Braves lose 4-1 to Cubs, fall to 0-11 on Mondays
Jeff Samardzija has faced the Braves twice this season and looked like a Cy Young Award candidate both times. But that’s not too surprising, considering the Cubs pitcher has faced them only on Mondays.
The Braves don’t like Mondays. They don’t win on Mondays. They barely even score on Mondays.
Samardzija had a career-high 11 strikeouts in seven innings and Luis Valbuena hit a three-run double in the seventh inning that lifted Chicago to a 4-1 series-opening win Monday night at Turner Field, dropping the Braves’ record to a stunning 0-11 on Mondays.
They have scored a total of 17 runs in those 11 games.
“We got beat in all three facets of the game tonight, for whatever reason,” said Chipper Jones, who had a leadoff double in the seventh inning and was still there when the inning ended.
The Braves have lost four of their past five games and six of nine to fall to five games behind NL East leader Washington and 1-1/2 games behind second-place New York. The Braves are 3-4 on their 10-game homestand.
Asked if something was missing on this Braves team, Jones said, “Just the inability to put all three facets together at the same time. And do it consistently, every…single…day. For whatever reason, it’s just not happening. We get a good pitching performance, we don’t swing the bats. We get a good pitching performance, we don’t play defense. We swing the bats, we don’t pitch. It’s frustrating. But if the guys in this clubhouse want to get to where we want to go, we better start playing better.”
Dan Uggla’s second-inning infield single was the Braves’ only hit until Michael Bourn’s two-out double in the sixth. Martin Prado followed with a single that tied the score at 1-all. But not for long.
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez has complained about his pitchers’ lack of “shutdown innings” after the team scores. Monday was another example of just what he hates to see, as the Cubs answered the Braves’ single run with three in the top of the seventh against Braves starter Tommy Hanson (9-5).
Bryan LaHair and Steve Clevenger had leadoff singles to start the seventh and put Cubs on the corners. After No. 7 hitter Darwin Barney walked to load the bases, pitching coach Roger McDowell came out to the mound for a chat. The next pitch was a slider to Valbuena, who hit it to the right-field corner, clearing the bases for a 4-1 lead.
“It just came down to that last inning, really,” said Hanson, who had eight strikeouts and was charged with four runs, seven hits and one walk in seven innings. “Couple of base hits up the middle. I wanted to throw a back-door slider right there [to Valbuena] and it kind of leaked over the middle.
“It’s frustrating. It’s not like I went out there and got beat up. I felt like I had my good stuff and it just came down to that one inning. Those are the frustrating games, and the ones that are tough to swallow.”
Chicago recorded its sixth win in seven games after a long, sorry stretch for the NL Central cellar-dwellers that began soon after the Cubs’ 2-1 series win against the Braves in May at Wrigley Field.
“Tommy pitched great until they scored the three runs,” Jones said. “But the offense and defense, at times, wasn’t there.”
Hanson opened July with a loss after going 4-0 in five June starts. He’s 0-4 in four career starts against the Cubs and the Braves scored one or no runs while he was in all of those games.
“I think the game was Samardzija,” Gonzalez said. “He kept us off-balance, throwing a 93, 94-mph fastball and he had his split going. There were a couple times he threw it four and five times in a row, and we had no chance on it, especially to left-handed hitters. The eighth inning, their defense made some heck of a plays to get them out of a possible jam. All of a sudden, it may be first and second with nobody out, [then] it’s inning over. It’s just the way it goes right now.”
Samardzija snapped a four-start losing streak and held the Braves to four hits, one run and one walk while surpassing his previous career-best strikeout total by two. In two starts against the Braves this season, he’s allowed two runs and nine hits with three walks and 18 strikeouts in 14 innings.
“He was good today. Real good,” Jones said. “Good slider, good split, located his fastball, stayed on top of the hitters. You know, you’ve got to go out there and respect 95-96 [mph fastballs], and he was getting his secondary pitches where he wants them — it’s going to be a long day for anybody.”
Hanson was also the loser in the May 7 game at Chicago against Samardzija, who that night allowed one run, five hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in seven innings of a 5-1 Cubs win.
Samardzija had won only one of nine starts since then and was 0-4 with a 12.27 ERA in his past four before Monday. But on another blue Monday for the Braves, the big right-hander was suddenly dominant again.
“Both times I’ve faced him he’s had unbelievable stuff,” Hanson said. “Throws hard and good split, and he started throwing those sliders in there. Anytime you’re mixing three pitches, that’s tough.”
