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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,112 comments Add your comment
Tomahawk Talk
June 26th, 2009
9:42 am
IT WASNT A FASTBALL IT WAS A DAMN SLIDER! Jeff Bennett should have relied on the fastball on the inner part of the plate. A-roid had shown all game he couldnt catch up to a good fastball
Tomahawk Talk
June 26th, 2009
9:43 am
i completely agree jmart
Tomahawk Talk
June 26th, 2009
9:45 am
that actually could be true about escobar. with the new guys they just drafted there are several good looking shortstops that could be ready by the time Chipper is ready to throw in the towel.
getsomewins
June 26th, 2009
9:46 am
I think Braves showed fight even though we lost. It shows we are not as good as the Red Sox and Yankees, but at least we showed some fight. That’s all you can ask when you play a team that you’re not better than.
getsomewins
June 26th, 2009
9:47 am
And after seeing this series, I’m noticing how good McLouth and Escobar are.
CB
June 26th, 2009
9:50 am
I also thought last night’s lineup was our best lineup. If Bobby uses Kelly, leave him in 2 position, Yunel is a run producer who will grow into more pop in his bat.
Jersey Gil
June 26th, 2009
9:55 am
I post a question yesterday regard Bennett Injury situation and with the Michael Jackson dead//i guess my question was lost in translation:
Ok here go again: When a player self injured , Can he be Fine or he get pay his regular contract Salary?….Because i think Jeff know he going to be DFA or send to the Minor…Meaning losing $$$$…and the only way he can keep his actual Salary is been in the Disabled list.
What you guys say…..
Tomahawk Talk
June 26th, 2009
9:55 am
it is clear that some players are here because its their job. i saw some where that chipper was quoted saying it was something like an atmosphere at a country club. this is what you get when the players are treated like babies. someone needs to come in and spark them.
i love the new lineup, but with how bobby has done it this year it will be completely different tonight. escobar thrives in big situations. he came through big time last night. mclouth is a spark at the top and martin is a great number two guy
Tomahawk Talk
June 26th, 2009
9:59 am
he can definitely be fined. its up to the team. why wouldnt he be? it was his mis conduct that lead to the injury? in my eyes its no different than throwing a fit and getting fined by the league and suspended. he SHOULD be fined or just flat out released. that kind of behavior should not be tolerated
Jeff R
June 26th, 2009
10:01 am
Tomahawk Talk… Yep, the Braves did draft some promising SS talent. Probably easier to draft good SS talent than find bona fide 3B prospects.
Escobar would be a capable 3B… I think he good get his HRs into the twenties and drive in 80+ runs a season. And with his range, glove and arm, he nail down that corner.
Rock On........
June 26th, 2009
10:01 am
Ok,so we win the two games while I was in Atlanta and allow no runs and as soon as I leave the Braves can’t play a radio. Seems like I have some leverage on comp club level seats. Well maybe not but I am taking credit.
Marta……exactly why it doesn’t go to the Ted is hard to understand. Really hard. The trip was a cakewalk until the transfer at Underground. Theparking situation will help underground but it closes at 9:00. Strange.
Jersey Gil
June 26th, 2009
10:01 am
getsomewins …the Braves has a good team…Thay need i little big of Luck…that is part of Baseball…Not count Playing the Evil Empire I(Yankee) & II (Boston).
Escobar is a very good young player,wait until he progress a little more, he will be a Super Star, When i saw McLouth for first time in Pittsburg i told my wife..”This Kid going to be a Super Star.
McFann Ô
June 26th, 2009
10:02 am
Where is the moment we needed the most
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
They tell me your blue skies fade to grey
They tell me your passion’s gone away
And I don’t need no carryin’ on…
Greg in TN, I hope you’re right about that ninth inning homer getting BMac back on track. Dangit…sounds like the things we’ve been saying about Francoeur for so long…
I usually blast “Gone” through my earbuds after every homer BMac hits–been doin’ that since May 14, 2007. But somehow I can’t get real geeked up about that solo shot last night–not when he leaves 5 men on base and freaking STRIKES OUT with the BASES LOADED!! Just can’t get real into it…
Cause you had a bad day
You’re taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don’t know
You tell me don’t lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don’t lie
You’re coming back down and you really don’t mind
You had a bad day
You had a bad day
I didn’t even watch the rest of his at-bat with the bases loaded. Once he got two strikes on him, I knew what was coming…I don’t know what happened. 4 K’s (all swinging) in 2 games?
