Braves fall apart late in 9-4, 11-inning loss to Giants
After playing a sloppy game from start to finish Tuesday, the Braves waited until extra innings to get ugly Wednesday in a wild and memorable second consecutive loss against San Francisco.
Brian McCann hit a tying two-run homer with two out in the 10th inning, but Braves reliever Chad Durbin gave up three-run homers by Brandon Crawford and Gregor Blanco in the 11th inning of a 9-4 Giants win at Turner Field.
Chipper Jones’ throwing error let in the go-ahead run in a two-run San Francisco 10th, and he made another throwing error in the 11th when he couldn’t set up properly on an aching knee.
Jones homered in the 11th inning for his 1,596th RBI, tying George Brett for the all-time lead among players whose primary position was third base. But he was in no mood to reflect on the accomplishment.
Asked if it was a bittersweet night, the veteran third baseman said, “It was bitter.”
Jones didn’t start because of his knee pain and didn’t enter the game until the seventh inning.
Juan Francisco, who started at third base, had a third-inning homer that accounted for the only scoring for the first nine innings for the Braves, who went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and lost for the second night in a row since a seven-game winning streak.
“We had some opportunities and we didn’t take advantage of them,” said manager Fredi Gonzalez, whose second-place Braves fell to 4-1/2 games behind NL East leader Washington. “Who would have thought that you had [Pablo] Sandoval and [Buster] Posey out of the [Giants] lineup in the eighth and nine innings, when they did some switching, and the guys who they put in there scored six runs. It’s just a tough day.”
Crawford had four homers in 508 career plate appearances before Wednesday, including one in 288 PAs this season. Ex-Brave Blanco had six homers in 1,133 career plate appearances before Wednesday.
The Braves need to win Thursday’s series finale to avoid being swept before going to Washington for an important weekend series.
“I don’t even know what to say,” said McCann, whose homer was the 150th of his career and fifth in eight games. “We played hard. That’s the positive I take out of every day we come here – this team gives it everything we’ve got on a daily basis. We show up ready to play. Tonight they got the better of us, but we’ll be back tomorrow and get after it.”
After Joaquin Arias hit a one-out triple in the Giants’ 10th, the Braves had reliever Anthony Varvaro intentionally walk Crawford to set up a potential double play. Justin Christian hit a chopped grounder to Jones, who bare-handed the ball and made an under-handed toss to McCann that sailed high over the catcher’s head and to the backstop, allowing the run to score.
“It takes too much time to come back and throw overhand [in that situation],” Jones said. “It’s one of those do-or-die plays. I knew the guy was fast. I possibly could have side-armed it, but he was running inside [the baseline], so it kind of takes the angle away from me. I figured I’d try to flip it as hard as I could. It turned out to be costly.
Series villain Melky Cabrera added an RBI single and the Giants had a 3-1 lead against the Braves, whose only hit with a runner in scoring position was McCann’s homer after Freddie Freeman’s two-out double in the 10th.
The Braves had a chance to win in the ninth. Dan Uggla drew a one-out walk against reliever Sergio Romo, the only non-strikeout plate appearance in five on the night for the slumping second baseman.
Jones followed with a grounder that second baseman Ryan Theriot bobbled, allowing Jones to reach base (although the stress of beating it out made his knee throb even more). Both runners advanced on a wild pitch before Sergio Romo struck out Paul Janish trying to check his swing.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy wasn’t going to have Romo face pinch-hitter Eric Hinske, who homered off him in the 2010 Division Series. So he brought in left-hander Javier Lopez, and the Braves countered with Tyler Pastornicky. With first base open, Lopez walked him intentionally to load the bases and bring up left-handed hitter Michael Bourn.
Bourn’s .315 average with runners in scoring position was the Braves’ second-best before Wednesday. He fouled off three consecutive pitches before striking out.
There was a 76-minute rain delay before the first pitch. That plus extra innings will make for a quick turnaround before the noon start in Wednesday’s series finale.
Mike Minor didn’t get a decision, but the Braves left-hander may have improved his job security by working out of a fifth-inning jam and pitching six innings of three-hit ball. He was perfect through four innings and gave up only one run on a sixth-inning homer by Cabrera, the ex-Braves outfielder whose antics in the series have drawn the ire of Atlanta fans and some players.
When reliever Eric O’Flaherty threw high-and-in and put Cabrera on his backside with two out in the eighth inning, fans cheered. And they were particularly pleased when Cabrera misplayed Heyward’s two-out fly ball in the bottom of the eighth, the ball skipping off his glove. But with Heyward at second, Freeman flied out to end the inning.
From Cabrera’s rude gesture to fans in the left-field bleachers on Tuesday to his slow home-run trot and apparent suggestion to Heyward that he try to advance to third base on a flyout Wednesday, Cabrera has reveled in a black-hat role. At a ballpark where, in 2010, he rarely played anywhere near as well for the Braves as he’s played in an All-Star season for San Francisco.
Fans weren’t the only ones who took offense.
“That’s Melky, and that’s why he’s not here anymore,” Jones said. “He got a little happy when Blanco hit the home run. It won’t be forgotten.”
Minor was perfect through four innings and matched Giants standout Ryan Vogelsong pitch-for-pitch through six. Minor gave up three hits, one run and two walks with seven strikeouts in six innings, the third time in his past seven starts that he’s allowed only one run. Minor has a respectable 3.82 ERA in that span allowing 30 hits and 21 walks with 34 strikeouts in 40 innings.
The Braves are considering possible trade options to upgrade their starting rotation before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, and if they make a deal it would presumably be to replace either Minor or Jair Jurrjens in the rotation. Jurrjens, after pitching well in his first three starts following a two-month demotion to Triple-A, was tagged for eight runs and eight hits in 3-1/3 innings of a 9-0 loss to the Giants Tuesday.
