LIVE: It’s time for the Braves (or is that the Black Knight?)
Do Omar Infante and the Braves have enough healthy bodies left to win the wild card? (AP photo)
Welcome back to Turner Field for a game involving what remains of your Atlanta Braves.
To all of the injury issues the team has had in the season — not the least of which were losing Chipper Jones and pitcher Kris Medlen for the year and pitchers Jair Jurrjens and Takashi Saito for extended periods, we add this: Martin Prado is “definitely going to be out for a while” with a hip-pointer, manager Bobby Cox said after Monday’s game.
The biggest problem with that: There’s not “a while” left in the season. In fact, there are more letters in “a while” (six) than there are games left on the Braves’ schedule (five).
Prado might be toast, but the Braves aren’t, yet. They enter tonight’s game against Florida with a one-half game lead over San Diego and 4 1/2 over all-but-dead Colorado in the National League wild card race.
Prado is having an MRI and was not available for comment before the game. Cox said he was “feeling better” today. But, even though we’re talking about one of the toughest players on the team, it would be surprising to see him back in the lineup this season. A hip-pointer is an extremely painful injury, one that prevents a player from pivoting — which eliminates pretty much every movement in a baseball game (fielding, throwing, hitting).
How are the Braves still here? They’re like Monty Python’s “Black Knight,” who kept fighting on despite severed limbs. (”It’s only a flesh wound!” … I am invincible! The Black Knight always triumphs!”)
In fact, since everybody can use a laugh these days . . .
On a related note, the “Black Knight” is batting third and playing center field for the Braves tonight.
OK, seriously. The lineup includes these changes: Catcher Brian McCann is batting third to replace Prado; the struggling Melky Cabrera (hitting only .229 with one homer in his last 49 games) is hitting fifth; Brooks Conrad starts at third base and hits seventh.
Pitching tonight on only three days rest (in place of the injured Jurrjens) is Tim Hudson. He’s only 1-4 with a 6.10 earned run average in five September starts after going 6-0 with a 1.43 ERA in his previous eight outings. One positive omen: Hudson has pitched on three days rest three times before in the regular season, going 2-0 with a 2.61 ERA.
That’s it for now. I’ll be back to live blog at game time. Can the Braves hang on?
♦
EARLIER POST
♦ Bust poll: Bobo (Georgia offense) vs. Groh (Tech defense)
♦
SACK SCHULTZ: Making a little comeback. Went 12-3 last week. Note to all competitors: You’re going down. It’s not to late to lose to me! Click here for details and then here to enter.
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
636 comments Add your comment
Jesse Stone
September 28th, 2010
7:24 pm
Let Chino race against the drill
Jeff Schultz
September 28th, 2010
7:24 pm
And that is how to NOT make a pickoff throw.
Jesse Stone
September 28th, 2010
7:24 pm
E3
dawg4u
September 28th, 2010
7:25 pm
I would venture a bet that an FBI agent or CIA operative wouldn’t feel as much pressure as a Braves starter the next five games. Melky batting 5th, resting players in the middle of a pressurized wild card race. These guys can rest after the season. Bobby you have been great over the years but please give this team the best chance to win. I’ll be surprised if we score more than two runs tonight.
Katherine
September 28th, 2010
7:26 pm
Well jeff, a lot of braves fans have to travel really long distances to see a game since they come from all over the south. The braves haven’t played well since the allstar break….and I don’t think people wanted to spend the money (travel, tickets, hotel…) with the way they were playing. That’s just my opinion. I think they were just as happy to watch it on tv.
Jeff Schultz
September 28th, 2010
7:26 pm
Lee needs to come through here.
Jeff Schultz
September 28th, 2010
7:26 pm
. . . And that’s not coming through.
Cole Hamels
September 28th, 2010
7:26 pm
Am I pitching in the Braves series? If, I am,I hope Glaus and DLEE don’t start at the same time because both have killed me. Good thing Booby Cox is their manager. He’s like a best friend an opposing pitcher could have. Go Conrad and Freeman ! May the strikes be with you!
Jeff Schultz
September 28th, 2010
7:27 pm
Jesse — I like the Chino vs. Drill race. That would even get me here on days off. And I’d pay!
bobbycoxcountdown: 5
September 28th, 2010
7:27 pm
there are times Derek Lee looks like he has no clue what he is doing at the plate.
Unfortunately, they seem to be far out-weighing his other at bats of late.
Jesse Stone
September 28th, 2010
7:27 pm
Cole- Your wife was nekkid on Survivor. I bet her mom was proud.
GT Alum
September 28th, 2010
7:28 pm
JS -
I think she’s saying if they weren’t on the verge of playing themselves out of a playoff spot after having held a significant lead the division. Given, they’ve dealt with a lot of adversity, but there’s been a lot of defensive miscues and a number of guys aren’t producing to the levels expected of them. I think a lot of people see them as a team on its last legs, not a team that’s poised to contend for the World Series, so a lot of folks aren’t that excited about them right now.
I, personally, am stuck at work, so there’s not much they could do to get me to the park tonight.
Jeff Schultz
September 28th, 2010
7:28 pm
Katherine — You might be right. But it is pretty amazing when you consider they’re still in playoff race (actually leading WC) and still so many empty seats. I’m sure Philly series will draw well.
