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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
897 comments Add your comment
Mark in PA
May 15th, 2009
10:55 pm
Rollins K’s for the third out with runners on the corners.
Going to the Washington half of the tenth.
Man, would it be good to be in sole second and one game out!
brent a.
May 15th, 2009
10:55 pm
goldenglove,
that’s probably why I stink at Fantasy baseball. I’d rather have Escobar than Laroche, etc.
LKS
May 15th, 2009
10:58 pm
Esco has always been my fav..thats why it was sooo frustrating this offseason when a lot of people wanted to trade him. I understand Peavy is a “top-notch” pitcher but I think Esco is a top-notch SS…and he is proving it now!!
oldschool
May 15th, 2009
10:58 pm
Carroll,another W for the win column
Gil In Mechanicsville
May 15th, 2009
11:01 pm
Just my opinion… but, the Diamondbacks have the look of a team that would be assembled by a bunch of bloggers and the manager was picked because someone thought they needed to change things up….
Too many ex Washington players on that team if you ask me.
And speaking of the Nats… It would be good for them to get hot right now….
Mark in PA
May 15th, 2009
11:01 pm
And I’m with Jake W- having Soriano to close tomorrow is pretty sweet. THe rotating closer is a luxury that can work well, esp. as hard as the Cobra has been worked lately.
Jeff321
May 15th, 2009
11:02 pm
Gotta love Fred Lewis’ hustle. He just hit a jack to death valley and sprinted out of the box like he bunted the ball.
Slingblade
May 15th, 2009
11:04 pm
That boy Jo-Jo got him a 5 cent head, just like me.
Mark in PA
May 15th, 2009
11:04 pm
Nats strand a runner in the bottom of the tenth, on to the 11th.
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
May 15th, 2009
11:07 pm
Carroll,
Any reason Hanson didn’t pitch the 2nd game tonight in Buffalo?
cabravesfan
May 15th, 2009
11:08 pm
Hey, I just saw that Kris Medlen is a So Cal kid…does that mean braveshater won’t respect him either?
Andy
May 15th, 2009
11:10 pm
Good win tonight! Vazquez has great so far. Congrats to Medlin on the call-up!
I have created a facebook group: Greg Maddux for Manager of the Braves 2010. Join my group if you want to see the maddog as the next Braves manager.
bravos2249
May 15th, 2009
11:13 pm
Did anybody see what Tex did tonight? What an a-hole. If you haven’t it’ll be on ESPN.
Frankie Knuckles
May 15th, 2009
11:14 pm
No cabravesfan, people from California and actors are inferior. Duh, its common sense.
RIPSkip
May 15th, 2009
11:16 pm
Great win! The kind of game we lost last season.
And there isn’t much we can complain about with Gonzo. He has pitched WAY TOO MUCH!!!
There is no reason for him to have pitched 7 of the last 9. NO REASON! Hopefully we can get some balance in the bullpen’s usage.
GO BRAVES!
Frankie Knuckles
May 15th, 2009
11:17 pm
Good Nats Phillies game in progress
bravos2249
May 15th, 2009
11:20 pm
Fredi doing his Bobby impression
http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090515&content_id=4756648&vkey=news_fla&fext=.jsp&c_id=fla
cabravesfan
May 15th, 2009
11:21 pm
Frankie Knuckles-
damn- our secret is out! I was hoping it would not have hit your part of the country yet
Capt Caveman
May 15th, 2009
11:22 pm
So where is COACH with his usual self-important comments???
Can’t wait to hear how something that someone did somewhere will serve to vindicate his somehow totally idiotic crap !!!!
In the meantime — GO BRAVOS !!!
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
11:23 pm
Doesn’t look like the Braves will be in 2nd place all by themselves, but will be closer to 1st.
Mixxo
May 15th, 2009
11:24 pm
Phils are pouring it on the Nats……..10-6
Tom O'Hawke
May 15th, 2009
11:29 pm
Smyrna Jim
I’ve been busy, but I still try to make time to check out the Braves’s blog (O’Brien’s). I love your posts. I wish you had time to post more often. However, I know how that is. Anyway, if I can get everything completed in time, before I head to the Catskill Mountains for the summer, I want to head to Atlanta for some games. I used to take in games, for many years, for a long weekend, and sometimes for a week. If I can get down there again, I want to get together with you (and your significant other). You teach math, and I am the world’s leading mathematician. Who know’s, with a pizza and a pitcher of beer, we may come up with a travel time, for a spacecraft, faster than the speed of light!
