Braves quotes after Thursday’s loss to Giants
BOBBY COX
“Some of the guys came down after that inning and said he was out by 6 or 8 inches. From the dugout you can’t see anything, and I didn’t see a reaction from our infielders.”
On decision to intentionally walk Sandoval to bring up Ross
“What’s wrong with that?”
I’m just curious about the decision
“We made an error. That’s all I can say about that….
Another writer followed up by saying, “Ross was 3-for-10 against Lowe.”
Cox: “Sandoval was 4-for-10.”
That writer responded: “He was 1-for-5.”
Cox: “I thought he was 4-for-10. Anyway, we made the right move. We made an error [on the Infante play].”
[Cox was correct -- Sandoval was 4-for-10 against Lowe before tonight's game.]
“We made an error [Cox thought the Infante play on Ross was ruled an error; it was actually a hit]. We made the right call. We got the groundball.”
On Lincecum
“He was lights-out. We had two runners at second base the whole night. That was it. I don’t know how many he struck out, but it was more than fingers I have on both hands.”
On lack of patience against Lincecum
“Easier said than done – don’t swing at it. It’s almost impossible.”
On Lowe
“He pitched tremendous. You know, we kicked a ball at second, we kicked a ball at third. Now there’s 10 extra pitches; every time we do that, count five. I thought he was dynamite. He pitched his rear end off tonight.
“Our entire staff that went in there tonight pitched really well.”
Is your defense a concern because of this, one extra infielder [Diory Hernandez] and the fact you’re playing without much backup?
“A little bit. Troy Glaus can play third and Hinske can play third and first. And we have to watch what we do with Hernandez during the course of a game.”
BROOKS CONRAD
On Lincecum
“He always pounds the zone with all his pitches. When he gets ahead … he didn’t miss his spots. He was throwing that fastball right at the letters. It looked like you could put a good swing on it, then all of a sudden it was by you.
“He didn’t really leave anything over the plate that you could handle, but at the same time it was all pretty much borderline pitches that could be strikes, you just couldn’t square ‘em up.
“It was a tough battle tonight, and he won it.”
On the play at second base
“I thought we had him out. I haven’t seen any replays yet, but it was a tough break, I thought. But you’ve got to score some runs to win the game. It’s not a make-or-break deal, really. I mean, it was in the way the game turned out, but we’ve got to get some runs across to win. You’ve got to tip your hat to Lincecum tonight. He threw unbelievable.”
DEREK LOWE
“The story was him. He struck out 14 guys. He obviously dominated.”
“The 2-0 pitch to Cody Ross, we’re trying to throw it for a ball, because we had Lincecum on deck. It gets too much of the plate and gets a base hit, turns out to be the game.”
Looked like Infante was going to get it, then it skipped past
“But that’s the beauty of being a groundball pitcher. They don’t hit it at them every single time.”
“These games are frustrating, no doubt. But we fell behind 2-0 [to Ross] and didn’t want to give in, and got too much of the plate. That’s the game.”
On Lincecum’s complete-game performance in his first postseason start
“Maybe he say Halladay, it motivated him.”
On the play at second base, Posey’s steal:
“I could see that he was out. But that’s part of the game. Those things happen in the game. It’s just like we’ve all had calls go the other way, and it turns out a guy was safe.
“You’ve got to keep making quality pitches no matter what the situation is. One base hit turns out to be the game. But [Lincecum] was absolutely pounding strikes, there’s no doubt about that.”
BRIAN McCANN
On the Posey steal, called safe
“I just threw it and thought the ball beat him. I have not looked at the replay. Have you guys seen it?”
“That stuff happens. It’s a bang-bang play, and unfortunately it didn’t go out way. On a night like tonight where one run is going to win the game, all the small things matter.”
On Lowe
“He pitched a great game, made pitches all night long. He’s a guy who’s been there, done that, and he showed us again tonight. He thrives in the postseason.”
On Lincecum, best he’s been against you guys?
“For sure. His ball was darting everywhere. He kept us off-balance. He’d get ahead off-speed and then bury it late. Then later in the game he started using a lot more fastballs. He kept us off-balance.”
How hard to lay off pitches against him when he’s getting that kind of movement?
“It’s hard. He throws 92-93 miles per hour and he’s got one of the better changeups in the game. Now he’s throwing a slider. And when he’s locating his fastball, he’s tough to hit.”
Is the infield defense a concern?
“Our bench has been the best in the game all season long, and they’re a big reason we’re here. We’ve got a lot of confidence in anybody who takes the field, and that’s it.”
“Tonight was a great game. We came out on the losing end. You tip your hat to Tim Lincecum, and you get ready for tomorrow.”
On seeing Lincecum’s pitches, with his funky delivery and moving parts
“It’s not easy to see ‘em. That’s why he’s won two Cy Youngs in a row. He’s tough. Tonight was the best I’ve seen him. You just move on.”
On McCann’s long fly out to RF in the fourth with a runner on
“I just missed it. I wanted that pitch back. It was a good pitch to hit for me, and I was looking for it and got it. I just [barely] missed it.”