And when he hit that homer, I just stood there, staring at the TV. I’m thinking, “You just pulled a Francoeur…you…you homer now?” My next thought was, “Dang…why didn’t they put in this guy with the bases loaded…?”
And Bekkkket tonight…DANGIT! Ross, anyone?
richbrave
June 26th, 2009
10:12 am
McFANN:
That’s bad day on top of a bad day. RARE for B-Mac. He can’t get a hit EVERY time with the bases juiced. It’s O.K., BRIAN’s still the man.
getsomewins
June 26th, 2009
10:15 am
If Braves are not going to go out and get a power hitter than can hit 4th (a la Galarraga, McGriff, Sheffield when he was with the Braves) then Escobar should stay 5th. It seems to fit him and he hits very well with RISP and Prado, who is one of our best situational hitters, should stay hitting second, but BObby unfortunately will continue to play KJ.
And dare I say it, but when I saw Frenchy shoot that line drive single to right off Pettitte, I began to think he is snapping out of his season long funk.
PWHjort
June 26th, 2009
10:16 am
I say this too frequently, I think, but we’re going to regret that Derek Lowe contract. 4 years and 15 million per for a 36 year old.
Doc Holiday
June 26th, 2009
10:17 am
Good morning gang. Now that all that smoke from lasts night fireworks is gone here are some thoughts:
a. I still believe our offense is getting better, I posted some facts about that yesterday.
b. Even with a lost last night, you just got to love last nights lineup. It was so pretty I predicted we would score at least 5 runs and we did. Having Prado batting 2nd and Yunel (great contact hitter) to protect Mc is just awesome.
c. I never thought I would say this but what a great feeling it is to have Bennett DLed.
d. As some have stated we could easily be 5-2 in out last 7 games instead of 3-4.
e. JF with 3 multihit games in our last 4??? with extrabases in each one of those? Interesting…….
f. Now all we need is for KJ to mess tonight game, punch the wall in the dogout and get DLed also, I mean, we are losing to Beckett anyway, so at least we can get something good out of it, come on KJ do us a favor, dont be selfish, be a man, like Bennett.
g. Last but not least………..Im starting to get worried about Lowe, I know he has not been horrible, but he has not been fooling anyone last 5 games, lots of jams last 5 starts or so.
cphizzle
June 26th, 2009
10:20 am
ok so everybody go blow there trade for a power hitter, trade for a bat talk right out there backside. hitting came around last night and the pitching let us down. pitching let us down the whole series besides game one. its like golf nothing ever clicks at the same time
DAP
June 26th, 2009
10:24 am
yeah, lowe has not been that great lately. he has taken three straight losses, and his ERA has jumped half a run in those three games. we need him to get back on track. i dont know what his deal is, but i dont like it.
jason
June 26th, 2009
10:24 am
Whether Prado or KJ plays, I say keep the same line up. Maybe when KJ plays he will get more fastballs in front of Chipper. Prado is too good in the 2 hole. Great situational, and contact hitter,
getsomewins
June 26th, 2009
10:25 am
cphizzle
I’m not making excuses, but the Yankees have a killer lineup. They have the ability outscore their pitching, as they’ve done in the last couple of games.
CB
June 26th, 2009
10:25 am
PWH, it could be worse, it could be Milt Bradley,lol
Doc Holiday
June 26th, 2009
10:25 am
PWHjort,
No need to panic, but Im concerned about him also.
jason
June 26th, 2009
10:26 am
Lowe is throwing to many pitches. More that KK. That signing is really going to suck next year. And yet we have people wanting to trade Vasquez.
Spud Webb
June 26th, 2009
10:26 am
you think Derek lowe will keep his mouth shut now? “why does everyone get their panties in a wad because the yankees are in town?”
His neck has to be killing him after that train wreck last night.
