ESPN – Braves vs. Reds Box Score, August 20 2007 – MLB
One wonders why we get fourteen runs for one of the pitchers who might not need fourteen runs to win. Aw, heck, I’ll take it.
The Braves jumped all over the Reds’ starter, Some Guy, for eight runs in two innings. In the first, with a run already home, McCann hit a grand slam. In the second, Teixeira hit a three-run homer. He wasn’t done; in the fourth, with it 8-2, he put all ideas of a comeback out of the Reds’ minds with yet another three-run homer, this off of the starter’s brother, Just-Another Guy. Teixeira finished 3-4 with a walk, six RBI and four runs scored. Nice night. The Braves added three runs late, including two on an Andruw homer, against one of the pitchers I’ve heard of, Eddie Guardado, who is an official has-been.
Hudson wasn’t particularly sharp, allowing three runs (all scored by the immortal Jeff Keppinger) in six innings for the minimal quality start. He struck out four but walked three, and kept the ball in Tiny American Bandbox, which is at least half the battle.
Bobby decided to get some work in for Mahay (in the seventh) and Moylan (in the eighth); I don’t particularly object but hopefully the Braves won’t need them in all of the other three games. Then again, look at who’s starting. Kali allowed a run in the ninth on two hits and a walk. It wasn’t entirely his fault, as Diaz made a terrible misplay allowing the run to score, though it was ruled a double and I guess it has to be, since he played it so badly he never touched it.
Diaz did have three hits, which is what he’s paid for. So did Francoeur, and Chipper, Escobar, and Prado had two each. You know what the last one means: It’s platoon time! Jeez, I complain when we win 14-4, I’d hate to see what happens after a loss.
I didnt want to have this get washed out.
ladies and gentlemen,
Our left field platoon:
.330 ba 10 hr 58 rbi’s 17 sb and 81 runs in 527 ab’s
basically, our left field platoon is carl crawford minus 20 stolen bases. i think that’s a pretty positive way to look at it. who wouldn’t want carl crawford manning the left field corner?
http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/individual_stats_player.jsp?c_id=mlb&playerID=408307
i remember in the offseason, we (and i was one dreaming as well) were talking of selling the farm to try and acquire crawford. do u guys think that the 2008 braves will try and use the same platoon in left field, or is this a one time thing? as long as they’re cheap, i say let willie diaz play.
nah, Mr.Brandon Jones is hammering on the door. I doubt Willie stick swith the Braves next season, but while he has been here, its been good!
Here is to you, Chucky…err..Willie
I just hope that Diaz keeps getting PT next year; he can just mash.
I dont care if Prado platoons as long as he hits and plays good D, I dont really care who plays as long as the Braves win
Huddy wasnt sharp, but the ump had a tight zone. A lot of his pitches looked like they painted the black and he wasnt getting the calls. He got the win though
Mahay, still brilliant – sign him, Yates is nothing but garbage right now, why not give that inning to Acosta? Great offense tonight
Kelly Pickler – one word, unbelievable!!
Knowing that Teixeira had lost lots of fluids on Sunday night, Cox was planning to use Chris Woodward as his first baseman on Monday. But after consuming some Gatorade, Teixeira arrived at the stadium and said he was ready to play.
wow, we were that close to having Woodward at first
i smell an endorsement
Hard to complain about anything tonight.
Always nice to stomp a bad team’s guts out.
Cox doing everything he can to get Prado, Woodward and Thorman in the game. Won’t be long before it’s Corky Miller time.
Andruw proved once again that he comes through in non-pressure situations.
Looks like Jo-Jo is getting the call tomorrow instead of Chucky with the “sore shoulder.” How can a guy who throws all of 87 mph and can barely go 5 innings get a sore shoulder? Is he installing windows during the season as well?
Um, Ben… it might be, just maybe, that the sore shoulder has something to do with James’ stamina issues and recent ineffectiveness.
Mac, has Chuck had a sore shoulder his entire career? That’s the only way you can account for his career-long stamina issues. Of course, they’re even worse now, but he’s always had stamina issues.
I heard Bill Shanks speak of this James issue on the radio this afternoon. Reportedly James has had this condition before, and Bobby even said in his Skip Caray interview that James had this same condition in 05. Bobby also alluded to the idea this condition contributed to his outing last week as he basically said James didn’t have anything. I think we’d all agree with that. Hopefully 1 skip and he’ll be back to effective. Otherwise they will have to DL him and we’ll get Jojo a couple of times.
Chuck has home run issues. I bet the Reds are upset they aren’t going to get to see him after his last performance.
