Chipper looking to bust streak
Baltimore – It’s a lovely afternoon for baseball in Baltimore. Humidity is much lower, and it’s breezy. Great. Wish you were here….And hey, at least one of you is, if I remember right!
So let’s talk Chipper Jones. He comes into today’s game hungry for a hit, and in the rarest of positions for him, an 0-for-18 slump. It’s Jones’ longest hitless streak since he went 0-for-18 in 2005, and if he has a handful more of fruitless at-bats, he’s in danger of matching his career-high streak of 0-for-23. The last time he went that long without a hit was August 3-9, 2000.
Chipper being Chipper, and great to the media, he doesn’t flinch or bristle when you walk up to him and start asking about it. He knows it’s news, the way he’s swung the bat the last couple of years especially. So his take?
“My mind is telling me one thing, and my body is doing another thing,” Jones said. “I’m thinking up the middle and the other way, and my body is in pulling mode.”
The result is that groundball to second when he’s hitting left-handed. Jones said his last two games in Baltimore have been pretty bad, but the two prior games against the Pirates, he said he had four line drives in eight at-bats. He’s not overly worried.
Though I have to say, I got a kick out of the exchange between Jon Sciambi and Jones in the clubhouse when a few of us were standing there at Chipper’s locker.
“You called your dad yet?” Sciambi said.
“No,” Jones said, but there was a twinkle in his eye.
“When does that happen?” Sciambi said.
“Today or tomorrow,” Jones said, smiling.
I, for one, can’t see him staying in this long. He’s DHing today, which takes him a little out of his routine, but the ball he hit in his last at-bat last night was roped. And I’d say he’s pretty determined not to see this thing stretch to 0-for-23. He’ll have to test out the waters against a guy he’s never faced in Brad Bergesen.
Francoeur trade rumors
The Miami Herald reported today that the Florida Marlins rejected a trade offer of Jeff Francoeur for Cody Ross a few weeks back. I got a no comment from the Braves on the subject officially, but from what I understand there were some discussions with the Marlins but it lost steam after the Braves traded for center fielder Nate McLouth trade.
The Marlins would seem to have a greater need in center field than the corner spots anyway – Cameron Maybin struggled and was sent to the minors. Ross is a guy they can count on to play both center field (19 games) and right field (13 games), and he’s hitting .267 with 10 home runs and 39 RBIs.
For Jeff, this is the second time in a few weeks his name has surfaced in trade rumors – the last one when reports indicated the Red Sox might have interest in Francoeur.
For his part, Francoeur is trying not to let that get to him.
“If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen,” Francoeur said. “I can’t control that. I don’t have a long-term deal here. Even if I’m here next year, that stuff will keep popping up all the time because of it. That’s just part of the game. It’s a business. They have to mix and match what they want to do financially. I’m not sure if I’m in those plans or not. I’m just going to keep playing and keep doing what I do.”
Francoeur said with time, he’s gotten thicker skin about hearing his name mentioned in trade possibilities.
“After what I went through last year, it does not faze me now,” Francoeur said. “Something like that I’m sure would have bothered me last year. Now it’s like ‘Hey, what are you going to do?’ Look at Nate. Who would ever thought he was going somewhere.”
Kotchman is close
Casey Kotchman went 0-for-1 with a walk, two RBIs and a sacrifice fly Saturday for Gwinnett. Reports are he was fine and with one more good game today in Gwinnett, he’s expected to fly up and join the Braves Tuesday in Cincinnati.
The logical roster move would be to send Barbaro Canizares back to Gwinnett. He’s swung the bat well, not backing down from pitching up here, hitting .308 (4-for-13) entering Sunday’s game. He has served himself well, and the Braves have a better idea what they’ve got in him and how he handles himself up here.
This and that
Bobby Cox on Manny Acta, manager of the Nationals, whose job is dangling in the wind. He might be gone any minute, if not already….
“I like Manny,” Cox said. “I hope he stays. From what I understand, next year will be a lot different, with some young guys (pitchers) coming. There seems to be enough hitting and defense with that team. I don’t think it’s fair to go through the growing pains and not be around to get well.”
