Confession: I did not watch this game. I was at a Diana Krall concert tonight and it was so great that when I got home I decided not to watch. So I watched the runs that scored and started writing a computer program.
As I said yesterday, I will never not love Michael Soroka. Pictured above is his first MLB pitch, one of the few times I can’t be accused of blatant fair use in my post pictures. I was there and I own this one. He beat the Braves tonight in a 2-1 game. Teams that give up two runs, have won 15,243 times, but they have lost 44,485 times. Honestly I’m amazed the winning percentage is eben that high, but those stats include the deadball era. If you just go since, say 2000, it’s 8,599-29,878.
The two runs given up were those oddest of unearned runs. They were unearned to the pitcher qua pitcher because they scored on an error by the pitcher qua fielder. So while Bryce Elder still has an ERA of 0.00, the loss is pretty much on him. He pitched seven excellent innings and made one bad throw to first. And that’s what can happen when you only score 1 run. Just like Ozzie yesterday, the choir of silenced critics is temporarily deafening. Everyone seems to have moved on to Austin Riley. To quote the great Wanda Sykes: “Get it together, baby.” But it’s a little early to conclude someone’s in a slump before they’ve teed off at The Masters.
The Braves run scored in the second off Soroka, who only went 5. So while I continue to root for Soroka, the Braves let four other pitchers shut them out. Don’t do that any more. Props to Mike, though. I’m still a huge fan.
Final game of the series tomorrow: according to ESPN the Braves are going to pitch that great Ella Fitzgerald song — Undecided. Ella was fabulous, but you can’t see her live any more. (And she used to shill for Memorex… I’m not even sure you can get Memorex tape any more.) But if you like jazz and you get the chance, go see Diana Krall. She never loses 2-1.

No hitting tonight (again), a big, consequential fielding error & a loss, but… the pitching was pretty great (yup, once again).
Just a tough loss. OK, let’s win 3 of 4 & move onto Orange County. Upward & onward ’til we get back home.
Yeah, Diana Krall’s pretty great, a ridiculous talent. Only time I ever saw her play was at this Elton John benefit concert at a NAMM show at the hockey arena in Anaheim, Calif., early 2000s. She did this early-Elton (kinda gospelly/Ray Charles-ish) tune called “Border Song.” Completely knocked it out of the park.
IIRC, that gig was Ray Charles’ last public appearance (he did Elton’s “Sorry Seems to be The Hardest Word”) & the whole place lost its collective shit. I still get shivers just remembering it.
Wrap this series up & move forward in the OC ‘burbs. This team’s off to a great start… let’s ride it.
Speaking of our next opponent – Jo Adell robbed 3 home runs last night in a 1-0 Angels victory. Impressive stuff.
https://x.com/i/status/2040644526583222377
doggonit. two strikeouts with men on 1st and 2nd with one out. TWO STRIKEOUTS. Just like last year.
back to losing one run games
Payamps? Really, Walt?
At least he’s very efficient.
Recapped.