Heyward Slams Braves to 5-4 Win Over Cubs
by moorebraves on Aug 23, 2011 11:24 PM EDT
in Braves Game Recaps
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PrintOn a night when Mike Minor pitched another great game and Aramis Ramirez went 5-for-5, Jason Heyward stole the show. It was his grand slam in the fourth inning that provided the Braves with just enough cushion to get their sixth straight win by a score of 5-4.
The Braves scored all five runs in the top of the fourth after Casey Coleman earned two Braves outs on just four pitches. The Cubs righty then gave up consecutive singles to Dan Uggla and Chipper Jones before he walked Hinske and Gonzalez to bring home a run and put the Braves up 1-0. Yes, Braves fans, credit Alex Gonzalez with two walks in back-to-back nights. Heyward then stepped to the plate and just got enough of a low breaking ball to notch his first career grand slam. The wind was helping and the ball barely got out, but he hit it to left-centerfield which was encouraging to see. He also hit one to the opposite field in the sixth to show that he could be coming back from the dead pull mentality that likely played a large part in Dan Uggla’s early season struggles.
After an Alfonso Soriano solo shot in the bottom of the fifth, Minor allowed Geovany Soto and Darwin Barney to get into scoring position. Aramis Ramirez then came to the plate with two outs. The Cubs’ third baseman has been absolutely raking, and he capitalized for a two RBI double on a Minor breaking ball over the plate. Minor was then let down a bit by his defense when what looked like a routine groundout to Alex Gonzalez resulted in a short hop throw that Hinske couldn't pick, scoring Ramirez from second. This miscue capped a four run inning for the Cubs who put themselves right back into the game. Minor pitched very well for four innings and then, in my opinion, simply wasn't advised quite seriously enough to pitch around Aramis Ramirez, who is now 8-for-9 in the last two games.
The Braves bullpen provided more reason for excitement followed by utter disappointment for Cubs fans in the seventh inning, when a bases loaded one out jam resulted in no runs. Arodys Vizcaino pitched a perfect eighth and the Braves handed the ball to Craig Kimbrel in the ninth. Kimbrel notched his 40th save to tie the MLB rookie saves record and seal their sixth win in a row.
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JUST KEEP WINNING!!
Twitter: @TAlmeyda
by TonyAlmeyda on Aug 23, 2011 11:29 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
Verde
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."
This Jason Heyward guy we promoted to replace Constanza could be a pretty good discovery.
by Clemson Caniac on Aug 23, 2011 11:29 PM EDT reply actions
Well this Heyward guy has to show Fredi that he is a capable replacement for Constanza or he will return to the bench.
How long is Constanza expected to be out?
If it’s just a couple/few games, that doesn’t give Heyward a lot of time to prove himself…..
I just want the guy to get regular AB’s. Heyward no doubt has the ability to make an impact in the playoffs more than Constanza and he likely won’t make an impact at all unless he’s out there 4-5 times a week, at least…..
by Undocorkscrew on Aug 24, 2011 2:57 AM EDT up reply actions
can we please bust Aramis inside tomorrow
I’m tired of seeing him dive out over the plate
DFA Heyward. I'm dead serious
by wpf3211 on Aug 6, 2011 9:11 PM EDT
I was shocked
that Kid K didn’t brush him back some
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's gonna walk at least 3 batters anyway...
so why not make a few of them count?
by TBuzz on Aug 23, 2011 11:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Great to see Jason have a big game and Craig get #40
Let’s win the series tomorrow! Although it may take a DLW
Which of course means he had to go at least 5…which is dicey these days
by TBuzz on Aug 23, 2011 11:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Does anybody else fine it really funny that
the Dodgers have legitimate candidates for Cy Young and MVP
by bravesrgonnawinitall on Aug 23, 2011 11:36 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I'm pretty sure
He means in relation to their record.
by atlynkhtr on Aug 23, 2011 11:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Well yeah but its one of those false perception things. Really good players have been on bad-mediocre teams before and they will be again.
If they both finish
In the the top 2 or 3 then I would guess that’s pretty rare, which was his original point. Not that bad teams don’t have good players.
by atlynkhtr on Aug 24, 2011 12:06 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yeah. The Phillies might actually lose tomorrow.
