ESPN – Braves vs. Mets Box Score, August 9 2007 – MLB
Oscar Villarreal, closer?
After Kali had blown three runs of a four-run lead, Bobby came in with the Vulture with nobody on and one out in the ninth. He got the last two men to save the game — with help from Willie Harris, who saved a possible home run. Where was Wickman? Following online, I couldn’t tell you, but I guess he was unavailable for some reason.
Tim Hudson didn’t have his best stuff, but put together one of those bulldog (sorry, Auburn fans!) games where you fight through it anyway, allowing nine hits but just three runs in six innings. Trailing 2-0 after three, the Braves got a run on a sac fly from Andruw (where was that yesterday?) then in the next inning Chipper hit a three-run homer, followed by a Teixeira solo shot, to make it 5-3. Hudson drove in a run on a squeeze play in the sixth, then Francoeur grounded into a double play first-and-third, none out in the seventh to make it 7-3.
Mahay was fine in the seventh, allowing one walk, and Moylan barely even got a chance to get into a groove in the eighth (1-2-3 on five pitches — this baseball thing is getting too easy for him) but Yates was horrific in the ninth, capped by a two-run homer allowed to David Wright. Villarreal had to come in and finish it.
The Braves got a hit from every starter, including Hudson and Andruw.
Anybody notice that Kyle Davies went 6.2 with 3 hits and no runs today against the Twins? Hope that hasn’t already been mentioned. I hope Kyle does well in KC.
Just a repost from the previous thread.
Does Cormier have to pitch with his straight 89 to 90 mph fast ball? Aren’t we asking for a disaster?
I know this was discussed (hopefully not to excess) in the last thread, but I still would like to question not bringing Moylan out to pitch the 9th. Yes, he’s got 63 IP on the season now. But not all innings are the same, obviously, and after a FIVE pitch inning I think you could contend that’s not any different than an extended warmup. Admittedly, now he should be ready to pitch again tomorrow, and a four run lead looked safe. Just think that with this bullpen, right now, nothing should be assumed. If someone is in, not tired, and pitching well, use them to win THIS game, not save them for a situation tomorrow that may never arise.
Rufino,
I guess when you’re literally down to 1 reliever you actually trust, you treat him with kit gloves. It’s the only explanation.
Agreed, Rufino.
I’m still waiting to hear why Wickman and Dotel weren’t used. I mean, obviously, neither has been lights-out, but Yates? And then Villarreal? Baffling to me.
Interesting note from SI:
“The Braves’ idea to trade ex-Yankee Bob Wickman for ex-Brave Kyle Farnsworth was a worthwhile attempt. However, the Yankees rejected the proposal for two reasons: 1) They recalled Wickman hated playing in New York in the early-to-mid 1990s, and 2) They didn’t want to pay the great majority of Farnsworth’s $5.5 million 2008 salary, as the Braves proposed. Can’t blame them for that.”
So maybe we are still trying to move “the overweight lover”.
Mac, for what it’s worth, the back to back jacks by Chipper and Tex made it 5-2. Hudson nearly gave up the lead in the bottom of the inning, leaving the bases loaded, yet allowing a run to make it 5-3.
Tony, that was a failed July 31 deadline deal.
Mets next six series, as has already been reported, are vs Florida, @ Pittsburgh (who they play 30 times/year), @ Washington, vs Padres, vs Dodgers..
Geez, to hold this thing to 3.5 back, we’re going to have to play some amazing baseball.
I know Wryn…
But who is to say we are still not trying to move fatty Wickman…
Or next five series..
Wryn,
Who do we have after Philly?
DOB at AJC says Wickman flying back to ATL w/soreness in his forearm. If it turns out ok, he’ll rejoin team in PHI.
That’s a lot of abbreviations.
That’s why yesterday’s loss was so heartbreaking and cruel.
if we were only 1.5 back rather than 3.5 back, this would be a whole different story.
The Mets easy schedule the next several weeks is going to be very hard to overcome. Hopefully, they call Pedro up and the NL West lineups wake up when they see Pedro soft tossing.
We have Arizona, Giants…revenge series against the Reds in Cincy(Mahay will get used in every game, hopefully Ring is up by then) and we get the Cardinals. Oh and Fla…
We have @ Phillies, Giants, D-backs, @ Reds, Cardinals, Marlins. Then Mets again. I think this is about as easy as the Mets have it.
Of course, we had some games against easy teams too, and we managed to get swept by the Reds. The Reds!
The Mets aren’t playing well, and if they’re not careful they’ll drop some of these games. In particular, because their lineup’s so patchy, the Padres’ pitching will just chew them up. If we can take care of the Phillies like usual, we’ll be in a good place. We just have to win more than we lose.
crap, i missed the game…but i’ll take the win.
what the hell is up with the bullpen?
Good lil article by Rod Neyer on cheaters in baseball..
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/cheat/columns/story?columnist=neyer_rob&id=2965046
Good to see McGwire on there…after all he influenced Bonds.
