We’re LIVE, as Braves try for something new — an early win
Melky Cabrera, the Braves' latest hero, is somewhere in the middle of the mob. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
I’ve made it to Turner Field for the start of tonight’s Braves’ game. But I figure I could’ve waited out the traffic for a few hours.
True story: I turned on Monday night’s game just in time for the ninth inning rally against Los Angeles, which ended with Melky Cabrera’s two-run single to give the Braves a 4-3 win. So I’m thinking: What was the rush to get here?
This team’s resolve and flare for the dramatic has been well-chronicled. The win over the Dodgers was their majors-leading 20th win of the season in their final at-bat. How significant is that? Well, Philadelphia is second overall with 18 final at-bat victories. The Braves lead the Phillies by only 2 1/2 games in the National League East. Do the math: Two fewer late-game rallies and the lead is a half-game.
The Braves’ good news doesn’t end there: Martin Prado is back. The Braves’ unofficial MVP will be activated off the disabled list (fractured small finger) for tonight’s game, and his return answers two questions: Who will start at third base (Prado) and who will bat third in the order (Prado). Manager Bobby Cox decided not to mess with Omar Infante, who is playing solid at second base and is hitting .372 over the last 18 games. Infante also will bat lead off.
This is a good chance for the Braves to go on a little run. They’ll be facing two teams (Washington and Chicago) with losing records in the next two series. At least, that’s the way it’s supposed to work. The Braves have losing records against only four teams this season, and the Nationals (4-5) are one of them. Offense has been the biggest issue, with only 12 runs scored in the last five meetings.
Last thing: You probably know this by now but a rumor has been floating around that the Braves might be interested in acquiring Chicago Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez in a waiver trade. David O’Brien did a fine job shooting this down for all of the obvious reasons: Ramirez is hitting .229 and will be owed a ridiculous amount of money — $31.6 million for two more seasons — if the Cubs deal him. He has a player option (sure to be exercised) for next year and a 2012 team option that automatically triggers in case of a trade.
These are the kind of trade rumors that generally get started either by someone with an agenda or someone under the influence of hallucinogens. Or possibly both.
OK, that’s it’s for now. Mike Minor makes his second start against Washington’s Scott Olson, who is 1-0 with a 2.03 ERA in two starts against the Braves this season.
I’ll check back shortly. Or in the ninth.
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495 comments Add your comment
John
August 17th, 2010
8:19 pm
Joe Simpson says, referring to Olsen, “this isn’t the same guy that got lit up his last two times out. This is the guy that dominated the Braves before”
Joe, at some point will you start to admit…maybe it’s US? Do you really think every pitcher we’ve faced for the last month has just been unhittable? Ted Lilly nearly no-hit us.
SlawDawg
August 17th, 2010
8:19 pm
Not sure why anyone would hate Glaus. That’s sort of like hating a broken hammer for not being able to drive a nail. It’s the idiot who uses the broken hammer day after day who deserves your scorn.
John
August 17th, 2010
8:20 pm
well said, slaw dawg
Bat Masterson
August 17th, 2010
8:20 pm
The Braves lead the league in men LOB. The team that leaves the most men on base wins 58% of the time.
Just keep pitching like crazy and leaving those ducks on the pond.
John
August 17th, 2010
8:21 pm
Sonny said… “Seems like to us that Glaus is always coming to bat when the Braves most need a hit.”
That’s because WE BAT HIM 4TH OR 5TH IN OUR ORDER EVERY NIGHT. There’s a reason you put your best RBI men there. They come up with men on base.
John
August 17th, 2010
8:22 pm
Bat Masterson, that’s because we used to walk a lot. We’re not even doing that anymore now that Glaus and Ankiel are swinging with their eyes closed
Greg Mendel
August 17th, 2010
8:22 pm
Indeed, John. But, could they tell us, in advance, which nights are which? That would prevent heart attacks in extreme cases, and acid reflux among most of the fan base. Same goes for when Troy Glaus will be in the game.
John
August 17th, 2010
8:22 pm
Let’s see if Mike Minor is the latest Braves’ starter to have a magnificent performance wasted by an anemic offense
Don
August 17th, 2010
8:22 pm
1 hit. haha. This team always sucks against the nats. I smell another loss for minor.
John
August 17th, 2010
8:25 pm
The pattern is: AWESOME performance by a starting pitcher. HORRIFIC performance by the offense (fueled by a few Glaussian K’s and GIDP’s). Get into late innings tied and one of our infielders makes a crucial error that gives away the game. Last night, Melky bailed us out of that groundhog day scenario for a change.