Twitter: @TAlmeyda
by TonyAlmeyda on Aug 23, 2011 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions
mets will predictably roll over tomorrow
then get mad at getting pounded 3 days in a row and try to take it out on us
DFA Heyward. I'm dead serious
by wpf3211 on Aug 6, 2011 9:11 PM EDT
That's what I was thinking
10-0, 9-4 the past two nights. Doesn’t bode well for this weekend
yeah like gonzo walking with bases loaded and heyward hitting a grand slam oh wait that did happen i thought i was dreaming
by Brett Davies on Aug 24, 2011 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions
The bases were already loaded.
Gonzo walked in a run.
Can we give Fredi some credit for great bullpen management tonight? Bringing in Sherill to face a lefty in a tight spot (he kills lefties), then pulling him for Vizcaino was exactly what should have happened. And he didn’t use EOF or Venters tonight. Nice work.
by Tacodude on Aug 23, 2011 11:46 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I'm shocked he didn't IBB Ramirez in the 5th
DFA Heyward. I'm dead serious
by wpf3211 on Aug 6, 2011 9:11 PM EDT
Why should he get credit for playing it the way he should have?
/sarcasm
by TBuzz on Aug 23, 2011 11:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The bullpen management was great, especially without using Venters and O’Flaherty, but pitching to Ramirez with a base open was beyond stupid. For a guy who continually intentionally walks bad 8th hitters to face the pitcher, you’d think he’d walk one of the hottest hitters in the game to face Jeff Baker.
"It's not about me, it's about the team." - Martin Prado
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Aug 23, 2011 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Read what I wrote. The bullpen management was solid, the decision to pitch to Ramirez was stupid.
"It's not about me, it's about the team." - Martin Prado
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Aug 24, 2011 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Hard to fault a manager for refusing to load the bases intentionally and bring the tying run to the plate…
by TBuzz on Aug 24, 2011 12:06 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I’ll take my chances with Jeff Baker. You go right ahead and pitch to Aramis Ramirez.
"It's not about me, it's about the team." - Martin Prado
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Aug 24, 2011 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Not picking a fight...
just think the word you might be looking for is “risky” or “inflexible”…but not stupid. Stupid implies there was no thought process involved.
by TBuzz on Aug 24, 2011 12:15 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Stupid also can mean
that there was thought involved and the wrong decision was consciously made. No excuse pitching to Ramirez in that spot.
"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton
This observation brought to you by Hindsight.
Hindsight, where one has the power to second-guess either side and always look right.
(use only as directed)
by TBuzz on Aug 24, 2011 8:37 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
What if you were thinking that at the time?
Like lots of us were.
"I'm feelin' pretty good...I'm not scared, at all...I'm feelin'...feelin' kinda invincible!" - Jack Burton
Except I brought that up
AT THE TIME.
So, you should know what you’re typing about before you let your fingers do the walking.
"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton
I don't think it was stupiD
To not walk Ramirez and bring the tying run to the plate, especially that early. I like the idea of letting the kid try and get em out. He shoulda listened to Glabine though and made him hit a ball.
I know that sounds contradictory and Ramirez is a veteran that might just take the walk but it’s a skill soft tossing lefties have to learn on order to take the next step.
by atlynkhtr on Aug 24, 2011 12:10 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Its funny that everyone always says speed kills, but Power has been the real killer in this winning streak (along with really good pitching of course).
Many a team has gone far
by relying on the 3-run homer.
Maybe it’s not so much the speed, but the fact that we’ve added players with high OBP which is maybe getting our entire lineup better pitches to hit?
by TBuzz on Aug 24, 2011 12:11 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
i mean… speed can be nice, but I’ll take power and OBP over speed any day.
by Braves Biceps on Aug 24, 2011 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions
ever stop to think
that maybe speed is giving the power hitters better pitches (namely fastballs) to hit….
not with Jason’s slam tonight…but generally I think that is one of the reasons we are hitting better….that and our improved patience: Alex WTF!!
