ESPN.com – MLB – Box Score – Braves at Yankees
Pathetic Braves Loss Type 5.2(b): “Pitcher Gets Shelled Early, Team Out Of It Until The Very End, And You Aren’t Going to Tie It Against That Guy.”
Rather than waiting until the middle innings to collapse, Hudson got it out of the way early, allowing two in the first and three in the second. It was all Jason “It’s Okay He’s On Steroids, He’s A Yankee” Giambi, who drove them all in with a pair of homers. Other than that, Hudson mostly suffered from the control difficulties he’s had in recent starts, walking four, striking out but one, and throwing nearly as many balls as strikes in his five innings of work.
The Braves were shut down for seven innings by Randy Johnson, getting only four hits and a nifty 9K/0BB ratio. All too typical. They finally broke through in the ninth (against Scott Proctor, in his second inning of work) with a Renteria single and a Chipper homer — one of only two positive developments of the night was that Chipper’s power finally put in an appearance — and, after a Francoeur single, forcing Torre to go to Rivera. Betemit actually worked him for a two-out walk to get the tying run to the plate, but LaRoche struck out to end the game.
Other than Chipper, the other positive development was three innings of scoreless relief by Kevin Barry. Barry allowed two hits, one walk, and struck out one, and he threw mostly strikes. Nice work, maybe he’ll pitch in a meaningful game sometime.
Jaret Wright tomorrow! Of course, we’ll probably make him look like he’s pitching for us in 2004 again.
Yes Mac, having a closer would surely makes things easier. You would have thought our brilliant GM should have known that. Oh wait, he does know…Reitsma!!!
The Braves actually started taking pitches in the fifth and sixth innings tonight and worked several long at bats (even if most of them ended in strikouts). If they’d thought of it earlier, they could have gotten RJ out of the game and further exposed the Yankees’ middle relief.
And not to beat it into the ground, but we’ve see a lot of “That Guy” in the last couple of weeks- Papelbon, Ryan, and now Rivera. The closer no one can do a damn thing with. While you don’t need to overspend like Toronto did to have a closer, you need *someone* to rely upon. It really does shorten the game.
Well who do you think will be ” Our Guy”.
It could be Sosa- “starting pitcher with great stuff and control problems” is a frequent description of a future closer, as it was for Billy Wagner and Eric Gagne. Or it might be Barry or Stockman.
I missed tonight’s game..and by what I’m reading, I’m happy I did
I just watched Gunderson close the game for Oregon St to win the College World Series. Maybe he’ll be “our guy” in the near future. Of course, I thought the same thing about Devine.
No matter how many times I watch that single-A manager’s tirade, I can’t stop laughing. It’s the most hilarious meltdown ever.
Brian, I believe the Blue Jays are also working on a $70-80M payroll. I wonder why they can “overspend”.
Ryan’s getting $47 million for five years, with only $4 million of that this season, so he’s going to be increasing their payroll significantly in the next couple of years.
The problem is not Ryan’s contract details, the problem is our GM spending the winter fixing the wrong problems.
Most of our bullpen this season is the result of Schuerholz’s trying to fix the bullpen, but with castoffs and scrubs. What were his transactions over the off-season? (I’m including only major leaguers here)
Signing Travis Smith, Chad Paronto, Todd Pratt, Chris Reitsma, Mike Remlinger, and Brian Jordan.
Trading for Lance Cormier, Edgar Villareal, Matt Diaz, and Edgar Renteria.
Of the players he obtained last year, only Diaz and Renteria have positive value, and Diaz has been our 4th OF until the last week.
With the exception of the game-winning HR vs the Marlins last month (I think), can anyone tell me a big clutch hit in a big spot (and not when the game was 5 runs one way or another) that Chipper has had in the last year and a half?
I’d like to point out that the Braves have been playing .500 ball over their last four games, after playing .136 ball their previous 22 games. That means their winning percentage is 3.6 times higher. At this rate, their winning percentage for the next four games should be 1.800.
We’ll be catching the Mets in no time!
I hear ya AAR! We DO have hope. Remember, we were 9 1/2 out and in 3rd place in ’91 at the break. Anyone can have a meltdown! And the Mets have yet to prove they can finish 1st in the East….so it ain’t over by no means.