Actually, Chuck averaged very nearly six innings a start (5.98) last year, and pitched eight innings twice and seven six times. His endurance problems are a phenomenon of this season, where he’s averaged less than 5.5 innings a start, with only three outings of seven innings (in seven more starts) and none longer.
Maybe this is the series where we really do have to outslug the opposition. We’re sure in the right ballpark & against the right pitching staff.
Although the remainder of the rotation (vs. Cincy) doesn’t inspire confidence, I’d still love to rack up 3 of 4.
Watching Phil Hughes pitch vs. the Angels tonight. Kid has a lotta poise & great stuff.
Saw Joba Chamberlain pitch Friday night vs. Detroit. I’ve never seen such electricity in that place for a young kid coming into a game. First pitch: 100 MPH. Last pitch: a slider that dropped off the table. Scary good.
Andruw proved once again that he comes through in non-pressure situations.
Good thing stats on stuff like this are so hard to track down or you might look like a fool.
-End sarcasm-
Andruw is actually closing in on the most dissappointing 30 HR, 100 RBI season in history. It’s not unreasonable he could get there, and even as one of his few fans around here I would admit to it being perhaps the ugliest season of it’s kind ever.
Through 2005 (I didn’t update my encyclopedia this offseason because I am cheap) there had been 40 seasons of 100 RBI/30 HR with fewer than 90 runs created. It’s the guys you would probably expect headed by the obvious candidate. Andruw has already beaten Armas in 1983, and may beat Sexson and Batista, but barring a real surge that’s about it.
SEASON
HOMERUNS >= 30
RBI >= 100
OPS displayed only–not a sorting criteria
RUNS CREATED YEAR RC HR RBI OPS
1 Tony Armas 1983 54 36 107 .707
2 Richie Sexson 1999 68 31 116 .818
3 Tony Batista 2004 71 32 110 .728
T4 Frank Thomas 1953 75 30 102 .837
T4 Gary Gaetti 1987 75 31 109 .788
6 Bo Jackson 1989 76 32 105 .805
7 Javier Lopez 1998 78 34 106 .868
T8 Andre Dawson 1991 79 31 104 .790
T8 Butch Hobson 1977 79 30 112 .789
T10 Ron Kittle 1983 80 35 100 .818
T10 Phil Plantier 1993 80 34 100 .843
T12 Eric Karros 2000 84 31 106 .780
T12 Ruben Sierra 1987 84 30 109 .771
T12 Carlton Fisk 1985 84 37 107 .808
T15 Matt Williams 1997 85 32 105 .795
T15 Eric Karros 1996 85 34 111 .795
T15 Sammy Sosa 1997 85 36 119 .779
T18 Larry Parrish 1987 86 32 100 .811
T18 Albert Belle 1992 86 34 112 .797
T18 Sammy Sosa 1996 86 40 100 .888
T21 Jose Canseco 1986 87 33 117 .775
T21 Brad Fullmer 2000 87 32 104 .898
T21 Joe Carter 1987 87 32 106 .784
T21 Tony Batista 1999 87 31 100 .848
T21 Jay Buhner 1995 87 40 121 .909
T21 Joe Adcock 1956 87 38 103 .934
T21 Cecil Fielder 1992 87 35 124 .783
T28 Leon Wagner 1964 88 31 100 .750
T28 Joe Carter 1989 88 35 105 .757
T28 Frank Howard 1962 88 31 119 .906
T28 Tony Armas 1980 88 35 109 .810
T28 Joe Carter 1996 88 30 107 .782
T28 Terry Steinbach 1996 88 35 100 .871
T28 Juan Gonzalez 1992 88 43 109 .833
T28 Ernie Banks 1962 88 37 104 .809
T36 Gorman Thomas 1980 89 38 105 .774
T36 Mike Lowell 2003 89 32 105 .881
T36 Ben Oglivie 1982 89 34 102 .780
T36 Tony Conigliaro 1970 89 36 116 .822
T36 Jose Canseco 1987 89 31 113 .780
I swear I remember Chuck having the same stamina issues last year, but obviously, I was wrong. So if the guy made 33-34 starts, he could very well pitch 200 innings and probably give us 3.70-3.90 ERA pitching. That’s a pretty good third starter, not to trigger the argument from a couple days ago. Thank heavens I could just read that one later, instead of trying to get into that one…
I will have to say that Lincecum for Arizona had some very good minor league numbers (like JoJo) and then got called up and stunk up the place (also like JoJo). He seems to have figured it out (especially against Atl) over his past 12 or so starts. Hopefully Reyes will also emulate this part. I know, apples and oranges, but I can hope! I think JoJo will put it together soon – why not this year when we need him most?
Francoeur would have beaten that one easily if he had just one more homer.
