Archive for July, 2010

BOBBY COX

On Jurrjens cruising until running into big trouble in 7th

“He threw good in the seventh. He struck out Votto, the first hitter, then got behnd Rolen, who’s got a great eye, 2-0 pitch. Then he got behind Gomes 3-1, Gomes hit it to right field. Then he strikes out the next guy and had a 2-2 count on Hanigan, and left a changeup up. He was one pitch away from pitching another inning.”

On how dominant Jurrjens looked until 7th

“He was good in that inning, too. Just got behind two guys and made one bad pitch.”

On Melky’s misadventure

“I saw it on the replay, on the [stadium jumbotron]. When he threw it, it slipped. Instead of going in the direction of home plate it went in the direction of the right-field stands.”

On Arroyo’s performance

“We were one more hit away in the first inning from getting two more runs on the board. We just didn’t do it. He got a groundball double-play.”

On the trade for Ankiel and Farnsworth

“I’m anxious to see what those guys can do. We know …

Continue reading Braves’ quotes on Saturday’s loss and trade »

CINCINNATI – The precipitous decline of Braves first baseman Troy Glaus has become a glaring issue, never more than the first two games of the weekend series with the Reds.

After going 0-for-5 with five groundouts on Friday, Glaus went 0-for-4 with two groundouts, a pop-up and a strikeout in Saturday’s loss.

Glaus has hit .158 (17-for-107) with no home runs and six RBIs in his past 31 games, including 4-for-30 on the nine-game trip that ends Sunday.

What’s puzzling to some Braves officials and teammates is that Glaus’ skid began immediately after a torrid stretch in which he was named National League Player of the Month in May. He hit .316 with 12 homers and 46 RBIs in 47 games May 1 to June 20.

He went from that tear to one of the dreadful stretches of his career — and one of the toughest to watch.

Glaus, 33, has been slowed by foot and knee injuries this season, and has hobbled more noticeably in recent weeks. He’s also appeared to have difficulty making scoop plays at first …

Continue reading Stat of day: Glaus power outage at 31 games »

CINCINNATI – The Braves did some last-minute dealing Saturday, trading  for Kansas City outfielder Rick Ankiel and reliever Kyle Farnsworth in a five-player exchange.

They sent outfielder Gregor Blanco, reliever Jesse Chavez and left-handed pitching prospect Tim  Collins to the Royals in the deal, which was finalized just before Saturday’s 4 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline.

“It allows us to fill our two most important needs, and it also didn’t force us to give up any of our top young pitching prospects,” Braves general manager Frank Wren said. “We really like Collins, so it’s not to say he’s not a good looking young prospect.

“But I think everybody knows who our top starting pitchers are in the minor leagues, and we were able to hold onto those guys.”

The Braves got Collins  from Toronto as part of the July14 Yunel Escoba-for-Alex Gonzalez shortstop swap.

In another minor trade Saturday,  the Braves got Detroit Tigers minor league outfielder Wilkin Ramirez for a player …

Continue reading Braves get Ankiel, Farnsworth in five-player deadline trade »

CINCINNATI – A decision on whether to put Martin Prado on the disabled list wasn’t expected to be made until Monday, Braves general manager Frank Wren said.

Braves officials were waiting to see how the All-Star second baseman would feel a couple of days after he fractured his right pinky sliding head-first at home plate in Friday’s win against the Reds.

Since the diagnosis made on Saturday called for him to miss at least 7-1o days, it seemed likely the Braves would put him on the 15-day DL, rather than play short-handed for a week or longer.

Manager Bobby Cox did, however, say that if anyone could return quicker, it was Prado.

If Prado is DL’d, middle infielder Diory Hernandez might be the leading candidate for a call-up from Triple-A Gwinnett. Henandez has reached base in 27 consecutive games at Gwinnett.

Prado’s injury could have been much worse.  Braves fans feared the All-Star leadoff man might be out a lot longer after he was hurt sliding  in the 10th inning of Friday’s …

Continue reading Prado DL decision expected Monday (updated) »

BOBBY COX

“Heck of a ballgame. Mac came through big for us. Medlen, I thought he was throwing outstanding tonight. Too bad he got hit and had to come out, but he should be OK for his next start.”

“Prado, I don’t know. He’s going to go have it X-rays real quick and see what’s up. He jammed [his finger] when he slid somehow. Gonzalez barely felt good enough to get in the game, but we were out of players, so he had to.”

“The bullpen again was good. Johnny gave up the homer, but it looked like a fly ball.”

On the would-be Conrad homer

“It was over the fence. [Heisey] made a great play on the ball, timed it perfectly. I didn’t know if he caught it or not, till I saw the replay.

“Conrad, I can’t say enough about him, how great he’s been all year as a pinch-hitter and reserve on the bench filling in at times.”

On Prado and Heyward at-bats in 10th: “They had good ones. Great ones. Jason came through.”

