New York Mets vs. Atlanta Braves – Box Score – June 14, 2011 – ESPN.
Blech. It’s hard to really blame Fredi for this, though of course I want to. But in addition to all the other injuries he was crippled by the loss of one of the few roster constants, Freddie Freeman, to an oblique strain, probably caused by Jeff Porter hitting him in the side with a club to “toughen him up”. With a regular day off for Brian McCann, the best catcher in baseball (not that he didn’t wind up catching two innings at the end of the game anyway) the lineup was even shallower than usual. You just stick the terrible lineup out there and hope Jair Jurrjens can continue to sparkle.
But he didn’t; for the first time all year, Jurrjens did not pitch well or throw a quality start. He gave up a run in the first, and was lucky that was all; after the Braves tied it in the second on a Joe Mather single to score David Ross, Jurrjens allowed two more in the third and again was lucky that was all. It seemed for the first six innings that the Mets were always at the plate, but this is an exaggeration; it can’t have been more than eighty percent of the time. Jurrjens was finally chased in the sixth after Jose Reyes, the major malefactor all night, singled in a run to make it 4-1.
The Braves crawled back into it; Ross doubled home Alex Gonzalez in the seventh, but they couldn’t get any more in that situation, leaving two on. Dan Uggla hit a homer with one out in the eighth to make it 4-3, and Chipper almost tied it immediately following but just missed it, and Carlos Beltran robbed him of a double. Craig Kimbrel did his thing in the ninth, loading the bases on two walks and a HBP but somehow not giving up any runs. AAG and Brooks Conrad struck out after getting ahead in the ninth, and Mather finished it with a Jeff Francoeur Special — a mighty swing resulting in a flyout to shallow left field.
All in all, it easily could have been worse.
first?
at least uggla continues his short streak of solid hitting. time will tell i guess..
“Jeff Francoeur Special — a mighty swing resulting in a flyout to shallow left field.”
Man, I can still remember those swings very well. We should simply name it as “Jeffrey”.
Does anyone know why Heyward was taken out of his rehab game after 3 ABs?
Because he is a delicate flower.
is it just me or does Mather actually look like Francoeur? it’s a little frightening.
Well, at least this time he’s in his proper role- benchie who only starts when half the lineup is on the DL.
@5 – DWonder, it’s not just you.
I actually though Fredi managed the game well.
re: McCann…
I think Fredi’s going a little overboard with McCann’s days off. He’s had 3 days off in the last 10 games. He keeps this up, we’re going to miss a whole month’s worth of production from our best hitter.
I didn’t get to see the game, but I see that Sherrill pitched 1 2/3 innings. How did that go?
What an unsung hero is David Ross. He could be the starting catcher on just about any other team, yet he sticks around to back up Brian McCann, the best catcher in baseball.
@11, We’re always singing about Ross here.
And David Ross has been doing some singing of his own.
He always looks much taller on TV. And that’s some off season beard.
To change the subject, I could not help but looking at our favorite Royal outfielders:
http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=466320
http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=425796
parallel lives–they will both be 27 this year and their stats are very close.
Which one will the Royals want to trade first?
The Royals are so weird. They have like five guys having career years. You don’t want to trade for any of those guys because the young ones are probably untouchable, and the 27-29 year old ones have a history of not being nearly as good as they are this year. If they have something we want, we have like seven SP better than their best, but Gordon, Maier, Melky and Jeffy aren’t as good as they’ve been so far, Betemit probably isn’t, either, and they are not going to consider moving Hosmer, Butler, or Moustakas.
Can we trade for their hitting coach?
I would argue Gordon is worth going after even if we are buying high a little. He’s struggled in the past, but his pedigree leads me to believe he could keep this pace up, if not exceed it.
Clint Robinson too, if he can play left.
We already have the proven veteran form of Gordon in Hinske. Sure, it would be great to have another Hinske on the bench, but I don’t know how much that’s worth to the team.
Wouldn’t you want Gordon for your longterm LF or 3B (depending on whither Prado) when Chipper retires? Hinske is not the answer.
Gordon has the potential to be a fulltime starter, which Hinske does not. Certainly worth an inquiry. But he’ll require us to pay a real price.
Gordon wasn’t a very good defensive 3B, and the Royals were convinced it played a factor in a lot of the injuries he’s had over the over past few years. I don’t know how accurate that is (Lord knows the Royals are wrong enough), but I’d be leery in assuming Gordon would be a long term solution at 3B.
