LIVE: Braves go for sweep; Kawakami will take anything
See the ball. Be the ball. (Photo by Curtis Compton/AJC)
Good afternoon. Happy Father’s Day. It’s Kawakami time.
Of all the things the Braves and manager Bobby Cox have accomplished this season, where would finally getting a win for starting pitcher Kenshin Kawakami (0-9) rank?
Would it rank higher than being in first place for 20 straight days? Higher than not having lost a series since the first week of May?
Is it something that could be eclipsed only by, I dunno, a World Series?
Seriously, this is just too goofy. It’s one thing for a starter to go thr0ugh his first 13 starts (nine losses, four no decisions) without a victory. It’s another to do it for a first-place team that has gone 28-10 since May 10.
It’s precedent setting in major league baseball for a pitcher to have this kind of start for a first-place team. The Braves’ franchise hadn’t had a pitcher start 0-9 in 101 years. The last to do it was Tom Tuckey of the 1909 Boston Doves (seven starts, two relief appearances). Kawakami has suffered from little run support but he also has been banged around in two of his last three starts: 10 runs, 16 hits and six walks in 11 1/3 innings against Los Angeles and Tampa Bay.
The Braves, who have the best home record (23-7) i n the majors, close out a home stand today against Kansas City. They leave town for only a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox, then return home for nine games (Detroit, Washington, Florida).
One last thing before I turn it over to you. It struck me when Cox called for his second successful squeeze play in a week — last Saturday at Minnesota and Friday against Kansas City — that this might be the best managing job he has done in a while.
Some in the clubhouse disagree. They believe Cox is just taking advantage of having better base runners at his disposal than in the past. Either way, there’s no question he is pulling more strings. The Braves are having more hit-and-run plays than in recent memory. I may make that the focus of the column.
Does it seem to you Cox is being more aggressive in his final season?
And here’s the biggest question of all: Will Kawakami finally win a game today?
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303 comments Add your comment
Jeff Schultz
June 20th, 2010
3:20 pm
Well, he won’t even make it through the inning. He’s out after his seventh walk in 4 1/3 innings.
bubba
June 20th, 2010
3:20 pm
Martinez another throw away while Kimbrel sits.
bubba
June 20th, 2010
3:23 pm
Guess Bobby Cox wants to give his ole buddy Yost a going away present. Another gift win for the other team by Bobby Cox.Days like this Bobby just needs to take the day off. He needs to go argue balls and strikes then maybe Braves will have a chance to win.
Green Man
June 20th, 2010
3:24 pm
Despite their current lead, today may be the day the Braves’ streak of scoring 5+ runs and winning comes to an end…
Cornfuzed
June 20th, 2010
3:24 pm
I’m no KK fan- but here’s a stat you can’t ignore: KK is 0-9 with a 4.78 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 51 strikeouts. Derek Lowe is 9-5 with a 4.77 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 51 strikeouts. So except for run support (resulting in wins), they are basically identical pitchers. Lowe will make more this season alone ($15 Million) than KK will make this year and next combined (6.67M per season). So Lowe is much more of a bust in my book, not to mention that we couldn’t give him away last offseason.
GT Alum
June 20th, 2010
3:25 pm
Tony, the problem is the offense hasn’t been bringing it. They were saying on the broadcast the Braves scored 1.7 runs per game while KK was pitching. KK had pitched well before the last 2 games, but the offense just wasn’t supporting him.
His start today was pretty much one of those unforgivable sins, though. If you’re having trouble getting run support, you can’t squander 4 1st inning runs, especially in just 2 innings. That just isn’t going to wash.
Andrew T
June 20th, 2010
3:26 pm
Gotta wonder how many starts KK has left with JJ on his way back soon. Maybe only one more if the Braves take advantage if the off day on July 1st and skip him. Braves have been missing a “long relief man” since Kris left the ‘pen and there is now reason Medlen shouldn’t stay in the rotation.
braves70
June 20th, 2010
3:27 pm
Question is does Lowe have the experience in stopping the damage once it is incurred while KK cannot stop the damage and surrenders leads?
Mitchell
June 20th, 2010
3:28 pm
It’s funny how all the small ball, stealing bases and aggressive kind of play goes by the wayside. Bobby always seems to stop managing at times like times like this.
But what the hell, we’ve seen it often this year. Two out of three is good enough. Why go for three?
I cannot be convinced at this point that Bobby really cares about the outcome of this game. So many games like this we’ve p***ed away this season.
