Braves, Derek Lowe blow up again (but somehow still live)
Derek Lowe might've done better if he closed his eyes while he pitched Tuesday. Or maybe he did. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
(UPDATED: 11:45 p.m.)
So there’s this scene in Monty Python’s “Life of Brian” when all of those who have been condemned to death and are hanging from crosses suddenly break into the cheer tune, “Always look on the bright side of life …”
And that pretty much sums up the Braves right now. They are a team of “Brians.” Every ounce of their corpses screams – a blood-curdling scream – that they are condemned for a season without a playoff game, or at the very least without another win.
And yet, they live. They sing!
For a short while, Braves fans actually cheered Tuesday night when their team trailed the Philadelphia Phillies 7-0 in the seventh inning. Why? Because team officials – desperate for something to spark a cheer, or at least prevent throwing objects – showed highlights on the video board of Houston taking a 5-0 lead over St. Louis.
This is what Braves fans have to live for these days: Astros highlights.
Hoping to somehow, some way drag their seemingly dead behinds into the playoffs as a wild card, the Braves instead were dismembered by the Phillies 7-1. That makes four straight losses and eight in the last 11 and … well, we’ll stop there. And yes, league rules mandate they must play their 162nd game.
Meanwhile, Atlanta’s current favorite team also failed: The Astros botched that 5-0 lead and lost 13-6. So the Braves have dropped into a tie with the Cardinals.
The Braves could be toast soon. Derek Lowe already has pulled the chute. He allowed five runs in four-plus innings. It would’ve been more, but the Phillies couldn’t stop laughing.
Lowe didn’t quite provide $15 million worth of clutch. But given that he is now 9-17 with a 5.05 ERA, maybe there’s a chance the Braves at least qualify for federal disaster relief. He has lost his last five starts, most by several furlongs.
I can’t recall if the Turner Field crowd ever chanted, “Let’s go, Braves!” on Tuesday. But they chanted, “Let’s go, Houston.”
A 105-loss Astros team has a stronger pulse than the home team. The Braves’ game was so over so early that you half-wondered why the marketing department didn’t just mandate that the team leave the field. The could’ve shown the St. Louis-Houston game on the screen. It would’ve kept more fans in the stadium. They would’ve sold more hot dogs.
It’s one thing for a baseball team to fade in the pennant stretch. It’s another to spontaneously combust.
The Braves are 10-19 in their past 29. Yet somehow, they started the night with a magic number of two to clinch the National League wild card. They realized a win would at least clinch a tie with the Cardinals for the playoff berth, thereby forcing a one-game playoff (albeit in St. Louis on Thursday).
But Lowe gave them no chance. And frankly, their bats would’ve given Cy Young no chance. Those are the three absolutes about the Braves these days. They can’t hit. They can’t pitch (save Tim Hudson). The other team is better.
Asked before the game what his thoughts were of Lowe, manager Fredi Gonzalez said, ““My thoughts are he’s going to give us a hell of a pitching performance.”
Did he mean Vaudeville?
There was a rainbow over Turner Field two hours before the game. But any belief that it represented some wonderful fantasy evening ended quickly. The game’s second batter, Chase Utley, cracked a Lowe pitch somewhere over that rainbow. It was 1-0. And counting.
Lowe was booed in the first inning. And in the top of the third when he gave up two more runs. And in the bottom of the third when he came to the plate. And in the fourth when he allowed another run. And in the fifth when he allowed a leadoff single to Jimmy Rollins.
Finally, Gonzalez went out to get him. A mob with pitch forks and torches already had started to form on the field level.
Gonzalez gambled that the struggling Lowe could give him more than rookie Julio Teheran. Consider the gamble an epic fail. Lowe was 0-4 with an 8.24 ERA in his past four losses. Guess what? That wasn’t an aberration.
We can debate just how much should be expected of a 38-year-old starting pitcher who has thrown over 2,500 innings in his career. But when a team is dying on the postseason vine, nobody wants to hear excuses. The Braves needed a strong performance. Lowe face-planted. They all face-planted. But for what it’s worth, postseason tickets are on sale.
