ESPN – Braves vs. Twins Box Score, June 12 2007 – MLB
For a while there, Kyle Davies looked really good. He took a one-hitter and a one-run lead into the fourth. He didn’t finish the inning. After getting a flyout, he walked the next two on full counts, then gave up a double to score them both. After that, he got singled to death, “death” being replacement by the Vulture down 5-1.
The Braves finally got some homers, but unfortunately they were of the solo variety; Francouer one in the second, Thorman in the fifth… They had a good chance in the sixth to get back in the game, cutting it to 5-3 with two on, two out, but Thorman grounded out. The Twins then tacked on runs in the seventh and eighth to put it away.
Renteria didn’t play, Escobar getting the start at shortstop and Orr playing third base, just so we could simulate the NL experience with a pitcher hitting I guess. Actually, Orr got a hit. Harris had three, and the Braves ten in all, but none from the 3-4 slots, which killed.
It really starts to feel like last season… We just cannot seem to string a good series of games together, like winning four of five or even seven of ten. Still, we’re right in the middle of it. Chipper, come back, please. There’s hope.
I blame Andruw. And Thorman, but at least Thorman LOOKS like he’s trying… probably trying too hard, but still he’s trying damnit.
That was a beat down.
I blame Thorman, Orr, Davies, Orr, the Vulture, Renteria, Orr, and Chipper.
The Mets have lost like 25 in a row and we still haven’t picked up any games on the division.
Andruw is just awful. With Chipper out we really need him and he’s killing us (not to mention my fantasy team). I guess it’s not like he’s doing it on purpose, but Jebus, he couldn’t get much worse if he tried.
I vote we let the Vulture start.
It’s looking like time to give up on Davies and trade him fast before other teams figure out his potential is an illusion. Might as well let Vulture start since he ends up pitching multiple innings when the 4th and 5th spot in the rotation come up anyway.
Vulture to start, let Moylan do the long relief role. Get rid of Davies and Woodorr and bring back Pena.
Observations: Salty
left handed he looks like Ryan Howard
right handed – Gary Sheffield
Or you could say we are lucky the Mets haven’t run off and hid. I didn’t see the game, but my impression is that Davies was pitching well and then probably tried to become too fine with the pressure of having only a one-run lead. The problem is, you can’t expect Kyle Davies to go into an AL park and hold a 1-0 lead. You have to score some runs. If he had a three or four run lead, he might have been able to relax. The starting pitching obviously isn’t great, but it would help if the Braves could score some runs early once in a while and take some of the pressure off young pitchers. I really think Davies has a chance to be a good pitcher, but it’s unrealistic to expect him to win games without run support.
This is a totally different team without Chipper. You can talk about Andruw all you want, but Chipper is the glue on this team. Without him, the Braves just aren’t very good. Unfortunately, the glue is only good these days for 110 games a year.
On the bright side, the way Andruw’s going, we may just be able to afford him for next year.
I have never seen a switch hitter with a sweeter left handed swing than Salty. He kind of looks like Griffey when he is batting left handed. He has to play more. I vote we send him to AAA for three weeks and let him learn first base.
Davies’ problem is a confidence issue, because when he is feeling it he goes right after the hitters, and attacks them down in the zone, and keeps them off balance with offspeed.
Give James some support….
Chuck James (5-5, 3.66)has limited opponents to two or fewer earned runs in six of his last seven outings, although he has just a 2-3 record in that span to show for his efforts.
James has received a total of just three runs in support in his five defeats.
I vote we throw Salty out there at first base with a mitt the size of a small house and just tell him to wing it.
http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/oracle/discussion/sneak_peek_espn_defensive_ratings/
Fear not, Chipper Jones is coming back soon. The Braves’ record with Chipper is totally different from their record without Chipper.
That’s really, really funny.
It was good to see both Salty and McCann in the lineup last night but why wouldn’t Cox put the healthy one behind the plate and let the guy with the sore ankle do the catching?
Because it makes to much damn sense
Salty looks good but let’s wait until he at least gets 100 ABs before putting him in the HOF.
#19–Salty may not belong in the HOF yet (a good reminder on your part) but he does belong in the lineup or at AAA for a crash course on playing 1B.
Willie Harris is awesome!
Bobby still has more confidence in McCann’s ability to call the game. Salty obviously has a better are the Brian; but is still learning to call the game. If you remember, that is what made McCann stick in the majors a couple of years ago.
Braves clutch hitting has got to get better. I’m not going to blame one person over the other, but the Braves have got to get more hits with runners in scoring position. Especially, especially, especially, get guys home from third with less than two outs. Nothing is more frustrating than getting a guy on third with less than two outs and not getting him in. The Braves are making a science of it.
Let’s hope Chuckie pitches good tonight. Silva has been rocked lately…and some of the Braves have seen him before with Philly.
I dont understand why Bobby had McCann catching either. His legs and ankles are in bad shape and his defense hasnt been that good either. His throw to third was very bad last night and he got lucky one of Boyers pitches hit his foot. He has to stop backhanding these throws and he needs to start getting in front of the pitches. He needs some rest and now is the time to let Salty get back there
Imagine a line-up tonight with Renteria, Chipper, McCann and Saltalamacchia in it. That would be nice to see (or a more consistent basis too). Let Saltalamacchia play first base already.
Santana and Sabbathia on back-to-back nights. Hmmm! Well, baseball is an unpredictable game but my incisive analysis is that this doesn’t look good for the Bravos. I think Bobby should hold Smoltz out until Saturday rather than possibly having him lose 2-1 to Sabbathia.
Santana has been struggling, but I’m sure he’ll be in top form against us. I really would hate to see what he’ll do against our lineup if we have Orr playing again. We definitely need to win today or we might be looking at another extended losing streak.
Boras called DOB
http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/braves/entries/2007/06/12/overrated_overr.html
DOB says Chip probably wont be activated until Thursday
“DOB says Chip probably wont be activated until Thursday”
Things change very fast. Chipper says he’s ready, it just a matter of getting Bobby Cox to believe him.
Oh, and here’s a nugget from DOB:
Whats the latest on Edgar?
Wow. You’re not going to believe this.
Does anyone know how Hudson pitched at the Metrodome when he was with Oakland? It strikes me that a ground ball pitcher might have problems with balls shooting through the infield, especially the way things have been going lately.
Hudson is 3-2 with a 2.94 ERA in 7 career starts in the Metrodome. Looks good to me.
Man fatboy needs to get going. Think about it….the fatboys A Jones and McCann are struggling, while the in-shape cover boys, Francouer and Salty are doing ok. Wait Salty is 6’4 195? Damn that’s razor thin…
All jokes aside, until McCann starts hitting again, he will be known as Fatboy. Seriously, the bunt attempt ruined what was going to be an awesome year by McCann. That’s probably my biggest disappointment with the season.
I have never seen a switch hitter with a sweeter left handed swing than Salty.
Smitty, have you ever seen Chipper Jones bat?
I have and his swing is nice, but I think Salty’s is sweeter, maybe not better, but sweeter.
Mauer has a pretty swing also
Tony, I highly doubt that Salty is still at 195. He has to be pushing 220-230.
I would like to see Salty playing first base along with the rest of you. But if I may, with the risk of sounding borderline insane, try to throw up a theory as to why he is not. It may be possible that JS really is looking to trade him for some starting pitching soon, so they don’t want to risk having him injured – and they don’t want to decrease his value either. The less we see of him, the less chance there is for him to hit an extended slump. And in case you haven’t noticed – we really need starting pitching BAD. I would love to have Salty on the team because he looks like he is going to have an exellent career, but I just don’t see it happining in our current situation.