Lineup:
1. Nate McLouth CF
2. Yunel Escboar SS
3. Chipper Jones DH
4. Brian McCann C
5. Garret Anderson LF
6. Barbaro Canizares 1B
7. Martin Prado 3B
8. Jeff Francoeur RF
9. Kelly Johnson 2B
Pitching matchups for Cincinnati:
Tuesday: RH Jair Jurrjens (5-4, 2.85) vs. RH Aarong Harang (5-6, 3.74).
Wednesday: RH Javier Vazquez (4-5, 3.31) vs. RH Micah Owings (3-7, 4.64)
Thursday: RH Tommy Hanson (1-0, 6.17) vs. LH Matt Maloney (0-1, 4.50)
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2,078 comments Add your comment
TnBrian
June 14th, 2009
1:42 pm
Well, the old man is 0 for his last 19…
Dylan
June 14th, 2009
1:43 pm
first?
Dylan
June 14th, 2009
1:44 pm
damn..
PWHjort
June 14th, 2009
1:45 pm
http://www.lvrj.com/sports/48018907.html
Well, the Nationals are going to be really good pretty soon.
Steve from OH
June 14th, 2009
1:45 pm
Carroll, fwiw, I’m a big fan of Manny Acta too. I hope they can bring him into the organization in some capacity.
Carroll Rogers
June 14th, 2009
1:48 pm
Adam Jones was a late scratch today, by the way. Bothered by that pitch he took off the leg last night. That’s a break for the Braves
Rodney Derrick
June 14th, 2009
1:50 pm
Trade the Nats Chino Cadahia for Manny Acta
rob from sc
June 14th, 2009
1:50 pm
I have a Right Handed bat idea. Andy Marte is doing pretty well at Triple A. He gives us a power bat to play third base when Chipper can’t. It is a no lose situtation. Won’t cost that much to acquire.
Mrs. O'Meara
June 14th, 2009
1:51 pm
It’s “faze” not “phase” as in, “After what I went through last year, it doesn’t faze me now.” I know it’s a blog, but don’t the spelling rules apply? Or are newspapers now in the business of perpetuating poor spelling?
rob from sc
June 14th, 2009
1:51 pm
Way for our Ace to step up.
TnBrian
June 14th, 2009
1:51 pm
GOD DA!**
Heath (Cleveland)
June 14th, 2009
1:52 pm
Lowe…what’s up dude?
Jeff321
June 14th, 2009
1:52 pm
Well, its 3-0 already. Hopefully we’ll score some runs to make this a ball game.
Tomahawkin
June 14th, 2009
1:52 pm
That Was Nasty, Game Over!!!
DirtyYuni
June 14th, 2009
1:53 pm
For my mind, I’m glad we didn’t do Cody Ross for Frenchy. As much as Frenchy drives me nuts, I’d much prefer to have McLouth.
And as I say that, Lowe grooves one and it gets hammered to left-center. Yuck.
“And the left fielder, Garret Anderson, doesn’t even move…”
Clearly the announcer doesn’t watch many Braves games, huh? Otherwise he’d know this is a common occurrence.
Count Chocula
June 14th, 2009
1:53 pm
nice pitching lowe…God this team blows…
TnBrian
June 14th, 2009
1:53 pm
And they don’t swing at ANYTHING…Orioles that is.
Edward
June 14th, 2009
1:53 pm
nail in coffin.
Tomahawkin
June 14th, 2009
1:54 pm
I might sound negative but I’m Not Liking Our Chances with our offense against an unknown pitcher they haven’t seen
Walks always Hurt…Dammittt
Heath (Cleveland)
June 14th, 2009
1:54 pm
If the scores hold up…we’ll be in 4th. Oy.
Epinephrine
June 14th, 2009
1:54 pm
Lowe has been a nice pitcher this year, but he’s certainly not the kind of guy you can hand the ball to once every five days and count on a win. Unfortunately, that’s the kind of pitcher the Braves sorely need.
TnBrian
June 14th, 2009
1:55 pm
They might still win this if Chipper can start hitting.
