Stop me if you’ve heard this before – The Braves got very good starting pitching, just enough offense to win, only to see a late bullpen collapse turn victory into defeat. This time Julio Teheran was….What? What do you mean? Sweet! No collapse, Braves win! Braves win! Braves win!
Jome Julio showed up again last night, tossing six strong innings of one run ball, giving up just three hits (two in the D’backs’ run scoring sixth), two walks, and striking out seven to earn his 8th win of the year.
The Braves opened the game having you believe they were going to challenge for the record for most double plays grounded into, with twin killings in the first, second, and fourth innings. Those DPs were sandwiched around two triple “plays” in the third – of the good kind. With one out, Andrelton Simmons singled, and was sacrificed to second by Julio, Jace Peterson followed with a two out triple down the right field line to plate the first run. Cameron Maybin followed with another triple – this one a screaming liner up the right-centerfield gap, to stake Teheran to a two run lead.
In the fifth, those four would get together for the Braves last run, with Simmons leading off with a single, Teheran sacrificing, followed by a Peterson walk, and Maybin RBI single.
Julio was cruising along, but in the top of the sixth, he gave up a one out single to Ender Inciarte, who was doubled home with two outs by Paul Goldschmidt. Which, since Goldschmidt is a dark horse MVP candidate is understandable. But that was all the Snakes could pin on Julio.
David Aardsma pitched the seventh and eighth, getting a highlight reel grab to end the top of the seventh from Maybin, and surrendering the second Arizona run when A.J. Pollack drove home Inciarte.
Arodys Vizcaino came on and threw a 1-2-3 ninth for his third save. Let’s keep this up.
BTW – Jome Julio – pronounced with two aspirated ‘h’ sounds – like ‘Home Hulio’
It’s always nice to see Simmons contribute with the bat. It’s like receiving a nice bonus at work you had no clue was coming.
I was at a minor league ball game between Pirates and Giants affiliates last night and was treated to watching the home team come back from a 4-2 deficit in the 9th to win on a two-out walk-off walk. It’s amazing how power pitchers in the minors really don’t know where the ball is going at times. The pitcher was throwing hard but he hit two batters and gave up two walks and three hits. A caught stealing was the only reason he was in a position to keep the winning run from scoring, but he just could not find the strike zone.
Witnessing a walk-off in that park brought back memories of the last walk-off I saw there when a Braves affiliate called it home. My family had discussed leaving early that evening since the outlook for the Braves was so bleak, but they indulged me and stayed to the end. Had they not I would have missed what was the greatest moment I’ve ever witnessed live on a ball field. Brent Lillibridge, yes, him, stepped to the plate in the 9th with the bases loaded (and two outs, if memory serves me) and hit a grand slam to give the Braves the victory. It was so completely unexpected (I mean, it was Brent Lillibridge!) it made the walk-off even more gratifying. Baseball is such a grand game. After that I couldn’t help but be a fan of Lillibridge, and was a little sad when the Braves traded him.
Now THERE’S a name I haven’t heard in a while!
OK, if we’re going to speak of eyewitness walk-offs….
I was about 15-20 rows up from where Hunter’s ball landed. Actually, I and my family were in the next section up, I think.(And no, I can’t see me in the video – I tried…)
Wonderful recap of a most enjoyable game. Thank you.
I feel like no walks, no hits, and eight k’s is a solid way for Allard’s first three innings as a pro to go.
The Rome team is going to be fun to watch next year with Allard and Austin Riley.
I know DSL numbers don’t mean much, but I’ve been following Randy Ventura’s ridiculous on-base and steal rates. .434 OBP and 51 steals in 52 games:
http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=milb&player_id=661555#/career/R/hitting/2015/ALL
Also, catcher Anthony Concepcion, who is 20, so additional grain of salt, went 4-4 on Thursday. He is walking a bunch and has 20 xbh and 5 bombs, .301/.404/.441:
http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=milb&player_id=660862#/career/R/hitting/2015/ALL
Still notable, for sure.
Anyone heard anything on Winkler? He’s about 14 months removed from TJ, but I can’t find anything.
Jackie Bradley Jr. went 5-6 with 3 doubles, 2 HR and 7 RBI. He had 5 xbh going into the game today, so he doubled his season xbh total
According to Chip, Edwin Jackson “knows how to pitch”
Still don’t see Folty as a long term starter. Probably needs to be in the pen if he can’t develop another pitch
If he could locate his fastball (and possible make it do something), he’d be heaps better.
Well, this is unexpected.
every run we score seems like found money
Lavarnway, Ryan
Can’t be accused of not tryin’
He swung so hard he broke his neck,
But he cooled the entire lower deck
These occasional huge comebacks are borderline bizarre given how bad our lineup is, frankly. Certainly fun, though. Hopefully we can continue it in the ninth.
…or not. Solid move by Fredi putting in a mopup guy in that situation…yeesh.
@18 .. what do you expect .. FG does that alot .. we make a comeback and get within a couple and he throws that guy out there for the 9th .. then let him walk a guy , hit a guy and still let him pitch to the Diamondbacks best hitter .. Freddie come on how many times you gonna do this ..the other night you let Marksberry give up 4 before you pulled him …. I have said it before on here .. FG is the worst late inning Mgr in baseball … hopefully in 2017 when go to new ballpark .. will have new MGR too !!!!!
Since we are no longer actively trying to win in 2015 (apart from front office lip service) is it fair to judge Fredi’s moves based on that criterion any more?
Check your mail Alex –
Recapped.
The Arizona Diamondbacks were unable to muster a big threat against Julio Teheran and lost 3-2 to the Braves. Teheran pitched six strong innings and Cameron Maybin drove in two runs to help Atlanta improve to 31-23 at home.