McCann Homers Twice, Braves Beat Cubs 8-3
Brian McCann hit a pair of home runs and Michael Bourn had four hits in the Braves' 8-3 win over the Cubs.
McCann had been hitless in the series, but he crushed a three-run home run in the first inning off Matt Garza to give Brandon Beachy an early lead. The lead didn't last long, though. In the bottom of the first, Starlin Castro reached on a dropped pop-up, stole second and went to third on a throwing error. He later scored on a groundout.
The Cubs tied the game in the second on Marlon Byrd's solo home run and Geovany Soto's RBI groundout to score Tyler Colvin, who had tripled earlier. After that, Beachy held the Cubs in check. He tossed six innings, allowed six hits and struck out eight.
The Braves broke the tie in the third, loading the bases against Garza. Dan Uggla worked a bases-loaded walk and Freddie Freeman followed with an RBI single. Jason Heyward's sacrifice fly in the fifth inning gave the Braves a 6-3 lead. Garza allowed eight hits in five innings.
McCann hit his second home run of the game leading off the seventh, an opposite-field shot off John Grabow. An RBI single by Michael Bourn in the eighth gave the Braves their final run of the game.
Scoreless innings from Arodys Vizcaino, Eric O'Flaherty and Cristhian Martinez sealed the win for the Braves.
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nice to win 3/4 games and only use Kimbrel once
DFA Heyward. I'm dead serious
by wpf3211 on Aug 6, 2011 9:11 PM EDT
JUST KEEP WINNING!!

Twitter: @TAlmeyda
by TonyAlmeyda on Aug 25, 2011 5:45 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
yessss =)
Side note. I think I am ready to say that McCann may be one of the best catchers in the National League this year. maybe.
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."
one of the best? THE BEST.
The PuertoRican Kid
by Kobe:The Legend on Aug 25, 2011 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions
sarcasm...?
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
nop, I think McCann is the best catcher in the NL
and MLB.
The PuertoRican Kid
by Kobe:The Legend on Aug 25, 2011 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions
facepalm
"The Braves could use [Loney] at first base to help back up Freddie Freeman, and in return the Dodgers could get Tommy Hanson from the Braves."
9 game WC lead over the Giants
If the Braves play .500 the rest of the way, the Giants would have to win 24 of their remaining 32 to catch them. That’s a .750 winning percentage. That said, I don’t want the Braves to start playing .500 ball. At all. I am still holding out hope they can maybe catch the Phillies.
And if the Braves play .750 ball
what do the philthies have to play for us to catch them?
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."
6 of the 32 (nearly 20%, 18.75) of the remaining games are against the Phillies so the Braves-Phillies are tied to that 19% meaning that the Braves have a lot of control over their destiny.
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.
If the Braves go 23-7
then they need the Phillies to play .500 ball or worse. Which probably isn’t going to happen. The Phillies have 34 games left. But, the Braves still have six games left with the Phillies.
Our playoff odds are 99.3%
That being said anything can happen so let’s just keep winning. 30 games left
Very auspicious.
That's the thing about baseball, no time clock. Anything is possible until the last out.
by BravesFaninAZ on Aug 26, 2011 1:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Everybody
say “Thanks, Tony!” for covering for me while at work.
"Braves, your offense, WOOF!!!" -Kevin McAllister
He is, after all, the one and only tiger that knows how to make a breakfast “Grrreat!”
Morton hit Heyward with an offspeed pitch. Early indication is that the baseball survived the impact.
Thanks, Tony!
That's the thing about baseball, no time clock. Anything is possible until the last out.
by BravesFaninAZ on Aug 26, 2011 1:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Winning
Is more fun than losing
"I wasn’t thinking about it. That’s the worst celebration of all time. I didn’t know what to do. I got lost in the moment." - Brian McCann
by HansonManCrush on Aug 25, 2011 6:03 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
It all depends on who wins the NL West. If Brewers keep on winning, then it will be Braves vs Brewers matchup. If the Giants squeak in the West, then it will be the Phillies and the Giants matchup. Honestly, a 5 game series with the Giants worry me. Yes, I know that we just took 3 of 4 against them, but we won 3 one run games, where their pitchers really shut us down. If it wasn’t for Wilson blown game, then they would have taken 2 against us. And, this was a team that had no hitters except Sandoval. If Beltran can stay healthy, then he helps that lineup a good bit. All I know is I don’t want any part of Giants in a 5 game series, cause anything can happen. If the D-Backs win the West, then I would def hope we take the NL East, cause I would rather face them than Brewers. So, at moment I am fine with the Wildcard. The people hoping we catch Phillies and win the NL East, may wanna be careful for what they wish for, cause it could be a prize of facing the Giants. I would rather the Phillies have that prize ;)
braves#1
I love a 5 game series against the Giants. We follow the same formula but we do it a lot better. Last year’s series was really close despite the injuries.
