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Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,112 comments Add your comment
Virginia Ranger
June 25th, 2009
7:28 pm
Thanks JB for taking one for the team. How is this guy Boone Logan? Will he be any help?
StingerSplash
June 25th, 2009
7:28 pm
Folks, this isn’t the Pettitte who routinely shut down foes in the postseason in the 90s. He’s still good, but … he’s not the dominant pitcher he once was.
That being said, against this lineup, he might look like Koufax or 72 Carlton tonight.
2-strike bloop single to left by Anderson Hernandez, 4-bagel Nats.
Makes me think now that if Smoltz, who had power stuff and is still throwing 90+, is struggling mightily with the Nats, whither Glavine? Perhaps the Braves brass made the right move, saving themselves and Glavine the embarrassment of being pummeled in his last few appearances.
Unknown
June 25th, 2009
7:28 pm
This team has zero power.
Sean Connery
June 25th, 2009
7:28 pm
4-0 Nationals. Smoltz looks horrible
Charles
June 25th, 2009
7:29 pm
Prado hit that pertty hard. good AB.
K Johnson
June 25th, 2009
7:30 pm
If Chipper doesn’t swing, it isn’t a strike
Jake W.
June 25th, 2009
7:30 pm
I’m still trying to figure out how calling someone by their given name is an insult. I guess the next time i’m at a Braves game vs. the Mets i’ll chant Da-vid and see if it messes with him.
rob from sc
June 25th, 2009
7:31 pm
In a few weeks Hanson will have more wins than Lowe
ray k.
June 25th, 2009
7:33 pm
Folks, I am watching Smoltz pitch as I type this. He is getting shelled. All over the place and high on almost every pitch. I am sure he’ll get better, but so far, Frank Wren has looked like Nostradamus as far as I am concerned.
Driver8
June 25th, 2009
7:33 pm
Lets keep in mind what DOB had on his blog earlier today regarding Lowe vs. the Yankees..
Lowe is a former Boston pitcher with a long history against the Yankees. And it’s not one of his better subjects: He is 8-10 with a 6.07 ERA in 39 games (15 starts) against the Yankees, including 6-5 with a 5.53 ERA in 13 starts since moving back from bullpen to rotation in 2002.
But he hasn’t faced them since 2004
Unknown
June 25th, 2009
7:33 pm
Hanson is our “ace”. Lowe is our #5 starter.
Heath (Cleveland)
June 25th, 2009
7:34 pm
Like the ABs by Prado, Chipper and McCann…making Pettitte work. Up to 24 pitches now. Let’s see Escobar come through with RISP.
Curtis Jones
June 25th, 2009
7:34 pm
Thank you Mr. Bennett, for making the roster move that Bobby was senile too make. Looks like the door won the battle however, as did most batters against you this year.
joe
June 25th, 2009
7:34 pm
Mac has such a good eye at the plate.
Vinings Jim
June 25th, 2009
7:34 pm
Good shot, Yunel!
DirtyYuni
June 25th, 2009
7:34 pm
For those hammering Smoltz, he’s throwing 93-94. You give him a while to refine things and he’ll probably still be nasty. Reports before this said he was barely hitting 90.
BravesFanChris24
June 25th, 2009
7:34 pm
Escobar!
X-Country Braves Fan
June 25th, 2009
7:34 pm
Esco in the 5 hole!
Jake W.
June 25th, 2009
7:34 pm
Love it
Unknown
June 25th, 2009
7:34 pm
You gotta send Mac there with GA coming up.
Mixxo
June 25th, 2009
7:34 pm
Yunel haterz…..hate on that!
rob from sc
June 25th, 2009
7:35 pm
ATTENTION BOBBY COX
Stop F****** with the best clutch player on our team.
Jen1010
June 25th, 2009
7:35 pm
Esco!
Jerry Holcombe
June 25th, 2009
7:35 pm
Yeah, I may be out of my Effing mind Stevie boy, but that is beside the point. And if my post is the worst you’ve seen in the 2 years, then you obviously haven’t read jack sh!t on this blog. As I’ve stated before, the Braves are, at best, a .500 team. I don’t even think they are that. They have a decent starting rotation, but they aren’t good enough to win 60 % of their games with the kinda offense and defense that is being played behind them. That being the case, why would they choose to pay tons of money to their 3 top-salaried pitchers just to be at or below break even in wins and losses? The Braves have players that will help, but they are 1 or 2 years out. They could restock their minor league system with good talent and try to recapture some of the swagger this organization has lost over the last few seasons. The only other way the Braves can hope to climb that mountain again is with money, and just how much do you think Liberty will ante up after this loser year? Not much I bet. Hey, I tell ya what Steve-O, why don’t you try to convince me that what the Braves have is worth giving any more time to?
joe
June 25th, 2009
7:35 pm
I told you this lineup is better! Keep him in the 5th spot and Prado in the 2 hole. yea!