Samardzija had a new career-best 10 strikeouts in the first six innings, punching out No. 3 hitter Jason Heyward on four pitches to end the inning after Prado’s RBI single. Heyward went 0-for-3 with 3 strikeouts against Samardzija, after homering against him for the Braves’ only run May 7.
The 11th strikeout victim was Freddie Freeman in the seventh, after Jones’ leadoff double. The Braves have been dreadful lately with runners in scoring position and went 1-for-6 Monday. After Freeman struck out, Dan Uggla flied out and Brian McCann grounded out.
Freeman also made a pair of errors in the seventh and eighth innings.
The Braves had a runner at third with one out in the second inning after Andrelton Simmons drew a leadoff walk, stole second and advanced on a wild pitch. But Michael Bourn hit a broken-bat liner to shortstop and Simmons, going on contact, was doubled off third to end the inning.
“In that situation, you’ve got to sell out and go on contact,” Gonzalez said, supporting Simmons’ baserunning decision. “The score was 0-0 at the time. You’ve got to go on contact. You can’t read the ball there, for me anyway. If that ball is on the ground, he scores easy. It was an aggressive play and we hit a line drive at the shortstop. That’s the way it goes.”
And that’s the way it’s gone on Mondays for the Braves all season.
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135 comments Add your comment
DOB Needs To Ask Tough Questions!
July 2nd, 2012
9:50 pm
First cap tipper to post!
Yes Way José
July 2nd, 2012
9:52 pm
Does Freeman still need his glasses? Three strikeouts and 2 errors.
DOB Needs To Ask Tough Questions!
July 2nd, 2012
9:52 pm
Gotta tip your cap to those cubs…they are a feisty team with lots of veterans. Go get ‘em tomorrow.
PMC
July 2nd, 2012
9:59 pm
Time to give all the starters a day off on Monday…. or sacrifice a chicken. Jobu is not happy.
Ebenezer Snerdberg
July 2nd, 2012
10:00 pm
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Bob
July 2nd, 2012
10:01 pm
Maybe Danny Ferry can become GM for Braves andvmake things happen. Hawks future looks much better than Braves
PMC
July 2nd, 2012
10:02 pm
Other than Kimbrel do the Braves really have any strikeout pitchers on the team?
I know Venters used to be that, but when I think of shut down innings that’s what I think of.
That or Huddy when he’s keeping everything down.
SRF
July 2nd, 2012
10:03 pm
This is just RIDICULOUS !!!
Ghost of Dave Bristol
July 2nd, 2012
10:03 pm
Dont worry, according to Mark Bradley, the only problem the Braves have is they need another starting pitcher.
Harvey Korman's combover
July 2nd, 2012
10:05 pm
Braves problem on Monday’s is the two for one specials at Tattletales on Monday afternoons
Jaded Braves Fan
July 2nd, 2012
10:07 pm
It’s time to get rid of the Cox and Schuerholz cronies and bring in some better qualified baseball men who can diagnose this organization’s problems. The Braves are going on seven years without a division title and 11 years without a postseason series win. It’s time to realize that the Cox and JS way isn’t working anymore and hasn’t for quite a while.
NorCal Brave
July 2nd, 2012
10:08 pm
Okay, DOB, now hustle down to the clubhouse for all those sad sack quotes.
Kyle
July 2nd, 2012
10:09 pm
I’ve heard since they got killed yesterday that the Cubs were coming to town and they were so bad and Atlanta would bounce back…..yeah right.
Bro
July 2nd, 2012
10:10 pm
Time to make some adjustments in personnel. But first adjustments need to be made in the scouting department. Teams like the cubs have better hiters than the Braves and a better bench. Why. There is no true back-up infielder on the roster. Why not? Other teams have better reserves than the Braves. Why? Poor scouting and signings. Are there no reserve players available after each year? Why is the Braves roster so damn thin? Bad management is the reason.
ACE
July 2nd, 2012
10:12 pm
I love the name DOB needs to ask tough questions. Now if it would only happen.
ACE
July 2nd, 2012
10:14 pm
No need to hustle down for the same old same old.
ACE
July 2nd, 2012
10:15 pm
Maybe DOB could ask Fredi, with the make up of your team is there anything else you can do but lose.
tom
July 2nd, 2012
10:18 pm
well the braves monday losing streak will take a 2 week break, all star break plus they don’t play the monday after. then they get the marlins 2 straight mondays.
Harpie
July 2nd, 2012
10:22 pm
This team stinks!
