Alex Gonzalez Sinks Marlins, Braves Win 4-1
by TonyAlmeyda on Sep 14, 2011 3:07 PM EDT
in Braves Game Recaps
Email
PrintA few days on the bench appears to have done Alex Gonzalez some good.
Gonzalez delivered the decisive blow with a three-run homer and the Braves move closer to a playoff berth, defeating the Marlins 4-1.
This was Randall Delgado's fifth attempt at his first major-league win, but a second-inning home run by Greg Dobbs put a kink in those plans. That gave Ricky Nolasco a 1-0 lead and that seemed like plenty for him. Nolasco retired the Braves in order in five of his first six innings and threw only 62 pitches in that span.
After giving up the home run, Delgado gave up only three more hits, but was out after five innings having thrown 101 pitches. He struck out four and walked two.
Nolasco was cruising along, but he ultimately crumbled in the seventh. After issuing a one-out walk to Dan Uggla, he gave up a single to Brian McCann that advanced Uggla to third. Martin Prado then surprised the defense by laying down a bunt toward first that Nolasco bobbled, keeping everyone safe and allowing Uggla to score the tying run. One out later, Gonzalez smacked a line drive home run just over the left field wall to give the Braves a 4-1 lead. Nolasco gave up five hits and struck out five in seven innings.
Craig Kimbrel struck out two in the ninth for his 44th save of the season. Eric O'Flaherty tossed a perfect seventh inning for the win.
Magic number: 9
100 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Alex Gonzalez
Braves Player of the Series
DFA Heyward. I'm dead serious
by wpf3211 on Aug 6, 2011 9:11 PM EDT
When all else fails – beat yourself.
by NCChopper on Sep 12, 2011 9:47 PM EDT
Things I would not bet on:
Winning the lottery
Finding El Dorado
This
I’m not complaining, but it’s a strange sensation feeling hopeful when he comes up to the plate!
If the Braves only win every series the rest of the way
taking 2 out 3 the rest of the way, the Cards would have to win every single game just to force an one game playoff
by LEastCoastBears on Sep 14, 2011 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Good to see the Braves win some games
the reliance on 3 run homers is both sort of nostalgic and slightly troublesome
by LEastCoastBears on Sep 14, 2011 3:14 PM EDT reply actions
In fairness, it was a frozen rope to LF that happen to go over. If it stayed inside the park it would have plated 2…
by TBuzz on Sep 14, 2011 3:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I am sort of bothered by that, too, but if that’s what it takes to shake off the slump, I’ll take it.
Alex Gonzalez has a temporary nickname...
Sea B add ass
by TBuzz on Sep 14, 2011 3:15 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I like it
You won't always agree with me...Because sometimes you're wrong.
by JonnyBravesFan on Sep 14, 2011 3:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Clever
That's the thing about baseball, no time clock. Anything is possible until the last out.
by BravesFaninAZ on Sep 15, 2011 1:13 AM EDT up reply actions
The Video Highlight of Alex’s Home run on MLB at Bat 11 Title Reads “Gonzalez’s three-run tater”.
Which leave me confused. WTF is a tater and why haven’t i heard it being used as baseball jargon before?
Never heard the word “tater” used before?
by TBuzz on Sep 14, 2011 3:31 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
It's called a tater...
cuz you mash the ball.
by TBuzz on Sep 14, 2011 3:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
How have you never heard that?
It’s like Scotty Smalls never hearing of Babe Ruth… You’re killing me Smalls!!
Lead off walks usually lead to runs, unless they don't. -Joe Simpson
If you don't like the way the Atlanta Braves are playing, then you don't like baseball. -Chuck Tanner
Have have you never heard that before?
Thats like Scotty Smalls never hearing of Babe Ruth… You’re killing me Smalls!
Lead off walks usually lead to runs, unless they don't. -Joe Simpson
If you don't like the way the Atlanta Braves are playing, then you don't like baseball. -Chuck Tanner
Have you never heard that before?
Thats like Scotty Smalls never hearing of Babe Ruth… You’re killing me Smalls!
Have you never heard that before?
Thats like Scotty Smalls never hearing of Babe Ruth… You’re killing me Smalls!
It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?
Beerman, that was immature. You shouldn’t make fun.
by WeStillHaveBobby on Sep 14, 2011 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Beerman, that was immature. You shouldn’t make fun.