I’ve heard Robinson’s best position is hitter. Doubt he could stick in the OF.
I’d much rather go after Lorenzo Cain again if we’re looking at Royals and are open to paying a real price.
Gordon wasn’t a very good defensive 3B
So far he looks like a decent LF who can hit, for cheap. We could use one of those and send Prado to 3rd longterm.
I don’t think I’ll do a game thread today. Just don’t feel like it.
DOB: Jeff Porter’s job is not in danger. Presumably he has pictures of Liberty Media bigwigs with farm animals.
@22 Isn’t playing the outfield easier than a corner infield position? Hitters are almost always corner players even if they can’t field a lick.
Heyward posted this on twitter: “Spontaneous entices intimacy”. I am worried he was too busy having relations and not swinging his bat.
2002: Chipper Jones moves to the outfield, plays 158 games. Dave Pursley retires after the season.
2003: Chipper plays 153 games.
2004: Chipper plays 137 games.
2005: Chipper plays 109 games.
We’ve always blamed the outfield switch but I’m not confident that it’s the true reason.
Hasn’t Porter been with the Braves since they moved from Boston to Milwakee?
Heyward probably will be activated tonight.
Liberty Media bigwigs with farm animals? I think I saw that title on the menu at the last Ramada I stayed in.
Peanut says Heyward’s a go.
I anxiously await Chipper’s thoughts on the matter.
@31,
Good one
Hey, there’s a reason Liberty CEO John Malone is the largest private landowner in the country.
@31
Niiiiiiccceee!!!!
1. Schafer CF, 2. Uggla 2B, 3. McCann C, 4. Jones 3B, 5. Hinske 1B, 6. Gonzalez SS, 7. Heyward RF, 8. Mather LF, 9. Hudson P
AAG hitting ahead of Heyward?!? Outrageous!
(Just kidding.)
I think Uggla is probably staying in the two hole for a while
If he keeps hitting homers, I won’t have too much of a problem with that.
Why do I get the feeling that DLowe is starting to coast a little bit?
Hudson, on the other hand, is back to leaving the ball up. Gets killed every time he does that.
“Activated”? Never heard it called that, but it works.
@39, because he’s hit well in two whole games there….
You think McCann hitting 3rd and Chipper 4th is Fredi’s way of gradually sliding Heyward into the 3-hole when healthy?
Schafer
Uggla
Heyward
McCann
Chipper
Prado
Freeman
AAG
that would be pretty sexy
Time to hang an L on the phenomenon that is Dillon Gee.
For some reason, that name just sounds like an alias, like he’s going to pull off a mask & reveal his real identity.
BTW, am I nuts or does George Sherrill look like a Civil War general?
Stonewall Sherrill? I like it.
Now he just needs to earn it.
@43 – that lineup ought to score 8 runs a night.
But it won’t and I can’t figure out why.
Compare with these guys for fun and profit!
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/Who-Had-the-Best-Civil-War-Facial-Hair.html
#45
What? You want him killed in action?
#43 – no
Pity any horse that Gen. Sherril might ride.
He moved McCann to 3rd to split up the lefties in the order.
@48, In fairness Stonewall earned the nickname at Bull Run and didn’t die until Chancellorsville. So we’d get three good years from a middle reliever – they are fungible, right?
BTW, am I nuts or does George Sherrill look like a Civil War general?
Those aren’t mutually exclusive…
Now, boys. Do behave.
“What? You want him killed in action?”
KIA by his own men. Except with Braves’ players and Sherrill: it might not be an accident.
Just read that David Einhorn, the guy who just bought a third of the Mets, could get majority control of the team for another $1 unless his purchase price is refunded.
To paraphrase C. Montgomery Burns, I think Einhorn would be happier with the dollar.
I am assuming you are kidding here – 60% of a well run Mets team is worth a LOT more than 200M. It’s basically a 3 year loan collateralized with a majority share of the team. And the Wilpons will never make the call-in.
The question is whether Einhorn knows how to run a baseball team, or at least knows if he doesn’t know. I’m sure the Wilpons thought they got a hell of a deal, too.
Besides, does he really want people cursing him when the Mets are beaten by their betters?
The Mets are whining that they think the wet infield was intentional.
Probably think tonight’s rain is too
Einhorn is very very good at making money. He either gets a free 30% of the team, or a majority stake for 200M. He wins either way.
