Braves Offense Fails To Deliver In Loss To Pirates
by TonyAlmeyda on Jul 26, 2011 1:07 AM EDT
in Braves Game Recaps
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PrintThe Braves bats didn't come through when they needed to.
Atlanta managed eight hits against James McDonald in 5.1 innings, but they couldn't get the big hit and dropped the opening game of this four-game series with the Pirates 3-1.
Braves starter Tim Hudson allowed only five hits in seven innings but issued three walks, two of them leading off the second inning. Andrew McCutchen and Pedro Alvarez were on base when Lyle Overbay flied out to Nate McLouth. Instead of throwing to second, McLouth threw the ball to third, allowing Alvarez to advance to second. Ronny Cedeno's groundout could've been a double play to end the inning, but McCutchen scored and Michael McKenry delivered an RBI single to give the Pirates a 2-0 lead. They added their third run in the sixth when Hudson walked Garrett Jones with one out and two batters later, allowed Andrew McCutchen's RBI single.
Meanwhile, the Braves offense put together five hits between the second and third innings, but managed no runs. Their best chance to score came in the sixth inning. Freddie Freeman and Dan Uggla hit consecutive singles with one out and David Ross reached on catcher's interference to load the bases. That ended McDonald's night, and he was pulled for Chris Resop. The former Braves reliever induced a foul pop-up from Nate McLouth and struck out Alex Gonzalez swinging. Gonzalez was 0 for 4, striking out three times and stranding six runners. The entire offense left nine on base.
The lone Braves run was a home run from Chipper Jones leading off the eighth inning against Daniel McCutchen.
Joel Hanrahan retired the side in order in the ninth for the save.
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9 LOB..that hurts.
Sgt.: Pointed stick? Oh, oh, oh. We want to learn how to defend ourselves against pointed sticks, do we? Getting all high and mighty, eh? Fresh fruit not good enough for you eh? Well I'll tell you something my lad. When you're walking home tonight and some great homicidal maniac comes after you with a bunch of loganberries, don't come crying to me! Now, the passion fruit.
PH with Jordan Schafer and Julio Lugo when Conrad and Hinske are still available might have been the dumbest thing i’ve ever seen
. . . .
can we trade Fredi at the deadline?
by drumzalicious on Jul 26, 2011 1:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Also
If Jordan needs to go on the DL for that finger, there goes your retroactivity
You shouldn’t sip liquor.
-justincredubil02
no, Jack Daniel is whiskey.
-ChopMaster
"Welcome to the show, Brandon Beachy. I think you’re going to stay a while."
i dont get this either
the kid already had a developmental set back with his wrist we dont need to rush him back from this finger thing
by drumzalicious on Jul 26, 2011 2:18 AM EDT up reply actions
???
We didn’t PH Lugo. He was part of a 2x switch when Chipper left the game. Fredi had to make a decision then and he guessed wrong.
I don’t have any issue with PH’ing Schafer in the leadoff hole for the inning. You’re setting him up to come back in the next day or 2 since we aren’t DL’ing him. Sometimes we might have to lose a battle to win the war.
We sucked tonight
Our offense has to get om sink and Heyward has to be lowered in the lineup. Alex Gonzalez just keeps finding ways to leaving guys on base.
I didn't see one
but has A. Gonzalez been wearing a blindfold to bat for the last 2 months?
It's sad
Even when Uggla was struggling, I never had the same hopeless feeling I have when Gonzo comes to bat. Honestly, I feel better with Huddy and Lowe at the plate in key situations. Heck, Lowe’s numbers with 2 outs and RISP probably bests Gonzo’s.
"Don't go ninja'n nobody that don't need ninja'n!" ~ Kung Fu Hillbilly.
No...
I don’t know the numbers, but I’d be thrilled if he averaged 6 pitches per at bat!
