Can this possibly be a sign from the Braves?
Tommy Hanson overcame the Yankees and his own adrenaline issues to win again. (Jason Getz / jgetz@ajc.com)
It had been nine years since the Braves played host to the New York Yankees. In that 2000 season, they turned out to be division champions (again) but hit the wall in the playoffs (again). The Yankees won the World Series (again).
When Tuesday arrived, both teams were struggling with identity issues. New York hasn’t won a title since 2000, while nobody in Atlanta has been allowed to complain about little division flags in the past three. But at least one seemed to recall what success felt like.
Looking to the future with, well, their future, the Braves got 5-1/3 innings of shutout ball from rookie Tommy Hanson on Tuesday night. They blanked the Yankees 4-0.
This win follows a shutout of the Chicago Cubs the night before, which followed a competitive series (albeit two losses) in Boston last weekend.
The obvious question: Is this it?
Is this when a team that largely has been mediocre since those bubbly days in Orlando finally makes a move?
“We’re playing good baseball,” catcher Brian McCann said.
And, you know, it really is that simple (Chipper Jones’ drop of a throw for an error, notwithstanding). Effective starting pitching. A shut-down effort by the bullpen. Timely hitting by McCann (run-scoring double and a homer) and Garret Anderson (two-run double).
Remember when it used to come together like that all the time?
This one started with Hanson — a rookie pitcher facing a star-laden lineup on a $201 million roster (a payroll that more than doubles the Braves). Turner Field was mostly packed, but by the sound of it, one-third were from the Bronx. It’s no wonder Hanson got a little overexcited at times. That led to control issues (five walks and a hit batter). He was over 50 pitches by the third inning and at 99 with one out and two on in the sixth, when he was pulled.
But as much as Hanson pitched into problems, he pitched out of them. The Yankees left the bases loaded in the second and fourth. They stranded eight runners in a three-inning span. They left two more on (belonging to Hanson) in the sixth, when Peter Moylan got Derek Jeter to bounce into an inning-ending double play.
“Really, the walks are something I’ve never experienced before,” Hanson said. “I know what I’m doing wrong. I just need to slow myself down. I’m just making it harder on myself than it could be. That being said, none of those guys scored. I got out of there with some zeroes.”
In his first major-league start two weeks ago, he was slammed for three homers and seven runs (six earned) in six innings. But look at what has happened since: Three straight wins, two runs allowed in 17 innings and 14 straight shutout innings.
If an improbable postseason run is coming, what happened Tuesday against the Yankees can’t be an aberration. It has to be closer to the norm.
The season, as described by general manager Frank Wren, has been a grind. The pitching, which has been generally solid, has been negated by the offense, which has been generally anemic. The biggest stories have centered on demotions, trade rumors and outright releases.
This is not just another week for the Braves because a few games under .500 in late June isn’t going to get it done for a team serious about winning the division. They have to send up some sort of flare.
Could this be it?
It's a Braves celebration. There's something relatively new. (Jason Getz / jgetz@ajc.com)
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141 comments Add your comment
PATTY
June 24th, 2009
10:27 am
THE BRAVES need to trade Kotchman jo jo reyes and someother minor league dude for ADRIAN GONZALES!!!
Wes
June 24th, 2009
10:29 am
Ed- I could not possible agree more. Vasquez isn’t just our best pitcher, he’s the best damn pitcher in baseball! On just a “basic” offensive team, he’d be 11-1. Lowest whip in the league. First in K’s. Take a way one 6-run inning and he’d lead in ERA as well. And he’s under a managable contract until after NEXT season. If we get to a poing where were 12 or 13 games out of it, then MAYBE you think about unloading him. When we’re only FOUR games back, the notion of Vasquez being traded running through anyone’s mind is simply assenine.
siskel_god
June 24th, 2009
10:29 am
Yeah the trade Vazquez stuff has to stop, we got him this year and next at least, and he has been our best pitcher without a doubt. Remember last year how hard it was to watch JoJo, and Charlie pitch? My confidence in the team when Buddy Carlyle was toeing the slab every fifth day was at it’s peak. You don’t trade guys like that away, you extend them.
yellerjacket
June 24th, 2009
10:29 am
PATTY,
I actually like that trade but the padres are going to have to decide if they are buyers or sellers first. Gonzalez is young and cheap so he may be their “untouchable” type guy. Especially if they are going to get rid of Peavy before the trade deadline. I don’t think that trade would happen with Reyes as the pitcher involved though. Kotchman, Medlen or Gonzo (because Hoffman in SD is getting old quickly), and a prospect might get it done if the Pads think they can’t keep Gonzalez long term.