It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?
What's wrong with making fun?
I thought everyone likes fun. Also…
C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER!!
by atlbravosfan on Sep 15, 2011 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Why is making fun a bad thing?
People like fun. Making sad of someone should be the bd thing, not making fun.
http://sportsandgrits.com/
by Mr. Sanchez on Sep 15, 2011 8:22 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Why is making fun a bad thing?
People like fun. Making sad of someone should be the bd thing, not making fun.
http://sportsandgrits.com/
I think it's silly
to believe that at any point, these guys stopped caring. I think it’s easy to assume that because in baseball, the general rule is to stay unaffected, not to let things get to you, up or down. It’s a long, slow game, and a long, slow season. If you got your panties in a wad every time things weren’t going your way, you’d burn out by June.
by Aaron Meier on Sep 14, 2011 4:27 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
i agree, i was just referring to how bad his body language was just last week
maybe it was cuz he was hurt, maybe cuz he was struggling, but watching agon get hot is awesome
Oh, I read your comment and thought you were referring to his lack of hustle. We’ve seen him jog casually down the line way too consistently all year, which kind of bothers me considering the effort Uggla puts in every time up.
As long as Alex continues to provide stellar defense the way he has all season I’m not going to countenance any complaints about lack of hustle.
by John Drake number 6 on Sep 15, 2011 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m not saying I don’t appreciate his defense. And I can’t really blame him for his way with the bat, because it’s probably just the kind of hitter he is.
It’s just something that nags me every once in a while.
I have trouble believing that someone who busts it as hard as he does on defense (and who is clearly frustrated when he doesn’t get a hit) is not making an effort on the basepath.
Admittedly I listen to more games than I watch this year, but I don’t remember seeing anything that made me think he was dogging it.
He’s not a spring chicken anymore so it may be a case of conserving effort for where it has a chance to make a difference and we have different ideas of where to draw the line. Everything else he does shows that he has a lot concern about doing his best so I defer to his judgment.
by John Drake number 6 on Sep 15, 2011 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions
He’s not exactly fast, but there’s a definite difference when he puts in the effort. And we as baseball fans are not always privy to when a guy is nursing an injury or management is trying to protect him, or whatever.
So I never like to pretend I have any idea what’s going on, but when you don’t, it’s easy to get frustrated (and I’m definitely guilty of that) when he appears to be casually jogging down the line on a play that otherwise looked like could have been made pretty close, especially in crucial situations.
I’ve definitely seen it more than just a handful of times this year, and I’ve seen people rage about it in game threads. So regardless of what’s going on I feel like it’s easy to see why people sometimes get the impression he doesn’t really care.
Which is all I meant in my original comment. This was never supposed to turn into an Alex Gonzalez hate parade. I’m happy he’s been doing well recently.
What’s mine say?
You won't always agree with me...Because sometimes you're wrong.
by JonnyBravesFan on Sep 14, 2011 4:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Quote from Fredi after the game:
"We turned it over to O’Ventbrel and they did a helluva job. You’ve got to be happy with the pitching today."
Hilarious.
by Aaron Meier on Sep 14, 2011 4:23 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Did O’Ventbrel not close out the game?
by TBuzz on Sep 14, 2011 4:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yes.
What’s hilarious is that Fredi is now saying “O’Ventbrel”.
by Aaron Meier on Sep 14, 2011 4:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Another Fredi quote, also hilarious:
"So far you’re not afraid to run them out there. They seem poised. Sometimes those young guys don’t know any better. Ignorance is bliss, and they don’t even know who some of these guys are – they’ve probably seen them on Xbox or Playstation or something."
by Aaron Meier on Sep 14, 2011 4:31 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
This can't be real.
I can’t believe he would say something like that.
It's very real,
and I’m sure he was being facetious.
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2011/09/14/braves-quotes-after-wednesday-win-over-marlins/
by Aaron Meier on Sep 14, 2011 4:41 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Exactly
He was kidding around.
That's the thing about baseball, no time clock. Anything is possible until the last out.
by BravesFaninAZ on Sep 15, 2011 1:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Sounds like someone needs to go to the karma-cleansing confession thread now.
by Ivan the Great on Sep 14, 2011 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
OH
Just realized they play the Cards next.
