You think Francoeur is in Gordon’s head yet?
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You think Francoeur is in Gordon’s head yet?
Use code “Journal” for a 5% discount.
Two homers off of him, both in the ninth? I’d say so.
Is the better question “Is Chipper in Francoeur’s head yet?”. If so, it could be a frightening display down the stretch by the Frenchy. Proposed nickname: Jeff Martel (“the hammer” in French as in Charles Martel). That would still leave Hank Aaron as “the Hammer” in English.
Mac,
I like the Philly DJ reference.
1914 Update:
NY Giants 50-32 (–)
Chicago Cubs 50-37 (2.5)
St. Louis Cardinals 49-40 (4.5)
Boston Braves 40-44 (11)
Cincinnati Reds 39-47 (13)
Philadelphia Phillies 37-46 (13.5)
Pittsburgh Pirates 37-46 (13.5)
Brooklyn Robins 35-45 (14)
Day off, as the Braves return home. “Home” in this case, is the venerable South End Grounds, where the Braves have played since 1894. These confines have not been friendly, as the Braves haven’t had a winning home record since 1902. Other teams have built new brick and concrete stadiums (Since 1909, Ebbets Field, Crosley Field, and Forbes Field have been built, and the Polo Grounds and Robison Field in St. Louis renovated). This has inspired Braves owner James Gaffney to start work on such a facility of their own, to be built in the outskirts of Boston. It won’t be completed till next year.
Frenchy has occasionally done a decent job of working the count. When he does so, he’s been terrific (457/ 459/ 743 in 37 PA when 1-0, 400/ 400/ 600 in 20 PA when 2-0, 545/ 643/ 1182 in 14 PA when 3-1). If he can remember to work the count like Chipper does, his future is very bright.
Of course, there is that 032/ 032/ 032 line when the count is full (one single in 31 PA), but that can’t last forever, can it?
Yikes, one single and only a handful of walks in 31 PAs with a full count?! Geez, he ought to just start taking all the way when the count is full. No way pitchers always get it across. Bound to raise his walk totals.
MacDougal has been sent to the ChiSOX
I know he’s young, but Frenchy is one of the weirdest players I’ve ever seen. His level of raw physical talent is almost shocking sometimes—I mean, how hard did he hit that ball last night? Before that, he guns out Abreu in a big, big spot in the late innings. It’s undeniable how often he comes up with big plays to win games.
But he also fails to grasp really elementary things, like working the count & hitting the cut-off man. Those are the things that frankly lose games.
Hopefully, that’ll change, but if he’s been 3-1 only 14 times this year, that’s a problem.
Frenchy: 404 AB, 8 BB. Yikes.
1 BB every 50.5 AB’s !!!!
He’s 22. Let’s give him a couple years.
He’s definitely a weird player. The ESPN guys the other day were calling Adam LaRoche “a weird player” because one day he’d go 5-5 and the next day he’d go 0-4 with a hat trick of K’s. Which Francouer is also eminently capable of doing. But Francouer is so monstrously talented that his highs and lows are even more dramatic.
Still, color me impressed by the throw in the 8th that kept the game tied and the homer in the ninth that put the game out of reach. He made game-saving and game-winning plays in consecutive innings in the middle game of what we recognize as a must-win series. That’s coming through when it counts. And for that, Smurph, I salute you.
This is pretty funny for those of you who, like me, spent a large part of your childhood trying to find the copperheads:
ChopTalk: What kind of kid were you? Were you mischievous?
[Chuck] James: (Laughs) I got in a little trouble growing up. I gave my mother more gray hairs than she should have. I grew up riding dirt bikes and that sort of thing. I broke both my wrists as a kid, got bit by a snake.
ChopTalk: How did that happen?
James: I was at a lake house with one of my friends. We were walking to the dock around 3 a.m., it was raining, and they didn’t have any lights. I must have walked a little too close to it. He got me on the ankle.
ChopTalk: What kind of snake was it?
James: A copperhead.
Choptalk: What did you do?
James: It took us a while to find an EMS center, and the one we found was actually closed. An EMT was leaving. He took a look at it under the streetlight. He told me if I wasn’t dead yet, I wasn’t going to die!
I hate snakes
I have hope for Frenchie. At one point he had the worst pitch per plate appearance in the league, at 3.16 pitches per AB. He now has the second worst (ahead of only Nomar), but it has risen to 3.24, which strikes me as a pretty big increase over about a 2-3 week period. He is taking more bad pitches (it just hasn’t yet translated into more walks), and hitting much better because of that (.939 OPS in July). If he can hang around that number, it gives us 4 .900+ OPS guys sitting in the middle of the line-up, and that is going to score you some runs.
MacDougal to the White Sox. I would have liked to see him with the Braves.
Nomar is a good hitter
James: It took us a while to find an EMS center, and the one we found was actually closed. An EMT was leaving. He took a look at it under the streetlight. He told me if I wasn’t dead yet, I wasn’t going to die!
I’m not normally the arbiter of what is and isn’t gangsta, but THAT, my friends, is gangsta.
Chuck, you can pitch for my team any time, my friend.
I just wish we could get those snakes off this plane.
Two things that I didn’t bring up in the recap thread.
I was estatic when Renteria couldn’t get the bunt down and he was forced to swing away with 2 strikes. I still hate bunting with a 300+ hitter – especially in that situation.
Skip said on the radio that Wickman is 6-1, 240 lbs. If he’s 240, I weigh 180. (Actually, I’m 6-1, 235!)
Yeah um Wickman isn’t 240. 340 I could believe.
http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/9569525
The specific quote that struck me in this deal: “Two lower level Minor Leaguers”.
