Seen it.
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Seen it.
Use code “Journal” for a 5% discount.
Huge Game Tonight! Get off to a 3-1 Start! Lowe can have back to back great starts.
Gotta beat the teams we should beat, and we should have the talent to compete with the teams that are in the upper echelon
Oh boy. The Nationals! They only sweept us 2 or 3 times last year. Do they still have the slugging Langerhans?
Stu,
Saw an interview with Vandy’s baseball coach and was impressed with his Everyman (2nd-favorite Jackson Browne song) quality.
What’s your take on him? Would you want your son playing for him (even if you weren’t black&gold)?
I’m ok with giving up offense for defense in the middle infield, but 1st base?
Are we the only team that doesn’t have SOME power there? With our power-challenged outfield (unless Schafer stays on track to hit 100 homers), it just won’t do to have a .220 singles hitter at 1st.
Going to the game tonight, but they are calling for some big time storms. Hopefully they either play the game or call it before I get down there.
How Bobby Cox Should Manage (overheated fanbase version):
C – McCann (162 starts)
1B – Somebody Else (162 starts)
2B – KJ (162 starts)
SS – Escobar (162 starts)
3B – Chipper (every day he’s passably healthy, to be defined by me)
LF – Somebody Else (as of May 1, and for every game thereafter)
CF – Schafer (162 starts)
RF – Somebody Else (162 starts)
Bench – Pinch-hit for pitchers, defensive replacements
SP – Lowe, Vazquez, Kawakami, JJ, Whomever Cox Doesn’t Pick
Bullpen – It’s a secret. My plan will be rolled out as the season progresses. You will receive a clue (to be posted here) each time a reliever of Cox’s choice gives up a run.
And we are already under a Tornado Watch here. Sweet.
I think we’re looking good — the worst of the weather is missing us to the north. I hope Pete’s getting warmed up — takes longer as you get older!
6 — Sansho1, I think you’ve got it about right. Maybe add Hanson to the rotation and possibly Peavy. Possibly Peavy… sounds like a bad sitcom.
Geez…Kyle Davies pitched 7 scoreless for the Royals earlier this week.
Wasnt his last start for us the one where he couldn’t even get out of the first inning?
Obviously, I’m overstating for effect, but there was a brief discussion at the end of the last thread that seemed to indicate that the predominant position of regular posters here is that Cox is poor at in-game decisions. So I’m piping up to say that some of us (or maybe just me) disagree with some of his decisions, but believe he has legitimate reasons for most of them — often based on evidence we either ignore as inconvenient, or aren’t privy to.
I think Bobby has logical reasons for his decisions, but I still don’t always agree with them. Plus, my hindsight is way better than his foresight.
Yeah, that Bobby Cox is a bum of a manager. Hasn’t EVER done ANYTHING good for the Braves.
Strategist / tactician – different skill set.
14 straight titles – great stategist.
Liebrandt in to face Puckett – just the first of many inane tactical decisions.
Defer to your pitching coach, dammit!
“there was a brief discussion at the end of the last thread that seemed to indicate that the predominant position of regular posters here is that Cox is poor at in-game decisions.”
I don’t want to speak for anybody else, but I think that a lot of people who post here do think that. I don’t think so, but a lot of people do. Now, some of it is just armchair managing, but some people have real gripes with his bullpen usage and other preferences.
I clearly identified my gripes, and none of them were starting lineup or substitution related.
It’s mostly sacrifice bunt and use of closer related.
Game three had nothing to do with it. While others were griping about how Bobby cost us game 3, I used the opportunity to identify the things I think he does poorly, for the sake of generating discussion.
I also didn’t single him out. My first comment on the matter was that Bobby, like every other manager in the MLB, seems beholden to the Save stat, and too rarely uses the best arm in the pen in important 7th and 8th inning situations.
Everyone is entitled to their opinions as to whether he sucks, is good, or it doesn’t matter.
I tend to think he’s bad at those two things, and that it mostly doesn’t matter.
I also think it’s easier to identify a Cox decision that costs us a game than it is to identify one that wins us a game. It’s kind of unfair when the only way to judge is
A) the decision obviously cost us the game, thus it was bad
B) the decision didn’t cost us the game, thus it was irrelevant.
