A Brian McCann Walk-off Gives Atlanta A 3-1 Win In 11 Innings And A Sweep Of Houston
by SCrebel10 on May 17, 2011 5:12 PM EDT
in Braves Game Recaps
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It wasn't pretty and it wasn't easy, but Atlanta will certainly take it. The Braves overcame a great start from Wandy Rodriguez and got a big day from Brian McCann to win in walk-off fashion 3-1 in 11 innings.
McCann, who didn't start the game, came in as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the ninth inning. With two outs and two strikes on him, McCann crushed a home run off of Astros closer Mark Melancon. McCann wasn't done with the long ball though as he turned on a fastball from Jeff Fulchino and deposited it deep into the right field stands for a two-run, walk-off homer in the 11th.
McCann's homer gave the Braves a sweep of the struggling Astros, and sent the Braves out west with a boatload of momentum after getting both Chipper Jones and Jason Heyward back into the starting lineup against Houston.
The rest after the jump.
While Atlanta had success against the Astros bullpen, the Braves struggled mightily against the Astros Rodriguez. Throwing a large amount of curve-balls and change-ups, Rodriguez dominated the Atlanta lineup through eight scoreless innings. He scattered five hits while walking two and striking out six, throwing 113 pitches, 68 for strikes.
The Braves had runners on base every inning against Rodriguez except for the fifth, but couldn't break through and score a run. Luckily for Atlanta, Derek Lowe brought his A game as well to Turner Field. Lowe threw seven good innings, giving up only one run, while scattering five hits and striking out four while walking none.
The scoreless pitchers duel finally ended in the seventh inning, as Houston finally broke through against Lowe. Carlos Lee grounded out to short to begin the inning, bringing Houston first baseman Brett Wallace to the plate. Wallace took a Lowe sinker backside and hit it out for his third homer of the season, giving Houston a 1-0 lead.
Houston threatened to add to that lead in the eighth inning as Braves reliever George Sherrill got into trouble quickly in relief of Lowe. Rodriguez led off the inning against Sherrill and lined a single into right to start the frame. Michael Bourn then reached on a bunt single after Sherrill's throw to first was too late. Scott Proctor then came in to try and tame the rally.
Angel Sanchez greeted Proctor with a sacrifice bunt to move runners to second and third with one out. Proctor escaped the jam though as he got Carlos Lee to pop out to short then struck out Brett Wallace on a slider in the dirt.
Melancon came in for the save in the ninth, and almost managed escape despite getting hit hard. Dan Uggla smashed a grounder to third base, but Matt Downs made a diving stop to record the first out. Eric Hinske then crushed a ball to right that looked like it would get out off the bat. Hunter Pence made a leaping catch into the wall onHinske's ball to make the second out. McCann then pinch hit for David Ross and hit the first of his two homers, this one to left center.
The blown save was the Astros 11th on the year.
With the score tied at one, the game headed to extra innings. The Braves had a chance in the bottom of the tenth after getting runners on first and second with two outs for Chipper Jones. Jones, who looked healthy in his first game back from his knee injury, watched strike three from Fulchino to send it to 11.
Houston loaded the bases against Braves reliever Cory Gearrin in the top of the 11th, but could not capitalize as Gearrin coaxed a grounder to Alex Gonzalez that turned into a double play.
Dan Uggla popped out to start the bottom of the inning, but Eric Hinske followed with a walk to bring McCann to the plate again. McCann of course took a 1-0 change-up deep to right field for a two-run walk-off as it managed to stay fair.
Congrats to Cory Gearrin on his first major league win!
WP:
Cory Gearrin- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K.
LP:
Jeff Fulchino- 1.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K.
Up Next:
Atlanta heads out west for a two-game set against the Arizona Diamondbacks. First pitch is tomorrow at 9:40 PM EDT.
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McCann is the man
And DLowe for the assist. Well played Bravos. It was nice to see Kimbrel get the rest, regardless of how it went down.
no one likes to hear that!
"Welcome to the show, Brandon Beachy. I think you’re going to stay a while." - Dave Cameron
?
