LIVE BLOG: Braves hope they’ve reached turning point
Flags aren't quite in the order of the standings, which read: Phillies-Braves-Marlins-Mets-Nationals.
So. Is it soup yet?
For those younger than, well, me, there was a Lipton instant soup commercial back in the 1970s in which a son kept asking his mother that question. That’s sort of what we’ve been asking about the Braves most of the season. Are they the Braves yet?
Finally, maybe yes. After a bumpy first 60 games, the Braves won six straight at Florida and Houston before closing the road trip with an 8-3 loss to the Astros. They’re nine games over. 500 (38-29) and start the night 2½ games behind Philadelphia despite injuries and all of their offensive problems this season.
“You’re like, ‘OK, we’ve taken off a little — and now we have a chance to really take off,’” manager Fredi Gonzalez said.
The Braves open a nine-game home stand tonight against the New York Mets, but their home record (17-13, .567) isn’t any better than their road mark (21-16, .568).
There also are signs that Dan Uggla is starting to come around, and Jason Heyward may return this week following a rehab stint for shoulder surgery. Uggla’s average is at only .180 but he had consecutive two-hit games against the Astros for the first time this season.
Tonight’s pitcher (and the likely subject of the game column) is Jair Jurrjens. He is 8-2 with a 1.82 ERA and has been one of baseball’s best pitchers. He) lost to the Mets 5-0 on June 4 but even that wasn’t a horrible outing (three earned runs and six hits allowed in 6 1/3 innings). It was the only time in 11 starts he has allowed more than two earned runs.
Tonight’s lineup: Jordan Schafer (8), Uggla (4), Chipper Jones (5), Freddie Freeman (3), Alex Gonzalez (6), David Ross (2), Joe Mather (9), Matt Young (7), Jurrjens (1).
That’s it for now. As always, I am here to serve you. So, you think the Braves have finally reached the turning point, or is it too early to know?
By Jeff Schultz
♦
Earlier: Countdown: Vote for LeBron, someone else in Count’s first hate poll
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204 comments Add your comment
Steve
June 14th, 2011
8:07 pm
Feeling better “The Truth?” Fredi came out.
Go@Braves.com
June 14th, 2011
8:07 pm
braves have turned the corner alright. JJ’s ERA is going back to 3.00 or higher. D Lowe is on pace to have 18 losses. T Hudson is back down to earth from last year to be an average pitcher. Give the team another month, they will all batting 200 or lower. Yes, they have turned the corner. Some wins on the last road trip will lead to many many losses on the current home stand and they are losing right now. It is a good start, can you see or are you blind?
Bill
June 14th, 2011
8:08 pm
Fred may go………..Thats cool Jeff. What a catch !
Bill
June 14th, 2011
8:11 pm
Thought Fredi would get the boot but no…..replay look like JS was out.
Jeff Schultz
June 14th, 2011
8:16 pm
Mets have 3 runs but have stranded 5 in four innings. Jurrjens has thrown 63 pitches.
Bill
June 14th, 2011
8:16 pm
Jeff, I believe everyone took a break………..
the truth...
June 14th, 2011
8:18 pm
The manager needs to test the umps…. part of his job….defend his players and push the ump to question his own performance….
When Brian McCann walks toward the dugout on an obviously missed strike three and turns back and almost “shows up” the ump………………………
…it’s time for the manager to get off of his butt and go have a few words with the sightless rodent behind the plate….
How many times have we seen a manager tossed and his team seems to suddenly awaken?
This team needs that big time…..
Jeff Schultz
June 14th, 2011
8:18 pm
No kidding. “Dancing with the Stars” on or something?
Jeff Schultz
June 14th, 2011
8:19 pm
The Truth … “The manager needs to test the umps…. part of his job….defend his players and push the ump to question his own performance…”
(I agree with that part.)
Tomahawkin
June 14th, 2011
8:21 pm
What a Borefest
G-Man
June 14th, 2011
8:21 pm
Yep…not playing the Astros or the slumping Marlins anymore.
Jeff Schultz
June 14th, 2011
8:21 pm
Braves have gone out in order 3 out of 4 innings.
Bill
June 14th, 2011
8:22 pm
America’s got talent & Wipe out….not worth watching……
Tomahawkin
June 14th, 2011
8:24 pm
What the hell happened to the Patient offense we saw in Houston over the weekend…? The last 2 games, its been Hack, Hack, Hack, at 1st pitches again…These guys did so well making pitchers work last year now we have a complete 180 approach at the plate this year at Being way overaggressive during at bats
dachino860
June 14th, 2011
8:24 pm
JJ is getting hit hard… le sigh
the truth...
June 14th, 2011
8:24 pm
….the day at the office was good until I heard Freeman was scratched with another “oblique”…
….seems like this “oblique” thing is a virus or something…..
….and so the punchless personality returns it seems…..
…and JJ is missing in action so far….
BostonDawg
June 14th, 2011
8:25 pm
Some replay of Real Housewives is on my TV while I have to follow the Braves on the net. Yuck.
Bill
June 14th, 2011
8:28 pm
Top 5 in order no hits..6th & 7 –2 hits…Thats the once coming up Ross, mather, MY ,JJ
Bill
June 14th, 2011
8:29 pm
JJ needs to hold runners on….