I don’t know how to give Bobby credit for us winning games. How do you evaluate a babysitter’s performance? When I left, my child was alive and healthy, is that still the case? If not, that’s obviously bad, if yes, that’s basically the reason you hired him to begin with, no special praise for just doing your job.
Bobby basically babysat JS’s kids for years, and was excellent at not letting them die. I say they were pretty exceptional kids who were probably safe to be left alone. Wren’s kids? Who knows?
Geez…I want the Braves to win, but living here in DC I need something to keep me busy over the summer. So hopefully the Nats can win one or two games.
This will hopefully be Bobby Cox and Manny Acta last year.
hank,
Real good dude. Good to his players, good with the media, active in the community, etc. He’s not quite on Bobby Johnson’s level of awesomeness, but I’d be excited if my son got a chance to play for him.
Stu is definitely going to have daughters only.
Bobby is ok. I think his value is that he is a good motivator, he does get the most out of middle of the road guys. Look back to Willie Harris and guys like that. He believes in his guys, and the guys play hard for him. I think having harmony in the clubhouse goes a long way. As far as in game decisions go, lately it seems like he is a little out to lunch. But he has a World Series Ring and 14 straight championships, and im a freshman high school baseball coach!
Also, Kotchman has to pick his game up, otherwise, we need to find some power there, or add it in the Left Field Spot. Jones and McCann are really our only pop
Oh I love Bobby Cox, most of the time. Garrett Anderson is hurt already? There goes those 25 HRs he was going to hit this year. Man my sarcasm is awful.
I can’t tell if that last statement is meant to be sarcastic or not…
Ha, thus the need for the sarcasm meter!
Garret Anderson reminds me too much of the Raul Mondesi experiment, its going to end badly
20
I believe you have it pegged. Cox’ biggest attribute is in relationship management. He communicates well with the players, treats them like men, and they play hard for him and show him great respect. I also think he’s a pretty good baseball man and has spent over 40 years in professional baseball.
Strategically, I think he’s pretty average. I’ve never felt the Braves had some kind of tactical advantage with him on the pine. He often makes moves that are highly questionable, and these have seemed to be more frequent as time has passed. With that said, the really great managers combine both good clubhouse management and good field management. Those managers are few and far between, but a guy like Tom Kelly is probably a pretty good example of that.
25
You know, I can see it from his perspective as well. I am a varsity football coach, as well as a frosh baseball coach in high school. I am a TOTAL players coach, I give them ownership of the team, and my kids love me and play very hard for me. That being said, sometimes, I can see, when I take a step back, that I trust certain kids maybe more than I should, out of faith to them.
Tactically, I can make it up, because I feel im good with my X’s and O’s. Cox, believes in his guys, loves his guys, and thinks they can get him through anything, and has no problem playing them every day, because thats his way. It works when you get a guy like Chipper in a slump. But a guy like Frenchy who was 0-the year last year, didnt need faith, he needed a seat
Like Dix, my gripes usually reside in too many bunts or poor use of the bullpen (overuse or leverage issues). Maybe it would help if the guys he directs to bunt could get them down better. Even then, it’s a lot of outs to give up.
I too think Bobby’s a great manager of baseball players. I still pledge allegiance to him… but I’m not whole hearted in my support like I used to be.
Bobby is a great players coach and nearly everyone who’s every played for him loves him. His problem is “in-game” decision-making. He has never been great at this but it seems to me that he was better when we had Corrales, Yost, and Leo. I think he listened to them and made better decisions. Am I wrong?
Our April schedule is as easy as it’s going to get, I don’t see a single series that we shouldn’t win, and there’s a couple, starting today with the Nats, you’d have to say we should sweep.
First serious road trip begins on May 6, 2 with the Fish then three-game sets with the Phils and Mets. Really want to be heading into that one with some momentum.
Elsewhere, Jason Marquis is shutting down the Phils in Coors today. A good solid win today for us would go a long way toward making Wed. look like an anomaly.
so we arent even 4 games into the season yet and we are calling for Kotchman’s head. geez, relax folks
Kotchman is a strange character, though. He sports some crazy facial expressions when he talks in the few interviews that I’ve seen.
Too bad Jair Jurrjens isn’t starting tonight. Martis vs. Jurrjens would undoubtedly the first all-Curacao pitching matchup in major league history.