You said you were going to propose to him after the next road trip! I should be pissed at you!
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oh, you saw that....
hehe i take it back. i was overcome with pure joy! you’d say the same thing if Beachy threw a perfect game or something incredibly clutch, am i right?
"Welcome to the show, Brandon Beachy. I think you’re going to stay a while." - Dave Cameron
That was a really boring game until McCann came up.
When I have more time, I’m going to research to see who the last person was to hit a 9th inning, game-tying homer, and then also a walk-off homer. Just a ridiculous performance.
Oh, and a (mini-)sweep! That’s always fun.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
I now twitter as @junkstats and blog about made-up stats and general baseball stuff at JunkStats.
What's with
The T’s being replaced with S’s?
by GreatestEver on May 17, 2011 5:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Huh?
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
I now twitter as @junkstats and blog about made-up stats and general baseball stuff at JunkStats.
by Jacob Peterson on May 17, 2011 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Please disregard lol
When I posted that, all of the letters that should have been “T” were a bold “S”. It very well could have been a glitch considering I saw it on a number of different SBN blogs, but it also could have been something with my phone.
by GreatestEver on May 17, 2011 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions
MLB Network
said it was Adrian Beltre in 2004. Someone’s lying to us
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 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Wooo
Short series sweep!
Morton hit Heyward with an offspeed pitch. Early indication is that the baseball survived the impact.
Any good lip readers
know what Brad Mills was saying after the walk-off? Something along the lines of “That’s not baseball” to the umpire. Was it something about the celebration?
Twitter: @thekudzukid THIS IS THE YEAR!
I think it had to do with the ump saying the Astro’s batter (in the previous inning I think) had stuck his arm out thus no Hit By Pitch.
Go Braves, Canes, Tarheels and Panthers. That is all.
Could have been..
It’s an interesting call in that it’s very correct, the problem is no one ever seems to call it. Especially in that situation. But it also reminds me of last year in the April Giants series, during the 9 game losing streak, that we got robbed on what should have been an interference call while McCann was throwing to 2B, but the ump didn’t call it and we lost.This time, the “luck” was on our side..
Twitter: @thekudzukid THIS IS THE YEAR!
Loved this....
in which this situation is addressed.
"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
You are right, that did happen in San Francisco, but it was during the second series of the season. The Braves lost 2 out of 3 in that series and their nine game losing streak started near the end of April against the Phillies in Atlanta.
by Tomahawk Mafia on May 17, 2011 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow
Just looked at the “HBP” via the link posted by sddbaker. I also remember the non-interference call. While I think that it was interference last year, I am not so sure about this call. However, the ump is right there, so he has the best perspective, so even though it seems like it could go either way, I’ll trust the ump on this one. I am pretty sure i would be not pleased if the call was on a Braves player, but even then, it is hard as a fan to really tell on this play, IMO.
by BravesFaninAZ on May 17, 2011 7:02 PM EDT up reply actions
That gif..
is small and it’s hard to tell, but I think it was more obvious than it seems there.
"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
Well, he's right..
BMac is unbelievable.
"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
I thought it was...
“I bought you dinner & drinks last night & this is how you treat me?!!”
A baseball diamond is, most simply, the intersecting of four 90-foot baselines, and, most powerfully, the intersecting of seemingly random lives.
Brian McCann the double-hero
His SLG% jumped 51 points today!
And tomorrow we get to see Teheran dominate the Diamondbacks.
Fun week for Braves baseball.
I’ve got Jack Johnson and Tom O’Leary waiting for ya, right here
What I saw:
"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
this.
me too
"Welcome to the show, Brandon Beachy. I think you’re going to stay a while." - Dave Cameron
But...
it made me very, very happy!
"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
What site is this screen shot from?
"Insert witty and/or funny quote here" ~ The Person Who Spoketh Said Quote.
It's the MLB.com Gameday screen....
after the game was over, but with the last batter still showing.
"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
??