Fan of the Game
July 2nd, 2012
10:23 pm
Has McCann called his dad? If teams are going to play the shift, why do we consistently hit right into the teeth of it. Just like Hinski’s ab tonight. He hit right into the shift. If they throw you away go with it and don’t swing around it. I wonder how many times they have heard that.
tim from trion
July 2nd, 2012
10:25 pm
top of 7th,0 outs and bases loaded and no pitching change?am i missing something?
TWO GOOD DOGS
July 2nd, 2012
10:27 pm
JUST ONE TIME, CAN FREDDI SAY WE SUCKED TONITE. I’M LISTENING TO THE BRIAN JORDAN B.S. ABOUT TOMMY HANSON GIVING UP RUNS ETC. SO IF TOMMY KEEPS IT AT ONE RUN, WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT? WE’RE STILL TYIED 1-1 INTO INFINITY. NO RUNS NO RUNS NO RUNS. NO CREATIVITY TO GET ANY. NO LEADOFF DOUBLE SHOULD EVER BE UNREWARDED. POOR EFFORT TOP TO BOTTOM.. EXCEPT MY MAN PRADO.
ACE
July 2nd, 2012
10:28 pm
Tim, you will be missing the answer to that question. No way DOB would ask Fredi.
dawg4u
July 2nd, 2012
10:29 pm
I’m really looking forward to all the great quotes from the players following this loss to the woeful Cubs. “We’ve got to get better.” Got to flush this one. It’s just one game. Hanson looked good for a couple of innings. We just couldn’t get anything going. He had really great stuff. We need to shut them down the next inning after we score a run.” On and on as we continue our pursuit of the Phillies except we’re going in a different direction this year. We’re probably the only team in baseball that just hates facing the Cubs.!
Buckbaloweme
July 2nd, 2012
10:29 pm
this team is in a tailspin. Big time problems. but most of all it’s just an average team that can’t be fixed with 1 or 2 players. Just lost to the worst team and one of the worst pitchers in MLB. Go screw yourself Braves.
Fan of the Game
July 2nd, 2012
10:30 pm
Yea we need to quit working on hugging and start working on hitting. May be the worse offensive team Atlanta has had in a while. Oh yea fire Greg Walker, it is always the hitting coaches fault. Well we have fired the last two and it hasn’t made a difference.
ACE
July 2nd, 2012
10:30 pm
For those who don’t want to wait for the post game quotes. Just keep running him out there. Got to tip your cap to the cubs pitchers. I believe the back of the bubble gum card and all our players will get it turned around.
Charles
July 2nd, 2012
10:32 pm
It is reaching fish or cut bait time. If they lose the series to the Cubs and Phils before the All-Star break it’s over. If they can’t take 3 out of 4 from the Cubs and 2 out of 3 from the Phillies, they are at.500 and with the pitching and inconsistent (to be polite) offense they will never make up the ground for the privilege of playing a 1 game wild card playoff. I certainly agree that the past cronies aren’t getting the job done. Fredi is not a big league manager and should be fired if they don’t take 5 of the next 7. Otherwise, they will make another Teixera type deal thinking that prosperity is just around the corner, only to later watch the stars of the future playing for another team as the current team sinks into oblivion. Where would the Rangers be without Feliz and Elvis? It’s deals like that turn franchises into winners, and the Braves haven’t had such a deal since McGriff in 2005. .
ACE
July 2nd, 2012
10:32 pm
you can’t expect any different answers when it always the same old questions.
Fan of the Game
July 2nd, 2012
10:33 pm
Man I wish we had gotten Keppinger when we had a chance. Local favorite that is hitting over .300 with the Rays.
Winchester
July 2nd, 2012
10:34 pm
Did I not say that the Cubs would beat the Braves? Did I not say that Hanson was a joke impersonating as a starter? Nice decision to leave your “ace” in the game to serve up a base clearing hit in the 7th.
This team is brutal to watch and be loyal to. The Cubs, of all teams to lose to.
How does Uggla merit All Star recognition on the first team?
George Allen
July 2nd, 2012
10:34 pm
There is no ENERGY with the team. They look TOTALLY deflated. McCann needs a week off…not just a day in this ATL heat. Prado didn’t look like himself. Simmons is the only one putting up quality ABs, and one of the few that doesn’t look lost out there. Maybe Jose Constanza could breath life into an anemic offense. How ’bout Ernest Mejia…and, if only Evan Gattis would return…something…we look desperate!!!
Carl Farvman
July 2nd, 2012
10:35 pm
“Okay, DOB, now hustle down to the clubhouse for all those sad sack quotes.”