I can’t route for the Phillies, so maybe I can hope that umm, aliens abduct them all?
2-0 since the Karma Thread
The power of Talking Chop has been flexed.
"It's not about me, it's about the team." - Martin Prado
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Sep 14, 2011 4:53 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
.....
If we can land [Stephen Drew], I will give FW a bj.
~justincredubil02
by king of games on Sep 14, 2011 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Phillies clinched a playoff spot but not yet the NL East title
I hope they don’t sit their regulars against the Cards in their up coming 4 game series, especially since the Cards series is bookended by two separate double headers (vs. Marlins tomorrow and the Nats on Tuesday).
by LEastCoastBears on Sep 14, 2011 5:41 PM EDT reply actions
Missed the whole game
was in a training class had no internet! Luckily I get text alerts. I was getting worried after it was 1-0 and I hadn’t gotten an alert in a while, thought I was going to have come on here on my phone and make some confessions to get the offense going. Wish I could have seen SeaMonster hit the home run, man he is on fire right now! Good win, lets keep rolling.
"I Farted" - Me, everday
Alex Gonzalez is just incredible!!!
Let’s see if Jack Wilson can handle RF!!!
Go BRAVES
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
"Wang, my third at-bat, he threw me a 1-0 fastball that I fouled straight back, and he came back with another heater, which surprised me." - Freddie Freeman
~
Gaby Sanchez - 1, Nyjer Morgan - 0
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Sep 14, 2011 6:14 PM EDT reply actions
Having someone that can occasionally hit would be that much better, imo.
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
"Wang, my third at-bat, he threw me a 1-0 fastball that I fouled straight back, and he came back with another heater, which surprised me." - Freddie Freeman
~
Gaby Sanchez - 1, Nyjer Morgan - 0
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Sep 14, 2011 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I can agree, but not having Heyward in the line up hasn’t been a popular them around here, be careful!
"I Farted" - Me, everday
Yeah, who the hell would want a guy with an OBP of .395 in September in the lineup, right? Seems pretty silly to me.
"It's not about me, it's about the team." - Martin Prado
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Sep 14, 2011 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions
The last thing they want is a Frenchy 2.0…. the LAST thing….
But Heyward can’t hit for shit, and is a gaping hole at the plate. If Frenchy was sent to Triple A, then…. maybe some instructional league for Heyward. The guy’s approach at the plate is beyond compromised.
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
"Wang, my third at-bat, he threw me a 1-0 fastball that I fouled straight back, and he came back with another heater, which surprised me." - Freddie Freeman
~
Gaby Sanchez - 1, Nyjer Morgan - 0
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Sep 14, 2011 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m borderline convinced you’re a troll.
"It's not about me, it's about the team." - Martin Prado
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Sep 14, 2011 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions
And I don’t mean any disrespect. I just find it amazing that you can call out Heyward when there are guys like Alex Gonzalez and the struggling Martin Prado in the lineup.
"It's not about me, it's about the team." - Martin Prado
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Sep 14, 2011 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions
You can’t see the forest for the trees, Coleman.
Gonzalez…. his D at short is stellar. And he’s actually getting hot, so we’ll take that.
Prado…. Like everyone says, he’s hit into some bad luck, balls right at people, just outside the foul line, etc
Heyward…. D is very good. gets a few shots here and there, but rarely makes contact at all. has taken a few walks of late. still a glaring hole at the plate compared to Prado or Gonzo. the league has figured him out and he has made no adjustments what-so-ever. still pretty much an automatic out.
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
"Wang, my third at-bat, he threw me a 1-0 fastball that I fouled straight back, and he came back with another heater, which surprised me." - Freddie Freeman
~
Gaby Sanchez - 1, Nyjer Morgan - 0
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Sep 14, 2011 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Glaring hole?
Heyward’s OPS: .702
Prado’s OPS: .690
Gonzalez’s OPS: .618
Heyward’s wRC+: 96
Prado’s wRC+ 85
Gonzalez’s wRC+: 68
Heyward’s BABIP: .252
Prado’s BABIP: 269
Gonzalez’s BABIP: .280
Granted, Heyward does have a slightly lower LD% and slightly higher GB% than Prado, but the argument of one being unlucky and the other not being unlucky is not valid at all. To say Prado is the overall better hitter than Heyward is crazy.