There’s really no one other than the Mets playing even decent ball in this division, and we start playing the East again on July 21. We just have to hold the line until then.
TRADE HUDSON!!
We need more for our $$$$!
There’s really no one other than the Mets playing well in the entire National League. Unless St. Louis figures out how to get some of their pitchers to yield fewer than 6 runs an outing, the whole league might as well shut it down now. But for those who think the Braves are still in this thing… well, let’s hope JS does not, for if he trades any blue chips away it’s gonna cause a stir.
That said, I’d be surprised if the Braves front office did not make a run at the division/pennant next year. They think, and perhaps rightfully so, that a rotation of Hudson, Smoltz, Hampton, James, and Davies can compete. As for the pen, the Braves need to figure out who they’ve got now, who perhaps can be a closer – Sosa? – and who can pitch in situational relief. Villareal, McBride, and Ray are all complementary pieces at best, but with some superior talent around them they can still be decent in certain contexts. Unfortunately, the Braves are having to rely on them and others all the time.
Why is Hudson sucking so much? What a season…
come on braves. Can you please muster up a good fight and dare i say it, win a game against the yankees. I would be so thankful if you guys could pull out 2 wins.
Just back from the game. Luckily, most of it was spent catching up with old friends from Columbus, Ga., that I’ve known since kindergarten. Going to the next 2 game with them, too. Hopefully, we’ll get a decent result before they leave.
The game was pretty lousy, especially since we seemed to swing at everything Johnson threw for the first several innings. I found it especially disconcerting that a Yankee that is easily No. 2 on the local hate list (after A-Rod) managed to swat a couple of homers off his old teammate. Not a fun moment after HR No. 2.
It’s humbling that we must enjoy incremental positives like Barry’s first ML outing. I’d rather be good & have something small to bitch about, but such is life now.
Believe it or not, I must’ve seen 50 people in Braves gear tonight. I even had a decent conversation with an Auburn guy (I was in a magnanimous mood). The locals weren’t too awful tonight. Of course, it was 5-0 before I’d finished my first beer, so why would they break out their best material?
Back at it tomorrow. At least, let’s make Jaret Wright earn his salary.
Ok, re-read through the game posts.
First comment to Basil…yes, I realized AFTER I posted at 7 pm yesterday in speaking of my wife’s birthday, that when I was listening to XM Radio (and John Sterling and a woman I thought might be Susan St. James–seriously…I didn’t realize the Yankees had a female play by play announcer), Sterling called Derek Jeter ‘Birthday boy’ and I CRINGED.
I was thinking…of all the pro athletes my wife could share a birthday with, it HAS to be Derek Fracking Jeter?
The only saving grace I suppose is that my wife really doesn’t care all that much about Baseball…she supports the Braves ONLY because she knows I am in a pissy mood when they lose (so, I am in a pissy mood a lot these days) & she likes me better when I am in a good mood.
Actually, I have moved past pissiness into ‘acceptance’. I guess when you lose enough (I should connect with a Royals or D-Rays fan and ask if you do eventually get used to this feeling again?) you begin to not get upset anymore and ‘accept’.
Seriously…I was thinking about this…the last time I was used to the Braves losing on a regular basis was when I was 15 years old. I am 31 now. I was a sophomore in High School in Savannah, Georgia the last time the Braves weren’t a winning ball club…and now I am married almost 2 years with a job in Northen Virginia.
So, while I am very down about the Braves lack of success this year, it’s crazy to think that exactly half of my current 31 years have passed since the last time our Braves were a last place’ team!
Ok…done waxing nostalgic…I am psyched about the Kevin Barry appearance. One by one (like referring to my Ten Little Indians remark), the Braves are slowly but surely replacing all their ‘sh–‘ with quality people and pitchers. Again, I would hope Todd Pratt wouldn’t last the year but knowing Bobby, that 3 run homer the other day to win an actual game bought him 2 months. That’s how Cox works…someone has one good at bat or one good inning and he’s a Brave for another month.
By the way…will they ever STOP batting Marcus leadoff? EVER?
