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Braves postgame comments after 11th inning win Tuesday

12:20 am July 7, 2010, by Carroll Rogers

MATT DIAZ

On the hit-and-run double to win:

“Bobby (Cox) saw the most feeble bunt attempt he’d ever seen on the first pitch and said I’ve seen enough of that and put on the hit and run. It was a great call. I was actually kind of looking for it after the miserable bunt attempt. It’s weird the things you don’t think about when you haven’t played in eight weeks. The first time I squared around I was like, ‘Oh I should probably go work on the pitching machine when we get home.’”

On feeling like he’s back:

“I really felt it in the cage and in bp on the rehab assignment; I just didn’t have timing. I’m swinging and fouling off a lot of early pitches. It’s a blessing in disguise because it’s helping me to see more pitches and starting to get my timing….My swing feels great. It’s great to swing and not have in the back of your mind if I get jammed my thumb is going to blow up, bleed and puss.”

On his three-hit night:

“It was just really nice to have a day where the barrel was finding the ball,” Diaz said. “It’s exciting to know that I’ve contributed a little bit and the hope is there I’ll contribute more down the stretch. You’re almost jealous when you’re on the DL of watching everyone pitch in; you really want to be a part of that. Tonight I was able to be a part of it. It was special with this group of guys. It really was.”

On Howard’s triple, which he said hit a pole on the fence and then kicked off his glove:

“I thought a fan had punched my glove or something…That was a great job of those guys (Moylan and Venters) to keep him from scoring. That was the ball game right there.”

On his pre-game prediction:

“I told Rossy before the game we were going to combine for four hits and he was going to have three. He told me I was selfish after the game because I took three hits back.”

CHIPPER JONES

On taking back the series momentum:

“All you heard last night, watching the news or listening to the radio, was the fact that Doc shut us down, this was possibly going to be the series that turns momentum around and whatnot. We came out tonight and their right as many games back as they were before yesterday. That’s the way this games works. You’ve got to put games together and streaks together.”

On trying to prevent the double play in the 8th inning rundown:

“I’d much rather have two guys on and one out as opposed to one guy on and two outs.”

On Diaz’s night:

“Matte kills lefties. He just hasn’t been healthy and now he’s starting to get there and matte showed up at a good time. Right when we needed him. Couple of big knocks against Hamels and then the hit-and-run was perfection. Couldn’t have come at a better time.”

On Jurrjens:

“You’ve got to eliminate the leadoff walks. The two leadoff walks scored and that hurts. When you outhit a team 13-3 and you’ve got to go 11 innings to beat them, something is not right. He was dominant other than the couple of leadoff walks to kick start two innings.”

BOBBY COX

On Jurrjens:

“He walked a couple guys and cost him a run. He threw the ball extremely well again. I couldn’t be more pleased the way his two outings have been. It’s the old JJ just about. He’s just about there. For me he is, for himself he probably thinks he can do better.”

On the win:

“Our bullpen again was fantastic. We used everybody but one. Diaz had a big night. Almost made a great catch, hit three line drives, maybe Matte is back to what he was.”

JAIR JURRJENS

On his performance:

“It’s an advantage when you pitch against this team a lot. You just stick to your game plan and just throw strikes and try to keep Rollins and Victorino off base.”

On the adjustment after a 28-pitch first inning:

“I was trying to overpower everybody and they’re a better hitting team than Washington. Then I said I need to go back to pitching and hitting my spots and just trying to throw strikes and throw more two-seamers and make the guys hit the ball on the ground.”

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47 comments Add your comment

JohnSmith

July 7th, 2010
12:43 am

Rock.

Jay Rodgers

July 7th, 2010
12:54 am

Huge win tonight, JJ looked great. Hopefully can get the series tomorrow and go on and take 2 of 3 against the Mets.

treybrave

July 7th, 2010
1:12 am

Heard an escobar/medlen for matt kemp rumor. Imagine that offense

jed

July 7th, 2010
1:43 am

escobar AND medlen? too pricey for me. that’s potentially a very good 3 starter as well as an all-star SS.

broncs

July 7th, 2010
1:58 am

Trey,

What a moronic trade! Kemp has an ops of .800. Yes he is in pace for 30 homers but he has a weak batting average and crappy on base. Is he better than our current cf options? Absolutely. So we trade medlin who is close to pitching incredible and one of the best hitting SSs in the game who has had a horrible first half for a moderate upgrade in of? Hell no!!!