Vogelsong had his 14th consecutive quality start, allowing four hits and one run with two walks and seven strikeouts. He’s pitched at least six innings in all 17 starts this season.
Francisco, who started in place of Jones, homered to straightaway center field in the third inning for a 1-0 lead. Francisco also flied out to the warning track with two on to end the fourth.
The Braves wasted a scoring opportunity in the fourth after a leadoff single by Heyward and a walk by McCann. Uggla’s long slump continued when he struck out with two on for the second out before Francisco’s long flyout.
Uggla also struck out with Heyward at third base to end the sixth inning. Heyward drew a leadoff walk in the sixth and stole second base, his second steal of the night and 14th of the season. Freeman flied out and McCann grounded out before Uggla struck out.
Uggla has hit .113 with one homer and 39 strikeouts in 97 at-bats over his past 29 games, and .094 with 30 strikeouts in 64 at-bats in his past 20 home games.
“The good thing going here is he has some history of coming out of it and mental toughness,” Gonzalez said. “We’ll get through it with him.”
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146 comments Add your comment
PoonPounder
July 19th, 2012
12:39 am
If Janish could of at least put the ball in play in the bottom of the 8th the braves win.
Scrappy
July 19th, 2012
12:41 am
Pathetic performance by the entire team, especially Uggla and Durbin, who were just awful. I feel badly for Mac, who did all he could to save the night.
Dave
July 19th, 2012
12:42 am
AHH awful loss but it evens out throughout the course of a 162 game year. Just reiterates we need another pen arm or return of Venters. Love the fight still right in thick of things as we head towards August. On a positive Minor again looked pretty good we get some more pitching and a genie for Uggla and were golden ladies and gents. Tough loss heads up get em tomorrow. Take care Braves nation.
KennesawFan
July 19th, 2012
12:44 am
tough loss for the braves. I thought Uggla struggled at the beginning of the year not this last into July…
Dm
July 19th, 2012
12:46 am
Time to lose 7 straight games now
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
July 19th, 2012
12:50 am
We lost this game in the bottom if the sixth inning, when Heyward was on 2nd base with nobody out. Freeman and then Uggla failed to do their job leaving Heyward at 3rd base.
The end result of not being able to play fundamental baseball………
We burned our entire bullpen two days before a double header, and still lost what could have been a 2-1 win in nine innings.
NorCal Brave
July 19th, 2012
12:53 am
Yeah, we can go get another starting pitcher, but it won’t matter a lick if we don’t add another reliable right-handed bat as well.
DOB Needs To Ask Tougher Questions!
July 19th, 2012
12:58 am
You gotta tip your cap to the Bravos here tonight, folks.
After having a stellar bullpen last year, the Bravos would have NONE OF THAT this year so they wore down Venters and now he is shot.
They have been searching for their new Manny Acosta for two years…you know, that bullpen pitcher that when you see him you KNOW its over? Peter Moylan would be that guy but he hurts.
And they looked high and low for their new Acosta and they have him!
Mr Durbin, say hello to the good folks of Atlanta.
Hey, thats a DOUBLE TIP! Atta boy, Durby! And an ATTA BOY to the Braves for finding our new Manny Acosta!
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
July 19th, 2012
12:58 am
O yea, bottom of the ninth. 2nd and 3rd with one out and ninety feet away from winning. Would someone explain to me why the hell Fredi allowed Janish to swing the bat at all? Then sending Pastornicky up to pinch hit instead of Diaz!
Grandma Giffin
July 19th, 2012
1:01 am
Uggla is the last guy you want up there if you are trying to advance a runner.
Guy looks like he takes the same mentaility to the plate every time. A.
Grandma Giffin
July 19th, 2012
1:02 am
…Adjust for once, Struggla
NorCal Brave
July 19th, 2012
1:12 am
@coach: If I’m not mistaken, Diaz had already been used. Fredi did get outmaneuvered by Bochy, though, burning both Hinske and Pastornicky without either swinging the bat, only to have Bourn K
SR
July 19th, 2012
1:14 am
From out here on the West Coast, longtime Braves fan wants to pose a simple question to those of you still up- let’s take a vote, how many of you honestly expected the Braves to lose this one as they always do and how many expected them to win it. Answer honestly.
JC Boscan III
July 19th, 2012
1:22 am
Janish has looked OK in most at-bats since we got him until the ONE time he had a chance to be clutch, and he whiffed on 3 pitches that were junk – not one appeared to be close to a strike. Uggla has forgotten that right center field exists when he’s batting. Our bench is useless when it comes to pinch-hitting. Yes, Durbin had a bad game, but he’s been very good for 2 months, so give him a break. Chipper shouldn’t have been out there — they could’ve put Diaz in left and Prado at 3rd when Diaz pinch-hit in the same inning as Chipper. The announcers even thought that’s what Fredi was going to move after they batted. Bad move, Fredi. BARF………… OK, I feel a bit better now. AGAIN, we can’t get any home momentum. Win a few, then give it right back……….
NorCal Brave
July 19th, 2012
1:25 am
SR: I’m on the West Coast and honestly thought we’d win it after the McCann HR This team drives me nuts!
