Braves’ quotes after Wednesday’s collapse
BOBBY COX
On what caused Jurrjens’ turnaround
“It’s hard to say. You make a bad pitch and the outfield is so big here. They hit every gap imaginable today. It’s not the first time it’s happened in this ballpark — you have a big lead and the other team comes back. We’ve done it ourselves. It’s not pretty to see. We couldn’t hold them. It’s one of the few times our bullpen couldn’t hold somebody.”
The total turnaround
“It’s happened many times here. It won’t happen hardly in any other park.
On potential double play:
“Young hit a ground ball to second. I don’t know if we’re going to turn [two]. He’s hard to double up. You’ve got to make sure you get one.
“And they hit a high chopper that got through by Prado.”
On Venters
“He was throwing every pitch, like, 96, maybe a little too hard. The ball would sink at times and at times it wouldn’t. He was throwing really hard.”
On walk to rookie reliever Matt Reynolds by Jurrjens in 5th inning
“He walked the pitcher and it led to four runs. That’s the second out of the inning. If he just throws a strike – the pitcher wasn’t even swinging. Not even on a 3-2 count, it didn’t look like. And sometimes a pitcher can’t throw a strike when they’re like that. I’ve seen it happen when our pitchers are at the plate.
“That led to four runs. That was the turning point of the ballgame right there.
JAIR JURRJENS
“That’s why you don’t walk the pitcher, you bring the top of the lineup and it gets difficult when you’ve faced them two times and they make adjustments.
“I wasn’t trying to be fine, I was just trying to throw a strike. Sometimes it just doesn’t happen.”
Hard to stay focused with such a big lead?
“Not really. I was focused the whole game. It’s just that they made the adjustment and I didn’t make an adjustment. I left some pitches on the plate and got hurt. And that’s it. There’s no excuse. I didn’t make good pitches.”
“It’s not the stadium, it’s not nothing. We’re all big leaguers. We need to make an adjustment and try to make quality pitches. I didn’t. I didn’t do my thing and we lost. And that’s it.
“It’s my fault that we lost, and that’s it.”
“Some balls were running over the plate, and they went with some good balls the opposite way, too. I didn’t make my pitches like I wanted to. They are a team that never gives up, and they showed it today.”
JONNY VENTERS
“I felt good, just pitched like s—.”
“I was throwing balls and I was throwing strikes right over the plate.”
On the grounder and possible double play
“I don’t know, that guy’s pretty quick. Who knows if it would have turned out or not. Then I walk a guy, put the tying run on second base. I just didn’t do my job.”
What did Roger say when he came out to talk before you faced Fowler?
“He just said the guy on first is probably going to try to run, and to just stay composed and get this guy. And I walked him on four pitches.”
Toughest game you’ve dealt with this year?
“Yeah, this is probably the toughest, yeah.”
Felt OK coming back to pitch a second inning?
“I felt fine. I just walked two guys and made some bad pitches.”
MARTIN PRADO
“I don’t know what to say, man. What am I going to say? It’s unbelievable. I mean, it seems like every single ball they hit, they found a hole or they hit it hard somewhere. It was unbelievable.
“Our pitching, they were throwing nasty pitches up there, and they were taking and having great at-bats. They battled.
“It’s got to be one of the hardest losses we’ve had.”
ALEX GONZALEZ
on the potential double-play grounder that Infante fielded
“He didn’t make a good throw. [The runner] didn’t take me out. He threw on the [other side] of the bag and I had to go get it.”
On blowing huge lead and losing
“It’s hard when you’re winning by eight runs. Those guys never gave up. They came back, inning by inning. It’s tough luck for us. We’ve got to forget today and start winning Friday.”
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107 comments Add your comment
the real Old Gold
August 25th, 2010
10:35 pm
Today was an absolute disaster. Golden chance to pick up a valuable game against the Phils. I was totally amazed.. in the worst possible way. I’m just glad it’s a week until football.. I can’t take this bi-polar team much longer. Either pull out to the lead you’re capable of or drop off the map, but this junk has worn me out.
James
August 25th, 2010
10:37 pm
I don’t want to read any negative crap on this comment section. It was bound to happen sooner or later, at least the Phillies and Roy Halladay got beat by the Astros at home….Friday is a new day and the Braves have the far easier schedule the next two weeks.
Lonnie Smith
August 25th, 2010
10:37 pm
DURRRRRR
NE Alabama Braves fan
August 25th, 2010
10:39 pm
I cant recall a worse defensive performance than I saw today. Really this series. Whats bad is the Braves could have won all 3 games, but piss-poor fielding did us in. Bobby needs to have the guys on the field bright and early tomorrow…….basics basics basics………..
Hobo
August 25th, 2010
10:41 pm
Friday is a new day. The Braves have 35 games left, 20 at home and 15 on the road. The Phils have 36 left, 17 at home and 19 on the road. And, of course, their last three games are in ATL, and I have tickets for the last two! We got this.
*I think my math is correct.
peter nincompoop
August 25th, 2010
10:41 pm
I’d rather get swept by the Rockies on the road than the Astros at home but this loss still really hurts. Golden opportunity to pick up a game on the Phillies. Let’s hope this doesn’t carry over into the homestand.
