ESPN.com – MLB – Box Score – Padres at Braves
So, I was giving into despair there for a minute, but I guess it worked out. The first eleven Braves went down in order before Chipper doubled. Anthony Lerew was pitching well, but allowed two home runs, one leading off the third, another leading off the fifth, and the Braves were down 2-0 and looking like they couldn’t score in a 19-inning game.
But with one out in the sixth, Renteria doubled. Chipper grounded out, but Andruw, finally getting out of his slump, doubled off the wall to cut the score to 2-1. Kali needed five pitches in the seventh, but the Braves didn’t do much with their chance. Gonzalez allowed a two-out hit to Brian Giles but that was it.
Diaz pinch-hit leading off the eighth, reaching on an infield single. On a run-and-hit, or just Orr running for Diaz and KJ hitting, it looked like Orr reached second in time but was tagged by Marcus and called out. But Renteria tripled over Marcus’ head to tie the game. Chipper was intentionally walked, then Andruw singled to right-center, causing Joe Simpson to wet himself in glee. The Padres made a pitching change, and Francoeur pulled a broken-bat grounder to first, where he was out and Chipper got caught in a rundown and was tagged out. Soriano breezed through the ninth, striking out the last two.
Andruw had a big game, two hits and a walk. The Braves had only six hits and two walks, none from the leadoff spot or the 5-8 places.
Great come from behind win tonight, Man, I love having Soriano and Gonzo!
Jeez, San Diego’s uniforms are awful.
Anyway these are some of the things I noticed. Lerew impressed me tonight mainly because he’s not Redman and didn’t give up 4 runs in the first inning. On Andruw’s double, he fell down to his knee like his usual self, but had a nice swing on the game winning hit. Kelly Johnson can’t bunt, and Renteria is hitting the snot out of the ball.
Is McCann hurt more than we thought he was?
Smoltz and Maddux tomorrow.
I think Bobby just wants to let Salty play as much as possible.
Gotcha
In light of seeing Skip Caray’s Wikipedia page, he is now my favorite broadcaster… ever. Check it out if you didn’t see it on the game thread:
They didn’t call up Salty to have him start once or twice and sit for two weeks; I figure he’ll get around half (maybe a little less than that) of the starts while he’s up.
I’m really surprised Lerew did as well as he did. Didn’t get to listen to the hole thing, but he had a TON of Ks (7 in 6 innings vs. ~16 in 29 minor league IP this year) and not too many BBs. Maybe this is a move that will be good for him. Have to see how he does next time out. Anyhow, color me two shades more optimistic about our rotation than I was this afternoon.
Also, I think this may be the beginning of KJ going into a slump. Let’s hope the bottom isn’t nearly as low as the peak has been high. 🙂
Also, Saltalamacchia may have caught Lerew some last year.
I was watching Baseball Tonight they had the Schiling interview on there. As much as I don’t like Bonds and Clemens, I almost hate Schilling that much. He calls Bonds out for cheating on his wife and taxes on air, which he has no inside knowledge of. I wish people would take a mike out of his face.
Andruw will never hit the ball consistently to right field, but if he can bring himself to occasionally adjust just to hit the ball to center, he and we will be much better off. What’s been lost in the debate about Andruw’s approach is not that he isn’t hitting the ball to right, but he hasn’t even been hitting it up the middle.
The same charts that are used to show that he never hits the ball to right reveal that he has historically at least gotten a few hits up the middle. Before tonight, one hit to center over the first FIFTH OF THE SEASON. Going to center field actually represents adjustment in Andruw’s case, and that’s all I personally would ask for.
Nice comeback tonight.
Man, I was just watching Baseball Tonight on ESPN, and they dubbed Jose Reyes “the most exciting player in baseball” for only the 100th time this year. Is anyone else getting tired of this – I bet the people in New York are even getting sick of it.
While I generally find myself agreeing with the points Schilling makes, he is kind of a jackass.
I don’t think the taxes was out of bounds, but he didn’t really need to go into the cheating on his wife part.
Overall though, the point is that Barry Bonds is a gigantic cheat in almost all respects and is just generally a boil on the collective ass of the game of baseball. I can’t disagree with that.
Incidentally, my favorite part about that was when Karl Ravech then asked the opinions of the group of morons sitting next to him and someone (as I knew they would) trotted out the same old point about how it hasn’t been proven that he did steroids (I was most displeased to hear Skip Caray say this the other night, as well).
