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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
879 comments Add your comment
i cant take it anymore
March 10th, 2009
2:01 pm
I’m glad the braves are going to pimp the blue jersey on road games. I think the bad luck
was tex.
Steve McP
March 10th, 2009
2:01 pm
Oh No! The Blue Jerseys and the chopping cow – we have no chance this season!
GTSteve
March 10th, 2009
2:02 pm
J J was on Saturday in Tampa, in case you missed it. Heyward was hitting bombs in batting practice, he will be a star one day soon
Brian
March 10th, 2009
2:03 pm
Stat junky, the innings against Panama don’t count…it was just an exhibition.
Brandon
March 10th, 2009
2:04 pm
has Schafer recovered from the shoulder injury or is he still a few days away from returning?
KC
March 10th, 2009
2:04 pm
Does anyone know where the homerless streak for Braves pitching stands?
Josh B
March 10th, 2009
2:05 pm
well they havent given up any at all i noticed that the other day.
KC
March 10th, 2009
2:05 pm
Also… does anyone know what Francoeur’s walk total is, including the WBC exhibition games?
PWHjort
March 10th, 2009
2:05 pm
Ya, Jurrjens looked good Saturday. He gave up a run but one of the singles he gave up a run on wouldn’t have been a single if Kotchman was playing first. We had replaced Kotchman with Canizares (anyone got a back-story on this guy? I have no idea who he is), and Canizares has terrible range.
Frenchy Fan
March 10th, 2009
2:05 pm
how has frency done today?
PWHjort
March 10th, 2009
2:06 pm
Brandon, I believe Schafer will be in the line-up or be a defensive substitution tomorrow.
mbatl
March 10th, 2009
2:06 pm
KC, pretty sure it’s at 80 IP plus wherever we stand today… 83, 84. Starting pitching just looks outstanding (yeah, it’s early, but still…)
Redirect
March 10th, 2009
2:06 pm
PWHjort
Interesting video. Did he really say “I don’t recall any consequential game you ever ‘winned’ for us”?
winned – dried (hay, wood, etc.) by exposure to air and sun
Well, I guess he is right. I don’t believe that he ever “winned” a game for us either. Somebody is a little too big for his britches, which would be fully loaded if John Smoltz showed up in person to meet him.
PWHjort
March 10th, 2009
2:06 pm
Frenchy Fan, he was behind 0-2 and came back to draw a walk then scored on a triple that Infante smoked during his first at-bat. I didn’t catch is 2nd.
McFann :Ô:
March 10th, 2009
2:07 pm
I like the blue jerseys (the red ones are my favorite, though), but, while I don’t believe in curses, they did wear the blue ones during the worst game of the season last year.
July 27…horrible game…just horrible.
GTSteve
March 10th, 2009
2:07 pm
I agree Kotchman would have made a play on that ball that the Yankees scored on, but JJ had reached his pitch limit ( i guess) because Bobby replaced him with 2 outs in the inning
Brandon
March 10th, 2009
2:08 pm
McFann was that the game the Braves blew a 7 run lead to phillies in Philly??
Nick
March 10th, 2009
2:09 pm
Brandon, I think so…right before the trade deadline
KC
March 10th, 2009
2:10 pm
The Houston announcers are talking about how the Braves “took it personally” (reading between the lines = overreacted) when free agents spurned them… citing the Braves refusal to work with Furcal’s agent ever again as an example.
Apparently, they’re completely unaware of the circumstances surrounding that situation.
Brandon
March 10th, 2009
2:10 pm
That loss really hurt…
PWHjort
March 10th, 2009
2:11 pm
Ya GTSteve, he was on a 60 pitch limit and he’d thrown 62 after the 2 K’s in the 4th.
GTSteve
March 10th, 2009
2:12 pm
“personally” is the only way the Braves could take it……I hope the team takes it personally this year and kicks a**
PWHjort
March 10th, 2009
2:13 pm
Haha, I’m pretty sure he did, in fact, say “winned”.
Josh B
March 10th, 2009
2:13 pm
Why arent we getting play by play anymore? I feel lost.
Carroll Rogers
March 10th, 2009
2:13 pm
Stat junky, Panama stats don’t count toward Grapefruit League stats.