Paul Lentz
June 25th, 2009
7:35 pm
I just got in and was very pleased to see that Jeff Bennett hurt himself by punching his hand into the wall. Nothing personal against Jeff Bennett, I just hate his performance on the pitching mound. If Bobby Cox refuses to demote him, then perhaps the “injury god” interceded on behalf of Braves fans and took it out of Bobby’s hands. I absolutely hate seeing Jeff Bennett used in any situation other than mop up situations.
As far as Jeff Francoeur hitting better is concerned….him hitting .302 in his last 12 games is better than nothing. However, only 2 doubles and 1 homer in 42 at-bats (13 hits) isnt anything to starting “jumping for joy” over.
The sad thing about Francoeur is that hitting “.302″ is considered a “hot streak” for him. If that is the “best” that we can expect from Francoeur, then the Braves will have no choice but to non-tender him after the end of the season.
I actually like Bobby moving Escobar to the 5th hole. If the Braves dont make a move before Infante comes back, I’d like to see Bobby put Infante in the 2nd hole (like he has Prado).
And speaking of good moves……….NICE HIT ESCOBAR. The Braves need some right handed power behind McCann.
Curtis Jones
June 25th, 2009
7:35 pm
Derek Lowe: not an ace, not a big-game, pressure pitcher. Not a stopper.
Heath (Cleveland)
June 25th, 2009
7:35 pm
Love the lineup. DON’T change it Bobby.
joe
June 25th, 2009
7:36 pm
Our offense has life!
Nova Scotia Steve
June 25th, 2009
7:36 pm
So is the fire sale off now????…jesus…I shouldn’t say everyone…but certainly some on here
the hope of the braves nation rests in your hands mr hanson
June 25th, 2009
7:36 pm
if esco is given a chance for a full season to bat 5th he could drive in a 100 runs.
rob from sc
June 25th, 2009
7:37 pm
In all seriousness, Escobar and Prado should be the leaders of this team. They play with passion.
CorkylikesBeer
June 25th, 2009
7:37 pm
Krusty Krotch…3 for 23…
Pennski
June 25th, 2009
7:37 pm
Great job Paul, come right in and start ripping on Frenchie again. Just don’t miss a beat
BraveNewWorld
June 25th, 2009
7:37 pm
I’m enjoying this new lineup with Escobar batting in the 5 spot. I think we should keep it this way, Escobar has near 40 RBIs in the 2 spot and is tops in average with RISP. I’m surprised Cox hasn’t made this move earlier, Escobar is pure raw talent right now. Guy might have issues with his demeanor but he can play, that’s for sure.
McFann :Ô:
June 25th, 2009
7:37 pm
Dangit…
Whew…at least we got one run back!
And thank you so much for walking, BMac. Poor Chip thought that was a strike, though.
Turk 182
June 25th, 2009
7:37 pm
Sha-mon!
rob from sc
June 25th, 2009
7:38 pm
I wonder if we are able to re-sign Vazquez and Hudson, if we explore trading Lowe in the offseason.
StingerSplash
June 25th, 2009
7:38 pm
28 pitches in the first inning for Clemens’ former BFF. Might get to the soft white underbelly that is the Yankees middle relief soon.
I wouldn’t worry about Smoltz. Probably way amped up for first start. He’ll get control of it soon enough.
Duke
June 25th, 2009
7:38 pm
GA hit it hard again
joe
June 25th, 2009
7:38 pm
Paul Lentz,
You cant have everything at the same time, dammit. If Frenchy is coming out of it, its going to take getting singles by hitting the pitchers where theyre pitched, pulling mistakes, then start hitting for more slugging. It isn’t all going to happen at the same time.
Mitchell
June 25th, 2009
7:39 pm
I don’t care. I’m sure there’ll be some words about GA but he had a good swing.
That’s a big hit and run by Yunel. More would have been nice but that’s a big run.
Derek needs to get his ace on. What’s the deal?
joe
June 25th, 2009
7:39 pm
GA’s game at the plate is really comin around, I agree.
Unknown
June 25th, 2009
7:39 pm
Rob from SC – I hope thats the case. I’d rather have Huddy than Lowe and we would save a little big of money that way.
Doc Holiday
June 25th, 2009
7:39 pm
You may look back to that AB by GA…………..he is a veteran…………why was he swinging at that 1st pitch by Petite…………the guy is in trouble………..dont make things easier on him…………bad AB if you ask me and with the go ahead run in scoring position.
Paul Lentz
June 25th, 2009
7:40 pm
Derek Lowe will be all right. He isnt going to pitch “lights out” every night. It’s 162 game season. He will end up making 36 or 37 starts. So it is natural to assume that he will have 4 or 5 starts where he doesnt have his best stuff.
