In yet another late inning come from behind win, the Braves defeated the Nationals 3-2 for their sixth straight win. Trailing 2-1, the Braves scored two in the bottom of the 8th for the victory.
The game was possibly historic for a couple of reasons. This was the fifth consecutive game in which they came from behind to win. That was the longest such streak since they did so in a six game streak in 2019. That’s not especially historic. But this streak is possibly historic for another reason. As you know, they swept the Mets in three, after trailing by at least three runs in each game, and they overcame an early two run deficit last Sunday with a come from behind 9th inning grand slam against Arizona. I wonder when the team has ever won five straight in which they either trailed by at least three or came from behind in the 8th or later? JonathanF,does the bat signal reach Scandanavia?
The game is possibly historic for another reason. This was the first start (and second big league appearance) for 20 year old rookie AJ Smith-Shawver. The kid looked good, going five and a third innings, allowing only two unearned runs. His major league ERA is 0.00 after seven and two thirds. I haven’t looked it up, but it’s safe to say no one has a lower ERA so far.
It’s possibly historic, because this could have been the start of a career that may become legendary. I remember watching the first big league start of Steve Avery, Tommy Hanson, Julio Teheran, Michael Soroka, and plenty of others. Each of those starts was highly anticipated. None of them became Hall of Famers for one reason or another (although I’m still hoping for great things from Soroka!). But this could have been the first start of an all time great. In twenty years, I hope I’m still around to know how that turned out.
In any event, what a compelling story AJ is. You’ve read the stories of how he only started pitching three years ago, and how he shot through all levels of the minors this year in a couple of months. His plan in high school was to attend Texas Tech and play quarterback. He could have been the next Patrick Mahomes—or at least Kliff Kingsbury, Sonny Cumbie, BJ Symons, Graham Harrell, or Billie Joe Tolliver (I know some of you Falcon fans remember him, although perhaps not fondly). I’m glad the Braves and their signing bonus convinced him that he’d rather try to be the next Glavine, Maddux, or Smoltz.
The Braves go for seven straight this afternoon behind Jared Shuster. More history, please!
Braves Transactions: Justus Sheffield Assigned to Gwinnett
It’s rumored that he’ll be making his first start with the Stripers on Sunday. Meanwhile, Michael Soroka will pitch tonight for Gwinnett, so the Braves have back to back nights where they’ll be watching just in case.
Who’s Next in Line for Relief?
I’ve been taking to Braves Twitter to answer questions that pertain to the franchise and a lot of what I get are MILB questions. The latest question pertained to some AAA guys who are showing strong results and if I were to pick the pecking order, what would it be? Here was my answer:
I fully believe that Rios would’ve gotten a chance when the latest carousel occurred, but he was on the IL and Michael Tonkin was activated. If Tonkin ends up getting the ax, Rios has been remarkable all season and could be a real diamond in the rough for the stretch run. Grant Holmes has also been sitting ’em down, but the Braves likely wait until the offseason to add him to the 40-man like they did with Tonkin last year.
Braves Lineup
Sean Murphy gets a breather.
Thanks, tfloyd! It’s always wonderful to think that this next youngster could be a guy the next generations will remember. As Joaquin Andujar apparently said: “There is one word in America that says it all, and that one word is, ‘You never know.'”
Hey gang, I’ve been dropping in to read posts and comments on this board on and off for a decade now. Love the wit and wisdom to pass the time. Thank you for hosting this unique community. It has brought be happiness over the years. I presume there is a significant amount of charitable time and effort that goes into this project. Enormous thank yous to those who contribute.
Coming from a place of support, I wanted to let you know I have stopped coming over (much) since the website has taken a different shape. I used to skim through the game recaps and then scroll through comments. Now I find the game recaps and comments hard to locate. Or maybe there are no recaps and comments. Or maybe I’m the problem. In any event, there’s something about the appearance and navigation that is frustrating. It used to be real simple. You all have probably had discussions amongst yourselves about this topic. I’m not here to critique or criticize. Just want med to provide a point of view in case it provides any value.