Original Jon, could your feeling be because Derek Lowe was the absolute MAN out there today? perfect through four innings, nothing out of the infield, six groundballs, six strikeouts. 57 pitches in four innings, 41 strikes. Yowza.
PWHjort
March 10th, 2009
2:14 pm
It is only the Astros, but damn, good outing.
PWHjort
March 10th, 2009
2:15 pm
Can anyone link me to the play-by-play?
GTSteve
March 10th, 2009
2:16 pm
thanks PW, I didnt understand at first, then ir hit me that it was probably pitch count, I think he would have gotten out of the inning without giving up that run
Runnin
March 10th, 2009
2:16 pm
The Astros haven’t gotten a ball out of the infield after 4 innings. Lowe is dealing.
Erod
March 10th, 2009
2:18 pm
July 27 was the day, the ex-Fatty catcher of ours got Knocked the Hell out, courtesy of our favorite Hawaiian…
Il Cattivo
March 10th, 2009
2:18 pm
Of the 6 groundball outs today, 4 were to Prado (@ third) and 2 were to Infante (@ short). Plus the 6 strikeouts.
Its likeAndruw and Jeff came to bat over and over.
Brandon
March 10th, 2009
2:18 pm
Perfect through 4, i am impressed. Hope to see these kinds of outings during the regular season.
Jeff321
March 10th, 2009
2:19 pm
Here is a list of games on the Atlanta area radio stations.
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/schedule/broadcast.jsp?c_id=atl
Jeff321
March 10th, 2009
2:20 pm
I just heard Soriano is coming in next inning.
Did anyone bring the Kleenex? I’d hate for him to start crying out there on the mound and have nothing to dry his eyes.
Frency Fan
March 10th, 2009
2:20 pm
any update on Frenchy at the plate todaY?
Il Cattivo
March 10th, 2009
2:21 pm
Here you go. The play by play
http://m.mlb.com/scores/plays/2009_03_10_atlmlb_houmlb_1/1
McFann :Ô:
March 10th, 2009
2:21 pm
Brandon–
They only blew a 5 run lead to the Fillies in Filly that day…but that game still really hurt, and I mean really hurt. Bottom of the sixth, Rollins on second, the Reaper on first; Howard singled to right…Rollins scored harmlessly, then came the Reaper. After that, it all went black, if you know what I mean. That was when the Reaper collided with BMac. I still get somewhat nauseous when I think about it…
PWHjort
March 10th, 2009
2:21 pm
I agree GTSteve. He had struck out the past 2 batters and he had settled in.
Jersey Gil
March 10th, 2009
2:21 pm
Saludos Amigos from Puerto Rico, i’m in the WBC in my home town San Juan, to respond to LJ.. Vazquez won the First Game Saturday 4.1 Inning 4 hit 1BB 3 so. He pitch good enouch to win 7-0 agains Panama. Local news today said he will pitch again Dominican or Nederland on Thursday for the Champion on pool D and in the first game of the second round will be Johnathan Sanchez and then Ian Snell.
d-rock
March 10th, 2009
2:22 pm
Nice single to RF for Frenchy.
PWHjort
March 10th, 2009
2:22 pm
Thanks Il Cattivo
PWHjort
March 10th, 2009
2:24 pm
Frenchy got a hit off Valverde, Houston’s closer.
zephyr8
March 10th, 2009
2:24 pm
Is Lowe scheduled for a fifth inning or not?
Frency Fan
March 10th, 2009
2:25 pm
McFann, that loss was tough to get over. Have you been watchin BMAC in the WBC? Impressive against Canada the other night.
TIM-BRAVES LIFER
March 10th, 2009
2:26 pm
Astros announcers just compared Jeff Francouer lastyear to Rick Ankiel’s loss of pitching ability. Funny-huh?
Brandon
March 10th, 2009
2:26 pm
Whats the scrore?
Carroll Rogers
March 10th, 2009
2:26 pm
probably already been noted but Francoeur singled to right to load the bases in the fifth. Infante then flew out.
Soriano is on the mound. I’m hoping Lowe takes a very long shower, so I’m able to see the whole inning. Hell Lowe is ready now. Crud!
McFann :Ô:
March 10th, 2009
2:27 pm
Good VORP, Erod, could you have found a more blunt way to put it? Gosh…
Well, at least you said ex-fatty.