Wes
June 24th, 2009
10:32 am
Siskel, I also tried hanging with Jeff. But after 3 horrible years its over. Last night was the absolute FINALS straw. He leads off an inning after Tommy threw 28 pitches. What does he do? Maybe, take a pitch or two to give your pitcher who just pitched his a$$ off to get out of a jam? Nope! Not Jeff. He swings at a first pitch sinker in the damn dirt and hits a 30ft high chopper. that was IT for me. Trully hope he never plays another inning in Atlanta unless he’s playing with another team.
Not only does he clearly not have any baseball physical ability, that play should have proved to everyone that he has absolutely zero baseball intellect. Bye, Jeff. Good ridance.
Blackberry Cobbler
June 24th, 2009
10:32 am
Get rid of Francine, Kelly Johnson, and Krotchman. Bring in another (big) bat. I’m still not convinced that this pitching staff has what it takes. Get more pitching.
siskel_god
June 24th, 2009
10:32 am
They won’t move Peavy he’s on the DL until August and no way they trade Gonzalez for JoJo, Kotchman and whoever else you said, unless you said Jason Heyward. Adrian contract is very reasonable through the next 2 seasons (I think). The Kevin Towers has already said no way he’s dealing Gonzalez.
Denny Neagle
June 24th, 2009
10:34 am
PATTY
Why don’t the Braves get Pujols, Greinke, and Pappelbon while they’re at it too???
I think it’s been explained a thousand times why San Diego wouldn’t trade Gonzalez
Jeff
June 24th, 2009
10:36 am
We still need to add another bat. Give up Bennett, Vasquez or Kawakami, and a prospect to add another slugger to the line up.
siskel_god
June 24th, 2009
10:39 am
I gotta disagree Wes that he has no ability, he did hit 29 homers and had back to back 100 rbis seasons. But I totally understand the feelings, I was all over shipping him off last year. I’m used to people disagreeing with me about him on this blog by now, I just see a guy who is trying so hard to recapture his initial glory that he’s shooting himself in the foot. You can have one guy on your roster that you are developing, get him some at bats and give him some time off to work on some things, but two guys becomes a problem, it’s been pointed out several times here that your pitcher can’t be your best hitter in an inning and that has been the case when KJ, Jeff, and the pitcher have been up in the same inning. I think Jeff still has a good upside and KJ has always been to darn streaky, so that’s where I would look to upgrade.
Chipper
June 24th, 2009
10:40 am
Francine needs to just be let go. Eat his salary.
yellerjacket
June 24th, 2009
10:40 am
Mr. Neagle, you’re a meanie. At least PATTY’s comment wasn’t centered around trading all of the worst Braves for a team’s best player. Baby steps.
Ramblin Rick
June 24th, 2009
10:40 am
Keep your hands off the white women A-ROID !
Chipper
June 24th, 2009
10:42 am
If you disagree with Jeff not having ability, then frankly you’re wrong. He had 100 rbi seasons because every time he came up he had 2 or 3 guys on. EVERY TIME. You and I could have knocked home 100 runs.
“He hit 29 hr’s.” So? Brady Anderson hit 50 one year. How’d the rest of his career pan out?
Wes
June 24th, 2009
10:46 am
Francoeur has no ability. No mind. And now, he is nothing but a selfish player.
29 hr’s in 1 of his 5 years. Siskel, we call that a fluke.
TUpac Petty
June 24th, 2009
10:48 am
Tupac say, we need more offense….cmon Frank…more offense! Good game Braves…..Keep on Keeping on!
yellerjacket
June 24th, 2009
10:51 am
Yep Gonzalez is a stretch. I wonder if the Brewers would be willing to get rid of one of their outfielders? They have a lot of them. If they become sellers this year, we might be able to get Ryan Braun for the likes of Vazquez and Brandon Jones.
TUpac Petty
June 24th, 2009
10:52 am
Oh yea, one more Tupac ism……more pitching too! Lets get back to THE WAY IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE! GO BRAVES……..!