"Don't go ninja'n nobody that don't need ninja'n!" ~ Kung Fu Hillbilly.
maybe
just seems he always starts out 0-2 and then takes a close pitch or two before swinging at junk.
Definitely
It’s rare to see him bat with a 2-0 count and he predictably flails at anything resembling a slider.
Regardless, he has a look of someone with zero confidence at the plate. It’s almost as if opposing pitchers toy with him…
"Don't go ninja'n nobody that don't need ninja'n!" ~ Kung Fu Hillbilly.
it didn't end up mattering for much, because he wouldn't have thrown the guy out, but Nate blamed the grass.....
#Braves’ McLouth held out arms when came off field telling teammates ball “snaked” on him; happens on this grass, ball can move side-to-side
Only grass that is to blame...
is the ones he’s been smokin.
by Kelly's Big Johnson on Jul 26, 2011 1:21 AM EDT up reply actions
even if thats the case
he’d have been the first person to make an excuse all season.
by drumzalicious on Jul 26, 2011 1:32 AM EDT up reply actions
This is the seventh straight game where the opponent has scored first, and in the first inning each time.
Twitter: @TAlmeyda
not possible- there were only 4 runners on base when he came to the plate. He got a hit w Ross on, but failed badly w the bases loaded
Braves RISP: 0-5 (A Gonzalez 0-2, J Heyward 0-1, N McLouth 0-1, F Freeman 0-1). Team LOB: 9
Just a bad game all around
thats what the box score said on the braves website.
by drumzalicious on Jul 26, 2011 2:19 AM EDT up reply actions
got plenty of opportunities
but some key outs + some bad luck meant a 3 game losing streak
Braves need to turn this around or I fear that the Braves front office might make a bad trade for a middling “veteran” reliever.
by LEastCoastBears on Jul 26, 2011 1:38 AM EDT reply actions
Read this at bucnation and it is inexusable
Dejan just tweeted that we made it the whole game w/o our first baseman touching the ball defensively. Though Fort did throw it on to him to complete the Lugo K in the 9th, there were actually 0 ground ball outs by Braves hitters tonight. Unbelievable.
I think that’s probably why this one never truly seemed in the bag until Hanrahan came out for the 9th. The Braves just kept getting 1 or 2 runners on and hitting fly balls, it seemed inevitable that eventually they’d start sending them out, and Jones did, then Uggla came dang close to tying it right after. Not as comfortable a win as I like, but I’m not going to complain about beating the 2nd-best team in the NL.
Chopmaster: my link is my dad who has watched the braves since I don’t know. he’s 56.
Jordan Schafer
Put Jordan back to leadoff man because he might get on and could score runs.
I love everyone
Blaming this one on Fredi. The act is tired.
This game had nothing to do with THAT Gonzalez failing. Blame the offensively useless Gonzalez or Nate or Heyward’s struggles.
But, alas, everything is Fredi’s fault.
"Don't go ninja'n nobody that don't need ninja'n!" ~ Kung Fu Hillbilly.
by Jman781 on Jul 26, 2011 6:53 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
A rational thought....
THIS.
Fredi is doing exactly what Bobby would, they are of the same mold people. Stop blaming the manager for everything. Shit the Braves are only tied with Texas for the 5th best record in all of baseball. Stop the complaining.
I admit
I have issues with Fredi, but, as you said, I had issues with Bobby Cox, too.
I wonder if there is a manager alive that would please everyone. Doubt it.
Things I like about Fredi: his willingness to juggle the line-up if needed; his ability to let the starters go the appropriate amount of time; his ability to assist struggling players through slumps (Gonzo’s just bad; etc.
Sure, I don’t like the overuse of the pen, but, when we use another arm like Linebrink while resting Kimbrel (or saving him), people bitch that we left Kimbrel on the bench (see: Sunday’s game). Either we use our studs every game and have a better chance at winning (which we have been doing) or we use other arms like Proctor and Linebrink (which we’ve done too, with much moaning from the fans).