Not sure why this was even called for. Wandy hit a roller that was about 2’ from being snagged by Uggla and Bourne got a bunt 1B. Sherrill may have some bad outings, but I wouldn’t put this one in that category.
Proctor was lights out in his relief though…
I wouldn’t say lights out, he had two guys with 3-1 counts, but he was pretty clutch.
If we can land [Stephen Drew], I will give FW a bj.
~justincredubil02
by king of games on May 17, 2011 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Sorry
I didn’t get a chance to see the game, but I noticed the recaps saying that Rodriguez lined a pitch into right field and since I know he pitches lefty, I thought he would bat lefty too. This comment was mostly because Sherril has been predominantly used to get opposing teams pitchers out
I <3 RUNZ
Is that last part irony?
You’re right that Sherrill was just unlucky, but by the same token Proctor was lucky to escape. He threw a hanger that Lee somehow popped up, and then he threw ball 4 to the next batter, who for some reason swung at it. He was thisclose to a disaster.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
I now twitter as @junkstats and blog about made-up stats and general baseball stuff at JunkStats.
by Jacob Peterson on May 17, 2011 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions
lights out? You serious?
He throw 20 pitches, nine of them were for balls. We got lucky the Astros didn’t capitalize. Sherill didn’t do very well, but Proctor wasn’t much better.
Only thing I think Sherrill did wrong
was sit there and stare, dumbfounded, towards home plate after the bunt.
Most people use statistics the way a drunk would use a lamppost—for support, and not for illumination.
www.duwanis.com
McCann had a WPA today of .858. I don’t subscribe to play index at baseball-reference, so I can’t see the full results of my search, but it looks like only 57 players have ever entered a game as a sub and had that high of a WPA (going back as far as WPA stats are available, which is the 50s, I think.) If you limit the search to subs with 2 PAs or less, it’s only 48 players. Impressive day for McCann.
Why does it seem like
the best finishes to games, are day games? Meaning I have to watch Gameday on my phone….
The base paths belonged to me, the runner. The rules gave me the right. I always went into a bag full speed, feet first. I had sharp spikes on my shoes. If the baseman stood where he had no business to be and got hurt, that was his fault. -Ty Cobb
Conrad and Prado
were trying to McCann into a mud man
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 5:57 PM EDT reply actions
I didn’t get that. Is that a tradition, or some baseball shibboleth?
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Congrats.
For the first time in TC history, I was forced to run to a dictionary.
Now I know the meaning of the word “baseball.”
"Insert witty and/or funny quote here" ~ The Person Who Spoketh Said Quote.
by Jman781 on May 17, 2011 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
I just know the word because of its origin story
which is interesting. But it really doesn’t get used enough.
Most people use statistics the way a drunk would use a lamppost—for support, and not for illumination.
www.duwanis.com
I think they started it this year
Maybe they were trying to make Brian, a noted slob, feel at home.
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 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Aww. Poor guy. He has such a reputation for messiness. Though it would probably get on my nerves, were I a teammate. I’m a neat freak.
LIVE EDT
Tape-delayed for the West Coast
Brian McCann/ TL2 vows
“To have and to hold, ’til dirt do us part…..
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 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions
It's a new tradition Prado decided to start this year, from what I've read.
I don’t know what the impetus was. They did it to Brooks, as well, when he hit his walk-off.
Most people use statistics the way a drunk would use a lamppost—for support, and not for illumination.
www.duwanis.com
I remember him saying something about how the shaving cream pie in the face was getting old
and the dirt thing is easier and more readily available
I love it
Even aside from it having YankeeStink™ all over it, the shaving cream thing was played out a year ago and nobody should ever jump and pile on again after that fiasco at Anaheim last year. This is really original.
"If he is convicted on all counts he faces 80 years. Given his business acumen, however, I’m sure he could talk it down to 95." - Craig Calcaterra on Lenny Dykstra's indictment
I am gonna...
Eat me TWO Big Macs for dinner tonight in honor of of Brian. Awesome work!!!!!
It was nice knowing you, then.