Just had a short hailstorm here about a mile from the stadium. Clearing now though.
Looks like Andrus has been behaving like Andruw.
@61 – Einhorn is Finkle.
Ray Finkle or Finkle Einhorn?
First pitch at 8:30, apparently, according to WFAN.
64 – beat me to it
The best backup catcher in the majors – SweetSpot Blog – ESPN.
@68
Pfft… I stopped reading at, “Brian McCann, maybe the best catcher in basebal”.
That was certainly worth waiting an extra 90 minutes for.
What an awful throw from Jason. He missed Uggla by 30 feet and it cost the braves a run. Welcome back.
Way to keep the momentum from that six game winning streak.
Reyes may get $150m this offseason.
Might I nominate jose reyes for burn in hell status? We haven’t seen Victorino in a few weeks, so reyes just seems less tolerable right now.
Reyes is only insufferable because of how many people hype him. Some sucker team will probably give him nine figures this offseason if he doesn’t cool down. Hopefully, it will be the Mets.
This lineup is still as dangerous as a sack of wet mice.
Well, Jason’s eyes are healthy.
That was pitiful.
Was everyone’s favorite celebrity stalker banned or has he just given up?
That trivia question is garbage. Unless I missed someone. Last NL player to lead the league in hits, runs, and SB.
Billy Hamilton was the first. In 1891. If that helps.
Maybe the Braves should try batting opposite handed for a while.
In case anyone was wondering, yes, last weekend was an illusion. The Braves are back home and back to making outs in a hurry.
… Ballgame.
Might as well go to bed early. The Braves make this guy look like Pedro in his prime.
Real quality stuff from Hudson.
@79–maybe just busy saying “Shafer’s sister” while canoodling with a bartender hookup
How are we going to score runs? I’m ready to start cheating. Someone cork up a bat and let’s get someone stealing the catcher’s signs from CF or TV. Something. Anything.
I swear that Pagan’s HR looked like it dropped foul in right – did it just catch the foul pole or something?
I’d love nothing more than a rainout.
It hit the foul pole.
Well, this sucker isn’t getting recapped tonight, I can tell you that.
Why can’t we beat these freaking Mets?
Come on rain…..
@91 How about if we come back and win?
Cancel it, cancel it!
We can only pray that the rain delay lasts long enough to get surefire hall-of-famer Dillon Gee out of the game.
My name is Mr. Gee
Three talents one-two-three
singing and dancing and acting are my life
“Was everyone’s favorite celebrity stalker banned or has he just given up?”
In jail for violating a restraining order.
The original BIH just tied it up in the bottom of 9th for Philly.
@97, Major kudos for the “Summer Heights High” reference. Very funny stuff.
@100
Just before the second rain delay Keith Hernandez referred to him as “Mr. Gee.” As if on queue, my girlfriend and I both started singing “My name is Mr. Gee…”
@101, He did a show before “Summer Heights High” called “We Can be Heroes.” Definitely drier than “Summer Heights,” but it’s where Ja’mie got her start and worth seeing if you’re a big fan of the show.
Is that available in the US yet? I’m sure I’d love it. Ja’Mie was probably my favorite character of the three. One of the best lines was “Oh my god. Public schools are so random.”
The boston bruins over came a 3-2 deficet to win the cup.
I feel for the Canucks fans. I remember 1991, needing just one in the dome, didn’t get it. Still one of the most heart breaking loss of my fandom.
Losing a series after leading 3-2 is awful.
Why is Joe Simpson happy about this game starting again?
Back to playing. Both starters are done and the LISP is out there.
I got Fantasy F***ed. I pitched Gee, knowing he would (as anybody would) dominate the braves offense. Now the braves are going to lose and my fantasy team won’t even reap the benefits. Worst case scenario.
Nine pitches. Way to make him work. Yet another garbage pitcher that will look like Greg Maddux, circa 1993, against this sad collection of bats.
#107 – worst case scenario…Braves rock Gee early which kills your fantasy team and then the Braves cough up a lead and it pisses all of us off.
Time to wake up bats!!!
This just shows us how bad the Astros pitching really has become.
@109
I meant among scenarios that could happen.
Good point
1 hit?
@102, I don’t think it’s officially distributed in the US, but you can try your hand at eBay or a third party distributor through Amazon. Some really fun characters, though you can tell Chris Lilley was figuring out a few things before it all came together in “SHH”.