I must agree. His quote project produces nothing but canned responses to very, very predictable questions. Don’t have a clue why it needs to be done.
JOSE CONSTANZA
July 2nd, 2012
10:36 pm
Remember me??? you are 6-13 after Chipper returns and i was sended to AAA :p
With me you have a winning record including 6 wins in a row
im game changer remember that Speed, basepaths , fielding , small ball
Fan of the Game
July 2nd, 2012
10:36 pm
Heck have you seen Gwinnett play? They are terrible and Constanza is just a spark for a week or so. But you are right he may be what we need right now.
DaveinNEPA
July 2nd, 2012
10:37 pm
Once again these guys play down to the level of their competition and make a guy who had a 12+ ERA last month look like the second coming of Cy Young!!!
One other comment about Hanson in the 7th inning, or should I say about how Hanson was handled in that inning. I can’t believe he was left in to to struggle to throw over 30+ pitches that late in the game, especially after the shoulder troubles the guy had last season. IMO that alone should have been grounds for immediate dismissal of both manager and pitching coach. Hanson is entirely too valuable to this team to be that cavalier about overworking him!!
bulldozer
July 2nd, 2012
10:45 pm
15-22 since may 21st. cause for concern?
Yogi Berra
July 2nd, 2012
10:47 pm
Fan of the game…the blame starts and ends with Frank Wren.
Maybe McCann and couple others need to do what Greg Walker suggest them do. Greg is very smart and knows his business but its like any other business you work with what you have…thats Wrens fault.
Agree Fredi don’t help matters.
durrtydogg
July 2nd, 2012
10:48 pm
And the countdown to Frank Wrens unemployment begins now.
Rowdy Garrett
July 2nd, 2012
10:49 pm
Truly pathetic. What more needs to be said! How much longer to football season? College football that is.
MD Braves fan
July 2nd, 2012
10:57 pm
DOB and Frediot are heading to dinner right now.
RoU
July 2nd, 2012
10:58 pm
1) Scratch to catch up with good pitching. 2) Give up go ahead runs immediately thereafter and then go into sleep mode. The one positive is that Braves’ fans have been conditioned for it from 2011 and now well into 2012. But good news is on the horizon because Ben is on the way. Ho, Ho, Ho! Why is it that nothing really changes with the Braves??? We have talent and we are competitive but that’s where it ends! What we don’t have is ownership that takes pride in their product!!!
tired of the Atl
July 2nd, 2012
11:00 pm
Braves need to take a cue from Danny Ferry and either $h-t or get off the pot with this team. Trade Helicopter Dan to a sucker if and when he heats up before the deadline, move Prado back to 2B, look to trade Bourn, and think about throwing in a pitcher or two (Minor, Hanson) in a deal, and even see if an AL team wants to take a flyer on B-Mac. Then deep six the Frediot and find a manager that can light a fire under their behinds every so often. Build around Freeman, Prado, Simmons, Heyward, go get a left fielder and the best starter you can find, and get some life back in this franchise. Sad when the most exciting moments of the last 7 years are a rookies first home run, a home run by a pitcher turned outfielder, a pinch hit home run in a losing game, and backing into a playoff spot in the last series of the year.
tom
July 2nd, 2012
11:00 pm
AT times this team looks like they have Andruw Jones for a hitting coach.
francisco
July 2nd, 2012
11:05 pm
This manager did not turn them around last September and will happen again this season unfortunately .
Has any team on the NL have worst p.hitters than the Braves ????
drew
July 2nd, 2012
11:11 pm
I would take Adam LaRoche over Freeman any day of the week
Adam never complaines and now he’s with the team that will win the division
Good for him !!!
David O'Brien
July 2nd, 2012
11:15 pm
“Okay, DOB, now hustle down to the clubhouse for all those sad sack quotes.”
I must agree. His quote project produces nothing but canned responses to very, very predictable questions. Don’t have a clue why it needs to be done. — Carl Farvman
Eh, don’t worry your pretty head, Carl. We’ll put nose to grindstone and get through it.
David O'Brien
July 2nd, 2012
11:21 pm
DOB and Frediot are heading to dinner right now.
Actually, I’m going home to watch the second part of the Martin Scorcese documentary on George Harrison, which is only on HBO OnDemand through today. So I gotta start it before midnight.
nelson
July 2nd, 2012
11:23 pm
This team is a disgrace, no pitching, no hitting, and all you do is sign old players, when they have good prospects that can change, indeed no playoffs for us if we do not seek what is needed .. pitching and batting.
