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
Don
August 29th, 2010
2:24 pm
Another 2-3 runs coming. I love seeing poor booby lose. 2011 is going to be so much better.
Bravesfansince66
August 29th, 2010
2:24 pm
That wasn’t on Hinske, the pitcher is supposed to get to the bag!
ramblngman
August 29th, 2010
2:25 pm
*chooses to ignore any further comments by goobers who can’t make logical arguments and wind up just getting personal in a vain attempt to make their comments appear to be anything other than lies, innuendo and personal attacks*
Bravesfansince66
August 29th, 2010
2:25 pm
Don don’t go away mad just go away…
Jeff Schultz
August 29th, 2010
2:25 pm
Wow — That’s a huge break for Braves. Ramirez out of the game, somehow got hurt on slide into second base. Looked routine.
Phredd
August 29th, 2010
2:25 pm
booby? u clever SOB! Where do you get this material?
ramblngman
August 29th, 2010
2:27 pm
maybe Ramirez’s injury was a leftover from the cup incident from last night. LOL.
JMOR
August 29th, 2010
2:27 pm
This is where Lowe exits after it is 6-1
Phredd
August 29th, 2010
2:27 pm
Lowe’s ball is just dancing too much. That’s the problem
Don
August 29th, 2010
2:28 pm
Yeah real huge. They are about to be down 5-6 to 1
Dead arm
August 29th, 2010
2:28 pm
Pick your poison next season – Kawakami or Lowe?
TTTT-Thumbody Thed Thats Thupid!
August 29th, 2010
2:28 pm
Those umpires in the LLWS have been doing an outstanding job. Replay on close calls is even working good, only taking an average of 45 seconds.That’s less time than most managers argue. As of yesterday they had about a 50% reversal rate and one was a critical call in the Hawaii/GA game. MLB needs to get with the program and STOP USING SO MANY REPLACEMENT UMPIRES. They can take their frigging vacations during the off season!
Bravesfansince66
August 29th, 2010
2:28 pm
LOWE STINKS!
kirkinga
August 29th, 2010
2:28 pm
Time for Lowe to depart. The team still has a chance.
Jeff Schultz
August 29th, 2010
2:28 pm
Meanwhile, Derek Lowe is back. Marlins 3 hits and a walk since 5 straight outs.
Tucker T
August 29th, 2010
2:28 pm
Good to see Meds on the bench. I think this one is over.
Heath
August 29th, 2010
2:29 pm
“Kawakami will be back when the starter struggles,” on the radio, about September callups. How’s that for encouragement?
JMOR
August 29th, 2010
2:29 pm
Lowe has nothing on the ball…How can they keep him in the rotation?
Don
August 29th, 2010
2:29 pm
Leave him in there dumbass booby. Let them get 7-8 to make it a real nailbiter! Dumbest most inept manager. So predictable to with lowe pitching.
Wilson Phillips
August 29th, 2010
2:29 pm
“Hold on for one more daaaayyyyy……”
LuisG - Win-it-4Bobby-n-Chipper
August 29th, 2010
2:30 pm
I’d say D-Lowe failed to make a statement today…
Bravesfansince66
August 29th, 2010
2:30 pm
Next thing you know Lowe will be whining about pitching day games. GET OVER it you are a MLB pictcher although some will argue with that based on your recent performance!
Bobby
August 29th, 2010
2:31 pm
“He just got a little unlucky out there today. The Marlins just made some great plays.”
Don
August 29th, 2010
2:31 pm
Accuracy and the trith hurts doesn’t it 66. Keep rooting for your sucker team. Maybe one day you will wake up and see the lousy chokers for what they are. Mark this post. They WILL NOT make the playoffs and they will be over 6 games behind Philly when it’s over.
JMOR
August 29th, 2010
2:32 pm
This is really exciting to watch…played for over an hour and still top of 3rd
Don
August 29th, 2010
2:32 pm
3 run dinger coming?
"Chef" Tim Dix
August 29th, 2010
2:32 pm
Sorry I’m late.
Lowe’s statement so far: “I’d rather have a slice of Cheffy’s pie.”
