Glaus, McLouth contribute to five-run inning
MIAMI – Two familiar names were back in the lineup Sunday as manager Bobby Cox gave first baseman Troy Glaus and center fielder Nate McLouth their first starts since returning from Triple-A.
Each went 1-for-3 and contributed to the Braves’ five-run sixth inning.
McLouth had a would-be grand slam taken away by center fielder Cameron Maybin in the sixth, and had to settle for a two-run sacrifice fly on the play. Glaus had an RBI single in the inning.
It was Glaus’ first major league start since Aug. 17. He slumped for six weeks before going on the DL with chronic knee soreness.
After a week of rest, he played mostly third base at Gwinnett, hoping a switch to the position he played most of his career would help get more playing time when he returned to the majors.
But the Braves have Martin Prado at third base and hot-hitting Omar Infante at second (Prado’s former position), so Cox gave Glaus a start at in place of Derrek Lee, who has been slowed by back and side pain the Braves traded for him to replace Glaus.
Cox said the reason for Sunday’s change was just to get Glaus some at-bats. Glaus misplayed two pop fouls and was charged with an error for dropping one.
McLouth made his first major league start since July 24. He was demoted to Gwinnett on July 27 and didn’t return to the big club until Tuesday. He started Sunday in place of slumping Rick Ankiel, who has been particularly ineffective against left-handers.
Given Ankiel’s struggles, McLouth could get starts again in center field and figure in the Braves’ postseason roster plans if they make the playoffs.
Before being sent to the minors, he was 6-for-65 (.092) with one RBI in his last 23 games for the Braves. He has looked better since returning, and hit two balls hard Sunday, including the would-be grand slame to straightaway center.
“I hit some balls good, and unfortunately they made some great plays,” he said.
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26 comments Add your comment
ben
September 5th, 2010
7:30 pm
Enter your comments here
Husker Tony
September 5th, 2010
7:37 pm
I’m still impressed with Chip getting thrown out last night. Classic.
Denny
September 5th, 2010
7:38 pm
We need both these guys in post season so its good to see them get some good at bats.
JL
September 5th, 2010
7:57 pm
HOLY S==T WHEN WILL BOBBY PULL A GUY BEFORE HE GIVE UP 6 RUNS???
CANNOT WAIT TO SEE HIM RETIRE!!!!
MAY BULLPEN COULD HAVE HELD THEM TO 3 OR 4
THIS IS WHY THEY WILL NOT WIN THE DIV.
stendek
September 5th, 2010
7:59 pm
BRAVES FOLDING LIKE NIFTY NOTEBOOK PAPER! Damn quitters.
Jerek Deter
September 5th, 2010
8:04 pm
Thanks for posting that in two different spots so we would spot it, Stendek. F**king troll.
Justin
September 5th, 2010
8:07 pm
DOB:
I’m still not understanding why the Braves can’t have Glaus, Lee, and Infante in the lineup at the same time. The Braves left field mix is really not that impressive, and Omar is familiar with the outfield position. So, Why do they not have Omar in LF, Glaus at 3B, and Lee at 1B? In my opinion, that is a lot of potential pop. At least, give it the opportunity to succeed.
DC Brave
September 5th, 2010
8:08 pm
DLee squared one up finally in that last at bat. Need him to get going. Now that Freddie has got his first hit maybe he’s poised to go on a rampage. I feel like Nate earned another start today…especially given that we are headed to his familiar old stomping grounds. GO BRAVES!!!!
Chpatt
September 5th, 2010
8:10 pm
JL : You’re not a true braves fan…so get off this blog and go cry somewhere else.
DC Brave
September 5th, 2010
8:10 pm
Justin, I just can’t see Glaus playing 3B. Every decent #1 and #2 hitter will drop bunts down the 3B line and he just won’t be able to get there. I like Glaus, but his knees just aren’t going to hold up at charging a must have out from 3B.
DC Brave
September 5th, 2010
8:12 pm
JL what did you think, that the other teams would just roll over? Every game has its own story. Today’s story was about a rookie pitcher who just couldn’t get it going and a CF who made a great play. Strap’em on and go get him tomorrow.