SR
July 19th, 2012
1:27 am
Sorry NorCal I didn’t. I knew once the Giants exposed the Braves pen they would break through. Braves sending up frickin Janish and Pastornicky back to back is simply inexcusable. No one calls Wren out on his blunders, no one. Dude is like the weather man, screws up all the time and still has a job!!! BTW, where do you live, I am up in Napa?!
iTiSi
July 19th, 2012
1:33 am
“SR” I honestly felt the only way the Braves would win it after BM hit the HR to tie it, was if FG (otherwise known as the “Braves Brilliant Manager”) let Kimbrel go another inning. I don’t for the life of me know where it’s written that he is only good for 3 outs in a dire and important situation like that. I have seen other managers use their closers in the 8th and 9th innings when it called for it. FG is a very stubborn, and not so common-sensical manager. He just doesn’t get the simple stuff. Also there was a chance to win it with Janish at bat with one out and runners at 2B and 3B. He (FG) already knew PJ was not a good hitter, so any smart manager would have called for either a safety squeeze or a suicide squeeze. How many times did we all see Bobby Cox do that to win a game? BTW, the press conference after the game was a joke, as usual. Same old tired questions, same old tired answers!
nolakid21
July 19th, 2012
1:34 am
Durbin is the proverbial white flag. When he comes in it is like Fredi has given up on the game. He has been terrible all season. I think at Janish’s at bat, the Giants threw him 5 or 6 straight sliders and swung at 4 of 6. I didn’t get to see the game because of school, but if anyone could let me know what the Milk Man did that would be great.
iTiSi
July 19th, 2012
1:36 am
AND one more thing, what manager in his right baseball managing mind would put a pitcher back out there to start the next inning, like he did Vavaro, when he was obviously struggling big time. We all saw it, but Fredi “the robot” didn’t. Just don’t get it!
NorCal Brave
July 19th, 2012
1:38 am
SR: Sacramento area for me, and you’ll probably agree, not easy living in Giants country.
SR
July 19th, 2012
1:38 am
You nailed that nolakid, another Wren colossal blunder- the dude is great at signing has beens, never weres and never will be’s!! Can his ass yesterday!!!
SR
July 19th, 2012
1:44 am
True that NorCal- go to a few games a year and cheer for them when they are playing anybody but Bravos. My sons love to go to the games but man it’s tough when Braves come to town, like next month. I think deep down they are Giants fans but they know their old man is still loyal to the home town team. I just wish they would correct the glaring deficiencies they have had over the years.
NorCal Brave
July 19th, 2012
1:45 am
nolakid: Melky- 2 for 5, with HR and 2 RBI. Also misplayed a ball for an error, which did no damage.
ACE
July 19th, 2012
1:46 am
Hang this one on Fredi.
NorCal Brave
July 19th, 2012
1:51 am
SR: From what I read on these blogs, Braves ownership doesn’t have the same commitment to fielding a dominant team. Giants’ owners are true fans and willing to spend. Makes a difference.
Hack Wilsun
July 19th, 2012
1:51 am
The so called Brushback Pitch to Cabrera wasn’t even close to him..It was right down the middle of the plate..Dude was just Showboating like he has been doing this Series..I say it’s time the Braves show some Backbone and Plunk Cabrera on Thursday to send a Message..It may be just what the Braves need to Fire them up..Cabrera’s Behavior this series must be dealt with Old School Style..No way should he Escape some kind of Justice due Him.
Jimiz
July 19th, 2012
2:20 am
Jeez get good pitching and cant score 1 fn run to win. Freddi what are you thinking about? Nacho Taco’s. They gave us the game. All you had to manage to do was send somebody up there that could put the ball in play. Simple plain as day didn’t even have to put the pressure on the new guy to win it could have used someone else. As soon as he got to third it should have been no doubt what to do. Freddi we all know the only thing left for Bourne to improve is his bat against leftys. Could have been managed better. Freddi when teams like San fran cough one up you better be ready and again you wasn’t. Wish you could do a better job but sometime it just doesn’t matter what i want. lol Go Braves
Mitchell
July 19th, 2012
2:22 am
“That’s Melky, and that’s why he’s not here anymore…. He got a little happy when Blanco hit the home run. It won’t be forgotten.”
Oh, sure.
You can really count on some serious retaliation from the Bravos on this one.
They’re going to send a message. Probably next season when he’s with another team or the season after but soon enough, he’ll get that message and in the form of an 89 mph fastball inside somewhat.
On a full count.
Mitchell
July 19th, 2012
2:24 am
F the Braves.
What a bunch of fing p*****s.
Darryl Blackberry
July 19th, 2012
2:29 am
Don’t blame guys like Janish and Bourn for this one. Uggla had several opportunities and didn’t once look for the change-up.
Also: is Varvaro really MLB material? Seriously? Wouldn’t calling up Flande have been a better option?
Oy vey…
amru31
July 19th, 2012
3:02 am
It’s times like this that make you wish the Braves still had Kyle Farnsworth in the ‘pen, if only because they really need someone to give Melky a good old-fashioned 96mph fastball in the back and then a form tackle once he tries to charge the mound. What a classless, worthless POS; Worst Brave Ever.
SR
July 19th, 2012
3:09 am
True Norcal, you won’t get any disagreement from me on that point. Ownership spends and Sabean really does know what he’s doing, despite the flack he took for a lot of years. Look at the pitching staff they’ve assembled, starters and pen. I’m not a Wren fan, never have been. That’s my opinion.
Go Go Pilots
July 19th, 2012
5:31 am
Way to go freddi and Braves another Bad game for you its standard… we be better off that Ozzie Guillen are Lou Pinella was manager they would set a fire here…Only flame u give is a small one no Balls!Great u allow a giant player to showboat and will u bean Him no Freddi will just look other way chipper will hide….Diaz will Just swing and Miss Cabrera enjoyed it and made fans n players mad…Poor fans what fans the empty seats were mad i bet…..Hey freddi n Wren goin be watchin playoffs at Home by Oct
waterstim
July 19th, 2012
6:21 am
Man, Melkey sucked when he was here. I mean, sucked. If the Braves don’t retaliate, I am going to be pissed. As for Uggla, what a huge disappointment. His numbers for the last month have been unbelievably bad.
ken
July 19th, 2012
6:32 am
Braves are a rollercoaster team. When they are bad they are bad and when they are good they are good. By the way, you can’t “tip your hat” on a rollercoaster.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
July 19th, 2012
6:36 am
It’s hard to lose an extra innings game by more than a grand slam..way to go Braves!
jerry
July 19th, 2012
6:37 am
From what I remember on these blogs, Braves fans were all for Fredi, who at the time was an under .500 manager, and all for Uggla, a batter who struck out about 5 times for every homer. Now they can’t stand either. It seems to me they got their wish.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
July 19th, 2012
6:40 am
@Jerry..not me, I lobbied for John Rocker to replace Cox.