Steve from OH
June 14th, 2009
1:55 pm
Here’s an interview with Acta that Squawking Baseball did a while ago…
http://www.squawkingbaseball.com/
joe
June 14th, 2009
1:55 pm
nice start. orioles 4-16 in rubber games of series…leave it to the braves to make them look like the yankees
Tomahawkin
June 14th, 2009
1:55 pm
Only the Braves can make Both the AAA Pirates and the AAA Orioles look like playoff teams…
Offense Wake Up!!!
curtis jones
June 14th, 2009
1:55 pm
Hang on all you Trekkies, let me set my fazer….hang in there DOB. I don’t count off for spelling.
Sim
June 14th, 2009
1:56 pm
That Was Nasty, Game Over!!!
Great..now will you buzz off please.
rob from sc
June 14th, 2009
1:56 pm
that was scary
Jake W.
June 14th, 2009
1:56 pm
First inning troubles again for our pitching here. Orioles had a good approach. After the way the hitting let our pitchers down on the last homesand it would be nice if they could pick them up for a change. Make the other pitcher work. Nice slide Mac.
Soph
June 14th, 2009
1:56 pm
Oh my. I hope McCann is okay.
Jeff321
June 14th, 2009
1:56 pm
Wow, McCann just took a very strange slide/fall “something” into first on that one!
cabravesfan
June 14th, 2009
1:57 pm
Mac, graceful as always
Tomahawkin
June 14th, 2009
1:57 pm
B-Macc, That was Funny!!!
I hope he’s alright!
DirtyYuni
June 14th, 2009
1:57 pm
Heap’s so agile.
Atlanta Cowards
June 14th, 2009
1:57 pm
the Atlanta Braves…..the only team in baseball to drop 2 of 3 to the Baltimore orioles. Losers. gotta love a season thats over with 100 games left to play. so much to look forward to…
AndyC
June 14th, 2009
1:57 pm
Heap went down in a heap. That was about the ugliest slide I have ever seen.
Tomahawkin
June 14th, 2009
1:58 pm
Here Comes the dreaded 5-9 hitters, Come On Step It Up!
rob from sc
June 14th, 2009
1:58 pm
Anderson sucks
Bravesfan84
June 14th, 2009
1:58 pm
im really sick of braves games being over within the first two to three innings….
ozzie
June 14th, 2009
1:58 pm
Blanco IS the logical move to go to the minors. Barbaro replaced Norton for good I suspect.
Diaz or JF can handle CF for a game should McLouth need a break.
Prado still has a cranky groin and knee so the logical move is to send a 1B/bat back down?
I am not seeing this logic.
DirtyYuni
June 14th, 2009
1:58 pm
Barbaro showing off the motor.
joe
June 14th, 2009
1:58 pm
Hahaha! big mac
Tomahawkin
June 14th, 2009
1:59 pm
Man This Team Sucks Hitting with 0-1 Outs And R.I.S.P!!!
DocHoliday
June 14th, 2009
1:59 pm
Yankees kicking santanas AXX…………4-0 in the top 3rd
rob from sc
June 14th, 2009
1:59 pm
that would be a run if Anderson didn’t suck
JEB
June 14th, 2009
1:59 pm
Lowe got the 1st inning Kawakami blues.
Tight strike zone! Pesky – Oriole hitters.
Patient, foul off the pitches, make the pitcher throw a lot of pitches.
DocHoliday
June 14th, 2009
2:00 pm
Hey Chipper…………..better start doing the talking with your buddy……….it is easier to talk you know.
Carroll Rogers
June 14th, 2009
2:00 pm
if we’ve learned anything in the past few days, is it not that games can totally change here as we go? long way to go….shoot.
that said, orioles have scored 6 of their 13 runs in this series so far in the first inning. and that’s 31 pitches for Lowe in the first, after 35 for KK yesterday and 23 for Hanson on Friday
jeff
June 14th, 2009
2:01 pm
walking the leadoff hitter and the 2nd batter in 10 pitches a recipe for disaster and what else is new the braves are losing again.. this game is done. your losing again to the LAST PLACE ORIOLES FOR GOODNESS SAKE.. boy does this team know how to play down to the bottom feeders.. man does this team blow.. bergesen throws 9 pitches and gets mclouth, escobar on a awful bunt, and then chipper a weak ground ball to third.. pretty sad.. I guarantee you if this team had a new GM and a new manager There would be something different about this team and a buzz that is hard to keep quiet.. Until cox and wren are told to go packing we will continue to suck and suck and suck..
