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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♦ Hey, here’s an idea: Manny to Braves (kidding, sort of)
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495 comments Add your comment
John
August 17th, 2010
8:44 pm
And that will be just enough for Minor to take a loss. What a pitiful waste. The Phillies now lead 4-2. This is such an incredible WASTE of an awesome pitching staff. That’s what people like Richie don’t realize. You don’t have many chances to get a rotation and a bullpen like this. We have it this season, but we’re going to waste it. The Phillies WILL catch and pass us because we “stuck with what we had” and ignored a first baseman with a .150 batting average when we had 2 guys with a 1.000 OPS playing 1B in AAA.
Mr Charlie
August 17th, 2010
8:45 pm
Yawn, it is the 9th yet?
BRING IN MANNY NOW BRAVES G.M
August 17th, 2010
8:45 pm
THE SAME PEOPLE WHO DONT WANT MANNY,ARE THE SAME PEOPLE WHO DIDNT WANT BRETT FAVRE,KEITH BROOKING,DEION SANDERS AND JOE TORRE,REMEMBER YALL HATERS SENT ALL THESE GUYS PACKING!
Turtsnap
August 17th, 2010
8:46 pm
Hey, we’ve got 1 hit, break out the band!!
Mr Charlie
August 17th, 2010
8:46 pm
Manny is spent.
Jeff Schultz
August 17th, 2010
8:46 pm
Diory Hernandez will hit for Minor to lead off the inning.
Katherine
August 17th, 2010
8:47 pm
Manny is no brett farve come on…he’s trouble…and past his prime.
Darryl Blackberry
August 17th, 2010
8:47 pm
Do you guys really think the Braves will be shut out by Olsen? Say it ain’t so! The rookie Minor did well to limit the damage to two runs, and as we all very well know, Atlanta can come back from a mere two-run deficit.
Adairsville Dawg
August 17th, 2010
8:47 pm
Our Line Up makes every pitcher look like Cy Young no matter who it is
BRING IN MANNY NOW BRAVES G.M
August 17th, 2010
8:47 pm
ADAIRSVILLE DAWG,CAN U SAY BRING IN MANNY?
Katherine
August 17th, 2010
8:47 pm
Again, all the debbie downers in here…..we haven’t lost the game yet…lets go braves!
BRING IN MANNY NOW BRAVES G.M
August 17th, 2010
8:49 pm
SEND MCCLOTH FOR MANNY!
Ashley
August 17th, 2010
8:49 pm
Minor did well until he ran out of gas. We need some offense though!
John
August 17th, 2010
8:49 pm
Diory Hernandez is my hero
Darryl Blackberry
August 17th, 2010
8:49 pm
BIMNBGM: I don’t wanna be a fan of any team with Manny Ramirez on it.
HR — Diory!
Jeff Schultz
August 17th, 2010
8:49 pm
Yowza. Didn’t see that one coming. DH comes up big as PH.
Ashley
August 17th, 2010
8:49 pm
Like that…..
Great job Diory!
Adairsville Dawg
August 17th, 2010
8:49 pm
I think we can all agree that Manny is not the Manny from two or three years ago although he would strike more fear then most of our line up…nice bomb by Diory
TM
August 17th, 2010
8:50 pm
8 major leaguer’s can’t hit Olson for nuttin…
A minor leaguer comes in and rips him right out of the gate!
Come on bats, wake up!
Adairsville Dawg
August 17th, 2010
8:51 pm
can we just start every game in like the 6th inning it seems to help us
John
August 17th, 2010
8:51 pm
BTW, you guys who think “we need a utility man”, Diory is plenty enough of that.
Ashley
August 17th, 2010
8:51 pm
They’ll step it up for run support for Mike Minor but not Tommie Hanson?
Turtsnap
August 17th, 2010
8:51 pm
I hope the Braves realize it isn’t the 9th inning yet. Pick up 2 more this inning and Minor is line for his 1st ML win
BravesFAN
August 17th, 2010
8:51 pm
Thank GOD my prayers are being anwsered as we SPEAK…Get a hit JHEY!!!