MATT DIAZ
On Lincecum
“Tim had a ton of pitches tonight, but I don’t think he was going to let them take him out. He finished it. You’ve got to give him credit for that.”
“The number of strikeouts was impressive, but he was giving us good pitches to hit virtually every at-bat. That’s the thing with him – with his delivery, and his ability to mix pitches, he may give you a pitch to hit, but you’re probably not going to hit it, because you might not be looking for it or it’s just funky. So you’ve got to tip your hat to him tonight.
“D-Lowe was matching him there for a while. We get one call our way and we might still be playing, it’s a battle of the bullpens.”
On not being able to get Lincecum’s pitch count up like you have been able to against other pitchers
“Obviously the scouting report on him is he likes to get ahead so he can use his off-speed. So we were trying to get him while he was getting ahead. But he was elevating his fastballs very well today. He was making it look like it was very hittable, just having it just a little above the belt, hence when we didn’t strike out we popped it up.
“We had two hard-hit doubles. Other than that, we might have hit more hard-hit balls in the no-hitter, and got no hits. We only really had two balls hit hard at all tonight.”
“I had a chance for a two-out RBI and he beat me with a heater up. It’s definitely tough to take, and it is magnified in the playoffs. It always comes back to one pitch here or there, and certainly tonight with a 1-nothing game.
“But that’s how we expect this whole series to be. We think we can come out on the winning end of a 1-nothing or 2-1 ballgame. That’s what we’re banking on, and hopefully we do that tomorrow and then go home and have some fun at home.”
Second-base umpire PAUL EMMEL
What did you see at second base?
“I saw him safe. That’s what I called.”
Have you watched a replay?
“No, I haven’t.”
Did Conrad say anything?
“Nobody said a thing out there.”
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212 comments Add your comment
left bench
October 8th, 2010
1:41 am
11 wins in 19 games. These Braves plan to make The Skipper’s second series a nail biter through and through.
MattyRoss
October 8th, 2010
1:43 am
Would be controversial calls are negated when it’s clear that the other team ain’t scoring anyway. Helluva job by Lowe. We get ‘em tomorrow, we’re right where Bobby wanted to be. Hudson in game 3 is there for a reason. Bobby sees that as a must win game, regardless of the situation, in the short series.
Ph.D.
October 8th, 2010
1:53 am
Rick Ankiel should not be starting. He does not hit. Hinske should be starting in left. He is one of our best hitters now, and we cannot waste him for just one at-bat. Glaus or Mclouth can pinch hit, Start either Cabrera or Mclouth in center. Or start Hinske at third and put Mclouth in center. However bad Mclouth has been, he is still way better than Ankiel. It just makes no sense now, Bobby has tried with him enough.
Matt Diaz
October 8th, 2010
1:53 am
Tip your cap!!!!!!!
Jake
October 8th, 2010
1:53 am
Imagine what it would be like if we have a true #2 hitter…ya know…a guy who can bunt the ball. Infante leads off the game with a double, he should have been bunted to 3rd, and possibly driven in on a fly ball or ground ball. Woulda been an entirely different ballgame. But nonetheless it didnt happen, much like the rest of the night, nothing good happened.
Ph.D.
October 8th, 2010
1:55 am
Line-up suggestion:
Infante
Heyward
Hinske
McCann
Lee
Mclouth
Gonzalez
Diaz
Hanson
Ph.D.
October 8th, 2010
1:57 am
And enough of this tip your cap. The Braves have to want it more if they want to win. That’s it, and put together a better line-up. Enough complaints, excuses, etc. It’s old and tired and weak.
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
October 8th, 2010
1:59 am
Matty Ross – They better pick it up offensively OR it’s going to be a short series, and it’s going to go the other way.
Lincecum(sp) is quite the beast, but jezzzzus. Tonight’s game was pathetic from a offensive standpoint. D. Lowe did his job…but when ya don’t flipping hit…..your going to lose ballgames. Plain & simple!!!
matt w.
October 8th, 2010
2:00 am
It makes me sick to see blown call after blown call. When is Bud Selig going to see the writing on the wall? In a playoff game momentum could swing either way very quickly with plays like that. It obviously swung the Giants way , but if the umpire had made the correct call it could have been toward us. On a side note heard one of the commentators say: “Why did’nt Bobby argue the call?” Well you heard what he said tonight he couldn’t see the play, but really what good would it have done? You know the play would have not been over turned ,their has never been a catchers throw over turned! This game NEEDS instant replay in the playoffs!! This is not the first time the Braves have been screwed in the playoffs either, remember Eric Gregg? I have never seen a 3′ plate before, maybe he was confused with the size of his butt? HMMMM
double
October 8th, 2010
2:06 am
Call at second was wrong,but if you do not score any runs don’t expect to win.Pitching was good.
glen0626
October 8th, 2010
2:06 am
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh TIP UR CAP !!!!!!!!!!! Geeeeezzz cmon this the playoffs. NO MORE FREAKIN CAP TIPPING…Lets do less cap tiping and some more hitting will you guys !!!
matt w.