Jake W.
June 14th, 2009
2:01 pm
And Escobar bunting? Swing the bat in these band boxes. You never know it may go out.
Tomahawkin
June 14th, 2009
2:01 pm
Pathetic!!!! Runner on second with no one out thanks 2 an error and we fail to score again
No Offense to TP, But he needs to get the AX
Colin
June 14th, 2009
2:01 pm
we suck period, nothing else needed to say..we lose to the cellar dweller of the orioles awesome.
Mitchell
June 14th, 2009
2:02 pm
What a great little inning that was. On the bright side Brian didn’t break his wrist.
JEB
June 14th, 2009
2:02 pm
I agree – Blanco would be the logical choice to go down.
No reason to have 5 outfielders.
Prado is virtually our Infante at this time – Barbaro is our new Norton (only he doesn’t play outfield) but hits better!
TnBrian
June 14th, 2009
2:04 pm
Orioles hitters just have great approaches at the plate, something the Braves don’t do that consistantly. Maybe they can figure out that pitcher the second time through and Lowe can settle down.
Couch Tater
June 14th, 2009
2:04 pm
Carroll rogers -
Not playing gotcha, but was it a “Freudian slip” when you said, “Francoeur said with time, he’s gotten thinker skin “…?
Soph
June 14th, 2009
2:04 pm
Long single.
BT
June 14th, 2009
2:05 pm
Hope Medlen is getting loose.
Necromancer
June 14th, 2009
2:05 pm
Why would the Braves send Barbaro down? The most logical choice would be to release Greg Norton and his pathetic batting average. Once Kotch gets back, use Barbaro as a pinch hitter.
It has been proven that Barbaro can hit on the Major League level, and a whole hell of a lot better than Norton.
But, you see, this move makes too much sense, so Cox probably would not go for it because he is “loyal” to Norton.
Jeff321
June 14th, 2009
2:05 pm
The Braves should keep Barbaro on the team.
Colin
June 14th, 2009
2:05 pm
i hope they have the plane warmed up to go to Nati’ to get smoked by the reds.
Jake W.
June 14th, 2009
2:06 pm
“Pathetic!!!! Runner on second with no one out thanks 2 an error and we fail to score again
No Offense to TP, But he needs to get the AX”
Yeah because its his fault a player who has been in the game how many years and a newly called up triple a lifer couldn’t get the job done. Makes so much sense.
Roja
June 14th, 2009
2:07 pm
We somehow seem to make even the bad teams look great. Go figure.
cabravesfan
June 14th, 2009
2:07 pm
Norton is on the DL…I am pretty sure you can’t release a guy that is on the DL so that limits what the Braves can do when Casey is ready
Soph
June 14th, 2009
2:07 pm
Ugh. And, it gets uglier.
DocHoliday
June 14th, 2009
2:07 pm
Atlanta Cowards ,
As a matter of fact, Orioles have won series against…………YANKEES, WHITESOX, TEXAS, RAYS, TWINS, SWEPT JAYS, 2-2 TIGERS, so all I have to say is………….check stats before posting………..but nevertheless, you have a point………….WE ZUK
Atlanta Cowards
June 14th, 2009
2:08 pm
there is absolutely nothing exciting about this team. I go into every game wondering how they are going to lose today and i have a feeling so do the players. Cox needs to go and something needs to be injected into this team to give the fans at least a little excitement. they arent going to win anything, i think we all realize that by now, so we need to bring up some prospects or do something that gives us a reason to watch and hope. i can deal with losing so long as there is some excitement going on. this is just failure from every angle to every degree. 9 corpses going through the motions night after night. snooze.
