The Nats Clobber Braves 9-3 Behind More Ankiel Heroics
by moorebraves on Aug 2, 2011 11:00 PM EDT
in Braves Game Recaps
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PrintThe Braves looked like they had a chance tonight. These hopes and dreams came crashing down when Rick Ankiel hit a home run of the grand slam variety. The homer capped a five-run fourth that gave the Nats a 6-3 lead that wouldn’t be relinquished. Rick Ankiel has now hit three homers against Braves pitching in the last two games and a total of six on the season.
The scoring began tonight with an Ian Desmond sac fly that scored Jayson Werth. The run was facilitated by a David Ross fastball to right center that not only didn’t catch Werth stealing, but sent him to third. Atlanta managed to rally, though to provide Braves fans with a sense of encouragement and life. After a David Ross single, Jose Constanza was able to rope one past Ryan Zimmerman, who was in the heart of the action tonight on defense. With two on and one out after a failed sacrifice by Lowe, Michael Bourn got his first RBI as a Brave by pulling one down the first base line past Michael Morse, scoring the speedy Constanza from second. Martin Prado then sent Lowe across the dish with a grounder to the right side to make the game 2-1 in favor of the Bravos. Constanza kept up his honey moon period in the Majors by driving Gonzalez in on a good piece of hitting to the opposite field to finish the scoring for Atlanta.
The fourth was the inning in which Ankiel did his damage, but the Nats didn’t let up. Jonny Gomes led off the fifth with a triple down the third base line. He may have been helped out by a Washington fan on a date, overzealously reaching for a ball in play to impress his girl; but whether a triple or double, it didn’t matter. Ian Desmond hit a bomb that just got over the left field wall in the next at bat to make the score 8-2. The night was over for Lowe there, and Cristhian Martinez got the next three batters to end the fifth. Martinez did give up a BIG solo shot to Michael Morse in the following inning, but after that, the scoring was over for both sides. Proctor came out to pitch two scoreless innings and of course, guys like Prado refuse to give up and could be seen sliding all over the field until the bitter end. That’s how this team plays and it’s definitely good to see that the team never gives in.
The Nationals took the season series lead with the win tonight. The Braves have now lost three straight games, behind double digit hits in each, which doesn't feel good from a fan perspective. Freddie Freeman and Dan Uggla each hit safely to extend their streaks tonight.
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This...
We can’t beat Lannan.
And, apparently, we can’t stop Spray-Tan Ankiel. F*cking Ankiel has done more against us than he did all last season for us, homer against SF be damned.
"Don't go ninja'n nobody that don't need ninja'n!" ~ Kung Fu Hillbilly.
How about Constanza??
Man oh man, falling down drunk. The last thing we need is for this team’s pitching to fade/slump.
But just think of the possibilities. We get hot in middle/late August or early September, we barely get into the playoffs, but get in boiling, and take it all the way. We’ll forget July ever happened.
Dan Marino (13) and Steve Nash (13) will go down in history as being the greatest passers to never win the last game of the season.
Glad Heyward is finally getting benched
He’s been just terrible this year. I’d really like to see the Braves shift to a speed over power team. I was really hoping to add Chris Young to our team also, unfortunately the D’backs are in the post season hunt this year.
For reals
This is the most infuriating thing about his struggles! You don’t skip a kid from AA to the majors and quit on him when he struggles. Heyward struggling is still a superior player to Costanza. I hate the fascination with a players speed when it is his only skill. If there where a player who could replace Heyward offensively and defensively then I could understand, but not freaking Costanza!
First off, his name is Constanza, not Costanza.
Second off, clearly this is a really really small sample size but in his time up he’s hitting .375 so thus far he hasn’t done much to make you believe that his only skill is speed.
Go USA, Braves, BU Terriers, Irish, Caps, Skins, NU Cats, Wizards, DC United, Washington Freedom
BU Hockey: National Champions 1971, 1972, 1978, 1995, 2009
But that's the point... It's a SSS...
Best wait on the serious judgement.