Ed
July 19th, 2012
7:04 am
You cant start guys like Janish and expect to compete with teams like the Giants.
That being said, Cabrera is a piece of trash. Glad we dont have to deal with anyone like that on our team.
Tom Toldyouso
July 19th, 2012
7:05 am
Told you. Watch these chumps reel off a 7 game losing streak.
Never Changes
July 19th, 2012
7:20 am
Face it people. The Braves are nothing more than a decent team who will be enjoying the post season from their living room just like the rest of us!
PA Brave
July 19th, 2012
7:21 am
CHAD F-ING DURBIN!!
Uggla is Uggla
July 19th, 2012
7:24 am
Uggla has always been a .260-.270 hitter, other than last year. He doesn’t hit .270 throughout the year,
he hits .130 for awhile, then .350 for awhile, etc…..always has. He hustles every single play, offense or defense, but right now he is killing us with his bat….or lack of bat.
This team is schizophrenic. Playoffs won’t happen, I think.
m white
July 19th, 2012
7:33 am
toe meets leather soon
Braves Fan in Maine
July 19th, 2012
7:37 am
As I was watching the game last night I was like minor is pitching very well but where is the offense…. so I said we dont need pitching we need hitting….. well guess what we need both…. I thing we need to really look at a deal for willingham and liriano……. I mean that could be our center fielder next year and if we cant resign bourn also it gives us options down the stretch run lets face it I hate Juan Francisco and he one dimensional player hits the ball thats it…. so you get willingham that can play left when chipper has to be off every other night and prado goes to 3rd….. I would do that deal!!
?
July 19th, 2012
7:40 am
SAY GOOD BYE TO THIS SACK OF DOG TURDS.
Fredi G.got to GOOO
July 19th, 2012
7:44 am
THIS TEAM SUCKS, BADLY.
Fredi G.got to GOOO
July 19th, 2012
7:45 am
Ryan Dempster, DON’T
Braves Fan for 55 yrs
July 19th, 2012
7:46 am
Thanks for this great summary of the game. I watched but bcs I can not stand play by play man I mute the game (love Joe Simpson). Always Look forward to the story, Thanks David O.
BRAVES SUCK
July 19th, 2012
7:48 am
Ryan Dempster, DON’T, pick the Atlanta Braves. To be traded to. Go to a contender, NOT, a pretender.Braves, should be called, THE ATLANTA OVER PAID, UNDERACHEIVER’S CHOKER’S.
butchcat
July 19th, 2012
7:50 am
Dave, Enough about your excuses for Chipper. If he’s hurt too much to throw the ball he should sit or go on the DL.
DawgLink
July 19th, 2012
7:56 am
Another game where the great Fredi was outcoached. What a Ssurprise! I think it is time to rid the team of the real stumbling block. Fire Fredi! Tito Francona come on down. I also agree about Janish. Just put the ball in play and the Braves win.
Virginia Jim
July 19th, 2012
7:57 am
Dan Uggla needs to do what he did in the second half last year. Go to the opposite field, more. He is trying to pull everything, thus, more strikeouts. He is a liability now and if he doesn’t learn to make the adjustments, then switch Prado to second when Simmons comes back.
Glenn
July 19th, 2012
8:01 am
Let’s include Uggla in any trade talks, can’t afford these 6-8 week slumps every year. Wehave the replacement in left field. Might get something decent if we through in Jurjenns , Uggla and a minor leaguer.
Slick Rick
July 19th, 2012
8:08 am
It’s MGT. Chad Durbin has been over used. And why is it that as soon as we trade players they always come back and beat our butts. It’s coaching and Mgt
Bilbo
July 19th, 2012
8:12 am
This team is well into it’s second year of playing mostly to Fredi’s capabilities as manager, which are pedestrian at best. A shame to waste one of Minor’s best outings.
Buzz 2011
July 19th, 2012
8:14 am
Danny Uggla put up another All Star type game with a strong 0 for 4. Men were on
base in each at bat. Can’t Pastonick play second base? Get Uggla out now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jaded
July 19th, 2012
8:15 am
The Braves have this nasty habit of making mediocre offenses look like the ‘27 Yankees. The Nats, Mets and Giants have all hammered our pitching.
As get as our staffs were from 2009 through most of 2011, this is very hard to accept. Our pitching is 31 flavors of awful.
BATBOY
July 19th, 2012
8:15 am
SOMEONE PLS TELL WREN…YOU CANT HAVE ENOUGH PITCHING…HE TRADES TO PITCHERS FROM THE MINORS FOR TWO GUYS..FRANCISCO/JANISH THAT CAN BARELY HIT .200….HE HAS GOT TO BE KIDDING…
Mikey
July 19th, 2012
8:15 am
Frustrating loss, but was very impressed with Minor. Let’s pin this one on Uggla who was 0-4 with 4 k’s. Janish was totally over matched in the 9th when all we needed was a fly ball. The game.
BRETT SHEPHERD
July 19th, 2012
8:17 am
It won’t be forgotten….whatever….baseball is full of puss boy crybabies. So dude did the slow trot around the bases…big deal..
Also, there won’t be a brawl today because first..its a day game…second, its hot as hell here in atlanta..third, its a travel day.
By the way, thanks for the help braves
love
Dodgers fan in Atlanta
ps-actually its our fault for losing all those damn games
urban redneck
July 19th, 2012
8:25 am
i woke up this morning, and one of my first thoughts (before i even knew the outcome of last night’s game) was that they need to hit melky like hamels hit bryce harper. bean that smile off his face.