Braves are too smart to make that trade!

Bravos

July 7th, 2010
2:00 am

I want to see Dunn come to Atlanta in a trade. Yet another player who could play LF,RF,OR 1b. This could keep Glaus Heyward and Diaz fresh when we play right handed pitchers. The other nights against lefties Dunn could play 1b or RF the guy has the 2nd most HRS since 2005 behind that guys in st.louis who plays first.

Get Dunn when the East. And dont forget Heyward will be back and healthy soon.

Melky has sent his trade value up a good bit maybe dangle Melky and a minor league arm along with Mclouth and DC might bite on it

Broncs

July 7th, 2010
2:10 am

Lol Bravos. At least your trade rips off the other team as opposed to Trey who is the total opposite!

Still, you honestly think that Washington is going to trade their clean-up hitter (a move that can only be done to save money) just to take on over-paid hitters that can’t hit like Melky Cabrera and Mclouth? Both of them are career horrible hitters (don’t even kid yourself that Mclouth has EVER been good, even his All Star year was overall pretty mediocre) that made good money.

If we could give away both players for nothing I bet we would do it… especially Mclouth.

Heyward4MVP22

July 7th, 2010
2:12 am

Great win, good to see Diaz come through, we need his bat against LHP. JJ was good again other then the Ibanez HR, and Howard triple. It’s going to be great having a rotation of Hudson, Hanson, Jurrjens, Lowe, and Medlen in the 2nd half.

Medlen/Esco for Kemp, no thanks. Who would replace Medlen in the rotation and who replaces Escobar’s defense at SS.. Yes, he hasnt hit any HR’s but it will come in the 2nd half.

redweather

July 7th, 2010
6:38 am

Great win indeed especially considering a lot of the strikes called and not called by the homeplate umpire. Smoltz mentioned that the guy was a little inconsistent. Understatement of the season.

Tom Porter

July 7th, 2010
7:06 am

We won this game inspite of Bobby. JJ was left in the game one inning to long – same as his first game – we won both, but Bobby made them interesting. Escobar has not been the same since our best pitcher was traded to the Yankees. Is Mac still having problems seeing the ball? He does not look like the same hitter. He will never be more than an average catcher. Frank we will need a power bat for the 2nd half run. Chipper is no longer a 3 hitter. Go Braves!

Lobosolo

July 7th, 2010
7:55 am

Mr. Porter, perhaps your brilliance as a tactician should compel you to offer your services to the Braves organization. It never ceases to amaze me what a group of arm-chair managers exist which call themselves “fans”. In spite of Bobby Cox? Are you sure about that? I hear people like you and many others on these threads, and wonder just what it is you get out of being fans of ANYBODY. Go holler for the Yankees, man… the Braves don’t need your ilk, that is certain…

tristan

July 7th, 2010
8:36 am

What kind of idiot would trade Medlen? Seriously, the guy is as good as if not better than Hanson. Those two and JJ are the future and you want to trade him? Serious mistake. Let Schurholtz get his hand in there and you will be amazed what can happen.

vermont 39

July 7th, 2010
8:40 am

This team knows how to win. Since they are out on the field and BC is at the helm. I think I’ll just enjoy it.
GO BRAVES

Bravo

July 7th, 2010
8:48 am

Kemp is a stud, I’d love to have him patroling CF in the future

Lew

July 7th, 2010
9:04 am

I think the Braves have a winning team. They could use a SS and get rid of talented but underachiever Escobar. Sending McCloth somewhere else would be nice or at least put him on the bench where he doesn’t do any damage. Tell Smoltz to get a job, broadcaster he is not.

Steve

July 7th, 2010
9:09 am

“Matte” is having a dull of lusterless surface, like a matte paint; “Matty” is a nickname for people named Matt or Matthew.