If I do have the time, I’ll pay for you and yours, to accompany me at a game or two.
If I can get down there (I’m gonna try), and we can get together, let me know.
Carroll Rogers
May 15th, 2009
11:31 pm
Buffalo, nothing big that i know of. Since it was to be a seven-inning game on the back end of a DH that started at 5:30, maybe they just wanted him to get a regular start, not worrying about when it might start and how long he could go. …I’m not sure the particulars, but I don’t think it’s anything to fret over.
Not only did Chipper take his comments public about bringing the intensity home, he told his teammates that in person during the pre-game scouting meeting. Then he backed it up with his homer. But here’s what he said when asked about it after the game.
“It always helps me when a guy who’s calling the huddle or meeting goes out and leads by example,” Jones said. “The guys know that we’re on a roll right now and we’ve played differently on the road. We’ve played better with more intensity on the road than we have here. It’s been more of a relaxed atmosphere, guys just sitting back and thinking we’ll throw out the bats and the gloves and win ball games. And that’s not the case. You’ve got to go out and prepare yourself and bring it to the table every day.”
And he liked what he saw in the ninth inning, Braves keeping their focus and putting up one good at-bat after another
“As we’ve done all week, for the past week to 10 days, we’ve been resilient and came right back and got a W,” jones said. “hopefully it’s something to build on. We started it on the road we want to keep it going. If you can’t keep the homefield advantage and have it be an advantage for you, then it’s going to be a long year. We’ve got to win ball games here. We’ve had opportunities to. We had every opportunity to tuck our tails after the top of the ninth and lose this one again, but we didn’t. we bounced back.”
Carroll Rogers
May 15th, 2009
11:33 pm
Heavy Medlen, that’s three in a row and your boy Medlen called up on my watch. Better not hear anymore peeps outta ya!
Schafer was funny about his first RBI since April 8. Said his teammates were about to start a pool…..hey, if you can’t laugh at yourself when you’re struggling like he has been, you’re going to go crazy. I’ve said all along I think he has the right attitude about this and he’s trying like crazy to shorten his swing. He knows the same swing he puts on an 88 mph fball won’t do on 95. Well he got 95 in the ninth and hit it.
OK kids, I’m off. DOB is back manana.
Mark in PA
May 15th, 2009
11:42 pm
Dang. THe Phillistines won in DC.
RHR
May 15th, 2009
11:42 pm
Thanks Carroll, good stuff.
I freakin love Chipper.
Frankie Knuckles
May 15th, 2009
11:42 pm
Carroll,
need the tilde on that tomorrow
Mark in PA
May 15th, 2009
11:43 pm
And on the current homestand, Braves 1, demon cow idol 0.
Braves Paisan
May 15th, 2009
11:45 pm
Just got in from the game. Bigger crowd than expected; lots of kids, adolescents, and college-aged young people. (Maybe Atlanta gains more college students returning than they lose departing?) Anyway … they saw a fine game and seemed to be having a great time.
I score the games, kind of a lost art. Very few do these days … but tonight there was a guy in the row ahead of us who was scoring with multi-colored pencils!
Always something cosmically intriguing afoot in the big ballpark …
Mixxo
May 15th, 2009
11:52 pm
Giants ace is runnin’ into some trouble on the bay. 5-3
RHR
May 15th, 2009
11:53 pm
I know this will be lost on most of you but wow…the last 10 minutes of the Grey’s Anatomy finale was phenomenal. I just watched it again.
Tom O'Hawke
May 16th, 2009
12:00 am
Carroll
Thank you
LKS
May 16th, 2009
12:01 am
RHR
Don’t tell yet!! I have the last hour of the finale to watch. Was catching up on last weeks episode and the first hour of the finale. Tears rolling down my face. I think I will go finish it now
Mixxo
May 16th, 2009
12:15 am
David Wright hits a bases loaded double to tie it up in SF. 6-6
FrenchyFries
May 16th, 2009
12:24 am
mets get on base and steal their way around in order to score, the braves get on and have to get 3 more hits in order to score a run.