Randal Patrick McMurphy
July 19th, 2012
8:27 am
BIG difference between sweeping the pedestrian Phillies & Mets, and beating a legitimate play-off team such as San Francisco. Still no change, same sadly inconsistent baseball team. It doesn’t start n stop with the players, either. ANY situation were strategy is involved, forget about it – Havana Fats, ’nuff said. I feel bad for y’all that are getting charged up by these guys, because they’re only gonna break your heart in the end. Personally, new management and I could probably get real jacked about baseball in Atlanta again…
O.J.
July 19th, 2012
8:31 am
Someone said that Kimbrel should have pitched another inning, he couldnt have, he was pinch hit for.
Chip Carey
July 19th, 2012
8:33 am
Don’t you guys love it when I do Carey impersonations. Admit it. You hate me for my hair.
The Truth
July 19th, 2012
8:33 am
Janish had no business being at the plate in the bottom of the 9th. Fire Freddie Gonzalez!
O.J.
July 19th, 2012
8:34 am
I hate that when this team loses to a guy like Zito or Vogelsong, that its always the same excuse, well, they were pitching good coming into this game, blah blah blah.
Or when they lose to a team like the Giants, its always, well, they did win so many games in a row before coming in blah blah blah
BS, we won 7 in a row before that!!! Why isnt it our streak that continues and not the opposing teams? This team is so frustrating its ridiculous!!!!!!!!
O.J.
July 19th, 2012
8:37 am
Oh, also, getting another starting pitcher isnt going to help this team at all. We need at the minimum, another starter, 2 good bullpen arms, a couple of bench bats and a 2nd baseman that doesnt strike out in crucial situations. I would honestly rather have Prado at 2nd and a guy like Willingham in LF. Bet we drive in more runs then, especially when we need them.
F’ing pathetic team, will be 8.5 games out after the Nats series.
JoeyBagOBravos
July 19th, 2012
8:57 am
This is NOT Braves baseball folks. Without excellent pitching and more timely hitting we are doomed.
Big Green Tribe
July 19th, 2012
8:59 am
They continue to talk about Uggla like it’s a recent slump and he’ll battle out of it.
The raw truth is he’s been this way THE ENTIRE SEASON! The slump appears to be his normal.
How about a few days at Gwinnett to see if he can do anything; he’s just killing the team here.
TheAT
July 19th, 2012
9:00 am
the braves will miss the playoffs again–book it. another bad year in loserville.
DaveinNEPA
July 19th, 2012
9:04 am
23-25 since May 20. Anyone who thinks this is a “playoff team” isn’t seeing the reality of things. This team is mediocre to average at best. Another starting pitcher isn’t going to change the outcome.
Keep Heyward, Freeman, Simmons, Prado, Bourn and Kimbrel and flush the rest down the crapper. Another wasted season IMO.
coach k
July 19th, 2012
9:06 am
Same ole sh. Poor management on the field. Yes the guys have to produce, but when are we going to understand that small ball from the 1st inning to the 9th is a GOOD thing. Did not like the UGGla trade and he continues to show me why, he is horrible, yes he had a 33 game hitting streak, who cares we need a whole season not half. This team is good enough to win it all but Freddie has got to go, and NOW!!!!!!
Hugo
July 19th, 2012
9:09 am
I hear this all the time and I am going to speak about it. Chipper gets upset with Melky cause he get’s happy about a hr? I see retatiations all the time and for what? If someone whoops your ass then get up and fight back, the legal way. If a player stands and watch a hr and it upsets u, then strike his ass out the next time and then stare. Not by hitting him or coming in close. Grow up people.
A.S.
July 19th, 2012
9:09 am
Make a trade! Get a SP in here. Tired of hearing our offense is good. We have no bench. Braves need to address: Ace SP and Bench depth. If we can accomplish both via trade we will be a much better team. I’m so sick of Diaz and Hinske. They don’t deserve any playing time this year.
LaMarr
July 19th, 2012
9:10 am
To that clown who is suing the Braves because his 6 year old daughter got hit with a foul ball, I hope the State charges YOU with child neglect for putting your kid in the line of fire behind the dugout. It’s clearly marked as a dangerous area and YOU put your kid there!! Even if it wasn’t marked, how stupid are you??
Greg
July 19th, 2012
9:15 am
O.J. – Vogs has been one of the top 5 pitchers in the whole game of baseball over the last two years.
Ken Stallings
July 19th, 2012
9:19 am
It takes a lot for me to believe a player deserves to have a pitch thrown at his head, but Melky in this series has earned it! I hope the Braves have Kimbrel pitch a 100mph fastball right through his batting helmet and sit that “jerk” on his wallet for a long time!
GaDawg
July 19th, 2012
9:20 am
Seems to me with runners on 2nd & 3rd in 9th Janish could have shown bunt, at least. Don’t think there were 2 outs. He had 3 horrible swings. Hope Bravos looking at Felix Hernandex as I believe he has few years left on his deal in Seattle.
Rick
July 19th, 2012
9:24 am
Big Green Tribe, that’s not correct at all. Uggla was hitting around 260-270 for the first couple months of the season.
The Truth
July 19th, 2012
9:29 am
Uggla is a perineal .240 hitter. The Braves overpaid for an average 2nd baseman. He’s the Kawakami of position players. Maybe Wren can force a miracle and trade him for a keg of beer and some luke-warm hot wings.
coach k
July 19th, 2012
9:32 am
Maybe this team could use an ATTITUDE and quit worrying about others. Until we a get a real manager this team will just be average. I will only tip my hat when this clueless mgr is jettisoned out of here. Tito you ready to come here!! Hell I can mangage this team better than this knuclehead.
JT
July 19th, 2012
9:37 am
For several years now our problem has been situational hitting. We get runners on base and leave them there. Tuesday we were 0-5 with runners in scoring position. Last night 1-9. Meanwhile the Giants went 7-14 and 3-13. This lineup is not built for winning games by swinging for the fences. We need some hits, guys!