All while Fredi is surrounded by a bunch of orangutans, trying to teach them how to bunt the rocks and coconuts that angry 300 lb gorillas are throwing at them,
by royhobbs on Jul 29, 2011 11:20 AM PDT
by Santaklose11 on Aug 24, 2011 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Exactly. When you have speedy runners on base – the pitcher gets distracted and the buy at the plate is more likely to get a mistake to hit.
~ "The NL - where our pitchers do more than just play with their balls." ~
The pitcher is also more likely to throw a fastball
in case the runner takes off because it is extremely difficult to throw out a fast runner from a change-up or slow curve due to the delay in pitch speed and the trajectory of the pitch.
Distraction plus having to throw fastballs = a greater likelihood that pitcher throws a misplaced fastball (i.e. down the middle, belt high)
All while Fredi is surrounded by a bunch of orangutans, trying to teach them how to bunt the rocks and coconuts that angry 300 lb gorillas are throwing at them,
by royhobbs on Jul 29, 2011 11:20 AM PDT
by Santaklose11 on Aug 24, 2011 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
ok.
If thats what you choose to believe, you are certainly entitled to your opinion.
All while Fredi is surrounded by a bunch of orangutans, trying to teach them how to bunt the rocks and coconuts that angry 300 lb gorillas are throwing at them,
by royhobbs on Jul 29, 2011 11:20 AM PDT
by Santaklose11 on Aug 24, 2011 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Hitter’s wOBA goes up with runners on base as a result of the defense shifting to hold runners. The speed of the runner doesn’t seem to impact the hitter’s wOBA, except if the runner is “disruptive”, in which case it is actually a disadvantage to the hitter. A “disruptive” runner is one that attempts a lot of stolen bases. A fast “non-disruptive” runner is one that is fast but doesn’t attempt a lot of SB (think Nate McLouth in 2011). Stolen base attempts have a large negative impact on a hitter.
How do you bring facts into this argument?
Its about what you people thinks makes sense, not what actually happens on the field
The whole ironic invocation of "How dare you bring facts..." in this context...
It’s played out.
"I'm feelin' pretty good...I'm not scared, at all...I'm feelin'...feelin' kinda invincible!" - Jack Burton
having read the piece are are 4 glaring problems that I see with the analysis
1. The article focuses on disruptive events and non-disruptive events, but the heart of the issue lies in between their classifications. They classify a non-disruptive event/runner as a slow runner or a fast runner that does not attempt steals. Then they move to disruptive events and differentiate between the events that occurred. They then tie the event or non event to the difference in points on the hitter’s wOBA. The issue is the threat of the steal event, not the event itself.
What they are missing here is that the disruption caused by a fast runner is not the event or non-event occurring but rather the threat of the event occurring and this is illustrated by the 12-16 point rise in wOBA with the runners on and less than 2 outs. Which brings me to point #2.
2. They find that a slow or fast non-disruptive runner causes the hitter’s wOBA to rise 12-16 point and then casually drop it as inconsequential. A 16 point rise in wOBA is not inconsequential!
3. The say since these runners whether fast or slow are non-disruptive, the speed of the runner is not an influence. This sentence is not only highly conclusory, going back to my first point, it misses the advantage caused by speed since they don’t break down the difference between the rise in wOBA between the slow non-disruptive and the fast non-disruptive runners…and that is where the difference lies. If the pitcher thinks Michael Bourn might steal, even when he doesn’t, the pitcher’s concentration is on the runner and not on the hitter. That is why that 12-16 rise in wOBA is not inconsequential after all.
4. Finally, their sample size lies between 1998-2002. Given that this was in the steroid era where hitters were swinging for the fences, perhaps they should have looked at a larger sample size over a greater period or canvased time periods in both the steroid and non-steroid eras.
All while Fredi is surrounded by a bunch of orangutans, trying to teach them how to bunt the rocks and coconuts that angry 300 lb gorillas are throwing at them,
by royhobbs on Jul 29, 2011 11:20 AM PDT
by Santaklose11 on Aug 24, 2011 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Speed puts runners on bases.
