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
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
August 17th, 2010
9:57 pm
now ESPN is going to covering Favre non-stop for the next 72 hours.
John- agreed, that was a horrible call
Joel
August 17th, 2010
9:57 pm
Katherine, he is from Philly, the are proud to be able to spell eagles! Don’t expect too much.
Katherine
August 17th, 2010
9:58 pm
true joel…i’ll give the little glue sniffer a break
NRBQ
August 17th, 2010
9:58 pm
Sonny:
Skip wasn’t into fan interaction, as I’m sure you’re aware. He had other concerns
through most of his career.
“Well, folks, we’ve reached the bottom of another fifth.”
This, obviously, before hooch was measured in liters.
Denzel Hanks
August 17th, 2010
10:02 pm
Dont know about the baseball team but the movie Philadelphia was pretty gay.
NCBravesFan
August 17th, 2010
10:02 pm
Final: PHILLIES NINE
SF 3
(You’re welcome, Don)
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
August 17th, 2010
10:02 pm
c’mon Prado, how about a HR for ol’times sake
John
August 17th, 2010
10:03 pm
3 hit game for Prado. We missed you so much :*(
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
August 17th, 2010
10:03 pm
ok, 3 hits is good enough. Damn glad to have him back!!!
Denzel Hanks
August 17th, 2010
10:04 pm
Braves NINE
Nats 2
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
August 17th, 2010
10:04 pm
yeah boy, we get to see Glaus one more time!!! Whats the call folks???
Jeff Schultz
August 17th, 2010
10:05 pm
Three hits for Prado tonight in first game back. So much for roster. What kind of shot you think he’d have at MVP. knowing the years that Pujols and Votto have had?
John
August 17th, 2010
10:05 pm
K
Sonny Clusters
August 17th, 2010
10:05 pm
Clusters was always one to avoid striking out in critical situations so was was always careful to hit the ball somewhere and we was thinking that’s what Glaus should try to do – but not to an infielder.
First and third for Glaus . . . strike one.
Katherine
August 17th, 2010
10:05 pm
i hoping for a single to make him feel better
Jeff Schultz
August 17th, 2010
10:05 pm
BravesFAN — Could be a number of reasons. Three most obvious: 1) His knee hurts; 2) He’s wearing down; 3) Pitchers have tape on him down and are pitching him different and he’ll have to adjust.
Katherine
August 17th, 2010
10:06 pm
hahahaha yay glaus
John
August 17th, 2010
10:06 pm
another meaningless hit for Glaus
Denzel Hanks
August 17th, 2010
10:06 pm
Look at Glaus go!
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
August 17th, 2010
10:06 pm
well holy crap!!! now i can go to bed and sleep easy
sid's bream
August 17th, 2010
10:06 pm
glaus had to wait until his hit would be a little more pointless.
Bama brave
August 17th, 2010
10:07 pm
Its A shame that thers not many people in the stands!
John
August 17th, 2010
10:07 pm
when was the last time Glaus did anything that mattered? He can’t even get the runner over when the game is close, but when we’re up 5 runs, oh here comes the bat
Matt G
August 17th, 2010
10:07 pm
Chip says “another two out, run scoring hit for Troy” — yes, can’t get enough of those when you’re up by 7 in the 8th…
Sonny Clusters
August 17th, 2010
10:08 pm
Whoa! That should keep him in the lineup.
Bama brave
August 17th, 2010
10:08 pm
seats
layoffGlaus
August 17th, 2010
10:09 pm
There, you OTP pot-bellied morons…Glaus did it. Did you forget about Sunday, btw?
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
August 17th, 2010
10:09 pm
don’t sweat it bamabrave, it’s a tuesday. they’re bound to have a few low attendance nights every now and then.
NCBravesFan
August 17th, 2010
10:10 pm
Poor Glaus – even when he gets a hit and drives in a run he gets nailed by the “fans.”
