Atlanta Braves vs. San Francisco Giants – Box Score – April 23, 2011 – ESPN.
Nothing like a series on the road against the World Champions to cure what ails you. Wait a minute… Anyway, Tim Hudson rebounded with a strong start, and Fearing the Prado was back in order.
The Giants took the lead in the second when Commando Cody Ross singled in Pat Burrell, but the Braves tied it up in the third when McLouth singled, Hudson drew a walk (TAKE THE OUT, STUPID applies to pitchers who get too fancy in bunt situations) and Prado singled in McLouth. In the fifth, McLouth walked, Hudson did sacrifice him over, and Prado singled him in to make it 2-1.
In the seventh, Gonzalez doubled and McLouth walked again. Hudson bunted again to make it second and third, and Prado hit a grounder; the attempt to gun down the runner failed and it was 3-1. Heyward walked to load the bases and chase Lincecum. After Freeman popped out, McCann singled to score two and make it 5-1.
Hudson was cruising merrily along until the ninth, when he gave up a double, single, and sac fly to make it 5-2. He got the next guy, then when Buster Posey came up to pinch-hit Fredi brought in Craig Kimbrel. Posey, of course, was out.
JC’ed from the previous thread…
It was clear from the 8th inning that Hudson didn’t really have anything left. I really didn’t like seeing him bat for himself or start the 9th. It was fortunate that Fredi had a relatively quick hook, but I was sorry that Kimbrel had to go for the 3rd night in a row — I wished it could have been O’Flaherty. (Or, hell, Gearrin.) After all, if a pitcher can’t get three outs before giving up four runs, he shouldn’t be in the pen. But, hell, a win’s a win.
I’m going to renew my request that we stop complaining about Prado — who only went 2-4 with a walk and three RBIs (one of those RBIs was garbage, because the bases-loaded groundout should have been called an error, but still).
Posey is always out.
On the West Coast swing, Prado has reached base 12 of the 28 times he has come to bat. Not too shabby, those numbers. Let’s hope it continues. Let’s also hope that Heyward is snapping out of his recent funk. He has had a couple nice games in a row as well.
I think it’s time to give McLouth his due as well. Let’s hope this trend continues.
McLouth, Freeman, Heyward, and Prado have all started hitting much better following slumps in the early going. As soon as we can get Uggla going, I’ll actually like our lineup.
Uggla has been terrible at the plate
Uggla always starts slow. I am not too worried. I am never too concerned with the offense as long as everybody is healthy…wait…
Yeah, any word on Chipper or Venters? I know he pitched yesterday, but that was a worrisome report from DOB.
Sweep?
This team can pitch.
Mike Minor’s line against Lastings Milledge and Charlotte tonight : 6 2/3 IP, 3H, 1ER, 3BB, 8Ks. Marek pitched a scoreless ninth for the save. Diory hit his third home run, which accounted for all three runs.
@10, Always appreciate the minor league updates.
I don’t know if Parish had an influence on the Braves’ approach tonight towards Lincecum, but I thought it was the best they’ve looked all year. They worked the count and didn’t swing at junk. I hope this is a sign that they’re turning the corner. They actually gave me some hope about the rest of the year, but again, it’s only one game.
Victory recap comments are the adult swim of the Braves Journal community pool.
Great to beat Lincecum–especially because the image of him nearly jumping out of the dugout (when Huff got his hit) won’t get out of my mind….
Our old friend Buddy Carlyle is back:
http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=234194
Heyward’s been improving his BA, but he still has yet to hit anything but a grounder in the past few games. It’s good to see him hitting it hard and finding holes in the infield, but I’m waiting to see him hit a couple line drives before I declare him “cured”.
The offense in general has looked good, and I really like the current BA (when Chipper’s in). As long as Freeman continues to hit, it’s a really good lineup.
9 — Yes, the pitching has been fantastic all month.
Mraver, I don’t generally disagree, but Jason’s second hit today was a liner up the middle.
I am glad that McLouth is beginning to get it done. However, it may be ungenerous of me, but I want to see some extra base hits. Right now, McLouth reminds me of a player who has hit with some power at upper A, gets to AA and then every hit is a single. Its some sort of survival mode against superior pitching. McLouth should be capable of more power than he is showing–but at least he is better than last year….
@18 I am happy that McLouth is now hitting and walking. Hudson gets creditfor getting him to second on all three of his runs.
18 – Stephen, that’s kind of how I feel about f#*&in’ success this year. Despite the clear OBP approach he is showing, Schafer has to start getting some extra base hits.