People are upset we used Lugo instead of Conrad when Chipper was hurt? Why? Lugo’s on the team, so he’s going to play. Maybe we pinch-hit Schafer to test his finger. Maybe we’d rather have Schafer lead-off than Hinske (which actually makes sense, for Hinske WAS on deck with runners on base).
People have a right to complain, but sometimes I feel people bitch about Fredi because it’s the cool thing to do. I’ve seen negative comments in games we’ve won easily. The man can’t win, but luckily, he doesn’t give a damn what we think, for good or bad.
Phew. I can step down from my soapbox now ;-)
"Don't go ninja'n nobody that don't need ninja'n!" ~ Kung Fu Hillbilly.
I’ve been jumped on for using the word “groupthink” around here…but that’s exactly what it is. Piling on someone you already don’t like…when there are plenty of players not executing.
The CarGo walkoff in Denver was the consumate example. Prado made an error with 2 outs that allowed the winning run to get to 2nd base. With EOF pitching, we walk a RH hitter (Wigginton) who is OPSing at about 1.000 against Lefties to get to a LH hitter (CarGo) who was OPSing below .700 against Lefties. EOF put his first pitch belt-high middle-in, grossly missing Mac’s target.
Despite a 2-out error, and the proper statistical play to pitch to CarGo, and the lack of execution of the players on the field who gets the blame? That’s right…because he didn’t follow the “don’t let their superstar beat you” mentality.
On Prado...
Look at Sunday’s game again…
Prado had a key error in the first inning leading to two runs and also struckout in a key moment in the game.
Had Prado not had an error in the first inning and/or failed to bring home the guy from third in the third inning, the Kimbrel v. Linebrink situation may not have been an issue.
Not throwing Prado under the bus, but he’s more to blame in that particular game than Fredi.
"Don't go ninja'n nobody that don't need ninja'n!" ~ Kung Fu Hillbilly.
You there
With your rational thought and logic. Stop that!
"The Dos Equis guys want me to be the least interesting man in the world" - Drama
by BravesDawg16 on Jul 26, 2011 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions
How about you guys stop making excuses for Fredi’s dumb decisions? He certainly doesn’t deserve all the blame but people trying to fully excuse him for his stupid decisions is even more ridiculous. We can just say there is plenty of blame to go around and it can start with Wren, but anyone who thinks Fredi hasn’t hurt this team’s chances with his in-game management is wearing huge gigantic blunders. You can debate how much it has really mattered since after all bad managers are only suppose to cost their team 6 wins by the end of the year, but saying it doesn’t matter at all is folly.
Where does one wear "blunders"?
Seriously though. All managers must hurt their team’s chances then…since in order to spread the workload around he can’t always pitch his best pitchers in every situation. Or bat his best players all the time in order to keep them fresh. Or try unorthodox things like bat players 2nd in the order to help them break their slump (worked for Uggla, unfortunately it didn’t for Sea Bass).
I want to know
Why Fredi’s a bad manager? Why are you certain he’s awful. What’s your criteria?
Is there empirical evidence proving our team would be better off with a different manager? How do we base our determination?
Other than W-L totals, I have no idea. Seriously. For those who are certain Fredi is a lout, why? Show me some data.
I don’t get it.
"Don't go ninja'n nobody that don't need ninja'n!" ~ Kung Fu Hillbilly.
Two things were made clear by Rick Sutcliffe last night...
1) Nate really should’ve thrown that ball to second base
2) Chris Resop really needed to come back I’m and pitch the 7th, even if it meant coming to the plate.
by TBuzz on Jul 26, 2011 6:59 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Jordan Schafer
Hate to stir the kettle and make it black, but since Jordan has been out of the lineup notice the teams run production has gone down. There was quite the arguement a few days ago about him not being idela for leadoff which I believe as well, but this team plays better when he is in the lienup and getting on base.