October 8th, 2010
2:19 am
Yes,we needed to score runs to win, but the Giants would have not have any runs either if not for the gift by the umpire. Anyone can say what they want , this team is notorious for dramatic late innings and we could have eeked it out if not for human error, interference. We could have got into their bullpen and pulled this game out. Futher more you all know it. This would be a 0 to 0 game in extra innings and in their bullpen! and our bullpen is better hands down.
kaminari
October 8th, 2010
2:33 am
Yeah, you guys at AJC should NEVER EVER write “tip your cap/hat” in the column. We have heard it enough on TV this season, we have read it enough in these blogs, so please save your ink & keystrokes & we’ll assume that every player says “you gotta tip your cap/hat to ” each time we lose.
So our goal before the game was to win 11 of 19. Now we gotta win 11 of 18. That means we gotta go 11-7. Come on BRAVOS!! You can do it!!
john
October 8th, 2010
2:34 am
Matt W. Excuses, would have, should have, could have. Whatever. Lincecum was simply the better pitcher. Did you or did you not watch that game because it was ridiculous.
Emmel is an idiot...
October 8th, 2010
2:51 am
Missed the call by a foot. He should admit the mistake.
Eric Emmel Gregg…
jc_dawgs
October 8th, 2010
3:05 am
It was crystal clear that Posey was out by nearly a foot. But like it was said….Braves had zero offense tonight…swinging at way to many balls out of the strike zone when there was a 3-2 count. Folks…good hitting teams would not have done that….and they would have made Lincecum pay.
Dirty Dawg
October 8th, 2010
3:31 am
We’re gonna beat Lincecum, or whatever his name is, to clinch this thing next week. Just thought I’d throw that out.
Dirty Dawg
October 8th, 2010
3:33 am
Oh yeah, how are we gonna do that – beat Lincecum? Don’t swing at any 3-2 counts, and damn few 2-strike counts of any kind. The guy knows all he’s go to do against our anemic bats is to throw that windup at us and roll the ball to the plate.
Timmy Jim
October 8th, 2010
3:51 am
Clearly a blown call at second but a huuuuge senior moment for Cox for not pitching around Sandoval – throw him five sliders a foot outside and it’s practically guaranteed he swings and misses three of them. And if he doesn’t, you end up walking him like you wanted to do in the first place. But instead of walking issuing four wide ones. Jeez.
Mutts
October 8th, 2010
5:19 am
There’s a reason why Lincecum has already won 2 Cy Youngs.
Go Phillies
October 8th, 2010
5:22 am
Close game. Your pitcher was out-pitched. This game does not define anything. Let’s see what happens next. As the adage goes, good pitching will stop good hitting. This series is far from over.
NickGranite
October 8th, 2010
5:52 am
PHD, you cannot start McClouth. He cannot hit or throw. He runs down fly balls. That’s all he does. Ankiel has a better everage (for what that’s worth) but more importantly can keep runners from taking extra bases and at least has a shot when it’s late in the game and he’s making a throw to the plate. If the Giants have a man at 2nd. even a sharp single to short center is an automatic run because McClouth won’t throw the damn ball.
NickGranite
October 8th, 2010
5:58 am
I disagree with the “if you don’t score any runs you can’t win” mantra to explain away the umpire blunder. Just because we couldn’t hit Lincecum doesn’t mean we couldn’t score a run off their bullpen sometime in extra innings in a 0-0 game. It was a one run ball game for chrissakes, how do you just blow off an umpiring error that led to the ONE run?
Drifter
October 8th, 2010
6:04 am
This team makes bad pitching look good, so what do you expect when they see good pitching?
GMCK
October 8th, 2010
6:31 am
kind of sad when we cant get any runs.. this is something i see happening the rest of the series.. i feel sick cause of this game… if we dont win friday night, then i think its over.. go braves!!!!
Jesse Stone
October 8th, 2010
6:34 am
This team can’t catch, hit, or run. I’m amazed the Braves are in the playoffs. Lincecum was great, but Lowe was good enough. Lincecum should have a ND, but the umpire’s error gave SF the win. If that call goes against the Giants, allowing the Braves to score a cheap run off the dominant lincecum, that would’ve been the SportsCenter lead. Anyone else notice that all 3 playoff games yesterday involved dubious calls by the umpires that resulted in runs for the winning teams?
Ron
October 8th, 2010
6:40 am
Again, the umnpires have really shown that they are not very good. TP had a good approach of hitting last night, lets get up there and swing early and swing often, no matter where the ball might be located. They made him look like a god. My gosh, that was awful. How many of those strikeouts were pitches not even a strike. Again a great job of hitting.
Phredd
October 8th, 2010
6:42 am
I know our defense was crap, but the call at second changes the complexity of the game! The game would have been 0-0 going into late innings.