GTSteve
June 24th, 2009
10:55 am
Yeah I think you could trade Jeff Bennett for a bat…………Oh you want a player that can hit……Oh , sorry my bad
siskel_god
June 24th, 2009
10:56 am
Chipper you proved my point for me, there was a time where Jeff Francoeur lead the majors with two out rbi’s, he was clutch, even if it was only a couple of seasons. That should show you he has the ability. His head’s not right, that’s all and I’m not saying that’s not a big deal or an easy fix, but to say he is incapable of doing things that he has already done is wrong, saying you don’t think he’s ever gonna do it again would be your opinion not a fact.
siskel_god
June 24th, 2009
11:05 am
The Jeff Francoeur thing is pointless anyways, Ken Rosenthal is reporting that no team is interested in acquiring him. But he does say in his latest article that the Braves and Brewers could re open discussions for Corey Hart, the Brewers need pitching and the Braves have a surplus. Those are Kenny’s words not mine, I say hold on to all our arms, you never know when one might fall off.
Hilton Head Island
June 24th, 2009
11:09 am
When you consider how poorly and inconsistently the Braves have played this year, it says something about the rest of the NL East that they’re only 4 games back. Don’t forget 1991 when we were 9 or 10 games under .500 at the break, then caught fire and ended up 24 games OVER and won the division. I’m not saying it’ll happen again, but we have the talent to go on a similar run, we just need Frenchy and Johnson to awaken from their comas and Jeff Bennett to go the way of Blaine Boyer.
And to those of you rolling your eyes at two straight wins (both shutouts), it at least makes the statement that the Braves can play with the big boys ( I remind you that both the Cubs and Yankees are the loves of the Sports media and were picked by many to win their respective divisions). I’m hoping that this is the spark that lights the fuse. And I happen to think that one Tommy Hanson may just be the difference the second half…we shall see. GO BRAVES!!!
owl hunter
June 24th, 2009
11:17 am
The only realistic kind of trade the Braves likely would make is for Spillbourgs (sp?) or someone on a similar level. Available outfield bats are scarce and nobody wants to give up their best player for our garbage. The thought of the Brewers giving up a franchise cornerstone like Braun for Javy and the great Brandond Jones is nuts. Even if they throw in Frenchy, KJ, Jo Jo, Bennet, Lonnie Smith, and Dion James; it will never happen.
Wes
June 24th, 2009
11:23 am
You think Lonnie Smith can still play right?
Homer
June 24th, 2009
11:25 am
FIRE SCHULTZ!!!
Missing the Braves of the 90's...
June 24th, 2009
11:27 am
Some people need to be realistic…………
No one going to take Frenchy off our hands via a trade, they would be stupid. I think Jeff is a great guy, but cmon, enough is enough. He is killing us. I have given him the benefit till now, but how long do we have to wait for him to come around. I say keep him this year, use him as a number 4 outfielder and let him get a change of scenery next year.
Also sit kelly J once Infante comes back, use him as a utility man only. Play Prado more, at least he hustles!!
Don’t trade Chipper, let him retire a Brave. Don’t screw up like we did with Smoltz and Glavine. He is one reason us fans go to the ball park.
DC from Conyers
June 24th, 2009
11:38 am
I have been really pulling for First Pitch Frenchy, but if he insist on not correcting his problems at the plate maybe he does need a fresh start. First off I would not allow a team member to go to another hitting coach espically one that won’t be there to see you hit and make adjustments. JF seems to be like Andrew, stubborn won’t listen to hitting advice from the Braves hitting coach. If the players have lost cofidence in TP maybe it’s time for a change there also. I will tell you that ain’t gonna happen though. He will be the next Manager of the ATL. Braves. I thin some of the problems is coaching,IE Yunel base running blunders. I have never seen a pro make as many mistakes. Also bunting to the wrong side of the infield. Now if they are coaching and the players won’t listen then it’s time to make some changes. I agree with playing Ross at first some, at least while he is hot. When Huddy comes back I would move Kawkami to the pen because he has so many pitches that have great movement. Enjoy the win against the Yanks they don’t come here to often. Congradulations to Big Red, got out of a couple of jams and hung in there and got the win. Today is another day, strap them up and go get them.
timthebrave
June 24th, 2009
11:38 am
You bobby cox haters have to give him some credit last night. Handled the bullpen perfectly in bringing Moylan in and getting the double play.
yo
June 24th, 2009
11:46 am
i don’t understand why medlen has been left to rot in the bullpen. he never gets in games. this can’t be good for his development. he should be in gwinnett starting games if he is not being used.
Doug
June 24th, 2009
11:47 am
Plain and simple, to the Braves Brass “HELP” or wait until 2010 to see what can be done to find some hitting . One thing people need to give Garret Anderson a break, new league,new pitchers to face, and he is a second half hitter as a rule. The Braves need more hitters like him, patient and tough outs who make contact.
Missing the Braves of the 90's...
June 24th, 2009
11:51 am
Anyone else notice Francoer’s at bats…..?