Also, is anyone following Andrelton Simmons this year? He sounds like he could be the best defensive shortstop in the minors, period. I am just hoping the bat develops. His BA is poor, but he has only struck out 4 times in around 50 AB at High-A.
#18 & 19- Mclouth leads the team, along with Prado, in doubles. (6). He’s definitely coming around and its good to see. Last 7 days he’s 7 for 21, .333avg, .462OBP. 3 of those 7 hits were doubles. Gotta give him props.
@17-
Nope, it was a grounder. Bounced 3 or 4 times before it got to the OF. He’s not driving it at all.
It whizzed right past the pitcher’s head.
@21
You know, if Gonzalez was competent, he’d bat McLouth near the top of the lineup….
I must be missing the story where everyone calls Schafer “f-ing success.”
#20–Definitely. I am a big Andrelton Simmons fan–he just might be my favorite player in the minors….
I am feeling uninspired so I am leaving this up as the game thread again.
Brandon Hicks is getting the start at shortstop.
McLouth may well be coming around–but with a .675 OPS he is not exactly pounding the covers off the ball. That said, I could see him return to the top part of the lineup….
Maybe this will be the day that Hicks gets his first major league hit….
TBH, McLouth is a very solid 8 hitter. He’s willing to take a walk, and his speed is useful for when the pitcher bunts him over (ie, he can score from 2B on a single). Like I said earlier, this lineup should be really good if Freeman hits.
ajcbraves #Braves lineup: 1. Prado LF, 2. Heyward RF, 3. Jones 3B, 4. Uggla 2B, 5. Freeman 1B, 6. Ross C, 7. McLouth 8. Hicks SS, 9. Beachy RH
@23-
I stand corrected. I didn’t watch the top of the 9th, so I guess I missed it. 🙁
But yeah, that’s the kind of hit he needs to have consistently. It’s really encouraging to see him sting it like that. Hopefully he’ll start elevating the ball a bit more going forward.
braves14, here you go.
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2011/02/20/finally-healthy-again-could-schafer-challenge-for-job/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_braves_blog
What I’m much more encouraged by, actually, is the walks. After walking in the first 8 games of the season, he had something like a 10-game walkless streak. If he’s walking, it means he’s seeing the ball and has a good approach.
20—I’m almost hoping he fails as a hitter, given what he has out of the ‘pen.
Happy Easter, everyone.
33 — lol
#34 – I agree
Happy Easter also!
COL @ FLA: dual no-hitters through four by Jimenez and Johnson.
@38
The first hit comes from Infante. Bases clearing triple.
chipper in the lineup. i sure do hope he is ok.
Mclouth developed an uppercut swing with the idea that he’s a power hitter. He has some pop but not enough to hit the ball out in Atlanta with any frequency. His value for the Braves is to get on base, hit some doubles, the occasional homer, and use his speed to score runs. Forget the uppercut and hit line drives.
Anybody got any media linkage for today’s tilt?
Emmylou Harris discusses the Braves.
http://65.60.11.2:8012/
Works in WMP.
Wow, Mac. Thanks for that.
Good work by McLouth and Hicks to help Sanchez have a quick inning. Hell of a job, right there.
Check out the link in the story to the t-shirt, which I may now have to buy.
Ditto.
Anyone get the feeling that Beachy is going to have to make those two runs hold up?
Nice defense, Jason…
Oh crap!
@49
No.
There is a reason Jason ain’t playing center
Well, he didn’t make them hold up. The Braves are actually going to have to score again now.
You can’t get away with too many mistakes up over the middle of the plate like he’s made to the last two hitters.
That’s really a shame. Beachy has been awesome until now. I really like him.
Emmylou went to my high school – a few years ahead of me though.
He’s still doing fine, just some mistakes. The second wouldn’t have hurt so much if Jason had made the play.
Evidently the strike zone is from the ankles to the neck.
the strike zone really is unpredictable today.
Those kids chanting, “Extra extra, read all about it” are a nice reminder that I don’t ever want kids.
So. About what time does Struggla usually get hot?
@62, When he faces the Braves.
No hits since the 1st, I think.
Time for a hibernation mode power nap.
If something happens, someone tell Chip to wake me by shouting like a jack ass.
@65 He’ll shout like a jackass, but it’ll just be a “majestic” foul ball.
Man, Beachy sure came out of nowhere. This kid can pitch.
Time for Hicks’ first hit
The Giants really have a nice bullpen.
I’ve liked AGon so far, but that was an awful, AWFUL at bat.