Is this game going to be played whilst Fulton county’s tornado warning is in effect?
Oh man, they brought “Jay Jay” back.
Extra Innings troubles as usual.
He struck out the side!
I think I’m falling in love…
WTF is the Extra Innings issue?
so the game started? What the hell is wrong Extra Innings.
You know, Jeffy just had a nice at-bat. Spat on the first two pitches, which were pitcher’s pitches; took a few others for balls, fouled a few more tough ones off; just took another one, and got back from 0-2 to 3-2.
Finally he lined out on the 8th pitch. But that’s okay. That’s an at-bat I like seeing from him.
It does piss me off to see the Braves waste a leadoff double, though.
F*ck you Extra Innings!
Great to hear Pete’s voice again!!!
lord i am mad at extra innings.
Gosh, Pete is going to Rickwood Field and it’s Jon is the one who got held up at gunpoint in Birmingham.
Francoeur sucks.
Jeff really screwed that up. He lost the ball in the lights and it bounced a few feet from him, turning a sac fly into an RBI double.
Nice play Jeffy.
What is it with the Freaking Nationals?!
Extra Innings is making me shake with rage.
That could have been worse.
Does anyone know what the problem is with Extra Innings? Is it a technical issue?
Gotta Love MLB TV though.
Yes, exactly, big strike out!
Okay, Derek Lowe walked the bases loaded… then struck out the next two guys. 6 K’s through 3 innings… but he’s also right around 60 pitches.
Well, just got off the phone with Comcast. They indicated that they are having broadcasting issues with the Braves’ Extra Innings station and that the matter should be resolved within 24 hours.
I think the game might be over by then.
IS the forecast bad in Atlanta? A rain delay may knock him out early anyway.
The good news is, maybe we get to look at a bullpen who needs to redeem themselves tonight
In DC, so watching it on MASN.
I have Comcast as well. Is it a Comcast issue or an Extra Innings issue? Also, where can I go to physically assault whomever is responsible for this issue?
Looks like the weather is about to get Nasty in Atlanta.
Freaking previous game on same channel is in a rain delay, so they figure lets show that game until it is complete before showing the Braves game. Stupid Extra Innings!
I know its early in the year. We shouldnt think people are bad yet, and on the flip side, we shouldnt cannonize anyone yet, but i LOVE Schaefer so far!
Its an Extra Innings related issue, i have cablevision and it is out.
MLB Tv has had a ton of highlights and live cuts of the game though.
YUNEL!
We need to hit homers to score runs! Good Job Yunel!
Sweet!
Loving our power this early in the season.
For a team that was supposed to have very little power, we’re doing a good job of hitting the ball over the fence.
That’s our Natspos!
Never seen the outfield be that clueless.
Big spot for Kotch
McCann with a 190 ft. double. That’s the kind of thing that happened to us last year.
Kotchmania is getting tiring to me
Really coming down hard now.
Puzzling at bat by Kotchman there. For a guy who seems to have been relatively selective in his career, he likes to spoil pitches that are clearly balls.
Also, Chip must have been given a thesaurus in the offseason…he’s said “deluge” at least 4 times. Maybe he just likes Jackson Browne, I don’t know. As long as he doesn’t keep up his obsession with the word “fisted.”
Ugh no walks please, just throw strikes and get this to mid-5th inning.
I’m beginning to suspect that Casey Kotchman sucks.
Dammit.
Ha! I think Kotchman may suck too. He has to be a gap hitter, singles and doubles, but he is doing neither, rather, making big outs at bad times.
Please get this thing through 5 and a half
Good news- the rain should blow through relatively quickly
4 and a half
On MLB.TV I don’t get any Dick Clark bloopers. 🙁
I hope Lowe can make it through, so he can get his second win of the week
This could suck for Lowe’s owner in Stu’s league. If they’re only able to get 4 and a half in, it won’t be a quality start.
I miss Andy Griffith reruns.
Those pesky Marlins…
http://www.weather.com/weather/map/interactive/USGA0028?from=hrly_topnav_undeclared
Seems about through.
@81
I’m pretty sure that’s not me, so I’m happy. 🙂
I love the fact that TBS just held Bloopers for rain delays, it was always great. It was like a substitute teacher that always left a movie when s/he was out!