The Braves couldn’t have done THAT?
Arrrrrrrggggggg. I would have loved to have gotten MacDougal for nothing. Considering who the GM in KC is, you’d think Schuerholz (plus not being a division rival like the Sox) could have had first crack.
This is really aggravating.
If Wickman is 240, I am still 170 like I was in High School.
Lineups:
Braves:
Giles, 2B
Renteria, SS
Beta Meat, 3B
Frenchy, RF
Diaz, LF
Huckleberry, 1B
Pratt, “C”
Langerhans, CF
Hudson, P
Fillies:
Rollins, SS
Victorino, CF
Utley, 2B
Abreu, RF
Howard, 1B
Dellucci, LF
Bell, 3B
Lieberthal, C
Hamels, P
No Joneses and one Pratt make this one feeble lineup we’re throwing out there.
Can we steal another one? Sounds like it’s up to Huddy.
McCann can’t play EVERYDAY
We need the good Hudson to show up.
Smitty, I’m in agreement that he can’t play everyday, but Brayan Pena needs to be in that spot when he can’t
i think Pena needs to be in AAAgetting much needed AB’s
This Phillies’ pitcher looks like Derrik Turnbow’s long lost brother.
Then Mendez needs to be in Atlanta. Pratt is done; everyone sees this, except Booby and JS.
Odd moment du jour. Looking to see if this game was televised, I stumbled onto a women’s softball game on ESPN2. I didn’t notice it for a few seconds because I saw the score bug in the top left of the screen and wondered “Why is Philly playing in Chicago?”
BAD TOM! BAD! BAY TA ME
That’s the worst lineup the Braves have put out since early 2004 (when Drew, Chipper, Furcal, and Giles were all hurt).
When I saw the McDougal trade I initially read one of the minor leaguers as David Cortes, the journeyman who used to be in the Braves’ system. Instead it’s Daniel Cortes, of whom I know nothing. It’s possible they’re good prospects. They don’t look like much, though.
Giles and BAY ta meat have had some good cuts.
Wow, strukout the side
Too bad both ended up striking out…
Well at least we made him throw 21 pitches in the inning.
-n
May 6, 2004:
This is when LaRoche was a rookie and Estrada a virtual rookie. Andruw should have hit cleanup, and Hampton should have hit sixth.
Mac, BTW, David Cortes was sent down to AAA by Colorado the other day in case you didn’t notice. He started out pitching well for the Rocks, but over the last month, like many other Rockies relievers he had pitched terribly, so now he’s down at Colorado Springs.
That was one ugly line-up…my eyes burn now
Where he needs to stay
Um, I think Tim is about to have another eppisode
Here we go.
The Braves sure had some terrible lineup in 2004, and remember Andruw wasn’t viewed to be as dangerous in 2004 as he is now.
I hate Chase Utley.
Well that’s not a good start. Bizzaro Looks like bizzaro Hudson showed up for the game again today. whoopie
How long does it take before Roger be able to fix Huddy?
He can still get out of this hopefully
Smart move Bobby, smart move.
Good, no runs for the Phillies.
wow…my heart just skipped many beats..
Nice, scoreless first.
Frenchy swings really hard everytime!
We are on pace to strikeout 27 times
Atleast he didn’t strikeout…
A ball in play!
Maybe Huddy drank Jobu’s rum.
-n
LAROCHE!
Huck!!..
Well Adam can hit lefties. I think he is breaking out!
ADAM!!!
Trade him now while we can still get something for him!!!!!!
What if we left Pratt in Philly and took Gordon with us. Think the Phillies would notice?
I agree Smitty. Gotta thank Thorman for pushing Adam.
ADAM!
PRATT!
Todd Pratt sucks!!!!!!!!!! ha ha ha ha!!!
Todd Pratt????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Looks like we’re going to get six more weeks of Punxatawney Pratt.
Wow….TODD!!!!
OMG, what the hell? This IS bizzaro day!
I think the Adam bashing is going to have to stop now.
If I’m Cole Hamels I’m never showing my face in public again…
Wow…Todd Pratt. How does that happen
Todd is not going anywhere…Bobby loves him.
Since Cole Hamels gave up a homer to Todd Pratt, he sucks. 🙂
Looking good!
Maybe we can leave Rathburn and Torborg in Philly
Once again, the theory of earnest ragging rears it’s beautiful head.
-n
Nobody is complaining if Adam keeps hitting like he has been in July.
I love when Bobby yells ” Take ball four kid! “
I like that idea a lot Smitty!
The Phillies are playing like a team that is about to trade the farm.
Giles, Baytemeat, and Frenchy fouled a couple back that they just missed on. THis might continue
Huckleberry bashing will never stop until he is off this team. And considering Pratt just hit a homer off this guy it makes Huckleberrys homer look that much less impressive.
“Looks like we’re going to get six more weeks of Punxatawney Pratt.”
Six more weeks and the regular season will almost be over. Luckily Todd Pratt being a Brave is just a one night (year) stand.
Good point Lando, but I’ll take them any way I can get them.
“Huckleberry bashing will never stop until he is off this team.”
Well that certainly sounds fair and smart.
Nice catch by Adam!
Adam has been playing very well in July. The question is whether he can stay consistent.
Adam just made me drop my drink…
Is it me, or had Lieberthal been slumping for 5 years?
Life’s not fair, Dan.
nice inning, let’s get some more!
I hate these Krystal commercials where hot chicks go to Krystal. Chicks don’t eat at Krystal!
Landogardner is holding on to his hatred of LaRoche to the point where its becoming irrational.