Smart Jay
August 25th, 2010
10:43 pm
Look, sh*t happens in baseball. Tomorrow, this game is behind us and let’s hope the team can just view it as that, another loss in the mirror, and fortunately, the Phils are sucking it up against Houston. But, a shame to not put daylight between us while they’re playing poorly, too. The other problem is the wild card teams are catching up.
James
August 25th, 2010
10:45 pm
Smart Jay….luckily the the WC teams didn’t gain any today, StL somehow lost to the Pirates and the Giants lost to the Reds.
left bench
August 25th, 2010
10:46 pm
I had a bad day too. It happens. Go Bravos!
Unknown Hinson
August 25th, 2010
10:50 pm
Bullpen and JJ blew it for pretty much maybe the 2nd time all year. Gotta take minimum 2/3 from the fish this weekend and I’ll forget all about it. Farnsworth needs to quit suckin, and can’t wait until D.Lee breaks out. I’ll be at the game Fri and Sat and hopefully after all said and done we can sweep and Phils continue to lose.
Chpatt
August 25th, 2010
10:51 pm
Phillies lost. So FORGET about it right now. we have 7 game homestand vs average teams. This is our opportunity to put the phillies backs against the wall. Theyre going to San Diego and LA. This is our time to show who’s going to win the NL East. Plain and simple. Go out friday and get it done.
rayk
August 25th, 2010
10:51 pm
this team is medicore at best on the road. how many games can you give away and still make the playoffs ?
they need to have a cushion wen they meet the Phils head to head, but it doesn’t look likely.
even in Coors Field, 10-1 leads shouldn’t evaporate- especially for a playoff contender.
Stuart
August 25th, 2010
10:53 pm
I have said this before on this site and I will say it again. And I will be crucified for saying it. The Braves will not make the playoffs for one reason. When it comes to fundamentals they are one of the poorest coached teams in baseball. Errors, passed balls, throwing behind the runner, throwing to the wrong base, unable to sacrifice consistently, out of position in the outfield. Do I need to go on? This team hasn’t been fundamentaly sound since Pat Corrales left. Oh and don’t get me started on Pendleton. I am not a fair weather fan, I have followed the Braves since they moved to Atlanta in 1966. So all you who say I don’t know what I am talking about begin the attacks. But the truth I just told turns all attacks aside.
Joe Cool
August 25th, 2010
10:54 pm
Thanks, Braves for hanging in until football season. The diversion does not need to last any longer, and I highly doubt that the Braves’ lead will. Disgusting display today, and the way the defense has been the last month, this is not a playoff team.
Saint. Dawg>
August 25th, 2010
10:58 pm
Time to get rid of some arses…..Put it back the way it was before all the little trades!!! maybe keep Rick A. An D. Lee has’nt showed me crapp..Rather have Troy G. back hes been hittin down on the farm aftre a few days rest…This is the worst i’ve ever seen them loose a ballgame..The hittin been bad,the defence been bad,and now of late the pitchin been crapp!!!! They did hit today but the guy looked like a battin practise pitcher C’mon DAMN GUYS…They better be glad that the Phills. are playin just as bad..they best do some ssoul searching,or some GUT searching QUICK!!! A GOOD ARSS chewing may help…..we should be up by 4 or 5 games!! If they don’t win 90% of their next home stand games…Mark this down they won’t win DIV.or WILD C……I know fans im mad as Hell right now, but they made me start drinkin about the 4th or 5th today….
bake
August 25th, 2010
11:02 pm
get over it. we’ve won how many in our last at bat? we’re allowed to blow one here or there. we’re in good shape.
Ruper
August 25th, 2010
11:04 pm
I think in some ways it’s bad psychologically that the Phils have kept losing. It makes the Braves lose that sense of urgency. Still, rather not have the urgency than be trailing right now. Fish are dangerous and the guys better pick it up soon.
Jonathan Simeone
August 25th, 2010
11:06 pm
The Braves, obviously, can still win. But lately we have been seeing some of the problems crop up. Farnsworth, as expected, has been terrible. Ankiel, except for one hit, has been bad as well. Lee is an upgrade because of his defense, but he’s simply not a middle-of-the-order hitter anymore. I really hope the last two times Venters pitched have not been warning signs that the abusive way Cox has used him is starting to show up. This team needs another arm in the pen and more offense, but things would look better if the starters could go eight or nine innings once in awhile and take some of the pressure off the bullpen.
AdirondackDave
August 25th, 2010
11:12 pm
Stuart — Some truth to what you say… but, really, you’ve take those points to the extreme. The Braves had a rough set in Denver. They will win plenty more and lose some, too. Likely to go down to those last three games against the Phillies in any case.
Snit
August 25th, 2010
11:14 pm
I’m just glad I wasn’t home watching.Agreed,better this loss now..BUT..I just saw that this was the biggest comeback EVER against the Braves.Moylan is obviously over used and Farnsworth just has bad Mojo.They have six days to figure out the roster..It’s time for Troy to come back and do what he did in May.Chemistry with D.Lee??..I wonder about that too.I know he’s a good team guy,but does he have the fire at this point?
The Abs Man
August 25th, 2010
11:19 pm
Have seen Cox pull some mighty huge bolders out there over the years as a disasterous late-game tactician, but Farnsworthless in a tie game the ultimate brain-dead move.