Jeff Schultz
August 17th, 2010
8:27 pm
Bat Masterton — The team that leads when the last out is recorded has won 100 percent of the time this season. It’s true. I looked it up.
RichieRich86
August 17th, 2010
8:28 pm
All I know is all this negitivity isn’t paying attenting to this masterpiece that Minor is throwing. This guy is a stud. I’m not saying we don’t need anything because yes we need to replace Glaus but you know what he’s doing fine until next season. The Braves didnt expect much just like the fans. That’s why we didn’t sign him for 2 years because we have Freddie. I remember a couple months ago when Glaus was hittin the cover off the ball yal were like omg I can’t believe we didn’t sign him for two years. Yal are such bandwagon hoppers. How bout you stick with the players you have and quit having a heart attack over every at bat! Yes the Braves are looking forward to the playoffs and into the World Series I think we all are. However, the Allstar Centerfield we traded for in Nate McLouth seemed to forget how to hit on his flight to Atlanta. The guy was the Pirates cleanup hitter! Now Frank Wren is having to work with what he has. I think he’s done a fine job and I think we do have a better all around ball club than the phillies have. Keep being negitive your going to be the same one that says you knew all along the Braves would win it all! Get outta here Bandwagon fans!
Bat Masterson
August 17th, 2010
8:28 pm
John_ I hear you, but the Braves have still been leaving the most men on base. Against LA in their wins…. most LOB’s. It’s funny, but there you go.
John
August 17th, 2010
8:30 pm
Phillies get a 2-out, 2-run RBI single to tie the game up. See what it’s like when you don’t have instant outs in your order?
BravesFAN
August 17th, 2010
8:31 pm
I cannot stand when we face ANY lefthanded pitcher…We literally make the WORST lefties in the mlb look like Cy young winners…I bet there are triple A teams that could hit Lefties better on avg than our braves…Olsen has an ERA of almost 5 yet he has shut us down just like 99 yr old jamie moyer used to do we have 1 single 1 single its the 6th inning…We need to win this game especially with the phils losing right now…Minor looks great cant wait to see this kids future as a brave…Our startin pitching has been amazing the best in the majors and we need to take advantage of it right NOW…
Bat Masterson
August 17th, 2010
8:31 pm
Jeff Shultz _ this season , that all you got.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
August 17th, 2010
8:31 pm
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
RichieRich86
August 17th, 2010
8:31 pm
Ya the braves have left the most men on base all season. I have question for all yal. Who’s in 1st place? That’s all I gotta say. Yal sound like yal are Redsox or Yankees fans. If yal are such big fans why aren’t yal at the game?
BRING IN MANNY NOW BRAVES G.M
August 17th, 2010
8:32 pm
BRETT FAVRE THE EX-FALCANT IS BACK IN MINN HOORAY FOR THE LEAGUE! WISH MATTY ICE WAS TOUGH AS THE EX-FALCON BRETT FAVRE!
Greg Mendel
August 17th, 2010
8:32 pm
My favorite comment by an announcer is “He’d like to have that [swing/pitch] back.” Really! He struck at ball thrown to second base.
RichieRich86
August 17th, 2010
8:33 pm
Leadoff hitter got on. oh lord we are in danger now! The Braves are gunna lose the pennant because of it!
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
August 17th, 2010
8:34 pm
one can only hope after Minor is pitching a great game that the offense can do something, especially after Hanson’s stellar performance last night.
BRING IN MANNY NOW BRAVES G.M
August 17th, 2010
8:34 pm
LISTEN ALL MY BRAVES FANS,AT LEAST BOSTON AND THE YANKEES MAKE THE DEALS TO BRING IN THE BIG BATS! NOW PROVE ME WRONG AND BRING IN MANNY NOW!
NCBravesFan
August 17th, 2010
8:34 pm
RichieRich86 – ain’t it the truth? Lord these people would get kicked out of heaven for whining about the curtains.
John
August 17th, 2010
8:35 pm
Richie, I love Mike Minor. He’s pitching great. It’s just a shame we will waste this. You said…
“How bout you stick with the players you have and quit having a heart attack over every at bat!”
You really think this is one at bat? Glaus has been horrendous for his last 200 AB’s. For 3 months he has hit .150.
And what is this “stick with the players you have”? Based on what principle? If Glaus had a 2-week slump, so what. Heyward has been in a slump for a week, and you don’t see me complaining. Glaus is HURTING OUR TEAM. I do not believe we can compete for a WS title with him batting in the middle of our order. Our pitching would have to be surreal to overcome that.