I guess Cole didn’t learn his lesson from Crash Davis about hitting people with your non pitching hand
I keep hearing about the Bravos looking to acquire another bullpen arm but the market seems to be drying up with MacDougal & Williamson now off the market. Linebrink seems like the only quality reliever left. As well Betemit has been playing lately, think the Pads would pull the trigger now ??
People here and elsewhere would stop complaining about Adam LaRoche if he became consistent. That’s the maddening thing about him. He can go on a month long tear and then suck for two to four (and longer) weeks afterwards. I’d probably not complain about him if he consistently hit .270 to .280, knocked 20-25 homeruns (at a consistent pace) and knocked in about 80-90rbi’s. Oddly, he’ll probably end up nearly there (with a lower batting average, I’m guessing). But most of the production will be in a month long spurt here and now and again in September. And so we’ll spend another season longing for consistency from LaRoche and frying him when he doesn’t do so. It’s probably not fair, but then what is in a world where the major league minimum is 300,000?
7 k’s through 3. Anyone know the Phillies record for strikeouts in a game?
I really don’t think the Braves can afford to get rid of Betemit.
I want Joe Borowski from the Fish!
Have we faced this Cole Hamels character before? If not, I’d guess that we are going to strike out a ton. What’s with our advance scouting of these young pitchers anyway?
I don’t think they are trading Betemit either. They are looking to offload Marcus.
I’ll tell you in 6 innings time, Smitty. 😉
I kind of don’t want to trade Betemit anymore. Joe Borowski would be a cheaper (in money and players) and good relief pitcher for the Braves to get.
Jeff, I have never seen the Braves hitters do well against young pitchers in the past 15 years.
Until we can guarantee the health of Chipper, Marcus, and Renteria, I wouldn’t trade Betemit… well, I might, but the trade would need to be awfully lopsided.
KC,
I agree. You’d think that at some point we might address this as an organization.
Well that’s one thing we can all agree on. I’ve never wanted to trade Betemit. I think if he was given a chance to play everyday, at the same position, his defense would improve and his hitting will always be there.
I agree…as usual, great point, Jeff M. (#97).
It’s hard to love LaRoche but he’s cheap power.
On late but still can’t believe Tank Pratt bought himself 6 more weeks. he’s the new Lockhart.
KC, so true. There is something about facing a new pitcher that just seems to shut our bats down every time.
Think Maddux will stay with the Cubs?
I agree about Betemit Land but I think I wouldn’t be upset if they traded him for a Linebrink, another stud arm for the pen, it wouldn’t be the worst thing.
RobBroad4th, I heard Mad Dog wants to be traded to a west coast team.
Nice throw, Todd.
I don’t know Alex. If Giles doesn’t continue to improve and we trade Betemit instead of him, it might be.
I wonder if Beane still loves Marcus, hah!
Crap.
You’d think that the Padres would want the Giles brothers together for marketing purposes alone…
And Pratt gives back the run he scored. But of course Bobby won’t see it that way.
dammit.
I think Marcus is and will make too much money for the Padres’ liking.
RobBroad,
I wish it was that simple because I would much rather trade Giles then Betemit. Unfortunately, I think Kevin Towers is not an idiot.
Yeah, I know. Wishful thinking if anything.
Land…agree, would rather have Betemit then Giles but we need an arm.
How again did we not deal with an ex Braves Asst. Gm today and get Macdougal for 2 minor leaguers? Why, why does Schuerholz miss the boat on that one? why?
I hope outside of this long inning, we can get the Hudson we miss for the rest of the game…we could really use 7 high quality inning out of this guy.
“Why, why does Schuerholz miss the boat on that one? why?”
Because the Braves can’t afford to remove Jorge Sosa from the roster.
It’s not Fran-coor…it’s FRAHN-COO-EEE-UR.
Dan, sad and depressing assesment. 🙁
Alex, I would probably think the Braves don’t think highly of Macdougal…but Macdougal is still better than any reliever pitchers we have besides Wickman. On the other hand, the two minor leaguers the White Sox sending to the Royals may equal to Campbell and Elvis of the Braves.
What is wrong with Hudson. What happened? Far from an ace. We need another half-way decent starter in my view…
Way to make this guy look like Peavy.
from what I hear, they were middling Minor Leaguers, Max Ramirez level.
I am not saying Macdougal is Rivera, but man, he’d instantly be no worse then our 2nd best reliever.
Yes, because guys with 5.61 ERAs and a home run allowed every 4 innings are so hard to come by.
Is anyone else planning on making contact tonight?
Damn – 10 K’s through 4….
I watched Macdougel pitched two or three years ago, and he is as scary to watch as any Braves pitchers.
Come on guys, I am so sucked of these Ks…
10 SOs through 4?!?!!!
Good God.
We need the Jones boys back bad, but we really need the Braves to hold them to that 1 run tonight; yikes.
10 strike outs. This is a load.
You don’t think he could challenge 20? No way….
Beating Peavy when he struck us out 18 times was incredibly satisfying. I smell a repeat.
RobBroad4th, that’s what I am thinking as well…
I would not mind a 2-1 win for Hudson with a Wickman save.
Typical, Hudson. This is frustrating.
I’d rather have McDowell pitching.
Beautiful.
sweet…he saved Huddy.
I love to watch Marcus turning a double play.
Is it just me, or do the Braves’ pitchers always seem to give up a base hit up the middle after they turn a double play?