BraveinPA
October 8th, 2010
6:53 am
You know all Giant fans would be saying the same thing about hitting if the shoe was on the other foot- DLove pitched a terrific game- The Freak was just better. Look what Halladay did. The Reds are the best hitting team in the Majors and he made them look like T-ballers. Yes the Bravos have struggled a little- I too get frustrated at times watching but this team has heart and I still think pitching wise we can match up with anyone. I wanted to at worse split with SF come home where the BRAVOS have the BEST home Record. Earlier post said it right-The Freak has won 2 CY Youngs for a reason- Lets see how tonight goes then all you Braves Bashers can come on screaming- It anin’t over until its over- let’s go Braves!
Bobby's chauffeur
October 8th, 2010
6:57 am
Game started out right..double. but then instead of ankeil in the second slot or conrad (to bunt) we would have a man at third. THEN bring in Jason 3rd slot (the position he should have been) fly ball or hit with lee next different ball game
Mike H
October 8th, 2010
7:12 am
Can anyone tell me why Bobby always starts Ankiel? He’s a rally killer.
Charlie
October 8th, 2010
7:17 am
The Braves are what they are…no clutch…no hits..no gloves. They are the worst offensive team in the playoffs. Defense, terrible. Conrad’s boot, and the RBI winner to infante was a ground ball out, for anyone with any glove ability. Clearly, the playoffs are too big a stage for Infante, Conrad, and a number of other current Braves. There is a reason why Conrad is a career minor leaguer. He showed it down the stretch, and then again tonight.
In the first inning, after Infante’s double: Hayward pops to the left side. Lee strikes out on a ball in the dirt (3-2 pitch). McCann (a most over-rated baseball player) strikes out on a ball off the plate, and in the dirt. (The first 2 pitches in his at bat, McCann takes 2 pitches down the middle. It was not hard to figure out where that at bat was going). The 2nd innning, 3 more strike outs swinging at pitches all well out of the strike zone. It is obvious that the Braves would be lousy at the plate all night. This is a common theme for this group of minor league caliber hitters,
They can’t hit. Their defense is among the worst in the league, They often do their defensive CHOKES with runners on. They did again last night.
This is a team full of wholes, with no clutch performers. They never did belong in the playoffs. After Sunday, they can go home, where they belong.
Midnight Earl
October 8th, 2010
7:20 am
Rally killer? You gotta at least have a rally before it can get killed.
It'll be 3 and out..
October 8th, 2010
7:23 am
…but what did you expect since we have not been able to win on the road all year…same old same old…
Bobby's chauffeur
October 8th, 2010
7:37 am
don’t try anything new… hell…it’s been working just fine.. C’mon Bobby try something different..what do you have to lose? nothing the way we are playing now. shake it up. move people around in the order. Hell it might work what we have going for us now IS NOT WORKING
square leg
October 8th, 2010
7:51 am
Lincecum pitched a good ballgame but I think the Braves certainly did their share of helping him out. Having said that, I’m not the one who had to stand in the box against that windup delivery and try to hit one of the best changeups in the Majors. The only thing that bothers me is … if you decide to intentionally walk Pablo then why if you are down 2-0 to Ross why not walk him and pitch to lincecum and get out of the inning in a game where only 1 could (and did) make the difference.
square leg
October 8th, 2010
7:52 am
Oh yeah, Go Braves!
Hooter Girl
October 8th, 2010
7:57 am
Bad call @ 2nd, those are going to happen, but the lack of knowledge of the K zone was the worst I have ever seen, watching pitches down the middle and swinging at balls in the dirt. Once again Cox overmanaged by walking Panda and undermanaged by not attempting to play small ball when we did have a baserunner. I mean Heyward has to run sometime on a catcher that is one of the worst in the league at throwing runners out. They could have played all night and would not have scored. Please get an aggressive manager next year like the guy in Texas and get a hitting coach who has a clue on how to approach major league hitting
Atlanta news | Minute by minute (Oct. 8) | Atlanta News | Minute by minute
October 8th, 2010
8:00 am
[...] 7:55 a.m. You probably know about the Braves. The young Tim Lincecum struck out 14 Braves and allowed two hits in a 1-0 playoff opening win against the Braves. The Braves trail 1-0 in the Best of Five series. They have a game tonight in San Fran and then play Game 3 in Atanta on Sunday afternoon. A major point of contention last night is that many felt the Giants Buster Posey, who scored the game’s only run, should have been out at second during a previous play. See for yourself. Game photos. Quotes. [...]
Bill M.
October 8th, 2010
8:07 am
Give the long haired country boy credit. He pitched a great game. The Braves pitching was great to. The Braves didn’t have a choice right now but got to get Conrad and Infanted back on the bench. I don’t want Diaz on this team next season. He can’t run or throw. His defense is horrible. They can save over 3mil by not bringing him back. TP shouild be fired. The hitters are swinging at balls that are in the dirt. Wren get busy and bring in two OF’s with speed and power. Bring in a new SS that plays great defense. I had rather have a bunch of contact hitters that can play defense, with speed than a bunch of homerun hitters. This team needs a complete makeover even if it means trading McCann & JJ. Their pitching and pen will be fine, JJ was no use to them this season.
