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
NORRIS
June 14th, 2011
9:10 pm
It amazes me that this team is even in second place. It is only by the fact that the pitching has been very good. Cause the hitting on this team is awful.
NORRIS
June 14th, 2011
9:12 pm
jose reyes is superman when he plays the braves. man i dont like that guy…
Bill
June 14th, 2011
9:13 pm
wish we had him.
Bob
June 14th, 2011
9:14 pm
Too funny. “This team sucks!”….”Not a playoff team!!”..”Uggla sucks!”. Meanwhile, if the braves win tommorow and Uggla has 2 hits it will be nothing but “man, if Uggs warms up we’ll win the division by 15 games dude!”
Bill
June 14th, 2011
9:15 pm
This games not over..still will or can win..
Jonah
June 14th, 2011
9:20 pm
Why can’t this team hit lefties?
Bill
June 14th, 2011
9:25 pm
Braves did a good job of putting water on field. Here we go
Bill
June 14th, 2011
9:26 pm
How about the bottom of order………
J-Man
June 14th, 2011
9:27 pm
We need to get another right handed bat off the bench when everyone is healthy
Tomahawkin
June 14th, 2011
9:27 pm
Nice!
Rossy!!!!
Yay! Bout time we see some Fire!
todd grantham
June 14th, 2011
9:28 pm
Mets look like clowns in the field
todd grantham
June 14th, 2011
9:30 pm
Mets bench looks shellshocked
the truth...
June 14th, 2011
9:31 pm
….no the Fat Lady has not been announced yet…so we’ve got them where we want them…..
Let’s see…two on now….and here comes McCann ….he’s the winning run at the plate….
J-Man
June 14th, 2011
9:31 pm
good eye by mather tonight his best game in awhile
the truth...
June 14th, 2011
9:33 pm
HEY JEFF !!!
Where did that photo of Freddie in the umpire’s face come from? What did I miss?
Jeff Schultz
June 14th, 2011
9:34 pm
Sorry folks … Had to serve the print master and finish an early column. Back now for a short time.
Bill
June 14th, 2011
9:36 pm
Hel@ Young could have done that.
archie
June 14th, 2011
9:36 pm
Anybody want to play LF for the Braves in the last couple of innings? Anyone? Bueller?
Bill
June 14th, 2011
9:38 pm
Who you got to pitch hit in 8th or 9th?
5150 UOAD
June 14th, 2011
9:38 pm
Need a BIT hit right here with 2 outs.
Bill
June 14th, 2011
9:39 pm
What a bench>>>>>>>>>>>>
5150 UOAD
June 14th, 2011
9:39 pm
That was a ball Damn.
Jonah
June 14th, 2011
9:40 pm
Like I said…can’t hit lefties!
Bill
June 14th, 2011
9:41 pm
Good Lord..its getting bad…
needlerichard
June 14th, 2011
9:42 pm
back to their old ways. honestly they had a real good road trip but its not like they played well in all the wins. only the pitching is quality
todd grantham
June 14th, 2011
9:43 pm
Jeff, who is more evil, the Count or the PrintMaster?
todd grantham
June 14th, 2011
9:44 pm
and Reyes hustles down the line like a rocket
Bill
June 14th, 2011
9:45 pm
Maybe top of order will finally show up…
todd grantham
June 14th, 2011
9:45 pm
the Mets have kept the Braves in this game
Jeff Schultz
June 14th, 2011
9:46 pm
Top of the order . . .
todd grantham
June 14th, 2011
9:47 pm
Why doesnt someone tell Bryan Jordan one doesnt wear a suit jacket with a golf shirt?
todd grantham
June 14th, 2011
9:48 pm
Mets pitcher looks like a right handed Mickey Lolich.
the truth...
June 14th, 2011
9:48 pm
Todd…..
….same reason one doesn’t tell Mike Tyson you don’t….
todd grantham
June 14th, 2011
9:48 pm
and Pagan sure looks like one. evil eyes.
the truth...
June 14th, 2011
9:49 pm
would have been nice there for Shaefer to bunt for a hit…..better shot than a pop fly. We need a base runner….
todd grantham
June 14th, 2011
9:49 pm
BJ does look pretty bulked.
the truth...
June 14th, 2011
9:50 pm
Uggs!
Jeff Schultz
June 14th, 2011
9:50 pm
He’s alive! … Uggla’s homer makes it a 4-3 game.
Bill
June 14th, 2011
9:50 pm
about time top of order did something..
todd grantham
June 14th, 2011
9:50 pm
yep truth, jordan should have bunted for a hit and we would be tied
the truth...
June 14th, 2011
9:50 pm
would have been nice to have Jordan on first for that….
the truth...
June 14th, 2011
9:51 pm
….like I said Jeff…..
got’em right where we want them…..
Philly Fan
June 14th, 2011
9:51 pm
Just a quick question for my fellow NL East Fans down in Hotlanta. Is the NL East a little bit like the AL East now? We may not have the 3rd very good team but I really do think that the Phillies and Braves are 1 and 2 in NL overall. What are some of your thoughts
Jeff Schultz
June 14th, 2011
9:51 pm
I thought that was gone when Chipper hit it.
todd grantham
June 14th, 2011
9:51 pm
damn
Bill
June 14th, 2011
9:51 pm
The old man did it again..HOMER!
Jeff Schultz
June 14th, 2011
9:52 pm
Braves’ three batters in inning — three fly balls.
Jonah
June 14th, 2011
9:52 pm
Why can’t he do that with someone on base!
Bill
June 14th, 2011
9:52 pm
damn I was in bedroom and thought hit homer..damn.
Jeff Schultz
June 14th, 2011
9:53 pm
Todd Grantham — The PrintMaster. Not even close.