KD
July 19th, 2012
9:38 am
The Braves need to trade Jurrjens, send Durbin,somewhere,anywhere, and find a shortstop that can hit, most SS can field very well, it’s their natural instinct.
j Land
July 19th, 2012
9:41 am
Bench Uggla and fire Fredi. A squeeze bunt in the bottom of the ninth would AT WORST left a guy on third with two outs. If it works, we win and avoid going another two innings only to give up massive runs to a team that is known for not scoring a ton of runs.
Fredi needs to go “George Costanza” and do the exact opposite of what he thinks is the correct move. What a dillweed who needs to fill some position in the minors somewhere.
the truth...
July 19th, 2012
9:47 am
FREDDI…………..
Completely botched this game……….the bottom of the 9th was all it took for him with his inane decision making.
If Janish bats he lays it down and let Uggla run over their catcher……
If they don’t score on that one then you pinch hit for the next batter…………..period….
Fredi doesn’t even make good sense with over half of his moves…..
Bochey so out managed Fredi that it is unbelievable….
Weak manager….if you don’t trade for a new manager by the deadline it won’t matter what you do. We had the chance to win the game there in the ninth….
But no………..Fredi is in charge….
coach k
July 19th, 2012
9:47 am
janish is only here til simmons is back, he is not the problem, its Freddi and Fluggla, both got to go if we have any chance this yr..PERIOD
GRAPHITE
July 19th, 2012
9:47 am
Best team in the 2nd. division….. Will be there soon….By the way, Chipper really doe’s have a nice place to deer hunt,real nice….
the truth...
July 19th, 2012
9:51 am
@ The Truth
I have been “the truth” for several years now……….so what is it with you wanting to confuse folks and misappropriate my blog name? You just want to confuse posts or what?
Jarad
July 19th, 2012
9:55 am
With all the potential we have in Triple and Double A, as well as all the potential relievers on the market, why in the hell does Freddy continue to run out Durbin. Low ERA maybe, but his inherited runners scored percentage has to be >50%. Janish will also suck at the plate, and we knew that going in. We wanted a SS, not a hitter, and we got what we paid for.
Dawg Haus
July 19th, 2012
10:00 am
Ugly loss. The Melk Man really needs to check himself before he wrecks himself. Just because he’s having the first good year of his career means he can act like a tool all of a sudden?
Alex
July 19th, 2012
10:03 am
please answer honestly who you prefer on braves roster uggla or infante, bad, bad trade. secondly because of poor fan support we poor poor team. sf payroll 130 mil and up because close to sell out every home game ours 90 mil and down because 60% capacity good result for Atlanta. we are lucky still to compete with teams like sf, la, phill, sl. but going in direction competing with kc, houst., sd.
Jarad
July 19th, 2012
10:06 am
Alex, you’re stating the obvious. SF has good public transport, and the city is much more densely populated than ATL. Together = better attendance.
Jean
July 19th, 2012
10:07 am
Let Chipper retire before the season end. He has been with the Braves all these seasons and just as always a lots of wins during the regular season and catch dance at the big ones. Sit down Chipper Jones and do some Player Coaching.
Komminsk
July 19th, 2012
10:10 am
Hudson better put one square on the Melk Man’s back. Uggla should come in charging to protect Hudson.
Wutehvah
July 19th, 2012
10:12 am
We shoulda kept Omar Infante
Jean
July 19th, 2012
10:14 am
Play basebal. This stupidity with trying to injure someone because they are whooping your butt is bad news. Some legal actions should be taken against some pitches in MLB, that baseball can become a lethal weapon and they need to be held accountable. The Melky Man is shiny now and keep striking his tail out and do things the right way. Get a team Braves and grow up Brave fans.
Jarad
July 19th, 2012
10:18 am
Sorry Jean, when you have no clue of baseball and it’s past, you dont get to tell others to “get a team.” You act like a bigwig, someone throws a baseball at you. I think karma already ate him though with that “look how good I am, I can’t catch the ball…”
ohhhhYEAH
July 19th, 2012
10:20 am
yes, battle of the midgets on the mound
Penpal
July 19th, 2012
10:23 am
I am so sick of seeing Uggla up there doing his little tippy-toe. I never liked him when he was with the Marlins, and I like him less as a Brave. But, He sure looked good when he played against us,
GRAPHITE
July 19th, 2012
10:26 am
Remember Bob Gibson? I wouldn’t want to be Melkey today if he was pitching.
Tired old Braves Fan
July 19th, 2012
10:26 am
Fredi G proved again that any major league manager can out manage him. He just does not have the ability to manage a baseball team. When will Wren realize this?
The Braves players seem to have learned from him how to snatch a game from the jaws of win and turn it into a loss.
It’s hard to be a Braves fan any more.
Jean
July 19th, 2012
10:32 am
Jarad, I beg the difference as I grew up watching the Atlanta Braves playing with Hank Aaron, Ralph Garr and those guys and I do know baseball. But the way the game is played today is so watered down, the PS3 players where pitchers can’t pitch but 90-100 pc is bull. Growing up playing Little League and Babe Ruth league we threw morning, noon and night/ al played sand lots. Play the game the right way. Strike his nut out and all that a game.
faux positive
July 19th, 2012
10:34 am
What a piece of crap last night that game was. Varvaro is just a rookie, aren’t we supposed to win? Durbin is back to his old self. Why don’t the braves fire mcdowell now and the FG? It wasn’t as if we were losing big time, when Varvaro was sent in to totally screw up. What’s wrong with this picture? Mcdowell and fg have got to go, stupidity apparently knows no bounds.
GRAPHITE
July 19th, 2012
10:36 am
Remember Bob Gibson??? I wouldn’t want to be Melkey today if he was on the mound.
And Uggla StrikesOut
July 19th, 2012
10:37 am
Hey Mark Lemke, ya wanna play some more ball?