Most people use statistics the way a drunk would use a lamppost—for support, and not for illumination.
www.duwanis.com
lol
I pray to Jason Heyward every night
by JasonHeywardisGod on May 17, 2011 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions
heap getting pretty much universal agreement on mlb tonight right now that he’s the best overall catcher in the game. we are very fortunate…
"It's simply beyond words. It's incalculacable."
by Bravely going forward on May 17, 2011 6:10 PM EDT reply actions
they are seriously laying it on pretty thick
"It's simply beyond words. It's incalculacable."
by Bravely going forward on May 17, 2011 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions
They’re only a year or two late on that train.
If we can land [Stephen Drew], I will give FW a bj.
~justincredubil02
by king of games on May 17, 2011 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Better late than never I suppose
"The Dos Equis guys want me to be the least interesting man in the world" - Drama
by BravesDawg16 on May 17, 2011 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Mauer has made a decent case, but people always forgot to factor in that he gets DH days and Mac is puting up numbers nearly as good with less PAs.
If we can land [Stephen Drew], I will give FW a bj.
~justincredubil02
by king of games on May 17, 2011 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Thats always the argument I made too. Getting days to not catch and still get AB’s “inflates” Mauer’s numbers as a catcher
"The Dos Equis guys want me to be the least interesting man in the world" - Drama
by BravesDawg16 on May 17, 2011 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions
If Posey gets the start over Mac for the All-Star game…
"The Dos Equis guys want me to be the least interesting man in the world" - Drama
by BravesDawg16 on May 17, 2011 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
:^)
LIVE EDT
Tape-delayed for the West Coast
by TheLetter2 on May 17, 2011 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
heh
"It's simply beyond words. It's incalculacable."
by Bravely going forward on May 17, 2011 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I hate to say it...
But either Posey or McCann has to win the popular vote this season, or McCann is going to get a big snub.
No way Bochy leaves Posey off the ASG roster in favor of McCann after they won the WS last season.
-C
It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?
In all seriousness, is there any indication that Posey would garner the majority of the popular vote? I don’t keep up with this stuff.
LIVE EDT
Tape-delayed for the West Coast
I don’t know that they’ve released any totals anywhere yet, but I don’t generally check in on those things often. I think they release them a couple times leading up the the ASG, but dunno when.
There could even be a site where they keep track, but I don’t know of it…I’ll root around mlb.com when I get home to see if I can find anything.
-C
It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?
My money right now would be on Yadier Molina,
solely because of the Cardinals fans being notorious ballot box stuffers. Then, Posey and Carlos Ruiz fighting for second.
I don’t believe they’ve released any results yet, but I’m sure TC will update when they do.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
I now twitter as @junkstats and blog about made-up stats and general baseball stuff at JunkStats.
by Jacob Peterson on May 17, 2011 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Cory Gearrin getting demoted to make room for Teheran tomorrow. I know he can’t come back up to the bigs for 10 days, but why is Scott Linebrink still on this team??? He has given no indication that he can get the job done and why waste a bullpen spot on a guy that you can’t count on
"The Dos Equis guys want me to be the least interesting man in the world" - Drama
Because
He likes to do bad things to Sherrill’s jaggon. Or something like that according Wiki.
"Insert witty and/or funny quote here" ~ The Person Who Spoketh Said Quote.
Someone posted it in the GT, but it needs to be here as well:
"This is gonna feel so good getting this thing off my chest. That's what she said."
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
this is epic
i really wish i hadn’t dropped this show back in season one, it seems like it has really skyrocketed since then
"Welcome to the show, Brandon Beachy. I think you’re going to stay a while." - Dave Cameron
One of my many pathetic claims to fame
I knew Aziz Ansari “before he was big.” We went to the same high school.
Most people use statistics the way a drunk would use a lamppost—for support, and not for illumination.
www.duwanis.com
I didn't really hang out with him a lot
he was a year ahead of me… but yeah, he seemed to be (not that he was trying all the time or anything).