Go USA, Braves, BU Terriers, Irish, Caps, Skins, NU Cats, Wizards, DC United, Washington Freedom
BU Hockey: National Champions 1971, 1972, 1978, 1995, 2009
We have a giant sample size of minor league stats to suggest that he’s been a career minor-leaguer for a reason, and will fall back to earth. He’s drawn 0 walks. He’s drawn 0 3-ball counts.
his career MiLB numbers are
.290.364.356
that hardly suggests he is a bad hitter, just shows he has no power. It actually indicates he is the type of player he has shown us, a slap hitter with speed.
Chopmaster: my link is my dad who has watched the braves since I don’t know. he’s 56.
to compare
Bourns MiLB numbers : .284.378.392
Bourns MLB numbers: 271.337.359
it is obvious that the type of playstyle both Constanza and Bourn can be effective at a big league level, I don’t believe Constanza is a MLB starting outfielder by any means, but you are trying to put him down with little evidence that he is a bad hitter
Chopmaster: my link is my dad who has watched the braves since I don’t know. he’s 56.
I don’t know what ML park Bourn played in but if you run the MLEs on Constanza, he comes out looking like Schafer, as a ceiling. Love the kid, love the story, love that he’s playing his heart out and helping the team right now. But he’s not going to be on the playoff roster and he’s taking PAs from a potential HOF player right now.
i really don't think taking like 8 PA from Heyward
in 1 year is going to severely hurt him, and right now Constanza is performing, we aren’t winning, but the fact that Constanza is playing isn’t contributing to that. Sure he will regress, sure he isn’t as good as his SSS shows, but I don’t see why you keep acting like keeping in until he regresses is the end of the world
Chopmaster: my link is my dad who has watched the braves since I don’t know. he’s 56.
You gotta ask yourself what is more likely, that he’s the next Bourn but has been wasting away in 2 AAA systems and put of average numbers and just hasn’t gotten a chance to prove it at the MLB level, or 2 of the Braves’ CFs got hurt, he got the call up, and has happened to generate a .400+ BABIP in 5 games.
If he sustains a .350+ OBP based on slap hits alone and is the next Ichiro, I’ll come back here and eat my crow.
The question is, who is more likely to produce in their next PA. Constanza or Heyward. You believe in the hot hand, I believe in looking at the largest sample size possible.
I haven't said he is gonna be the next Bourn lol
I’m just saying if a guy is going good, why stop it?
Chopmaster: my link is my dad who has watched the braves since I don’t know. he’s 56.
By the same token, should Conrad have been starting over Uggla while he was scuffling? Conrad’s numbers dominated Uggla’s at the time.
The bodies of work said to stick with Uggla over Conrad – he’ll come around. The bodies of work say stick with Heyward over Constanza – he’ll come around.
Fair point.
difference is, Uggla has had 5+ years of very consistent numbers, while Heyward has only had 1 year of actual success, and even then each month was drastic, but like i said good point.
Chopmaster: my link is my dad who has watched the braves since I don’t know. he’s 56.
and Brooks numbers in the MiLB
wern’t that good in general, and Brooks never had a 3 game hitting streak even id bet
Chopmaster: my link is my dad who has watched the braves since I don’t know. he’s 56.
I’m fine with Constanza getting some playing time. It is worth seeing if he can sustain the success, because ML numbers don’t predict success 100%. I watch all the games, and I want the Braves to win. Constanza has absolutely produced during his playing time. But assuming Heyward is 100% healthy, I think more PAs for Heyward improves the team. (And it is fair to question that assumption.)
yeah maybe it was Jonesy24 i was thinking about
that was complaining like the earth had frozen over because Jose got playing time.
Chopmaster: my link is my dad who has watched the braves since I don’t know. he’s 56.
and like I said
i don’t think 4 plate appearances makes that big of a deal, I doubt every time Jose plays it will be at Heywards expense
Chopmaster: my link is my dad who has watched the braves since I don’t know. he’s 56.
and i don't care about projection at this point
i care about production, there are many players who’s ceiling was projected to be a lot worse, yet they are stars.