By Jeff Schultz
•
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC; friend me at 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
518 comments Add your comment
No Way
September 27th, 2011
11:28 pm
Why are you still trying to bring the race card into this blast? It’s not about that. Blacks, whites, Puerto Rican, Mexicans, none on our team are worth a crap now.
Ray of Hope
September 27th, 2011
11:28 pm
How does a team like Tampa Bay get a top caliber skipper, and retain his services, like Joe Maddon? He would look awfully good with a Tomahawk on his chest. No one in the game does more with less. Something we should consider since our payroll will never match the Phillies. He’s about to make the playoffs for the third time in four years……in the AL East!
Bill
September 27th, 2011
11:28 pm
Blast, what color is heyward and whats his average..223 can’t hit shi!..whats your problem, get a life.
bias
September 27th, 2011
11:29 pm
I agree with blast,someone please tell atlanta the kkk no longer exists…..pathetic
We can beat those Cheese Steaks..
September 27th, 2011
11:29 pm
I’ll hire some little green men from Mars! lol
Big Wally
September 27th, 2011
11:29 pm
Cards got 13 runs and 17 hits tonight. It would take the Braves a month to get that.
blast
September 27th, 2011
11:30 pm
bill who else besides heyward???thought so,how many phillies have?IDIOT
Mr Moneybags
September 27th, 2011
11:30 pm
Fredi Gonzalez is either a complete IDIOT or he took the money….There’s nothing in between.
Fans routinely get chastised for “Monday Morning Quarterbacking”, but there’s not a Braves Fan anywhere on this Earth that would’ve started Derek Lowe tonight knowing that this was a MUST WIN game. And I’m so sick and tired of seeing Fredi’s fat stomach and fat face smiling and complimenting everyone after every loss. What’s it take for this guy to show some freakin’ EMOTION!?!?
Maybe that’s why all the players look like they feel they’ve already earned their paychecks just by showing up at the ballpark. Sometimes mulit-million dollar pro athletes have to be MOTIVATED to get off their arses and earn their money on the field…..Clearly Fredi Gonzalez is NOT the guy to do that. Absolutely CLUELESS about managing a baseball team.
I’m tired of being embarrassed by pro players that wear this city’s name on their unis. The Hawks SUCK…..The Falcons SUCK…..The Braves SUCK…..The Thrashers SUCK, but at least they had enough class to leave.
“This town(’s pro teams) needs an enema!”
We can beat those Cheese Steaks..
September 27th, 2011
11:31 pm
Cant keep a good baseball player down…
Only if he plays in Atlanta..
RIO
September 27th, 2011
11:32 pm
BREAKING NEWS………BRAVES HAVE FORFEIT WEDNESDAY’S GAME CARDS WIN THE WC
BRAVES FANS….WAIT 6 WEEKS TO GET YOUR MONEY BACK FROM THE POSTSEASON TICKETS
We can beat those Cheese Steaks..
September 27th, 2011
11:32 pm
Mr Moneybags
September 27th, 2011
11:30 pm
“Fredi Gonzalez is either a complete IDIOT or he took the money….There’s nothing in between.”
BINGO!!!!!!!!!!!
Cant fool all of us,Maybe most?
Hope it was worth it amigo?
Bill
September 27th, 2011
11:32 pm
Braves #17..its not up to Houston. They have nothing to gain. If The Braves want it bad enought it up to them to Win tomorrow and see what happens.
RB
September 27th, 2011
11:32 pm
We all know Derek Lowe did not earn his money this year. Now lets see if the rest of the team earned thiers. That includes Freddy!!!
DaveinNEPA
September 27th, 2011
11:33 pm
This team flat out sucks and it doesn’t deserve to go to the postseason.
I don’t know what the reason is for this collective collapse but right now I can’t wait for the season to end.
Mike
September 27th, 2011
11:34 pm
Just think if the cards hadn’t choked in that mets game. They’d already have it wrapped up
Boys Club circa 1955
September 27th, 2011
11:35 pm
ole boys have done it again I reckon?
