Hanson, Hinske Lead Atlanta To A 3-2 Win Over Houston
by SCrebel10 on May 16, 2011 10:30 PM EDT
in Braves Game Recaps
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PrintAtlanta kept the momentum going from their series win against Philadelphia as they got a great pitching performance from Tommy Hanson and just enough offense from Eric Hinske and Joe Mather to beat Houston 3-2.
Hanson was on from the first batter, as he showed he had command of his fastball, change-up, and curve in striking out Michael Bourn to start the game. Hanson went seven fantastic innings, giving up only three hits and two runs (only one of which was earned) while striking out ten and walking one.
Houston starter Brett Myers wasn't nearly as sharp, but the Braves let him get off the hook in the first two innings. Atlanta would load the bases in the first, but Myers would strike out Eric Hinske and Alex Gonzalez to escape the inning. The Braves would again load the bases in the second, but Myers would coax a grounder to first base from Brian McCann to escape yet again.
The first scoring happened in the fifth, as Tommy Hanson made one of his rare mistakes, leaving a fastball over the plate that Matt Downs hit down the left field line for a home run. Downs home run gave Houston a 1-0 lead.
Atlanta would respond in the sixth inning and finally get to Myers.. Eric Hinske would lead off the inning with one of his three hits, singling into right field. Gonzalez would then follow with a single of his own, advancing Hinske to third base. Joe Mather would then come up big for the Braves, as he would single into left field, scoring Hinske and Gonzalez to give the Braves a 2-1 lead.
Houston would tie the game up in the seventh, as Carlos Lee would reach base on a throwing error by Martin Prado. Outside of that throwing error, Prado was fantastic at third base, making a couple of fantastic plays at the hot corner. Matt Downs would again hurt the Braves, as he doubled into left and scored Lee. That would tie the game at 2.
Eric Hinske would give the Braves back the lead for good in the bottom of the inning, as he singled to right off of Astros reliever Fernando Abad, scoring Nate McLouth who walked to lead off the inning. Hinske's single gave the Braves a 3-2 lead. Abad would earn the loss for Houston.
Eric O' Flaherty would pitch a perfect eighth inning, striking out two of the three batters he faced. Craig Kimbrel would come in for the save, and worked around a single to Carlos Lee to record his eleventh save of the year. Kimbrel recorded all of his outs via the strikeout, and for the game Braves pitching struck out 15 Astros while walking only one batter.
The finale of the two-game series is tomorrow as the Braves Derek Lowe takes on Houston's Wandy Rodriguez at 1:05 EST.
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Braves win, Phillies lose…
not Abad day if I say so myself. :)
I'm a former CTU agent, so don't f--k with me!
Well played sir.
"If you go out to a bar, pick up a chick, take her home, but can't close the deal, we used to call that "Calling Dan Kolb in for relief."-Talking Head
He struck out Bourn to start the game not Hall
just lettin ya know
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
Right you are,
Thanks.
"If you go out to a bar, pick up a chick, take her home, but can't close the deal, we used to call that "Calling Dan Kolb in for relief."-Talking Head
Thank you...
for pointing out Bourn’s identity…
by TBuzz on May 16, 2011 11:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Can Somone
Please enlighten me on what “Pelican” means?
I’ve seen it for a while now, but never knew what it meant.
by GreatestEver on May 17, 2011 1:52 AM EDT up reply actions
I knew the second before I clicked it it was the newbie’s meme reference.
*Young pitcher throws curveball, which lands on the low, outside corner.* Umpire: Ball! Pitcher: What! That landed right in the middle! Umpire: Young man, when you throw a strike, Mr. Musial will hit it.
Wasn't Wandy who pitched in Teixiera's first game?
Y’know, when he went yard and everybody at the Ted went nucking futs?
"I'll give any teller who gives me a lollipop 4 stars."-Chip Kelly
by TennesseeQuackAttack8 on May 16, 2011 10:41 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Yes
Wandy didn’t give up the HR, though.
I'm a former CTU agent, so don't f--k with me!
by TonyAlmeyda on May 16, 2011 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Just a general comment, no criticism intended
but why the lack of past tense? for example:
could be “Craig Kimbrel came in for the save”. Then again, maybe I’m just a grammar freakCraig Kimbrel would come in for the save
by CalBravesFan on May 16, 2011 11:00 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Haha
Yea y’all are right. It’s been a long day, grammar is slipping a little bit.
"If you go out to a bar, pick up a chick, take her home, but can't close the deal, we used to call that "Calling Dan Kolb in for relief."-Talking Head
Hey now, he’s the insufferable schmuck, I’m the lazy journalist.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it:
http://www.amazon.com/Four-C-B-Wilkins/dp/1449578454/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257720610&sr=1-1
www.dropoutproductions.com
I’m pretty sure you’ve infected the rest of the staff with the lazy journalism. You’re like the head vampire, we’ll need to stake you through the heart and everyone will return to normal. No hard feelings or anything.
If we can land [Stephen Drew], I will give FW a bj.