Lewis Odom

July 7th, 2010
9:20 am

I like Smoltz. He knows the game. And is not reluctant to talk about the plays, what pitch to look for, what he qould do in a similar situation, etc. I have been following the Braves for years; and i am so glad they seem to “be back”.

jim

July 7th, 2010
9:27 am

Putting McLouth on the bench DOES do a lot of damage. When Heyward comes off the DL, Hicks goes back to AAA. That gives an OF of Heyward, Blanco, Melky, Diaz + Hinske and Infante. For McLouth to be activated, one of the first 4 would have to be sent down or traded. As it stands now, McLouth on the bench + Blanco at AAA. That does do damage.

ijudgenot

July 7th, 2010
9:43 am

On trading Escobar, I have to agree the young man does not seem to be enjoying this season with the rest of the team, however I don’t think he is a cancer because of the way Chipper has been seen talking constantly to him as he did last night aftrer he scored the go ahead run. If this kid was bad for the team chemistry vets like Chipper would not have anything to do with him. I think this was an immature kid from Cuba who Renteria took under his wing and guided him the first year. Then Renteria was traded, but the kid still had his friend Pena, but then he was traded. The kid turned to Vasquez as a mentor ,then he was traded. I know there are coaches like Chino on the bench but he has other resposibilities than Escobar. He was not specially hired to be an interpreter and friend to sit on the bench beside him like they did with KK. Despite his stats this spring, this kid has a lot of talent and I hope the Braves stick with him, at least until Hernandez has proven he can replace him.

gbear1

July 7th, 2010
9:46 am

Love Smoltz in the booth with Ernie. Ernie and Joe are the best together.

Alan 10

July 7th, 2010
9:47 am

The Braves are in the drivers seat as for as upcoming trades, they really don’t need to go looking for anyone but they have the arms for some club to come to them, I DO HOPE THAT THEY ARE SMART ENOUGH TO KEEP THE YOUNG PROVEN TALENT UNLESS THEY HIT A BONAFIDE HOME RUN OF A PLAYER.

lexbrave

July 7th, 2010
9:55 am

chipper is right about the rundown, however i wish he had just committed to going home full speed thus forcing the phillies to make a quick decision on whether to come home or give up the run for the double play. when you are aggressive and force fielders to make quick decisions you increase the likely hood of there being a mistake made.

there was no force at home so if he just went home he would have either scored what would have been the game winning run or the same result would have happened, 2 on and 1 out. when he paused mid way he guaranteed two things, that there was no chance of scoring a run, and that the fielder no longer had to make a quick decision that could have led to a mistake.

braveshoo

July 7th, 2010
10:09 am

I am hoping that Wrens comment about not being in the market for pitching is a rouse. The only trade I want to see is a trade for Cliff Lee. Anytime you can get a #1, Cy Young candidate pitcher, it makes your team better, especially in the postseason when you are matching up with pitchers like JIMENEZ and C.C. Sabathia. In addition, he will be a class A free agent, so we get 2 #1 draft choices for him when he leaves. Finally, we keep him away from the Phillies or the Mets, which is probably the most important reason of all. Hinske has almost as many RBIs as Willingham. I am perfectfully happy with a platoon of Hinske/Diaz/Infante in LF. I also like having Blanco in CF. Its nice having someone with some speed, who can bunt, and who chokes up on the bat and puts the ball in play. Our power needs will be taken care of when Heyward gets back. We are still 3rd in the league in runs scored, even with all our injuries. If we get Lee, we have the best starting pitching in baseball. We also move Medlin to the BP, which will keep our BP from getting so worn out before the playoffs, and the BP has been a major key to our sucess. Medlin will be back in the starting rotation next year, and is one of our bright stars in the future. Finally, DO NOT TRADE ESCOBAR. He is one of the best defensive SS in the game, and his hitting is coming around. He just got off to a bad start because of injury that he tried to play through. If you trade Escobar and play Infante at SS, who plays 3rd if Chipper gets hurt, or SS if Infante gets hurt or next year if Infante leaves in free agency. We need to keep Escobar.