Bubdylan
May 16th, 2009
12:37 am
Mets are scrappy lately. I kind of like them this year. Mr. Reyes always excepted.
ssiscribe
May 16th, 2009
12:48 am
Top of the evening (actually, morning), good people. A fun night at the ballpark with the family, capped by a win that reinforces why I remain bullish on this team.
Walking along the upper-level concourse after the game, I bumped into two guys with whom I play fantasy baseball (two more of our owners were in the press box covering the game … 5 out of 12 in the house tonight, but I digress) … Our conversation was short, but the point all of us made was this is the type of game the Braves haven’t been able to win for the past three seasons. These are the ones that got away in 2006, 2007, 2008 …
As we strolled to the parking lot, I told my 6-year-old (who was SO excited to see a win in the bottom of the ninth and the ensuring celebration by the guys wearing white jerseys) that the Braves almost always won these types of games during the early years of their playoff run. If a game that was all but won started to slip away, the Braves found a way to reclaim it.
Super impressed with the way the guys performed at the plate in the ninth. I told my kids when Kelly was batting that his AB was the key to the inning. Awesome job of working that BB. Schafer’s swing looked better tonight and, man, that kid can flat out cover some ground in center. Great to see Chipper get vocal, both in the locker room at Citi Field after Wednesday’s game, and then in the locker room and the dugout tonight. The Braves need that vocal veteran presence, and Hoss is the guy to do it. Hitting that homer to back up his words was huge, too.
I wanted Moylan to start the ninth. I didn’t want to see either Soriano or Gonzalez tonight; both threw a ton of pitches on the road trip. But Bobby made the call to go with Gonzo, and while it didn’t work out, his team went right back out there and got things done.
Great win, and a great atmosphere at the yard tonight. Lotta enthusiasm and buzz in the stands. I love it; we NEED this, each and every time out at Turner Field. The Braves, for their struggles following the 5-1 start, the malaise that pretty much torched the last three weeks of April, are one game over .500 and will be no worse than two games out of first place when dawn arrives in a few hours.
It’s gonna be fun, good people. Get on board and hang on tight.
I like the Medlen move a lot. He’s been awesome in 2009 … starting in spring training. You could make a case he deserved to break camp with the big-league team. What he’s done for Gwinnett is ultra-impressive. I’m excited to see him throw it for the big-league squad Tuesday.
And, while many will poo-poo this thought, I think Jo-Jo could REALLY be a big boost to the pen. O’Flaherty has been awesome as the lefty guy, but Jo-Jo has really been tough on leftys as well. Maybe, as he said, his place should be in the pen. I’m anxious to see him come in and face a hitter or two in a clutch situation.
Duty calls (as it always does). Selah, good people.
The Scribe abides.
–30–
RHR
May 16th, 2009
12:56 am
LKS
Dont worry, i would never spoil a show on the blog. I just said it was good.
LKS
May 16th, 2009
1:06 am
RHR
You were right…pretty darn good!! Tears once again!
Roman Gal
May 16th, 2009
1:25 am
Wow! It seems a lot of bloggers were at the game tonight. I hate to say it, but I’m sort of glad that Gonzo blew the save in the ninth. The game was a little slow and the crowd didn’t seem to get into it a lot, but they certainly came to life in the ninth.
Oh, and in case anyone forgot…I love Schafer!!
Bigger crowd than expected; lots of kids, adolescents, and college-aged young people. Braves Paison
Hey, we college kids gots to study…but certainly now that a lot of schools are getting out the crowds will get bigger. That’s how it’s always been.
keylargo
May 16th, 2009
1:25 am
Just saw the highlights from the Texas/LAA game. While A. Jones did hit a HR, he looked horrible as far as his conditioning goes. He is back in the 250 pound range again and will be a liability in the outfield. Josh Hamilton was the complete opposite looking like a superstar with a HR, an assist at home and looking like a fine tuned All Star.
It’s hard to predict what will happen with AJ but I would bet against anything that involved him playing any defense. If the $20 million a year contract with LA could not motivate him, what can?