The final game in Pittsburg immediately comes to mind.
Come on David. Let’s go.
bubba
June 20th, 2010
3:29 pm
Braves are more comfortable with Lowe as their NO. 1 then they are with KK as a starter. It will be completely stupid but expected of the Braves to sit Medlen and keep KK in the rotation once Jurrjens is back
Tony
June 20th, 2010
3:29 pm
KK’s problem is not the Braves hitting. His problem is that he is a bad pitcher. His ERA and other stats has nothing to do with the Braves hitting the ball. He proved today with run support. The score was, hmmm, 4-0. Oh, Braves were leading. I suggest a nice comfy rehab.
Jeff Schultz
June 20th, 2010
3:29 pm
Another Brooks Conrad moment?
Jeff Schultz
June 20th, 2010
3:30 pm
Maybe not.
Jeff Schultz
June 20th, 2010
3:31 pm
Braves now have been recipients of eight walks and stranded eight runners.
SCBravesFan
June 20th, 2010
3:32 pm
I don’t want to hear another word about lack of run support for KK…
Staked him to a four run lead and he gave it all back in less than three innings.
Send him to the pen or triple A , but do not let him start again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mitchell
June 20th, 2010
3:34 pm
bubba
June 20th, 2010
3:23 pm
Guess Bobby Cox wants to give his ole buddy Yost a going away present. Another gift win for the other team by Bobby Cox.Days like this Bobby just needs to take the day off. He needs to go argue balls and strikes then maybe Braves will have a chance to win.
bubba, I’m with you. It’s like the air has been let out of the balloon.
It’s just a feeling you get. Hard to explain really. I’d like to think we can come back and at least tie it but that one run is starting to feel like an unsurmountable deficit.
I can’t believe there are actual Royals fans on this earth. I keep seeing them and unfortunately, hearing them.
Jeff Schultz
June 20th, 2010
3:35 pm
Mitchell — Stop managing small ball? What are you talking about? In the third, was Ross supposed to sacrifice for the second out with the pitcher’s spot coming up? In the fifth, he’s got bases loaded and sends up a pinch hitter?
braves70
June 20th, 2010
3:35 pm
Another former Brave at bat: Wilson Betemit
GT Alum
June 20th, 2010
3:36 pm
Tony, I made this argument with Jeff during KK’s last start. At that time, KK’s ERA, WHIP and K/BB ratio were better than Lowe’s so far this season and for the time both of them had spent in a Braves uniform. If he had been getting 4 runs a game from the offense, he’d probably be around .500 right now.
Regardless, I think everyone (myself included) agrees that KK really isn’t an asset to this team now, so arguing at what point that decision should’ve been made is academic at this point.
Dan
June 20th, 2010
3:36 pm
Kawakami sucks! Braves give him four early runs and he can’t work with that?
Mitchell
June 20th, 2010
3:37 pm
Great.
Jeff Schultz
June 20th, 2010
3:37 pm
Braves70 — It’s like Dayton Moore went up there and took everybody with him.
joe
June 20th, 2010
3:37 pm
It really puts a strain on everything when your starting pitcher can’t at least take you into the sixth inning. send KK away no matter how much you have to eat.
"Chef" Tim Dix
June 20th, 2010
3:38 pm
O’Flarity pitching his way into a package deal…
braves70
June 20th, 2010
3:39 pm
Yes the Royals have 6 former Braves by my count: Davies, Pena, Betemit, Chen, Farnsworth, and Lerew. I would like to see Dayton back here as the GM in place of Wren.
"Chef" Tim Dix
June 20th, 2010
3:39 pm
Tiger wearing black sweater with the red shirt underneath…Just in case.
Mitchell
June 20th, 2010
3:40 pm
Jeff, I just like complaining.
Jeff Schultz
June 20th, 2010
3:41 pm
And now: Kyle Farnsworth.
bubba
June 20th, 2010
3:41 pm
Well, when you let your pitcher hit with 2 on and 2 out your going to set the table for a long day.Just like the other day they had the bases loaded and no one out with the pitcher up. Why isn’t scoring runs a priority? Braves have horrible middle relief anyway. At least the ones that keep getting sent out there while the good ones are saved for a feel good moment of a blow out or just a last resort. Resop should have never been used as a reliever. Historically he’s lousy at it,but now we will never know if he can be another spot starter since KK is such a high priority on this team . Braves don’t even televise in Japan anymore ,do they? So, what is the big deal about KK? When has he ever helped the Braves?