On the Medlen balk: “He said he moved his front leg or something, but he didn’t. I …

Continue reading Braves’ quotes after Friday’s 10-inning win »

CINCINNATI – The Braves recalled Gregor Blanco from Triple-A Gwinnett, and the outfielder was expected to be in uniform for Saturday afternoon’s game against the Reds.

Outfielder Brent Clevlen was designed for assingnment to open a spot for Blanco, a move announced by the Braves late Friday after their 10-inning win against Cincinnati. Clevlen is expected to return to Gwinnett if he clears waivers.

Blanco was recalled after the 10-day minimum stay required when a player is optioned to the minors. He was went to Gwinnett on July 21 when the Braves activated Nate McLouth from the disabled list.

McLouth was demoted back to Gwinnett this week to work on his hitting after his season-long struggles continued in his first games back from the DL.

Continue reading Blanco recalled from Triple-A »

CINCINNATI – While the Braves continued pursuing possible additions before Saturday’s non-waiver trade deadline, they made a small deal Friday that shed an outfielder from Triple-A Gwinnett’s roster.

Journeyman outfielder Mitch Jones was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash. He’ll be assigned to their Triple-A Indianapolis affiliate.

Jones, 32, hit .250 with 18 homers, 45 RBIs and a .292 on-base percentage in 89 games.  Braves general manager Frank Wren said the outfield had become crowded at Gwinnett.

The Braves were trying to add a proven hitter or relief pitcher before Saturday’s 4 p.m. deadline. Payroll constraints and a reluctance to trade elite prospects presented obstacles.

“We are looking at different scenarios,” general manager Frank Wren said in an e-mail Friday. “[We] have had lots of conversations but there are limited players available at this time that fit our needs.”

Continue reading Braves trade Mitch Jones to Pittsburgh »

CINCINNATI – Braves shortstop Alex Gonzalez was taken to an area hospital early Friday morning and treated for gastritis. He hoped to return to the lineup Saturday or Sunday.

“It’s better now, but I can’t go tonight,” he said in the clubhouse before Friday’s series opener against Cincinnati. “Got to wait.”

Gonzalez was out of the lineup Thursday at Washington with what manager Bobby Cox described as a  101-degree fever and flu-like symptoms.

Gonzalez said Friday that a pinching sensation he felt in his sides Thursday moved to his stomach and became a burning discomfort that woke him at about 4 a.m. Friday. He called the Braves’ trainer, Jeff Porter, who drove him to a local hospital.

Gonzalez said he’s been treated for gastritis before, but the symptoms were more severe this time, including fever and fatigue on Thursday.

Gastritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach. Gonzalez was treated with antibiotics and instructed to eat lightly for the time being and avoid …

Continue reading Gonzalez taken to hospital, treated for gastritis »

Who: at Reds

When: 4:10 p.m. Saturday

TV; radio: Fox; 680 AM, 100.5 FM

Saturday’s matchup: Braves RH Jair Jurrjens (3-3, 4.37 ERA) vs. RH Bronson Arroyo (10-6, 4.21 ERA).

* Jurrjens is 3-0 with a 2.84 ERA in five starts since coming off the DL. He’s 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in three starts against the Reds, and has allowed seven runs and 11 hits in 6-1/3 innings of two starts at Great American Ball Park. Brandon Phillips is 3-for-7 with a homer against him.

* Arroyo is 5-3 with a 3.29 ERA and .203 opponents’ average in his past eight starts, including five starts with two runs or fewer. Lefties are hitting .290 against him this season, righties .176. He’s 5-3 with a 5.90 ERA in 12 games (11 starts) against the Braves, including 1-2 with a 10.93 ERA in the past three. Chipper Jones is 11-for-25 with three homers and 10 RBIs against him, Eric Hinske is 11-for-26 with a homer, and Brian McCann is 4-for-12 with two homers.

* DAVID O’BRIEN

Continue reading Saturday preview: Jurrjens vs. Arroyo »

CINCINNATI – Now that the Jonny Venters’ suspension matter has been settled (it was rescinded today, in case you missed it), let’s get to the even more pressing matter. Trade deadline is Saturday afternoon.

Many in Braves Country want a power hitter before Saturday 4 p.m., which, by the way, isn’t a hard-and-fast deadline, as trades can still be made in August in time to get a player on the postseason roster. It’s just that waivers have to be cleared before a deal is done after Saturday’s deadline (for players with big salaries, clearing waivers is more common these days than years ago, because so many teams have serious payroll restrictions).

Here’s why so many fans are anxious to add a big bat: They’ve watched a five-week power outage from Troy Glaus that’s magnified by the team’s recent stumble, as the Braves have dropped eight of 14 games at the worst possible time — just as the Phillies have caught fire to shrink Atlanta’s lead to just 2-1/2 games.

Am I right, or am I …

Continue reading Braves still looking as trade deadline approaches »