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.
I think that is crazy. Giants had a AAA lineup out there other than Sandoval, and we still were only able to win 3 games by 1 run. All it takes is our starters or pen to be off their game by a little bit and we are in a big mess. Honestly, if we face Giants in playoffs, I would think it is 50/50 for us. I’m not being pessimistic, I just respect a team like Giants with 2 stud SP, and 2 other good ones in Vogelsong and Alderson. We have good starters too, but I give edge to their guys.
braves#1
With us at our best and the Giants at the best I think we are a lot better. We have at least nearly equal pitching with a lot better offense.
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.
Starters 1 through 5 we’re probably about the same. 1 through 3 though, which is all we would likely see, they have us beat.
We win in Relief Pitching and Offense, and bench.
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.
True. Our offense is better this year than theirs.
That's the thing about baseball, no time clock. Anything is possible until the last out.
by BravesFaninAZ on Aug 26, 2011 1:12 AM EDT up reply actions
I think we win that series in 4 at the most regardless of advantage though this year it already seems decided.
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.
Sorry to burst bubbles...
From wiki:
A wild-card team must surrender home-field advantage the first two rounds of the playoffs. For the World Series, however, home-field advantage is determined beforehand, without reference to wild-card status.
Last year, Yankees finished w/ the wild card and did not have home-field advantage despite having a better record than the Twins.
It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?
Fortunately...
The Braves are playing much better on the road compared to last year. 2010 was 35-46 compared to 38-28 thus far in 2011.
-C
It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?
As long as we are healthy I think we can win anywhere in a play-off game. I was thinking World Series in March and I’m thinking World Series now.
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.
I realize that. What I said was regarding the Braves winning the division. Should they win the division, they’d have home field against the Giants if they win the West and that would be a matchup that favors us.
Twitter: @TAlmeyda
by TonyAlmeyda on Aug 25, 2011 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions
We also swept them in San Fran this year.
That's the thing about baseball, no time clock. Anything is possible until the last out.
by BravesFaninAZ on Aug 26, 2011 1:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Not worried at all about the Giants. Their lineup is EASILY the worst of the possible playoffs opponents. And other than Bumgarner they have all right handers. Honestly, not really worried about anyone but the Phils at this point.
I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they are going to feel all day. - Frank Sinatra
Playoff Matchup
The Brewers scare the crap out of me. Their amazing at home, three good pitchers in Greinke, Gallardo and Marcum. Their pen is improved with Saito, K-Rod and Axford. Plus we all know how great their offense is. So I would most defiantly rather have the Phillies and Brew Crew fight it out in round one. While we dominate the Giants and their anemic offense.
Tomahawk Chop The Competition
by deewill23 on Aug 26, 2011 6:13 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
DH on Saturday
Does not seem likely Just read that NYC is closing mass transit Saturday afternoon. Wonder if that means DH tomorrow instead.
If so looks like a roster move is likely since Martinez pitched an inning today. Not sure who would be on schedule from AAA. Lots of questions.
by atlynkhtr on Aug 25, 2011 8:02 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Love Vizzy
Wonder if he starts in the bullpen next year or back in the rotation at AAA.
by jrhode on Aug 25, 2011 9:45 PM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions
Hell yeah. Its nice having 4 guys in the pen with closer stuff.
You won't always agree with me...Because sometimes you're wrong.
by JonnyBravesFan on Aug 25, 2011 10:04 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Do the same thing Texas is doing with Feliz. Don’t rule out converting him to a starter (aka like Wainwright), but leave him in the pen so he can contribute to the MLB club.
Yuck.
I don’t like this yoyo-ing at all. It certainly didn’t help Feliz out. The David Price approach is probably the way I would approach it. “Maybe we will, maybe we won’t,” just doesn’t seem to work well.
I think you throw Vizcaino in a rotation to start next year. Bring him back to the BP for the stretch run again next season, but keep him working as a starter until he proves he’s not a starter.
-C
It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?
by cthabeerman on Aug 26, 2011 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions
So, is there anything to this "doubleheader on Friday" thing that Don & Jim kept pushing?
Cause I might want to take in a game or two. Would be useful to know when they’re happening.
Mark Bowman suggests...
that it could be possibly on a scheduled off day after the Phillies series to fly back to NY on sept 8th but no official word as of yet….
Houston up 2-0 in the 3rd
Jordan Schafer has scored both runs
Astros win 3-1
Jordan scores all three runs.
"I'm feelin' pretty good...I'm not scared, at all...I'm feelin'...feelin' kinda invincible!" - Jack Burton
by Sam Jethroe on Aug 26, 2011 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions
You can't really fail
When you’re reporting good news.
"I'm feelin' pretty good...I'm not scared, at all...I'm feelin'...feelin' kinda invincible!" - Jack Burton





