PWHjort
June 26th, 2009
10:29 am
I’m not panicking. I’ve been saying we’re going to regret that contract since the day we signed him. It’s not that we’ll regret having him, it’s that we’ll regret having committed 60 million dollars to someone who will be 39 years old at the end of his contract.
jason
June 26th, 2009
10:29 am
Spud Webb, I was thinking the same thing last night after Jeter’s single. Lowe, STFU and do your job; pitching.
Doc Holiday
June 26th, 2009
10:29 am
jason,
I have to agree on that…………keep that lineup bobby………..but we all know he aint.
After last nights game all I can think of is………….WOW, HANSON DID A GREATER JOB THAN WE MIGHT THINK.
Bigboi
June 26th, 2009
10:31 am
Don’t know if anybody mentioned it or not, but that Manny Acosta is a BEAST!!!!!!
Gary
June 26th, 2009
10:32 am
Seems like the only time we win is when Hanson is pitching.
Bigboi
June 26th, 2009
10:33 am
I wonder why donk doesn’t let Gonzy be the lefty set up guy and Soriano be the righty set up guy and let Acosta close, he’s got filthy stuff.
jason
June 26th, 2009
10:34 am
Doc Holiday, Hanson indeed did a wonderful job. Even though he didn’t strike out a lot, He had the movement on the pitches. And with his composure. He pitched out of the error Chipper made. He has the stuff of an Ace. Easily a #3 right now. The only reason not higher is well that was his 4 start.
Original Jon
June 26th, 2009
10:34 am
In my new found effort to look at the brighter side of things, I have this statement to make. Last nights game was a loss, yes, but it was also a win in the fact that the Braves did score 7 runs. And almost anytime you score 7 runs, you should win, but Lowe just had an off night against one of the teams he has always had trouble with. Only way the Braves were going to win last nights game was if they themselves were to put up double digits, which, they should have done, but they didnt. Anyways, we are still only 4 games out with 90 to play. If we can get Lowe back and track and keep scoring 7 runs a game, then we should start a pretty good winning streak. keep the faith guys.
coach joe
June 26th, 2009
10:36 am
dave: must get old trying to write about and blog about when the braves are playing this bad. will be in town next week to run the peachtree road race and will catch some of the phillie games.Hopefully we start playing better.
Doc Holiday
June 26th, 2009
10:39 am
Original Jon,
7 runs a game?
I think 4 would do, which we have done in 6 of out last 8……Lets get Beckett tonight………..he is just a mortal………….right?
cphizzle
June 26th, 2009
10:39 am
we are like every other team…we need pen help and an extra guy off the bench IMO…but there is no GM title and the beginning of my name
getsomewins
June 26th, 2009
10:42 am
Lowe pitched well vs. Boston, and the Yankees are not only familiar with him, but they have his number so it didn’t surprise me that he struggled, but Braves fought back against a pitcher who has had previous success against them.
Lamar1Banks2
June 26th, 2009
10:42 am
PWHjort
I agree with you that the braves will regret that contract as it goes. But thats what happens when you pay out of desparation. It could have been worse, the braves could have A.J. Burnett AGHHHHHH
Doc Holiday
June 26th, 2009
10:44 am
Petite missing his secret medicine………didnt last much last night.
Doc Holiday
June 26th, 2009
10:46 am
WC is not coming out of our division, too much of an internal dog fight here, nobody getting care of things against the other so everybody is finishing the year near .500.
DAP
June 26th, 2009
10:47 am
PWHjort, i dont think there will be any regrets about lowe’s contract this year, or next year, but maybe after that. i might change my mind, but at this point i think it was worth it to overpay a little bit because we needed to revamp the pitching, and had the money to spend.
getsomewins
June 26th, 2009
10:47 am
Braves may put Lowe on the market in the 3rd year of his contract.
Doc Holiday
June 26th, 2009
10:48 am
DAP,
I agree, we can always move him next year, which could be smart if Hudson is healthy
PWHjort
June 26th, 2009
10:48 am
Yeah giving 5 years to Burnett is much worse than 4 years
to Lowe. Thank god the Yankees demanded his services.
getsomewins
June 26th, 2009
10:49 am
PWHjort
June 26th, 2009
10:48 am
Yeah giving 5 years to Burnett is much worse than 4 years
to Lowe. Thank god the Yankees demanded his services.
