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Braves comments after Tuesday’s win over Padres

11:27 pm July 20, 2010, by Carroll Rogers

MATT DIAZ

On his hot streak:

“I feel good. A few years ago when I was 10-for-10; that was a groove that probably will never be duplicated. So everyone always asks me is this as hot as you’ve been, no. I’m not like that. But it feels good. I feel like I have a really good approach right now, and if I can just stay with it. I got out of it one at-bat tonight and it was ugly.”

On this stretch of facing lefties:

“For me that’s always been a key. People ask me how I hit the marlins so well. Back in the day when Dontrelle (Willis) and Scott Olsen were two lefties back-to-back and I got to play back to back days. When I can get in there on a semi-regular basis, it really helps my timing out.”

On the impact of getting Jurrjens, Heyward and him back healthy:

“We think we’ve added with people getting healthy. I was talking to Heyward tonight after the backspin laser he hit to center. I said, ‘Sure is nice to hit with a good thumb, isn’t it?’ He just kind of laughed and said, ‘It is, it makes a big difference.’ To watch him backspin that ball again was great. People were talking about (Roy) Oswalt going to one of the guys in our division. Yeah, if you get him, you’ll get a front-line starter but we already got a front line starter in Jurrjens. He came off the DL and he just makes our pitching staff that much better. He’s an ace on almost every staff he’d be on in the entire league. We got an ace back, and we got a couple bats – we got a starter back, and a bench guy. We feel like we’ve added some depth without going to get anybody.”

On Heyward’s rope to center:

“If I’m batting behind him, I tell the umpire, ‘Will you please check that ball,’” Diaz said. “And he’d be like, ‘It didn’t hit the dirt.’ And I’d go, ‘It might be flat.’ He hits the ball so stinking hard.”

JAIR JURRJENS

On redemption for April outing vs. Padres:

“It took a big weight off my back. That game in San Diego really bugged me. When a team beats you and you’re not 100 percent you always have the question: if I was 100 percent, (would it be) different. We played a good game and the guys played really good defense behind me. And Mac called a really good game and made two great throws to second base.”

On Cabrera’s throw to the plate:

“Melky has one of the best arms in the league. It was a big play just to pick up Martin (Prado) and build his confidence back after he made an error.”

On what worked for him:

“Today was the best day in the whole season; everything was working. The work me and Roger (McDowell) did in the bullpen really paid off today. I was trusting my change-up. I even threw one 3-2 and struck the guy out.”

JASON HEYWARD

On getting comfortable again:

“With some timing and more rhythm, it’s being able to be comfortable with everything from my hands to my stance. It was a great thing to be able to put it all together.”

On how his thumb feels:

“It’s nice to be healthy and at least have what you need to be productive. As far as my hands, I wouldn’t have started playing again if I didn’t feel like I had what I need to go out there and make an adjustment and do better. I’d say it’s still a jammed thumb. It’s not going to stop being jammed until it just does it on its own, but I feel like I’m capable enough to go out there and be productive. I have no pain.”

BOBBY COX

On Jurrjens:

“He went in on the 1-0 pitch to (Chris) Denorfia and got it in a bad spot. Other than that, he pitched a real good ballgame. Just great. And those two guys at the end. My God. Jonny (Venters) and Billy (Wagner), just awesome.”

On Heyward’s double over Tony Gwynn:

“That ball to centerfield, it looked like to me it one-hopped the center field fence. It skipped that far. He hit three bullets tonight. Melky made a huge play and had a big single in the sixth inning. So J.J. wouldn’t lead off the seventh. It was huge.”

On the defense:

“(Cabrera’s) thrown out a ton already. His whole career, he’s thrown out. The throw was absolutely right on the money. Gonzalez played a great shortstop tonight. Made great tags at second. Just great…. (McCann was) right on the money both times (with his throws). Good tags. Real good tags.”

On Diaz:

“He’s over that injury 100 percent. You saw tonight what happened. He’s been hot as heck.”

On serving the suspension:

“It’s nerve-wracking not to be able to be a part of it.”