Tom G
September 27th, 2011
11:35 pm
braves – Sure they(Venters & Kimbrel) are responsible for a few losses but they are also key players in 40-50 wins, don’t forget that, homey! I do not have a love affair with Constanza but you and others will not face reality that JasonH just can not do it anymore, for whatever reason. A .226BA, 40’sRBI, and about 150SO should not even be on a major league roster! I would have been happy to have had Pence, Stanton, or even Frenchy this season in RF! Don’t be such a homer man! JasonH is a great kid and role-model, hell, put the kid in the marketing dept of the Braves.
Bring Me the Head of Deforest Kelley
September 27th, 2011
11:35 pm
There’s zero chance of Lowe being traded or “fired” in 2012 as many would like. He’s under contract next season. And his trade value is absolutely zero: no team in baseball is going to take on $15M in payroll for a 17 game loser. No team would take him even if the Braves ate 90% of his salary.
There’s also no real chance of “asking” Chipper to retire in 2012. He’s already stated he wants to come back next season, and has a contract which allows him this option.
The only significant money to come off the books next season will be Kawakami and McLouth, presuming Wren doesn’t pick up the latter’s option.
Bottom line: better get used to seeing #32 with another 5+ ERA in the rotation again next year.
Derrick Lowe
September 27th, 2011
11:36 pm
Hey guys,sorry about tonight,i still get paid though,hahahaha Anyways,dont blame me i told fredi i was hiccup to drunk to pitch tonight.Me and chipper are going to hooters then we going racing,then off to deer season.Also,dont worry we will both be back next year to tie up 29 million more .Have a great off season,i know we will!!!!
CHEERS SUCKERS!!!!
Bill
September 27th, 2011
11:36 pm
blast..85% of Braves are not white..as for me being a “idiot” i’ll just consider who said it…I’m black and I don’t complain and don’t want any freebees…get it
David Smith
September 27th, 2011
11:39 pm
I hate to say it but this team doesn’t deserve to represent our city they way they have played this month (a 8 game lead evaporated in a month!!!). I really hope they prove me wrong by winning tomorrow and making a deep postseason run. Anything else and this season should be considered a failure.
DAN
September 27th, 2011
11:40 pm
Bill
we all knew u was black,who else watches the dream
btw how is that hope and change working for ya?
Freddi The Fool
September 27th, 2011
11:40 pm
I seem to recall, not so very long ago, certain correspondents for this paper quoting odds that had the Braves a 99 per cent certainty to win the wild card. Reminds me of a Twain quote: “There are three kinds of lies. Lies, damn lies, and statistics.”
Eric C.
September 27th, 2011
11:40 pm
Braves and Astros will win tomorrow…cool
charles
September 27th, 2011
11:41 pm
THANK GOD FOR FOOTBALL SO WE CAN PUT BASEBALL TO REST!
DAN DI DON
September 27th, 2011
11:41 pm
CARDS WILL NOT SCORE ANY RUNS TOMORROW
George M
September 27th, 2011
11:41 pm
First time in my life I couldn’t watch the Braves. Feels weird, feels like I am giving up on them. But they don’t seem to care, so why should I? Wow, I just can’t fathom this yet. Gonzo should play Conrad, Diaz, Constanza, and Hinske tomorrow. The starting lineup hasn’t done squat in a month, so give the bench a shot.
Bill
September 27th, 2011
11:42 pm
Cards win 13 to6…its down to final game. If Cards and Braves win tomorrow— there will be a play off game between Braves & Cards to see who wins wild card.
Go night all..
blast i’m praying for you.
DAN DI DON
September 27th, 2011
11:42 pm
YEAH GO WATCH THE FALCONS THEY SUCK WORSE THAN THE BRAVES
Big Wally
September 27th, 2011
11:43 pm
Sherman treated Atlanta better than Fredi Cat Gonzalez.
DAN DI DON
September 27th, 2011
11:44 pm
Blanton will give up 6 runs tomorrow
F U DAN PLEASAC
And Chipper Hits Into Another Double Play
September 27th, 2011
11:44 pm
I can imagine Freddi standing on the deck of the Titantic, resolutely insisting to all who will listen that “it’s only a little hole”.
Eric C.
September 27th, 2011
11:44 pm
“Bring Me the Head of Deforest Kelley,” ok, and do you think they will actually place him in the rotation after this disaster of a season?