TruthSeeker
June 20th, 2010
3:41 pm
Kawakami loses when he doesn’t get run support, and he loses the rare times he does get run support. I’ve never been one to buy into the theory that pitchers “pitch to the scoreboard”, and I’ve always believed that wins were an overrated stat for starters, but there’s something going on here besides just bad luck. Remember, Kawakami only won seven games last year. Lowe won 15 with a similar ERA and WHIP. This year their peripherals are similar again, but Lowe has nine wins to Kawakami’s zero.
As much of a stats guy as I am, maybe this is one of those times where they deceive you. Lowe at least gives us a chance to win most nights. Kawakami, no matter what the circumstances, always seems to find a way to lose.
Jeff Schultz
June 20th, 2010
3:43 pm
Mitchell: You major in journalism? (Little press box joke there.)
"Chef" Tim Dix
June 20th, 2010
3:43 pm
Kyle looks really good on a bad team, much like Nate M.
Mitchell
June 20th, 2010
3:44 pm
“Chef” Tim Dix, You may not have meant to spell his name incorrectly but I now thing Eric should definitely change his last name to O’Flarity.
It really would make it so much easier. I honestly cannot even remember how it’s spelled.
O’Fleherty?
"Chef" Tim Dix
June 20th, 2010
3:45 pm
Phonics was the death of all in Catholic School.
Jeff Schultz
June 20th, 2010
3:46 pm
Chipper Jones just announced he will retire after the 2017 season.
GT Alum
June 20th, 2010
3:47 pm
Wonder what Chipper’s thoughts on retirement are now. Somehow, I think that topic is at the very back of his mind now.
"Chef" Tim Dix
June 20th, 2010
3:47 pm
And from experience, don’t tee off an Irishman by inquiring on his thoughts on Northern Ireland.
Marty
June 20th, 2010
3:47 pm
If it would only be possible that Seattle would take KK for Cliff Lee. I know it would never happen but I can dream. Then we could keep Medlen as an extremly stron middle and long relief pitcher. Heck, give ‘em O’Flarity as well, and McOut.
"Chef" Tim Dix
June 20th, 2010
3:48 pm
Jeff, will he play for free for 5 years? LOL
braves70
June 20th, 2010
3:49 pm
Did it take retirement talk to wake Chipper from hi sleep? Was he giving it less than his best these last couple of years until he realized the end was near?
bubba
June 20th, 2010
3:50 pm
KK = BAD KARMA and another possible battled frustrated loss when they need to win to keep some distance from them and good teams before they have to play the good teams. White Sox are hot, Detroit is good and Washington always a challenge. Maybe the Braves would rather see if they go on another slide. Trying to lose ball games sucks but guess that’s why Bobby Cox is here with his insane matchups all the time.
Mitchell
June 20th, 2010
3:50 pm
Jeff, come on. I’ve already thrown “faux pas” and “non sequitur” at you today.
Correct spelling both times. Did you even see “wayside” for crying out loud? Yeah, one word. Not two.
And you can blame your boy Chief Tim for throwing me off on O’Fleherty.
Why you gotta be hatin’?
Marty
June 20th, 2010
3:51 pm
I see Farnsworth still sucks.
GT Alum
June 20th, 2010
3:52 pm
Father’s day tie…wow, Chip, that’s as bad as any of Smoltz’s material.
Jeff Schultz
June 20th, 2010
3:52 pm
Braves tie it 5-5 but they’ve now stranded 10 runners. … Moylan now pitching.
"Chef" Tim Dix
June 20th, 2010
3:53 pm
Chief? A promotion no one told me of?
Mitchell
June 20th, 2010
3:54 pm
Man, Chipper just cannot win with this team.
He’s carrying them on his back and he gets nothin’.
I’m kidding. Nice to see him hit a little. Sure would have like to have seen some patient at-bats there.
Jeff Schultz
June 20th, 2010
3:54 pm
Mitchell — No hatin’, just funin’. … I had faux pas in a French restaurant once, I think. Passed on the frog legs though.
Mitchell
June 20th, 2010
3:56 pm
Come on Peter.
This still feels like one of those games from the last couple of years. The thought that we could even lose with four runs in the first is almost unbearable.
braves70
June 20th, 2010
3:56 pm
Doesn’t Faux Pas play midfield for the French in the World Cup?