As I was telling Alex last night, the Nats are getting feisty now and playing good baseball.
Looking farther ahead, we have two more series against both the Mets and Phillies (3 against the Phils counting this weekend). The only really tough non-division series is the Brewers on the next-to-last weekend of the season.
Big photo of Willie’s catch.
The good news is that I got to watch the game. The bad news is that I had to do it while laying in a dentist’s chair getting a root canal with the tv installed in the ceiling above me. When Harris caught that homerun ball, it was all I could do to continue sitting still and not screaming with joy followed by pain.
Oh yeah, apparently I missed an enthralling discussion on gaydar. I have found that this is a skill that can be cultivated. Some would say you’re born with it and it is not something you chose to have. There are times when you wouldn’t wish it on your worst neighbor. When the alarms go off it can be very distracting. 🙂
The Nats would actually be a fun team to root for, if I didn’t already have an allegiance to the Braves. They’re pesky, playing way over their heads, and they’re enjoying themselves, because every win is a win they weren’t supposed to get. And Ryan Zimmerman’s legitimately great.
I think this series helped get Teixeira and KJ ready for big games. Both seemed loose by the third game.
Mac,
The caption below that photo is among the worst I’ve ever seen. It wasn’t a “2-out” catch, it was the second out. And I’m not sure how that catch could evoke memories of Willie Mays’.
Still a sweet freaking picture.
So I missed the game today, anything interesting happen?
(Obviously joking, although I did miss the game. Mostly intentionally. Couldn’t shake of the ick of yesterday’s debacle)
Remy,
Interesting take.
AAR,
I can’t lie and say i’m not excited about the new ballpark here in DC. Next year should be interesting.
By the way did I hear RKk will be sold out b/c of David Beckam? Geez
Once he caught it there were two outs – so I guess that something.
It evoked memories of Willie Mays in the sense that it was a guy named Willie catching a ball.
I agree that it’s a sweet freaking picture. It’s my wallpaper right now.
It might be wise to call Devine back up for the Phillies series. We’re gonna need all the arms we can get — especially with Wickman’s status now up in the air.
At least Dotel is rested.
During the TBS broadcast, Joe was saying that Wickman was up in the bullpen Tuesday night and that was apparently when he experienced the arm discomfort and that is why Moylan was used in the 9th that night. Apparently Moylan had very little time to warm up.
For me, the beautiful thing about that picture is that he follows the ball right into the glove. Willie would have made my Little League coach very happy.
Does anyone else feel a bit sad to see the end of an era? Its hard to see Chipper going back to back with anyone but Andruw.
I’m not complaining, it’s just strange.
Dans…
Really? An era? I don’t think they have been back to back long enough to classify it as an era. However I see what you are saying. I think it would have meant more if they had actually won a ring going back to back.
I’m personally ready for something different.
Finally, ESPN does something useful: on the game recap you can see highlights, including Willie’s two catches and Chipper and Tex’s blasts.
Willie is, quite simply, a prince among men and an example to us all. And, Stu, yes, I’ll name my child after him, though I’ll have to figure out how to distinguish his name from the other Willie Harris R.
I’ll just call him AWHR.
From the ESPN recap:
Jones has a .310 average with 53 RBIs in the ballpark, and likes hitting there so much that he named one of his children Shea.
You know, I never get tired of reading that. I wonder how Mets fans feel about it.
#39 I wonder whats going to happen in 2009 when there is no Shea…
Jo-Jo Reyes watch: 6 innings, 0 runs, 1 hit, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts.
I don’t think he’s ready until next year, but this is good to see.
I didn’t endure a root canal during the game today, but something close: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.
On my way over to DMV I have the game on the radio & my cell phone rings. It’s work, so I gotta take the call, which lasts 45 seconds. I flip the radio back on & Howie Rose is describing the “tremendous blast that Chipper Jones just hit.”
Ack, missed it. At least I got Tex’s HR right after.
I’m in DMV for 90+ minutes, but no big deal because I have the game on the radio in my ears. Everything is great as my number approaches. Then the bad flashbacks begin. Of course, my number comes up immediately after Wright hits the HR to make it 7-6.
Radio off, my appointment lasts way too long and when it’s over, I’m nearly petrified to turn on the radio to find out if The Vulture: a) set himself up to earn a win, b) outright blew it, or c) Vultured a save from Wickman.
I step outside the misery factory that is NY DMV, wince & flip on the radio. It’s an interview with a very happy Mark Teixeira. A good sign.
Although I knew nothing about Willie Harris’ big catch until later, I caught enough stress as it was. Whew.
On to Philadelphia!
scary game but thx for the video…………..maybe my favorite beatles tune
Holy Crap! What a catch! I just saw the picture, but I just saw the highlight. Man, Willie Harris is the man!
Did I miss the reason that Dotel hasn’t pitched the last two games? I assume he’s already having some kind of problem because these types of close games are exactly the reason we got him.