Joe
Thanks for letting us know, Joe. As with all new launches, there are things that take getting used to and kinks to work out. While I’ve missed a few game threads due to family matters (3 kids under 7 is no joke), we haven’t missed any recaps that I can remember. As I’ve stated before, the old design was about 12 years into the past and like a lot of tech, was likely to become unsupported by newer tech. To move forward, it had to change. You aren’t the only one that has voiced concern and I really appreciate you coming here for years and hope that you can grow accustomed to a newer look with the same content.
Braves Journal is still Braves Journal and our recaps and game threads have been blooming again lately after a brief turn down.
Man, Iglesias was just locked in last night. He threw 9 pitches, all of which were strikes, and his sinker and changeup were both really nasty. What a pleasure to watch.
Greetings en route to Copenhagen! Good question, tfloyd. Let me see what I can do. Might take a bit of work… I’ve just been through an arduous six course meal with wine pairings. No guarantees.
Thanks, tfloyd, well done per usual. I, too saw Steve Avery’s first start, Soroka’s first start, Strider’s first start, and Smith-shiver’s first start. I’m hoping the final two have long, storied careers, and that Soroka can, too.
For today, let’s hope Jared Shuster shows up and shows out again, and the offense can do something with Gore.
64 games into the season, that the Braves have the best record and run differential in the league is remarkable enough. That 37 of the 64 games have been started by: four rookies getting their first starts, Elder, Smith-Shawver, Shuster, and Dodd; and another in his first full big league season, Strider, is even more remarkable. That not a single one of the five was on the MLB top 100 prospects list in either of the past two seasons in mind blowing. The Braves organization and especially their player development staff don’t get enough credit.
It really is wild. That’s why I had a rant a while, back about prospects and how the system seems broken, especially when a player can remake themselves with an offseason of in-depth scientific study.
Nah, I’m not excited about Smith-Shawver. He clearly does not know how to win; great game we had last time, but he didn’t get that W.
Speaking of AJ S-S, Snowshine last night came up with the definitive nickname for him. I agree–we should all refer to him as Rembrandt from now on.
“I really don’t like calling the kid ASS — he is not a metropolitan. Take a gander at this:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balaam_and_the_Ass
and let’s call him “Rembrandt” from now on as we watch him paint the corners”
Line drive opposite field homer from Acuna; broke his streak of 420 feet or longer home runs, but only because he hit a liner. Would have been 420 easy if he’d gotten any elevation.
Good to see Shuster throwing strikes, especially with this lead. No K’s but no walks through 4.
Not so good seeing him give up runs
Weird how one of our pitchers struggles the third time through the order. Seriously how many more times are we going to try this, especially the way the fifth inning went. Chavez should have started the 6th
Just going off the eye test of his starts, but I’d like to see the data on Shuster when he has runners on base compared to when they’re empty. Seems like he tends to fall apart when he’s got ducks on the pond. (Also, third time through, although his fifth-inning woes began before that transpired.)
We are in classic hibernation mode since the 2nd
Only until Ronald came up again.
Iglesias unavailable, but man … find yourself someone who will love you and provide as many second chances as Snitker gives Minter. And now Minter is starting off in dumpster-fire mode.
It works sometimes; I remember Snit being far more patient than most of us would have been with Will Smith in 2021.
Minter was not impressive but good defense behind him and enough room in front of him books the win anyway.
Thank you, Ryan, for the writing staff you’ve assembled. They’re all aces. The recaps, so consistently good; and the comments, …
Well, we technoidiots only rarely clog the discussions with our inanities in this new format.
Keep up the all-star performances, thanks again and
GO BRAVES!
I managed to answer tfloyd’s question. There were two teams that came from behind to win four games in a row in which they were either down by 3 runs at some point in the game or down in the 8th inning or later. That would be your 1927 Detroit Tigers in games 49-52 and the 2001 Dodgers in games 76-79.
So 5 in a row is a record. I mean the whole “3 down or the 8th or later” is kind of a weird criterion, but hey… that’s what computers are for.
Wow—we really did make history! I know it’s a weird criterion, but I had a hunch it was rare. Did not imagine it had never been done. I did know it was as exciting a week as I remember.
Thanks, JonathanF! Computers are one thing, but you are indeed a treasure!
Recapped.