This assertion is complete bullshit. There’s plenty of proof that he did steroids. Bonds just isn’t a big enough imbecile to have tested positive. Since when did testing positive become the only possible thing that could prove whether or not somebody did steroids? Especially when you consider that there are plenty of things (HGH, for instance) that MLB doesn’t even test for.
The next time I hear someone blurt, “There’s not proof that he’s taken steroids,” I just may throw my TV out a fourth-story window.
you think maybe we could get ahead early in a game and stay ahead? I think it’d be mighty nice. I’ll take a win anyway we can get it but consistently coming from behind really messes with my nerves.
Nick, I suggest you go over to Sabernomics and read JC on HGH.
Yes, but it’s much more memorable in the end, Petros. Which do you remember more: Game 7 of the ’92 NLCS or Game 7 of the ’96 NLCS?
It will be a very sad day in baseball history when Bonds breaks Aaron’s record. Bond’s deserves to be called what he is (a cheater in several respects), but Seilig also deserves some blame for looking the other way as long as possible. How can someone that incompetent continue to keep his job?
I don’t know if I agree with everythng Schilling said, but I hope others speak out. I’m also proud of Hank for simply letting it be known that he won’t be at the celebration.
Yeah, Lerew deserves, and I imagine will get, another start. He keeps pitching like he did today and he’ll probably never see the minors again.
I don’t know why but I found this of interest:
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2007/05/08/0509bravesnotes.html
Lance Cormier may be back soon (taking Davies spot?). Also the Braves will NOT ban alcohol in the clubhouse like some other teams are doing lately.
That is very interesting, Mac. The main question that remains in my mind though is if that’s the case, why are (or at the very least, were) players doing it? Was it just desperation to find something that would work or what?
Be all that as it may, it doesn’t change much regarding Bonds, as he also did anabolic steroids.
It is something worth considering, though.
Glad to see Lerew pitch well–if not impressively for a first start. I agree with Dan (who has made a determined case for Lerew) that Lerew pitches that well he will not see the minors again. Lets hope so…
It would be great to have Cormier back as it would give Bobby some options. I have a feeling that for the 4 + 5 spots he will go with the hot hand.
Because they think it works.
Some players wear magnets on their wrists and ankles. That doesn’t do anything either, but they still do it.
Wow, that’s a crazy article. JC’s the man. I’m glad he’s my Facebook friend. 🙂
Magnets on their wrists and ankles? What the heck is that? What do they think it does?
Game 7 in 1992 was more memorable in retrospect but game 7 in 1996 was more fun at the time.
I don’t like Bonds for a lot of reasons (steroids being the least), but I think you might be somewhat naive about Aaron staying away because of some disapproval of Bonds. In general, African-Americans think much differently about Bonds than do whites and I would hesitate before attributing to Hank Aaron our own feelings about Bonds.
Mac, the issue of whether HGH or steroids actually help performance is different from the question of whether somoeone actually used them. On the latter question, I agree that it is rather silly to argue that Bonds’ usage hasn’t been proved. Maybe it hasn’t been proved to a legal standard, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t proof. No one to my knowledge has actually questioned whether the reporting by those reporters is credible. The fact that he hasn’t been convicted in court doesn’t mean you have to ignore the evidence that is out there. Now, again, whether steroids had anything to do with his performance is a different issue.
I would like to chime in about Lerew – if nothing else to get my thoughts off Bonds.
Lerewlooked excellent. Only two mistakes to leadoff hitters and 7 K’s. Cox credited McDowell with working with him on his sinker in the post-game. I’m always concerned about a sinker that doesn’t sink, and this happening way too often, but if Lerew can keep this up, he’ll be great as a 4th – or even 3rd starter. If we can get our 4th and 5th starters to give us 6+ innings, our bullpen shouldn’t be overworked and it will lift the whole team. I’m ready for Cormier unless Davies builds on his only decent outing, which was his last start.
Davies’ first start was his best, td. That does seem awfully long ago, though, so I can understand your having forgotten it.
Lerew has an excellent sinker. He’ll get killed if that thing is flat and isn’t sinking, though. His off-speed stuff and breaking pitches leave a lot to be desired.
A nice first start but color me skeptical.
It’s definitely has been a long time. I could be wrong, but it seems like that even though his final line in his 1st start was pretty good, he seemed extremely lucky and didn’t pitch as well as it appeared (IMO, the opposite of what happened in his last start). Again, it’s been so long, I’m probably wrong.
Lerew really impressed me tonight, just what we needed. I’d say he bought himself a spot in the rotation, or at the least a few more starts. I just hope he can keep it up once the scouting reports start to circulate.