Chopmaster: my link is my dad who has watched the braves since I don’t know. he’s 56.
In Costanza's defense...
He has hit well in all 3 games so far. That’s almost nothing, but it’s better than a 3 game hitless streak.
How much longer will Chipper be out? Constanza could play LF while Prado moves to 3B and Brooks Conrad and his pinch hitting skills are useful again. Imo as long as Constanza is hitting, he can be useful, and his speed can also be very useful for pinch running. It’s not his fault that the team is currently leaving suffering more LOBster than the Maine coast.
and performing well in their place.....
Chopmaster: my link is my dad who has watched the braves since I don’t know. he’s 56.
I’ve been advocating and hoping for a Lowe salary dump trade for a long time.
Now, I think the time has come for the Braves to dump him out of the starting rotation. He’s allowed 22 runs in his last 26.2 IP / 5 starts, losing 4 of the 5 games. Allowed a .365 batting average against in those starts.
Derekus delenda est
"You feel really comfortable with Scotty Proctor in that situation to handle those guys." - Fredi Gonzalez
I think it would actually be
Delendus est Derekus. Love the reference though!
you are both wrong
it’s Dereko delenda est dative of agent with a passive periphrastic (which is a gerund with the form of sum) Thats what makes it Derek must be destroyed. Derek is passive, hence why he isn’t the subject, but his name still goes first. That verb usually goes at the end.
what the hell
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 am beyond lost
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."
yeahhhhh...
what exactly was that shit?
by Clemson Caniac on Aug 3, 2011 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions
I think it would actually be Delendus est Derekus. Love the reference though!
you are both wrong it’s Dereko delenda est dative of agent with a passive periphrastic (which is a gerund with the form of sum) Thats what makes it Derek must be destroyed. Derek is passive, hence why he isn’t the subject, but his name still goes first. That verb usually goes at the end.
Just wanted to start the ball rolling. I had a pretty good idea that it wouldn’t pass close muster.
I don’t really want him destroyed, as such, but I don’t think there is a proper translation for “DFA.”
"You feel really comfortable with Scotty Proctor in that situation to handle those guys." - Fredi Gonzalez
Ah, the wonderful dative of agent
Though Derek is a noun and can’t be passive. I see where you’re coming from with the dative of agent, though Derek is receiving the intended action. The agent in a passive phrase be it periphrastic or otherwise is almost always the actor. Using a dative of agent for Derek would essentially imply him taking the action. So Dereko Delendus (an a ending would imply a feminine) Est would translate to something along the lines of “it must be destroyed by Derek.” “It” could very logically be inferred to mean the Braves chances at winning when Lowe pitches.
I thought the Tigers were interested in him?
The Braves should of dumped his contract when they had the chance.
Who hasn't been?
His contract just makes him near impossible to move.
Go USA, Braves, BU Terriers, Irish, Caps, Skins, NU Cats, Wizards, DC United, Washington Freedom
BU Hockey: National Champions 1971, 1972, 1978, 1995, 2009
Arizona sneaking up big time
And that “monster” 5 game lead in the WC could be down to one game. Derek Lowe is the biggest piece of trash to ever roam this planet. 15 million dollars annually to a bum like him is upsetting. I’d rather give 15 million dollars to a homeless man because he deserves it more than Derek Lowe. Everytime I see Lowe vs. Player X on the Braves website I already know it’s going to be an ugly game. I just don’t feel good going into games I know Lowe is pitching. JoJo Reyes>Derek Lowe. We really need to pick it up with Arizona heating up or we could find ourselves into a 6ft hole soon.
Glad I got this out, really glad I got this out.
/Ends Rant
Shrimp, Steak, Liquor, and Pasta
.
Honestly
I really hope Lowe proves me wrong and becomes the man we paid him to be
Shrimp, Steak, Liquor, and Pasta
.
I’m holding out hope that DLowe’s poor performance is due to the warm weather. Of course, with global warming, October still might be quite hot.
by LEastCoastBears on Aug 2, 2011 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions
really?