And we ALL KNEW using Venters too much would eventually wear him down.
hAL
August 25th, 2010
11:23 pm
stuart i happen to agree in patrt specially about pendelton hes so bad theres no words…but the defence has slid backwards since pat cpoorales days who is our infield instructor anyways? sure as hell dint help that the’franchise yet again disapered when we needed him causing all kinds of shuffling in the infield id prados at second i think we win that game lol
azbravofan
August 25th, 2010
11:29 pm
Fine. So that cancels out the crazy Conrad GS win. Somewhere over the Midwest on the Braves charter this was put behind them the second they heard about the Phillies loss. Coming home.
still up 2 1/2. It’s all good.
JonnyVenter'sLeftArm
August 25th, 2010
11:40 pm
Go on the main blog and look at my earlier posts: I knew that Booby could not help himself and would bring The Farnz in this game; When we were up 10-2, I knew The Farnz was going to get his opportunity to ruin it. Say what you want about everybody doing their part and Venters actually getting the L, it was The Farnz who let in the winning run.
John Leonard Omar 225
August 25th, 2010
11:43 pm
This Braves team plays the worst defense and fundamentals that I have ever seen by a professional team.And there still MY Braves.
Eric C.
August 25th, 2010
11:46 pm
I think Farnsworth blew his last chance to pitch in another relevant and meaningful situation.
mr baseball
August 25th, 2010
11:57 pm
The question that wasn’t asked: (It never is)
Why is Wagner not allowed to enter a game in the 8th inning? Facing Gonzalez with a 2-run lead and the bases loaded might have been the time. It wasn’t as if he didn’t have long enough to warm up considering Venters’ control problems in the inning.
And why was Moylan used in the 6th inning and Farnsworth in the 8th? Seems like that’s backwards.
Ah, well. Questions that won’t be asked or answered.
STRETCH
August 26th, 2010
12:25 am
Look, i understand its a big outfield, but dang…it so big that the outfielders couldnt play back a little bit? On several occasions the ball rolled past the outfielders! I know its football season, but but like in football, try a lil prevent defense. Glass o Melky and Broken Ankiel looked really slow out there yesterday.
It seems like these guys are trying to keep the drama goin by hangin with the Phillies. Its kinda like when youre a kid and your dads driving neck n neck with the car in the slow lane and you know you should be going faster. P*sses you off!
JRW7
August 26th, 2010
12:32 am
How many games can the BRAVES give away and still make the playoffs? The only thing keeping the BRAVES in 1st place are the PHILLIES themselves! Pitching and defense fell apart today! BRAVES don’t look like playoff team.
JRW7
August 26th, 2010
12:35 am
Kyle Farnsworth is not the pitcher he use to be. Can’t believe our SCOUTS didn’t see this!! BAD TRADE!!
The Grinch
August 26th, 2010
12:37 am
This can happen at Colorado at any time. That isn’t the problem. Moylan’s arm is shot because of several years of misuse by Bobby. Venters is on the way to that; using a rookie (with talent…not cannon fodder to rest the good guys) this much should be cause for a lawsuit. The man simply just has no clue whatsoever how to use a major league bullpen, and after this many years in the game that’s virtually inexplicable.
That said, this team is far from done. The Phillies are mediocre as I said they would be at the beginning of the season. We’re still gonna pull this out. We just better hope we have home field advantage throughout the playoffs,
Also interesting that in the post game quotes everyone (properly) put the blame on themselves except Gozalez, who blamed Infante. Hmm.
Regardless, we’re still in first, we’ll still win the division and whatever happens in the playoffs nobody expected us to get there so it’s all gravy. I’m just mad Venters is gonna have to have Tommy John next season for no other reason than obstinance.
jj
August 26th, 2010
12:55 am
If Bobby is not careful he is going to kil JV.Bobby has worn Moylan out and if you ck his history,BC has messed a lot of relievers up with overkill.My question is,why bring Moylan in the game hoping for a groundball when pitches don’t sink well in that park and Moylan has not been very good lately at holding leads?Why pitch JV an extra inning when this guy is building up to many innings pitched?I like this Team but I just don’t have any faith in Bobby.I hope i am wrong and he bring them home in first place.GO BRAVES……To bad today JJ,keep chunking…….
Mr. Enigma
August 26th, 2010
12:59 am
I wanted to be violently angry about this loss until 5 minutes after the game. I realized this kind of crazy hokus pokus garbage happens all the time in his bizarro ballpark.
Also, the Phillies lost too. So ultimately, it has the same effect in the standings as it would if both teams won because none of the other teams in the division are close. And another game gets shaved off the Braves magic number.
And tomorrow, the Phillies have their worst pitcher (Kyle Kendrick) facing the Astros best pitcher (Wandy Rodriguez).