Still, dude gives us a lot of innings and keeps us in ball games. I’m not worried about Derek one bit. Once August and September gets here, if the Braves are still in the pennant race, then you guys will be thanking Frank Wren for signing Lowe. Dude is simply a money game pitcher.
the hope of the braves nation rests in your hands mr hanson
June 25th, 2009
7:40 pm
the fire sale is no where near off….. this team has a lot to prove in the next month. its going to take more than 1 inning with 1 run. there is no way this team should trade away prospects for ANYONE. and we cant let anyone in the bullpen go and expect to contend. there is only two options:
play better and try to make a run or
sell, sell, sell and lets start over.
i hope its us playing better but if we dont then in no way should strip an already weak, and i do mean extremely weak , farm to finish .500.
braves have a lot to prove to every fan and themselves.
AJ
June 25th, 2009
7:40 pm
From my pal in Boston….
OK, the commercial is on… he’s about to make his debut with the Sox. The Sox in the first inning went down 1-2-3.
First pitch was a strike.
First batter grounds out to first. (David Ortiz is playing first)
Second batter gets hit by a pitch.
Third batter double down the third base line.
Next batter walks.
Dave Roberts is doing the color on NESN. He’s noticing that John Smoltz is relying on his breaking ball in the first inning, which is not the John Smoltz he remembers. He usually pounds the plate with his fastball…he’s nibbling at the plate…using his breaking ball to set up his fastball, not the other way around.
Then a single…Washington scores a run.
Then another single (Josh Bard — hasn’t he been signed by the Sox twice?) hits a single 2-0.
Next batter (Willie “Let’s bump heads with Johnny Damon” Harris) flies to right.
Next batter hits a single to left, 2 runs score. 4-0.
Next batter is the pitcher who strikes out.
Smoltz threw 34 pitches. I think they said he had a limit of 55 for the game (that seems low..I must have heard it wrong).
First impression: Dice-K is better.
Pennski
June 25th, 2009
7:40 pm
It seems like Chip is rooting for the braves…
rob from sc
June 25th, 2009
7:41 pm
Javier Vazquez has ACE stuff, he is having less mental breakdown innings. I know I am just a fan, but I would rather have Vazquez than Lowe over the next 4 years.
Mixxo
June 25th, 2009
7:41 pm
Chipper “looked” old on that play.
Pennski
June 25th, 2009
7:41 pm
I mean Yankees!!
BraveNewWorld
June 25th, 2009
7:41 pm
Mitchell D-Lowe isn’t an ace, he’s just a placeholder. The guy is a great #2 but as an ace, he’s average. He is pitching worse though, I’ll give you that.
I agree that Garret Anderson has been looking great in the past couple games. Only problem is that he’s hitting ‘em right at the players but hopefully things will change.
Jake W.
June 25th, 2009
7:41 pm
You know what I have got to find out what’s so great about Derek Jeter. I’m about to go do some research on it because I don’t get it. Gotta see where he compares with other great shortstops.
joe
June 25th, 2009
7:42 pm
Doc Holiday, sometimes hitters jump on the first pitch because they think itll be a strike. Not to mention, GA has faced Pettite a lot over his career, and probably knows his trends and what to look for in which situations, a lot more than, say, us.
Steve from OH
June 25th, 2009
7:42 pm
Catcher Hey-Zeus Sucre has been promoted from Rome to Myrtle Beach fwiw…
rob from sc
June 25th, 2009
7:42 pm
Paul Lentz
Lowe has been average for over a month. What good is an innings eater if he gives up runs in bunches
BraveNewWorld
June 25th, 2009
7:43 pm
Doc Holiday you can interpret it many ways but he got a good pitch and got a great swing on it. Problem was that Gardner ran it down but it was still a great swing.
Unknown
June 25th, 2009
7:44 pm
Pull him Bobby, hes done.
joe
June 25th, 2009
7:44 pm
Ummm, Lowe doesn’t have it tonight.
Mixxo
June 25th, 2009
7:44 pm
I mean Yankees!!
Chip is a HUGE Yanks fan.
Chipperchop
June 25th, 2009
7:45 pm
I’m beginning to wonder if the summer humidity is getting to Lowe. It did to Tim Hudson his first year here.
Heath (Cleveland)
June 25th, 2009
7:45 pm
39 pitches and only 1 out in the 2nd…Lowe needs to get it together.
BravesFanChris24
June 25th, 2009
7:45 pm
Collective sigh of relief.
Jake W.
June 25th, 2009
7:45 pm
Unbelievable these Yankees. They are dead set on taking someones head off.
TnBrian
June 25th, 2009
7:46 pm
Are you sure Chip is related to Skip? I mean, he is no doubt, the absolute biggest moron on the mic. He overreacts to everything and is just plain baseball ignorant!