Jeff Schultz
June 14th, 2011
8:33 pm
Two more runners left on by Mets — that’s seven.
the truth...
June 14th, 2011
8:37 pm
Jeff….
You don’t think the manager is supposed to “fire” his team up?….
….I’m thinking Billy Martin, Leo Durocher, Tommy Lasorda, Earl
Weaver…..how many more do you want?…..Lou Pinella, Tony La Russa…oh a guy named Cox also….
These aren’t a bunch of CPA’s out there ….
the truth...
June 14th, 2011
8:38 pm
…and yeah maybe the paintball guns might be a good idea…..
Tomahawkin
June 14th, 2011
8:38 pm
Snooze!!!
Bill
June 14th, 2011
8:38 pm
9 in a row..
Bill
June 14th, 2011
8:39 pm
come on Eddie Young……
Jeff Schultz
June 14th, 2011
8:40 pm
Braves’ three hits tonight are by the 6-7-8 batters.
Bill
June 14th, 2011
8:40 pm
That a boy Kid…
the truth...
June 14th, 2011
8:41 pm
Hey …. I liked that shot….Freddie’s acutally standing up and look….
He shot a wad of “saliva” out ….wow he spit and Young gets a hit….
Bill
June 14th, 2011
8:42 pm
I don’t give a crap as long as he hits…..maybe he’ll spit all night
"Chef" Tim Dix
June 14th, 2011
8:44 pm
Matt Young: Proof that dwarfs can play MLB.
archie
June 14th, 2011
8:46 pm
Maybe I’ve missed something, so JS and his band of experts can help.
1. What’s the Braves plan after Chipper Jones either breaks down physically (could happen anytime) or retires (supposedly after this season)? Who plays 3rd base? Is anyone in the organization ready? And let’s face it, Alex Gonzalez is no kid either. Who plays SS in the future?
And please don’t say Brandon Hicks in reply to either position. Has anyone seen evidence that he can play major league ball, either at the plate or in the field? If so, I’ve missed it.
Bill
June 14th, 2011
8:47 pm
Jeff, how big is the Mets # 11
Jeff Schultz
June 14th, 2011
8:48 pm
That’s four walks for Jurrjens. … Movement in the Braves’ bullpen. JJ up to 94 pitches.
Bill
June 14th, 2011
8:48 pm
Chef..He had to work double hard to make it..bet on it.
the truth...
June 14th, 2011
8:50 pm
#11 is Reuben Tejada…..
5-11 185
jch
June 14th, 2011
8:51 pm
Archie – Prado will play 3rd and for SS, I don’t have a name but read the other day the Braves consider SS to be where they are the deepest in the farm system.
We’ll need a LF but we’ll be good.
Jeff Schultz
June 14th, 2011
8:54 pm
Five walks, 13 base runners and that’s it for JJ. Here comes Gonzalez.
Tomahawkin
June 14th, 2011
8:55 pm
I just Turned This Trash off!
(Wiping Tear from eye)
Reyes is single-handedly beating us
Getting Clowned by the DiAstros and The NY Mess on back to back nights! Yuck! I know we’d come back clashing down after Pretty Boy Flexin from winning 7 in a row!
We gotta win this series! No excuses!
jim martin
June 14th, 2011
8:55 pm
nothing wrong with the braves.
the owner needs to be fired!
reminds me of the original owners from chicago.
Dobby Fox
June 14th, 2011
8:55 pm
Hopefully, this turning point will not experience much of a losing streak, following a nice six game win streak, getting the Braves to ten over 500.
Sonny Clusters
June 14th, 2011
8:57 pm
Sherrill has John B. Gordon’s beard.
the truth...
June 14th, 2011
8:57 pm
Archie and jch….
I don’t expect we’ll have another career 3b player like Chipper….Prado can surely handle the bag and the bat, but hever the power that Chipper has given us….
Jair just did not have it tonight….and neither do our bats….
…ho hum….her we go again….punchless lineup against a mediocre pitcher…
Neese 16-17 career…..we’re shut down….
Jeff Schultz
June 14th, 2011
8:59 pm
Yeesh.
Bill
June 14th, 2011
9:01 pm
thanks truth..he don’t look that tall…
Jeff Schultz
June 14th, 2011
9:01 pm
Nice job by Sherrill and somehow Mets have only four runs. 2 more left on–that’s nine LOB.
the truth...
June 14th, 2011
9:03 pm
Great…hear Chip’s report on Jason Heyward’s minor league game tonight…..??
3 ab…..out of the game……
…did that sound promising to anyone ???
Decatur Dave
June 14th, 2011
9:04 pm
Mather almost lost the ball because there were no lights behind him.
What will it take for us to spring for some outfield lights!
the truth...
June 14th, 2011
9:05 pm
…Uggla breaks his bat….
wow he’s rolling now…..
G
June 14th, 2011
9:08 pm
Not a playoff team
the truth...
June 14th, 2011
9:10 pm
…wondering about the oblique plague….?
Here’s one take on it…..interesting….
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/24/mlbs-oblique-injury-epidemic-may-be-traced-to-creatine/