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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
924 comments Add your comment
Run Heap Run
April 26th, 2009
2:40 pm
DOB: Oh well….nevermind then. Uh..your hair looks nice today.
Coach (2010 or bust)
April 26th, 2009
2:40 pm
Taveras beat the throw to first with speed.
Run Heap Run
April 26th, 2009
2:41 pm
Frenchy!
cabravesfan
April 26th, 2009
2:41 pm
great play from Jeff there…great throw
Ugaman
April 26th, 2009
2:41 pm
OMG! What an incredible play and throw by Frenchy!!!!
PWHjort
April 26th, 2009
2:42 pm
What a play.
Stephen
April 26th, 2009
2:42 pm
Haha, what an arm.
abwright
April 26th, 2009
2:42 pm
Wow!
Nix nails a breaking ball almost down in the dirt. Frenchy makes a good play on the ball for the out. Throws it in and holds the runner at third.
Votto at the plate. Nowhere to put him.
Jeff321
April 26th, 2009
2:42 pm
Nice throw by Frenchy.
Coach (2010 or bust)
April 26th, 2009
2:43 pm
The bazooka in RF is all about respect.
Stephen
April 26th, 2009
2:43 pm
Well, there goes this game, later guys.
Ugaman
April 26th, 2009
2:43 pm
Man, Votto is a beast!
MariettaDerek
April 26th, 2009
2:43 pm
well that wasn’t double pits to chesty at all!
PWHjort
April 26th, 2009
2:43 pm
Crap.
Chop Chop
April 26th, 2009
2:44 pm
Votto should point to his wounds, turn to Yunel over at shortstop and say, “I feel ya, Yunel. I feel ya.”
abwright
April 26th, 2009
2:44 pm
Votto strikes again. Clears the bases with a double. Frenchy couldn’t cut it off and had to chase it all the way to the wall.
Bad pitch by KK. He is deserving his fate this inning.
Steve from OH
April 26th, 2009
2:44 pm
Man, that hit runner really screwed us, didn’t it?
Run Heap Run
April 26th, 2009
2:44 pm
Let it be noted that I called this at 1:31 pm.
TJ
April 26th, 2009
2:44 pm
This blog is ahead of the radio broadcast I’m listening to, so I’m guessing something bad happened….
Ugaman
April 26th, 2009
2:45 pm
KK is looking more and more like a fifth starter. I’m in total agreement with bringing up Hanson to obe the fourth starter and moving KK to the 5 spot and then putting JoJo in the bp.
Coach (2010 or bust)
April 26th, 2009
2:45 pm
As I was saying, LOL. 5-0 Reds.
Jeff321
April 26th, 2009
2:45 pm
KK wants desperately to be a GIVE IT UP BOY. But, you need to pitch out of the bullpen for that “honor.”
N Nine
April 26th, 2009
2:45 pm
If that was a double play we would have saved 4 runs(so far)
Stephen
April 26th, 2009
2:45 pm
Get him out, Kawakami doesn’t over power anyone and doesn’t fool Major league hitters.
abwright
April 26th, 2009
2:45 pm
Phillips hits a long single over Frenchy’s head. Votto scores.
Looks like the Braves are getting payback for yesterday.
Chop Chop
April 26th, 2009
2:45 pm
That one was smoked.
Loooooonnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggg single. 6-0.
a643dp
April 26th, 2009
2:45 pm
Bases are clear now Bobby here is your Q.
Ugaman
April 26th, 2009
2:45 pm
I think kk just tires too easily, This doesn’t look good for later in the year:(
Coach (2010 or bust)
April 26th, 2009
2:46 pm
6-0 Reds.
Jeff321
April 26th, 2009
2:46 pm
So, how long does Cox allow this to go on? Till were down by 10?
TJ
April 26th, 2009
2:46 pm
oh. Bases clearing hit. Yeah, I’d say that was bad.
TnBrian
April 26th, 2009
2:46 pm
Like I said, I think maybe that $7.3M coulda been better spent on some offense instead of an average #4 starter. I really think it was no more than a P.R. move by the Braves.
