Well, if that game didn’t serve as a metaphor for the 2014 Braves’ season, I don’t know of one that would.
The Braves jumped out early, just like in April, behind Ervin Santana, just like in April. Freddie Freeman drove in the first run in the top of the first with an RBI grounder, and Upton Majoris singled home the second run right after. Chris Johnson hit a two run homer in the fourth to mark the high point of the game season, just like June.
Santana struggled a bit in the 5th, allowing a run scoring grounder to Ben Revere to cut the lead to 4-1. The wheels came off in the 6th for Santana, as he quickly got two outs in the 6th, but couldn’t get the crucial out (just like the Braves couldn’t get the crucial hit all through August), and was pulled with the score tied at 4.
Jordan Walden came on in the seventh, as the embodiment of the bullpen struggles, and allowed a lead off walk to Carlos Ruiz who came around to score on a Marlon Byrd ground-out. After that, the only question would be whether Jonathan Papelbon would stand up to the boos when he came on in the top of the 9th. (Spoiler Alert – he did).
So ends my run recapping the Friday games. I’ve enjoyed contributing in my own small way, and hope that next year the recaps recap more wins and less losses.
It’s been a pleasure working with the crew this year. I really appreciated the variety of voices on the site, and look forward to what should be an interesting offseason.
Yes, thank you, recappers. Too bad the team didn’t do as well.
Our recappers have excelled. Thank you all.
From Jayson Stark’s latest, BJ Upton as NL least valuable player:
“We haven’t had a lot of repeat LVP winners in the time I’ve been writing this column. But B.J. Upton has pulled it off, because his 2013-14 disaster in Atlanta puts him in a special category. You know how hard it is to have back-to-back seasons like this, with more than 150 whiffs, fewer than 15 home runs and a batting average under .210? So hard that nobody else in history has ever done it! But since this is a 2014 “honor,” let’s just focus on this year, when Upton is hitting .152 against relief pitchers (with 58 strikeouts, 23 hits), .131 in what baseball-reference.com describes as “high-leverage” situations, .182 after the sixth inning (with 50 K, 26 H), .149 after the sixth inning of close games, .140 with runners in scoring position and two outs, and .110 once the count reaches two strikes (with 171 punchouts and 30 hits). I could keep going. But why? The seasons this guy has had the past two years, since signing the largest free-agent contract in franchise history, are the kind that get general managers fired — and, in his case, already have accomplished that mission. Think he’ll send Frank Wren a sorry-about-that card?”
I think the real reason why BUpton can win a rare repeat LVP award is because players this bad don’t get contracts that force them to play a second LVP-worthy season. If someone’s this bad, they probably don’t get that contract, and they probably don’t get a second chance.
Remember Reggie Sanders’ terrible year in Atlanta? There was no way that dude was getting a second crack.
Why are all baseball umpires overweight?
A great review of the Wren years over at talking chop.
Amazing how quickly I forgot that Ankiel (and Derek Lee) used to play for the Braves.
Ankiel – one of those guys who just didn’t look right in a Braves uniform.
http://www.talkingchop.com/2014/9/26/6848977/frank-wrens-tenure-in-atlanta-a-deep-dive
Also from my side, thank you so very much to all the recappers. I truly love Braves Journal.
@7, Thanks. That takes us several steps in the right direction.
I notice no Furcal/Griffey/Dempster on there, though — Wren was lucky before he was unlucky. And ultimately, it’d be helpful to know how many wins Wren added to the team, how much he paid for them (gulp), and how he compares to other GMs in those regards.
Fox’s Saturday Game of the Week features two non-playoff teams: The Red Sox and the Yankees.
Not watching, but I bet that broadcast is one big Jeter lovefest.
Wood scratched due to mild forearm strain
Sorry to ask this again. I am still at the hospital with my wife. Things are improving slowly, please keep praying.
Can someone pick up my recap tomorrow?
I hope that strain does not presage a call to Dr. Andrews.
Braves won, and this thread currently has twelve replies. Ouch.
Colin Jost, yuck
Smitty, we’re all on your side.
Smitty, I keep thinking of you and your wife.