If the phils decide to go on a firesale binge, Delluci might be worth a look. He hits fairly well, walks, and can hit leadoff (as he did for much of last year on the Rangers). I realize we already have three left fielders, one of whom is young, cheap, and hitting fairly well (oh mightly Thor). But, Delluci might still be an upgrade…
Hmmn. Hamels might make for a pretty good setup guy…
-n
Huddy will be going no more than 6…
I’m with you kc. As atrocious as he’s been this year at the plate, he’s a darn good 2nd baseman.
Hudson has two whole strike outs.
This Cole Mner thing is sort of homo erotic, don’t you think?
ummmm…nope.
They need an Indian and a policeman out there.
What is it with Torberg and “rear end”?
yeah, I was going to say that it is remisicent of the Villae peeps….Choreography and everything!
I’m partial to Frenchy’s Maids.
That is Hudson!
“Other than the homeruns, the first Braves baserunner…” Uh…what?
On the positive side, the phil’s pitcher has 83 pitches already, so he won’t be in the game for more than a couple of innings…
Come on, it’s huddy at the plate…not Marcus…stupid Ruthburn.
Number 12. At least with 89 pitches, Hamels probably won’t go beyond seven or whenever he bats next.
“On the positive side, the phil’s pitcher has 83 pitches already, so he won’t be in the game for more than a couple of innings…”
Neither will Tim Hudson. It’s the fifth inning, and it’s always this inning or the sixth inning where he has his episodes.
Well, I guess he could strike out 27, and as long as we scatter a few baserunners and hits in there and win the game, it wont really matter. Winning the game with 18 k’s was pretty cool….
Very true, Dan. It’s hard to type with my fingers crossed.
Dan, I agree. I’m just looking for positives in the midst of a foreboding feeling in my stomach.
In the battle of bullpens…I just hope Frenchy gets a crack at Gordon.
“I just hope Frenchy gets a crack at Gordon.”
I’d rather not see Tom Gordon, because that will probably mean the Phillies have a lead in the ninth inning.
Way to keep him honest. Pratt can barely throw the ball back to the pitcher.
Hamels has 89 pitches.
Todd Pratt=Mike Piazza
Todd Pratt = a 50 year old Mike Piazza. With arthritis.
More of that inside crap leads to another baserunner.
But hey, if Howard hits a double, he won’t be able to score from 1st.
YES!
Thank God…these extended innings by Huddy feel like Sosa–minus the home runs.
Way to be, Tim.
GREAT pitch.
The thing about Huddy is that he nibbles to death when facing against middle of the opponent’s lineup. It happens to every game he pitches. I wish Huddy is more aggressive in attacking the strikezone.
“I wish Huddy is more aggressive in attacking the strikezone.”
Me too. Except that was Ryan Howard.
Todd Pratt = Mike Piazza????
Oh my god I wish.
Do you realize that walk by Giles was the first time any of our 1-4 hitters had done anything other than strike out?
EDGAR!
That was tantamount to the ninth inning last night.
Sweeet! Way to go Edgar!!!! and Marcus, flying around the bases!
Way to run GILES!!!!
Edgar!
I love it: Marcus walks and Edgar doubles!!!
“Todd Pratt = Mike Piazza????
Oh my god I wish.”
I mean when someone is stealing. Mike Piazza has only thrown out 9% of basestealers this year.
Piazza’s arm, Lando, not his offense.
kc, If they only did that more often 🙁
Oh my bad, didn’t read back far enough.
Yes, Francoeur.
Frenchy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cool…Frenchy didnt even have to wait for Gordon!
Dubee Dubee Duuuuu
That was some horrible defense by the middle of the Phils field….Rollins should’ve had that one. But I am thrilled nonetheless…
Does Matt Diaz have a back problem or what?
70 rbi’s for Frenchy.
Somebody get that Frenchy “slide” for sportscenter
LAROCHE!!!
I’m your Huckleberry…
HOLY COW!
Oh boy, I just love Adam right now.
I love it!
ok, then. Adam!
Oh shit, ok even I can admit for just this one game that Huckleberry earned his keep.
ADAM AGAIN!
Rick White & Bob Wickman…separated at birth?
I’m pretty sure LaRoche has put himself in a pretty good position to continue playing every day against left handers. I am quite impressed with his recent offensive and defensive play.
That slide by Frenchy looked potentially disastrous. What a gamer though.
Think Huddy will be settle down and make it safely through the 6th?
it’s hard to complain if he’s cheap power and hitting in the 7th hole with the normal lineup.
You said it Rob.
Holy Crap! Rick White has a large rodent hanging from his face!
Rob, if that slide was made by Chipper, he would have a seperated shoulders.
Oh god. Yet more playing time for Pratt. When will it end?
Cubs beating the Mets 6 – 4 in the 5th. Go Cubbies!
Langy’s hitting is absolutely terrible right now.
The 7th hole is made for him really. I can’t decide between Thorman and Langy for 8th. Langy needs to remember how to hit. Diaz gets mad at himself so easily, and swings a bit more than I would like.
Pratt gets another hit. We’ll never be rid of him at this rate. I don’t mean for this season; I’m beginning to fear that Cox and Schuerholz might bring him back for 2007, with Salty flailing at Mississippi.
agreed…Pratt will be the new Lockhart.
WHOOOO make that 8 to 4 Cubbies!
That Turner South graphic was dead wrong. The Braves are one game ahead of the Phillies, not equal.
So what? With how many bats backup catchers get, the difference between a .200 hitter and a .300 hitter is like 3 hits a month.
HERE WE GO!
Yeah 3 hits that could win or lose a couple games Grst. And how many stolen bases given up?
Get Timmy out please Bobby.
Oh my God, the meltdown.
Oh boy.
This is very bad.