They left guys on base all night last night especially Gonzo, he stranded 6 all by himself. You can say what you want, but Jordan at the top makes opportunites and for whatever reason this team scores runs when he is in the lineup. Go figure.
by RazorbackBrave80 on Jul 26, 2011 7:30 AM EDT reply actions
yeah no kidding
that was one pathetic excuse for trying to hit a fastball. He should be ashamed to call himself a left handed hitter _
by DustinSmith on Jul 26, 2011 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
oh i saw
It was pathetic but how good can you swing with a possibly broken finger, it was something to get two hits, but no matter he was placed on the DL
by RazorbackBrave80 on Jul 27, 2011 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Heyward Up Too Soon?????
Ok, lets start the debate. We all felt Jason was the next coming but in retrospect, did the Braves bring him up too soon? I say yes, and would more seasoning down at Gwinnett be the answer? I know that would be very difficult to do, but Jason has hit a wall. I thought he had curve ball issues, but on the ESPN Sunday Night Telecast Bobby Valentine said it was the fastball. I feel for the guy, it must be hell learning for the first time in your life that success does not come easy.
Too soon to post a 5+ fWAR and 134 wRC+ in his rookie season?
Too soon to be posting a league-average run creation rate this season even while he’s been hurt and has had terrible luck on balls in play?
Heyward’s lineout DP was laced—can’t hit it much harder. But he hit it right at someone.
by Ivan the Great on Jul 26, 2011 7:42 AM EDT up reply actions
It's a slump
There’s time.
Look at Matt Kemp’s numbers last season…Heyward’s slash line isn’t that far off (it’s lower, I know…and I’m not saying he’ll post Kemp’s 2011 line next season).
It happens. Plus, he’s still 21. He’ll be fine.
"Don't go ninja'n nobody that don't need ninja'n!" ~ Kung Fu Hillbilly.
Good.
I don’t want a false sense of security leading up to the trade deadline.
Our team, even with our records, can improve. We need more right arms in the pen, and I feel we need another bat (can’t decide what we need other than SS, which is not going to happen.)
I am praying for Bourn (in the baseball world, for I’m saving my real prayers for the tragedy in Norway). He makes too much sense. I’m not a fan of Prado leading off. I’m just not, and Bourn is Schafer, but on base much, much more.
"Don't go ninja'n nobody that don't need ninja'n!" ~ Kung Fu Hillbilly.
I just heard...
Gonzalez is 4-41 with RISP with 2-outs. How much longer must we endure his futility? Please tell me this is his last season. Please.
Also, Chipper’s hurt again? Gah.
"Don't go ninja'n nobody that don't need ninja'n!" ~ Kung Fu Hillbilly.
I think they're just going to have to be happy with his defense
til the end of the year. And hopefully Pastornicky will be ready next year….might be rushing him though….
At this point, it’s almost a given that A. Gonzalez will swing at a slider outside for strike 3. Ugh.
you know its reached a breaking point
when I would have rather seen tim hudson up there with the bases loaded than A Gonzalez :(
by DustinSmith on Jul 26, 2011 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
This felt like a 2010 loss…LOB, LOB, LOB.
-C
It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?
1 run on 9 hits. LOBster seafood buffet @ the Ted.
also #22: 0/4, 3k’s, Who is this guy & what has he done w/Jason?
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." Rogers Hornsby
We are in desperate need of a Crime Dog.....
except this one needs to play CF. And if we get one, will somebody please make sure to set fire to the press box before his first game? Thanks.
"Baseball is the only place in life where a sacrifice is really appreciated."
I am beginning to believe that
Jason is the new Francoeur.
I don't ask for much but all I ask is that you to throw strikes.
by georgiadawgsfan on Jul 26, 2011 9:36 AM EDT reply actions
Whoa...
Why?
That’s a little premature.