I live about a mile east of the stadium, and it just started raining hard again. The radar looks like another 20 – 30 minutes worth.
Skip was funny in those little check-ins during rain-delays, running down the quality of the interim entertainment with just his voice. Nobody ever did snide better.
uh – oh. Just had a power outage that came back on.
edit – It’s now raining so hard , and hailing, that my satellite box cant get a signal
ha, true with skip. Im praying for a rain out for my game tommorow. Ihave NO Pitching, we will get killed! I used 5 guys last game, they cant be used tommorow!
@88
Exactly with Skip.
I always got a kick of Dick Clark being the host, too
The game finally came on Extra Innings. The Cleveland game that is..
It sure is nice to have a cable bill that’s $45 more expensive every month for this shit.
“Skip, could you explain the infield-fly rule?”
Did they say when they would resume play yet?
“HEY, SKEEE-IP!! CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT A WALK-OFF HOMER IS LOL?!!”
Skip was like a subversive Mr. Rogers for kids of my generation. He taught you how to commit to something that was likely to disappoint you and weather it with gallows humor. The mid to late 80s Braves were the perfect life training exercise.
I really miss the bastard.
Hey Skip gotta trivia question for ya…
Great – you ask the question and I say “I don’t know”. Go ahead, caller.
Tarp is off the field!
D@#! storm–we had golf ball size hail in Rome. Looks like the car has some dings.
Is this game still going to be played tonight?
probably start up again in the next 15 minutes
Joel, I just turned on the mlb audio and they said they will play, but it won’t be the starters.
And they just wrapped up the rain delay show.
Let’s play ball.
Warming up in the Nats bullpen: our old friend Wil Ledezma.
Bases loaded — time to issue some walks!
In my experience the crap that’s going on with the Extra Innings package is purely 100% Comcast. I called them on Sunday and asked them how many of the games this year were going to be in HD if I bought the Extra Innings package, and they told me zero, that was my breaking point.
Called DirecTV, they came and installed on Monday, and now tonight I have the MASN HD feed and the Peachtree (not HD) feed. There is no question having had both that DirecTV’s Extra Innings package is 1000 times better overall.
Woooooo!
Has the game actually resumed? I’m on GameDay and I’ve got nothing.
Don’t worry, you’re not missing much. I almost wish I got to see how Cheers ended.
Yeah. Fredo just struck out the side, going to the 5th inning.
Yep, game is being played. Just watched the Braves half of the 4th.
I feel bad for Nats fans. Rob Dibble is a nauseating announcer.
One more out and it’s official…
The SI.com game thingy is working.
Great job, Buddy!
Buddy Carlyle is a pretty useful pitcher.
I still contend there’s no reason to have both Buddy and Bennett in the same pen.
Nats announcers whining about the strike zone.
I think my mlb.tv just glitched. Did I actually see Kotchman get a base hit with two outs?
I can agree with that, AAR. I’d send Bennett packing.
Actually, I’d get rid of O’Flaherty first, though.
Tavarez? What is this, Royals East?
Bennett should, theoretically, be the Gryboski/Paronto DP guy out there, but since he can pitch long relief…
And Chip blurts out his first “fisted” of the year. I’m sure there will be many more.
Wow. As bad as our bullpen was on Wed, I still prefer everyone we have to Ledezma and Tavarez. Of course we only score one run and get struck out 4 times against those jokers. By the way, CBS Sportsline has the game and I think it’s much better than the SI link.
mlb’s audio is up for those interested…just throwin that out there
Didn’t Ridgway get DFAd? The CBS Sportsline link has him listed as part of our bullpen – I might prefer Ledezma!
Kotchman made a very nice play picking a scorcher hit by Milledge and ran it in for a 3U.
At least he can play one side of the ball.
Maybe it’s just because of my fondness for former Albuquerque Isotopes, but I wouldn’t mind trading for Willingham and platooning him with Ganderson in left and platooning Diaz with Kotchman at first.
128—That would not be a great idea, defensively. You’d be making the defense worse half the time at both positions.
man
I’d like to point out that Peter Moylan should NOT be active with the team.
Oh good. Our bullpen looks just like it did Wednesday. Time to start drinking.
Moylan’s velocity just isn’t there…
Here comes that sinking feeling again.