Nobody ever got into scoring position by hitting a home run.
no, its not ironical
it is just self defeating, yet strangely somehow not necessarily contradictory
All while Fredi is surrounded by a bunch of orangutans, trying to teach them how to bunt the rocks and coconuts that angry 300 lb gorillas are throwing at them,
by royhobbs on Jul 29, 2011 11:20 AM PDT
by Santaklose11 on Aug 24, 2011 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Nobody ever got into scoring position by hitting a home run.
ummm..thats because they actually scored.
Also speed doesn’t put you on base (except for maybe swinging 3rd strike in the dirt)….a good eye and good hitting do.
Where speed kills is once it gets on base….
All while Fredi is surrounded by a bunch of orangutans, trying to teach them how to bunt the rocks and coconuts that angry 300 lb gorillas are throwing at them,
by royhobbs on Jul 29, 2011 11:20 AM PDT
by Santaklose11 on Aug 24, 2011 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Tell Constanza that speed doesn't get you on base.
That’s just silly. Plays that are easy outs turn into singles and errors when you have a guy that fast in the box. We’ve seen it time and time again with him.
'There are two pains in life. There is the pain of discipline and the pain of disappointment. If you can handle the pain of discipline, then you'll never have to deal with the pain of disappointment,'- Nick Saban
true I over looked that- my bad
but that also ties into good hitting…in his case hitting the ball on the ground is intelligent because it allows him to use said speed. If he can’t put the ball on the ground, i.e. good hitting, then he doesn’t reach as often.
All while Fredi is surrounded by a bunch of orangutans, trying to teach them how to bunt the rocks and coconuts that angry 300 lb gorillas are throwing at them,
by royhobbs on Jul 29, 2011 11:20 AM PDT
by Santaklose11 on Aug 24, 2011 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Just loved Jason’s 1st grand slam though, didn’t you? What’s that closer’s name? That kid has some good stuff. It was a pretty good game, thought Minor was going to give it back to the Cubs there for a bit, but he got out of the jam in time.
Senator, we have another old saying,"Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining." Fletcher
Yeah, but we’re still one game closer to a playoff spot regardless. I’m not worried.
Twitter: @TAlmeyda
does anyone know what the record is
For consecutive scoreless innings pitched by a reliver?
We are all familiar with Herschiser holding the record for consecutive scoreless innings pitched, but I have not heard anyone mention what the record is for relievers? What about the record for consecutive scoreless innings for a rookie?
I have been looking around and I believe the record for a relief pitcher would be Brad Zeiglers 39 cons scoreless innings pitched in 2008 for Oakland. This is not for sure, and more research would help.
I think Kimbrel may already hold the record for cons scoreless innings pitched by a rookie, both relief and starters. This too needs more research to be certain.
I am somewhat surprised I have not heard anyone mention anything about the records – 32 straight scoreless innings is not common. The only thing that makes it sweeter is seeing Venters right behind Kimbrel with 22.
Kimbrel is not only having a record setting rookie year, he is putting together one of the all time great years for closers.
by TREY JACKSON on Aug 24, 2011 1:47 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
BRAVES WIN!
Braves wildcard Magic Number: 24!
Braves division elimination Number: 28!
Pace: 97-65
Game Highlights:
Craig Kimbrel ties Rookie Save Record (40)!
Heyward’s has Grand Slam, 3 Hits!
AGon has a bases loaded Walk!
I’d rather watch little kids play BASEBALL then anyone play SOCCER
As cute as it is...
That thing doesn’t have a great track record.
"I'm feelin' pretty good...I'm not scared, at all...I'm feelin'...feelin' kinda invincible!" - Jack Burton
Yeah…like I said in the other thread. Superstitions are only as valid as people make them!
GO BRAVES!
I’d rather watch little kids play BASEBALL then anyone play SOCCER
by Poohjure on Aug 24, 2011 2:07 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
isnt that the graphic from last season?
the one where every player melted and fell apart the last few weeks of the season and we ended up playing our AAA squad in the 1st round of the playoffs?
by drumzalicious on Aug 24, 2011 2:20 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s the graphic from 2009 when we thought there was a chance we might catch the Rockies in the Wild Card chase, before we fell apart at the end of the season if I remember correctly. I think it was used by fans last year in the NLDS as well.