~justincredubil02
by king of games on May 17, 2011 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions
HeHe, coming to TC expecting perfect grammar (especially from me)…
..is sort of like being a person that expects to win every time they buy a lottery ticket.
"Curve: The loveliest distance between two points." ~ Mae West
You mean you're not just buying money?
Damn you, Georgia Lottery commercials!
::fistshake::
Most people use statistics the way a drunk would use a lamppost—for support, and not for illumination.
www.duwanis.com
Came to say this...
So. Many. "Would"s
"There's nothing better than a baseball game" - Bobby Cox
Let's go Mets!
And K-Rod hits Buck to start the 9th. Great.
Mets are intentionally walking Coghlan to get to Hanley.....
….with the game on the line.
by Undocorkscrew on May 16, 2011 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions
it worked, didn’t it?
I'm a former CTU agent, so don't f--k with me!
by TonyAlmeyda on May 16, 2011 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope Hanley doesn’t get the starting job at short for the allstar game.
*Young pitcher throws curveball, which lands on the low, outside corner.* Umpire: Ball! Pitcher: What! That landed right in the middle! Umpire: Young man, when you throw a strike, Mr. Musial will hit it.
Vote for Tulo.
Most people use statistics the way a drunk would use a lamppost—for support, and not for illumination.
www.duwanis.com
Stanton
hit a ball to Rochester earlier in that game
Free Kawakami!
Free Teague!
by a hooter's baby on May 16, 2011 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions
You mean it’s already landed?
Weakling
I'm a former CTU agent, so don't f--k with me!
by TonyAlmeyda on May 16, 2011 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions
It's on its way back
Roundtrip
Free Kawakami!
Free Teague!
by a hooter's baby on May 16, 2011 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I would have liked to see Hanson come out to start the 8th
in hopes of being able to save both EOF and Venters for tomorrow, and giving Craig the day off. Nice to pull out the win, but how is it possible for us to be so turrible with the bases loaded? It is just baffling
…but how is it possible for us to be so turrible with the bases loaded? It is just baffling
You are not the only one baffled. The first 2 innings to have loaded the bases and not score set the tone for a frustrating game right away. Poor Tommy, I was really starting to worry we would waste his 10Ks effort. Glad Hinske/Mather made sure we didn’t.
Our struggles to score even a single run with a man on 3rd & less than 2 outs this season has been painful to watch.
"Curve: The loveliest distance between two points." ~ Mae West
I feel like it's gotta regress, though.
It’s not like the team is entirely incapable of getting the ball out of the infield, we’ve just sucked at it in a certain situation.
Frankly, I’m kinda happy that we’re getting runners on third at a steady clip. Sooner or later we’ll start scoring them from there at a healthy rate, too.
Most people use statistics the way a drunk would use a lamppost—for support, and not for illumination.
www.duwanis.com
I SO hope you’re right. It’s almost felt like when we see a man on 3rd, and less than 2 outs – we try to do too much and lose patience at the plate and/or try and hit a homer.
It’s the one time when a hit isn’t required to get a run and we really need to take advantage of it more.
"Curve: The loveliest distance between two points." ~ Mae West
Kimbrel
is doing a great job! Hinske. I wish we could find a more permanent place for him, and not have that happen as a result of injuries. On the other hand, having Hinske as a fallback is quite impressive. I only wish we would do better with RISP.
Hinske=my hero
All the LOBsters last night was a little disheartening. The pitching staff stepped up & that’s what a good team does. Guys step it up where other teammates falter. A win is a win & for that I’m grateful. Poor Prado, hits into 3 DP’s. Not a good day w/the stick but he’s still the NL player of the week to me.
A baseball diamond is, most simply, the intersecting of four 90-foot baselines, and, most powerfully, the intersecting of seemingly random lives.
*when other teammates falter.
A baseball diamond is, most simply, the intersecting of four 90-foot baselines, and, most powerfully, the intersecting of seemingly random lives.
We need to score early and often tomorrow.
Our bullpen has been worked like crazy the last few days. I’m guessing that Kimbrel won’t be available tomorrow as he’s pitched in 5 of the last 6 games. A big win on getaway day would be sweet, especially with us heading out to the west coast.
"This is gonna feel so good getting this thing off my chest. That's what she said."
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
I was a little surprised
they threw Kimbrel tonight. I kind of figured he’d get the night off, but he certainly proved he wasn’t tired. He’ll definitely be unavailable tomorrow.
"If you go out to a bar, pick up a chick, take her home, but can't close the deal, we used to call that "Calling Dan Kolb in for relief."-Talking Head
He was quite obviously tired, he only hit 98 on the gun. This was the first game in a while he didn’t touch 99.
If we can land [Stephen Drew], I will give FW a bj.
~justincredubil02
by king of games on May 17, 2011 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Fredi moonlighting as the Mets manager
Jason Bay just put down a sac bunt
Free Kawakami!