I agree. Burnett has a history of elbow and shoulder problems. Lowe is much more durable. They can have Burnett.
Original Jon
June 26th, 2009
10:49 am
Doc Holiday, yeah, I said 7 because thats the only way anyone around here feels comfortable with that lead. A 4 run lead doesnt feel safe unless the starter is going 7 or 8 innings.
jason
June 26th, 2009
10:50 am
I don’t think signing Lowe was a bad thing. The contract was. I think his veteran pressence and work ethic will only make those youguns better. Have you noticed Hanson and Medlen both looking to veterans for coaching. Huddy running Sprints with Medlen. Last night eveytime they showed Hanson, he was in a deep discussion with Huddy. I notice things like that with Lowe also. Trying to pick the veteran’s Brain and absorb all that they can. Hanson and Medlen both have the drive to get better.
CB
June 26th, 2009
10:50 am
It is a little early to regret or be happy with Lowe’s contract,there is a lot of games to be played before that call can be made.
McFann Ô
June 26th, 2009
10:50 am
Richbrave–
Yeah, it is rare…which is good. He’s still 3-5 with the bases loaded (all singles).
Funny, we might say he’s in a “slump” since going 4-4 in Baltimore, but he’s hit an even .300 since then (12-40) with 2 homers, 3 doubles, 5 RBI and 4 walks. He’s had 3 multi-hit games since then (2 2-fers and one 3-fer). But I guess what looks so “bad” is the 8 strikeouts and 3 GDP. Before this 11 game stretch, he had struck out 18 times in 43 games (38 starts), and grounded into 4 double-plays.
But this 11 game stretch isn’t as bad as it could be–after the April he had, nothing looks completely black, right? I mean, there’s really hardly anything to complain about, per se. I wish I could get his AVG with RISP over those 11 games…don’t think it’s horrid…
It’s just that on this homestand, if you take out the 3-4 game, he’s looked, uh…not so good. He’s hitting .313 so far–that AVG aided by the three-hit game. But he’s taken some bizarre swings–especially since he hit the wall (and the really good swing he put on a ball on Monday was ruined by the Cubs’ first baseman, who had the nerve to catch the ball). And he’s struck out five times–ALL SWINGING. That’s what’s so maddening.
If the team was winning, this wouldn’t be half as annoying.
Anyway, a bit of a ramble on my part, and I don’t know if I accomplished anything by saying all that…
One more thing, though: I LOATH AND DESPISE THE YANKEES!!!
sportsmandh
June 26th, 2009
10:52 am
So the Braves do it to us again. They have a few good games in a row, whipping the denizens into a frenzy thinking they’re finally about to go on a roll, and then what happens next? Booting the ball around like a soccer team, and the relievers look like batting practice machines. I’ll give Lowe a pass, but he really needs to right the ship very soon. The left side of our defense makes so many errors it’s no wonder there turn out to be so many disappointing games. Escobar reminds me of Shawn Dunston. He can make some of the most brilliant plays then some of the worst (though I’m convinced his biggest problem is between the ears).
I’m not sure where I stand on my outlook for the rest of the season right now. Yes it’s true we’re only 4 games back. But the Mets are going to get better when they get some of their guys off the DL. I can see the Phils staying about like they are. I don’t think the Marlins have enough. I don’t think the Braves will win the wild card, b/c there’s too many other teams to pass. I personally think the wild card will come out of whoever finishes 2nd in the central. So how about the Braves?
Bottom line is this team really isn’t all that. We knew that, it’s no secret. But there is still a chance since everyone else in the division is so mediocre. So what should they do? I’m not ready to say sell any good player other teams are interested in. I’m also not ready to say let’s trade prospects for help for the rest of the season. I don’t want to see them trade Medlen. At this point I wouldn’t blame or be mad at Wren if he started a fire sale (Gonzo, Soriano, Lowe, Vazques, KJ, Kotch, GA, whoever). I also wouldn’t be upset if he brought some help in, someone like DeRosa as long as he can get it without giving up too much. Chipper needs to move to 1st base. (If we were to get Derosa, that would be really easy if the Indians or someone else would take Kotch)
So it is kind of funny, the off the field game plan may be in almost in the exact same shape as the on field product, stuck exactly in the middle. Average. Boring. Dull. Did I mention average?
jason
June 26th, 2009
10:54 am
McFann Ô, You are right. BMac jus hasn’t looked himself. The swing have been ugly. Even though he is still batting .300, The whole body of work is an ugly .300. Then you take the defense into an account….
