We’re LIVE from Braves, as Lowe tries to make statement
If Derek Lowe wants to start games in the postseason, he needs to win games like these.
Welcome to the Braves’ series finale against the Florida Marlins.
It’s “Bark in The Park” day, so there are several dogs in the stadium, although I’m not sure at this time if Bob Wickman has been invited back to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
(Thank you. I’m here all game.)
The Braves, coming off Saturday’s 12-3 win over the Marlins, will try to win consecutive games for the first time since winning four straight Aug. 15-18 (two over Los Angeles, two over Washington). That was followed by a 6-2 loss to the Nationals and a stretch of six losses in eight games before Saturday’s 12-3 win over Florida.
A few subplots in today’s game:
♦ Derrek Lee suffered a strained in his right side Saturday night and is out of the lineup today (Eric Hinske starts at first). The injury is believed to be minor and Lee could be back Monday night against the New York Mets.
♦ If pitcher Derek Lowe (11-12, 4.33) wants to make a statement that he should be a postseason starter, he needs to win games like today’s and start stringing together some impressive games. He was tagged early in his last outing at Colorado, though he ended up allowing only three runs in six innings in a 5-2 loss to the Rockies. The Braves have won only one of Lowe’s last seven starts (Lowe in that span: 1-4, two no decisions, 4.17 ERA).
♦ The Braves are 45-18 at home this season and 17-1-2 in home series (trying to make it 18-1-2 today). Their only home series loss of the season came to Philadelphia back in April.
♦ Omar Infante, who went 2-for-4 with a double Saturday, is batting .344 — 18 points higher than National League batting leader Joey Votto (.326). Infante, however, doesn’t qualify for the batting title. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Infante needs 146 plate appearances in the Braves’ final 33 games (4.42 per game) to qualify.
That’s it for now. Here’s the question of the day (and a possible subject of my column later): How important do you think it is for Lowe to have an impressive performance, going into the postseason (should the Braves make it)?
♦
DID YOU MISS . . .
♦ College football special: Predicting Georgia Tech’s season
♦ College football special: Richt says Georgia is poised for bounce-back season
♦ Contest announcement: Here’s your chance to pick winners and ‘Sack Schultz’
♦
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656 comments Add your comment
Jeff Schultz
August 29th, 2010
4:09 pm
SG10 — I don’t think team has lost it, but I never thought postseason — or certainly division title — was a lock. Not sure why anybody would. Chipper injury was huge, even with other acquisitions. But do I still think they’ll make playoffs? Yes. I think.
Jesse Stone
August 29th, 2010
4:09 pm
Peter- yeah, because if Blanco was on this team, we’d win 75% of the games, right? Not sure what a club house RBI leader is. This team is NOT TERRIBLY TALENTED, yet they remain in first place. I could see your reason for whining if it was a team full of Lowes, but it’s not. What exactly are you looking for? where will all this whining get you?
Peter
August 29th, 2010
4:09 pm
Jeff……. Wren fashioned the ball club……. So where does the buck stop……or no one take responsibility ?
Wrenmeadeal!
August 29th, 2010
4:10 pm
Fellas why so glum? Melky could get up this inning…
Confucious
August 29th, 2010
4:10 pm
The world is full of highs and Lowes
Jeff Schultz
August 29th, 2010
4:11 pm
Peter — Never said he doesn’t share responsibility. He does. So does ownership. So do some players who didn’t play up to expectations.
Bravesfansince66
August 29th, 2010
4:12 pm
You mean extreme Lowes…
Question
August 29th, 2010
4:12 pm
Does anyone know the Marlins’ record against the Braves? Sure seem like they have had our number for a long time.
Jesse Stone
August 29th, 2010
4:12 pm
6-6 entering today
Jeff Schultz
August 29th, 2010
4:13 pm
OK, rally time? …. 6-2 and with 2 on that means a Gonzalez homer would make it 6-5. (I was good in math.)
Jeff Schultz
August 29th, 2010
4:13 pm
Clay Hensley coming in for Marlins.
Rufino Linares
August 29th, 2010
4:13 pm
2 runners in scoring position w less than 2 outs-hmmmm how will they blow it
POAD
August 29th, 2010
4:13 pm
1 on 1 out for Hawaii in the bottom of the 3rd. Hawaii still trails 1-0.
Jesse Stone
August 29th, 2010
4:13 pm
How dare you ruin a perfectly negative vibe here, Jeff!
Peter
August 29th, 2010
4:14 pm
Well when Blanco started …… they DID win 75% of their games……. Yes they are not terribly talented thank you.
So making comments of frustration is wining to you…so what ……. call a spade a spade.
The RBI leader is Glaus……. AAA ball…… is he the answer at 3rd ? With bad knees.
The decisions were made long time ago……. the fans have put up with bad ball for a long time….. the luck of being in first has about run out.
Wren is a bad GM….and Bobby would be a great softball manger. He has been lucky with great players over his tenure, and winning 1 of 5 World Series is a very Poor record.