PWHjort
March 10th, 2009
2:28 pm
No, SOR-E-AHN-O is pitching the 5th.
KC
March 10th, 2009
2:28 pm
MBATL, thanks for the info.
These Astros announcers make me very, very thankful for the Braves announcers!!
brent a.
March 10th, 2009
2:28 pm
If the Braves are gonna wear the blues 81 times, then Carroll better be with them at least 2/3 of those games.
Brandon
March 10th, 2009
2:28 pm
McCann will have a HUGE year! One of the best catchers in the game.
McFann :Ô:
March 10th, 2009
2:29 pm
Frency Fan–
Yeah, very tough…still is, in fact…makes me squeamish.
Actually, I haven’t seen any of the WBC on TV (was gonna watch some on Sunday, but then BMac didn’t play, so…). I knew I shoulda turned it on Saturday. Don’t know exactly why I didn’t…
McFann :Ô:
March 10th, 2009
2:30 pm
Brandon–
YEAH!!
Braves Tool 88
March 10th, 2009
2:30 pm
I couldn’t watch today, but this Lowe guy’s pitching line looks quite a bit like the last one we saw from Hanson, who does not impress me.
I have serious concerns about the Braves’ pitching.
Brandon
March 10th, 2009
2:31 pm
Is Gregor Blanco being considered for CF? He looked impressive the other night against Team USA.
Brandon
March 10th, 2009
2:32 pm
Is Gregor Blanco being considered for the CF position? He looked very impressive the other night against Team USA.
GSU-Lee
March 10th, 2009
2:33 pm
Brandon, nobody has been ruled out yet, but Blanco will struggle to beat out Anderson, in my opinion.
lewie
March 10th, 2009
2:33 pm
blanco will be either on the bench on starting CF in AAA
Sethual Healing
March 10th, 2009
2:34 pm
Francoeur’s batting average for the spring is .111. Should I be worried, DOB?
Braves IQ 88
March 10th, 2009
2:35 pm
These are only SPRING TRAINING GAMES, people. Unless I need to use them to support my crotchety doom scenarios. Then they are indicators.
TRADE HANSON WHILE THERE’S STILL TIME. Plus he’s too tall. He’ll knock his head on the dug-out. You people see nothing.
Brandon
March 10th, 2009
2:35 pm
what has Anderson done this spring?
chris from md
March 10th, 2009
2:35 pm
Carroll,
Don’t forget about Medlen– that makes 7 potential AAA starters, though I think Campillo will be the Braves’ long reliever.
A thought about the lineup: I hate to use backwards thinking but I just can’t imagine Bobby putting any veteran in the 8-hole. That’s why I think J.Anderson will not lead-off. What do you all think of this lineup:
Escobar, Johnson, Chipper, BMac, Anderson, Kotchman, Frenchy, J.Anderson, pitcher. That allows them to go righty, lefty, switch, lefty, righty, lefty, righty, lefty, pitcher.
Chris from MD
Il Cattivo
March 10th, 2009
2:38 pm
Soriano – scoreless inning with one hit allowed
according to mlb PBP
Original Jon
March 10th, 2009
2:39 pm
Yes, Carroll, I believe that may just be the reason, lol. Derek is the absolute man right now.
KC
March 10th, 2009
2:40 pm
I’m glad Blanco is playing well in the WBC. Maybe that will allow us to trade him for something more than a bag of balls. But Blanco for the Braves CF job? NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He can’t hit the ball out of the infield, and despite his exceptional speed, he doesn’t really steal bases. If you can’t hit the ball out of the infield, can’t steal bases, and can’t hit lefties… what good are you?
Oh, and he’s not a particularly gifted defensive player. Anderson is much better in center.
Eric
March 10th, 2009
2:40 pm
Carroll how did Soriano look?
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 10th, 2009
2:41 pm
Frenchy is up to .150 – and climbing! Wonder what his obp is.
PWHjort
March 10th, 2009
2:43 pm
“I couldn’t watch today, but this Lowe guy’s pitching line looks quite a bit like the last one we saw from Hanson, who does not impress me.
I have serious concerns about the Braves’ pitching.”