Hudson, what the hell, we need to dump him ASAP, maybe some GM wont realize he is not all that special anymore and we can get an extra Bullpen arm somewhere. We are not getting a closer for him in a trade, but we could get some middle relief which could help now and in the future, and maybe a prospect as well. It would be worth it just to correct our payroll, if we are stuck at 80 million we need to shift him and probably Andruw so we can spread the wealth a bit. We are way to top heavy in three contracts, Chipper, who is going no where, then Hudosn and Andruw. Dump them, get financial flexibilty and start over. Probably lose Edgar too, but I think he is cheap for the next two years.
Going to the Game on wednesday, will drink lots of beer.
Not to be a Hudson apologist, but the first 2 innings it looked to me like the strike zone was a 6 inch square. The Braves hitters of course pay no mind to what goes on and swing at every pitch. And it took until the 9th for one of our guys to say something.
Maybe someone has called for it before but Terry Pendleton needs to go now. I saw an interview a week or two ago and he said he flat out did not want to tell Francoeur to be more patient. If Frenchy can get a coach to teach him how to “hit” this kid could be absolutley dominant at the plate. This whole team besides Renty and BMAC needs to learn how to “hit” again.
For what its worth, the pitch to LaRoache wasn’t a strike….that was the umpire saying, “F you Braves and Bobby Cox.” Especially after Cox argued with him on the Diaz call. I would’ve liked to have seen LaRoache get one more swing at Rivera, granted its LaRoache, but at least let him swing the bat…..F’ing Umpire!
It’s funny how losses start to sting a little less with every one. I’m way past denial and on to laughter. I watch the highlights to see where we must have screwed up. I would love if we could play .700 baseball the rest of the way, but this team has yet to even give us a glimpse of that as a possibility. No matter what happens the rest of the season, something will have to give this offseason. When we add Hampton’s salary to the mix, players will have to be moved. Some of us talk about trading players for propects, but we may have to trade players just so we can stay within budget.
I feel like Debbie Downer 🙁
I agree w/ Johnny W – the last strike on LaRoche was not a strike at all. I didn’t think the called strikes on Diaz or LaRoche were strikes. I know it’s part of the game but it is frustrating that things like that seem to go against you when you’re really struggling anyway.
It would have been a really different scenario if the ump calls ball 4 on Diaz instead of strike 3. Bases loaded, one out instead of 2 on, 2 out. When there is an expanded strike zone, it’s really a no-lose for the pitcher – basically the worst outcome for the pitcher is a foul ball & you have to try again. If the batter doesn’t swing it’s called strike 3; if he does swing, it’s a pitch he can’t do anything with. Oh well…
Alex R,
That woman you hear on the Yankee broadcasts is Suzyn Waldman. She’s a former Broadway singer who became a sports reporter for WFAN. She was was the Yankee beat reporter through 2000 & I thought she did a really good job.
There was a time when Steinbrenner objected to a woman covering the Yanks, but then he later admitted that he liked her spunk. She has since been completely co-opted to the dark side. This is her second year as Sterling’s sidekick. Now she’s just another shill.
Last time the Braves faced Johnson, he threw a perfect game. So last night was progress… sort of. The thing that really struck me was when they posted Rivera’s numbers when he came on. Boy it would be great to have a closer or any reliever with such a great strikeouts to walk ratio.
Firing Pendleton was on my wishlist, Charles. It seems like all our hitters are getting worse not better this year with the exception of McCann. At some point there has to be accountability.
Speaking of getting worse, Hudson is clearly a pitcher on the decline. His best days are behind him. Time to trade him for some top prospects or relievers who actually get people out while he still has value. Smoltz, Hampton, Ramirez, Davies, James should work fine next year as our rotation.
ububba,
Thanks for the clarification.
I have 2 reactions to hearing a female play by play announcer.
On one hand,of course I think it’s good. If someone is good, it shouldn’t matter who they are, background, gender…as long as they can call a good game. No problem with that.
The other side for me is this is the Yankees. I so despise and loathe this organization and their “holier then thou” attitude, that it angers me that THEY would be the first team with a female play by play announcer. My problem isn’t with her, it’s that she’s the first one and its for the YANKEES. If Kansas City or St. Louis or Houston or Oakland was the first, I would think, “cool”.
But the fact that it’s the Yankees is further trying to establish what a bunch of effing trend setters they are. It makes me sick.