The Braves get a day off tomorrow while the Phillies immediately head out west to start a 7-game swing against the Padres, Dodgers, and Rockies. Meanwhile, the Braves play 7 games at home. 3 against the Cantu/Ross/Coghlan/Paulino-less Marlins and 4 against one of the worst road teams in baseball, the Mets. And the Braves will not face R.A. Dickey in that series.
summer of 91
August 26th, 2010
1:09 am
stay positive, in spring training if anyone would’ve said we’d be 2.5 games up in the division after getting swept in late august, we all would’ve taken it. I just hope the Bravos can forget about this loss. This is the same team that lost 9 in a row. crazy year, very memorable year. it will all come down to those 6 h2h games the last 2 weeks of the season.
doubled
August 26th, 2010
1:46 am
If you can’t run with the big dogs just stay on the porch,and if you are not the leader of the pack the view is always the same.Braves make up your minds.
summer of 91
August 26th, 2010
1:48 am
huh?
Lobosolo
August 26th, 2010
1:53 am
Way to support your team, A-holes… Go watch your freakin’ football and stay the hell off of here… NO ONE needs fans like this…
Braves86
August 26th, 2010
1:56 am
Team was tired. Lets take a day off Thursday and get at it friday.
Jack
August 26th, 2010
3:36 am
great post mr. enigma. i like where your head’s at.
Notso Fast
August 26th, 2010
4:28 am
I read somewhere that when a season is over and you look back you find that the manager was responcible for 10 wins by moves that he makes. He is responcible for 10 losses by moves made and not made. The team is responcible for the other wins & losses. Yesterday was one of the manager’s losses. JV should not have started his 2nd inning of work. Cox is great with a rested bullpen because he has faith in certain players but when those player are called on day after day, he forgets that he has others. If you can pitch he will wear you out.
Sean
August 26th, 2010
4:56 am
I also think Wagner should’ve been brought in to face Gonzalez in the 8th with the bases loaded. Venters was obviously tired and just walked Fowler on 4 straight pitches. It was a terrible game to watch but luckily the Astros beat Roy Halladay. I don’t know how many more gifts the Phillies are going to hand us but we need to win both series at home while the Phillies are on the road.
Sloan
August 26th, 2010
6:40 am
Swept by the Rockies while the Phillies are doing their best to give us a couple of games to pad our NL East lead by losing 3 in a row to the lowly Astros. Opportunities wasted! Sure hope it doesn’t bite us in the rear in the end!
rc35
August 26th, 2010
7:06 am
On the third day at Gettysburg, a Union cavalry officer named Elon Farnsworth made an attack that led to a host of casualties and his own death. A headline in a later historical magazine called it “Farnsworth’s Futile Charge.” I think of that every time Kyle Farnsworth enters a game. Thankfully, the only casualties these days are our playoff hopes and peace of mind, but I do hope that someone in the Braves organization will finally realize that Farnsworth and Futility seem to be linked in a very deep way.
chas horton
August 26th, 2010
7:26 am
is there anyway the braves could send terry pendleton to don baylor and get him to teach him how teach players to hit in the clutch
chas horton
August 26th, 2010
7:26 am
is there anyway the braves could send terry pendleton to don baylor and get him to teach him how teach players to hit in the clutch
Herschel Talker
August 26th, 2010
8:01 am
As I have said on previous blogs, sure this team can still win the division. After all, the Phils stink too. But does anyone really think that this team, with all the obvious flaws, has any chance of going anywhere in the playoffs against elite teams?
They can’t win on the road
They can’t hit lefties
Their fielding is appalling
The hitting is streakier than in any other year I can remember (hell, they scored 10 runs in 4 innings and then didn’t have a batter reach base in the next 5 innings)
The bullpen is solid but each one is prone to getting bombed – Saito, Farnsworth, Wagner, and now Venters
Does anyone really think this team with this many flaws is equipped to win in a postseason series?
Hurry 2011
August 26th, 2010
8:45 am
Plain and simple Bobby Cox, left JJ in there tooooo long. Stevie Wonder could see that JJ ran out of gas halfway thru the 5th inning. But Good Ole players manager tried to keep JJ in to qualify for the win and the rest is history. Check the boxscore and you will see what happened. Can’t wait until next year when good ole number “6″ gets retired.
Bobby Coccyx
August 26th, 2010
8:48 am
They’re all good kids
BelieveBraves2010
August 26th, 2010
8:51 am
Were still being chased! Remember that… The Braves have had 1st place since June 1st, and no one has taken it from us… IF they do then talk about us not making it, but until then KEEP BELIEVING AND LETS ROCK THIS JOINT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO BRAVES BELIEVE 2010…
Katie
August 26th, 2010
8:53 am
I have a real problem with Gonzalez throwing a teammate under the bus. Whether or not Infante made a bad throw is irrelevant because last time I checked, Gonzo averaged about three errors per nine innings and one hit while Infante is legions better both fielding and hitting. Gonzalez’s statement doesn’t fit in with the Braves motif this year of being accountable, but instead fits with the per usual spoiled, arrogant mentality of a pro sports figure. The loss was horrible and made worse by Farnsworth being anywhere near Coors Field, but it would have been easier to handle if Mr. Unaccountable had kept his trap shut.
2010 National Champ
August 26th, 2010
8:56 am
ultimate choke job. I am still not impressed with Ankiel. Lee may be the greatest guy in baseball, but it looks like he has fallen under the spell of Pendleton’s “wonderful coaching”. Farnsworth (I can hear the Royals laughing now at getting him and Ankiel off their hands). Gonzalez can’t catch a cold or throw out my slow white butt. Great news, college football begins in 7 days.