First at bat= has patience and draws a surprising walk
Second at bat= swings at first pitch and gets out
Third at bat= swings at first pitch and gets out
At least he did hit the ball hard but do U think there is a pattern here? lol
RHR
June 24th, 2009
11:57 am
lol I agree with paddy @ 12:04 a.m.
It takes a terrible set of parents to let their southern kids grow up to be Yankee or Red Sox fans.
bravesfanforever
June 24th, 2009
1:13 pm
Consistently swinging at the first pitch shows very poor baseball fundamentals. Studying the pitching patterns is important as well as deciding when you are going to swing at the one mistake you might get during that AB. OR perhaps waiting for that one pitch that is in your zone, or perhaps waiting for a particular pitch like a fastball or curveball. Do any of you see Francoeur doing any of these things? Of course not. He simply swings at pitches thinking that he can hit them all. This demonstrates a complete lack of hitting knowledge or perhaps arrogance.
The great Ted Williams says he would wait for that one hittable pitch. Even he realized that he could not hit everything (and I’m assuming that’s why he would draw so many walks). He didn’t try to swing at anything and everything. Naturally Frenchy is no Ted Williams–more like the total opposite. If you ask me, he is no better than an A ball player.
Marshall
June 24th, 2009
3:19 pm
Look the Braves don’t have the salary space for a guy like Dunn who commands 8 million for this year alone. If the Braves want a bat they would have to Trade Johnson, Kotchman, Garrett Anderson and Jeff Francoeur to Washington and yet still be a little over a million and half short just to get Nick Johnson and Adam Dunn which would be neccessary to fill your roster….However its my opinion if you can get another Bullpen pitcher to fill in the roll of soriano then the Braves can get rid of over 6 million in salary and not be so constricted with thier roster options…..
Marshall
June 24th, 2009
3:20 pm
As it is right now the Braves best option for trades are Frency and Anderson for Cody Ross or Jeremy Hermida possibly both and still walking away ahead 1.4 million…Otherwise the Braves should Trade with the marlins Johnson and Kotchman for Uggla and Lindstrom
Marshall
June 24th, 2009
3:21 pm
Inquire about Gonzalez with the Padres, Trade Kotch and Frenchy for Gonzalez and move Diaz over to Right then could trade Soriano to St. Louis for Trever Miller, Brad Thompson, and Rick Ankiel
Paul Brown
June 24th, 2009
3:30 pm
If we had 05 Francouer right now we’d be in first place. I agree with some that said GA is finally settling in and will/is providing some offense, but Frenchy has got to get it going or just get going-outta town.
Paul Brown
June 24th, 2009
3:31 pm
We need to get a time machine and go get ‘05 Francour, if we had him we’d be in first right now.
Marshall
June 24th, 2009
3:33 pm
But if you want Adam Dunn the best option is trading Soriano, Francoeur, and Kotchman to Washington for Nick Johnson and Adam Dunn then they would have to move Diaz to right and Trade Anderson to an AL team for a prospect……and when Schafer is ready he could come back to take over right and the braves never really lost the arm strength from frenchy…..look at that Lineup 1-CF-McLouth, 2-2B-K.Johnson, 3-3B-Jones, 4-LF-Dunn, 5-C-McCann, 6-1B-N. Johnson, 7-SS-Escobar, 8-RF-Diaz, 9-P-Pitcher I believe that would make the Braves a contender immediately without losing anything
Marshall
June 24th, 2009
3:44 pm
I like the Braves bunting and running more on the paths you have to be aggressive and take chances to pressure on the opposing pitchers and the Braves had a non exsistant bunting and stealing game, I loved the Escobar bunt against the BOSOX over the weekend I’d like to see that more often with this team…Furcal use to help put pressure on pitchers and defenses lets go back to that mentality…
eaglejrm
June 25th, 2009
2:51 pm
Why the heck are you trading for Adam Dunn?? sure the man is good at getting on base, but have you ever watched him blunder around in the field, if you put the ball in the right-feild corner with Dunn out there, a man on crutches could get a triple. Frenchy has it in him and I think he’s starting to warm up just when we need him to, and even while he’s struggling at the plate he is still one of the best defensive rightfielders in the league.
NOW: You are complaining about Frenchy because he struggles at the plate…
MY PREDICTION: If we trade Frenchy for Dunn you will start complaining that Dunn is costing to many runs because he is blundering around right field like an idoit…
Now I’m not saying that a more consistant hitter in right wouldn’t be refreshing but ADAM DUNN is NOT the answer