Most people use statistics the way a drunk would use a lamppost—for support, and not for illumination.
www.duwanis.com
I only started watching the show a couple of months ago and watching it from beginning to end, I noticed that about a third of the way through season two, the show really got a groove and now it’s basically the most perfect thing on the planet. You should pick it back up when you get the chance!
Follow me on Twitter. It's fun. @spamgoddess
Your perennial backup All-Star Catcher everyone.
I still maintain that he will somehow not make the all-star game this year because POSEY AND MOLINA R TEH BEST
by DogDaysofSummer on May 17, 2011 6:34 PM EDT reply actions
Before today
He actually wasn’t hitting all that great. Certainly not by McCann standards, anyway.
My buddy and I just decided that the braves would be set if we could get Matt Kemp, Jose Reyes, and Albert Pujols.
by willlinn on May 17, 2011 2:13 PM EDT
I don't have a problem with Posey getting in considering he's probably been the best catcher in the NL so far.
It’s just I know Molina is going to get in because a) St Louis fans rubberstamp him in and b) Molina is a gamer, and Bochy loves him some gamers. It just makes me irrationally angry because Molina is the most overrated catcher in the game just because he can play good defense.
by DogDaysofSummer on May 17, 2011 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions
We’ll be surprised when Bochy chooses Aaron Rowand to man the backstop.
LIVE EDT
Tape-delayed for the West Coast
Nah
Bochy picks Conrad.
Most people use statistics the way a drunk would use a lamppost—for support, and not for illumination.
www.duwanis.com
CSS
Showing the Gwinnett game with JJ Hoover pitching, starting now.
"Bunting's my favorite." Fredi G
And it is ugly
Hoover did great in the 1st inning, but multiple pop ups drop due to high winds plus a boot by the infield.
Rock 2, Braves 0 after half an inning
"Bunting's my favorite." Fredi G
If it wasn't for him Sunday
We would’ve lost!
So I check ESPN Fantasy at 1030
It tells me McCann isn’t starting today. And since David Ross seems to hit a homer everytime he starts I decide to do a quick pick up. All I can do is stare at B-Mac’s line today and a tear comes into my eye.
"So he basically called me a Jew. I was confused because I'm black and Methodist."
Wasn't he robbed of a hit today? He also had two walks last night and two hits off
Halladay including a game winning homer. He’s struggled this season, but he’s been better lately. It’s not like anyone other then Mac did anything today.
All the Uggla haters sure didn't take much of a break.
Hey guys, he hit a game-winning homer 2 days ago. Sure, he had a rough series here, but it was a 2-game series. Do we freak out whenever Prado or McCann has an 0-for-7? He’s struggled this season overall, but no one should ever be criticized for going 0-for-7. He’ll hit just fine for the rest of the season.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
I now twitter as @junkstats and blog about made-up stats and general baseball stuff at JunkStats.
Irony is
At least in terms of WPA, the worst player on the team in May has been Jason Heyward. Obviously, the injury has had a lot to do with it, but the fact of the matter is that he’s been the weakest member of the starting lineup all month, followed closely by Freddie Freeman. Then comes Chipper, and then, we get to Uggla.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
I’m not criticizing Dan for a few games. I’m criticizing him for the incredibly bad season that he’s having at the plate so far this year. He leads the team in Ks with 37. He has a robust OBP of .270, worst among regulars. When he’s been at the plate this year, there have been 122 runners on the bases. EIGHT (FUCKING EIGHT) have scored. He’s been awful offensively this year.
I’ll give him 3 things. First, his BABIP is .210 That’ll go up a bit. Second, he’s been good defensively, a lot better than I remember from his FLA days. Third and most important, dude hustles. Love the way he plays. I just wish he had more success while playing hard.
What I love about baseball
What was a boring game turned into magic. Big Mac turned what seemed like 2.5 hrs of dull play into a game for the history books. Someone in the OT signed off in the 9th stating that the “gods” had deemed the Braves were bound to lose this one. After reading that, I had a feeling something special was going to happen. 2 outs, 2 strikes & then magic. And the rest became history.
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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