Ralph
October 8th, 2010
8:07 am
Thank god after sunday we won’t have to watch Bobby (the duck) waddle out to the mound anymore, lets just hope its not Terry (the Pinguin) that replaces him.
braves29
October 8th, 2010
8:12 am
Most errors in the Majors since the AS break. Infante should have snagged Ross’s grounder. Chipper makes that play in his sleep! NO EXCUSES
Kat
October 8th, 2010
8:12 am
Thanks David, great quotes! Onto the next one tonight….
reebok
October 8th, 2010
8:14 am
typical booby cox ‘managed’ team…losers of 16 of 23 playoff games…complete lack of passion or desire. thank god booby will be done de-motivating the team after only 2 more games…
KatMomFan
October 8th, 2010
8:14 am
If the last part of the season didn’t already give him one, Chipper must have grown an ulcer last night having to sit there and watch this one. We miss you, bud. Get well this summer and give us one more year if you want. We obviously need your bat. Bobby, you deserve some hitting and I pray our guys give it to you the next four games!
Jesse Stone
October 8th, 2010
8:18 am
reebok
October 8th, 2010
8:14 am
typical booby cox ‘managed’ team…losers of 16 of 23 playoff games…complete lack of passion or desire. thank god booby will be done de-motivating the team after only 2 more games
————————————————————————
Look at this roster. It’s amazing that this team is even in the playoffs. “Lack of desire”? Please give an example.
joedub
October 8th, 2010
8:19 am
Panda’s a lefty, was 4-10 against Lowe, was one of the best hitters in the NL last year, and you’ve got the pitcher in the hole. Bobby made the right play. The L is on the defense…again, just like everyone predicted.
But anyway, what do you expect? 2-time Cy Young winner going game 1…one paper this one was going to the Giants. Lincecum was nasty, he said after the game he knew after the first batter that he was gonna be nasty all night. Disappointing cuz it was a close game, but not suprising in hindsight.
I hope the Ted sells out, it’s gonna be a great series. Go get ‘em boys!!!
ken whisenhunt
October 8th, 2010
8:20 am
Benching Glaus through out the PLAYOFFS is like benching Reggie Jackson
Jesse Stone
October 8th, 2010
8:20 am
Ken, I hope that was a joke.
roseman
October 8th, 2010
8:25 am
Totally agree with Jake…you have to bunt Infante over to 3rd in a game where runs are dearly precious…than maybe TL uncorks one of those high heaters to the backstop and you score on wild pitch. Been saying all season, you need a # 2 hitter who can handle the bat, and that ain’t Jason. But that is Bobby being set in his ways and not being flexible with the lineup…would have been a perfect time to try someone different in that 2 hole…big missed opportunity.
ken whisenhunt
October 8th, 2010
8:26 am
Compare Glaus stats to the rest of the Braves in the postseason.
Coach
October 8th, 2010
8:26 am
If Ankiel is going to continue to play, Bobby needs to let him hit second. That way, he can at least bunt a guy over to second if we start the game off with a hit. In last night’s game he could have bunted him over to third.
1. Infante 2B
2. Ankiel CF
3. Heyward RF
4. Lee 1B
5. McCann C
6. Gonzalos SS
7. Hinske 3B
8. Diaz/McClouth RF
We haven’t scored much consistantly in over a month, couldn’t hurt to try something different.
ken whisenhunt
October 8th, 2010
8:27 am
DLEE is here because of his so-called playoff experience but he’s average in the playoffs and was dreadful with the Cubs.
2010 NL East Champion Phillies!
October 8th, 2010
8:28 am
Looks like that big NL EAST grudge match in the NLCS is not going to happen, like any one really believed it would.
ken whisenhunt
October 8th, 2010
8:30 am
Hinske has done nothing in the postseason and he only serves as a good luck charm.
Old Blue
October 8th, 2010
8:38 am
I am amazed that these Braves hit so poorly. They spend all that time in the batting cage and play everyday, yet they take 80/90 mph balls right down the middle and swing at balls in the dirt. They maybe be Coxs’ hardest working team, but when it comes to hitting. . . they are the sorriest.
STRETCH
October 8th, 2010
8:39 am
They are already talking about what the Giants need Lincecum to do to get past the Phillies. They just won the first game, and Mike n Mike in the morning are shoveling dirt on the Braves already?
John Galt
October 8th, 2010
8:39 am
I am amazed at the number of former major leaguers on here who have success in the past NOT swinging at Lincecum’s slider (if all of these bloggers weren’t retired from the majors I bet he wouldn’t have won those last 2 Cy Youngs)!
And apparently most of them managed a few years after they played, as they clearly know more about managing that the guy in the post-season for the 16th time (a major league record).
Next year will be so exciting as I am sure one of these bloggers will be hired to manage and we will win all 162 games…..