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47 comments Add your comment

LuisG

July 20th, 2010
11:29 pm

My 1st “first”?

chin music

July 20th, 2010
11:32 pm

good win tonight. it’ll be even better if the mets join the phils in adding a notch in the loss column. so far, so good….

robdawg08

July 20th, 2010
11:42 pm

Hey Carroll, can you ask Bobby why he thinks Nate McLouth deserves to play over Gregor Blanco ?

The Grinch

July 20th, 2010
11:46 pm

I’m likin’ this team. I smell blood in the NL East water for the first time in years. Now if we can just find a way to trade Nate for ANYTHING, even add a prospect just to get rid of him and keep Bobby from putting him back in center and lead off, we should be in business. We don’t need anyone else to get this thing done; this team is fine exactly the way it is.

FJ10

July 20th, 2010
11:46 pm

That Jason can knock the livin you know what out of a baseball….. oh yeah and we might be getting a HOF third baseman back any day too….

robdawg08

July 20th, 2010
11:49 pm

A brittle HOF third baseman…

burdell

July 20th, 2010
11:53 pm

Cox didn’t use any four letter words to describe his suspension? I would have if I was him.

atlfan

July 20th, 2010
11:58 pm

Diferent guys every night. I love this team. I watched all 14 division titles. And non
Of them had it like these braves. Our poor numbers against lefties will rise with diaz back
He murders lefties. Btw met the guy in person at the hyatt last year. Great guy! I don’t see anyone
As a threat in the national league especially if we get home field advantage throughout
The playoffs and the world series thanks to our own junior big mac without the fillers.lol. goooooo
Braves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LuisG

July 20th, 2010
11:59 pm

Mets losing 3-2 with 1 out in the top pof the 9th. Go D-Backs!

LuisG

July 21st, 2010
12:03 am

Mets lose!

Mets 6.5 GB;
Phillies 7.0 GB.

atlfan

July 21st, 2010
12:05 am

Were picking up steam! The game tmrrw ought to be a great one

atlfan

July 21st, 2010
12:07 am

Who wouda thunk it on may first.

Boatdoc

July 21st, 2010
12:18 am

atl – I agree with you: these Braves have a fire that was missing in about 10 of those 14 straight division champions. I’m enjoying the season now, but I can hardly WAIT to see them in October.

braveguy

July 21st, 2010
12:27 am

So the Phillies are now trying to trade Werth ASAP and want to get Oswalt. So the Phillies are getting desperate.

Jay H.

July 21st, 2010
12:42 am

I’d be happy if we don’t make any more moves. I’m liking Melky and Blanco a lot better. Diaz is the power bat in LF. any bat we may get is likely to slump, or to fail in the clutch.

Big Bravos Fan

July 21st, 2010
1:35 am

Robdog, have you ever been positive about anything in your life? Give McClouth a chance, he might surprise you. And it’s ok if Chipper is brittle. He helps us when he plays and we have great replacements when he needs a break. You’d probably complain if we had 8 everyday All-stars. Give it a rest!

enz

July 21st, 2010
3:09 am

Usually this time of baseball season brings a much bigger aching for football…But these Braves are special…Makes me feel like I’m 13 again. Keep it up fellas!!!

tyler nj brave

July 21st, 2010
3:10 am

@BIg Bravos Fan, I agree Chipper’s presence in the line-up gets the job done. His OBP still makes him valuable and he’s going to hit when the summer rolls on. I like McLouth but if he doesnt produce he might be a back up OFer. Then hopefully Wren goes after DeJesus. Put DeJesus in the 2 hole and move Heyward back to get more RBIs. That’s a potent line up.

Prado
DeJesus
Jones
McCann
Glaus
Heyward
Gonzalez
Diaz/Hinske/Infante

Lakerpassion

July 21st, 2010
3:14 am

Atlfan has it right. This team is better than all of the division winners. It is better balanced between offense and defense; it has a better bullpen; it has a better closer; it is tougher, meaner and more passionate, and Bobby Cox is doing a better job managing – pulling pitchers quicker, focusing on winning today, less loyalty decisions and more performance decisions.