N Nine
April 26th, 2009
2:47 pm
Second half rotation: Put Hanson #4 and
drop KK to #5I’d take JoJo at the moment, REALLY.Coach (2010 or bust)
April 26th, 2009
2:47 pm
Back to 9-9 season record and 4-5 on the road trip. I love my .500 baseball team.
Rodney Derrick
April 26th, 2009
2:48 pm
A friend of mine suggested several weeks ago that perhaps Frenchy had lost arm strength. I think he was wrong. Boo! As I write Votto messed up game; I think I will go to the gym instead of waiting this one out. Hit runner stopping double play and this and now Phillips. Does not look like Braves’ day. Bye y’all for now!
N Nine
April 26th, 2009
2:48 pm
GONE!!!
Chop Chop
April 26th, 2009
2:48 pm
Goodbye.
Jay Bruce.
Outta here.
8-0.
PWHjort
April 26th, 2009
2:48 pm
TnBrian, I agree. I think Kawakami will be better than his current stats suggest, but it was a pretty unnecessary acquisition and I think it was more of a PR move than a win-now move.
abwright
April 26th, 2009
2:48 pm
Solid HR by Bruce. Nothing cheap about that one. 8-0 Reds.
Rob from SC
April 26th, 2009
2:49 pm
I think Tommy Hanson has found his rotation spot
a643dp
April 26th, 2009
2:49 pm
Im sorry you knew he had another in him…….now here is your Q Bobby
Steve from OH
April 26th, 2009
2:49 pm
Back to 9-9 season record and 4-5 on the road trip. I love my .500 baseball team.
Then go find a new f’ing baseball team and go grace their blog with your sunny personality.
Ugaman
April 26th, 2009
2:50 pm
OK. Maybe bring Morton up for the 5 spot and put KK in Gwinnett. They won’t do this because they would take a major PR hit in Japan, and with the Asian community in Atl, but obviously, KK doesn’t have the stuff to win consistently over here.
Run Heap Run
April 26th, 2009
2:50 pm
In other news….Phillies up 8-1 in 8th, Nats up 8-1 in 5th.
Frank from KS
April 26th, 2009
2:50 pm
Okay, I’ll take back what I said yesterday about them being a good enough team to go on a nice long winning streak.
I’ll admit when I’m wrong. (Lol)
LuisG
April 26th, 2009
2:50 pm
Another one by Bruce?!! At ‘least’ let him finish the inging.
Where’s the 2-out magic today? 8 runs have scored after 2 outs, and we’re trailing by… 8
abwright
April 26th, 2009
2:51 pm
KK out, Buddy in the pitch.
David O'Brien
April 26th, 2009
2:51 pm
I will remind of this from the original blog:
Can Kenshin Kawakami keep the Reds in the park today as they go for a sweep and winning record on the nine-game trip?
We’ll see. But I tell you one thing, he better keep the ball down or it could get ugly.
N Nine
April 26th, 2009
2:51 pm
Steve from OH,Watch out! Coach might chew you out again!
kirkinga
April 26th, 2009
2:53 pm
I think Kawakami right now is similar to Chuck James. He seems ok until the 5th inning or so. I think we should give him some time though because you can see he has descent enough stuff. I think he needs to learn the hitters more and then he’ll be more effective.
Reds are hitting everything today and it’s walk the dog time because we’re not hitting..again.
KC
April 26th, 2009
2:53 pm
I expected good things from Kawakami. As did the Braves, Leo Mazzone, and many others. And it’s still only April. Maybe he’ll settle in at some point. This is a pretty huge adjustment he’s got to make here, and he does seem to have the tools to succeed here… a 90mph fastball, a very good curve, a solid changeup, and a couple of other big league quality pitches.
It’s really his location that’s been the problem, which is surprising, given that control was what he was know for throughout his career. I still think there’s hope that he’ll turn it around to some degree. But I have to admit that I have serious doubts at this point.