PWHjort
June 26th, 2009
10:54 am
Getsomewins,
A team must be very desperate to acquire a 38 year old committed 30 million dollars. Plus the third year of his contract coincides with the potential FA departure of Vazquez and Tim Hudson and Kawakami will be in the last year of his contract. So I don’t know that the timing of that would make sense. We’ll probably just be stuck with him until the deadline of his contract year.
ncscoots
June 26th, 2009
10:54 am
ok so everybody go blow there trade for a power hitter, trade for a bat talk right out there backside.
If anything, the vision of Escobar batting 5 (!) only emphasizes the need for a thumper. The guy has plus power for SS, but is very unlikely to ever slug enough to play a corner (as some here seem to think). He just doesn’t have the swing for it, strong as he might be. If he continues to be the best option for the middle of the order, well, that bodes ill.
getsomewins
June 26th, 2009
10:55 am
McFANN – I bet you don’t hate the Yankees more than I do. Their management is horrible and their fans are obnoxious. Can’t they cheer for their team without making unneccessary and untimely chants?
Another thing I noticed watching these Braves games, Kotchman plays an AIRTIGHT 1st base. That defense is valuable.
McFann Ô
June 26th, 2009
10:56 am
Jason–
Yeah…it has not been a pretty .300. That’s why, when I looked it up this morning, I was like, “.300? Seriously?”
Then you take the defense into an account….
Please, can’t we just…not go into that today?
PWHjort
June 26th, 2009
10:56 am
For all the Hawks fans in the house:
I’m extremely happy the Hawks took Teague. A much more exciting pick than Mike Minor.
Lew
June 26th, 2009
10:57 am
I’m hardly concerned that Lowe has had two bad starts this year-it happens.I’m much more concerned about all of those unearned runs getting put up on the board. Maybe it’s time to go back to pre-game fielding drills or just a command for all the Braves to show up one morning for some extra fielding practice. It sure as hell couldn’t hurt
I’m more for looking at the bright spots, though. The offense looks much better recently and the lineup last night was a good one. The pen went 6 innings and only gave up two runs-and it wasn’t Gonzo and Soriano this time around. And WTF-Francoeur is hitting closer to .250 now. It isn’t great, but sure as hell beats .230.
Looking at the bright spots, though
Doc Holiday
June 26th, 2009
10:57 am
CB,
As soon as you said “its a little early” I got like a rash.
jason
June 26th, 2009
10:58 am
McFann Ô, I’m sorry. I was just looking at his game as a whole. Something is just not right about him. Hasn’t been since he hit the base of that wall.
getsomewins
June 26th, 2009
10:58 am
PWHjort
June 26th, 2009
10:54 am
Getsomewins,
A team must be very desperate to acquire a 38 year old committed 30 million dollars. Plus the third year of his contract coincides with the potential FA departure of Vazquez and Tim Hudson and Kawakami will be in the last year of his contract. So I don’t know that the timing of that would make sense. We’ll probably just be stuck with him until the deadline of his contract year.
Well we WERE desperate. We lost out on Peavy, Furcal, and Burnett, so we had to do SOMETHING. The fan base was antsy. Lowe cashed in. Can’t blame him for that. Mets were offering less money. Yankees and Red Sox showed lukewarm interest, and Braves needed some semblance of an ace because we weren’t going to re-sign Smoltz and wait this long for him to return, so Lowe was the only option at that point.
McFann Ô
June 26th, 2009
10:59 am
getsomewins–
Yeah, I prob’ly don’t…but I despise the Fillies with every phiber of my baseball-being. We may have a winning record against them so far this year, but I still do not look forward to playing them…ever. Only reason I did last time was ’cause BMac was coming off the DL…
I love Kotchy’s D at first base! That guy is GOOD with the glove! Maybe he’ll get a GG this year.