Epinephrine
May 16th, 2009
1:31 am
Great win. Hopefully Cox is learning his lesson on overworking relievers with Gonzo’s recent trouble, but somehow I doubt it. Got to give these guys more rest.
Robert
May 16th, 2009
1:44 am
“Should BC think about changing the closer to Soriano?”
Bobby Cox shouldn think. Bad things happen to the Braves when Donk thinks
kenhotlanta
May 16th, 2009
1:51 am
Buffalo NY Braves Fan: According the to AJC story, the call-up of Medlen caused Hanson to be pushed back to a regular 9 inning start. Nothing wrong with him.
kenhotlanta
May 16th, 2009
1:54 am
Mixxo: I’ve posted this a couple of times, but I guess you didn’t see it. I have an original Nantucket poster, please let me know if you are interested.
Roman Gal
May 16th, 2009
1:57 am
I’m ashamed to say that I’ve officially become one of those fans who fills out a gazillion all-star ballots at the games. I think I filled out about 60 or so…
Ok, so I’m not really that ashamed…
uga-brave
May 16th, 2009
2:20 am
I GOT serious money on that fillie.
no fillie has won the preakness since whenever.
money on that fillie.
uga-brave
May 16th, 2009
2:24 am
i have 500 on that fillie at 8-5 . i think she will run and look around.
no one will want to run with her.
uga-brave
May 16th, 2009
2:27 am
i love the pony’s she will run away.
MariettaDerek
May 16th, 2009
2:38 am
That win tonight was definitely double pits to chesty! Sorry, JV.
uga-brave
May 16th, 2009
2:49 am
BAS,
lay the money on that girl tmmrw. she will run away. the field is weak.
#1 METS TROLL (And Proud Of It)
May 16th, 2009
6:46 am
No Delgado, no problem. No Reyes, no problem. No Putz, no problem. First two games on a difficult road trip, no Problem. This team is deep and built to win…..LETS GO METS!!!!!!
bgvt
May 16th, 2009
7:26 am
If you know the Yiddish meaning of “putz”, then I would say “no putz” is a big problem if you are a guy.
CharlieAlphaBravo
May 16th, 2009
7:36 am
I figure we can cruise right along a few games back from the Mets and wait for them to choke… I believe it’s called a “Philidelphia Cheesecake”….
Coach (2010 or Bust)
May 16th, 2009
8:01 am
I don’t think so Charlie. The Mets are built to win. Their bullpen problem of the past two seasons has been solved. I predicted the Mets to win the N.L. east before the season even started and I stand by that prediction.
That said, I expect that our Braves will be four or five games over .500 by the end of this month. Frank Wren is already getting his trading cards out and he’s gonna need them.
Supes
May 16th, 2009
8:30 am
Coach…Yeah the Mets are “built to win”…biggest payroll chockers of all time. Unless they pull off a trade for a number 1 or 2 staters to help solidify their rotation (may need 2 starters depending on how things go), they are extremely vulnerable.
Santana gets matched against the other team’s best pitcher more often than not…rendering the Mets offense inept and making it harder to capitalize on the fact they do have one of the best pitchers in baseball going for them that day.
Hernandez is inconsistant at best (he’s hit and miss a lot of the time. One good game followed by another where he gets hammered around).
Perez is in the minors.
Neise was sent down after the Braves smacked him around (not impressed, if that’s the best the Mets have to offer right now from their minor leaguers they are in big trouble…compared to the Braves with Medlen, Morton and Hanson). When Neise was called up he had an ERA over 5.00 How did that work? He had 1 good start, and one bad one and now he’s back to the minors.
Maine and Pelfrey are decent 3-4 type starters who could win you 10 games but need to step up if they are to win anything this year. What if they don’t?
Mets pen…K-Rod is good, but not untouchable. Braves already touched him up for some runs and got some hits out of him (sure to get to him a little as the two teams keep facing each other through the season). Putz doesn’t have it (like he used to with Seattle before the injury). Nobody else scares me out of their pen.