I fear that he’s going to be worthless. WORSE than worthless, actually… if he’s single-handedly losing ballgames for the Braves. The Braves aren’t know for free agent busts, but this may be one of them. Very troubling.
abwright
April 26th, 2009
2:53 pm
Coach (2010 or bust), “Back to 9-9 season record and 4-5 on the road trip. I love my .500 baseball team.”
Whatever happened to “It ain’t over til it’s over.”
abwright
April 26th, 2009
2:54 pm
The assassin leads off with a hit.
KC
April 26th, 2009
2:55 pm
Could the Georgia state lemon laws apply here?
abwright
April 26th, 2009
2:55 pm
Encarnacion makes a great play in foul territory on a Kotchman fly ball. 1 out.
Coach (2010 or bust)
April 26th, 2009
2:55 pm
Kawakami, 7.06 ERA.
Steve, kiss my AZZ.
TnBrian
April 26th, 2009
2:56 pm
Kawakami looks like he is absolutely drained after a few innings just about every one of his starts here. His out pitch is apparantly that cutter, but he’s either not confident with it right now, or the thing is just cutting down the middle. He has not impressed at all.
abwright
April 26th, 2009
2:56 pm
Frenchy hits a DP ball. Chipper out at second, but F beats it out.
Coach (2010 or bust)
April 26th, 2009
2:57 pm
I told you this would happen. I knew Kawakami would go through an adjustment period concerning major league hitters and the strike zone. I knew it.
CJ
April 26th, 2009
2:57 pm
Just a few disappointing words on the braves. They have no power, they have no consistency. Their starting pitching has been decent, however Kawakami has not impressed me, Kelly Johnson is not a leadoff hitter, Jordan Schafer is a rookie who is and will learn. Garrett Anderson signing has been a bust. If the braves can somehow hang at .500 until we get healthy maybe there will be a chance. I do not see enough power coming out of our outfield positions, Francouer has turned it around which is good, but Schafer has a lot to learn, and once again Anderson has been a no show. There is plenty of talent in our farm system to trade for some help, including bullpen help. It is hard to watch this team.
Run Heap Run
April 26th, 2009
2:57 pm
And Braves answer with a 3 minute top of the 6th.
Chop Chop
April 26th, 2009
2:58 pm
KC,
“I fear that he’s going to be worthless. WORSE than worthless, actually…”
What the hell is that, man? You’re Mr. Positive.
abwright
April 26th, 2009
2:58 pm
BJones lines out to end the inning.
Very punchless offense today.
Rob in Mobile
April 26th, 2009
2:59 pm
Jim and Don on the radio broadcast mentioned that the Reds likely picked up on something in KK’s delivery, as though KK was tipping his pitches. Bruce seemed to know what was coming when he hit his HRs.
If KK is tipping his pitches, it won’t be long before the rest of the league catches up, if he doesn’t make the adjustment. It could get really ugly, as if today wasn’t ugly enough…..
PWHjort
April 26th, 2009
2:59 pm
Obsessing over what “number” someone is in the rotation is stupid. I don’t care what you call them. Call Javier Vazquez the number 5 and Kenshin Kawakami the number 1. Rotations get so jumbled up within 1 month into the season it doesn’t matter what “spot” in the rotation they occupy, they’re going to make all the starts the club wants them to. Calling this person number 4 and this person number 5 is nothing more than a nominal notion. It doesn’t affect their actual on-field performance or playing time.
Bobby's Cox
April 26th, 2009
3:00 pm
I still think KK tires early from the bigger US baseball. I’m sure it tires out his shoulder as he throws more pitches.He’s got crazy stuff, but I think he needs to work on strengthening that shoulder.
I’m not that worried though. He seems like a guy that will go 6 innings every start and give up 2-4 runs. His K’s have been down the last 2 starts (4 K’s), so maybe that’s a little concerning.
Dumbfounded
April 26th, 2009
3:00 pm
Could have gave the money of KK and Garett Anderson to Adam Dunn !!!
bravos2249
April 26th, 2009
3:00 pm
At least we only have one starter with a 6+ era…
BravesFAN885
April 26th, 2009
3:01 pm
even if garrett anderson and kenshin kawakami turn out to be busts, wren should still be recognized for getting Lowe, Vazquez, and Ross this offseason. o’flaherty could also be a big plus if he continues his good work.
abwright
April 26th, 2009
3:02 pm
Tapper back to Carlyle on the mound. 1 out.