YESSS!!!!!
HEYWARD
Buster who?
There it is!
HUUUUUUUGE!
Ka-boom!
So yeah. Looks like he’s driving it again. 🙂
Did you see him limping out of the box from the earlier foul off his leg?
Turns out that Affeldt’s establishment of the curveball was really just Heyward’s sizing up of the curveball.
J-Hey Kid! I can’t believe we might be sweeping the Giants in San Fran…wow
1-2 vs a Lefty. Wasn’t expecting that. Awesome.
Heyward lulled him into a false sense of security by pretending not to recognize that first curve-ball. Count it.
A 430 foot shot into the wind!
Five runs on three hits. I love it when this team doesn’t swing at everything.
Here’s Cody Ross to torture us again.
I miss Moylan.
Way to go, new guy.
7th inning, hear my word. Can’t believe we are giving it all back AGAIN.
This would be a good time for Venters.
My guess is that Fredi is holding Venters back to close in the 9th, even though this might be the real save situation.
Who’s this random reliever blowing the game?
Take him out NOW!!
At this rate, the Braves will be lucky to leave this inning with a tie.
Fredi has left this rookie in WAY WAY too long.
Why not bring in Venters to face Rowand and the rest of the heart of the order?
This is rather annoying.
I second what Dan says at #91.
This is a different interpretation of Bobby’s “Sunday white flag,” but the net effect might be the same.
Oh well…
This one’s on the Manager
This guy sucks.
Why do you not bring in venters with the bases loaded and 1 out?
I would like to congratulate Fredi Gonzalez for doing everything in his limited ability to lose games this year. I’d say this is three on him, and him alone, so far.
This potential loss will be ENTIRELY ENTIRELY on Fredi Gonzalez who should have pulled that no name pitcher at the first sign of trouble. Unreal.
NOW you’re taking him out. You moron!
What an awful manager we have.
Just awful
This is very annoying.
Why do we do this again and again and again and again???? It’s SO frustrating to be a Braves fan, I’m almost ready to quit. What an idiot manager we have.
Just disgusting. If we walk out of this ballpark with a loss today, its a horrible missed opportunity on Fredi. Getting a sweep at the home of the reigning world series champions would be a HUGE morale booster for the Braves and Fredi’s horrible decision making has possibly cost us this golden opportunity.
I think Fredi may honestly not know what good bullpen management is or looks like.
Sundays are not our manager’s finest moments. Absolutely awful.
I’m so pissed I wasted a Sunday afternoon. If Fredi Gonzalez doesn’t care if the Braves win, I’m not clear why I do.
Fredi Gonzales isn’t smart enough to manage a Foot Locker, let alone a major league team. How do you leave a mop up guy out there for this long??
I’m astonished right now. In any other field/industry, this kind of incompetence wouldn’t be tolerated for 15 minutes.
This one is on the manager, and it hurts.
C’mon Bravos, let’s actually respond to a challenge and get some runs.
Right on cue. Nice job Danny Boy
115, good joke!
Well, clearly they wanted to know to know what they had in Asencio. Hopefully this answer has been satisfactory so we never have to ask the question again.
Frankly, I thought he should’ve been out after walking in a run.
Jesus I hate Freddi already…. Just stupid stupid managing.
Linebrink should have been in four batters ago.
If this is lost, that’s two games in just this road trip where the loss can be pinned on the manager. I never, ever thought I’d miss Bobby’s tactics, but I do.
I want to have faith in Fredi, but he’s making it difficult. The violations of basic baseball common sense are mounting.
This is the fourth game where Fredi’s in game strategy has blown the game. I am sure the beat writers will continue to ignore it.
Wow.
EDIT: I’m still pissed off.
Uggla overcomes!
OMG
The ex-Marlin has his former and current boss’s back.
Fake blackbeard isn’t as good as real blackbeard.
Thank God.
What is this, a freak show? But still, who believes we will win this game? I know I don’t.
Sluggla?
EDIT: Who cares what the beat writers do? The only person who matters is Frank Wren.
About time Uggla hit something.
his name is Dan Uggla!
Now we just have to burn through Lopez and Wilson.
I just woke up. I’m so confused.
Meanwhile, the Marlins are 13-7. Maybe they did know something about good ole Fredi…
Isn’t Fredi the same guy who said he was going to keep Heyward in the sixth spot?
Good job Danny…
@132,
Just go back to sleep.
@127, After that implosion against the Dodgers, I certainly don’t. I’d love to be proven wrong.