So before Coach CROWNS their a&&es, the Mets are who we thought they were. A slightly better than .500 team. Nothing more (in their current state)
Meanwhile, Braves upside is bigger if things break right for them. Maybe they do that and shock everyone, including me on this blog (I picked the Phillies to win the NL East again before the season started).
richbrave
May 16th, 2009
8:35 am
Solid hitters so far:
ESCOBAR, JONES, McCANN, KOTCHMON, DIAZ, but only in situational batting. 4 1/3 cylinders firing out of eight. JOHNSON, ANDERSON, FRANCOUER, SCHAFER dead weight so far. What’s our record? I say this team needs them all firing to be a division champion. Let’s go guys. We need you.
Doc Holiday
May 16th, 2009
9:00 am
Discussion: Possible Braves Trades
By Tim Dierkes [May 15, 2009 at 3:14pm CST]
MLB.com’s Mark Bowman does a little trade speculatin’ in his latest blog post:
The Braves are going to be looking to find some power before the trade deadline and with a surplus of arms, there may be a number of teams interested in Charlie Morton, who has allowed just four earned runs in his past 27 innings with Triple-A Gwinnett.
And don’t forget what Ken Rosenthal wrote on Tuesday:
If the Braves need more offense, they will have the pitching depth to get it. Right-hander Tommy Hanson is untouchable, but he’s not the team’s only hot pitcher at Class AAA. Two other right-handers — Kris Medlen and Morton — figure to be coveted by other clubs, and the Braves have additional prospects at Class AA.
About that Braves’ offense…my 4.93 runs per game projection hasn’t been matched so far. Kelly Johnson, Garret Anderson, and Jeff Francoeur are off to slow starts, leaving the team 11th in the NL with 4.47 runs scored per game. The Braves might be OK at second with Omar Infante and Martin Prado as options, but an outfield addition would make sense. Who could add the power the Braves crave? Just to throw out a few names: Carlos Lee, Josh Willingham, Rick Ankiel, Brad Hawpe, Jermaine Dye, Austin Kearns, Aubrey Huff, and Magglio Ordonez. The majority of these would not justify giving up top young arms, though. Who would you like to see the Braves pursue?
McFann :Ô:
May 16th, 2009
9:14 am
Waytago, Nats and Giants. Thanks a lump. Good thing the Braves won…
Doc Holiday
May 16th, 2009
9:15 am
It would be amazing to get carlos lee
Doc Holiday
May 16th, 2009
9:17 am
Already mid may and we still have TORONTO, KC AND TEXAS on top of the AL………..amazing
Doc Holiday
May 16th, 2009
9:22 am
richbrave,
GA has hit safely in 7 out of the last 10 games. He has a 4 game hitting streak. His AVG. was .163 5 days ago, its up to .233. Id say he is heating up. I mean……….40 points in 5 days?
Doc Holiday
May 16th, 2009
9:23 am
richbrave,
I meant 70 points…..
Doc Holiday
May 16th, 2009
9:24 am
His OBP has climbed 60 points in the last 10 days also.
Doc Holiday
May 16th, 2009
9:24 am
His OBP has climbed 69 points……not 60
Doc Holiday
May 16th, 2009
9:31 am
Braves 2nd in pitching!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
maybe by the end of the month we are 1st in the division and in ERA………..that would be great.
We are 7-2 in our last 9 games…….. thats hot baseball
McFann :Ô:
May 16th, 2009
9:40 am
Doc H. We are 7-2 in our last 9 games…….. thats hot baseball
Sure is…
Observer
May 16th, 2009
9:41 am
From where I’m sitting Chipper Jones is looking more like a future manager everyday.
richbrave
May 16th, 2009
9:41 am
DOWN ON THE FARM:
GWINNETT loses to BUFFALO last night 6-5 and “ELMER who” DESSENS secures his third save. With an .098 ERA, he’s lights out so far in AAA. Hooted out of A-town by us bloggers here, he lives to fight another day.
Anyway, I thought its time to see what a few of our heroes besides, MEDLEN, HANSON and MORTON are currently up to.
GREGOR BLANCO must not have taken his demotion to AAA well. I haven’t see him in person so I have to go by what I read. It really is only half the story on a player. Anyway, batting .226 in 84 April AB’s, he’s tailed off so far this month, hitting .208 in 58 appearances. No ray of sunshine here. He hits .319 ahead in the count, but .071 when behind. Why would any opposing pitcher throw him anything but strikes? Depressing. Next.