Wow, Diaz! Wow!
Oh wow, worst error I have seen in a long time.
Torborg just made a good point about the humidity
I keep thinking this is the seventh, but it’s only the sixth inning. Ugh.
It’s not the heat that’s so bad, it’s Torborg.
Tim should be out of this if not for the error
One more out and the Braves have a four run lead, which may not be six but is still very very nice.
So what was someone saying about back-up catchers and it not mattering?
Landogarner, 3 hits a month is hardly a good reason to bring up a good hitter just to bench them most of the season. There is in a fact a good reason that quality catchers aren’t used as backups.
On topic, appearantly all the players are conspiring to get Wickimania in again today.
You’re right. It should be 7-2 and end of inning. Thorman, a first baseman, could have caught that.
I guess it doesn’t matter the lead, ‘Huddy melting down in the 6th’ has become the 11th commandment.
its safe to say Huddy is done. typical mediocre Huddy start.
Is he our 4th starter now?
Mediocre for Hudson, sure, but a pretty good start overall.
Yeah, mediocre for Hudson is accurate. Few too many walks.
McBride reminds me of the fat kid from “A League of Their Own.”
YIKES
2 earned runs, I’ll take that from a fourth starter.
Let’s not give up a slam
Alex, there are just a lot of wrongs with Huddy. He is not aggressive enough, his mechanic is off, and his control is not there. You would have thought Roger should have fixed Huddy by now. I wouldn’t say he is done because he still have great stuff, but he has many problems to work on at the same time.
Why can’t it ever be easy?
effing McBride. we suck.
Now, we are all enjoying the mess JS has made for us.
F*** Pratt.
kc…I agree
This is absolutely embarassing.
How pitches can gone pass Pratt today?
What were you saying Grst? LOL
Correction: McWalk’s fault.
Yeah, good job JS. Only 14 division titles and if we are going to rag him about the pen, then we have to give him credit for the team leading the league in runs.
WICKED pitch.
Wow that was a nasty pitch!
The nightmare is over for now.
Dan, I am still asking how many pitches have gone pass Pratt today?
Pratt is a klutz.
After all that, a great pitch from McBride!
McBride and Pratt?!? Arggggggggggggggggg
I still like McBride…but he needs better control…
Abreu is cold boogers, thank God.
I am watching the game on MLB so they didnt list how the Phillies got run #4–Pratts fault? effing loser.
How many big opportunities has Abreu blown this series?
No, kc, he needs a better catcher.
Diaz get blamed for those runs. He should have caught that ball
Pete Orr plays hard. I wish he had talent.
Alex, it was scored as a wild pitch by McBride, but I would place half of the fault on Pratt. He is simply not as good defensively as his reputation says.
Orr isn’t that bad when he stops trying to pull the ball.
Well said Rob!!!
I stand corrected.
“Pratts fault? effing loser.”
That was a wild pitch, so it was McBride’s fault. Though the other two that went by were on Pratt.
Though it would be 7-2 if Diaz caught that ball.
I thnk MCBirde crossed Pratt up.
Oh yeah, Smitty, Diaz definitely deserves full share of fault.
Yeah, Marcus got a hit!!!
Orr’s hitting like .300 off the bench. JS screwed up by letting that stay on the team
Joe on the radio said that the wild pitch was a bad call by the scorer. The ball hit Pratt’s mitt.
We have our second string in the game and we had to get four outs with the heart of the order up. NOT an easy task.
Hell we are still winning by three
Pratt Disease! It’s contagious!
Edgar is pissed!
I’m not complaining, Smitty.
Let’s get those runs back.
An inside look at Todd Pratt.
Don’t forget Pratt is 2-3 with a homer
Was that his forearm?
And responsible for 2 of the Phillies runs.
I wish we could get two young starters for Hudson. He’s just not what he was, for whatever reason. I told my dad that with his frame, he’d probably have a short time of effectiveness. I think he’s long peaked and in decline.
Wow, that was a terrible pitch
wow…we have a shot at double digit runs scored with NO jones boys? very impressive.
It’s funny Smitty. When Pratt didn’t hit, nobody is saying anything on his defense. When he finally starts to hit, I can see a lot of problem with his defense.
Who would win a race between Todd Pratt and Kevin Mench?
Wilson is getting some good wood on the ball….lets see if he does something about it
That’s funny as hell Mac.
Did Pratt put on a Phillies’ uniform?
The sucking vortex of home plate!
If Wilson wants the last letter of his last name to not be pronounced, that’s fine. I have more problem with the overexaggerated accents.
*shrug* Oh well. We do have enough runs for a Braves save now.
That’s what’s wrong with Pratt, JS should have never signed losers who played for the Mets and the Phillies.
Is Pratt the one to blame? We don’t know where that pitch was suppost to go. McBride probably crossed him up. He can’t stop EVERYTHING! Every catcher in the world has let one get past him.
Damn Diaz over ran a simple pop up and no one is killing him! Pratt misses a 94mph pitch in the dirt and gets thrown off the team.
If LaRoche jumps for a fly ball and it hits the tip of his glove, everyone is going to rip him to shreads, though he has hit two out
Walking Frenchy!!!
I would hit the Mighty Thor here for Diaz, but Bobby won’t, and he has a point I guess.
Very funny, Mac.
Who would win a foot race between Brian McCann and Todd Pratt?
I think Pratt could beat McCann
McCann’s running a little better these days.
Earthworms in the dirt would win that footrace, Dan.
All those who expected the lineup we had starting today to score 8 runs in this game, raise your hands. How about all those who expected that lineup to score 8 runs in three games?