Pitching
P. Moylan
Season ERA: INF
Is Juan Berenguer available?
Stu, I don’t have any statistical data to back this up, but I’d say left and first are the positions you can get by with ‘less’ defense than the other 6 and would say that those are usually the two positions where you can’t get by with far below average offensive production.
My point being that in those positions you can afford to substitute offense for defense and get by.
131…agreed, isnt that what extended spring training is for? this is painful, he’s right around a year removed from tommy john for pete’s sake
Regarding Moylan, I’m confident he will get someone out this year.
Great work, Glove Boy.
yea, f this…windsor time
My sentiments exactly
131–looks that way doesn’t it
kotchman is horrendous
Dorkys, it’s less than a year — his surgery was in May.
Did anyone doubt that Bobby and his bullpen could blow this lead?
jj, the thing is, in that scenario, you’re gaining the difference between Kotchman and Willingham against lefties. That’s not worth the downgrade from Diaz to Willingham in left and Kotchman to Diaz at first, or at least I’d be surprised if it were, even at those positions.
Sigh at our bullpen and Bobby’s management thereof.
please…call me Dork…nah, but yeah, you’re right, bout a year since he hit the DL, i forgot that they took the “let’s see if the bone spur heals with rest” approach…
Moylan has yet to get anyone out this season.
Their pen has to be awful too right?
but in all fairness, 11 months could constitute “right around a year”
time to start the pool to bet on when Moylan ends up back on the DL
That’s 3 BBs for Diaz on the year. What’s up with that?
I guess it’s up to the starters to go at least 7 innings before we bring in gonzo and soriano.
Where did Sportsline get their roster? They have Jason Perry listed as a bench player. What happened to that guy?
Diaz has already matched his 2008 walk total.
Stu, maybe you’re right. Maybe I just really don’t think much of Kotchman.
151 — I’m hoping tomorrow. Moylan’s one of my favorites… let the man get right.
If you’re going to play for Bobby Cox and bat 2nd or 8th, your #1 priority is to learn how to bunt – got that Schafer?
This bullpen sucks. That’s it. Plain and simple. It will be a liability all year.
Bennett comes in and promptly gives up a single and hits Willie Harris. In the words of Dan Savage, DTMFA.
They will be faced with having to bring up Hansen to come out of the bullpen if these clods don’t get there shit together. Their going to have to convert Reyes, Morton or Hansen at some point. Or make a trade. You simply can’t win with Bennett, Moylan, and Caryle
This bullpen is comically bad.
… and Bennett walks the bases loaded.
Why would I have expected Bobby to yank him?
Soriano now, please.
That notebook that McDowell is going through, is really the MLB classified ads for relievers who can throw strikes.
That or he’s going to star in one of those
“Want to get away” commercials.
Damn. I did not see that coming.
Wow.
That sounded good.
that was close. nice pick by kotchman.
Kotch, FTW.
That was a helluva pick by Kotchman.
Yeah, I didn’t expect that double play. Sure woulda been nice to have one of those Wednesday…
That was Bennett’s plan all along – load the bases and then get a DP. Come on Braves, don’t let the Nationals do what they did last year to you.
nick kotchman? I wonder if he’s on the same team as logan schafer?
make ’em pay Frenchy.
silencing critics left and right (and center)
And Casey Kotchman draws an “intentional” walk, after working the count to 3-1.
Hint to pitchers: right now, I’m not sure I’d trust Casey to hit a 3-0 fastball down the middle.
OMG, Jeff! Thank you!
what will bowman write next?
Francoeur did it.
I just noticed he has no walks. I thought Francoeur had.
Good Frenchy.
Let’s bring Jurrjens in to preserve this one.
Nice job, Jeff.
McCann is a beast. Kotchman, c’mon. Show something
EDIT: Critic Silencing time Jeffy
EDIT: Done and done!
I believe the headline will read “Francoeur silences critics with 2 out RBI.’
Don’t forget the 2 out RISP RBI angle.
183 — you are correct.
All in good fun. I’m glad Frenchy came through and hope he continues to do so.
Pimpbot is on fire.
I see Fat Urkel is back on Peachtree this year.
I see Fat Urkel is back on Peachtree this year.