Howard Moon
September 28th, 2010
7:28 pm
Derick Lee is awesome…
Jeff Schultz
September 28th, 2010
7:29 pm
That was scored a hit.
Cole Hamels
September 28th, 2010
7:29 pm
This line up would produce a lot of runs if we rewarded our players for getting us into first instead of sticking with the Duds who lost the lead for us.
Howard Moon
September 28th, 2010
7:29 pm
Is the “Mendoza line” .250??
jl
September 28th, 2010
7:29 pm
Can you believe that piece of S%&T D. Lee just stood there and looked at strike 3 ?
Katherine
September 28th, 2010
7:30 pm
This weekend will be crowded…no matter if they are in the playoffs by then or not since its bobby’s last few games. I am going sunday and I sure hope they are still in it.
Jesse Stone
September 28th, 2010
7:30 pm
jl- He’s not the first and won’t be the last
bobbycoxcountdown: 5
September 28th, 2010
7:32 pm
Jeff- please go take the crack-pipe away from the official scorer.
If that’s a hit, than Chino is favored in the race over the Drill!
Yeah, right.
Grownin Samoan
September 28th, 2010
7:32 pm
and another typical
Lee AB
Jesse Stone
September 28th, 2010
7:33 pm
That’s not a routine play. It is a hit. slow roller, running away from first and throwing across his body.
Naboo the Enigma
September 28th, 2010
7:33 pm
Anyone have stats on what Diaz is hitting since his stint on the DL? He’s a Marlin killer and not in the lineup yet again…
Grownin Samoan
September 28th, 2010
7:33 pm
Mendoza is .200
Grownin Samoan
September 28th, 2010
7:33 pm
the McOut line is .190
david s
September 28th, 2010
7:35 pm
I was hoping last night could act as a spark for this team, but alas, risp and one out, pop out, strike out. And yet another showcase of Derrek’s power.
Naboo the Enigma
September 28th, 2010
7:35 pm
Is there a cleanup hitter in the entire league that’s hitting lower than Lee? This may be some sort of record.
Grownin Samoan
September 28th, 2010
7:36 pm
when does the Milk man deliver?
Jeff Schultz
September 28th, 2010
7:36 pm
BobbyCoxCountdown — Amazing thing was that was scored a hit quickly. No hesitation by scorer … On the race: No way the drill loses to Chino.
Jesse Stone
September 28th, 2010
7:36 pm
Melky with a hit. Good call Bobby
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 28th, 2010
7:36 pm
The answer to the attedance question: Bobby Cox Nipple Night. First 48,000 topless ladies admitted free. Whether or not they’d attend, 48,000 horn dogs would have.
Jeff Schultz
September 28th, 2010
7:36 pm
And it’s a hit by everybody’s favorite No. 5 hitter.
ReddJonn68
September 28th, 2010
7:37 pm
The Mendoza line is .200
Jeff Schultz
September 28th, 2010
7:37 pm
Chef Tim — Your mind works in mysterious ways.
GT Alum
September 28th, 2010
7:37 pm
Naboo –
From DOB’s blog
“Braves are facing Florida righty Anibal Sanchez tonight, and while Ankiel is 2-for-2 and Cabrera is 3-for-6 against him, McLouth is 0-for-9, Eric Hinsk is 0-for-10, and Matt Diaz is 2-for-8 with four strikeouts.”
That would appear to be the reasons for who’s in the lineup tonight and who’s not.
bobbycoxcountdown: 5
September 28th, 2010
7:38 pm
Jesse- how do you explain then a throw on target gets him out by a full stride?
A two hopper to 3rd still on the dirt IS NOT and SHOULD NOT be a difficult play.
ran the dvr back to make sure… not even a difficult play.
Jesse Stone
September 28th, 2010
7:38 pm
How about Braves spitcup night?
Cole Hamels
September 28th, 2010
7:38 pm
DLEE wasn’t the clean up hitter when with the Cubs.This was all Booby’s bright idea.
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
September 28th, 2010
7:38 pm
Having a little dog mascot might help with attendance. The guy with the big baseball head has no dignity.
Katherine
September 28th, 2010
7:38 pm
umm chef lol its a family ballpark
MWC
September 28th, 2010
7:38 pm
Thanks Chef.
jl
September 28th, 2010
7:38 pm
Isn’t this a rookie Pitcher, oh never mind, with these guys it doesn’t make any difference they just plain cannot hit. SAD
Jesse Stone
September 28th, 2010
7:38 pm
again, he’s running AWAY from first and throwing across his body
jl
September 28th, 2010
7:39 pm
Another piece of S%&T Alex!!!
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 28th, 2010
7:39 pm
Jeff, a breeze that cut the lights on tonight…
Katherine
September 28th, 2010
7:39 pm
how about the braves just hit with runners in scoring position? that would up attendance
Jesse Stone
September 28th, 2010
7:39 pm
Anibal is not a rookie. Been watching baseball long?
Jeff Schultz
September 28th, 2010
7:40 pm
Russ, the Temporary Mascot — You’re going to need a new job soon.
Jesse Stone
September 28th, 2010
7:40 pm
jl- That was a liner. your ignorance is showing early tonight