Lerew was very solid…loved the sinker. Not sure what his breaking pitch is (hard curve/slider), but it has some bite. Even better, he still can bring it to the mid 90’s when he needs to blow it past a batter as opposed to staying in that range before the sinker came his way.
I really feel Andruw’s breaking out of his slump. When he goes to center and right-center, I start to get kind of excited.
By the way, if anyone missed it, Blaine Boyer tossed two innings tonight. He walked three, but it was his first outing since spring training.
Yeah, his first start was actually as good as his numbers said, probably better, TD. 6.2 innings, four hits, two runs (both on homers), eight strikeouts. He walked three but none of them ever came close to costing us, as I recall. And it was against the Mets.
I actually thought it might have been the second-best game he’s ever pitched for us (behind his debut in Boston). It was actually a fair amount better than the other day, although the other day was by far his second best start of the year.
@ Rob:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnet_therapy
Anyone else having trouble staying logged in?
Or posting?
Rob:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnet_therapy
Also known as: Cures “They” Don’t Want You to Know About.
Re: #9
Thank you Nick, for so alliteratively summing up my distaste for what should be an appreciation of an historic milestone:
Barry Bonds is a Boil on the Butt of Baseball
(I hear Druids chanting this mantra)
Ok,
I can’t let you guys be wrong about this. Yes, McCann is hurt. It’s bothering him and that is the reason why he wasn’t in lineup last night. He wasn’t suppost to be in lineup on Monday. He will start tonight and have tomorrow off. As far as Salty’s playing time, he will play as much as McCann needs off.
That being said don’t worry, McCann will be fine.
Please please please watch this video starting at the 4:30 mark. Mac must be *so* proud.
Two things about that:
1) His tattoo reads “Rammer Lammer”
2) On his Kenny Stabler tattoo:
“Since he’s a hero of mine, I had to put him on. To me he’s a picture of a real man. He loves women, alcohol, he can’t help but get in trouble…he wins though.”
Wow.
I am constantly amazed that Selig and the owners seem to be getting off scot free when fans bitch and moan about steriods. They knowingly turned a blind eye to PEDs or perhaps were complicit in there use. Fans turned in in record numbers, money flowed in at a tremendous rate and franchise value skyrocketed. Now, like Captain Renault, they are shocked, shocked to find out gambling — er steroids — are being used.
Nick, there is a tremendous difference between evidence and proof. There is a wealth of circumstantial evidence that Bonds used; there is currently no proof.
Hey Wryn:
If you listen close, you can hear the mouth breating…
Thoughts from in the stadium last night:
-We went nuts on KJ’s “fielder’s choice”. They never showed a replay, but I was on the first base side and it didn’t even look CLOSE.
-Lerew looked really sharp. I liked the way he went up there tonight. He threw strikes and was willing to let his defense help him. I think the unfamiliarity the Padres had with him affected his line, but they’re big league hitters, and when you pitch that well, you deserve the win.
-Anybody else willing to give Soriano the closer’s job if it weren’t for Gonzo being just as awesome?
-We all assumed Salty got the start because he had caught Lerew before. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to let McCann get plenty of rest at this point in the season when it also comes with the benefit of getting a look at our #1 prospect.
-I love Chipper, but he was a complete moron on that DP in the 8th. If he straight breaks for the plate he probably scores, but he hesitated, but went to far to be able to get back. However, it shoulda been 4-2 at that point anyway, cause there’s no way Marcus got PeteOrr.
Salty got the start b/c McCann’s finger needs all the rest it can get, did you not watch the game Monday? It clearly is hurting him.
Let McCann take as much time as needed, I’d rather he sit 5 days here and be back to 100% than try to play at 85% and hurt it again.
I see the Braves continue in the win one, lose one routine. I guess the good thing is that appearently the rest of the division is also in the same rut.
20-12, not too bad!
20-12, not bad at all.
21-12, even better!
Here you go, Wryn.
O.K. What do I say about that video posted earlier? First of all I am sad for this man and his family. Kenny Stabler is the picture of a man because he loves woman and alcohol and gets in trouble. Everybody has to have a role model, mine is Ricky Williams because he is so Chill!!! 🙂 I guess this is what it looks like to worship Alabama football. Bear Bryant was a great coach, but I don’t recall him being a writer of prayers that a life can be lived by. I had only heard of what a mouth breather was like, but now I have the video to see for myself.
As for Lerew last night, he was solid but I’m not gonna get ahead of myself here. He’ll definitely get another chance. The bar was lowered so far by Redman that if he can just pitch 5+ innings with an ERA in the 4’s we’ll all be ecstatic.