Bravesfansince66
August 29th, 2010
2:32 pm
You mean the Phils that could even win a game against the Astros…
Paragraph 6, Line 4 of Derek Lowe's contract
August 29th, 2010
2:33 pm
If Derek doesn’t like the Southern heat, I’m sure the Braves would be more than willing to let him terminate his contract next year. Your court, Mr. Lowe.
JMOR
August 29th, 2010
2:33 pm
“He was really throwing that sinker today” You just have to tip you cap to the Marlins
Game
August 29th, 2010
2:33 pm
Looks like opposite of last night so far. Typical Braves
Kentavo
August 29th, 2010
2:33 pm
I’ve said this before; But I would not swing when facing Lowe. He can’t strike anyone out looking – that sinker isn’t in the zone, just lay off it.
Matt k
August 29th, 2010
2:33 pm
How is it a huge break for the braves that Ramirez is out? The damage has already been done.
Don
August 29th, 2010
2:33 pm
Walk that pitcher!!
Darryl Blackberry
August 29th, 2010
2:34 pm
Braves took two of three from the ‘Stros. A healthy Phillies team got swept in a four-game set. I’m not too worried yet, Don.
Jeff Schultz
August 29th, 2010
2:34 pm
Lowe has thrown 78 pitches through 3 innings.
Bravesfansince66
August 29th, 2010
2:34 pm
Walk the bases full yea that’s the ticket…need to make this the last inning for DLOWE.
Bye Bye Bobby
August 29th, 2010
2:34 pm
Braves will never make the playoffs with the old Donk Cox still here. Maybe after he is gone.
Huge break?
August 29th, 2010
2:34 pm
Agreed: the damage is already done. We need a healthy Ramirez to help smack down some other teams this month.
POAD
August 29th, 2010
2:34 pm
I have to stop watching right now maybe it will help if I watch something different.
Phredd
August 29th, 2010
2:35 pm
Don, type slower! those sausage fingers aren’t meant to go that fast. it’s hard for educated people to decipher your gibberish
Vinnny3
August 29th, 2010
2:35 pm
Jeff, if the Braves hold on and actually make the playoffs or NLCS, what’s the rotation. Clearly Derek Lowe shouldn’t even be allowed to dress in the post season. So is it just a 3 man Huddy, JJ, Hanson? Or do you think Bobby would go 4 man and put Mike Minor in there for a game 4?
"Chef" Tim Dix
August 29th, 2010
2:36 pm
Lowe’s statement to self: I would so hook myself if I were a player/manager.
"Chef" Tim Dix
August 29th, 2010
2:37 pm
Lowe is still below his 235 pitch count.
Phredd
August 29th, 2010
2:37 pm
I live in central NJ, the Philly media believes in the Phillies less than Don. They are talking wild card in this area. Even one nut Kruk picked the Braves over the Phillies
J-Hey
August 29th, 2010
2:38 pm
“We’re LIVE from Braves, as Lowe tries to make statement”
and that statement is … I (still) really stink!
Matt
August 29th, 2010
2:38 pm
Is it too late to trade Lowe for used bag of hockey pucks?
markie mark
August 29th, 2010
2:38 pm
Jeff, just tuned into your blog….saw where you said Infante will not get enough at-bats to qualify for the hitting title…one of your co-workers (Dave?) found a rule that you can take the number of missed at-bats for qualifying, and then work it as “o-fers” and come up with a qualifying average….like if you are 22 at-bats short, then work the statistics as 0 for 22 at-bats, and you can still qualify. Last time someone ran the statistics like that, Infante was in the lead….did anyone mention this to you?
Gman
August 29th, 2010
2:39 pm
Lowe has to be in the conversation for worst free agent signing. Obviously Mike Hampton is among the worst acquisitions ever but I believe that was a trade.
Lowe always finds a way to lose. I try not to watch the days he pitches as the outcome is a foregone conclusion. I’d consider giving Kawakami a chance and take a few of loser Lowe’s starts.
I’m taking the rest of the day off-Lowe is unwatchable. Have fun
Darryl Blackberry
August 29th, 2010
2:39 pm
It’s not too late for a Lowe-Vazquez trade! Call Brian Cashman right now, Frank! DO iiiiit….