Derek Lowe is the biggest piece of trash to ever roam this planet
Hitler, Hussein, and bin Laden would like a word with you. If you want to trash Lowe for his recent pitching performances, that’s definitely warranted, but this type of crap makes any possibly legit point you may present moot. Just because you’re frustrated with the man’s performance (and we all are) doesn’t mean you should bash his character. It may not have been your intent, but bullshit like this has been severely degenerating TC over the past few weeks, and it needs to stop before all the people that post quality and legit stuff get fed up and go elsewhere. I’m not trying to attack you, but this type of garbage has been just as frustrating as our team’s play in the 2nd half and it needs to stop.
/end rant
this
how goes your summer by the way
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."
It's going good
exhausted from last weekend. My brother graduated from West Georgia, and we partied a bit too much. Yours? how is your job going?
The second half of third sentence makes no sense to me.
I actually got a new job that does not require me to pester casual mall shoppers and get cussed out, and I start this week!
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."
Ha
Mall cops are quite obnoxious. But i just was not getting paid enough for the bull$hit he wanted us to be doing
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."
Get off your high horse
Clearly Lowe hasn;t killed anyone, and it obviously wasn’t meant to be taken to heart so if you think that’s how I meant it you are clueless, but he did steal 60 million dollars from the Atlanta Braves Organizations
Shrimp, Steak, Liquor, and Pasta
.
He wasn't calling you out
just addressing the extreme negativity around here recently.
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’m usually positive, but I can’t stand Derek Lowe so I always rant on him
Shrimp, Steak, Liquor, and Pasta
.
I'm aware you weren't literally saying that about DLowe
but even in frustration, you can and have made better arguments without resorting to using crap like that. We’re all frustrated. Like I said, it wasn’t directed at you as much as everyone here. This isn’t the AJC boards, and we don’t need to have that kind of crap here is all I’m saying. If considering myself and others here including yourself better than the AJC boards puts me on the high horse, then I’m fine with that
Agreed.
I had the same issue just didn’t think it was worth the battle. I love this site because of everyone’s opinions but going to such extremes as this is kinda ruining the experience.
by Clemson Caniac on Aug 3, 2011 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Yet another very frustrating game against the Nats
Just when it looks like that we have finally solved John Lannon, Bourne’s line drive with bases loaded got caught and we are only up 2. The poor execution on the Lannon ground out really forced Lowe to pitch to Ankiel, but Lowe fell behind…our pitching needs to get back on track soon or else this Wild Card race will get a lot more interesting fast (in a bad way).
by LEastCoastBears on Aug 2, 2011 11:33 PM EDT reply actions
It's already intresting
We’re up 1.5 games and Arizona is leading
Shrimp, Steak, Liquor, and Pasta
.
2 right now...
and depending if the D-backs win then the Braves will only be up 1.5.
I have a funny feeling that nobody in that dugout knows we are only 2 games up either. So I believe they need to take a look at the WC standings and start stepping it up a little bit…or more like a lot.
we're only 1 up in the loss column
to both Arizona and San Francisco (one of them will take NL West, of course)
by LEastCoastBears on Aug 3, 2011 1:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Since the start of the 2009 season
The braves are 24-24 against the phillies and 23-24 against the gnats. yay.
Screw the rest of the teams, let’s just play the Phillies the rest of the year. Maybe we’ll actually win the division.
Twitter: @TAlmeyda
WTF
Ankiel should've been impact player.Bourne sux!
If I had a nickel for everytime someone told me I should shutup, I'd probably have 5 or 6 bucks.
Finally we got some competition
This wild card thing has not been interesting until now.
Arizona is finally making a move to catch up with the Braves and provide some incentives.
I think it is interesting to see how the Phillies have done with the Nats, compared to the Braves.
If the braves go into their traditional August mini-slump, this should be a great next 2 months between Arizona and Los Bravos.
He whose words outnumber his deeds, know that his death is better than his life.
lol
……..That’s one insanely optimistic way of looking at it, I guess.