Free Teague!
by a hooter's baby on May 16, 2011 11:37 PM EDT reply actions
really?
Marlins’ reliever Badenhop pulls a C. Martinez and drove in the go ahead run
by LEastCoastBears on May 16, 2011 11:53 PM EDT reply actions
Who needs pinch-hitters anymore?
I'm a former CTU agent, so don't f--k with me!
by TonyAlmeyda on May 16, 2011 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions
but Marlins won anyway
we’ll probably have to catch them ourselves when we play them
by LEastCoastBears on May 17, 2011 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions
We play them in three weeks, so they should already be behind us when we play them next.
I'm a former CTU agent, so don't f--k with me!
by TonyAlmeyda on May 17, 2011 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Thoughts:
Is this Joe Mather for real? Same question for Hinkse.
Angry to see Heyward slide back head-first to evade a pick-off attempt. BUT, he did a hard (normal) slide into the 2nd Baseman after that. Glad that apparently was back to his old self in batting practice, but why rush him with what Mather and Hinske are doing? Give him til the weekend.
EO’F is straight balling this year. We all know what Venters and Kimbrel can do, but Eric seems to actually be getting stronger each outing.
We see a lot more LOBsters when Heap is in a slump and Chip is out of the game. Wonder why?
Don’t people usually slide head first back to first? Since they are not going fast and suddenly stopping, I don’t think the risk there is that bad.
by LEastCoastBears on May 17, 2011 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions
yes they do
but why have your future superstar even flirting with a big lead off base when he’s got a tender shoulder?
Oh, they’re real and they’re spectacular
Atlanta Spirit Group: Destroying Atlanta sports and the hopes and dreams of Hawks and Thrashers' fans since 2004.
by a hooter's baby on May 17, 2011 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes, unfortunately Heap is in a big slump. He is 0 for his last 13 and his average dropped to .283.
*Young pitcher throws curveball, which lands on the low, outside corner.* Umpire: Ball! Pitcher: What! That landed right in the middle! Umpire: Young man, when you throw a strike, Mr. Musial will hit it.
I hope you are kidding
Of course Hinske is for real. The guy has had a great career and has easily been one of the best pinch hitters in all of baseball for the past two seasons.
He has been one of our best players this season, period. I don’t expect that to change, even when he re-assumes the bench role.
I'm not kidding
and, yes, I know Hinske is a good player. But he’s hitting .356 at the moment. His career average is .256. That’s more of what I’m talking about; I’m not questioning whether he’s a good player.
I don’t expect him to keep that average up or to even be over .300 at the end of the season, which means he’s due for a slump.
Yeah, he had a similar May last year. He’ll slow down, especially if he has to play every day.
If we can land [Stephen Drew], I will give FW a bj.
~justincredubil02
by king of games on May 17, 2011 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Good game today. How about Mather? I never was expecting this kind of performance from him. Also Prado made me start looking forward to him being orientation everyday 3B today. Those plays he made today were spectacular.
by drumzalicious on May 17, 2011 12:52 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I hope he’s a bit disappointed in himself for hitting into 3 double-plays in his last 3 at bats.
That’s very unPrado-like.
"Curve: The loveliest distance between two points." ~ Mae West
I love Prado, I really do
he may be my favorite player on the team. But I’m pretty sure he self-flagellates any time he doesn’t have a multi-hit game. I think he’s sufficiently disappointed with himself after last night.
Most people use statistics the way a drunk would use a lamppost—for support, and not for illumination.
www.duwanis.com
He looked sooooo pissed yesterday, I think it kind of got in his head a bit.
If we can land [Stephen Drew], I will give FW a bj.
~justincredubil02
by king of games on May 17, 2011 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Finally made it to my first Braves game of the season!!
And it was great, had a hell of a good time. Hanson looked like a monster out there on the mound. Mather did surprisingly well too, and Prado made an ESPN top-10 play at 3B
Also, I heard some guy named Julio Teheran’s pitching Wednesday?? I wonder if he’s good…
"My parents do a lot of things behind the scenes that go unnoticed"- Cam Newton, Heisman acceptance speech.
by TurnerTheBurner on May 17, 2011 12:53 AM EDT reply actions
MVP
If I had to pick my team MVP’S today it would be up in the air with Hinske and D. Ross! Love these guys, it’s nice to give the big guys a break and we still get production. I LOVE IT
Can’t forget McLouth, he seems to be a part of every run we score somehow. He’s been doing a lot of little things to help this team win.
If we can land [Stephen Drew], I will give FW a bj.
~justincredubil02
by king of games on May 17, 2011 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions
hmm
Surprised there was not even a mention of prado’s three gidps. For a guy who was so hot, this was brutal.
by joshmaurer on May 17, 2011 7:47 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Other teams beware!
We have O’Ventbril .
"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
He won’t even be needed with Hanjenshudlowchy starting on the mound.
If we can land [Stephen Drew], I will give FW a bj.
~justincredubil02
by king of games on May 17, 2011 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Not to mention
Pradhinsklla.
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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