Base-runners, with no outs. Is that allowed at Turner Field?
Nice job by Lisp to walk the bases loaded so we could get DJ Carrasco out of there. A terror on the mound.
Only for visitors, Dan.
Any way that Reyes doesn’t kill us here?
Not sure if that’s a yes or no. Linebrink’s on the mound, so I’m leaning that he didn’t kill us.
So where exactly was Yunel.. erm, Gonzalez?
So the Braves have only hit 2 balls out of the infield, thats nice.
How far is Jason standing away from the plate? He might as well not even be in the batters box.
Anyone here ever rolled a softball bat? Did it make much of a difference?
Is this really happening? How can they be getting worse? Are the Braves even trying at this point?
Thanks Brooks, that ended 18 straight hitters who couldnt even get a fly ball out of the infield.
I’m not sure why I even find this suprising. Five of the eight position players in tonight’s lineup have OBPs under .300–Hinske and Schafer have both slipped under it again. And Heyward is at .317. The Braves have an awful offense.
Why is EOF pitching? Might as well rest the studs so long as we’re sucking. Why is our offense still shit?
And…..Philly won that fucking game? Fuck me. Goddamn it, I’m going to bed.
I actually had my tibia shattered by a line drive hit with a rolled bat.
They were up by 2 in the 9th, goddamn Marlins relief.
Good thing we rushed Heyward back. Now I’m really going to bed. Shit shit shit.
What an absolute piss poor garbage performance. 2 hits with only AAG making it to 2B.
This is just depressing. Maybe Robert had the right idea taking this year off.
The thing you’ve got to understand before you cheat, is that the pitchers you’re facing are 38 feet away from home plate, and on flat ground. And that LEGAL bats are rated for a muzzle velocity of 98 MPH.
#129 – Never said I was going to do it. Most of the guys we are playing against have their bats rolled and shaved. It doesnt seem to jump off their bats any differently. It was simply a question to see if a difference is made.
Well, at least I have no trouble figuring out how I feel about the Mets. HATE.
The newest generations, they supposedly have widened the kevlar or other fiber layer, to reduce the effect of “break-in,” or rolling. I haven’t played since my injury, two years ago. Also, it’s supposedly more effective on center-loaded bats, and less so on end-loaded bats.
But I can tell you it definitely worked. I pitched and played 3rd base for 3 years, and between the teams I played on, I played 3 to 5 days a week. And you get to figure things out. You would see a team or even a player early on, and then again 3 weeks later.. Or you’d see a player play on two different teams, one where a teammate must have had an illegal bat.. And from 38 feet you can see the difference. You’d know when a team or a player got a rolled bat. For one thing, they’d be the only teams where the whole team used the same, or only 2 different bats. Every solid fly or line drive comes off the bat between 90 and 100.. Anything faster is pretty obvious.
In a natural “break-in,” which used to be about 500 hits, the sweet spot gets sweeter, through compression. So when you hit it right, you’ll hit it better and better as the bat breaks in. Not so much if you get jammed or take one off the end cap, because you don’t do that as often, and so it never wears in evenly.
If you roll the bat, you wear the entire bat evenly. Even if you don’t hit it right, you hit it harder, from day one.
It’s dangerous, and it’s foolish. Softball is more about method, about loft and leverage than just strength. 98 MPH is plenty to hit a ball 310 feet, if you practice and learn how to do it.
I’m actually reading about it now, and did the ASA ban composite bats? I can’t really tell what info here is the most recent.
But if the bats you’re talking about aren’t composite (meaning fiberglass/plastic outers, kevlar/carbon fiber linings, over a steel or titanium tube, then rolling them won’t do any good. Rolling bats is simply a method of spreading thin the shell and lining, and going to the plate with a titanium pipe.
“All in all, it easily could have been worse”–Agreed–it certainly was.
However, this might make it better–Vizcaino has just had another dominant start:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2011_06_15_msbaax_jaxaax_1
I hope that the Braves give him every chance to develop as a starter….
If Kazmir is released, the Braves should acquire him and teach him the Venters pitch.
Lame-o-rama. We’re 3-5 vs. the Mets so far.
Anybody going to the games this weekend vs. Texas? I’ll be in The ATL, probably going to Saturday & Sunday games, if anyone wants to connect.
Schafer down to a .294 OBP. Dear God in heaven, we need a CF.
A better-hitting CF would help, batting Schafer 8th instead of 1st would be a start.
Recappy time.