Ex Braves Fan
October 8th, 2010
8:40 am
Oh, my, how predictions can come true. I said here yesterday the Braves could get swept out quickly, with 10 HITS OR LESS IN THREE GAMES. They had two last night. Gives them 8 more in the next two. This sorry bunch is right on par with the sorry sports teams of Atlanta. ALL THESE YEARS, ALL THESE YEARS that the Braves, Birds and Birds have been there and ONE, YES JUST ONE LOUSY championship and HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF LOSSES!! I quit rooting for the Hawks when they traded Pistol Pete. I have never rooted for the sorry Falcons. I quit rooting for the sorry Braves years and years ago. Crummy teams.
TX Braves Fan
October 8th, 2010
8:41 am
Yes it was a blown call at second base. But when a runner is on second, an infielders job is to do everything he can to knock the ball down and save a run. Omar didn’t do that. Had he done it we were out of the inning with no damage. That was actually more significant. We can’t control the umpires, but we can control what we do out there. Ball should have easily been knocked down. So frustrating.
dap01
October 8th, 2010
8:51 am
Lowe can pitch. He is so important to the team right now. He pitched big in the big game.
We do have to score to win.
kwajbraves
October 8th, 2010
8:53 am
This is maybe the first time that I’m not mad if we lose a playoff series. This team is not a playoff team and we will be outclassed by the Phils if by some miracle we get past the Giants.
Hoosier Aaron
October 8th, 2010
8:53 am
Our pitchers were awesome – AGAIN! The ‘Freak” is well….a Freak! Nonetheless, you have to CATCH the ball. Good grief, an easy ground ball that hits Conrad in the foot. Omar waves at a ball that goes right under his glove.
Also, get J-Hey out of the number two slot – insert A-Gonz. J-Hey goes to 3 or 4. The number two slot needs to be someone that can give up his at-bat (if needed) to get a runner over. J-Hey is NOT that guy. We want the big kid DRIVING in runs. We have to manfacture a run or two – we’re not stringing together several hits with Ankiel & Conrad in the lineup at the same time. Can’t continue to do the same things that aren’t working. Seriously, Ankiel is absolutely dreadful with a bat.
Jesse Stone
October 8th, 2010
9:01 am
ken whisenhunt
October 8th, 2010
8:26 am
Compare Glaus stats to the rest of the Braves in the postseason
*********************************************************************
Ken, those stats are from 2002 and 2004 (when Glaus was good). They mean NOTHING now.
Rick Ankiel
October 8th, 2010
9:02 am
Will someone please tell Bobby to take me out of the lineup! I suck!
justin1
October 8th, 2010
9:08 am
Notice when the Braves come up on the short end of a HUGE missed call, MLB Network, ESPN, even TBS dont have much to say about it. Had that happened to the Yankees, they’d be talking about it on Lifetime. Ridiculous umpires this year. Ive seen more blown calls this year than any other year I can think of.
Why?
October 8th, 2010
9:09 am
Another great move by Bobby to walk Sandoval. Don’t want to pitch to someone who struck out his first at bat and swings at everything. Yep lets take our chances against Ross, who is familiar with Braves pitching. Can’t wait till Bobby is gone and this is from a Bobby supporter. Also, I am finally realizing that Infante and Conrad can’t get it done. They are both very good bench players, but not every day players. Braves did an amazing job making the playoffs. Just don’t have enough talent to compete in them. Next year they should be a very good team. Just need to get a legite CF.
Steve
October 8th, 2010
9:10 am
We all want to win, but take a long hard look at this team and realize that we’re really fortunate to be in the playoffs. When you have to chose between McLouth and Ankiel in CF, a situational pinch hitter in Conrad starting at 2B, a career back up in Infante starting at 3B. The rest of the line up is streaky at best, Heyward, Lee, McCann, Gonzolaz all can hit but not on a consistant basis. The pitching has been our strong point and gotten us into the playoffs, but the everyday lineup is weak. Personally, I’m glad they made the playoffs, but I’m not expecting a pennant run, 1-2 wins at best.
Why?
October 8th, 2010
9:12 am
Rick Ankiel
Don’t worry……Melky will be in there tonight!!!LOL
Peter
October 8th, 2010
9:14 am
Wren screwed this team up….How many times are we going to watch Ankiel, both miss a ball, then drop it in the outfield before throwing it.
Gonzales batting .240 as a Brave, Ankiel .210…….boy do we miss Blanco and Escobar NOW !
But hey if you like the Fat Old boys of summer…we got them !
Nilo Silvan
October 8th, 2010
9:15 am
Keys to the Game
1. Missed call at 2b.
2. Intentionally walking Kung Fu Panda (who looked lost in first AB) to get to Cody Ross, who has always seemed to hit well vs the Braves.