Diaz sucks
Mac, Bobby would say Diaz is a defensive outfielder than Thorman. I am sure this assessment is right, but I can’t forget Diaz’s play in the last inning.
Hey, at least Diaz drives in another run!
What’s Diaz’s average these days?
You know, the only other guy I ever saw who leaned back that much was John Kruk. A career as an ESPN buffoon awaits!
I think Matt’s problems spring from how he just doesn’t look that athletic. He can hit, but he has a goofy stance, and he’s fairly fast, but he looks like a duck sometimes when he runs. And he wound up with the Devil Rays and the Royals, probably the two teams most obsessed with looking like a ballplayer at the expense of actually playing baseball.
“I wish we could get two young starters for Hudson.”
I wonder if the Braves’ could get that Yankees’ pitching prospect everyone is talking about for Tim Hudson.
Diaz is a great backup outfielder vs. lefties.. Much better than Raul Mondesi or Brian Jordan. Be thankful.
And he came into this game hitting .322/.353/.455.
If we had to choose, Langerhans or Diaz?
I have no problem with Diaz, except for his play in the last inning.
He’s batting over .300. And Hudson is off right now, but there are 162 games in a season. He will rebound. He win games everywhere he goes. Man, you guys are a fickle bunch.
True. Diaz is a perfectly good fourth outfielder, on a team that has spent most of the last few years trying to get by with much less. I’d be happy to hang onto him. I’d also be happy to listen to trade offers, in hopes of snaring someone mesmerized by that gaudy BA.
Langy all the way. The D makes up for it all.
No luck for Adam this time. Hey, we have a five-run lead!
Who will pitch the eighth?!
Both Diaz and Langy are fine 4th outfielders, though for different reasons. Langy is an awesome defensive outfielder, one who’s capable of decent offensive numbers if he is not overexposed. Diaz is an excellent offensive outfielder, one who’s capable of decent defense (as long as he’s not overexposed). If we could somehow merge Diaz’s offense with Langy’s defense, we would have ourselves a pretty fine all around outfielder.
I remember there is used to be a stat on Baseball Weekly on catcher ERA. I wonder what’s the catcher ERA for McCann and Pratt respectively.
Paronto?
Dan, that would be my guess as well.
Yates is better then Paronto…but that’s like choosing a Pinto over a Yugo.
Ryan Howard=Owned by Ken Ray again.
Ray may pitch two tonight… Bobby’s probably seen all he wants of “The Unreliables.”
Well said Alex.
I would really like to see Diaz play a little more. I mean, I’d like to see if he could hit right handers at all? In his limited career (200+ AB), he has hit over .300 with a .400 OBP. Is that all vs. lefthanders? I’m curious. Langerhans will not stick around long if he can’t hit at least .260.
Jeff, I remember the last time Bobby tried Ray for two innings…that was not a good experience.
Crap. Two runs handed right back.
THE CLOSER CURRRRRRRRSSSSSSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you JS. Great work by our brilliant GM.
can he go 2 3rds of an inning?
It’s time to bring in Sosa, isn’t it?
I think Ken Ray’s luck has run out.
Realistically, and I’m a Langerhans fan, he’s a .245-.260 guy. But like other defensive players, he’s worth holding on to right now because he can make plays at all of the outfield positions, he has some pop, and he’s cheap. When he becomes a 3 million dollar player, my feelings may change.
Jorge Sosa will never see a close game for the Braves again this year.
I’m listening to this game on MLB.com, but it sounds like the worst-played game of all times.
Ray’s been doing a damn good Reitsma impression lately.
I am slow in saying this but Ken Ray officially SUCKS now.
Does the closer curse have to apply to Ray? He’s been superceded. Can the baseball gods give us an alternate ending?
Ray is becoming a dangerous pitcher….
Can we record that statement, because Bobby brought him out in consecutive innings to blow two saves? You sure you don’t want to retract that?
He still looks better than Reitsma anytime this year.
Hey, Matt Diaz caught it.
Counting tonight, Ray has an ERA of 6.05 in 19.1 innings since June 1.
Ray is the new Remlinger.
As long as the curse has attached itself to Ray, hopefully it will leave Wickman alone for awhile. Have you noticed that the Braves have never had a closer last for more than three seasons?
How was last inning JS fault kc?
I think the Braves’ bullpen is sucking just enough for Wickmania.
Mac, how long was Gene Garber our closer?
Mac, did Smoltz outlast the three-year curse by two or three months?
Bell was seriously thinking about running the ball to first base there.
I’d like to see Ryan have more AB’s to help get out of his funk
Smoltz closed in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004, I think.
Smitty, everytime the bullpen struggles, it’s the fault of JS for me. It’s something either one agree or not agree.
Wow, we have tied a club record for homeruns in July with a week to go
And I would think that JS would be off limits after winning all those division titles? Or am I missing something here?
Langy, Langy, Langy…
Ken Ray has had a really good year until recently, so shouldn’t JS get credit for him?
Smoltz closed only at the end of ’01, 10 saves I think.
Garber was on the team between ’78 & ’87, but he gained & lost the closer title several times. Had 30 saves in ’82.
I would like to have Dleucci. He is solid
Gotta hold ’em, Yates or Paronto or whoever comes out for the eighth.
Mike,
I don’t know…division titles these days are rather cheap. Show me World Series rings, and I’d be happier.
Still, in fairness to JS, he along with Bobby Cox do deserve credit for giving Braves fans a consistent winner. We complain because we’ve come to expect success (and because we want to win).
Delucci should be a starter somewhere. Poor guy.