Aubie92
July 19th, 2012
10:38 am
How much longer to we have to pay Uggla to be a .228 hitter (207 for 907 in 249 games as a Brave)? Sure he’s hit 48 HRs but we are getting nothing from him…he could at least attempt a bunt to move runners over.
Jean
July 19th, 2012
10:40 am
The Braves are just like the rest of Atlanta teams. Well maybe they are a little better, they win games but not Championships. All those 1st places and playoffs and 1 RING. Atlanta Brave has other rings 18 ring around the collar and toilet bowl rings. Play baseball
jj
July 19th, 2012
10:43 am
Here comes the usual 8 game losing streak. What a F**** UP TEAM !
yogi
July 19th, 2012
10:46 am
I thought the Braves had a good hitting coach. Why can’t Uggla takes some hitting instructions? Every night he trys to pull everything.. Strikes out. Even the Braves anouncers comment on it. Hit the freaking ball where it is pitch.Go to right on an outside pitch…
I learned this in Little League ball
I ‘d rather have 2 singles than a homerun and 3 strike outs
Average Braves Fan
July 19th, 2012
10:53 am
Folks, this is an average yet streaky team who will barely get the 2nd Wildcard if anything and then they will be out of it that first game. Average team, average town, average payroll and below average manager. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Same as it ever was…
JeanE
July 19th, 2012
10:54 am
Tough loss, I didn’t even see the very end, I thought there’s no way they come back when we were down 3-1 after Chipper’s error. Chipper should’ve never been left in, why didn’t they leave Matty D in LF and pull Martin in to 3rd? Chipper can’t play the field when his knees are barking and it backfired. I can’t fault Durbin b/c he’s been pretty good. Sad also b/c Minor pitched so well. I like Gregor but the Melk Dud is making me sick. Someone really needs to plunk him bigtime. I’d like to see more agression from the Braves. Got to salvage the final game.
Gene in Columbia
July 19th, 2012
10:58 am
If “that’s Melky”, why the H__ did we trade for him in the first place? He must have been a blot in the clubhouse as well as on the field.
duronimo
July 19th, 2012
10:58 am
Uggla is the new Andruw Jones. He’s been told 1000 times that if he will go with the pitch and use the entire field that his performance will improve. But he just won’t do it. He gets off on the long homer at the expense of the team. Yet he’s paid an obsence amount of money. You can correct all these slumps with one year contracts based on the prior year’s performance. I predict Uggla will get his act together the last year of his contract and someone else will pay him millions.
Freddi "G" as in "Gotta Go"
July 19th, 2012
11:01 am
This team plays dumb, swings for the fences everytime – trying to pull the ball (McCann, Uggla, etc) and in between winning and losing streaks that cancel each other out, they lose series to teams like the Cubs. Hey, it’s just like the good ol’ Bobby Cox teams of the 80’s!
duronimo
July 19th, 2012
11:02 am
When Infante was here … for most of that year he was the best hitter on the team. And it was not just a one year fluke. Replacing him with Uggla weakened the position defensivelly and offensively.
Freddi "G" as in "Gotta Go"
July 19th, 2012
11:03 am
Duronimo is dead on about Uggla getting it together in his last year. I traded him on my MLB 2K12 and got some nice players AND some salary room to do more. I should call Wren and tell him…
Freddi "G" as in "Gotta Go"
July 19th, 2012
11:05 am
Enter your comments here
Freddi "G" as in "Gotta Go"
July 19th, 2012
11:06 am
Even this Braves Blog makes errors!
Fredi Wren
July 19th, 2012
11:08 am
Did we win last night? I was asleep at the wheel as usual. You fans hang on…I’ll get us a washed up old guy for WAY too much money who will stay with us during the stretch, leave us next year and pitch like Lowe did last season. Yea!!
nashvillewill
July 19th, 2012
11:09 am
All the negative comments above are correct, imo: Gonzales blew the game in the ninth by failing to PH for Janish, who was acquired for his glove, not bat, something like a lifetime .180 hitter. Or at least try to bunt. Where was FG while this was transpiring? Also, no to Valvaro – he is not a ML pitcher and has no business participating in a game where the outcome is in doubt. Also, Chipper was misused and now is hurting again, for nothing. Also, why not PH your best hitter on the bench – Ross? Diaz and Hinske and Pastornicky are terrible to PH with men on. And, how do you justify playing Uggla? He does not belong on a ML roster and Gonzales keeps defending him. Just terrible baseball minds at work here.
That said, it is still not too late: fire FG, fire Wren to start with. Acquire new talent at 2B, 3B (or LF), CF (Bourn is certainly gone and not that impressive anyway). Build around Heyward, Freeman, Simmons, Prado, Ross, Minor, Beachy, Delgado. Everyone else is expendable. And trades should be made, players released, AAA guys given chances. Try something. This group as constituted and led will not make the WC.
bculler
July 19th, 2012
11:10 am
Get ready folks. A few more nights like this past one and we will start hearing those rumors about the need of a new MANAGER.
It's over now
July 19th, 2012
11:11 am
There is no way that Uggla will be benched/send down/traded as long as Fredi in the manager – period. For some reason, it doesn’t matter what, Fredi will defend Dan. Dan’s defense is average to below average as well. Fredi has to put an above average Shortstop in to cover for Dan (who spends lots of plays waving his hands or assessing blame) and the front office is willing to trade an arm away to get a SS to continue to cover Dan’s poor play in the field.
Dan is a total waste of salary, the only hope is that the day after Fredi is fired, Dan is put out of our misery.
Fredi Wren
July 19th, 2012
11:16 am
At least my trade of Derek Lowe isn’t biting me in the arse. He’s 8-7 with a 4.50 ERA. Same ol’ Derek.
