diamond is, most simply, the intersecting of four 90-foot baselines, and, most powerfully, the intersecting of seemingly random lives.
I liked the throwback unis this year :(
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
just looking for a scapegoat
A baseball diamond is, most simply, the intersecting of four 90-foot baselines, and, most powerfully, the intersecting of seemingly random lives.
We looked cool. They looked like morons.
"All told, Philadelphia stadiums house the most monstrous collection of humanity outside of the federal penal system." - GQ
this
I guess I should have clarified myself. The Dodger uni’s were the problem. And I’m still looking for a scapegoat for a series that was very frustrating.
A baseball diamond is, most simply, the intersecting of four 90-foot baselines, and, most powerfully, the intersecting of seemingly random lives.
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YES
I'm a former CTU agent, so don't f--k with me!
by Fat Dingflyer on Apr 21, 2011 2:49 PM MST reply actions 13 recs