Everything about this organization screams, “holier then thou” or, “we’re the Yankees so we HAVE to be the first in any trend”…screw that. If the Yankees were the first to sell classic GI Joe toys at games, I’d be pissed about that too…it’s because it’s the Yankees that it bothers me. On a dare and a healthy financial incentive, I would turn down the money and still root for whomever they were playing.
The Red Sox have inched up alongside the Yanks in “evil land” in my book, but the Yankees still take the cake. Those pinstripes give me the ‘willies’.
I will say one nice thing…I didn’t hear the rest of the radio telecast, but I will say that John Sterling was incredibly nice talking about the Braves…he showed our boys a lot of respect and seemed to ‘fear’ playing us a lot more then he probably should these days.
anyone feel like we are going to get swept? I do
I do think Hudson will be the starter who gets traded IF we become sellers. I don’t really understand why he is struggling so badly. He is still way better than a 6-7 pitcher with an era of 4.8. That fact along with his increasing salary costs and the potential players we could get in return lead me to believe he will be the pitcher who gets moved. I don’t know if we will be able to keep Smoltz, Hudson, and Hampton in the rotation together next year. They will cost (Smoltz 8million, Hudson 6million, and Hampton 12.5million) 26.5 million. Personally I think Smoltz Hudson Hampton Davies and James is a good enough staff to make a run at another WS, but I worry about what the suits in charge will allow the team to spend.
Gammons thinks the Braves are exploring Andruw trades. How interesting that we were heavily involved in the Gathright trade, but Moore got him from us. Makes you think who has really been behind our success. JS writing a book and taking credit, Moore making the moves and getting deals done! What exactly did we lose here. Moore will you please come back….
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/ …… says we still might get Gathright from KC. Moore is going to clean us out.
let me clarify that though, I dont want Gathright he’s another Langerhans. Nothing but a decent 4th outfielder with speed. Just interesting how we were involved and Moore was able to make that happen.
saw this one on that link, any thoughts.
Morgan Ensberg and Willie Tavaras for Andruw Jones and some cash. Chipper can then be moved to 1st.
Would you rather have cash or Qualls, maybe Lidge. Andruw might hit 70 HR’s in that park. I think that is an interesting thought, even though Houston wouldn’t part with three everyday players for Jones.
I’m against position moves for what don’t seem to be plausible or necessary reasons. We have a 3B….so why not trade for a 1B instead?? Chipper probably deserves to stay right where he is, after the whole LF disaster and restructuring/deferring his guaranteed money.
Also, Gathright is not only a poor hitter, he isn’t all that great with his glove either.
While I’m also on the downer bandwagon today, I’ll end with this: that mlbtraderumors guy hasn’t gotten one right EVER.
The Braves are 16 games behind the Mets. They aren’t catching them. In fact, if you take away the 15-5 stretch against bad teams (or teams that were struggling at the time), the Braves are 17-39. This is NOT a good team.
Hudson may be the most overrated pitcher in baseball at this point. I can’t fathom why he is so inconsistent and why his command seems so spotty. I suspect Billy Beane knew something when he got rid of Hudson and Mulder.
Alex,
People that hate the Braves say exactly the same thing about them that you say about the Yankees.
Alex,
Believe it or not, Suzyn Waldman is not the first female radio announcer doing MLB. Back in the 1960s, the Kansas City Atheltics had a woman named Betty Caywood doing color.
Back when Waldman was a beat reporter, she used to get amazing scoops & offer credible insights. I’m sure her professional life is a little easier now. She just has to tell us how great the Yankees are every 5 minutes.
“I will say one nice thing…I didn’t hear the rest of the radio telecast, but I will say that John Sterling was incredibly nice talking about the Braves…he showed our boys a lot of respect and seemed to ‘fear’ playing us a lot more then he probably should these days.”– Alex R.
Alex R. I think he respects what we’ve done in the past and deservedly has cut us some slack. That and the FACT that “our boys” go out there and continue to play hard even though there not playing well at the moment. Their struggling, but it’s not b/c of a lack of effort.
If there’s any organization that deserves to be cut a little slack for having a down year it’s definetly the Braves.
— Bravesfan1