They’re like the Blues Brothers, they’re on a “Mission from God.”

bang'm

July 21st, 2010
6:08 am

i am having a lot of fun watching our boyz this year. This bullpen, regardless of era, is the best in the bigs. We are devastating with a lead late. DEVASTATING. kudos frank wren, though I think you’ve gotten a little lucky with glaus, saito, and wagner producing like they are.
kudos Cobby Box as well. Saved his best for last.

man this nice

GovClintonTyree

July 21st, 2010
6:22 am

I was absolutely thrilled when we traded for Nate McLouth. Five tool player, smart, fast, centerfielder, inexpensive, coming into his prime, exactly what we needed. He was going to hit first or third.

What happened? He stopped hitting. Everything else is still there; if he has his swing straightened out, he’s still exactly what we need. I don’t think he forgot how to hit, so I continue to keep the faith, despite evidence to the contrary, that he can and will hit.

And if he does, this club is going all the way.

GovClintonTyree

July 21st, 2010
6:22 am

Oh, and Nate’s arm is average. But we can all live with that if he hits.

YAD

July 21st, 2010
6:57 am

The Mets are called the “Amazins” and in Philly the team is known as the “Fighting Phils”. I think the Braves need a nickname too. I kinda like “World Champions”.

Michael C

July 21st, 2010
7:19 am

And all the people saw YAD’s comment and said in unison, “Amen.”

vermont 39

July 21st, 2010
7:38 am

Nice game BRAVES!!!!
The team chemistry looks and feels right. This is a pro team with a real manager. It almost looks old school and Casey Stengel-ish!!!
GO BRAVES!

NickGranite

July 21st, 2010
7:59 am

“Give McClouth a chance”

How about if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

robdawg08

July 21st, 2010
8:05 am

I’m positive Nate has lost his swing. I’m ecstatic about the play of Prado and Infante all year,Diaz,McCann,and Blanco recently. I love the way Hanson,Jurrgens,Medlen,and Hudson pitch. Wagner is dominant as closer. There’s your positives. The rest is either average or bad…

robdawg08

July 21st, 2010
8:07 am

I see you are still posting under 6,437 different names ?

robdawg08

July 21st, 2010
8:08 am

I’d be the first to apologize to Nate here if he got his swing back. I’m not holding my breath but I’m hoping…

Jdubb

July 21st, 2010
8:17 am

DOB/CR:
This post game quote blog is one of the best ideas ya’ll have ever come up with.
If you watch Hinske really close when he’s on camera, you see why he might be the reason every team he has been on lately has gone to the WS. He is 75% the reason the chemistry is so unbelievable IMO. After the game last night, did you see he was the first one out of the dugout on the field to greet the guys coming in. (and he didnt even play at all!) He had a handshake or jump up and bump ritual for every guy that came off at the end. He just seems like one of those guys that everyone wants to be hanging around or cutting up with.
I honestly did not think at the beginning of the year that it was probable we would get to the WS….but it now looks likely if we stay healthy, and I think it has a ton to do with ‘Ski.
Genius move by FW to sign him.
But if we trade him or Diaz to get another”big bat” we could ruin this team and their fun.
I love watching/reading about/hearing quotes from this year’s Braves.

Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho

July 21st, 2010
8:30 am

If the Braves can trade for a corner outfielder, is it possible to play Heyward in center? He seems to have the speed (ie range). Wondering if the Braves have considered it.

bravesgrl4lifeeeeeeeee

July 21st, 2010
8:52 am

Just think, when the Braves take the WS this year, the background on the official Braves site will have that “World Series Champions” logo goin’ on! Didn’t have anything like that in 1995, did we? I certainly wasn’t on the web back then. I’m gonna love seeing it every single day!

Fan since 1977

July 21st, 2010
9:47 am

The Braves don’t need a trade. Let teams like Philly panic because they don’t have enough pitching. I love this team. All I’ll say about McLouth is the way Matt Diaz is swinging the bat, McLouth better not be starting against lefties, Bobby. Let him platton with Melky.

I think they called up McLouth too soon. I hope he proves me wrong.