Adairsville Dawg
August 17th, 2010
8:51 pm
Come on J Hay lets break out the funk your in
Matt G
August 17th, 2010
8:51 pm
Finally some offense…
Darryl Blackberry
August 17th, 2010
8:52 pm
Another case of Infante being Infante. : ) Triple.
Tommy
August 17th, 2010
8:52 pm
ANOTHER pinch hit home run! These guys defy logic!
John
August 17th, 2010
8:53 pm
If Nats are smart, they’ll load the bases and try to get Glaus up for a 100% sure thing GIDP
Ashley
August 17th, 2010
8:53 pm
No Chip, it wasn’t Diory’s HR that got the bats going, it’s the fact it’s the 6th inning!
Joel
August 17th, 2010
8:53 pm
I want to father Infante’s baby!
BRING IN MANNY NOW BRAVES G.M
August 17th, 2010
8:53 pm
JEFF YOU ARE EXTRA SUPER RIGHT,WE NEED MANNY REAL BAD IF WERE TALKING ABOUT GOING TO THE WORLD SERIES,WITH CHIPPER JONES HURT,HAVE YOU NUTS FORGOT THAT LARRY IS HURT?
P.S BRING IN MANNY 2 REPLACE CHIPPER JUST 4 THIS YEAR?
Darryl Blackberry
August 17th, 2010
8:53 pm
Walk this way, Hey!
Adairsville Dawg
August 17th, 2010
8:54 pm
Joe made a point of saying that TP was working with Jason before the game….that just me cringe
Jeff Schultz
August 17th, 2010
8:54 pm
That’s it for Olson. I’m sure the Braves are glad to get him out of there.
Darryl Blackberry
August 17th, 2010
8:54 pm
Hey, give the ALL CAPS a rest, Mannywood. You’re hurting my ears.
Katherine
August 17th, 2010
8:55 pm
See…you all just have to be positive….lets go braves!
John
August 17th, 2010
8:56 pm
If they Braves are going to score, it’s up to Prado and Diaz. You have to treat Glaus like the pitcher’s spot.
Ralph
August 17th, 2010
8:57 pm
Minor can STILL get the win.
BRING IN MANNY NOW BRAVES G.M
August 17th, 2010
8:57 pm
ONCE AGAIN PEOPLE HAVE YALL 4GOT THAT CHIPPER IS OUT 4 THE SEASON? WE NEED MANNY IN THE 4 SPOT,AND GLAUS IN THE 5TH SPOT J HEY IN THE 6TH
Darryl Blackberry
August 17th, 2010
8:57 pm
They’re gonna test Prado’s hand up and in all night. Jerks.
Adairsville Dawg
August 17th, 2010
8:58 pm
screw getting him off the hook Chip, lets get the kid a win
RAMBLINWRECK
August 17th, 2010
8:58 pm
Jeff, you really think the braves can win this division with just about only a run or 2 every single night as run support? Just wanted to get your opinion. Everytime i put the game on, it’s 1-0 or 2-1 it seems. Not exactly what i suspect can unseat the defending NL champs. I have a feeling phillies will pull this out and we may not get the wildcard either. Glaus playing is preplexing to say the least. Pitching is great, the hitting…YIKES! Predictions jeff??
Adairsville Dawg
August 17th, 2010
8:59 pm
MANNY i am with you on Jason in the 6 hole i dont like him in the 2 hole
Jeff Schultz
August 17th, 2010
8:59 pm
Newsflash: Martin Prado is pretty good.
Katherine
August 17th, 2010
9:00 pm
woo hoo!!!
Adairsville Dawg
August 17th, 2010
9:00 pm
PRADO IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!
John
August 17th, 2010
9:00 pm
Diaz will be walked for Glaus to GIDP if the Nationals have any sense. Please don’t have any sense.
Ashley
August 17th, 2010
9:00 pm
MARTEEN! Welcome back!
Darryl Blackberry
August 17th, 2010
9:00 pm
Welcome baaaack…who’da thought we’d need ya…