"It's not about me, it's about the team." - Martin Prado
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Sep 15, 2011 3:11 AM EDT up reply actions
But Heyward can’t hit for shit
I can not wait to hold this over your head. You know, when he’s Matt Kemp with better defense in two years.
You'd think I was Travis Tritt struttin my FINE ASS on down to Florida
I dont think he meant he wont, I think he meant he isn’t right now. and I hope your right.
"I Farted" - Me, everday
exactly. I would love for Heyward to actually be a threat again. i would be ecstatic. but it hasnt happened
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
"Wang, my third at-bat, he threw me a 1-0 fastball that I fouled straight back, and he came back with another heater, which surprised me." - Freddie Freeman
~
Gaby Sanchez - 1, Nyjer Morgan - 0
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Sep 14, 2011 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions
p.s. to any MLBNetworkers out thar....
If anyone noticed…
The “through the years” commercial that features the likes of ARod, and the Ad-wizard / pretty boy / RF’er Joe Mauer….
The shot at the end of the commercial with Chipper Jones has been removed. And, imo, that was the shot that made the commercial. I can honestly say that I would feel the same way, even if I wasn’t a Braves fan.
Good jerb, MLBNetwork. derka derp! I guess as long as ARod and the Ad-Wizard Mauer make the cut, they’re good….
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
"Wang, my third at-bat, he threw me a 1-0 fastball that I fouled straight back, and he came back with another heater, which surprised me." - Freddie Freeman
~
Gaby Sanchez - 1, Nyjer Morgan - 0
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Sep 14, 2011 6:35 PM EDT reply actions
Gonzo
Where are all the knuckleheads (obviously not true Braves fans) who were all over Alex Gonzalez all season. If you were true students of the game, you’d know how many games/run were saved by Gonzo’s defense…and now he’s hitting, too.
by TomahawkGuy on Sep 14, 2011 7:48 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
And verily I say unto thee...
Go among the people with Alex and his hits shall multiply…and yay, it was so.
Not really.
I like the kid a lot, and while I believe JT has a higher ceiling, Delgado is currently my favorite of the four horsemen, but he didn’t pitch well enough to deserve the win today, if that’s what you’re implying. His day is coming where he will be a truly talented pitcher that racks up on wins (the most important stat we have, have ever had, or will ever have to determine a pitchers true talent and value to my knowledge) and dominates opposing hitters, but he didn’t pitch well enough to deserve a win today. I felt bad for him after the home run in the Giants series, but I was glad and impressed that he was able to minimize the damage today to just one run.
It was a particularly small egg...thats why I asked.
by thenightstallion on Sep 14, 2011 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Winning a ball game- $100
Breaking a losing streak – $1000
Seabass’ face on the Braves.com homepage right now- priceless
That, ladies and gentlemen, is pure happiness.
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
Yeah, that picture is great.
That's the thing about baseball, no time clock. Anything is possible until the last out.
by BravesFaninAZ on Sep 15, 2011 1:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Breaking News
Braves shortstop Alex Gonzalez placed on the 20-hour DL retroactive to the end of the Braves September 14th game against the Cardinals after hyperextending his middle finger to his haters.
Proud perpetrator of yelling "Money MIke" at Oracle Arena since Dunleavy's trade to the Pacers.
by 15ks on Sep 14, 2011 10:59 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
*marlins
kicking myself, thought that was pretty good except for the opponent fail, feels like we are constantly playing stl the rest of the way here…
Proud perpetrator of yelling "Money MIke" at Oracle Arena since Dunleavy's trade to the Pacers.
I'm a bit late, but YAY!!
~ "Curve: The loveliest distance between two points." ~ Mae West ~
by NCChopper on Sep 14, 2011 11:30 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I really think
I am just going to completely ignore whatever the Cards are doing. All I care about is the Braves winning. Maybe I’ll pay some attention to the “magic number”, because it will be in every headline for the Braves.
That's the thing about baseball, no time clock. Anything is possible until the last out.
Really happy for AGon
This blog has maligned his hitting ability all year. I know everyone wanted him to do well in that category, though. So at least for this series, we certainly had the best of both worlds from him.
That's the thing about baseball, no time clock. Anything is possible until the last out.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Talking Chop
Related FanShots on Talking Chop
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