Robards
July 2nd, 2012
11:59 pm
Are you serious, Fredi? You go on contact? No, you wait until the ball goes through, and you’ll score anyway if it does. If ball doesn’t go through, then you give the next guy a chance. Not blasting the guy but come on–that’s Baseball 101.
Robards
July 3rd, 2012
12:00 am
Not blasting Andrelton. I am blasting Fredi G.
TuffShhhtuff
July 3rd, 2012
12:08 am
Those two sarcastic, IDGAS-type comments from DOB at 11:15PM and 11:21PM are typical of what is wrong with the entire Braves organization and media right now, including management, sportswriters, broadcasters, etc. The only way the message will get through to ALL of them is to stop supporting Braves baseball in every way. Otherwise, don’t complain or whine when you keep getting the same old thing over and over, with the same sarcastic, facetious responses from those who get paid the same whether they win or lose, succeed or not. The ball is in the court of the fan’s hands now. What will you do with it?
ACE
July 3rd, 2012
1:03 am
My Guitar Gently weeps for the way the braves play and the questions DOB asks.
Hmmmm
July 3rd, 2012
1:31 am
I predict a letdown week heading to the AS Break. They’ll lose this series to the Cubs (why you ask? They’re the worst team in baseball … gotta play down to them for some reason), the Phils will still have their number and I’m guessing either sweep or 2/3
Knock a Homer
July 3rd, 2012
1:55 am
Braves wi…
Braves suck! Braves suck! Braves suck!
David the Shepherd
July 3rd, 2012
2:41 am
“15-22 since may 21st. cause for concern?”—bulldozer
Heck no, man. Just keep running them out there. 84 wins ought to be enough to get a wild card…wait…no, probably not.
David the Shepherd
July 3rd, 2012
2:45 am
“My Guitar Gently weeps for the way the braves play and the questions DOB asks.”—ACE
Damn ACE, I like your style. Making a GH reference to put it back in DOB’s face. You are gaining respect in my eyes exponentially.
IdahoBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
4:01 am
Hey, this one is going to play out just like I thought. I though Minor would lose rather than Hudson but they lost the series anyway. Now when they have a great chance to coast and make up some games with cellar dwellers they will choke. They will lose at least 3 out of 4 to the cubs and 2 out of 3 to the Phils. Nats have slightly tougher schedule so Braves should be about 9 games out at the break just below Miami. After the break the injuries will start to pile up and there is no telling how far out they will finish. Sad story for a team with this kind of talent.
Tina
July 3rd, 2012
4:42 am
Freddi should be managing a TACO BELL.
steve whitmire
July 3rd, 2012
6:21 am
I’ve been a Braves fan since forever and this is the most frustrated I’ve ever been watching this team play. We can’t hit. Period. Our ALL STAR second baseman is a terrible hitter this year, flailing and striking out so often it’s painful to see him at the plate. The same with our ex All Star catcher Mccann, what’s his average now under .240 last time I checked. Yet we have some great players, Simmons, Freeman, Bourne, Heyward, I don’t know the answer but obviously we can’t keep throwing Mccann and Uggla out there every night and expect to do anything but lose.
timS
July 3rd, 2012
6:43 am
Tip your hat to the Cubbies as for Freeman guess his little hand is still hurting big candyass
Kim strong
July 3rd, 2012
6:44 am
Freddie lost this game when he didnt pull Hanson in the seventh.you could tell He was running on fumes….i propose Chipper fornplayer/Manager until the end of the year…..gonzales is an embarassment.
Screwball
July 3rd, 2012
7:11 am
I have no problems with DOB posting the quotes from the locker room, that is the beat man’s job. But why is it always Chipper? I know he’s the leader, the go to guy, but why not diversify?
That plus taking a line or two out of context, makes these quotes sometimes infuriating. Fredi saying it is just the way it goes or Hanson’s one bad inning. Please.
Morning Reads For Tuesday July 3, 2012 — Peach Pundit
July 3rd, 2012
7:30 am
[...] Hawks new GM Danny Ferry will trade Joe Johnson and Marvin Smith. Hallelujah! – The Big Braves fell to the Cubs last night but the G Braves snapped a 15 game losing streak by defeating Charlotte 6-5. – Those of [...]
GRAPHITE
July 3rd, 2012
7:58 am
man on 2nd.,no out’s, no bunt?
steve
July 3rd, 2012
8:04 am
This is shameful. Losing to the worst team in baseball whose starter had gone 0-4 recently. What is wrong with this team? The fact that Dan Uggla is the NL’s starting baseman is baffling… apparently the voters have mistaken him for someone who can hit. The biggest problem is ownership and Frank Wren.. can we we please find some owners who actually give a flip?
whatnow
July 3rd, 2012
8:26 am
Simmons, Heyward, Kimbrel, McCann Prado and Beachy ( maybe Freeman too) should be the Braves going forward.