Are you serious? Hanson doesn’t impress you? What does it take to impress you? Because I was at the game and I’d never seen such amazing stuff. And I’ve watched Kerry Wood pitch in person. Also, Lowe’s line doesn’t impress you? 4 perfect innings with 6 K’s and 6 grounders? I don’t think it gets better than that.
Brandon
March 10th, 2009
2:43 pm
KC, how has J. Anderson done this spring?
PWHjort
March 10th, 2009
2:44 pm
Frenchy’s OBP was .227 before today’s game. He drew a walk and got a hit though so he may be north of the Mendoza line of OBP after today’s game.
KC
March 10th, 2009
2:45 pm
SoWeGa Fanatic, and think he had some hits in those WBC exhibition games that don’t show in the spring stats. Still… his averages is pretty low right now.
But he has either walked or put the ball in play in EVERY SINGLE AT-BAT this spring, and is hitting to all fields. That’s impressive, and if he can keep that up (or anything close to it), he’s going to hit for a high average this spring. And with his strength, if he keeps putting the bat on the ball consistently, the power is going to be there.
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
March 10th, 2009
2:46 pm
PWH,
They are making fun of Bravesfan 88 who comes on here after Hanson pitches and bashes his 1 or 2 mistakes and says he is “unimpressed” lol.
I’m fairly sure this dude is joking around about the Lowe line, and the Hanson basher.
winterville
March 10th, 2009
2:47 pm
PWHjort
That guy was making fun of someone else who said that he wasn’t impressed with Hanson after his first start. Read his name.
PWHjort
March 10th, 2009
2:47 pm
I had a feeling that’s what was up. In that case it’s hilarious.
Kennesaw Fan
March 10th, 2009
2:47 pm
What is the deal with Esocobar? How is he playing this spring. It doesnt seem like there has been much talk about him
KC
March 10th, 2009
2:48 pm
I don’t remember what J.Anderson did in the WBC exhibition games (which don’t count in the spring stats)… but in all Grapefruit League games: .316 with 3 stolen bases in 19 at-bats.
His OBP is low, whic is troubling for a leadoff guy… but it’s only 19 AB’s, so no need to panic over that.
KC
March 10th, 2009
2:50 pm
Escobar id 6 for 14 (.429) – all singles so far – and 3 walks this spring in Grapefruit League games.
PWHjort
March 10th, 2009
2:50 pm
Escobar is playing and playing well this spring. His Line Drive % has been very high. He’s quietly becoming a huge part of the offense.
flange1
March 10th, 2009
2:50 pm
My 2 cents:
I think G. Blanco will start the year in the minors. The bench is already set and J Anderson is out of options. (Blanco is not) If Blanco wins the job, the Braves will have to release or trade J Anderson and I don’t think they want to do that.
I think Campy will start the year as a starter in Gwinnett as a back up starter if one of the ATL starters gets hurt. I don’t think the Braves want to bring up Hanson so quick. Maybe JoJo, but not Hanson.
Buddy C and Kris M. will battle for the long relief job. I think Buddy will get it but we will see.
I think Tommy G will open the year on the DL. We don’t need a #5 starter for awhile and that will allow the Braves to keep an extra bullpen arm for a bit into the regular season.
Expect a trade or 2 toward the end of spring training. The Braves have excess pitching and might trade for prospects (or to improve their roster, but I doubt that)
Glad to see Frenchy’s “eye” at the plate improve. The more non-strikes he lays off of, the more strikes he will get to hit, even with last years bad mechanics, he would still have a better year. Add the new mechanics and he could have a great year.
Kotch is going to be great. I see him as a Mark Grace type with a bit more power.
I am looking forward to this year. I think the Braves have a heck of a team.
THANK YOU FRANK WREN!
Brandon
March 10th, 2009
2:51 pm
would it be better for schafer to start in AAA and come up later in the year or start the season in the big leagues and platoon with J. Anderson in CF?
ease19
March 10th, 2009
2:52 pm
KC pretty spot on…
PWHjort I think we found out all we need to know about Braves 88 when he went from Braves Tool 88 to Braves IQ 88…nuff said.