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
Swing and a drive...Belted right! Welcome to the Show!!!
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Aug 3, 2011 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Every starter
except the pitcher had a hit, and we still lost. Dont see that often. When will this madness end?
Who is LeBron, and where is Miami?
by Kineticist on Aug 3, 2011 12:00 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I love the Bourn pickup, I really do. But maybe we should’ve gotten a buy that knocks guys in as well
Shrimp, Steak, Liquor, and Pasta
.
*Looks at bench*
OOOhhh, hey Chipper and Brian.
hard to drive in runs when no on is on base!!!
by Braves Biceps on Aug 3, 2011 4:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Except that there’s been a huge number of runners on base, but nobody can drive them in.
by swainzy on Aug 3, 2011 9:34 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
When the weather cools off, he typically doesn't do well when it's hot and humid.
Which is kind of a problem I’d say with August here.
Senator, we have another old saying,"Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining." Fletcher
He's just getting older and it's getting hotter.
Senator, we have another old saying,"Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining." Fletcher
No excuse, just a reason not to sign pitchers his age to long expensive contracts.
Senator, we have another old saying,"Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining." Fletcher
Dereck Lowe only pitches well against elite teams
And i have no statistical proof to back that up. Just one of those feels things ya know, FG knows
Once McCann gets back we’ll be alright but its time for chipper to hang it up.. we could use the money hes making on another player who can be in the lineup everyday
Yeah
lets go get one of those big August free agents. What are the big names out there? I hear Dunn may be available.
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."
Ah
silly me
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."
Lost me
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."
you said Dunn Maybe be available?
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."
Gotta give him that.
he is nothing to write home about but he is hitting well
by Clemson Caniac on Aug 3, 2011 12:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Nate=Gwinnett fourth outfielder
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."
yeah
but I still don’t get the hit for Constanza, sure he will come down to earth, but until then he has been producing
Chopmaster: my link is my dad who has watched the braves since I don’t know. he’s 56.
finally found it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKK55a6C_Ps&t=1m
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."
Sorry
forgot the sarcasm font.
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."
Let me help.
Dunn is awful
Who is LeBron, and where is Miami?
by Kineticist on Aug 3, 2011 12:15 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
_
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."
It's a pelican
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."
that's what I thought
but I wasn’t sure so I asked anyway lol
I just got tired
of saying the word pelican. so i found a funny looking picture of a pelican and used it instead of the word pelican, ya pelican?
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."
thats what it is originally from lol
Chopmaster: my link is my dad who has watched the braves since I don’t know. he’s 56.
I know.
Life’s magical cycles, eh?
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."
thats what i was saying
the pic i posted is what it was originated from
Chopmaster: my link is my dad who has watched the braves since I don’t know. he’s 56.
that my friend is the common Atlanta pelican.
by Clemson Caniac on Aug 3, 2011 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions
It's a joke
from LetMadduxPlayCF’s post back in April or so about us needing a power hitting 1B and to send Freddie back down, because he obviously isn’t cut out to start yet
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."
Oh okay
I remember hearing of that post never read it. I actually though he was serious. I’m a dumbass
Shrimp, Steak, Liquor, and Pasta
.
haha nah
he forgot the font
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."
come on
using sarcasm font takes out the fun
And starts internet wars!
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."
Oh wait
Didn’t see the sarcasm font.
Who is LeBron, and where is Miami?
by Kineticist on Aug 3, 2011 12:17 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
scared me for a second
Nobody wants him. My bad for forgetting the font in OP
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."
haha
bet we could talk McGriff out of retirement
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."
perhaps we're going about this all wrong pulling against AZ
perhaps we should be pulling for whoever is playing the Giants
I was just thinking the same thing.
Maybe we should pull for them to sink from sight and be replaced by the DBacks.
"You feel really comfortable with Scotty Proctor in that situation to handle those guys." - Fredi Gonzalez
Very frustrating
The offense wasn’t that bad, but Lowe was terrible..It’s ok everyone. Lowe will dominant down the stretch and in the postseason. Then we will be trade him in the offseason so it’s all good.