Bunny

July 7th, 2010
10:16 am

John Smoltz is of course knowledgable, however, he talks entirely too much. A lot of the time he and Ernie are not even announcing who is batting, or talking about their hits. I have a sight impaired sister who love the Braves, but the way they don’t call the game drives her nuts. Yes she does listen to the radio at times,however she likes to see what little bit she can on TV. My personal favorite is Joe Simpson, he seems to keep everyone else from being quite so silly, and tries to call the game. Somebody please tell Smoltz to talk less. We are not watching or listening to The John Smoltz Show !!!

RusDawg

July 7th, 2010
10:20 am

Carroll, check your “Their” “They’re” usage in the first Chipper quote….

Keith

July 7th, 2010
10:25 am

Braveshoo, we don’t need pitchers at the moment. We have JJ, Hanson, Medlen, Hudson – 4 potential acelike starters with Lowe who has been up and down and better of late. What we need is a bonafide powerhitting righthanded OF. I’m with you that Escobar is great defensively and would be a hit or miss if we trade him…..I only say we trade him if we can land a Dunn or someone like him..but I don’t see that happening.

And moving Medlen to the bullpen is one of the most ludacrist ideas I’ve heard in a while. Med was originally a starter, and he’s way more valuable as a SP than as a bullpen guy.

Beth in P'Cola

July 7th, 2010
10:48 am

Enjoying Smoltz with Ernie. John is great for tv where everything doesn’t need to be described in detail. I especially like John’s easy-going style. He’s “been there, done that” in so many situations and gives us the benefit of his experience. Watching the Braves is a blast this year!

BEAT THE SYSTEM

July 7th, 2010
11:15 am

Lets get Kemp:

Yunel Escobar, Randall Delgado/Arodys Vizcaino, Mike Dunn, Todd Redmond

For Kemp and Blake Dewitt

braveshoo

July 7th, 2010
11:45 am

Keith- I think our SP has been very good, but only Hudson is as good as Lee. More importantly, do you really want Cliff Lee playing for the Phillies or the Mets. I think he went 9-0 for the Phillies last year after they got him. Finally,I love Medlin, but they have to watch his innings pitched.See previous blog.

timthebrave

July 7th, 2010
11:48 am

When Heyward comes back it will really help out the power in the infield. The Braves don’t need to reach to make any trades but always keep your ears open for some steals. Don’t trade escobar unless we get an offer we can’t refuse. Why do you think other clubs are interested…They want to see if we will do something stupid because of his slow start. Go Braves!

Dave

July 7th, 2010
11:51 am

Last night WAS a huge win, but there was a significant amount of LUCK involved. In the bottom of the 10th, the last batter absolutely NAILED that pitch to left. It was sheer luck that he hit it right at Diaz for the third out. He pulls it a bit or shoots it to left center and the game is OVER!

Get Cliff Lee

July 7th, 2010
11:58 am

While I have pleaded for a power hitter, I have to agree with trying for Cliff Lee. Keeps him from other NL East teams and wins the division for us. Unfortunately, in the playoffs, as with prior Braves teams…you really only need 3 starters…4 tops…But, we need to get there again and Lee is one that can put us there. Sounds like the Twins are offers two nice prospects…Freeman and Dunn come to mind for us.

Dorothy Davis

July 7th, 2010
12:13 pm

Why on earth all the trade rumors? The Braves do not need to make a trade mistake now. If it ain’t broke…don’t mess with it. Are we or are we not in first place? Want to mess with that? Not me!

LuisG

July 7th, 2010
12:34 pm

I almost totally agree with lexbrave’s 9:55 am comment. The thing is that Chipper could’ve been involved in a colission in that play, and that’s the last thing you’ll like to see right now, with the way his aging body goes. Some might think he didn’t hustle on that play, but he did hustle to get the infield single and he did hustle to beat Wilson Valdez on the chop grounder to preserve the tie in the bottom of the 7th.