Yeah, that guy’s a little out there.
I love my Gators, and even though Danny Wuerffel would be a better choice than Kenny Stabler, I wouldn’t put a tattoo of him on my arm. Wow indeed, Wryn.
Danny Wuerffel’s a Calvinist, Rob. Definitely a real man.
NO WAY! NOOOOOOOOOOO!!! 🙂
On an unrelated note, people are too sensitive:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2864805
Hey did you hear the Rainbow Coalition had a sit down meeting with the Braves Brass?
Mac, are we allowed to touch this topic? To me it is sports related, but I understand the social aspects as well.
Last thought on that video – seriously, look at the dude’s arm.
On the “Jammer” part of the Rammer Jammer, the letters are supposed to me mirrored. They’re not. The J is normal, the rest are mirrored.
R A M M E R
Я РM M A J
Look at it. Wow, what a waste of money.
It’s off-limits. There is no way that discussion will go well.
Despite my lack of personal illustrations, mark me down as a Ken Stabler fan, too. I hated those Raiders, but I loved watching Stabler. Great touch on his passes and he was fearless.
Looking at Bama’s 07 sked: I noticed that the week after they entertain UGA, they play FSU in Jacksonville. Kinda weird.
Understood!!!
Now back to making fun of crazy Alabama Man!!!
rob,
that joke was hilarious, perhaps not the best timed but i’m with you all the way.
Remove Redman from our pitching staff, and our team ERA is 3.55, compared to the 4.05 it is now. What a Redman Factor…
What about the Hampton Factor?
What do you mean?
Rob,
sorry, it was a poor attempt at humor.
for some of us poor souls, sarcasm is a way of life.
Sorry, but back to the HGH isn’t performance enhancing thread, from what I’ve read HGH is used to recover faster from injury, wear-and-tear, and the like. The point isn’t that it makes stronger, faster muscles … the point is that it helps injured and sore muscles and other tissue heal themselves faster. This information has been presented on ESPN and in the sports media generally.
James and all,
Live on TV, I couldn’t tell if Orr beat Giles. The replay showed two feet of space between Giles’ glove and Orr when Orr hit the base. Then, Orr slid directly over the top of the base and ended up flat on his butt. POSSIBLY he happened to be “popped up” from the base when the tag was made, but by then Orr had touched and Giles had bumped into him. IF the ump was ruling that Orr popped up off the base, then Giles got away with a horizontal “Ken Hrbek”.
@ 46
Wryn, how do we know if the two “M”s and the “A” are mirrored?
Jeff, that’s not what HGH is for, whatever the media says. It’s used to promote growth — that is, for the most part, for kids to grow up to be taller. Athletes started using HGH (often “HGH” — many supplements contain little or none of the hormone) like anabolic steroids, so the media concluded that it works like anabolic steroids, but it just doesn’t.
Consider medical treatments. Steroids are used for all sorts of things, including recovering muscle mass. Growth hormone, to my knowledge, is only used on children when they fail to grow, though scientists keep trying it out for other things.
I just looked at some numbers, and I didn’t realize how bad Andruw was playing before last night.
.048 (1-21) 0HR 1RBI 7K 4BB
Those were his numbers so far in the month of May. And before last night he had failed to get a hit in the bast five games. That’s abysmal.
In other news, Steve Colyer has been designated for assignment, he has 10 days to accept the assignment to Richmond or become a free-agent.
What is going on with Kevin Barry? Is this guy on the 25 man roster? Has he pitched since he’s been called up?
Kevin Barry is the batboy. I refuse to acknowledge his existence as a major leaguer until he actually pitches.
And oh no, Colyer could leave as a free agent! Whatever shall we do without him?
No, Hate King, and I’m starting to wonder the same thing. How is it possible that he hasn’t even gotten an appearance in a week? Why do we even have him there? Colyer sucked, but at least we were using him. If we’re not gonna use Barry, why didn’t we send him down? I shudder to think what his first outing will be like (assuming he ever gets one) after sitting on his ass for a week and a half.
So Mac, any chance of a lerew write-up?
Or have I missed it?
Maybe tomorrow evening after the game. I’m working tomorrow night (until 11) and will probably have a lot of time on my hands since most of the students are likely going to be gone.
So…you teach Mac??
No, I’m a college librarian.
Mac, I and others disagree.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=2574291&type=story
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-hgh061206&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Then there is the whole anti-aging industry:
Mac, I love your recap of this game, especially the line about the Joe Simpson reaction to Andruws hit. you have become my
first stop for recaps of Braves games.
Stephen