Whoa now... whoa now...
1.5
Go USA, Braves, BU Terriers, Irish, Caps, Skins, NU Cats, Wizards, DC United, Washington Freedom
BU Hockey: National Champions 1971, 1972, 1978, 1995, 2009
Wont be easy
trading DLowe. Not to many teams want a 15 million dollar 5th starter. Maybe we can trick the Yankees into taking him.
Who is LeBron, and where is Miami?
by Kineticist on Aug 3, 2011 12:34 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Perhaps it's time for Lowe to have a "sore back" like Linebrink
He needs time to figure out whatever it is he’s doing wrong. It seems like he’s stopped throwing his slider for whatever reason, and now has nothing to keep hitters off balance and off his cutter and sinker, which are pretty much the same speed. It’s like he’s reverted back to what he was doing last year before he met with Roger where all he was doing was going low and away with the sinker and occasional cutter to lefties. If he can’t throw his slider and can’t change speeds and go in and out, there is no way he will be effective for us down the stretch.
We do need a RHP in the pen we can use when we have the lead. Perhaps we call up Teheran or Minor to take Lowe’s spot in the rotation and put Lowe in the pen. I don’t know, but something must be done before the status quo sinks us. It’s wishful thinking, but maybe someone will claim him off waivers and take us off the hook for $15 mil next year
At this time, I would feel more confident having Minor or Teheran replace Lowe in the rotation. I feel we have a better chance. Lowe has been the least effective of our starting pitchers, not to say that the others like JJ and Hanson have been effective. I don’t know if Fredi would be willing to do something about our starting pitching. I know he was not afraid to shakeup the lineup to get the offense going.
Linebrink's sore back has to be legit
if anyone is going to have a “sore back”, then it has to be Proctor (who somehow managed to not give up a run in two consecutive outings…although he did give up XBH on Tuesday)
by LEastCoastBears on Aug 3, 2011 1:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Allowing Lowe to pitch the 5th was too stupid for words
FREDI!!!!! [Shakes fist in the air]
That Heyward guy is pretty good.
by another simpsons avatar on Aug 3, 2011 12:31 AM EDT reply actions
Constanza was good today so ill stop bashing him
Im just more frustrated that we arent going to let our 21 year Old phenom work through his struggles against LHP. Hes not going to get better on the bench. Combined that with a string of some good games from him I just wished Fredi G be more consistent about this. He let both Uggla and Freeman (early in the season of course) work through there struggles, so why not Jason? Especially considering his wOBA has been right along with Martin Prado all season this year.
It was easy to give both Uggla and Freeman time to work through their struggles early on because the Braves are winning. Now that our starting pitching has been awful and the offense has to cover up, the team just could not afford Heyward’s continued struggles. Thus, I understand Fredi’s decision to bench Heyward.
I'd agree if this was the first time hes done it
But Fredi G i believe has either done it the past two or three times we’ve faced a starting LHP.
it's a good time to be a Braves fan!
hmm.. one good thing about the Nats being in the NL East is that we don’t have to worry about meeting them (they’d win) in the playoffs..
hmm.. one good thing about the Nats being in the NL East is that we don’t have to worry about meeting them (they’d win) in the playoffs..I hate them..
On another note Lowe and Jurrjens really need to get there shit together
We were considered to have the best rotation not because of anybody individually being Cy Young canidate, but because all 5 of our starters toed the rubber and gave us a chance to win that night. Right now its only been 3-5 as i have no confidence in either Jurrjens or Lowe
I wonder what Roger is doing with the three to fix their problems.
I hope he gets them back on track in time while we’re still in the playoff race.
Hanson has been ok, hes still striking out people at a good clip. The biggest one im worried about is JJ, because his control appears to have left him recently. And last start he was only throwing like 86 MPH on his fastball with an 83 mph change up. I have no confidence in his stuff right now
JJ was saying his mechanics were all messed up
and has complained about his front side flying open since the break. He said he was going to look at video to try and correct it. Let’s hope he an Roger figure out whatever he’s doing wrong and get it corrected because we need JJ to have any shot.
hmmmm.