BravoFan
August 26th, 2010
8:59 am
Braves, remember the lost, learn from it and move on!!!! Its not like we lost our 2.5 game lead however it does trouble me the Braves play like the bad news bears sometimes.
Ken Johnson
August 26th, 2010
9:06 am
Did NOBODY see Melky start the collapse with his misjudged fly balls “defense.”
If I was Bobby Cox…the ONLY way Melky would see any more Braves action would be to buy a ticket and sit in the stands!!!!
DIaz, Ankiel, and Heyward…and Melky WHO???????
GoBraves!
August 26th, 2010
9:06 am
It could have been worse. Phillies lost to Astros with Halladay on the mound. Their last 9 game results are exactly the same as Braves. 7 game home stand will be the medicine they need.
Dan-82ndAirborne
August 26th, 2010
9:09 am
Ken, if you were Bobby Cox, I’d find and murder you.
Bob Horners Broken Wrist
August 26th, 2010
9:15 am
How about JJ stepping up and taking the blame?? Class guy, and realized that was soooo should not have happened.
So I’m at work and check the score, we’re up 10-1. Check it a little later 10-2. JJ is dealing and I get in the car for the misery on the way home. Of course this is a horrible loss…and I was totally disgusted…but after I threw up I felt much better.
Here is the problem I had…Bobby Cox has been managing for over 30 years and the man has NO CONCEPT of how to handle his bullpen or put out a fire. You don’t let a team like the Rockies get back in the game. When it was 10-2, you don’t let JJ work himself into a giving up a big inning…you bring in Venters or Saito at that point to quash the rally and then bring in long relief to start the next inning. It was the fifth inning at that point. 10-5 to start the sixth but, normally a five run lead looks big unless you had a nine run lead an inning earlier. You can’t give a team like the Rockies hope…not in that park. Bobby only manages by the book, he has no instincts that he trusts after 30+ years of managing, thats why he is SOOOOO horrible in the postseason. And for any of you that say Bobby knows better?? BS!! Farnsworth with the game on the line, looking at one of the worst losses in franchise history??? Really??? You deserve to lose when you are that dumb. Both Saito AND Wagner never saw the field when we desperately needed SOMEONE, ANYONE to stop the bleeding. If you use your best and lose, you can at least say you gave it your best shot. Bobby can’t say that…he LET that loss happen and you could see it coming from miles away. As soon as Moylan walked the 1st batter he faced, they might as well have walked off the field because I knew Bobby was going to blow the game.
Friday is a new day and they can still win the division, but Bobby lost that game yesterday and he should know better and should take responsibility and admit he mismanaged the staff. If we are going to win anything this year, the man has to do a better job of game management. By now he should be able to do this, but for reason, continues to make the same mistakes of overusing pitchers and letting them stay in one inning too long.
Hurry 2011
August 26th, 2010
9:23 am
Bob Horners Broken Wrist: Thanks, when JJ started running out of gas, and I was watching, he should have taken himself out, because Good Ole players Manager Bobby Cox sure would not do it. We lost again because Cox can get you there put always fizzles in the end.
Let's Go Bravos!
August 26th, 2010
9:26 am
We are so lucky that the Phillies lost. I cannot believe we lost after leading 10 to 1. I really wanted Bobby COx to take the blame for that loss, because he managed the bullpen like an idiot in that game. Uses Moylan and O’Flarety in one inning and wants to use Venters for 2 innings. He didn’t even have anyone warming up for the 8th. You can’t use Saito because you used him the night before, and he used Our best relievers too early in the game. Plus he left Jurrjens in too long. He should have let JJ pitch until they scored 5 runs, then bring in Farnsworth and O’Flarety in the 6th. Venters only pitch the 7th against a lot of lefties, and then Moylan in the 8th. Farnsworth should not be allowed to pitch with the game tied.
North Georgia Braves Fan
August 26th, 2010
9:32 am
let Farnswoth keep KK company. That’s all he’s good for!
Bob Horners Broken Wrist
August 26th, 2010
9:34 am
People momentum is REAL, especially in baseball when you have ALL day to win a game if the other guy can’t get you out. Cox just doesn’t understand this…never has. I can’t stand when a manager just has a role for a player and it can never be changed. Chipper and McCann, can never bunt, Saito and Wagner can only work the 8th or 9th inning WITH A LEAD…etc. Its moronic. We have a good and deep bullpen, it shouldn’t be this hard but the man doesn’t think. Bobby you have 30+ years of exprerience, you’ve earned the right to DEVIATE FROM THE BOOK. I’ll never fault you for trying to win, but I have a big problem with folks who play not to lose, because they always do.
Braves Fan in Illinois
August 26th, 2010
9:35 am
Hey guys, who’s in first place? As far as I can tell, that’s still all that matters.
Chipper
August 26th, 2010
9:38 am
Told you they cannot win without me. The lug nuts are loose, and it looks like the wheels are about to start falling off. Thank goodness the Phils are just as bad as we are.
Bob Horners Broken Wrist
August 26th, 2010
9:42 am
Cox tries to manage like every game is the same…they’re not. When your players are gripping like they were yesterday…horrible defense, walks…you make changes. Would that embarrass some folks? Yes, but you send the message to get your head straight and focus and not panic. Ankile dropped the ball at least twice on plays that I saw, leading to extra bases. Gonzalez continues to play horrible defense. Infante bad throw. Make some changes Bobby, shake it up!!! Some will say that is panicing….right, like they didn’t panic anyway.
xsmoltzfan
August 26th, 2010
9:50 am
Let’s go Bravos! Moylan didn’t get anyone out so how long was Bobby suppose to use him?