Tomahawkin
June 14th, 2009
2:08 pm
Maybe The Outcome of this game will be like that Sunday Game In 2004 when the braves turned it around
Being Optomistic…
brian
June 14th, 2009
2:08 pm
noticed that the Cubs fired their hitting coach (old friend Gerald Perry) for their hitting woes. Seems like most teams will make changes when needed except the Braves
Frenchy is a complete joke. Along with Loaf and Kelly
June 14th, 2009
2:08 pm
Wow we really dont want to stay in contention. runner on 2nd no outs and cant even move him to third at the least…. come on…..
PWHjort
June 14th, 2009
2:09 pm
To whoever is calling the Orioles “AAA Orioles”. They are a legit team. Their pitching staff sucks, but they have a very good offense. Look at their regulars. Scott, Jones, Markakis, Reimold, Roberts, Huff, Wieters, Mora, Andino. I’d take Scott over Loaf/Diaz, Jones over McLouth, Markakis over Francoeur, Reimold over either of our corner OF’s, Roberts over KJ, Huff over Kotchman, and it kills me to say this, but I’d probably take Wieters over McCann. The only position players on our team that are clearly better than their counterpart on their team are Chipper and Escobar. If they didn’t play in the AL East they’d be in contention. They are a better team than us.
Coach ( Moon Pie, Anyone?)
June 14th, 2009
2:09 pm
Um, what have we learned?
Cox will bunt the runner to second. McCann’s lead off double was wasted because Cox will never bunt the runner to third and sacrifice to get one run home. Cox always play’s for the big inning and almost never plays fundamental baseball.
Colin
June 14th, 2009
2:09 pm
Anderson needs to go, on the next plane out of town..he is old and worthless.
Roja
June 14th, 2009
2:09 pm
I don’t remember Bobby pencilling TP into the lineup
Carroll Rogers
June 14th, 2009
2:09 pm
Necromancer, Norton is already on the DL. Gotta come up with another roster spot…..and as far as Prado as the extra outfielder, not sure you can count on him running great out there with his groin bothering him like it is. And Barbaro is limited because he can only play first. But i’m with you that he’s swinging the bat.
KC
June 14th, 2009
2:10 pm
I know I’m probably going to get jumped on for saying this, but…
I love Bobby Cox, but I would like for this to be his last season.
There are two facets to a big league manager: Leadership, and strategy.
As a leader, there isn’t a better one anywhere in baseball. Players love playing for BC, and respond to him. We’ve even been able to attract or retain certain players in large part because of players’ desire to play for Bobby Cox. The leadership facet is ofter overlooked by fans, but shouldn’t be. It’s hard to quantify how that translates into wins, but it does.
On the other hand, as a strategist, Bobby is NOT the best in the business. Far from it. He CONTINUALLY leaves pitchers in too long. Case in point: Last night, when O’Flaherty allowed the first two runners to reach, and obviously didn’t have his best stuff/control that night, with a right-handed hitter at the plate… it was time to bring the hook. But he waited 2 hitters too long, and by the time he made his way to the mound, the lead was gone. And then he stayed with Moylan too long, which resulted in the Orioles putting the game all but out of reach.
He did the same thing in the first game of the Pirates series. He stayed with Moylan WAY too long in that game. Maybe he’s trying to save the bullpen by sticking with a guy a little longer than many feel he should. But in that game I just mentioned vs. Pittsburgh, the result was 15-inning game. I don’t think that did much to help the bullpen.
Another example is Javier Vazquez. When he arrived in Atlanta, I heard several commentators say “One thing about Vazquez… when he loses it, he loses it quickly. You have to recognize that point and bring the hook immediately!”
Apparently, the Braves announcers received a memo that Bobby never saw. Several times this season, he continued to ride Vazquez after it was clear that he has lost it. And the results weren’t good.
And then you have BC using Soriano (and Gonzo) the other night WITH A 5-RUN LEAD for the second consecutive night, for the 4th time in 5 days (including a 2-inning outing)… for the 6th time in 8 days. Again… WITH A 5 F’ing RUN LEAD!!!
I’m not second-guessing these decisions, I FIRST-guessed them. I was yelling at the TV each time at that very moment… “Bring the hook, damnit!!!!” But time after time, he would wait until the lead was surrendered, or the game was out of reach. It’s been incredibly maddening to watch.