CB
June 26th, 2009
11:00 am
scoots, agreed Yunel is not the long term answer for 5 position,but for right now with current players, probably best option. After hopefully attaining the big bopper we need drop him down in the lineup.
Doc Holiday
June 26th, 2009
11:00 am
getsomewins,
Sure, that guy is just unbelievable with the glove, incredibly solid. Big problem is his lack of power. Not necessarily HR but at least hit some 2B.
getsomewins
June 26th, 2009
11:01 am
And I’m not concerned about Lowe. He will deliver when it counts…down the stretch, especially if we’re still in it.
Shamus Thacker
June 26th, 2009
11:02 am
Unless Lowe is traded for someone earning similar wages, we could end up eating most of his contract.
Doc Holiday
June 26th, 2009
11:02 am
If CK doesnt gets the GG this year, that would the greatest steal ever.
McFann Ô
June 26th, 2009
11:04 am
Jason–
Oh, you don’t have to apologize. I know what you’re saying…
Yeah, I mean, he had that 3-4, RBI-double, solo homer game the day after he crashed, but his D was not good that night…and these last two games, well…eesh…
DAP
June 26th, 2009
11:04 am
getsomewins and doc
honestly, i hadnt really thought of lowe as being trade bait, just based on what the market was this past year, and how old lowe will be, but youre right, he could be…honestly, if the braves have a good replacement, i dont care when they trade lowe.
to me, its ok to have a high priced veteran like him on your rotation, when you compliment him with two young studs making the minimum like hanson and jurjens. the way wren has set up this rotation, we are pretty much good to go on starting pitching for the next 3-4 years.
McFann Ô
June 26th, 2009
11:05 am
Doc H. Not necessarily HR but at least hit some 2B.
He leads the team in doubles…guess that’s not that hard to do, though…
getsomewins
June 26th, 2009
11:07 am
I HATE the New York Yankees organization with every fiber of my baseball being. I wish nothing but years non playoff appearances for them lol.
Kotchman’s offense is below average, obviously, but you never cringe when a ball is hit to him. No errors in a Braves uniform. But we need offense from a first baseman.
cphizzle
June 26th, 2009
11:07 am
you guys are too funny as soon as somebody lays an egg or has a few bad games in a row you are ready to ship them off…lowe has won us 7 games, frenchy is looking good at the plate, loaf has been swinging a nice stick, if it were up to all of you they wouldnt even be on the team right now. everybody is gonna have there struggles but in due time everyone will produce
Lew
June 26th, 2009
11:07 am
Might want to look at the Lowe situation from a somewhat different angle. He has lost two games this year by one run with our anemic offense and lost another where he pitched 8 innings where he was losing 2-1 when he left.
With any kind of decent offensive production from his teammates, Lowe could easily be 10-3 right now instead of 7-6. If he were (and remember he isn’t through no fault of his), no one would be complaining about wasting a contract.
Well, OK, It IS the DOB blog-likely there would still be complainers. Fewer would be complaining.
jason
June 26th, 2009
11:09 am
I mentioned before about Escobar shifting to 3B to replace Chipper. Could happen, that is if he is still around. He is on his last leg in ATL. For all the talent he has, there is no excuse for the bone headed plays he continues to make. For example, trying to backhand that smash by Jeter in stead of getting his body in front of the ball as Jeter did earlier. The left side infield defense is killing ATL.
jason
June 26th, 2009
11:13 am
Kotchman’s problems could be all the shuffling in the line up he does. He is a natural 2 or 6 hitter, and yet his 4,5, 7,and8 as well.Instability in the line up is killing the offense as a whole. Lets keep it as it is now for a while and then look at the results. He also has had some nagging injuries this year.
Shaun
June 26th, 2009
11:13 am
Lowe will be fine. He’s not a great pitcher but I’m not sure the Braves signed him to be a great pitcher, merely a very good one that eats innings. His K, BB and ground ball rates are a little worse than his career rates but not so much so that we should be all that concerned just yet. If they are still where they are after three or four more starts, maybe you start to worry a little. But he’s okay.
11 of 16 starts have been quality. And for those who don’t like the Quality Start, remember that a 4.50 ERA is the worst-case scenario QS.