Looks like we should have traded for that RH bat after all since we still can’t beat average LHP.
Another point I was going to make
Livan Hernadez and John Lannan simply own the braves likes its nobodies business.
Look at Livan's stats career vs ATL
in 36 Games, he is 8-18 with a 4.71 ERA in 217 IP, averaging a little less than a HR a game given up, with a poor WHIP of 1.5. He does not own the Braves
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."
to be honest
yeah it does
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."
He should never beat the Braves
So when he does, one time feels like ten.
Plus, those of us who were around for it will never, ever, ever forgive him for that game with Eric Gregg.
"You feel really comfortable with Scotty Proctor in that situation to handle those guys." - Fredi Gonzalez
As bad as we're playing
right now I’m not worried. I take solace in the fact that we have chip and Mac coming back soon, and I have a feeling that when we’re at full strength, the braves will take off.
Who is LeBron, and where is Miami?
by Kineticist on Aug 3, 2011 1:01 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Just drop this guy already
Yeah, umm, Derek Lowe is garbage and has been for 3 years (two months not withstanding). He is a more expensive KK but had the good fortune of run support the last few years. I’d rather pay Ollie Perez to NOT pitch for us like the Mets than have the Dlowe situation. With all of the arms in our minors, I’m tired of watching this guy constantly put us behind the 8 ball with our already strugglign offense. I have no confidence in him at all and I was glad to hear Joe Simpson calling out his shittiness on the broadcast. Free Mike Minor/Teheren/Anybody with a pulse.
/end drunk rant
We'll trade you for Cheryl Tunt. Tome again? Still nothing?
Question?
What I want to know is why we were even pitching to Rick “the stick” Ankiel today! I know he’s no Ruthian clone but I’d say we need to change the way we pitch him.
Our pitching staff will settle down but it’s going to be a very tenuous final few months.
Go Braves!
by Gjmoody on Aug 3, 2011 2:25 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
It’s down to a 1.5 game lead for the WC. We can’t sit around.
There is no reason Heyward shouldn’t be playing. There is no reason for Lowe to still be in the rotation.
Move Lowe to Bullpen and try him as a 7th inning guy, or use him as garbageman and try C-Mart in those situations. You’re paying him $15 mil, you don’t need to compound that cost by having him cost you games also. It’s not like Lowe is even eating innings anymore, and if he isn’t doing that, he’s useless.
Bring Minor or Teheran up.
We toss around these million $ figures so often we have become completely numb to it. $15 million…think about how much money that is! It’s incredible to think that someone would get paid that much for ANY thing. But paid that much to serve up GS’s to Rick Ankiel?
What a world we live in.
"You owe it to yourself to be successful. After that you'll owe it to the IRS."
Throw to 2nd Freeman
Get the force out or DP Freeman is a A+ fielder but he will not throw to 2nd. Have noticed it several times, last night being the most notable. Possible DP & 3rd out with the pitcher running and no Ankiel Grand Slam that inning. Throw to home was terrible also.
JMR
Grand slam or not, they still would have won.
It feels like a rarity any time we put up more than 3 runs. I guess as long as we keep taking strikes and swinging at balls, striking out instead of taking walks, the brass is content.
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
Swing and a drive...Belted right! Welcome to the Show!!!
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Aug 3, 2011 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions
The freaking Dbacks…. lol. Never would have believed it.
Good stuff. Not really.
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
Swing and a drive...Belted right! Welcome to the Show!!!
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Aug 3, 2011 8:34 AM EDT reply actions
Beachy, Hudson, & Hanson…I really hope that someone can put a stop to this. I would think that this team would be at full health for the Chicago series but they can’t afford to drop them all in between time (obviously).
by Philly Bravo on Aug 3, 2011 8:36 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
How long do Freddi & Roger need to watch this
before bringing Teheran or Minor up & moving Lowe to long relief?!
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