Frenchy fact: He has 78 RC this season so far; the same number he had all of last year.
Lincecum pitches for San Francisco, but your point is made… on the other hand, we did just ditch Kyle Davies, who never has learned and probably won’t.
Why is Andruw still out there if his elbow’s so bad? If we’re worried about being accuse of tampering with his contract offers by sitting him, it’ll be a lot worse if he needs Tommy John surgery because he keeps playing.
Just got back from an R-Braves game, and I’m glad to see what we did to the Reds. I’m also glad Bobby didn’t sit Tex out. I think we should all go out and buy a few Gatorades to show our appreciation.
The Richmond team lost in the 12th inning when our old buddy Pete Orr struck out with the tying run on second. It was his fourth strikeout of the night. I have a hunch we might not see him in Atlanta again for a very long time. Or maybe it’s just a very unrealistic hope. The guy can’t even hit AAA pitching anymore, but since he’s one of Bobby’s favorites, I fear a September call-up might be in his future.
He may be Bobby’s favorite, but I don’t think he’d be that stupid. After all, Chris Woodward already has the role of the worthless infielder.
Mac, might be a typo in your list. Tied for 4th in 1953 is Frank Howard, not Frank Thomas?
Incidentally whats Andruw’s RC total this year?
Heyward 3-5 for with 2 2Bs. Freeman with a HR.
Cody Johnson 4-6 with 2 2Bs and having himself one heck of a season. Ahh prospects far far away from the majors, how enticing they are!!
And for the poll question, no Sinsinnatti Bengals option?
Frank Thomas was a player from the 1950s & 1960s. Played for a bunch of teams.
From what I recall reading from Jimmy Breslin’s hysterical book “Can’t Anybody Here Play This Game,” he & Richie Ashburn were the best players on the 1962 Mets.
Andruw’s RC before tonight’s game… an amazing…
57
Somehow I missed the shot of Kelly Pickler during the game. I had no idea who she was or why I should care about her.
http://i.ivillage.com/E/Blabber/KelliePickler.jpg
Until now.
Uh oh, Chuck isn’t going tomorrow.
This just gets better and better.
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070820&content_id=2160125&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl
Reyes didn’t exactly impress while posting an 8.72 ERA in the five starts he made for Atlanta this year. But in the two starts he’s made since going back to Triple-A Richmond, the 22-year-old southpaw has totaled 13 innings and allowed just one unearned run. In the process, he’s surrendered four hits, registered 12 strikeouts and issued two walks.
“He’s getting them out easy,” said Cox of Reyes, who allowed seven homers in the 21 2/3 innings he completed for Atlanta this year.
Reyes has normal rookie issues. Just needs a couple of good outings to boost his confidence. Not sure GABP is the place to do it though!
I am a believer in the law of large numbers. Someone who has struck out so many people in the minor leagues, and has such a good record, means he has some significant talent and stuff. Just a matter of putting it together. Davies couldn’t. Lets see if Reyes can
I asked for 10 runs and 8 innings from Hudson. 1 out of 2 works. 🙂
Who do we root for when the Mets play the Pads? I say the Mets. Once we’re ahead in the wild card, then we can turn our focus back to New York.
I am rooting for the Padres. Definately want to focus on winning the division.
This is an open letter to Chipper Jones:
I have tape of you calling time out to speak to Jason Marquis, who looked wild-eyed and spooked when his confidence was failing him but not his stuff.
You told him that he belonged here, that all his teamates believed he could do the job, and they were right behind him.
It was no fluke. I saw you do it with Bruce Chen, too. You may need to do it tonight with Jo-Jo. It may not affect tonight’s outcome, but it’ll win dozens later. That’s what a leader does. That’s what you do, Chipper.
At the end of the day, we’re gonna remember you as a winner.
The Braves have proved many, many times that winning the division doesn’t matter come October. Just get into the playoffs. I’m definitely pulling for the Mets… it’s a new dawn.
I agree with Adam, let’s just get in!
I can’t pull for the Mets, but I won’t be upset if they beat the Pads.
As for Reyes, I just hope he stops grooving 0-2 pitches up here. For all the people glad Chuck’s missing his start in this park, well, Reyes has been much worse (admittedly, in a very small sample size) w/r/t giving up the long ball. Fingers crossed.
Mac,
Just-Another Guy is actually Mike Gosling, who pitched very well against us in an extra-inning loss in Atlanta earlier this year, picking up the win. He was also the subject of, I believe, one of my greatest one-liners ever on this site, which went completely ignored and un-responded-to by everyone here. I’ll never forget the pitcher or the joke.