DAP
June 26th, 2009
11:13 am
doc hollidaythat guy is just unbelievable with the glove, incredibly solid. Big problem is his lack of power. Not necessarily HR but at least hit some 2B.
alot of people seem to have this perception about kotchman. but, you know what? he leads the team in doubles, with 17 of them. and he was on the DL for two weeks, and has been in a terrible slump! before his DL stint he was leading the team in extra base hits. as of now hes only 3 extra base hits behind the team leaders.
by the way there are two guys tied for 2nd on the team in doubles with 15. one is escobar. the other one surprised me. kelly johnson.
jason
June 26th, 2009
11:14 am
Lowe’s main problem is throwing to many pitches. If the sinker is not being called a strike, you then have to lift it. Then you will get tagged like last night.
monty
June 26th, 2009
11:14 am
Rants and musings:
I felt like the Braves were exposed for what they are last night. Dereck Jeter and crew showed 1. how to field their positions, especially Jeter put on a clinic for Escobar. I don’t know if Jeter is his boyhood idol and he felt intimidated or what but Esco looked like a little leaguer trying to field shots by high-schoolers. 2.The Yankee’s hitters are the most intense hitters outside of Boston. They work the count and they don’t get themselves out. Practically their whole lineup took at bats the way Chipper does. 3.They can run the bases. Nuff said. 4. D.Lowe has been less than impressive his last few starts. Looks like we overpaid for him. I know it’s still early and he’s signed to a 4 year deal, but seriously. At this point in their careers I’d much rather have Javy than Lowe. Lowe is older and more expensive and is a one pitch wonder. If his sinker isn’t sinking he becomes the most hittable pitcher on the staff. 2 of his last 3 starts he’s been KO’d in the 3rd inning. 5. Enough with the ga-ga, goo-goo, laughter while on the bases fraternizing with the opposite team. I know it really isn’t warfare out there and you can whip somebody’s butt in a game and still be friends, but to me it was excessive on Chipper’s part and a couple of others. Speak before the game or go have a beer after, but quit holding hands on the field, slapping each other on the fannie.
Too much smiling while they were kicking our… well, you know. 6. Acosta is a dude with electric looking stuff he just can’t seem to pitch without giving up runs anyone who can hit 97 and has a very good slider ought to be able to deal, but he doesn’t, and just looking at his demeanor and his personna, he looks very insecure out there. 7. Every time we have a “must win game” we don’t win it!
McFann Ô
June 26th, 2009
11:14 am
getsomewins–
I’d wish the same on the Fillies, but with the way the Braves have been playing, that would mean the Mets would win the Division.
I still don’t want the Fillies to win, though.
I wish Kotchy could pick it up on the offense, too…but at least his glove is so sweet.
Efrim
June 26th, 2009
11:16 am
We’re like a tenth of the way into the Lowe deal. I think there is plenty of time for the guy to rebound…. yeesh folks.
Lowe is a sinkerballer. Guys that don’t miss bats should stay away from the AL East. After three AL East starts, the ERA jumped from 3.40 to 4.54. It happens. I’m not concerned yet.
getsomewins
June 26th, 2009
11:16 am
Kotchman leads the team in doubles, but they don’t seem to be coming with men on base too often.
McFann Ô
June 26th, 2009
11:17 am
monty 3.They can run the bases.
They CANN??
jason
June 26th, 2009
11:18 am
monty, I feel the same way. Lowe’s other problem is that he doesn’t have an out pitch like a Vasquez or a Hanson.
DAP
June 26th, 2009
11:19 am
getsomewinsKotchman leads the team in doubles, but they don’t seem to be coming with men on base too often.
and whose fault is that?
getsomewins
June 26th, 2009
11:20 am
by the way there are two guys tied for 2nd on the team in doubles with 15. one is escobar. the other one surprised me. kelly johnson.
There is a big difference…Escobar’s hits seem to come with men in scoring position, thus giving him a high team RBI total.
getsomewins
June 26th, 2009
11:22 am
DAP
Yours and his. Where’s the double with the bases loaded? Or with a runner at second, or a speedy runner at first? Not many of those unfortunately.