RichieRich86
August 17th, 2010
8:35 pm
I agree the offense needs to do something. I don’t understand how this guy always shuts us out. Even when he was a Marlin he killed us.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
August 17th, 2010
8:35 pm
i missed it earlier, but who was the lucky brave to get a hit?
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
August 17th, 2010
8:36 pm
is figgins from seattle still available? i can see wren going 50/50 on getting another bat
Katherine
August 17th, 2010
8:37 pm
Why would the braves want manny…he’s nothing but trouble and not worth it
BRING IN MANNY NOW BRAVES G.M
August 17th, 2010
8:37 pm
1 MORE BIG BAT WILL TAKE US OVER THE HUMP! JUST LIKE WE GOT FRED MCGRIFF,LETS GET MANNY!
RichieRich86
August 17th, 2010
8:37 pm
Dr. Kenneth, Omar Infante had a hit i believe in the 3rd
Wooderson
August 17th, 2010
8:37 pm
I didn’t know Sandy Koufax was going for the Nats tonight…
Ralph
August 17th, 2010
8:38 pm
Our pitching (starting and bullpen) is what is keeping us in the hunt. Minor is impressive.
Bats are usually quiet until late or we have a lead, so only watching the top of the innings until the 7th.
Adairsville Dawg
August 17th, 2010
8:39 pm
Im not sure that u can consider what Omar got a hit but thats who got the 1 hit for us
RichieRich86
August 17th, 2010
8:39 pm
John,
I’m not saying Glaus is the man. Of course he’s not. He’s a bridge to Freddie Freeman. That’s all I’m saying. The guy is playing the best he can. He’s a streaky hitter. He’s hot and he’s cold. Simple as that. I like Glaus a lot. Ya he’s stuck out alot and hit into a lot of double plays. But he’s also won quite a few games for us. I’d have him over ole Roachie anyday! Glaus For President!
Adairsville Dawg
August 17th, 2010
8:40 pm
not a big crowd tonight for a first place team
Katherine
August 17th, 2010
8:41 pm
Its a weeknight…and school has started for most everyone so there wouldnt be a big crowd
BRING IN MANNY NOW BRAVES G.M
August 17th, 2010
8:41 pm
KATHERINE PLEASE REMEMBER EVERY SINCE WE GOT RID OF DAVID JUSTICE,WE HAVE NOT WON THE TITLE SINCE! WE NEED ONE HEADCASE ON THE TEAM LIKE MANNY TO TAKE US OVER THE HUMP,THIS IS WHY THE BRAVES CANT BEAT THE YANKEES,REMEMBER MARK TEXEIRA LEFT THE BRAVES FOR WHO? THE D@MN YANKEES!
RichieRich86
August 17th, 2010
8:41 pm
Adairsville,
Omar had a nice liner to short that he couldn’t handle. looked like a nice single to me. 1-0 Nats!!! dangit!
Jeff Schultz
August 17th, 2010
8:41 pm
Nats up 1-0. And that’s 98 pitches for Minor, by the way.
Adairsville Dawg
August 17th, 2010
8:42 pm
Its sad are starters cant last long enough every game to get the win our bats are killing us right now we have got to get a big bat in this line up that can consistantly hit
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
August 17th, 2010
8:42 pm
ballgame!! by a backup catcher no less. hate it for Minor, dude was pitching a great game.
JS- since this game is so riveting, what are you doing to pass the time? books, youtube, etc??
Jeff Schultz
August 17th, 2010
8:42 pm
And there’s another run. 2-0. Minor looks cooked.
Don
August 17th, 2010
8:43 pm
Hahaha
Katherine
August 17th, 2010
8:43 pm
Bobby isn’t going to put up with any head cases….so I wouldn’t bank on them signing manny.
RichieRich86
August 17th, 2010
8:43 pm
Nats up 2-0
Adairsville Dawg
August 17th, 2010
8:43 pm
oh yeah throw Farnsey in there to let them blow it wide open
TruthSeeker
August 17th, 2010
8:44 pm
Atlanta Braves: Property of Washington Nationals since 2005.
Bat Masterson
August 17th, 2010
8:44 pm
Ya the braves have left the most men on base all season. ……. If yal are such big fans why aren’t yal at the game? _ RichieRich86
Leading the league in men LOB is not a bad thing, it means you are getting a lot of guys on and the winning percentage is 58%. Atlanta .585 damn how about that.
What you don’t want to be is the team leaving the fewest men on base.
If I ever get out,I’ll be at the games.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
August 17th, 2010
8:44 pm
isn’t this a similar scenario that happened to minor in houston?