Time for Chipper to go.
Backdoor Slider
July 3rd, 2012
8:29 am
THE FREDI MISTAKE
Here’s an old post from October 12th, 2010 by The Capitol Avenue Club. See if it doesn’t now ring true to you:
THIS IS A MISTAKE
“I won’t spend too much time discussing this, but here goes.
Quite simply I think this is a huge mistake.
Fredi Gonzalez is not Bobby Cox.
Just because he has worked with Bobby Cox does not mean he will be as effective as Bobby Cox. He won’t.
The thing that made Bobby so great was his ability to get the most from his players. They always played hard, they never quit, they never said a single bad thing about him. A lot of this is a result of Bobby’s players-first management style, but also a result of Bobby’s personality. Fredi and Bobby do not have identical personalities, and Fredi will not be able to command the same type of respect from his players. He won’t be able to get as much out of them as Bobby did.
And then there’s the strategy thing. Let me just say, by the end of year one we will all wish Bobby were managing the games, where he only ordered one stupid bunt or only batted one player with a crappy on-base percentage at the top of the order or only used one too many relievers each night. Don’t expect the in-game managerial blunders to go away, this decision only exacerbates the issue.
Expect less of the things that made us love Bobby and more of the things that made us infuriated with him. That’s essentially what they’ve opted for, a version of Bobby with less of his good qualities and an exaggerated propensity for over-management.
Rather than finding the best man for the job, the organization has taken the easy way out. “He’s been a part of a successful Bobby Cox staff? Sure, we’ll hire him! That makes it simple, no thinking involved.”
Like I said, I don’t want to spend too much time discussing this. I’m not going to crucify him before he begins the job, and I’ll try to keep an open mind about this whole thing, but I do sincerely believe this is a gigantic mistake that the organization will severely regret.” — End quote.
Lamentably, what was written in 2010 has become glaringly and repeatedly true!
whatnow
July 3rd, 2012
8:29 am
When was the last time Chipper Jones had a clutch hit? Braves hung on to him too long. They need to take a lesson from the Red Sox. Cut your veterans when they are unproductive and cost too much.
Screwball
July 3rd, 2012
8:37 am
Danny Ferry has shown more balls in three weeks than Frank Wren has in three years.
Screwball
July 3rd, 2012
9:06 am
(AP) Samardzija had a career-high 11 strikeouts, yielding one run and four hits in seven innings, rebounding from a rough June. The right-hander was 0-4 with a 12.27 ERA in his previous four starts, allowing a season-high nine runs during a 17-1 loss to the Mets on Wednesday.
Tne Braves bats are Lourdes for a struggling pitcher.
Bob Horner's Blonde Mullet
July 3rd, 2012
9:10 am
I really wish I could simply denounce my fanhood. Georgia teams just simply can’t win. Now to watch this pitiful lineup get 4 and 5 hit every night with the inability to score more than 4 runs, it’s sickening. Making the playoffs would expose this weak ass team yet again. No one is clutch. There’s no heart on this team, and the manager is a ‘you know what? that happens’ kind of guy.
Perfect opportunity here before the break to make some sort of statement – to show what this team is all about. Yet, we get humiliated again at home by the Nationals and now by the sorry ass Cubs. It wouldn’t bother me one bit if they blew this team up in the offseason.
We don’t beat the Nationals because they are better than us. We don’t compete with Philly because we are scared. Atlanta brass sits back and watches every team in the NL East get better and decides no moves are necessary. Ben Sheets? Man, that’s gonna put us over the top – dude hasn’t pitched in two years and all we hear is how he’s going to be joining the rotation pretty soon. Stick a fork in this team. Time for the yearly deja vu. BRAVES SUCK
Randal Patrick McMurphy
July 3rd, 2012
9:37 am
In spite of all this sustained misery, I’d personally be willing to bet that IF this team had some really GOOD management & coaching, the performance of this organization on a whole, the collective team and for each individual would drastically change – almost magically overnite. These are for the most part a collection of youngsters, and what’s happening all around them is getting into their heads. This stagnant cesspool of mismanagement is where the REAL problems manifest themselves…
The Emperor ain’t got no clothes on, Boyz n Girlz… |-)
coach k
July 3rd, 2012
9:38 am
i don’t know why I am surprised!!!! This team since the mid 90’s have no mental toughness, too many lame errors at critical times, no deep down fire inside, and if i hear one more tip your cap i think I am going into that dugout with a bat. News media quit giving these guys a break this is unacceptable, losing at home to a team 19 games below 500. Quit babying this team and call out these guys, only 2 guys with their head out of their asses is a rookie simmons and prado. Time to pakage a deal for a left fielder with a bat. move pardo to 3rd, and tell Mac figure it out or sit. Delgado or minor and minor leaguer, hell i rather have pastornicky on our bench then that lame ass jack wilson. This team could be very good with direction, quit being a white collar team and take the game to the opposition, small ball, and find us a REAL MANAGER
hunter55
July 3rd, 2012
9:41 am
Is there a pitcher in the leaque who hasn’t set his career strikeouts against the Braves. Welcome to the land of OZ, a GM with no courage, a manager with no brain, and a team with no heart.