3. Swinging at pitches in the dirt.
Steve
October 8th, 2010
9:16 am
I’ve been saying move Heyward to the 3 slot ever since Chipper went down. Normally you want a 3 guy who can hit with some power, but with speed. Chipper has even made the comment that he sees Heyward taking the 3 spot at some point, why not now? Gonzolaz strikes out too much to move to 2 or 3. I’d put who ever starts in LF at the 2 hole (Diaz or Cabrera) and move Heyward to the 3 hole. I know it would be a risk defensively (what have we got to lose), but I’d put Glaus in at 3rd for a game and see what he could do, plus it gives us another big bat in the line up that we desperately need. Change it up Bobby, try something different to get this team out of it’s funk.
Peter
October 8th, 2010
9:18 am
Braves will loose game two score 1 run….come home score 10 runs win……then loose game 4 scoring 2 runs, season over……
Thankfully Bobby will be gone, BUT we still have WREN !
FIRE WREN, for this is an Error prone, Slow, FAT Team.
Dan
October 8th, 2010
9:23 am
Braves had to win game one in order to have a chance. Sell you tickets now while you can get anything out of them. Series over.
hootdaddy
October 8th, 2010
9:24 am
DOB—–
Thanks for getting the umps answers. I didn’t think he would admit fault, however we appreciate you getting the quote, thanks.
TydeFan
October 8th, 2010
9:26 am
I’ll tip my cap to anyone who does not bring back Terry Pendleton, and who will get a couple of outfielders who can actually hit, rather than just tip their cap.
Keith
October 8th, 2010
9:31 am
Lowe was outstanding. If he doesn’t face Lincecum, we probably end up winning late. Bad call @ 2b that lead to the only run. However, Infante should have at least had that play in his glove…not 100% sure he would have made the play…but the runner wouldn’t have scored at least not at that time.
Only good thing I take away with this is:
#1 – Lincecum can’t start tonight.
#2 – Hanson and Huddy still have yet to pitch and they are our best pitchers!
joedub
October 8th, 2010
9:39 am
Lowe was awesome. But he’s only the Braves third best starter and the Giants weren’t exactly killing the ball last night. Giants should be worried about that – it doesn’t get any easier with Hanson and Hudson next, but you can argue that it does get easier for the Braves with Cain and Sanchez
Jesse Stone
October 8th, 2010
9:41 am
Nilo- The article said that Ross was 3/10 against Lowe and Sandoval was 4/10
Boonie
October 8th, 2010
9:45 am
We should really just forfeit tonight’s game and head back to Atlanta today.
Jferrebee
October 8th, 2010
9:46 am
When is Terry Pendelton going to get the axe? The Braves hitters have made no adjustments all year.
savannahdawg
October 8th, 2010
9:47 am
If you guys don’t find a way to get some hits and score some runs, this will be over shortly!!! You are swinging at too many pitches out of the zone. What happened to the small-ball? Just not seeing it anymore.
Is Glaus on the playoff roster? Here is a crazy idea…………..put him at third (we could use his bat), Infanti back to second, and Conrad back on the bench.
Last chance Coach………….no time for loyalty now……..pull out all the stops and make something happen.
Great pitching last night………..just need some bats……….
French Army
October 8th, 2010
9:47 am
Welcome to our newest recruit, Boonie. Come to our boot camp and learn 27 ways to wave a white flag.
savannahdawg
October 8th, 2010
9:52 am
Two more things……………..Stop whinning about TP!! You rag on him in April when the team wasn’t hitting. Then he was a genius when the team was playing awesome small-ball thru July. Now he is the goat again………Shut the hell up people!!!
On that stolen base by Posey last night……..the Ump blew the call. He was out! And what a ugly slide……..looked like a cargo plane, landing on an aircraft carrier!!!
TydeFan
October 8th, 2010
9:58 am
Pendleton sucks. The only adjustments made are by players coming here. They all adopt the same swing that current Braves already have, and former Braves had. Players like Franceour go to Texas and hit lights out. Players like Gonzalez come here and swing at everything. I’m at least looking forward to seeing he and McDowell not returning. sorry to offend your daddy “savannahdawg”
dev
October 8th, 2010
10:01 am
The thing that concerns me is the way the Braves showed no fire, they looked intimidated from the start. Conrad looked like a deer in headlights, Infante hung his head all night, and how can you bat Gonzalez behind McCann? He won’t see anything to hit the whole series. He went op for his double and they will let him do that every time knowing that the next three are not gonna do anything. Put Hinske at first to inject some WANT IT BAD into the team. Lee cant hit a GOOD fast ball anymore.Stood there last night took three straight pitches, waiting on a fast ball he cant hit anyway, just pathatic, and it appears theat the Braves just don’t want it as bad as SF. Really sad!
Nilo Silvan
October 8th, 2010
10:02 am
Jesse Stone,
I saw that, I guess what I should have written was why not throw a few pitches off the plate to see if Pablo would have chased them. He may have helped us out there. Oh well, can’t change anything now.