See: #33
Anyone else in South Carolina having problems with Peachtree? I get it on Time Warner’s digital tier (or whatever) and it just went out about an hour ago. Oh well, looks like I didn’t miss much.
@159 – Your short, declarative sentences have me convinced. To hell with sample size, the sky is clearly falling!
Finally, a 1-2-3 inning.
Was that a 1-2-3 inning by a Braves reliever?
Sorearmo, as he is referred to on another Braves blog, had an encouraging inning.
I get it on satellite, Weldon, fellow Gamecock, and no trouble for me.
Rafael Soriano:rest of Braves bullpen::1999 economy:2009 economy
Snikered….
@191– That’s awesome.
Nice hitting by KJ
Snitker, you idiot.
Unreal… kelly johnson is the slowest leadoff man in MLB hands down. He looked like a Trisomy 21 running out there
braves14 – Ah well, I’m stuck in this apartment building for the next few months, so no satellite for me. By the way, we beat Ole Miss today, snapped something like a 7 game streak for them.
Be serious. Two were out, and he needed a good throw to get the out. He made the throw, but you have to take that chance.
He was plenty fast enough. That was a one hopper to Dukes and a throw anywhere close to the plate had him easy. Bad decision by the 3b coach.
Chipper was on deck.
Chipper can barely swing the bat right now.
FAIL
omg wtF@@!!!
Oh my God. Diaz just Pradoed a sinking liner into a double.
Holy crap.
Diaz has had a terrible game
prado? or error?
Holy crap, Diaz!
Seriously, is this really happening?
Is gonzalez really a closer? I mean seriously you can’t give up at least 2 hits everytime you go out in the 9th
That’s the most brutal “double” I’ve seen since one of those Furcal bunt doubles.
Actually, he’s only given up one hit. Diaz gave up the other.
Damnit Diaz
Ok I just got home and now I get to listen to Bob Carpenter and Rob Dibble. Is Dibble drunk??
By the way, who is the normal defensive replacement for Diaz?
Pat Listach is their third base coach? God, I’m old.
RJ…. Gonzo has looked terrible this year so far. What have you been watching???
turn it
sheesh–next time Diaz can just wave a red cape at the ball as it passes by
so far this year–only 4 games obviously–the Nats have better LF defense than the Braves
Does Gonzalez have closer stuff? The gun has not gone higher than 93.
Is anyone else having trouble with mlb.tv not being live?
Watching our bullpen while simultaneously listening to Rob Dibble is physically painful.
Bases loaded. Didn’t Soriano look great tonite?
that girl just said “no one gives a flying f–k ok”
I meant tonight Jon.
Yeah, I wonder if Mike Gonzalez is qualified to be a closer. I don’t think he’s ever had a streak of 20+ straight saves or anything.
Tony- a lefty who can hit 93 is pretty uncommon.
Good thing Bobby didn’t already use Gonzo
Is it just me or does Gonzalez have no faith in his fastball? I seem to remember him throwing a lot more good ones when he was on the Pirates and mowing down Braves.
Campillo and Boyer warming up. Few sights bring me more comfort.
Dibble is absolutely horrible. I’m wondering if he is sober? Or will he even last through the season. Poor Bob Carpenter.
this is embarassing. Gonzao can’t throw a strike
It’s now a question of who doesn’t want to win more.
Gonzalez got bailed out there.
was that a strike if he didn’t swing?
I wish Gonzo would figure out how to get one over the plate once he’s got two strikes on a guy….
Let’s see how this Milledge thing goes.
My God, Nieves gave us an Easter present and wrapped it up in a bow. That was ball 4, the tying run, he just swung at and struck out on.
That’s a 2 run single if he misses that.
Weak.
ugh
Oh great.
no better illustration of how weird baseball can be than the last two batters
Mraver…
I guess you are right. I just thought people like Rocker threw harder…nevermind he was roided up. Didn’t Gonzo throw harder before the injury?
Well damn. Bullpen strikes again.
Is Dibble serious? Is anyone else listening to this guy??
Gonzo shouldn’t be the closer… Soriano needs to take over that roll. This shit is embarassing. It’s like a flip of the coin if Gonzo can even throw a strike
It’s really weird too, because when I hit live it sometimes goes forwards a few pitches and other times it goes back a batter. They really need to fix the bugs in the service.