Frenchy’s slash line in his last full season with Atlanta (2008): .239/.294/.359
Heyward’s slash line this season: .221/.307/.407
Heyward has a better line (granted slightly) and he’s fought through slumps and injuries. Frenchy had been in the league and was regressing rapidly without any legit excuses; Heyward is still only 21, is in a sophomore slump, and is still 3 years younger than Frenchy was in 2008. Plus, he’s not an arrogant ass.
Don’t see the comparison. Sorry.
"Don't go ninja'n nobody that don't need ninja'n!" ~ Kung Fu Hillbilly.
People that are as quick to jump to conclusions about a player are the same that think we can trade KK for Pujols. Its the same lack of logic or basis in fact for an arguement that create these wild opinions. Its not even worth getting upset over because the bandwagon is lighter when players and/or the team struggle
"The Dos Equis guys want me to be the least interesting man in the world" - Drama
by BravesDawg16 on Jul 26, 2011 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm not jumping to conclusions
All I said was that he is beginning to have that look to him. He doesn’t seem to be making adjustements to the way he is being pitched. Which is what ultimately brought Francoeur down.
I don't ask for much but all I ask is that you to throw strikes.
by georgiadawgsfan on Jul 26, 2011 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I see what you are saying
I just hope people take the entirety of a situation in context before drawing comparisons, as Jman781 said before me. Frenchie and Heyward are entirely different players in different situations. Heyward has struggled, but I think we got spoiled with him last year. He is 21!
I think last year’s numbers are the real Heyward, not this year’s. 20 year olds don’t have the kind of season he had without having something special about them. Sorry about that, I wasn’t trying to attak you personally.
"The Dos Equis guys want me to be the least interesting man in the world" - Drama
by BravesDawg16 on Jul 26, 2011 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions
you have every right to believe that but can you honestly say he is going to miraculously regain constant healthy status and start making better adjustments next year? I’d like to think so…but it definitely isn’t a sure thing. They pointed out on the broadcast last night that heyward might be stretching himself too thin because of all the attention he get last year has led to so much more on his plate this year. If thats so I hope that Chipper or someone talks or has talked to him about not trying to do and be everything for everyone.
The same can be said for the opposite
Can anyone else honestly Heyward won’t regain the form he had last year? He is 21 and in his second year for goodness sake!. A player’s prime in the bigs isn’t usually until he turns 27. Like I said, everyone got spoiled with what we got out of him and if it means he struggles this year, so be it
"The Dos Equis guys want me to be the least interesting man in the world" - Drama
by BravesDawg16 on Jul 26, 2011 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions
If you actually believe that Jason is becoming the next Francoeur, jumping to conclusions is exactly what you are doing.
-C
It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?
by cthabeerman on Jul 26, 2011 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
And...
considering Jason’s OBP is still roughly .100 points higher than his average despite his prolonged slump…you’re not jumping to conclusions as much jumping off the cliff of Logic.
I wonder why there hasn't been any talk about J.J. Hardy
He’s in the last year of his contract.
His defensive numbers are as good. He may not be as flashy as gonzo, but he gets the job done.
His offensive numbers look amazing when compared to Gonzo’s.
Hardy has 14hrs, .270 BA, .330 OBP, .480 SLG, and a .810 OPS compared to Gonzo’s 8hrs, .228 BA, .261OBP, .338 SLG, and a .598 OPS
His batting average is better than Gonzo’s OBP (.261)…that is sad.
by BravesFanScout on Jul 26, 2011 12:04 PM EDT reply actions
Excuse me....didn't mean to say "as good" when talking about defensive numbers.
I meant to say “are good”, but not better or as good as Gonzo’s.
by BravesFanScout on Jul 26, 2011 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh did he? On Baseball Reference it says he just signed through 2011 and that he is a FA in 2012
But idk. It might not be correct.
by BravesFanScout on Jul 26, 2011 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes. Orioles locked him up, not interested in trading him.
by Ivan the Great on Jul 26, 2011 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
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