duronimo
July 3rd, 2012
9:44 am
After a win or after a loss, these players know the questions that will be forthcoming. After all there are just three major facets to the game: pitching, hitting and defense. So the players have the same boiler plate answers ready the have been giving for years. That’s why they seem so bored when they respond. But the questions still have to be asked. DOB dutifully does his job. We all are aware that he knows “inside” stuff about the team. But if he got too honest about stuff like that he would likely lose access to the clubhouse and players. It’s something of a catch 22.;
Taylor Wooten
July 3rd, 2012
10:02 am
This team is dead, lifeless. Just going thru the motions. Even the Manager is blah blah.
Taylor Wooten
July 3rd, 2012
10:03 am
Even the Stadium, Crowd, etc is dead, boring, and the same ole routine.
Need need music, new traditions, new something.
Taylor Wooten
July 3rd, 2012
10:05 am
There is no heart on this team.
Just listen to them when they are interviewed…..
Taylor Wooten
July 3rd, 2012
10:06 am
The supposed leaders are ready to go home already…..so they can go hunting/hang out on their big ranch…or go play golf…
BullDogMike
July 3rd, 2012
10:11 am
It is now official…….the Braves have now reverted back to pre 1991 team. It was fun while it lasted.
Jason's Sweet Cheeks
July 3rd, 2012
10:12 am
And the losing streak continues on ansd on and on. Last place here we come just as fast as we can.
Rick
July 3rd, 2012
10:14 am
whatnow, there is a pretty big disparity between Chipper’s numbers this year and Youkilis’ (I’m assuming that’s who you are referring to on the Red Sox). And even if the Braves wanted to trade Chipper, he would have to approve it.
BullDogMike
July 3rd, 2012
10:14 am
Tina: Freddi G. Could not manage a Taco Bell. You give him too much credit.
DogTheMan
July 3rd, 2012
10:20 am
I don’t understand why we keep fooling ourselves and think this team as constructed will be successful. When you rely to much on an aging veteran, shaky pitching, sub standard offense and a Manager that is overwhelmed, the outcome is what it is.. FOOTBALL SEASON IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!!!!!
Taylor Wooten
July 3rd, 2012
10:20 am
The organization is a money loser for Liberty Media. Check the financial reports. No way they spend more money on trades/acquisitions.
Jason's Sweet Cheeks
July 3rd, 2012
10:22 am
@ Rick Chipper is not problem. Start with FW and go right on down the line.
Rick
July 3rd, 2012
10:36 am
Jason, obviously I don’t think Chipper is a problem. I don’t think FW is though either. I think he does a pretty good job given his budget.
benchwarmer
July 3rd, 2012
10:39 am
Freddi ain’t got IT. Time to go. Team may be more consistant under a different manager. Uggla is the same as he always has been, great at times and fall off the edged of the world bad at times. A good part but not a team core piece. Not enough depth on the club. Starting pitching way overestimated, now showing its limitations. McCann probably has vision issues again. Notice how he constantly squints when he is at bat. Hinski is done. Freeman has lost plate discipline needs to calm down. Will tell a lot about this organization by the way they chose to handle their obvious problems.
Chris G.
July 3rd, 2012
10:53 am
Solution: Hire Danny Ferry.
howard the season ticket holder.
July 3rd, 2012
11:02 am
As said recently, this is simply not a championship club. Not Fredi’s fault, and not Wren’s fault, no money. And there will be no money for 25 years thanks to the tv contract signed by Turner/AOL Time as they left. Of course, there will be no investigative reporting on how that happened, nor will there be any critical analysis of ownership or management because AJC’s beat writer has apparently been instructed not to upset the Braves who advertise in the paper, and just feed more pablum to the masses. So much for investigative journalism, eh DOB ? I guess you’ll give us more useless lyrics to take up space. Aren’t you embarassed? Pathetic.