I’ve noticed that the Braves seem to be offensively challenged, especially in the last game of a tough road trip and after a big offensive day. Today’s performance is not that surprising.
Fly out to center. 2 out.
At least the bullpen is going to have a bunch of stress free innings to get their ERA down.
Frank from KS
April 26th, 2009
3:02 pm
Hey Coach
Just feel lucky your not a Pirates, Nationals, or (up til this year) a Royals fan and (up til the last few years) a Cub fan….or many other teams.
A .500 team as the Braves are right now is a bunch better than some teams in both leagues.
BravesFAN885
April 26th, 2009
3:02 pm
are you kidding PWHjort? the fifth and first spots in the location get the same playing time. THAT is retarded.
bravos2249
April 26th, 2009
3:02 pm
OK I know we got beat by the Nats…but we didn’t get pounded 8-1 like the Mets are getting right now….but we are getting pounded by the Reds, but KK is like our 4th starter, unlike Perez whose what, there 3rd?
N Nine
April 26th, 2009
3:03 pm
Could have gave the money of KK and Garett Anderson to Adam Dunn !!!
Back to math class for you buddy
KC
April 26th, 2009
3:03 pm
PWHjort, no disrespect man, but that’s completely ridiculous. The Braves signed spent 25 million on a PR move? Come on dude. He’s got a lot of big league quality pitches, and he’s always shown excellent control. Braves scouts believed he could be successful here, and after watching a good bit of video, Braves coaches/officials agreed.
He’s lacked command here to a puzzling degree, but there was no reason to expect that coming in.
The Braves signed him because they thought he could be a solid 3rd or 4th starter that would help them win. Period. Frank Wren and Co. weren’t sitting in a office somewhere, wringing their hands and saying “What must the bloggers think of us now?! We’d better sign Kawakami to a 25 million dollar contract quickly to save our image!”
Nothing is better for public opinion and ticket sales than winning. The Braves know that, and that’s why they signed Kawakami… because they believed he could help. I just pray the tide turns here and they are proved right.
abwright
April 26th, 2009
3:03 pm
Double by Owings (the pitcher) off the wall. Schafer pulled up and played it off the wall, rather than crashing into the wall and giving up a triple.
BTW, Bruce really killed the rally in the 5th with that HR.
Bobby's Cox
April 26th, 2009
3:03 pm
About Leadoff:
I’d rather have Schafer up there now. The Braves need to start utilizing his speed. He might struggle initially, but he’s shown that he’s able to make adjustments pretty quickly. What’s the difference between KJ struggling up there (.203 now) or a kid who will eventually be the leadoff hitter? I don’t see any…
Coach (2010 or bust)
April 26th, 2009
3:04 pm
This is the slowest Braves baseball team in the 44 year history of professional baseball in Atlanta. Do I really need to say ANYTHING ELSE for the blog to put the rest of the puzzle together?
Mike
April 26th, 2009
3:04 pm
All or nothing with the Braves offense. Micah always seems to do well against us. Isnt he the pitcher the tore us up last year and hit a homer…hes from GA right? And I am have some concerns about KK. Its early and he is still learning to pitch here, but I still have some concerns.
Dumbfounded
April 26th, 2009
3:04 pm
They would have been a better team with Adam Dunn and Tommy Hanson !!!
abwright
April 26th, 2009
3:04 pm
Yunel throws out Taveras to end the inning.
Steve from OH
April 26th, 2009
3:06 pm
But dumbfounded, Dunn is slower than Diaz and Anderson. God knows that if he can’t run fast, he’s garbage. Our only good player right now is Schafer, in case you’re keeping track.
If only we had nine Willy Taverases….a blogger can dream, can’t he?