Bob Horners Broken Wrist
August 26th, 2010
9:50 am
Chipper you suck
KJones
August 26th, 2010
9:51 am
I know there are a lot of specialists on Baseball teams. But I can remember when the teams had only the pitchers that could go the whole game and did regardless of whether they were winning or losing. It is time that they get rid of some of the specialists and play baseball the way it used to be played. Not only that, but they could save a whole lot of money rather than give millions for a guy to come in and maybe pitch one inning.
Peter
August 26th, 2010
9:54 am
WOW……making the playoffs ? Maybe……. Winning in the playoffs ? HOW ?
Well maybe they get pissed off at the situation and come out a different team…….BUT the defense in the last month or so since the trade of BLANCO has stunk it up.
Slow station to station baseball, that is what Bobby plays…….. there is no other reason to believe Ankiel is better than Blanco, who now has 8 stolen bases in KC…..we got him for his potential home run power……why else ?
Hopefully next year we get a manager who will run, and who will teach fundamentals.
Baseball and softball are two different sports. Teams run on us like crazy, and we do zero running.
Chipper
August 26th, 2010
9:54 am
I might suck, but when game 162 is over, my Braves will be going home because I am not there to lead them to the promised land of a first round playoff loss.
Mike Hancho
August 26th, 2010
9:54 am
This is the kind of loss that will either tear the team apart or bring them together. The next 6 games are going to let me know a lot about this team’s attitude and future. Let’s see how they respond to this – hopefully a little wakeup call here.
Steve Avery
August 26th, 2010
9:57 am
The ‘91 Braves would not have lost this game.
Bob Horners Broken Wrist
August 26th, 2010
9:58 am
XSmoltz – when Moylan walked that 1st guy, I take him out. Moylan is not Venters or Wagner, he is there to induce grounders and if he is going to walk people he needs to go sit on the bench. Sometimes you have to make a statement and sitting guys that walk batters in Coors Filed is a GREAT place to start. I don’t care if you run through all your pitchers and Ankiel is on the mound at the end of the game, if you’re going to lose, MAKE THE OTHER TEAM BEAT YOU!!
the truth...
August 26th, 2010
10:09 am
Since Prado came back and was moved to Third I thought that was a bad move. I recalled a saying that a player doesn’t lose his position due to an injury.
When Prado came back I would have put him back at second and back leading off….moved Infante to third and batting third….or maybe second….
Bottom line: they got where they were with Prado leading the attack. Changing that out of necessity for 15 days is one thing but letting it alter the approach of the team for the rest of the year might have an effect no one could anticipate or even recognize….
Team chemistry is fragile….that isn’t all. Explain why McCann can rip it for two weeks then can’t buy a hit for the next month. Same thing with pitchers….
So why not with the entire season…..???????????????
Braves
August 26th, 2010
10:11 am
I also am glad football season is upon us as many of you have pointed out. Maybe that will eliminate the glut of fair-weather “fans” and the bored couch-potatoes who come here and slam the Braves every time they lose one. Please get back to your gridiron glory, continue to pick the lint out of the putrid belly-buttons on your bloated beer bellies, and let the rest of us enjoy cheering on a first place team.
GO BRAVES!!!
smalltownbravesfan
August 26th, 2010
10:11 am
I really feel bad for Venters, he will say he is not worn out but we all know better. Hindsight i wish he had gotten the 4 game suspension, at least then he could have had a few days off. Cox should be ashamed for overusing this kid.
Mutts
August 26th, 2010
10:14 am
The Rockies are almost as good a home team as the Braves, and who cares who’s leading 10-1 in the first half of a game? The last time I checked a regulation MLB game lasted for 9 innings. It’s amazing to read all the doom and gloom because we had a big lead and lost; we’ve done this to other teams this year as well. If we can go at least 20-15 over the last 35 games, we will have 93 wins and should be in great shape for winning the division or being the wild card. The Phillies have more than their share of flaws (no consistent starters beyond Halladay and Oswalt, no closer, and sub par clutch hitting). To go 20-15 the Braves have to play .571 baseball, something they should be able to do given their pitching. I think the Phillies would have to play .639 baseball to reach 93 wins, and it doesn’t seem likely that’s going to happen. So relax, fellow Braves’s fans (and also the fair weather Braves’ fans), and enjoy the rest of the 2010 season. Isn’t it fun to be the lead dog in a pennant race again?
smalltownbravesfan
August 26th, 2010
10:15 am
Moylan seems tired also, but we all know even when the rosters expand that Cox will still use Venters every game even with Dunn and Kimbrel in the bullpen
lee
August 26th, 2010
10:28 am
yes the Braves are in first place, but they are not in first place because of their play since the all-star break!! this team is fumbling all over itself, making the same mistakes over and over again, and has an absent-minded manager who lets them!!! we should not be bragging about still being in first place, we should be thanking the phils for being lethargic right now!!! the difference between them and the braves is that they can come out of it and tearing it up, while the braves will continue fumble around on the feild like tee-ball. Then the only things that will come out of Bobby Cox’s mouth will be to tell the team when the cookies and Ice cream will be ready for them after them game!! Yummm!! if the braves are in first place, do you think they should actually play like like they are???????????????????? they havent been playing like they belong there!!!! to win the East they are going to have to!!