Garber was the most usual closer for four seasons but never more than two in a row. Upshaw was for five years, but interrupted by Wilhelm in the middle.
I guess Smoltz did it for three-plus, but Rocker was the most-usual closer for 2001.
Braves pitching staffs.
Actually, Don McMahon was the save leader for five seasons in a row, but with about ten saves a year.
Agreed, Jeff, we’re all Braves fans here and we just want what’s best for the team.
Hey Mike, we agree on something. Delucci should start somewhere!!!
I give way more credit to Bobby than JS for the success in the last 15-years. Bobby set the foundation of success.
Its hard to lay a lot of credit on JS when he didnt make any serious attempt at relief help in the last few offseasons, and then sure, gets us Wick now, but then we see a guy like MacDougal go to the White Sox for middling prospects, the Braves nowhere to be found.
Sorry, I won’t sit here and defend JS and frankly, not many of us can.
Yes but it’s the responsibility of the JS to put the best group of guys out there and you can only cross your fingers. Winning in the playoffs is alot about momentum. I mean the Braves had many teams that should have won the Series, but I’m sure you could list how players failed. I would blame Bobby much quicker for many of those losses than JS.
There are lots of JS lovers out there Alex. Brad almost got killed by saying bad things about JS.
Those years we lost in the Playoffs in the 90’s, it was easier to blame Bobby because JS got us the players.
Now everyone can blame budget, but we have had enough budget to have a better ‘pen then this steaming pile of garbage (minus Wickman). I mean, the last few years, a lot of the vitriol should be aimed at JS and that book, I am sorry, doesn’t help.
And compared to other GMs out there, JS is one of the best. Last year, he brings in Farnsworth and we all remember what he did for us. I’ll defend him if no one else won’t.
Mike, this bullpen is the best JS can buy?! No way my friend. Not when he commited almost $10M to Thomson, Reitsma, and Sosa.
kc,
I know…I know my criticisms opens the hornets nest of the JS lovers, fine, but there’s no excuse as to why we couldn’t have gotten relief help the last few offseasons instead of declaring the awful Reitsma closer with the phrase, “Why not?”
That is just giving up.
The point being, this Macdougal cheap deal to the already loaded White Sox just hurts me considering KC did the deal taking little in return.
JS is the best. MacDougal sucks
I remember Farnsworth. Great postseason pitcher.
Meanwhile, the local Fox affiliate has a live report from where the “American Idol” auditions were.
Mike,
Had JS attempted to take care of business the last 3 offseasons, we wouldn’t have had to give away a talented kid like Zach Miner to have moron Farnsworth for about 15 games.
Nice pitch, Yates!
The problem we’re having with Schuerholz is that he’s demonstrated that he and Cox can put together good, cheap bullpens- but somehow, over the last couple of years, he’s lost the knack. It makes no logical sense to throw millions of dolalrs at medicore middle relievers, and we didn’t use to do it, or have to.
yates still wears a mets hat on gamecast
And this is terrible. We’re going to lose.
As I said, it’s either you love or hate JS.
my goodness, thank JS.
In terms of bullpen, the history of the Braves has been redeem old washed up players and make them good in pen. Then let them go during free agency. I think the loss of Mazzone is the main reason why this bullpen hasn’t gelled. Not JS.
and that’s the game
Ryan Howard has man muscles.
Smitty…I grant you, Macdougal is no Rivera, but he’s no worse then the 2nd best reliever on the Braves.
Brian, so you are going to fault Bobby for not turning shits to golds?
I described Miner as “pretty much filler at this point” at the time of the trade. I don’t think anyone saw his season coming.
here goes our wonderful bullpen, again. sickening.
Wickamania, do you feel it??
Mike, JS let go of Leo. There were lots of things JS can do to keep Leo. Joining his old friend is only a sorry excuse for not treating an important coach properly.
Why isn’t the loss of Mazzone JS’s fault? I realize that he wanted to be with Sam and the Orioles, but good and great management would have had Leo tied up contractually, instead of using cheap year to year contracts on him. Leo may not be the greatest ever, but he had a damn fine record. We should have had him locked up years ago to multi-year contracts…
I don’t love JS. I just don’t think he’s the reason why players suck or a team underperforms.
Well that’s not hard Alex, as Sosa is the second best. I still say Borowski is who we need.
That should have been not the reason.
How long does Yates get to do his Reitsma impersonation?
I have been critical of Bobby’s post season managing (and some of his past regular season in game managing) but this year is very little his fault, other then using Reitsma a month past date.
This bullpen is the responsibility of one John Schuerholz.
If we can hold this lead, the Phillies are done…IF!
Well, Mike, nobody forces him to sign Jordan and Mondesi and Remlinger.
yep, should have gotten Williamson or Macdougal!
Bobby Cox is great, but he has cost us a few games this season with some interesting bunting
Can any of our relievers get three outs before giving up two runs?
damn fine play, Edgar, thank Goodness.
One thing I will say is that the Phillies have an incredibly tough lineup. This team would be challenging the Mets right now if they had any sembance of starting pitching.
What’s Yates’s first name again?
As Skip often says, “We could use some insurance now.”
Well, Smitty, in-game strategy has never been Bobby’s strength. I am used to it after watching him for 15 years.
We need some more runs and then Wickmania…
Remlinger was cheap. So was Jordan. Mondesi was the most expensive, and he was a “mere” million. The fact is that JS was trying to save money on those roster spots, largely in an attempt to address frontline pitching (Smoltz and Hudson).
Joe Borowski needs to become a Brave
Plus we still won the division
Oh well, JS is not long in Atlanta anyhow. So, we’ll see what they bring in next.