Jesse Stone
August 29th, 2010
4:14 pm
Rufino Linares- Why post under the name of the deceased?
Question
August 29th, 2010
4:14 pm
Thanks Jesse…what about lifetime versus the Braves?
Confucious
August 29th, 2010
4:14 pm
Jeff…just curious…what’s your impression of Liberty Media as owner?
Rufino Linares
August 29th, 2010
4:15 pm
A Gonzales homer? Come on Jeff, unbridled optimism isn’t your style.
JAL
August 29th, 2010
4:15 pm
Jeff,
Frank had to know the budget constraints and everything else that came with the job, before he took it.
His FAULT!
Jeff Schultz
August 29th, 2010
4:15 pm
Sorry Jesse.
Jeff Schultz
August 29th, 2010
4:16 pm
Confucious: Not a fan of corporate ownership.
Jesse Stone
August 29th, 2010
4:16 pm
Peter- You are clearly a negative Nancy in the mold of Mitchell and Robert. be thankful we got to 5 WS. If only you were managing the Braves…..
Jeff Schultz
August 29th, 2010
4:16 pm
JAL — like I said, the KK and Lowe signings put them in a bind.
Jeff Schultz
August 29th, 2010
4:17 pm
Rufino — I thought I’d try it out. See what that got me?
Gman
August 29th, 2010
4:18 pm
Awesome at bat by Gonzales.. what a pro
Jeff Schultz
August 29th, 2010
4:19 pm
Two more runs. .. inning should be over. 6-4.
Jesse Stone
August 29th, 2010
4:19 pm
E3
Melky Cabrera's mom
August 29th, 2010
4:19 pm
It’s Melky time!
Peter
August 29th, 2010
4:19 pm
Jesse you made mention of the Red Sox manager being like Bobby…….well that is not true……his players bat anywhere in the line up he see fit.
Chipper ” ONLY ” batted 3rd……. It didn’t matter if he was hitting .300 or .220.
I would cherish the opportunity to manage……wouldn’t you ?
JAL
August 29th, 2010
4:19 pm
Here we go, the Marlins are finally showing up. Hit the Ball har and good things will come!
JAL
August 29th, 2010
4:20 pm
Hard!
Jeff Schultz
August 29th, 2010
4:20 pm
That error goes to first baseman. Should’ve had it.
Wrenmeadeal!
August 29th, 2010
4:21 pm
Melky!!!!
Jeff Schultz
August 29th, 2010
4:21 pm
Ankiel 0-4 today.
Jesse Stone
August 29th, 2010
4:21 pm
No Peter, I would let a HOFer do the job. I’m not stupid enough to think I could do better. I said BC and Francona were alike in demeanor. That was many days ago I said that. Do you have a file on me?
Rick Ankiel's mom
August 29th, 2010
4:22 pm
Sigh.
Gman
August 29th, 2010
4:22 pm
Bet the Braves give those runs back
Gman
August 29th, 2010
4:24 pm
3 Es from Fla. We will need a few more to win.
Peter
August 29th, 2010
4:25 pm
Jesse…… File. ????? come on…..the Sox have been my team since I was a child…I remember the comment……and don’t agree with the statement.
I also don’t agree with you about setting a fire under the ball club, as far as getting on a roll……we have differing opinions.
POAD
August 29th, 2010
4:25 pm
Maybe is should have been MEOW at the park. Cats might actually have something for the fish.
Jesse Stone
August 29th, 2010
4:26 pm
Yes, we do.
Ross, Rachel, Joey, etc.
August 29th, 2010
4:27 pm
Peter and Jesse, will you two go get a room already? Geez.
JAL
August 29th, 2010
4:28 pm
Jesse, I missed most of this, but the last comment about fire, please tell me you did not say that. I remember a couple of days ago, a conversation about fire and you were dead against that, whats up?
POAD
August 29th, 2010
4:29 pm
Japan runs 2nd & 3rd with 1 out. Hot shot to third. scoop and thrw to 1st. Hit to center and Japan leads 2-0 on a great 2 out hit. Braqves could learn something for the Japaneese LL hitters.
Jesse Stone
August 29th, 2010
4:31 pm
JAL- IMO baseball is a sport where reaction and concentration are much more important than “fire in the belly”. FIRE doesn’t help you throw strikes, field a ground ball, throw to the right base, etc. Football on the other hand is different. It is a collision, physical sport. Baseball is a game of precision and execution
Tom Selleck
August 29th, 2010
4:32 pm
Well said, Jesse Stone. That speech will be part of my next CBS movie.
POAD
August 29th, 2010
4:33 pm
Hawaii gets out of the inning just giving up 1 run. Bottom of the 4th and Japan leads 2-0
Jesse Stone
August 29th, 2010
4:33 pm
Tom, you do a helluva job portraying me
JAL
August 29th, 2010
4:34 pm
I understand that but, another word for that Fire, is momentum and guy’s feeding off of each other, I understand what you are saying, you have to play fundamentally sound ball, but if you don’t have the fire, you will not play well.