25 year old right-hand hitter DIORY HERNANDEZ continues to light up opposing pitchers to the tune of .367. The man is possessed by the hitting angels especially against lefties with an all-firmament .522 average in 23 AB’s. He’s blocked in ATLANTA however, by MATT DIAZ who’s doing pretty much the same thing with much more ML experience. Batting a solid .320 against righties in 75 plate appearances. He has the right balance for the BRAVES at home and away however. Hitting .286 in 35 home AB’s, he’s all-world at .413 on the road in 63 AB’s. Steady averages in day/night and on grass. All mid-.350 and above. .372 in April, .364 in May. A respectible .283 with the bases empty, he sheds his angelic guise, and becomes a hitting demon and an RBI machine, torturing opposing pitchers with a .467 average with runners on, and .591 with men in scoring position. Any way you look at his numbers, the young man can hit. Now if he would just bring his glove to the ball-park instead of leaving it at home, DIORY would probably be welcomed in ATLANTA soon.
Mystery-aged BARBARO CANIZARES continues to roll in the hitting department at .331 currently. Closer analysis reveals some interesting hitting patterns. DAVE BRUNDIGE is using him well by getting him up frequently against righties where he bats .369 in 103 AB’s. Against lefties however, only .222 in 36 AB. Home .250, away .408, a normal BRAVE malaise. .270 in day games, .353 at night. He continues his normal trend of batting well to start the season then tailing off only to sprint to the finish later in the season. The splits are: April .353/May .296. Still .296 is very good through mid-month. Ahead in the count/Behind in the count both good. Very consistant with the bases empty, runners on, or in scoring position. He’s a dangerous hitter in every circumstance. And this year he must be serious, as he’s brought his glove to the ball-park. Only two errors in 35 G, I believe a personal record for him. All round better play from the big CUBANO.
Coach (2010 or Bust)
May 16th, 2009
9:42 am
Our Braves are 8-6 this month and scoring five runs per game since May 1st. The pitching has been adequate but believe it or not, it’s been the improved offense, bullpen and defense which has contributed to the win total.
The Braves still need to keep playing ABC baseball as the running game has us at a disadvantage. Chipper and Garret Anderson have to stay healthy because the Braves lack HR power and need every bat to contribute.
The remaining easy schedule (Toronto notwithstanding) should help through the end of the month.
Efrim
May 16th, 2009
9:49 am
Doc: “It would be amazing to get carlos lee”
Not amazing if we are paying that contract. And he is an awful defender. If the Braves valued defense in the offseason, I have to assume they value it now. Not that I agree with that. Because it is pretty clear that this team is a power hitting corner outfielder away from being a legit contender.
Gil In Mechanicsville
May 16th, 2009
9:53 am
Rich, and as you type it, Barbaro had two errors last night at Buffalo. Hey, he is a fine looking player except he can’t field a lick…. Started out as a catcher I believe.
Yeah, I can’t figure out Diory… You are right about the stone hands however. If you could just splice him with Tony Pena Jr. You would have a guy who could be all world. Of course the flip side you have been a light hitting shortstop who could not field…. A lot like Scott Thorman.. but different.
VaBravesfan
May 16th, 2009
9:56 am
Only saw the last two innings last night and didn’t read entire blog. Is something up with Soriano or just an extra days rest?
Doc Holiday
May 16th, 2009
10:00 am
All I know is that if Braves are thinking big, they cant continue with their plans without getting a bat……. we have to have a bigger threat. Or some players to play much better………KJ and JF specially.
Somehow I think Schafer will get something going, he is slick, he will find the way. About GA, Im starting to feel more comfortable when he is coming to the plate. JF has improved from last year but thats not a hard task and it aint enough……. KJ looks like AJ, he has become really bad at the plate.
Doc Holiday
May 16th, 2009
10:03 am
Santana pitches tonight against a weak SF offense and he is coming from a loss, so he is due, mets will win tonight, so we better keep pace.
Phillies have a DH………hope they split so we leave them behind.