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 10th, 2009
2:53 pm
I’m with ya, KC. If Frenchy keeps putting it in play and makes pitchers throw strikes, good things will definitely follow. ALso, the homers will come if he is not trying to hit them.
mbatl
March 10th, 2009
2:54 pm
KC (et al), I would bet my bottom dollar (which is now worth 55 cents, btw) that Schafer will be in CF by June 1. The debate over Josh vs. Gregor is interesting, but I would bet that one over the other won’t make much difference in the couple of months they’ll be playing. Each has some skills, and some weaknesses. Neither is a longterm solution in CF.
Seems to me that Gregor gets stuffed at Gwinnett for a rainy day, and Josh starts until we’re ready to bring up Schafer, and then we either trade him or try to pass him through waivers. If he’s playing well, we might get something for him. If not, we’ll pass him through waivers and send him to the minors for the year.
PWHjort
March 10th, 2009
2:57 pm
Flange1, I agree with what you said. Campillo could be in the mix for the long relief job. After all, he transitioned seamlessly from that role to the starting role last year.
flange1
March 10th, 2009
2:57 pm
mbatl,
I agree with your Blanco/Anderson/Schafer argument at 2:54.
Good call…..
B
March 10th, 2009
2:58 pm
Where is David O’Brien?
BravoJon
March 10th, 2009
2:58 pm
Brandon,
Most likely not a platoon bc both are lefties and Bobby doesn’t normally platoon same-handed players. And there isn’t enough space on the roster to keep Diaz, Norton, and platoon those guys anyway.
McFann :Ô:
March 10th, 2009
2:59 pm
Dude…we’ve been getting a lot of Joe West this Spring.
Bravely going forward
March 10th, 2009
3:00 pm
dave is shopping for leather jackets, as you can see in his pic
flange1
March 10th, 2009
3:00 pm
PWHjort,
You are right, Campy jumped from relief to starter pretty well last year. He could be included for long relief, by the way went to you blog yesterday, interesting stuff!!
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 10th, 2009
3:02 pm
So, who’s the 4th OF?
Shawn G
March 10th, 2009
3:03 pm
mbatl: I agree with you at 2:54 except trying to passJ osh through waivers. It isn’t happening,
mbatl
March 10th, 2009
3:03 pm
“So, who’s the 4th OF?”
Matt Diaz.
Carroll Rogers
March 10th, 2009
3:03 pm
B, David O’Brien is sitting in the Orlando airport, waiting for me to finish this game and bring him the rental car we are sharing, as new AJC budgetary concerns require….Where ya been? He’s been off for a week.
PWHjort
March 10th, 2009
3:04 pm
Thanks, but it’s not my blog, I just write for it. Jaq Baldwin owns the site. Grant McAuley, Jaq, and I write for it. It’s sort of in limbo now with Jaq being very busy and us having problems with the wordpress software, but we’ll be up and running 100% by opening day.
MiamiBrave
March 10th, 2009
3:06 pm
4th OF will be Matt Diaz, who will be platooning with G. Anderson
ease19
March 10th, 2009
3:06 pm
Lotta good sass coming from Carroll lately!
McFann must be rubbing off on her
mbatl
March 10th, 2009
3:06 pm
“mbatl: I agree with you at 2:54 except trying to passJ osh through waivers. It isn’t happening,”
Shawn G, I don’t think he’d clear waivers today, but once teams have set their rosters and the season is underway, it might happen. I’m not really arguing, though… you may be right. With Schafer and Gorkys in the pipeline, at some point you don’t care if you lose a Josh Anderson (and I like Josh).
Carroll Rogers
March 10th, 2009
3:07 pm
Kinda funny that i bill this blog about seeing Soriano pitch and Derek Lowe is so fast to the showers I only saw a few pitches to the first hitter for Soriano before I’ve got to go to the Braves clubhouse…..But I know the first couple pitches looked pretty live to me. He got Carlos Lee on a groundout to first. He struck out Hunter Pence swinging, he gave up a solid single to right to Jason Smith and he got Aaron Boone to flyout to right. It was over in a flash. He threw 11 pitches, eight of them were strikes. Real promising start I’d say. And afterward he chatted with us for quite a while. He was content with it. Elbow feels good, almost 100 percent, he said, and he was referring mainly to needing to build arm strength to get up to 100 percent.
They don’t have a radar gun here, other than the ones scouts are holding, so I’m not sure how hard he was throwing, but the results would tell me pretty hard.