Jason's Sweet Cheeks
July 3rd, 2012
11:04 am
OK Rick What do you think is the problem.
David O'Brien
July 3rd, 2012
11:40 am
As said recently, this is simply not a championship club. Not Fredi’s fault, and not Wren’s fault, no money. And there will be no money for 25 years thanks to the tv contract signed by Turner/AOL Time as they left. Of course, there will be no investigative reporting on how that happened, nor will there be any critical analysis of ownership or management because AJC’s beat writer has apparently been instructed not to upset the Braves who advertise in the paper, and just feed more pablum to the masses. — howard the season ticket holder
So what is it, howard? In the first two lines, you wrote: As said recently, this is simply not a championship club. Not Fredi’s fault, and not Wren’s fault, no money.
And later in the paragraph, you wrote: …nor will there be any critical analysis of ownership or management because AJC’s beat writer has apparently been instructed not to upset the Braves who advertise in the paper…
If you say it’s not Wren’s fault or Gonzalez’s fault because there’s no money, then what sort of critical analysis of “management” are you looking for? You just claimed that it’s not their fault.
Or by “management” do you mean higher up than Wren? We have a very good sports-business writer, Tim Tucker, who broke the story about the bad TV contract, with quotes from CEO Terry McGuirk on how it might affect the team, etc. Do you really thing the beat writer(s) who cover the team, who report on moves, potential moves, games, etc., should do a criticial analysis of the humongous corporate owner Liberty Media that’s based in Denver, Colorado, and its multibillionaire CEO who famously avoids almost all interviews regarding any of his company’s holdings, of which the Braves are one of the very smallest?
What are you looking for there, howard? You don’t honestly believe John Malone, the multi-billionaire head of Liberty Media, is going to do an interview about the Braves, do you? He sees maybe one game a year. He has no direct contact with the team or its doings. And we’ve done plenty of interviews with McGuirk and Wren (not that it’s Wren’s doing, according to you, since you say the team doesn’t have any money.)
Oh, and Liberty Media doesn’t advertise in our paper, as far as I know. I’ve certainly never been made aware of it, if they do.
ozzie
July 3rd, 2012
11:49 am
DOB must have said to his peers in the press box – “lord i can only imagine how messy the blog is going to be tonight after losing to the Cubs..” Then someone hands him a flack jacket.
He is doing his job and the product creates the tone. If we win every day DOB could ask players about their puppies, favorite flowers and people would happily read it. “aww McCann just bought a tea cup piglet…”
Losing breeds disdain, disgust and frustration. DOB is just covering the ups and downs.
The team has holes and had needs in the off season they could not afford to fill. Wren is now seeing the worse case scenario. Rookies arms not ready, experienced arms up n down or injured and the continuation of a bipolar offensive unit.
No surprises really. Just the annoying thing called reality popping its up head. They are a team just good enough to make you crazy. AKA Purgatory.
Preston Hannatized
July 3rd, 2012
11:52 am
After last night, with the Braves facing a pitcher tonight who is 0-6 with an ERA around 7; this seems to be almost a must-win game for the local nine. No? Yes, there are 80 some games to play. But, for the love of Pete, show me something.
Len Barker
July 3rd, 2012
12:01 pm
Just gotta tip your cap- again! Braves win when they hit, lose when they don’t- plain and simple. Poor situational and clutch hitting has been an issue for several years. Trade McCann while there is still some value- Ross will hit over 225, and is a better catcher.
Whiskey River
July 3rd, 2012
12:04 pm
Everyone talks about management and pitching. Did anyone talk about hitting coach? somebody needs to teach these jerks how to hit an off speed pitch.
David O'Brien
July 3rd, 2012
12:07 pm
Ozzie: well said at 11:49 a.m. Fortunately, I understand (as you clearly do) and don’t take personally the over-the-top emotion-fueled rants.
64 year Braves fan
July 3rd, 2012
12:11 pm
Good management is so important. The Braves have none. I live in Connecticut and I am a season
ticket holder of the New England Patriots. Now that’s what you call good management. Owner
Bob Kraft and GM/Coach Bill Belichick. Wish they could take over the Braves.
Chastity O'Obono
July 3rd, 2012
12:15 pm
Seems like somebody’s a little tender today. DOP or whatever his name is gives us what he gives us and it is no more or less than he has always given us. Much like the Braves the product is flawed.