Duke
June 26th, 2009
11:23 am
That’s three games in a row for Lowe where he had a chance to win the series for us. He has been horrible in two of those games and just decent in the other. We are 0-3
Luke
June 26th, 2009
11:23 am
DOB any updates on Tim Hudson’s status…?? when do we expect to see his first rehab start, I think he can be very valuable out of the pen if we are still in contention come mid August.
Billy Walsh
June 26th, 2009
11:23 am
Lowe will be fine. He has the track record to prove it. Pitchers go through funks in which they have a few bad starts. Look at Johan’s last few starts or look how Tim L. in San Fran started his season off. He is going to be fine. Pitchers, just like hitters, struggle at times.
getsomewins
June 26th, 2009
11:24 am
jason
June 26th, 2009
11:18 am
monty, I feel the same way. Lowe’s other problem is that he doesn’t have an out pitch like a Vasquez or a Hanson.
That’s because Lowe pitches to contact. When he’s on, he gets a lot of groundouts, a la Hudson when he’s on. This lowers his pitch total and that’s why he’s been so durable over his career.
monty
June 26th, 2009
11:25 am
A sinkerballer without his sinker is like a painter without a paint brush.
getsomewins
June 26th, 2009
11:26 am
getsomewins
June 26th, 2009
11:22 am
DAP
Yours and his
Don’t get ur panties in a wad. I was completely joking.
Cameron
June 26th, 2009
11:27 am
DOB
How much do you think the weather in the south has played into D Lowe’s struggles lately? In LA, it stays between 50 and 70 degrees year round. I know he had to pitch in Arizona, but that is more of a dry heat. I know he is an extreme sweater.
I was thinking that maybe the heat and humidity here might be causing him to not be able to get a good grip on the baseball. A lack of grip can cause the ball to not move like he wants it and certainly not go where he wants it. This could have absolutely nothing to do with his struggles, or only be a minimal part of it. But, it is a thought. Your thoughts?
N8
June 26th, 2009
11:27 am
“trade for players that can help win this year. forget 2010 and beyond.” the false
Hey everybody! Steve Phillips has decided to join us on the old blog!
Welcome. But I’m not sure you really should be giving advice in how to win. Whether is’ NOW or in the future. But, anyhow, like I said….
Welcome.
DAP
June 26th, 2009
11:28 am
getsomewins
i looked up kotchman’s splits to see what situations he hits doubles in. 10 came with runners on base, 7 came with no one on base.
4 of those 7 doubles came leading off an inning, potentially starting a rally.
5 of the 10 doubles were with runners in scoring position.
almost all of his RBIs (27 of 28) were gained by hitting a double.
and overall with runners on base, kotchman is hitting .308.
Cameron
June 26th, 2009
11:28 am
DOB
Also, you really put McCann into a mini jinx with that blog you did about him/Mauer. Good thing he hit that homer last night, or some of the bloggers would be coming after you (McFann).
ncscoots
June 26th, 2009
11:29 am
Kotchman’s problems could be all the shuffling in the line up he does. He is a natural 2 or 6 hitter
Uh, no. His problem is that he’s a 7 hitter on a team filled with 7 hitters, and you can’t hit ‘em all at 7 and 8. He is what he is, a good-glove no-lumber 1B. That doesn’t make him a bad player, just one who is offensively like too many other guys in the everyday 8.
jason
June 26th, 2009
11:31 am
getsomewins, Problem is, he is throwing to many pitches the past month. Plus when you add how bad our infield defense has been, with the exception of Kotchman… you see why he is struggling. Sometimes an error is recorded as a hit. Seen a lot of them when Lowe is on the mound.
McFann Ô
June 26th, 2009
11:32 am
Cameron–
Yeah, but that homer was pretty meaningless, seeing as how he had left 5 men on base before that…
monty
June 26th, 2009
11:32 am
The Braves hired Lowe to be an “ace.” OR maybe a “mini-ace” but certainly they aren’t paying him 12-13 million per year to just eat innings and to beat the lessor teams. He’s had 3 starts in a row to shine and to help the Braves win a series and all we got was one decent start and 2 early exits and those games were out of hand before the patrons could get comfortable in their seats. What we are seeing in Vazquez is a pitcher finally realizing just how good he can be, as the Fox national crew said recently.