And whoever posted that Bobby is handling pitchers better, you obviously did not notice he left in Hudson too long the other night. It was apparent against the 1st batter in the 7th that he had lost his command. So Bobby waits until he loads the bases to pull him, and the rest is history.

Pamela McGregor

July 21st, 2010
10:13 am

I have never attended a baseball game in my whole life. This season, I have listened to all Braves pre-game and post game shows. I am estatic about the energy and drive of this team. Go Braves!!!!!!!!!!

ArkyTech

July 21st, 2010
10:14 am

Leave this team alone, Frank.

Big Bravos Fan

July 21st, 2010
10:59 am

I just believe we should give McClouth one more chance. He’s a solid centerfielder and if the Braves put a decent bat behind him maybe he’ll get one decent pitch to hit per at bat. He’s played well before, why can’t he do it again? It’s not like he’s past his prime. Some guys just need a little confidence and this team has enough to go around.

Big Bravos Fan

July 21st, 2010
11:01 am

I’m with you ArkyTech. I don’t think we should give up any young, stud prospects. We always seem to give up more than we get when we’re dealing away prospects. It’s the nature of the beast.

iFrech

July 21st, 2010
11:02 am

@Pamela McGregor: If you ever get the chance, you should go to a game. I had the chance in 2005 to go to Atlanta and watch 2 full series for the Braves, just before Francoeur was called up. Freaking best week ever! I got to see Smoltz go 9 innings twice. Neither Chipper nor Hudson played, but the experience is unbeleivable.

This Braves look great, I don’t think they need any moves. And yes, I think McClouth deserves a last chance, I still have faith on him.

BTW: I’m going to New York next week, got tickets to see the Yanks and Mets. Hope to see them lose so bad! (Hey, don’t judge me. I never have a chance of going to an MLB game)

Big Bravos Fan

July 21st, 2010
11:09 am

I also post under Bummed Heel and Brett Butler if you care. It depends on what mood I’m in. But I always preach the same thing. I might be wrong but I think McClouth can help this team. He can be a solid player on a great team. Bring it on!

savannahdawg

July 21st, 2010
12:39 pm

Love the hustle. Prado’s double off the bag in the 8th was awesome! Incredible hustle on that play!

OldFan

July 21st, 2010
12:41 pm

At about the ninth game of that horrible losing streak, I was ready to give up on these Braves. What they’d done since is put together the most exciting late-inning team in the Majors. Staying solid early and finishing strong in each game show that this team has a drive and competitiveness that’s long been missing. I watch every game until the last out to enjoy how much this team wants to win. I’d be really careful about doing anything that upsets the balance between veterans, youngsters, and solid journeyman that we’re seeing now.

JonATLBraves

July 21st, 2010
1:19 pm

You can tell that on Jair’s rehab assignment, he really worked on his fastball and breaking ball, but just relied on ability to throw his change-up. That didn’t help in his first few outings, but tonight it started looking like vintage Jurrjens. This is the best his breaking ball has ever been, as he has confidence to throw it more and use it as a set-up or even strike out pitch. The only difference I’ve noticed is his fastball doesn’t have the 2-seam movement that he has had the past 3 years. Other than that, I’m hoping we lock him up long-term, since Wren seems to have built a bridge over Scheurholtz’s and Boras’ working relationship…

DoninToccoa

July 21st, 2010
4:28 pm

Nice to see all the comments….wonder what the Phillies and Mets fans are saying???

Mikey

July 21st, 2010
4:40 pm

We are a stronger team with Melky/Blanko in CF. Knowing Bobby it will take 2 weeks of 0-4 from McLouth before he makes a change. Love Prado, but give him a day off w/ Infanti @ 2nd

Chops

July 21st, 2010
4:46 pm

Keep it go’in Braves!! 100 win season, another division title and a World Series win to boot! Let’s send Bobby out in style.

brave fan 04

July 21st, 2010
7:18 pm

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brave fan 04

July 21st, 2010
7:21 pm

tats right chop we nee dto win that divisoin and tell them mets and phillies wat were really are. ps. im going to be ticked if we dont do crap next season and DONT TRADE Heyward

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