Bobby is one of best people in baseball. When his number is deservedly retired at Turner Field, I’ll be on my feet with every other baseball fan. He’s as great a leader as the game has every known. But he’s a substandard strategist, IMHO, and I can’t help but wonder how many wins his mishandling of the pitching staff has cost us this year.
Maybe I’m wrong. I have to admit, my own words sound pretentious to me. Who the hell am I to act like I have a better handle on the use of a pitching staff than a HOF manager. But I tend to think that other HOF managers, such as Tony Larussa, wouldn’t be so patient to a fault. They would bring the hook as soon as it became apparent that a pitcher didn’t have what takes to get the necessary outs that day (assuming there are better options in the ‘pen).
I love Bobby, but I think it might be in the best interest of the Braves if he retired this winter. Like I said, maybe I’m wrong, but that’s honestly the way I feel… with all due respect to great man.
The thought of Greg Maddux as Braves skipper intrigues me when BC retires. Whadya think?
Atlanta Cowards
June 14th, 2009
2:10 pm
i know they have won some series earlier in the year, i was exagerating cause it jsut feels that way. but there is still no excuse to be losing to what is probably the coldest team in baseball and losing 2 to the pirates as well
Tomahawkin
June 14th, 2009
2:10 pm
Game Over!!!
Soph
June 14th, 2009
2:10 pm
He actually hit that. Brian Roberts is awesome.
Steve from OH
June 14th, 2009
2:10 pm
Yeah, because we really need that one run right now, Coach. What use would be have for a big inning?
Your thinking is outdated. Sorry.
horrible
June 14th, 2009
2:10 pm
Ok, take the “ace” out and put in Medlen.
Jeff321
June 14th, 2009
2:11 pm
Hmmm, maybe a mound visit? How many runs does Cox let Lowe give up today? Have we already conceded this game too?
Do tell!
AndyC
June 14th, 2009
2:11 pm
This isn’t looking too good. This was suppose to be the easy part of the upcoming schedule. Doesn’t bode well for the next 15 games.
Roja
June 14th, 2009
2:11 pm
I thought Mazzone taught those guys how to pitch?
DocHoliday
June 14th, 2009
2:11 pm
Blanco + Norton = out
Barbaro + CK = keep ——— but I would trade CK for a better bat in the OF in a package with blanco and some AA pitching prospects a month from now if we are still in it and Barbaro is doing well.
PWHjort
June 14th, 2009
2:11 pm
I like it, KC. The Maddux part, that is. I like Eddie Perez for the position, too.
Heath (Cleveland)
June 14th, 2009
2:11 pm
Losing may give be a good thing…maybe it will make the Braves front office start building for next year…
Tomahawkin
June 14th, 2009
2:12 pm
Another Mental Error!!!
Man I’m Tired Of Us Laying Down To the Garbage teams of baseball…This is getting old!
Cletus
June 14th, 2009
2:12 pm
That was T-ball grade baseball there boys.
Steve from OH
June 14th, 2009
2:12 pm
KC, I don’t think Mad Dog wants to do much but play golf and “try out that father thing” right now…
RHR
June 14th, 2009
2:12 pm
LMAO WOW.
Nobody told the Braves it was Lew’s birthday.
Colin
June 14th, 2009
2:12 pm
Jeff- yes they have conceded this game, mines well let lowe throw 200 pitches and pack it in.
DirtyYuni
June 14th, 2009
2:12 pm
Wow. This is ugly.
AndyC
June 14th, 2009
2:12 pm
speechless.
Colin
June 14th, 2009
2:13 pm
wow stealing home=a punch to the face
PWHjort
June 14th, 2009
2:13 pm
TAKE THE OUT.
Chop It Up All-star
June 14th, 2009
2:13 pm
Out played, out hustled.
Mitchell
June 14th, 2009
2:13 pm
That’s the song they play when you win the world series.
It’s the second inning. This is bad.
cabravesfan
June 14th, 2009
2:13 pm
Man, it’s always nice to see how many of you give up on a game that is in the 2nd inning
kirkinga
June 14th, 2009
2:13 pm
Obviously last night’s gift from the bull pen has given some confidence to the Orioles. And the gifts continue today.