At least I understand why Oscar hasn’t been put in the rotation all year. He’s the fifth backup closer.
WILLIE!!!!! sorry I guess I’m late
Has Bobby decided to only let Wickman pitch at home?
a 470 foot bomb from Chipper, nice…
Any chance the Braves might consider David Wells? I know he hasn’t done much this year but considering our alternatives…
Goodell asked Pacman Jones if he went to a stripclub one night. Pacman answers “yes” and Goodell then ask “Why did you go there.”
What is the dumbest response you could come up with for going to a strip club? Well, Pacman’s best response was “I went there to get something to eat.” Come on now….
good job from Reyes today, I really hope Kyle Davies doesnt turn into a good pitcher now. We may regret this trade, Dotel has sucked for us
Harris had gone to the wall in the first inning to rob Moises Alou of an extra-base hit. This time, he drifted back on Delgado’s ball. Then he heard his center fielder.
“I was running back and Andruw was yelling, ‘Get back! Get back!’ I don’t know why he was yelling,” Harris said. “I saw the ball. It just kept going and going like the Energizer Bunny. I felt I had a beat on it the whole time, but it kept going and going.”
At the wall, Harris jumped and caught the ball in the web of his glove.
“Once I jumped, I knew I had it,” he said.
@48 I really do like the wings at Hooters.
csg, Wickman has “forearm soreness” and went back to Atlanta for an MRI.
Hooter’s is the shiznit
“The good news is that I got to watch the game. The bad news is that I had to do it while laying in a dentist’s chair getting a root canal with the tv installed in the ceiling above me. When Harris caught that homerun ball, it was all I could do to continue sitting still and not screaming with joy followed by pain.”
best dentist appointment ever. joshq, i would say that has to be the best way to spend time being drilled.
Okay, so…
No Yankee game today.
The BoSox were off.
Barry Bonds did not play.
Any chance we get some Braves’ highlights on Baseball Tonight?
Parish, they’ll still tell us how good the Mets looked while losing
I don’t think the Mets have it so easy. They just lost two out of three games to one of the most inconsistent pitching staffs in the NL. This series just shows that they’re not going to run away with the division.
AJ not clutch: When Jeff Francoeur grounded into a forceout at the plate with the bases loaded and nobody out in the ninth inning of Wednesday night’s 4-3 loss, there was reason to be surprised. But when Mets closer Billy Wagner escaped the jam unscathed by inducing an Andruw Jones double-play groundout, there wasn’t much reason for surprise.
From the beginning of the 2000 season through the end of 2003, Jones batted .273 with runners in scoring position. Since the beginning of the 2004 season, he’s hit just .234. This year, he’s hitting just .224 — a mark at least better than his overall .215 batting average.
During his young career, which began midway through the 2005 season, Francoeur has hit .334 with runners in scoring position. This year, he’s hit a team-best .351 in that situation.
Phillies/Marlins 2-2 in the 7th
hey we just got 10 minutes of coverage on ESPN news, they said that with Tex our team is good enough to get to the World Series
“Forearm soreness” = elbow ligament problem. Wickman says it’s not as bad as when he needed TJ surgery.
Wickman story:
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2007/08/09/wickman_0810.html
3 straight series. It’s a start.
8th inning, Marlins have a runner on 2nd, 1 out, with Cabrera facing Alfonseca
Cabrera IBB
Willingham K’s, 2 out
Marlins runner thrown out at the plate for the 3rd out…score remains tied, Phillies coming up
Fish take the lead in the 9th against Myers
The headline on Atlanta’s MLB site has to be one of the cheesiest I’ve ever seen. “Game gets Willie nilly as Braves edge Mets”. This needs to be taken down asap!
Thanks, Fish. Now, let’s go, Redbirds.
Phillies lose, Braves 2nd place
I agree that it’s a sweet freaking picture. It’s my wallpaper right now.
Mine too.
any softball players here? i need to buy one or two new bats that need to be ASA and USSSA approved, any suggestions? need something hot
new thread
I sure like Tivo. Not only did I get to watch the game, I was able to flip off after the Braves went up 6-3 and see the final. I know it’s wussy but I knew, just knew the bullpen would have trouble. So, knowing the Braves had won I was able to watch the rest of the game in peace. Had I not known, I would probably have had a heart attack. As it was, I was still utterly stunned after the final out. These idiots almost blew the f***g game again. Tyler Yates can’t get three outs with a four run lead? I hope Villareal takes Willie out to the most expensive restaurant he can find in Philly. This may have been a more important catch than The Catch when you consider the situation the Braves were in then and now. How can you win with a bullpen like that? (Although Mahay and Moylan were terrific.)
And AAR,
I do root for the Nats except when they play the Braves. They are tough, especially in RFK. I would love to see them beat out the Marlins for fourth. Next week, I am going to see them play the Phillies and the Mets so it will be easy to root for them.