. Don
August 26th, 2010
10:28 am
Quote from Bobby Cox:
Yes, Everyone knows that Farnsworth can’t pitch – is not dependable; but of course, I plan to keep using him over and over in key situations like I always do at least one ineffective relief pitcher. After all, he might not like me if I didn’t.
So, I blew another game – That’s just one – compared to a whole bunch that I blew in the first part of the season by playing both McLouth and Melky full time (when neither of them were hitting at that time) with Infante and Hinske both on the bench. And also some I blew by continuo hit Chipper in the 3rd spot in the order for all that part of the season when he was not hitting. But what difference does it make as long as we are still leading. Oh, do those losses really count in the final standings?
THE CURSE OF DAVID JUSTICE LIVES IN THE ATL
August 26th, 2010
10:32 am
LONG LIVE THE CURSE OF DAVID JUSTICE!
P.S. BRING BACK JOE TORRE WHEN BOBBY NOCOACHING COX LEAVES!
Terp
August 26th, 2010
10:32 am
Would someone please ask Smoltz to come down to Turner and throw . . . so we can put him back in the bullpen. How psyched would the fans be to see #29 jogging in to pitch!!
K.K.
August 26th, 2010
10:39 am
Bobby: K.K. calling from Gwinnett—I ready close out game for you
StrikeOut
August 26th, 2010
10:41 am
With the way the Braves were celebrating in the dugout after the 3rd inning, I was afraid they would pi$$ it all away. AND THEY DID!
Action777
August 26th, 2010
10:42 am
Nobody gets it-everyone overlooked the obvious, and by the way-defense still winds game-in any sport. Easy grounder to second for a routine double-play that would have held a 2 run lead going into the ninth…..BUT, nooooooooooooooooooooo……what a cluster screw up, and one that absolutely cost them the game, plain and simple. Hey second bagger, make the little league plays when you have to, OK!
xsmoltzfan
August 26th, 2010
10:46 am
Bob Horners Broken Wrist, That’s exactly what I’m saying
no telling what the score would have been if we waited until
he got an out.
Braves Fan Stuck in Beantown
August 26th, 2010
10:59 am
Whoa, yesterday was a tough pill to swallow. ‘Specially since I was watchin’ the game in law class and I couldn’t break something, I mean, vent like at home. Gotta stay positive the for the boys, though. I’m sure it was a long flight back to A-town. We’re gonna do this. I mean, the gods allowed the ‘Stros to win three in a row at Citizens Bank Park! Finally, screw the Sox!
-Beantown Braves Boy
adam
August 26th, 2010
11:10 am
i hope this is not the beginning of the end to a good season. what happen yesterday cannot happen, no doubt jurrjens can be blamed, but peter moyaln is not doing his job this season he has looked ok at times this year but for the most part he has been awful! something has to change with him.
Ronald Millsaps
August 26th, 2010
11:19 am
The Braves have several glaring weaknesses that I’d like to point out: 1) They play passively on the road; 2) they leave way too many men on base; 3) their infield defense has gotten abysmal, and 4) these weaknesses don’t seem to get addressed.
“beantown”– Stay positive? My friend, I’ve used Christian statements on here before because God’s Word applies to every square inch of His creation, and I make absolutely no apology for it. Truth is parallel in ALL circumstances, whether you’re at home, work, or on a baseball diamond. “Stay positive”? That’s New-Age, humanistic nonsense. You can be “positive” all you want, but it’s not going to change the reality of your problem or the need of a solution, and no, you don’t “tap into” power by speaking positive words. Yes, I truly get tired of people using the word “positive” left and right like it’s synonymous with “good.”
Chipper
August 26th, 2010
11:28 am
One reason the bullpen is starting to let us down is because it has been mismanaged by Bobby AGAIN. The pen is letting us down thanks to all the overuse by Bobby. That has always been one of his worst areas. All the unnessasary pitching changes have taken its toll on the arms.
NY Frenchy( for now) KC here I come
August 26th, 2010
11:31 am
Terp? You mean Twirp right?? Stop with the Smoltzie crap, hes retired for a reason, like maybe even YOU could get a hit off him, so much wasted space on here with Morons & dumb ideas that dont know jack about baseball, whats your next brainstorm, put Glaus at 3rd right??? DA Donkey Hee Haw lmao
THE CURSE OF DAVID JUSTICE LIVES IN THE ATL
August 26th, 2010
11:44 am
WE STILL CAN GET MANNY!
P.S. GET JOE TORRE AFTER BOBBY COX LEAVE!