It’s obscene how fortunate we have been tonight.
Ehh. Gonzo got what should’ve been 5 outs that inning, but Diaz booted the first one and then Gonzo deflected the would-be 4th one. Let’s see if Chipper and Mac can win it for us in the bottom of the inning….
At first look, I thought he f’ed up going for it, but, yeah, like Dix said: Gonzalez saved the game by touching that.
Well, that could’ve been worse.
Damn how did Diaz miss that?
Rob Dibble is a complete clown. Also, the Nats post-game show looks like a local newcast circa 1986.
Man, sure is a good thing we sent KJ instead of giving Chipper a shot last inning…..
Hah! Nice baserunning, Chipper!
Chipper would have been hitting lefty, and he can’t swing lefty.
Is there a smarter player in baseball than Chipper?
Sciambi expected McCann to bunt Chipper over.
This is not what you’d call expert analysis. What hurts even worse is that Bobby might actually do that.
Oh hell….everytime Chipper does something too strenous I see 15 day DL.
Kotchman is just hoping to get walked
It’s scary to think about how good Chipper would have been if he wouldn’t have torn his ACL in ’94.
Not to say he isn’t a HOF now, but adding the speed element, it’s scary to think about when combined with his already good instincts.
or plunked
make ’em pay, Frenchy!
Alrighty now, French: No. Double. Play.
YES!!! way to step in with one Kotch
An opportunity for Francouer to silence his critics.
I wonder when teams will starting pitching around McCann? Well at least Krotchman got on base, now let’s see who is batting next…..
silence us, frenchy!
Kotchman should make Barry Bonds an offer on his body armor. That looked painful.
I’m always ready to be silenced Jeffy.
This bullpen sucks. Soriano is the only one I’ve see so far that inspires any confidence at all.
I was resistant initially, but I’m starting to agree with AAR. I’d be down for throwing Moylan on the 15 day DL, DFA’ing Irish and bringing up Medlin and JoJo.
Every other part of the team is looking fairly solid. Though the defense is shittier than I’ve expected so far.
This bullpen is a joke though.
Yes! Francouer only burned one out!
Okay, Diaz, time to make it up to us.
Weaksauce.
Because I’m such a creative fellow, I just created the world’s first BobbyCat.
diaz is a loser
Geez, I thought both Francoeur and Diaz had game-winning hits off their bats.
I have to work tomorrow, so this is the last inning for me, whatever happens. Since Boyer will probably pitch, I’m guessing that it won’t be anything good.
not exactly Matty Ice tonight.
What happened to Campillo’s control?
I don’t know, but dude can’t even break 85 MPH
Jorge got out of it. He’s not the one I’m most worried about. It’s okay to have one guy in your pen without a fastball. The trouble is when you have several.
Let me guess. A bunt?
Schafer is a much better hitter than Francouer. Already.
Don Sutton, if you can believe it, is recalling the words of Gene Mauch: he’s trying to give you an out.
And Omar Infante, if you can believe it, sucks at bunting.
Can we just win this damn game?
As much as they’re asked to do it, you’d think everyone on the roster could bunt anything between the batters’ boxes.
Thank you KJ
Nice.
thank you, KJ.
thank god
Thank you Johnson.
YES!!
Also, suck it, platoon splits! It’s the two lefties that get the hits off of LOOGY Beimel while the RHB grounds out weakly to 3rd. 😀
Great win.
who’s going to count the 1 run wins?
Thats how you score from second. KJ would just have gotten home now if he was on second
@289, Smeller’s the fella.
I’m glad I stayed up, even though I lost a few years on my life.
Go Braves!
An eventful 3-1, but 3-1 nonetheless. With Schafer in the lineup and the Escobar back healthy, this lineup actually makes me feel a bit more secure. That we have no bullpen is nothing new.
I CAN’T BELIEVE WE WON!
Makes it all worth it
I’m just glad it took us an extra inning so Gonzalez didn’t get rewarded for his blown save with a win.
KJ, thank you.
Really, neither team deserved to win tonight. Thank goodness it was the Nats.
I’m very encouraged by the way Escobar and Johnson are hitting the ball.
Hell, Schafer should be batting fifth.
Recap is up.
I’m pretty sure we just won a 1 run game