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
frigginridiculous
August 29th, 2010
4:47 pm
with this team, you cannot say “oh well, that’s it.” I was sitting down to turn the game on late. 7th inning, 6-1 and just wished… “would be nice for the Braves to pull this out at least tie.”
Thanks Matty D.
Phredd
August 29th, 2010
4:48 pm
that’s a home run!!!!!!!!!!!
JAL
August 29th, 2010
4:48 pm
MOMENTUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love you Jesse!
Jesse Stone
August 29th, 2010
4:48 pm
OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
J Clay
August 29th, 2010
4:48 pm
Braves win, go to hell Phillies
POAD
August 29th, 2010
4:48 pm
Tom you need to shave the falvor savor again for a few years.
Townie
August 29th, 2010
4:48 pm
C’mon Braves. You know what you can do.
Phredd
August 29th, 2010
4:48 pm
Don, you are such good luck!!!
Jesse Stone
August 29th, 2010
4:48 pm
Where ya at NEGATIVE NANCIES???????????????????????????
Townie
August 29th, 2010
4:49 pm
YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jeff Schultz
August 29th, 2010
4:49 pm
That’s got to be a home run. Game over.
Gman
August 29th, 2010
4:49 pm
Tip of the cap Jesse
Darryl Blackberry
August 29th, 2010
4:49 pm
Gosh, what a “lucky” home run, eh, Don?
Steve
August 29th, 2010
4:49 pm
Well this is a first.
Jesse Stone
August 29th, 2010
4:50 pm
Don just kicked 3 of his 14 cats
Peter
August 29th, 2010
4:50 pm
OK Jesse I was wrong……. they won !
Townie
August 29th, 2010
4:50 pm
THEY DID DO IT!!
THE CURSE OF DAVID JUSTICE LIVES IN THE ATL
August 29th, 2010
4:50 pm
WALK OFF
POAD
August 29th, 2010
4:50 pm
Well I am glad I stopped watching so the Braves could win. Give me some love Braves fans I did as much to help the team win today as anybody.
Phredd
August 29th, 2010
4:50 pm
time to bounce!!!!!
JAL
August 29th, 2010
4:51 pm
Jesse, I will be the first to admit, I was a negative Nancy the other night, that game was very disappointing. BUT, BRAVES WIN!
Pressure's On, Phools!
August 29th, 2010
4:51 pm
Now beat the Pads, if you want to keep pace.
THE CURSE OF DAVID JUSTICE LIVES IN THE ATL
August 29th, 2010
4:51 pm
WHERE ARE THE FEELY FANS?
POAD
August 29th, 2010
4:51 pm
Hawaii runners 2nd & 3rd with 2 outs.
Bossman
August 29th, 2010
4:51 pm
Sorry Jeff, you have to write a new article now.
Peter
August 29th, 2010
4:51 pm
Maybe this is a start to a positive run ?
Jesse Stone
August 29th, 2010
4:51 pm
…still a first place team. Easy to cheer for this team. THEY DON’T QUIT
J Clay
August 29th, 2010
4:52 pm
4-5 game lead if not for collapse in Denver….hopefully that is all behind them now after this weekend
Darryl Blackberry
August 29th, 2010
4:53 pm
LOL, Bossman.
POAD
August 29th, 2010
4:53 pm
Japan gets out #3 and stil lead 2-1 headed to the 5th inning.
rc35
August 29th, 2010
4:53 pm
WOW! I don’t know if my heart will stand the wear and tear of this season, but GO BRAVES!! Thank you, Brooks, Matt, and Brian!
Braves fan80
August 29th, 2010
4:53 pm
Dont you guys just love Don!!!!Eat it buddy!!!
Confucious
August 29th, 2010
4:54 pm
The world is full of highs and Lowes.
JMOR
August 29th, 2010
4:54 pm
Great finish, but Lowe is still a problem…When he pitches, you will need 6, 7 or more runs. He is a tremendous liability.
Jesse Stone
August 29th, 2010
4:54 pm
Don won’t be around again until we lose.
POAD
August 29th, 2010
4:54 pm
How am I doing bloggers? I am trying my best JS impersonation.
Tom Selleck's moustache
August 29th, 2010
4:55 pm
The Braves are like me…it just won’t stop.
Peter
August 29th, 2010
4:56 pm
Jesse..by the way Bobby would have one upped me……batting Diaz for Infante was key !
9inningGame
August 29th, 2010
4:56 pm
Man, oh Man! I left to get some work done at the office as the Braves went down 6-1! I’ll never leave this bunch of scrappers again!!!
Jesse Stone
August 29th, 2010
4:57 pm
I’ll let Bobby manage the Braves. I’ll just be a P.E teacher and fan
GT Alum
August 29th, 2010
4:57 pm
How ’bout them Cardiac Braves? They’re not for the weak of heart, but they sure are fun.
Brock
August 29th, 2010
4:58 pm
I swear to god if Bobby doesn’t wise up and play Diaz every stinkin day from here on out I’m gonna lose my s#@t!! What more does Matt have to do to prove he deserves to be in there EVERYDAY!!!
POAD
August 29th, 2010
4:58 pm
Japan bunts for a single. 2nd batter bunts too. In the air. Misses the catch but throws to 2nd for the out. Japan 1 out and man on 1st.
Jesse Stone
August 29th, 2010
4:59 pm
hit righties more consistently
Peter
August 29th, 2010
4:59 pm
I also find it hard to believe the Phillie’s will sweep the Padre’s …… thought the do have a 1 to 0 lead.
POAD
August 29th, 2010
5:00 pm
Hawaii pitch count to 60 of his 85 limit. Hawai trails 2-1. in the top of the 5th.
Phredd
August 29th, 2010
5:00 pm
well said Jesse!
POAD
August 29th, 2010
5:00 pm
Long fly out to right field. 2 out man on 1st.
david
August 29th, 2010
5:01 pm
POAD– youre doing ok if anybody gave a crap about the llws
Bobby
August 29th, 2010
5:02 pm
“We just hit the daylights out of the ball. Gotta hand it to the Marlins…they’re a great ballclub. Derek was really throwing out there today, the Marlins just were hitting the daylight out of the ball.”