Braveheart
May 16th, 2009
10:04 am
I really can’t stand Gonzalez. The genuflection thing before he takes the hill, the Cobra silliness. It’s got to go. It just looks like the kind of things a mentally weak guy does to psych himself up and/or to fake intensity. Just take the ball and shove it down their throats. I don’t mind screams or fist pumps after Ks. Hell, I kinda encourage that. Good closers should be stoic or raw angry emotion. They shouldn’t think. The genuflection and Cobra crap looks like way too much thinking before one pitches. Seriously, the next time you see him doing the Cobra crap, sing to yourself “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.” I prefer a closer who knows he will. But I’ll settle for the Gonzalez/Soriano situation for now. They’re good enough. I prefer Soriano though. The two headed righty/lefty closer thing reminds me of Jesse Orosco/Roger McDowell in ‘86 or Sparky Lyle/Goose Gossage in the Bronx Zoo in the late 70s.
Efrim
May 16th, 2009
10:07 am
“KJ looks like AJ, he has become really bad at the plate.”
Omar Infante in 46 plate appearances in May: .324/.350/.432/.782
Kelly Johnson in 38 plate appearances in May: .324/.395/.412/.807
I’m not lying to you. You an find these stats online at baseballreference.com.
Mixxo
May 16th, 2009
10:11 am
kenhotlanta
Sure man, I’m interested I ’spose. Hit me up. Thanks!
Rob from SC
May 16th, 2009
10:15 am
Efrim
Our D in Left Field has been horrible. Carlos Lee, although not great wouldn’t be much worse.
CLE
May 16th, 2009
10:19 am
Can any of you folks down in ATL do an anti-rain dance for me? The hubby and me up here in Ohio are supposed to have a friend over to watch the game but I was checking the forecast and … looks like it’s supposed to be lousy weather down there today. I want to see another Bravos win tonight!
Doc Holiday
May 16th, 2009
10:21 am
Efrim,
Wow, is that a fact???
I noticed he was getting a little better, but not that much. That would make my day anytime.
That sure is good news……..thanks for the info.
CB
May 16th, 2009
10:31 am
Nice to see a win to start a homestand, might be a good time to start a good winning streak. I like Gonzalez personally but I don’t think he is able to pitch as much as he has lately and be effective. Bobby is going to have to put more trust in Moylan or the lefty.
Braveheart
May 16th, 2009
10:32 am
Speaking of the Bronx Zoo from the late 70s, I downloaded Bob Dylan’s Catfish Hunter song a few weeks ago. Damn cool song. Why can’t Dylan be a sellout goober like Terry Cashman and sing songs like that for every team? It would be really cool if he did a bluesy like song like that for Chipper. But the man’s got his principles and everything, and has too much money to sell himself out for a quick buck like that. Damn shame.
Jeff R
May 16th, 2009
10:34 am
Braveheart, I don’t care how much Gonzo showboats as long as he shuts down opposing batters.
Am really looking forward to Medlen pitching. He’s a scrappy little guy. We’ll see how long-lived Glavine’s “comeback” is. I have my doubts about his ever being consistently effective again.
David O'Brien
May 16th, 2009
10:42 am
I really can’t stand Gonzalez. — Braveheart
I’m betting if you met him and talked to him for about 45 seconds, you’d change that opinion. He’s one of the good guys, Braveheart. And mental toughness isn’t an issue with him. Not whatsoever.
Shamus Thacker
May 16th, 2009
10:49 am
A little over a week ago, even some of our pastors of patience were get’n quick-tempered and raggin on poor ol’ Bobby.
Ol’ Bobby done fed y’all some crow…
Praise the Lawd and Bobby!
David O'Brien
May 16th, 2009
10:53 am
Greinke’s having a season for the ages. Really hoping he stays healthy, because he’s got a chance to do some really special things.
He’s 7-1 with a 0.60 ERA. Gave up his fourth run of the entire season last night.
Besides his slider, what amazed me from the highlights was that the K.C. ballpark looked packed despite a 2-1/2-hour rain delay at the start of the game. Everyone stuck around to see Greinke pitch, and it wasn’t against the Yankees or Red Sox or a Royals division rival. It was the Orioles.