Right
2009 with a cameo last season. It’s the kind of thing you go with when your hope is but a glimmer.
We need one that reads “Brutalize” or something to that effect.
"I'm feelin' pretty good...I'm not scared, at all...I'm feelin'...feelin' kinda invincible!" - Jack Burton
Baaaad Ju-Ju graphic.
All this insistence on jinxing being irrelevant - are you a relative of Chip or something?
To me, it brings back memories of hopes dashed.
I for one, will now AdBlock it from appearing from my screen. ;-)
~ "The NL - where our pitchers do more than just play with their balls." ~
just heard a cool stat on MLB network..
Braves are first team to have 3 players under 24 hit a grand slam, get a win and get a save all in the same game. The Braves future looks good. and by future, I mean September and October 2011, as well as the years ahead.
GO BRAVES!!
by TREY JACKSON on Aug 24, 2011 2:09 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
How do they come up with this stuff....
but badass nevertheless
by Texastriplecrown on Aug 24, 2011 3:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Scoreless streak was snapped....
But the Braves have had 35 scoreless innings in their last 36. Insane….
Tough night for Mac, but he hit a couple of rockets.
I’m so glad this team is building a large cushion going into September. With Teheran, Moylan, and Delgado available in the pen at that point that should keep a lot of the pressure off of O’Ventbrel and even Vizcaino. We go into the playoffs with a healthy O’Ventbrel and Vizcaino and the Braves are gonna be pretty tough to beat…..
Hopefully Tommy is healthy come October as well.
I like a Huddy-Cyborg-JJ-Minor rotation for the playoffs very much.
"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton
No Beachy?
I’d take Beachy over Minor
God has to bruise you before he use you. So you'll be sensitive to his touch.
Without question!! Minor is great but Beachy has proven himself all year!
by WSPBravo on Aug 24, 2011 10:11 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Fail on my part.
Yeah, Beachy would be peachy.
"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton
Dang.
Coming in to the season, if you had told me that Jason would hit a grand slam on Aug 23rd, to raise his rbi season total to 35, I would have slapped you with a glove and challenged you to a dual. But whatever. Better late then never. Its all starting to come together. Really happy to see Chipper raking as well. Just need Tommy back on the mound healthy, and braves will be a team that NO one wants to meet in a dark alley.
Chipper Jones having a hot bat is the one thing that’s happening and nobody is talking about it. His batting line is .282 /.353/.466. Chipper has been 10/19 in his last 5 games.
by romone_braves91 on Aug 24, 2011 2:56 AM EDT up reply actions
I actually LOL'ed when they stranded the bases loaded in the seventh.
With O’Ventrbrel and Viz, our bullpen has to be one of the best ever.
Vizzy is so impressive, and has room to grow. Amazing talent.
"Baseball is the only place in life where a sacrifice is really appreciated."
and the beauty off it
is that now he is learning to to pitch to major leaguers so that when he goes back to the rotation he will have more experience than Teheran or Delgado. The move to put him in the peen could be quite brilliant.
All while Fredi is surrounded by a bunch of orangutans, trying to teach them how to bunt the rocks and coconuts that angry 300 lb gorillas are throwing at them,
by royhobbs on Jul 29, 2011 11:20 AM PDT
by Santaklose11 on Aug 24, 2011 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions
personally i think
Delgado has been far more impressive than JT in the Bigs…. but Vizzy is something else….
the exponent in the equation is a matter of preference and "fit" it can vary depending on what the user believes to yield the curve that best predicts a team’s ability to win games.
by Ivan the Great on May 20, 2011 12:31 PM VET
Yeah that is usually the impression
after 7 innings of 1-hit baseball.
Delgado has indeed looked more impressive than JT thus far, but from AAA numbers and from what I hear of people watching JT on a more consistent basis…JT is even better. I think Delgado can just control his nerves better at this point…
All while Fredi is surrounded by a bunch of orangutans, trying to teach them how to bunt the rocks and coconuts that angry 300 lb gorillas are throwing at them,
by royhobbs on Jul 29, 2011 11:20 AM PDT
by Santaklose11 on Aug 24, 2011 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
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