CJ
April 26th, 2009
3:06 pm
Mike, Owings always does great against us? Are you watching the game? Boog just said about 3 innings ago that he is 0-9 in his last 11 starts with an 8.35 era, and he does good against us? Hitting maybe, pitching usually not.
Steve from OH
April 26th, 2009
3:08 pm
Bobby’s, the only difference I see right now between the two is the potential detriment to Schafer’s development. In time dude, he’ll be there. Might not be too long, either. But not now, I think. Needs to show he can hit, walk and make adjustments more consistently.
I agree that he’s our best option, but we need to give him a bit more time before we put him there.
abwright
April 26th, 2009
3:08 pm
Schafer strikes out for the third time.
FaninFaytown
April 26th, 2009
3:08 pm
another freaking shafer k… geeeeeeez
Rob in Mobile
April 26th, 2009
3:08 pm
Mike, I think it was a couple of years ago he shut down the Braves and hit two homers in that same game. I remember there was considerable grumbling here about the embarrassment of an opposing pitcher hitting two homers, but he’s proved himself to be quite the threat. Jim and Don on the radio mentioned that the Reds were still mulling over the possibility of converting Owings to the outfield in Spring Training, but here he still is as a pitcher.
N Nine
April 26th, 2009
3:09 pm
Coach(3:04), If I had time to copy n paste your posts from last year. Last year it was the worst pitching ever to mankind and now this year you’re going to rant and rant regarding speed.
bravos2249
April 26th, 2009
3:09 pm
Look on the Bright side. KK will most likely face the Astros next. To me that’s the lineup with less power potential, even though they have Berkman, Lee, Tejada, and Pence.
I’d rather him face them than Pujols and Ludwick, or the Mets.
Jake W.
April 26th, 2009
3:09 pm
In Kawakami’s defense this is the first bad outing he has had for us. The last two games that he has pitched the defense caused him a few runs. KJ the dropped DP ball that leads to a 3 run homer. Diaz lost in the lights after chipper takes a ball off the chest for an error. His 1st game he gave up 3. In his defense its still early. Bad ball game here but if he can get back that control he had in Japan and get to know the hitters you never know. It’s too early to right the guy off.
Dumbfounded
April 26th, 2009
3:09 pm
How many Homeruns do our left field have to date ?! 1 !!!!!! Adam Dunn 5 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
abwright
April 26th, 2009
3:09 pm
Ross spoils the shutout with a HR to about the same spot as Bruce’s first HR. A little more authority than Bruce’s.
KC
April 26th, 2009
3:09 pm
When I look at the results so far, I’d have to say KK is garbage and we’d better hope that 25 million is all he winds up costing us (not the ‘09 season as well).
Again though, he’s got the stuff and the assortment of pitches. It’s just his command. Given the control he’s shown throughout his career, there has to be some hope that he will get it figured out and can be a decent 4th starter.
But as I said before, I’d be lying through my teeth if I said I wasn’t worried about him right now.
I’m REALLY hoping now the Glavine can make it back. Because if KK turns out to be a total flop, we may need Hanson to take over KK’s job.
Coach (2010 or bust)
April 26th, 2009
3:09 pm
Steve, you must be the dumbest son of a b!tch in your family.
abwright
April 26th, 2009
3:10 pm
Norton pinch-hitting for Carlyle. This is a good, low-pressure AB and a chancet to improve that BA.
Steve from OH
April 26th, 2009
3:10 pm
Uhh…glad to see you caught the joke dude….
Rob in Mobile
April 26th, 2009
3:10 pm
Owings isn’t that great a pitcher, but you’d never know it by the way the Braves are swinging (and missing….right, Schafer?) today, Ross’ homer notwithstanding.
Chop Chop
April 26th, 2009
3:10 pm
I won’t make excuses for Kawakami. I just can’t figure him out yet.
abwright
April 26th, 2009
3:11 pm
Ground-ball to second. 2 out.
KJ at the plate.
LuisG
April 26th, 2009
3:11 pm
Those numbers over Micah’s last 11 starts are not against us! He always does good against us: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7936 (I remember that game at The Ted when he homered twice)