Steve from OH
May 16th, 2009
10:55 am
Tidbit from the ESPN draft blog:
“Consensus has Atlanta taking local prep star Zack Wheeler, but they had a huge contingent in to see him during arguably his only bad start of the spring. They’d love to find a bat at #7, but that player isn’t there this year – they’re not on Tate – so they’re considering Wheeler, Tyler Matzek, and Shelby Miller, at the least.”
Glad they’re not in on Tate.
Gil In Mechanicsville
May 16th, 2009
10:56 am
I don’t think we will ever see the same type of closers we became accustom too during the “Roid Rage” era….
A lot fewer short rest outings. Perhaps MLB needs to allow for expanding the rosters to 27 players to allow for additional arms to be available.
TexasBrave
May 16th, 2009
10:58 am
After seeing Gonzo’s “Know your Braves” segment I am sure he is probably a cool guy to talk to. But I have to agree with Braveheart, that while the rocking thing was cool at first it is getting to be a little bit annoying now. I could understand if it was being used as a way to throw off a hitters timing, but blowing two saves in your last three chances would be telling me that it is not throwing many hitters off lately, especially the lowly Diamondbacks.
Shamus Thacker
May 16th, 2009
10:59 am
Next we’ll see “Greinke’s Kinkies,” a cheering section in bondage outfits…
Goldenglove002
May 16th, 2009
11:01 am
Yeah, DOB, Grienke is a beast so far this year. Thats good for a franchise like KC, they need people there watching games
monty
May 16th, 2009
11:06 am
Announcers said last night that Gonzalez had converted only 6 of 11 save opportunities this year. Thats 55%,(DAn Kolbish) that’s something to be concerned about. Let’s say that he was overworked this past week and that has skewed the numbers. To me, his fastball is his best pitch and twice this week he has gotten beat by his “other pitch”, a flat curve/slider. If I were Cox I would rest him at least 2 days and then see how he looks,(no excuses then).
CB
May 16th, 2009
11:23 am
Sometimes a manager has to figure how to lighten the load on his 7-8-9 inning guys. Out of 35 games Gonzalez-19 , O’flaherty-18,Moylan-19,Soriano-17. We may have to think outside the box for a few games and use Parr, JoJo and others instead of abusing these guys. What would be best is somebody to throw a complete game.
Jeff R
May 16th, 2009
11:23 am
DOB, Greinke is nothing short of amazing. Reminds of Steve Carlon in, what, ‘72 (check his stats)? I believe he finished something like 27-10 on a a very bad Phillies team. Think his ERA was under 2.00, and he had a slew of shutouts.
wilymo
May 16th, 2009
11:28 am
Monty,
I think they were referring to his save % in one run games as a Brave
Brandon
May 16th, 2009
11:29 am
anybody catch Mastodon on Letterman last night? pretty good.
wilymo
May 16th, 2009
11:33 am
Monty,
Sorry last post got cut off. I think this year, he’s 6 for 9 in save ops, but if you look a little closer its not as bad as it seems. His first blown save probably ends differently if Matt Diaz doesn’t lose that ball in the lights. His second blown save most likely doesn’t happen if the ump calls Beltran out at third. Last night’s was on him obviously. Point is, a little better luck and your outlook probably changes a bit. Of course, it is up to him to rise to the occasion and make up for bad luck, but you get the point.
Jake W.
May 16th, 2009
11:38 am
First off Gonzo has three blown saves this year so I don’t know where you get the 6 of 11 thing from. The first one was heavily aided by a ball Diaz lost in the lights. The last two have come with him working a lot lately. Closers are a wierd breed and they all do something to syke themselves up. Have any of you ever seen Papelbon close? If thats what the guy needs to do let him if its working. I don’t see where rocking offends but I guess some guys are just sensitive. The guy has been largely sucessful in that role. If you want that whole I think I can scenerio, simply go back and look at our 2006 season. Those were a bunch of wishers.
Doc Holiday
May 16th, 2009
11:42 am
I just think Soriano has been more effective than Gonzo this year……….by far…….and there is a different feeling in the air when soriano is in than when gonzo is……….that say more than just the numbers.
If I was Cox I would use Soriano as a closer most of the time with the exception of those time when 2 or 3 of the 1st 4 hitters in the inning to be pitched are lefties. Other than that I would go with Soriano.