JL
September 5th, 2010
8:13 pm
Hey Chpatt, go sc==w yourself, Just giving pointing out what he has done only for the last 15 years.
Ryan
September 5th, 2010
8:27 pm
Cox always closes the barn door after the horse gets out looking foward to 2011.
k483
September 5th, 2010
8:51 pm
Any idea what the runs off errors stat is for this team? I bet it is way up there.
Ken
September 5th, 2010
9:19 pm
To k483
And conversely, how many runs do we get off opponents’ errors, bases loaded BB’s, etc. Getting base hits with RISP is a no-no for this team. McClouth’s shot to center today was set up by infield dribblers and walks; we were lucky just to have a shot at winning this thing. With that said, keep playing Nate.
Justin
September 5th, 2010
10:06 pm
DCBrave:
I can see your assessment to a certain extent, but I do not think he is so immobile that he couldn’t field a bunt or the Braves would not have sent him down to work at third. Also, I know the throw from first is shorter, but basically, it would work the same way if someone dropped one down the first base line with him on first if his knees were that bad. Granted, Glaus is not the player he once was defensively, but I think he still has something to offer at the plate. Really, his over all stats are better than Derrek Lee’s stats.
ijudgenot
September 5th, 2010
11:16 pm
Anyone else noticed that McLouth’s swing has flattened out. He does not have the uppercut swing, he had before for now.Hopefully he keeps it level for the remaining games. The ball he almost hit out of the park was hit with a level swing also. With that swing he could be very valuable to the Braves when they play left handers because Ankiel is lost against them.
peter nincompoop
September 5th, 2010
11:45 pm
Nate’s swing really does look much improved. Too bad we can’t combine Melky, Rick and Nate into one switch hitter with power, a great arm and great defensive range.
Ron Hyatt
September 6th, 2010
1:08 am
Send those losers packing NOW!
HATinGA
September 6th, 2010
7:20 am
When Glaus gets hot he really gets hot!! if not Freeman than start Glaus!!
DC Brave
September 6th, 2010
8:07 am
Nate’s swing does look better. Ankiel has a tremendous hit in his swing…his hands move up and to the right before they start going forward. Good luck hitting 95 with that…plain to see even to me. If Nate can follow Chipper’s advice to JHey from earlier this season (hit it through the wall, not over it) he might turn into the force he as in Pittsburg.
jfreak13713
September 6th, 2010
8:36 am
Good for Glaus and McLouth but really hard game to swallow! Still in first place but hanging on by the skin of our teeth .. Come on Braves!
How bad are you playing when everyone would rather see Nate McLouth hitting instead of you “Ankiel”? We really need these two guys and Glaus and Lee to play good. They don’t need to be great because they are not, but just play good baseball. If not then the Braves will not win the Division and won’t advance in the playoffs.
The Braves aren’t going to play Glaus or Lee everyday guys. Both are older players with injury issues and to play them everyday would prevent them from being somewhat healthy come playoff time. The Braves will spot start Glaus, Lee and Freeman and I think that works! The outfield just is what it is. Heyward is great but thats about it. Unless McLouth can get on a roll the outfield could the the one thing that keeps the Braves from going all the way?
Chief Pitchanono
September 6th, 2010
8:50 am
I doubt it will happen but I would like to see Glaus in their for several days in a row. If he is healthy he could carry us into Ocotober. Same for Mclouth, he had some of his best Ab’s of the season yesterday, keep him in thier for a few days. Gotta take care of buisness with the pirates today. Hopefully the Marlins go up their a play philly as hard as they manage to play us. I’m really starting to dislike that club, i think they are determined to play spoiler, and for some reason we seem to be their target. We’ll see what happens in Philly. Hopefully they can keep up their good play and be a headache for them too.
Mutts
September 6th, 2010
11:11 am
Those Marlins are a pesky bunch. And BTW, they are not a bad road team, so let’s hope they get hot in Philly.
Braves Fan Since "80
September 6th, 2010
12:49 pm
DC Brave…. chipper needs advice himself….hit the ball
Braves Fan Since "80
September 6th, 2010
12:56 pm
Nates got a weak arm but otherwise plays a solid defensive game…. If he can contnue to swing the bat maybe cabberra can lock dowm left field platoon