JeanE

July 7th, 2010
12:38 pm

Way to go Matty D!!! Awesome win for the team, especially on the road. Not sure what will happen when Nate is ready to be activated…Blanco has played so well, he deserves to keep playing but we’re paying Nate too much to sit. I also really enjoy Smoltzie on TV, such a good rapport with Ernie and Joe, too and the jokes are hilariously bad! It’s too, sometimes they get too lost in their stories and don’t focus on the game itself but I’ll take Smoltz any day of the week over Chip. Go Braves!!

Nate McClouth

July 7th, 2010
12:55 pm

Smoltz needs to lay off the corn ball jokes

Carroll Rogers

July 7th, 2010
12:58 pm

if you guys could see all the enthusiasm and energy Smoltz puts into finding and trying out the corn ball jokes, you’d get a kick.

Carroll Rogers

July 7th, 2010
1:01 pm

Matchups for the Mets series: Hanson vs. Dickey on Friday, Hudson vs. Pelfrey on Saturday, Lowe vs. Santana on Sunday.

adam

July 7th, 2010
1:26 pm

tom porter you are right on target! chipper is swinging the bat better though.

Cliff M

July 7th, 2010
2:34 pm

Yes, the Braves are absolutely fun to watch this year. Finally, they are getting the breaks that eluded them the past four years. They bring a mix of fun, excitement and luck to every game. I’ve been to more Braves games this year than I have the past 15 years and I live almost 75 miles away.

I would not change the line-up right now. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Make adjustments when this particular mix begins to fade somewhat. McLouth? Trade bait! How much longer is he signed for anyway? Escobar, like Javier Lopez, is a loner and plays a bit differently than the rest, but seems to come thru in the clutch. Maybe with the addtion of another Cuban ballplayer, he’ll come around.

Kentavo

July 7th, 2010
3:45 pm

I knew Doug Heffernin, I mean Hinkse was gonna go deep; I knew it.

Choppinmama

July 7th, 2010
4:13 pm

Thanks for the quotes, Carroll.

That miserable bunt attempt will cost Matt mucho $$$$ in fines, don’t you think??

How hot is it there at the field today, not the exact temp, but on a scale from frigid to hades hot? Lovey will really be pushing those cups in the dugout tonight.

nova scotia bill

July 7th, 2010
4:45 pm

love john and his corn ball jokes keep them comming

Q

July 7th, 2010
4:58 pm

I’ve read that the Giants have been scouting Ryan Braun for a trade.I know he’s under contract for at least two more years I believe and his contract is a bargain for the production he gives you in LF.Hopefully Wren will check with the Brewers.For Braun I would gladly part with Medlen,Schafer and a couple of lower top prospects. He would solve the righthanded power bat for the next couple of years at least.Then you’d still have a rotation of Hanson,Jair, Hudson and Lowe.The downside is you would have to move KK back into the rotation.On second thought, maybe we should just hold onto Medlen.

Keith B

July 7th, 2010
5:31 pm

I agree. If the Braves win it, it’ll be in SPITE of Cox. Check the other number 3 hitters in the league. Cincinnati, Philadelphia, NYM . . .

With the Braves talent, your basic high schooler could make a lineup that would compete. I have a question. How many OTHER managers would have an All Star (Infante) on the bench on a regular basis. He has historically been a spark plug for the team, yet we get a guy named McLouth – who can’t hit his weight NOR does he have any type arm. Whose butt did he kiss to get into the bigs?

Spider29

July 7th, 2010
5:56 pm

Smoltz was my favorite Brave for a long time. Now I enjoy listening to him on the broadcasts. He and Joe are funny and knowledgeable. I think John’s love of the game comes through as well. As for trades, I keep hearing in my head that old adage “you can never have too much pitching”. It would be great to have Lee on the mound. Imagine a rotation of Lee, Hudson, Hanson, Jurrjens and Lowe. Love Medlen too. But I agree with most that if a trade is made, it will be for a power hitter. Let’s go Braves tonight in Philly!

tevr

July 7th, 2010
6:44 pm

A trade for a big bat does sound nice, but the only place in the outfield is left field and we can play Hinske, Melky, or Matt there. With what Gregor has done he needs to stay in center, he can do everything Nate can but he actually gets on base so he can use his speed.

I would much rather trade Nate, Medlen, and a minor league player for another big time pitcher.

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