Frank
September 27th, 2011
11:44 pm
So I looked up the Braves’ team stats today, and guess what? In spring training, Lowe had the lowest ERA: 3.09. That reminded me: Lowe actually pitched pretty well at the beginning of the season. So I looked up his season game log. Indeed, he pitched well in April and early into May. Then every collapsed. And guess what happened to Lowe at the end of April, just before his pitching plummeted? He was arrested for DUI.
I’m guessing he would’ve stopped or cut down on his drinking after being exposed in the media, so the terrible thought occurs to me: could Lowe’s pitching success a result of his drinking?
I doubt it, but the correlation is interesting.
DAN
September 27th, 2011
11:45 pm
Announcer on mlb network…..I know we are not suppose to pull for 1 team,but i hope the cards get in.I hope he gets fired tomorrow
Bill
September 27th, 2011
11:45 pm
Dan..what u talking about me watching the dream…?
I have my own dreams when I sleep.
Big Wally
September 27th, 2011
11:46 pm
Atlanta Braves, where bad managing and choking players meet head on.
icedawg
September 27th, 2011
11:46 pm
An incredible implosion of epic proportions.
And Chipper Hits Into Another Double Play
September 27th, 2011
11:48 pm
Too bad these guys don’t play on commission……you know, a thousand for every home run or win, a hundred for every single………..maybe they wouldn’t be so overpaid then.
Rio
September 27th, 2011
11:49 pm
bill
with your comments about the deam update ever 5 minutes here is what i think he was talking about
Mike
September 27th, 2011
11:50 pm
yep that’s why i respect golfers. they only get paid by performing and winning. and when they win, they get rewarded even more with endorsements. that’s how all sports should be. sick of seeing losers get big money and then quit.
Rio
September 27th, 2011
11:50 pm
MLB
The only sport where there is no salary cap on every team
Paul
September 27th, 2011
11:51 pm
I have been a Braves fan for 30 years, through good times and bad. These are VERY bad. The team sleep walked through the last month of the season. You have to blame the manager for that. And is there another manager in baseball who would send Lowe out for a game this important? The guy has been serving up batting practice since late July. Freddi is a fool and the sooner the Braves dump him, the better. (Of course they won’t). The Braves do not deserve to play in the post season this year. If they somehow sneak in, I swear I will root for their early departure. I know, I know, a “real” fanatic would take post season wins even if they were based on the freakish fraudulent events that baseball sometimes turns up. But really. This team has earned nothing but the beatings they have taken game after game recently with scarcely a whimper. I am so tired of Freddi’s “we have to dig deeper” cliches and the players explaining that they have been playing some very good teams. Winners find a way. Losers find cliches.
Phillies manager is smart
September 27th, 2011
11:51 pm
He is brilliant. Start your worst pitcher tomorrow. Allow the braves to win. That way there is likely a one game playoff. So make St louis have to play another game before coming to Philly.
Rio
September 27th, 2011
11:51 pm
prince fielder 3 hrs tonite
when was the last time braves scored 3 runs in a game?
Braves #17 Fan
September 27th, 2011
11:52 pm
I checked out a few St. Louis news sites and am surprised by the lack of Cardinals’ spirit. I remember back in the early nineties when this town went nuts!! I want that feeling back again.
mam
September 27th, 2011
11:53 pm
this team is a no show. Suggest ticket hoders do the same tomorrow and “no show”. Do not support the team that gives this type of pi$$ poor performance. They do not deserve our support.
Rio
September 27th, 2011
11:53 pm
Paul
who was your choice?beachy,tehran,minor?
Athenzdawg
September 27th, 2011
11:54 pm
guys don’t worry we finally have a winner in Atlanta…and its the…..wait for it…..
…
..
.
THE ATLANTA DREAM!!!!!
so sick and tired of this team im rooting for the Cards now…save me the frustration of another first round exit out of the playoffs…….yet again….Thank goodness tomorrow is the last day and the Cards can clinch on national TV gooooooo ALBERT PUJOLS!!!
Rio
September 27th, 2011
11:54 pm
mlb sucks up to the cardinals,brewers like espn does boston,and the yankees