Let’s Go Braves tonight!!!
lee
October 8th, 2010
10:02 am
you can talk about blown calls all you want, but the fact of the matter is that,when Cox made his normal IDIOTIC decision to walk Sandoval and pitch to ross, that was the game. Did you notice that, in the article that Cox did not take responsibility for his decision. He basically threw Infante under the bus for what happened!!Cox blamed Infante for an Error that never happened!! NO BOBBY!! your team lost the game because your an idiot!! why be in the playoffs if team is going to go out and look stupid like it has the entire year!! this team swings like they are at a 5yr old’s birthday party, blindfolded, and swinging at pinata full of candy!! this team does not think when they are at the plate!! its VERY plain to see!! but Cox, as always, does not do anything about it!! we need another Bobby next year to kick a few of these players @#$#$#– that Bobby should be Valentine to raddle a few cages next year!! because this bobby will continue to screw these playoffs up!!
ijudgenot
October 8th, 2010
10:05 am
Bobby’s chauffeur
October 8th, 2010
7:37 am
“don’t try anything new… hell…it’s been working just fine.. C’mon Bobby try something different..what do you have to lose? nothing the way we are playing now. shake it up. move people around in the order. Hell it might work what we have going for us now IS NOT WORKING”
Can anyone give a logical reason why Cox has not put Heyward in the 3 spot? There is none. As Cox and Chipper teared up at Cox’s ceremonies in Atlanta, its obvious they share a father/son like bond. Cox will never do anything he percieves as hurting Chipper. Chipper has said he will be back next year, so Cox does not want any doubt about who should be hitting in the 3 spot has held for 13 years. Cox mistakenly put him there early in year when Chipper was hurt and the kid did a decent job, which made some question why he should not stay there when Chipper returned, giving Chipper’s decline in offensive numbers. Cox has not made that mistake since. He has put only people who everyone knows will not be there next year. I can appreciate the bond he and Chipper have, but just once I wish that he would put the team first over his adopted son.
jay dubu
October 8th, 2010
10:08 am
The Braves have struggled to score runs for most of this season, and with Chipper & Prado it makes it that much more difficult. Going against top self pitching every night in the playoffs is going to be tough. Against the Phillies last week, it wasn’t until Manuel put the 3rd & 4th level pitchers in that the Braves were able to score.
It is what it is. It’s been a fun year, but any advancement in the playoffs are like gravy on your mashed potatoes.
Melky Way
October 8th, 2010
10:09 am
As much as I hate to admit it Rick has to sit.His flawless defense is no more.and his lack of ablity to hit and score.
southern hope
October 8th, 2010
10:12 am
The Braves played terribly last night. No debate from me. But I will say that we didn’t look as bad as the Twins & the Bucs…who have both lost their first two…by terrible scores…..and whose fans are literally out with the pitchforks & torches.
kindergarten math
October 8th, 2010
10:18 am
Speaking of Lee, did you notice that ,in his final at-bat, he watched 3 strikes. Never even put his bat over the plate so that it might accidentally hit it. Pitiful.
ijudgenot
October 8th, 2010
10:20 am
A PLEA TO CHIPPER!
Chipper please tell Cox that its ok to let Heyward HIT in the 3 spot the rest of the playoffs. That you are man enough to hit in the order next year wherever the new manager wants you to. Please Chipper, you are the only one who can make him make the move that will allow this team to have a chance to get to the WS, help! Cox after the season will tell the media that he did not want to put too much pressure on a rookie,ut he has uses Venters like a drunken sailor. He has used Kimbrel as the 8th inning setup man. Posey is a rookie who is hitting cleanup for the Giants for goodness sake! This teams batting order has not produced for a month and a half. Anyone else would try something new. Please Chipper tell him that its ok.
dev
October 8th, 2010
10:23 am
Infante SHOULD have made the play on that grounder, Chipper and Prado both would have.Went over his glove
Jesse Stone
October 8th, 2010
10:26 am
Would it really have made a difference if heyward would’ve hit in the #3 hole last night?
Brava
October 8th, 2010
10:27 am
I was very angry last night during the game while watching the Braves flail away at pitches outside the zone. After having had time to reflect, I’m proud of the Braves for holding the Giants to one run scored by a player who should have been called out on a steal attempt. Who’s to say what might have happened if Posey had been called out? It’s doubtful Lincecum would have pitched a complete game without a lead so we may have a gotten into their bullpen and scored a run. Anyway, it’s all water under the bridge now and I like the Braves’ chances against Cain and Sanchez. If we can win tonight, I honestly think we can take the series. After that, well…
chris
October 8th, 2010
10:27 am
We looked bad last night…… but last night is over. Today is a new day. Win tonight and its a best of 3 series with 2 at home with huddy and lowe. These guys have defied the odds too many times to give up on them after one game. Especially with Lincecum as good as he was.
Jesse Stone
October 8th, 2010
10:27 am
Posey batting cleanup still doesn’t make the Giants an offensive juggernaut.
GaryinBham
October 8th, 2010
10:28 am
Man, our offense is stone cold, but you hate to see the stumbles and misses. Today I wish Glaus was on third, Omar back to second, put Brooks back on the bench where he is more effective, and Hinske in left. You get two guys with loads of playoff experience IN THE LINEUP. I know Troy has defensive limits, but he isn’t in a body cast, either.