Sam Jethroe
July 19th, 2012
11:16 am
Enter your comments here
CLT Brave
July 19th, 2012
11:18 am
agree with Big Green Tribe: what is our All Star 2B batting since the break; .050?? Let him and his $13 million dollar salary spend a few weeks in Gwinnett to “refocus”…..he is an absolute lead weight on the offense of this team. If he isnt, he should be embarrassed by his dismal performance . I think its a sad commentary on the mangement ( Wren & Fredi) of this team that a player with his “performance” is still at the major league level…..NO WONDER they cant get fannies in the seats at the Ted….
UGGLA - He ain't got no alibi
July 19th, 2012
11:19 am
At least I only expect strikeouts from Uggla so the occasional walk is a bright spot in my day. He should stop working on the muscles and work on hitting opposite field
Sam Jethroe
July 19th, 2012
11:20 am
Enter your comments here Wow. Lots of anger directed at the Braves today. This team is 7-2 over its last nine games. If the season ended this morning the Braves would be one of the wild card teams. Things will get better.
UGGLA - He ain't got no alibi
July 19th, 2012
11:21 am
Yeah and I don’t want to hear how Atlanta fans are “fair-weathered”. We have CRAPPY products for major league teams out there and don’t have $150 to $250 to drop on a sloppy game like last night.
Long time fan
July 19th, 2012
11:34 am
It is time to bench Uggla. He is not contributing at all. I guess you play Martin at second on some days with Diaz in left. By the way, we need to plunk “Melting” Cabrera.
This team bores me
July 19th, 2012
11:42 am
I just don’t care. Too hard to get to the Ted, too expensive, seats are uncomfortable and no leg room (think a Delta airline’s flight), beer is WAY too expensive, food is ok but overpriced,
This team bores me
July 19th, 2012
11:43 am
I got bored typing why the Braves bore me. Hope Danny Ferry gets something going soon!
McCann Is Overpaid
July 19th, 2012
11:45 am
Even with the homer last night and his recent streak, he’s not hitting well this season, he’s a below average defensive catcher and I CAN’T STAND seeing him hit into the shift like he does! ARGGGHHHH!!! Trade him and bring back Biff Pocoroba or Bruce Benedict. They’d at least be cheap and hit to the opposite field.
McCann Is Overpaid
July 19th, 2012
11:48 am
Sam Jethroe – we don’t care about “making the wildcard”. This team can’t go any further. That’s the issue. WAKE UP!!! Atlanta is all filled up with teams who can make the playoffs and then expect an early exit. We are tired of that.
iTiSi
July 19th, 2012
11:49 am
“OJ” @8:31AM …….. FG did not HAVE to pinch hit for Kimbrel. How did that work out for him? Just like everything else he does, it turned to mud. He had already decided he would not pitch CK another inning therefore the PH. FG has to be the worst excuse for a ML baseball manager there ever has been. The only way he could succeed is to do the exact opposite of what he thinks he should do in any given situation.
jt
July 19th, 2012
11:49 am
What a lousy bullpen, Durbin sucked before we got him and he really sucks now. I knew game was over when we had Varvaro (or whatever his name is) and then Durbin, kinda wish we still had Venters to go to, at least he can hit the players, Durbin and what’s his name could not throw anything but batting practice. Damn do these guys SUCK!!!!!!
Huddy, Braves try to avert sweep; Melky irks masses | Atlanta Braves
July 19th, 2012
11:53 am
[...] the Braves try to avert a sweep by the Giants in a noon game less than 12 hours after one of the more unusual losses we’ve seen this season – a 9-4 defeat in 11 innings, which was delayed more than an hour by rain and ended well after [...]
hunter55
July 19th, 2012
12:07 pm
Bottomline is this, if Janis a 2A player can just put the ball in play we win. I knew we going to loose after the game went to extra’s, why because once again FG gets out managed. Someone please tell me why this team can’t hit a frigging sac fly. Also I said it when the Braves were looking for a SS they would pick-up the worst one on the market, hooray for our idiot GM.
Largo
July 19th, 2012
12:23 pm
I remember when Uggla was with the Marlins and they would come to Atlanta. Everyone hated to see Uggla come to bat because he would tear the cover off the ball.
That rarely happens anymore. DAMN, I hate to see him at bat when people are on base.
Generally, players are good before we get them, bums while they’re here, and good after they’re gone.
TomTomClub
July 19th, 2012
1:11 pm
Does Uggla have a no-trade clause in his contract? If not, trade him to Detroit for salary relief. Then go get Carlos Quinton-LF and Edison Volquez-RHP from San Diego. Also, release Diaz and Hinske and bring up Mejia-1B and Constanza-OF to improve this pathetic bench!!
Goliath
July 19th, 2012
1:21 pm
This game was lost by DAN STRUGGLA. This loser should NOT be playing. He is an INSTANT out and cannot even make CONTACT with the ball, let alone get a hit. Bench this fraud and send him packing.
wishfull braves fan
July 19th, 2012
1:28 pm
Looks like uggla will choke all season this year
bostonbravo
July 19th, 2012
1:45 pm
Hooray for TomTomClub!!
bob
July 19th, 2012
6:43 pm
why did FG pitch CK with a tie score? save CK for save situations.
DoninAcworth
July 19th, 2012
8:50 pm
Oh Fredi, Fredi… you are at fault…you simply don’t know what you are doing. Let’s see now…oh yes…always leave a pitcher in if he has just walked the last 4 batters in a row cause he is due…and don’t put a veteran pinch hitter in when the game is on the line,
instead set up the rookie and then when the tying run is on third don’t squeeze let 2 or 3 straight batters hit away and not score a run. OMG! OMG!
Take That, Atlanta: Cabrera Seizes Every Opportunity to Remind Braves That He’s on His Game | The Baseball Codes
July 20th, 2012
12:27 pm
[...] Melky, and that’s why he’s not here anymore,” Chipper Jones told the Atlanta Journal Contstitution after the game. “He got a little happy when Blanco hit the home run. It won’t be [...]