Pennski
June 25th, 2009
7:46 pm
I guess you are right Mixxo, it’s just pathetic
joe
June 25th, 2009
7:46 pm
Summer humidity never got to Greg Maddux
the hope of the braves nation rests in your hands mr hanson
June 25th, 2009
7:47 pm
oh god, now chip is even giving the yanks announces love….
McFann :Ô:
June 25th, 2009
7:47 pm
Dang…that bat flying into the dugout was scary! Almost took our three of our best dudes!
bravos2249
June 25th, 2009
7:47 pm
I’m ROTFL at the Arod Cheats…behind home plate!!
Jake W.
June 25th, 2009
7:47 pm
“I’m beginning to wonder if the summer humidity is getting to Lowe. It did to Tim Hudson his first year here.”
I thought the same thing. The weather in California is nothing like the weather here in the south. If you are not from this region, good luck.
joe
June 25th, 2009
7:47 pm
Gotta love a-resurrected A-rod with men on base
rob from sc
June 25th, 2009
7:47 pm
cHIP NEEDS TO BROADCAST FOR THE yANKEES.
Tomahawkin
June 25th, 2009
7:48 pm
Lowe Getting Slapped!!!
He has Been Garbage Since the Weather has got hot…
Chris
June 25th, 2009
7:48 pm
Wow, Derek you served that one up.
keylargo
June 25th, 2009
7:48 pm
The Yankees announcers just can not stop talking about how big the Ted is.
TnBrian
June 25th, 2009
7:48 pm
Lowe might be a bust. Not kidding, he hasn’t impressed in well over a month and I’m starting to think it’s just not a “bad stretch” either.
Mitchell
June 25th, 2009
7:48 pm
What the F is up with D-Lowe?
D-Lowe and JJ are the un-aces at this point.
Would have been nice to have Javy tonight. Had a feeling D-Lowe wasn’t going to be up to the challenge tonight.
bigchiefrg
June 25th, 2009
7:48 pm
For those of you talking about how bad smoltz looks just aint watchin the same game i am. Yes he is down 4-0 and yes he left some stuff up in the zone, but he still has ‘it’. Give him a break b/c it has been 387 days or whatever since he faced major league hitting.
Jen1010
June 25th, 2009
7:48 pm
Anyone else notice the “A-Rod Cheats” sign on the stairs in the section behind home plate while he was up? Nice touch.
Jake W.
June 25th, 2009
7:48 pm
I wish the pitchers would groove pitches like that to us.
Mixxo
June 25th, 2009
7:49 pm
Get somebody up Bobby! Our “ace” is finished!
Chris
June 25th, 2009
7:49 pm
Cant play catch up with the Yanks.
Mitchell
June 25th, 2009
7:49 pm
Just keep us in the game dogg.
Heath (Cleveland)
June 25th, 2009
7:49 pm
Hey…some good news…. The Rays have tied the Phils at 4.
Faron Young
June 25th, 2009
7:50 pm
Hello Walls.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGOfTJTYkWs
Jake W.
June 25th, 2009
7:50 pm
Phils and Rays tied at 4
X-Country Braves Fan
June 25th, 2009
7:50 pm
wow garret made a play while moving! just kidding
David O'Brien
June 25th, 2009
7:50 pm
Look at the big man get back to make the catch. I thought that thing was headed to the seats. D-Lowe ain’t fooling many batters tonight.
StingerSplash
June 25th, 2009
7:50 pm
Lowe has started 15 games for the Braves this season and has gone at least 6 2/3 innings in nine of them. He has given up four or more earned runs three times in 15 starts. I think he’s been worth the investment.
But it looks like he’s woken up the sleeping A-Rod.
JasonInFL
June 25th, 2009
7:50 pm
Wow, 7 hits in 2 innings
the hope of the braves nation rests in your hands mr hanson
June 25th, 2009
7:50 pm
maybe at this pace lowe will give up 0 runs in the third…..doubt it, but i hope a trend is developing there.
joe
June 25th, 2009
7:50 pm
Holy cow. I like Derek, but he looks terrible.
Driver8
June 25th, 2009
7:51 pm
Like our OUTSTANDING middle inning relief corps will do any better??? I’d rather take my chances with Lowe who at least is familiar with this team than our less than average middle relief.
keylargo
June 25th, 2009
7:51 pm
Jake W. – Hudson is from Ga and played baseball at Auburn.
Jake W.
June 25th, 2009
7:52 pm
Lowe is like any other sinker baller. When the pitch doesn’t sink he might as well just be putting it on a tee.
Jay212033
June 25th, 2009
7:52 pm
Jeff Locke is facing his old teammates tonight!
BraveNewWorld
June 25th, 2009
7:52 pm
Driver8 Bring in the middle relief! I want to see Moylan throw wild pitches all day.
Mixxo
June 25th, 2009
7:52 pm
Attaboy Frenchy!