I don’t think I could pull for the mets even if they were playing the Padres in the final game of the season and we were a half game out of the wild card.
Let’s go Dodgers…and let’s go Mets or Padres? I want to get in 1st place somewhere and the wild card is closer, so let’s go mets…shhh
I think the Braves can pound another 10 to 12 runs tonite. I think the offense finally understands what they have to do to win this thing.
By the way, just read the last issue of SI, and AJ really wants to remain a Brave. I guess we will see what happens.
What was the one-liner, Stu?
Oh, and I am one person who couldn’t care less how much Andruw says he wants to stay in Atlanta. Either he’s an idiot or he’s a liar. Andruw, if you want “fair market value”, you won’t sign with the Braves. Either you want “fair market value”, or you want to sign with the Braves. It’s that simple.
I think the offense finally understands what they have to do to win this thing.
They didn’t know they needed to score before?
Rob,
The one-liner, posted immediately after the win, was:
“I love cupcakes like Mackanin loves Gosling.”
I was so pleased with myself when I thought of it and posted it. Less so when it received radio silence in response.
I think after Bobby saw Chuckie give up 4 homers in his last start, there is no way Bobby he could justify letting him pitch here in Cincinatti. It might be a blessing in disguise letting Chuckie sit this one out, I’ll let you know about 9:30 pm eastern time tonight
Stu,
Of course they knew they had to score before, but now they know they need to score about 10 a game, Stuart.
I look at Andruw a little differently, understanding that he is having a miserable year. The fact that he is hitting anything now, even in meaningless situations, is a good sign because teams will at least have to take account of him. He’s never been a great clutch hitter, but at least he isn’t as helpless as he was a couple of weeks ago.
As for the division, six games is a lot to make up. (I’m sure if you looked historically, very few teams have blown leads this large this late.) The Mets pretty much have the division sewn up. Neither the Braves or Phillies are good enough to catch them. Our best hope is the wild card.
yeah, all it takes to score ten runs per game in Major League Baseball is the realization it needs to be done. Revolutionary.
David15,
The comment wasn’t meant to be taken seriously…damn. I would hate to see how you have fun…geez
apologies, Tony. It’s sort of difficult to figure out what you intend to be taken seriously at times.
It’s five games, Marc. It won’t be easy but I wouldn’t say that the division race is over. Not if we are still playing the Mets, what, 6 times. I mean if we can’t take 7 wins out of these last three September series against Cincy, the Cardinals and Marlins, we have nothjing to do in the Wild Card race either. Uh, make that 8 out of 10. Come on!!
With the Mets, Phillies, Dodgers and Padres all playing each other, our playoff chances are in our own hands.
David15,
No problem. If I debate or argue with you about it, then I was serious…otherwise just killing time here at work.
This Michael Vick issue has taken over DC by storm. I know there are a lot of Virginia Tech alum in the area, but you would think Vick played for the Redskins. This guy was a “god” to a lot of people here.
No way that Jo-Jo is as good as Lincecum, but he is not as bad as he has been in Atlanta. He should now be a serviceable #5 (something we have not had all year) with the potential to move towards the middle of the rotation.
Also, Joba Chamberlain was still on the board when the Braves drafted Cody Johnson last year. Just a thought.
Stu,
I see that Dominic De la Osa did not sign with the Tigers. He’s coming back with Coach Corbin to help Pedro power that offense. Go ‘Dores!
Great name, by the way – Dominic De la Osa.
I sort agree with Marc…we had our chance with Alou and Beltran out. Now Beltran is looking like Beltran of old, and Alou, well is Alou. Plus they are rested. We still got a chance, but it will be HARD.
Parish,
Yeah, DLO really struggled in the NCAA Tourney and again at the Cape. He was the only one of the Tigers’ first 11 picks that they didn’t sign.
The team should be very, very good again this year. Some inexperience at pitching, but we certainly have the talent to be good. And the offense should absolutely rake. Our freshman class is stellar, and 2008’s class looks even better, if that’s possible.
You paying attention to basketball, too? Because we just secured a commitment from Festus Ezeli, beating out Florida, UCLA, Ohio State, UConn, and West Virginia, among others. He’ll redshirt this season, but he and Ogilvy should make for quite the front line over the next couple of seasons.
Things are on the rise with Vanderbilt athletics.
I don’t want Andruw back even if he wants to come back. Brandon Jones should be a plenty good replacement for him next year. Spend the big bucks on Tex instead. I hope Liberty opens up the wallet enough to sign him to a big long term deal.
I’ve put up a new post.
A new post?
Automatically happens when someone says “things are on the rise with Vanderbilt athletics.”
Parish,
This, then, may be the first time it’s ever happened.