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
August 17th, 2010
10:10 pm
how do you know were not ITP and skinny layoffGlaus?
NCBravesFan
August 17th, 2010
10:11 pm
<—– Files "pot-bellied morons" for future use.
John
August 17th, 2010
10:11 pm
the sick thing is that we all tell you dullards that Glaus only gets a hit when we’re ahead by 5 runs, but then when he does just that, making it a 1-5 day, you hoot like we just won the world series. You’re literally at your computer saying “see? SEE?” Atlanta has the dumbest fans in all of sports.
Joel
August 17th, 2010
10:13 pm
dont call strasburg a pock faced morob at the game, the ushers dont like that. i know from experience.
Wounded Knee
August 17th, 2010
10:13 pm
Can we get Nate’s name off the ATT Call to the Bullpen phone please? Surely Wren has deleted that contact by now.
Joel
August 17th, 2010
10:13 pm
Enter your comments here
Katherine
August 17th, 2010
10:14 pm
again with the dullards john….seriously…we understand about glaus..we aren’t stupid….can you stop being such an arse
Mr Charlie
August 17th, 2010
10:15 pm
Glaus jump started this team when they we down and out. He also might finish with 100RBI. Why all the negativity?
Katherine
August 17th, 2010
10:15 pm
braves win…yay
NCBravesFan
August 17th, 2010
10:16 pm
Wonder if Don heard the Braves score yet?
(Where’d he go, anyway?)
John
August 17th, 2010
10:17 pm
Katherine,
“seriously…we understand about glaus..we aren’t stupid”
No, you don’t, and yes, you are.
Mr Charlie
August 17th, 2010
10:18 pm
Yea john, when he gets his 100th RBI, you will say they were all when the braves were up by 5. Somebody does not know anything about baseball, and am not talking about Kathrine.
Mr Charlie
August 17th, 2010
10:19 pm
Yes, we do understand your feelings about Glaus, we also understand you knowledge of baseball.
Katherine
August 17th, 2010
10:19 pm
well john,,you just continue to be negative and find all the reasons why the braves can’t win…I will continue to enjoy watching them and cheering them on
NCBravesFan
August 17th, 2010
10:23 pm
Man those sad sack Braves are 11-5 in the month of August. We are doomed. DOOMED, I tell you!
Mr Charlie
August 17th, 2010
10:26 pm
If john was watching the Indians in Major League, he would be ranting about how we need to get rid of the catcher.
He knows nothing about chemistry, respect, and baseball karma.
John
August 17th, 2010
10:30 pm
We have lost 4 games this month 2-1 or 3-2, and all of you think we have a good enough offense. Your only argument is karma, and then you tell me I know nothing. Excellent. A world of people who can’t think all patting one another on the back.
John
August 17th, 2010
10:32 pm
If Glaus miraculously turns it around, I will gladly say I was wrong, but we won’t hear a mouse fart out of you when he continues to hit .150 and the Phillies edge us.
Katherine
August 17th, 2010
10:33 pm
John….lol you are ridiculous. Everyone knows the team has problems…why are you so negative and unhappy? Can’t you just enjoy watching your team and cheer them on?
Mr Charlie
August 17th, 2010
10:36 pm
John, yea, Karma, and the fact that he is on pace to get 100 RBI. Not to mention that the guy single handidly took this team from the abyss and showed them how to win. But, we don’t need a guy line that on our team. Do we?
If we were down to our last out in game 7 of the WS with the tying run on 3rd, I would like to see him up. He saved this season once, he can do it again.
NCBravesFan
August 17th, 2010
10:38 pm
John: would you feel better if they lost those games 11-10? 11-5 is 11-5 … the team is built on pitching – that’s no secret – and they’re playing well.
I never said their offense is good enough – don’t assign beliefs to people, please. What I will say is this – they play the games on the field, not on paper.
The Braves have played their butts off all year despite a myriad set of injuries to key players. I for one will support them because they play hard and are an exciting team to watch.