Lopez vs. McLouth isn’t fair.
Knowing Fredi, Sherill probably comes in to face three righties.
Or maybe Fredi lets McDowell pitch and we have to forfeit. Sounds silly, but would it shock anyone?
Well, Linebrink will probably give up the game-winner to Huff or Posey here.
McCann in the game. It never fails.
Why would you put McCann in now? Just wait until the next half inning when you can pinch-hit him with Ross being the better defensive catcher.
Does batting Heyward second help Prado? Heyward seems to be doing better.
If McCann is in the game, wouldn’t Bochy just leave Lopez in to face him? Wouldn’t you want to wait for Wilson to be announced before pinch hitting with McCann?
142 — I think it’s more that Prado and Heyward are just good and have broken out of slumps. It’s a bonus that Heyward gets more PAs now that he’s batting 2nd.
@143, That would be very uncharacteristic of Fredi, AKA: smart.
Well, they’ll pinch hit now anyway.
Guys, Fredi finished ahead of the Braves twice! He’s a good manager, honest!
It still takes the better defensive player out of the game when it’s not necessary yet…ya know, it would be wise to wait until we’re actually on offense.
Time for wild Marlin conspiracy theories, like Mets Blog had about Glavine.
Did everyone notice the last two pitchers – Linebrink and O’Flaherty? The guys who got through the last inning and a third without giving up a run? I’m guessing either would have been better bets to pitch the 7th, or at least come in to pitch once Asencio ran into trouble.
Brian Wilson obviously prides himself on being a huge douche.
Again, Adam, that makes way too much sense.
That was predictable.
I would hate Brian Wilson if he pitched for the Braves since he looks like such a douche
Ugh. I don’t even want to watch the rest of this.
The Braves are seemingly destined to lose heartbreakers to the Giants.
@151
Yeah. That’s kind of his thing.
It really wouldn’t be so bad if I didn’t have to see a commercial about his stupid beard every time I turned on the TV.
I think Fredi has money on this game
Will Fredi squeeze three times in a row?
“Will Fredi squeeze three times in a row?”
Not unless the bases are loaded, so it’s a force out at home. They’ll never suspect.
Come on Freddie!
Or not. If the Braves don’t score they lose.
What a choke job.
Nate, you beauty!
NATE!
NATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Fear the beard.”
Yes yes yes!!!!
McLouth came through in the clutch? Holy crap…it’s Baseball bizarro world!
Well, how ’bout that?
(It just got really, really cold down in hell)
I am really happy right now.
NAAAAAAAAATE!
That was awesome.
NATE!
Great AB by Nate
All that that means is we’ll lose 8-9.
WOW. I refreshed Braves Journal right before that hit. There must be a huge delay for my MLB.TV account (I’m watching the high def channel) so it made me smile to know a hit was coming.
Maybe Fredi will send O’Flaherty out for a third inning and let Kimbrel and Venters sit in the bullpen.
Bizzaro! Bizzaro!
stunned.
Venters coming in for the save.
Pour it on boys!
Contreras to the DL, Phillies go to third-string closer.
Before 2010, the phrase floating around San Francisco was “fear the bear.”
Mac!
Is Pete Orr their third string closer?
Fear the beard?? I’d fear those shiny golden locks!
NAAAAAAAATE!!!!!
Madson.
I really dislike Brian Wilson and the Giants and if we can hold the fort here in the 9th, sweeping them at home (like I said earlier) will be a HUGE morale boost for the Braves.
Overall, that helps, though Ryan Madson is better than Contreras.
Timely Brian Wilson ESPN commercial appeared on gamecast during the half inning.
Frenchy now at 325/370/566
Jonny Venter is a BEAST!!!!!!
Venters is f***ing good.
Fun fact: Brian Wilson’s season ERA is now 9.82.
So we just need a guy or three for the 7th inning as Venters and Kimbrel are almost unreal.
Aww. He was bound to miss one eventually.
SWEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!
What’s more surprising – that the Braves came back and won the game, completing the sweep? Or that a lefty got a hit off Venters?
Posey is out.
Sweet. Not even Freddy could blow that one. Goodnight everyone.
HOW SWEEP IT IS!
A rare missed pick by Freeman. Damn that would have been pretty.
Man that’s nice.
Suck it, douchebeard.
Posey was out, again.
Had a fantastic Easter before the game. This game was like chocolate syrup on a brownie sundae of a day.
Venters!
I so want a Venters shirt
A 9.82 ERA makes the beard thing not funny at all.
I love it.
Recapped.