Jerry Royster
August 26th, 2010
11:52 am
Calm down boys and girls… you guys are way too angry at each other. Sure, Bobby made some big mistakes, our shortstop is beginning to show his true colors, Melkey is not paying attention, Moylan needs to drop 30 pounds so he can pitch again and Farnsworth is horrible. But, you love them when they win games they should have lost. Let’s just sit back and see what happens… they might go far in spite of themselves.
michaelprick
August 26th, 2010
12:18 pm
That kind of game happens only in Coors Field. Should the Braves be up at least by 5 games right now? Sure they should, but right now the Braves and Phillies are playing 500 ball over their last 10 games. To go 2 and 4 this late in the season on the road and not lose any ground to the Phillies is amazing to say the least. The Braves are coming home to face the Marlins and Mets. The Phillies are off to face the red hot Padres and Dodgers. Yesterday’s loss was a big letdown, but that kind of game will happen maybe once or twice a season. The Braves will be fine.
Bobby
August 26th, 2010
12:25 pm
Go win this weekend and it will only be a bad memory. Braves still in first with a 2 1/2 game lead; Rockies 10 1/2 games back in the west. Considering where the Braves were this time last year, I’ll take it. Go Stros!
TOMY FOURNIER
August 26th, 2010
12:28 pm
I said we have a big hole and that was the first base and I talk about Duun and them if Manny was waiver…Manny could be the “BEST”…I NEVER MENTION “LEE”…and now you see the result…and I saying again…NOT COUNT WITH THE “PARTY” AT THE END…DON’T DRESS….NEVER COULD HAPPEN…NEEEEEEEEEEEEEVER…..WITH THIS “MORON” MANAGER!!!!!!…SEE ALL OF YOU “NEXT YEAR…IN BASEBALL WITH A NEW MANAGER….I HOPE!!!
Chris L
August 26th, 2010
12:33 pm
It’s all summed up in this. This is the kind of game that will either make or break the Braves’ 2010 season. If they get down about this loss and let it stay in their minds, they will not see postseason play. This needs to be the kind of loss that wakes them up and gets them very very angry wanting to unleash their wrath on future opponents. It needs to be the kind of loss that makes them want to very badly prove to the rest of the league that they are much better than this. This kind of game can actually propel a team over the top. Kind of like an A+ student getting an F and being appalled by it and in the future working tooth and nail to prove he is much better than that. Acing tests and axams in the future and graduating at the top of his class. The Phillies losing last night I think is very telling. Things are just going the Braves’ way even when they lose. Mentally digest and process this game in the correct way and the Braves WILL win the NL east. Period!
bn
August 26th, 2010
1:04 pm
I know nobody reads – the bubble has busted on this game..I love the Braves but with the limited talent
on this team, the best they can possibly win is maybe third in a battle with Fla. With only a hand full of
true pros, the over achivers are about to settle in for the last month in a half…Talent costs money and
with the present OWNERSHIP – that’s not going to happen….Bring the Braves back to local ownership – then they will win….the players love Atlanta and will be happy to play for the Braves…. I’m not giving up
just stating facts that all in Atlanta truely knows….
MDBraveFan
August 26th, 2010
1:27 pm
Ugly loss – lot of poor play by Braves. But can we agree that the Farnesworth experiment is a failure? Instead of dousing flames, he adds gasoline to fire!
jim
August 26th, 2010
1:42 pm
Good point about Moylan. It is not the overuse last year that is affecting him as much as the extra weight he gained since last year. He is not the pitcher he was before the injury, or even the pitcher he was last year. We need to see Kimbrell up here ASAP, and we need to make sure that Bobby is told to use him in critical situations when other relievers need a day off! Same for Dunn when the rosters expand.
With that said, Moylan has not been used as much lately, and usually only to face 1 or 2 batters. He has not been overused this year like in the past. The mindless frustration voiced by some on this blog says to get jj out after (or during) the 5th inning, but don’t overwork the pen. Bring in Farnsworth with a runner on second and 1 out in the 6th when the Rockies are gaining their momentum instead of Moylan. Don’t bring Farnsworth in after the rockies have tied the game. Bring in whom? Wagner in a tie game? Rick Ankiel?
If that game had gone into extra innings, Martinez, a Saito pitching back-to-back games, and Ankiel would have been the only options left. We lost the game because JJ couldn’t limit the damage and get through 6 innings, and Moylan couldn’t get any outs in the 6th, causing us to burn EOF in the 6th instead of giving him a fresh inning in the 7th, and limiting JV to the 8th. Bobby didn’t have a lot of good options after the 6th, and it may have helped if the offense didn’t go to sleep after the 3rd. A couple of answers to the Rockies charge might have helped blunt their momentum.
jim
August 26th, 2010
1:53 pm
Why all the negativity about our SS. His error streak happened 2 weeks ago and he hasn’t made any since. He made a nice play just to get one out on the Young grounder in the 8th, and he has been one of our better offensive producers over the time he has been here. Infante knew who the runner was and rushed the throw. We may not have turned two anyway. Melky made a game-saving throw against the Nats last week, but his outfield defense is not good. He took a bad route to several balls that could have been caught or cut off, and he does not get into a good position to make a throw to a base.
jim
August 26th, 2010
1:59 pm
If the time to buy stocks is when the negative sentiment is at its peak, then perhaps the time for a Braves surge back to a 5 game lead is now when there is so much negativity in this sample of the fan base. One thing is for sure, even if the Phils get swept by Houston today, the stadium will be filled when they return from the road, the crowd will be loud, and they won’t be thinking only about the football season! Will the Ted be full and loud when our first place team returns Friday?