This game is making me nuts.
Let’s get some more & call out the Wick…
I would like to see Francoure come up with Gordon in
Granted Mac. That’s fair, but there is no way I wouldn’t blame JS for what’s happening this year.
Does Giles *have* to swing at the high cheese every time????
-n
That was a ball…
Mac,
He could have spent more time scouting and traded for some “cheap” and talented younger pitchers rather then keep stockpiling sh—y pitchers year after year.
By the way, i will again take the stance that certain pitching coaches work better with certain pitchers…The Orioles team ERA stinks. I think Baseball teams should probably have 3 pitching coaches and 3 hitting coaches (the way football has assistants) and certain guys work well with certain guys…for example, I think Roger has done a better job by far with Horacio then Leo ever did…it is likely a personality thing.
What kind of song can you have for a guy like Wickman? “Candle on the Water”?
You have to evaluate an entire career of performance, not individual seasons or games. Everyone has a bad year, including JS. According to a number of people here, JS is a mediocre to good GM. That’s fine.
We don’t really have anyone to play second Marcus
I feel better with a two run lead
BETAMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bay te me!!!!! dont trade him
Thank you Wilson….
We have some good bench players!
In other news, Geoff Geary looks like the Travelocity gnome
LOVE IT.
Mac, your BAY TA ME was better
JJJJJJJJSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!! YES!
JS hasn’t made great moves for some years now…I just think a fresh, younger GM who’s excited to do the job should be moved in the position. I know this is a broken record but a guy who is busy with his memoir but not improving the team he’s actually writing about, that’s a problem; I am sorry, it just is.
BAYTAMEE! I MEAN BET A MITT! I MEAN… oh, forget it. Nice going, Wilson!
It ain’t over yet.
WICKAMANIA!!!
Yeah he didn’t bring in a closer last season or anytime this season
I wonder what would have happened if Giles had gotten ejected. I’d guess that Chipper would come in and play third and Betemit move to second. And the Phillies would be bunting.
on a happier note….WILLSSSSOONNNN!!!!
(I feel like Tom Hanks…)
I’ll be your candle on the water, Bob.
I’d say that JS is mixed. He’s great with a large budget in that he doesn’t make too many terrible investments and maximizes his farm by trading prospects high, rather than low. As a mid-market GM more recently, I don’t think he gets high marks. When he’s trying to save money on roster spots (like Mondesi and Remlinger recently), his gambles haven’t been great. And unfortunately, because of our years as a large budget team, we still have a few really high contracts which make cheap roster spots a necessity.
By the way, I love Wilson!
I am thinking the same thing Mac, I guess Chipper would have to play.
Wickman will load the bases and get a flyout to deep center to save it.
Wow…I see alot of things have happened since I left in the 3rd inning..
Mike, I honestly don’t want to see that.
You missed a lot Davey!
Diaz would have droped that.
One out!!!
1st pitch strikes are great,!
Jeff M,
Solid assessment on JS.
Wow, Wickman is a big boy. What’s up with the Milwaukee / Braves reliever connection?
You surely love Diaz Smitty.
BAYTAMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Bay TA ME – dont trade him
I LOVE BETEMEEEE!!!!!
Well done Betemit–I hope that the Braves are not seriously considering trading him for Linebrink.
Wickman is looking good…
3 1st pitch strikes
Betemit = Chipper Insurance.
Just 1 more Bobby…
Two outs!!! This is so nice to watch after the last three innings of crap.
They should trade Betemit for Linebrink.
the funny thing to me about Wick is he looks like Dan Kolbb put on weight. thats kinda funny.
WICKA WICKA WICKA!!!!
You’re with me first pitch strikes..
Well it looks like JS blew it by getting the Wickamn guy
THANK YOU WICKMAN!!!
Hallellujah!
nice win…despite Wick’s fellow relievers. Thank God that man can pitch.
Yes!!!!!
BOBBY!
Awsome! I’ve got Wickmania, how about you? 😀
Nice save…
Did anybody notice that Danny picked up his first save the other day?
We can feel the Wickmania. Six batters faced as a Brave, six outs.
And the Mets fall just short in their comeback against the Cubs, 8-7. One game closer.
Smitty, if JS actually gotten a closer during the offseason, the team wouldn’t be in this position.
Hot Damn!!!
Can Wickman pitch four?
I nominate Bob Wickman for our new folk hero.
Who made the trade Wickman for an A ball catcher that won’t do anything
1/1 in save attempts. Good going JS! Good game guys hope I didn’t rile anyone up too much with my silly defense of the GM.
Well if we make the playoffs, who cares?
WICKIMANIA!!
Smitty…he could have gotten Wick in December 😉
Wickmania might spread, but I’m not drinking the kool aid yet. I still need to get over this nasty case of Reistmania, which requires more penicillin than I thought humanly possible…
6th – Alfonseca
7th – Paronto
8th – Kolb
9th – Wickman
10th – Hot dog eating contest
Yeah for about 6 million dollars
Mets lost, Braves won… WC in the bag…
If we only had this since day 1…
That extra few million might have been worth around 10-12 more games. Money well spent since we had it to spend.
Good one CSG!
Adam LaRoche derives his strength from his unibrow.
I am sorry…you simply can’t compare an extra few million dollars to the 2 months of relief hell with Reitsma. Then Sosa. Then Ray.
I just wish that we had pursued Wickman during the offseason. Given what he might have done during the first half, this was a major mistake.
Had we gotten Wick or a Todd Jones or someone like that in the offseason, we’d be about 2 games (at worst) behind the Mets and in the WC lead.
Yeah…thats worth a few million!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!