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
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518 comments Add your comment
Hey hey oops i did it again
September 28th, 2011
2:38 am
Freddi G made two bad Ideas comin here to manage us why you wonder how Marlins Can his candy ass.But why did he get job why he learn his skills from the Master cox on how to blow it…remember these rent a players we have will be free agents n we not goin sign them u know that.Wren could not sign a wet noodle here…Wren should be canned as for Heyword did he catch frenchy flu stands there lookin strikes out walks to dugout like well its golf time..If Freddi had balls he be like Ozzie n pulled his ass out like he did Dunn finally Mr strike out he called in white sox land now he been Booed too..we should be booin loud ought be fun braves clear all folks off Gene Mauch Famous blew it 1964 n redsox amazin how to teams have sunk to low!
funny side
September 28th, 2011
2:50 am
Now here some funny after bein behind by 6-0 lead they crawl hurry get u 2012 season tickets now n u be lock in to playoff tickets for this n next season for this is Braves country hurry seats are well few n far away…..Get u NLDS n tickets plenty good seats still come watch us fold tent in One Game take all thursday bring u friends we need it since they not even near sro crowds yet…St.louis sold out anyway no matter if they make it are not….we like Tampa rays only they had lost players who won to other teams the owner is a treat n GM too they the rag tag team who wins with starless players n yet the Fans there can’t find the stadium there make excuse’s bad parkin n stuff..I watch Tampa fans no one was there upper deck was empty at top coverd so make look full. Tampa will have play a One Game thursday for wild card if both win tomorrow knowin this i know Yankees try win but i believe red sox vs rays at the Trop are fenway park at 4pm are 8pm not sure yet depends on if braves n card each decide win are lose to a one game playoff here are at busch stadium either way Rays fans can’t find the trop there as in atlanta be better if game in busch n fenway both are sold out now….Oh and Tampa u morons like here go out fill trop to 43,000 folks u jerks are in 2014 u be playin in canada has the new Montreal expos!
Kevin
September 28th, 2011
2:54 am
Hey look on bright side the atlanta dream in WNBA finals again where that coverge oh wait i know its like u lame coverge of hockey here….None at all
Worldwide Clyde
September 28th, 2011
3:01 am
Hawks are the only team in ATL worth watching. Now bring back the Hawks blog and let the Braves Rest In Peace.
Jim in Augusta
September 28th, 2011
3:21 am
If somehow they do make it in, they are going nowhere obviously…so why all the fuss? It’s not this is some great team in an inexplicable slump.
TheAntiMe
September 28th, 2011
3:22 am
In all of my life, this is the first time EVER that I am completely ashamed to be a Braves fan – and I’m old. Even those years back in the 80’s when the Braves were losing close to 100 games a season I could easily keep my chin up because they had less talent than most other teams and were decidedly the underdogs.
These Braves have no excuse, whatsoever, for not even showing up for the final month of the season. They deserve to be booed, although, I’m sure it’s no sweat off of their athletic supporters. After all, they haven’t given enough effort to work up a sweat in months. Shame on you Braves!
dean
September 28th, 2011
4:29 am
Wow. Speechless.
Drifter
September 28th, 2011
5:19 am
The way they’re playing now, it would be a shame to see them in the playoffs.
Ross
September 28th, 2011
5:32 am
Gonzalez, the would-be hipster, actually had the gall to say “It is what it is.” I haven’t known manager disgust is a long time. It was nice to live without that. I don’t think I can watch the Braves with this ridiculous poser in charge.
Darryl Blackberry
September 28th, 2011
5:36 am
I still love this team, and will support it.
That said, I sure hope that if the Braves are eliminated, they’ll learn a valuable lesson from it. Fredi Gonzalez slavishly managed the team according to Wren’s payroll this year. McLouth, Lowe, Heyward, and Proctor all got more playing time than they deserved, and now the Braves are paying for it (yes, pun intended).
Also: for God’s sake, let’s get a new coaching staff for next year. This one obviously doesn’t inspire much confidence in the players. After the McDowell incident in San Fran and Larry Parrish’s inability to help Uggla, move J-Hey closer to the plate, or compete with players’ relatives for hitting tips, something ought to be done…
Rico
September 28th, 2011
5:59 am
Lord! Who cares?! It’s college football season.
Blob Horner
September 28th, 2011
6:07 am
The only thing I don’t understand in all this, why on earth wouldn’t the Phillies want the Braves in the playoffs. If we get eliminated, they probably draw the Brewers vs. the Diamonbacks.Although Arizona’s playing well, Milwalkee seems a tougher matchup. And if by some fluke the wildcard team wins the first round, be it the Braves or Cards, who would you rather play in the second round. Maybe the Phillies are good enough that they don’t care who they play, but weird things happen in the playoffs, and having the Braves in the mix only increases their chances of making the World Series. Who knows how this will all turn out, but the Phillies getting beat by the Cardinals in the League Championship series just might be the result of knocking the Braves out (are you reading this Charlie?)
Paul
September 28th, 2011
6:08 am
Wow, what ignorance. I’ve followed baseball since 1955. What’s happened to the Braves is what makes baseball the great sport it is. Over a 162 game season, pitchers lose. Hitters stop hitting. Baseball is a game of cycles. It’s the nature of the game. Always will be. It’s unfortunate when it’s YOUR team. The Braves are going out there trying to lose. Gonzalez knows more about baseball than YOU do. He’s a professional. Is Gonzalez any dumber today than he was in August when the Braves were 25 games over 500? Of course not. The Braves pitching and hitting slumps occurred at the same time at the end of the season. It’s the beauty of the game. It’s unplesant for the home team and fans but it happens.
Blah Blah Blah
September 28th, 2011
6:13 am
Yeah Right RIO Derek Lowe commit suicide you gotta give a sh__ to do that get real he dont give a SH__…..save us the stupid drama…idiot
LJ
September 28th, 2011
6:13 am
You can’t blame it all on the pitching. The whole team has stunk up the 2nd half.
dave
September 28th, 2011
6:18 am
I don’t think this team will go far at all until they start doing what a lot of teams do to them; they need to become station-to-station, point-to-point team, that base-hits the other team to death, and scores a lot of runs that way. Playing for the long ball, and hoping your pitching holds up isn’t working anymore. I’d rather have players who hit .275-.300, with a ton of hits and RBIs, than a team who has 50 home-run sluggers, but who have twice to three times as many strikeouts, and who leave a legion of base-runners stranded in their wake.
Ron
September 28th, 2011
6:27 am
Its time for football. The Braves are toast, turn them over. Their lineup could not even hit against good high school pitching.
Skip
September 28th, 2011
6:36 am
My God, this man got zero run support in his last start and 1 run Tuesday. What a bunch of idiots. No wonder Atlanta is considered one of the worst sports citys in the country. This newspaper is embarrassing.
ATLER (RAMBLIN WRECK)
September 28th, 2011
6:45 am
The good ole boys once again can’t step up to the plate and get it done. We need baseball players not role models.
chipper!
September 28th, 2011
6:45 am
not to worry–chipper said he’s coming back in 2012!! 2012 will be the year of the Braves! Chipper will light it up big baby!!!! Braves will rule in 2012!!!
BRAVELESS
September 28th, 2011
6:54 am
THE WHOLE REGIME THAT FREDDIE BROUGHT IN SHOULD BE FIRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER TONIGHT’S GAME. FREDDIE KNEW THAT THE BRAVES ARE NOT SCORING RUNS AND HE ALLOWED LOWE TO GIVE UP FIVE RUNS BEFORE HE PULLED HIM FROM THE GAME.
JimmyLosesAgain
September 28th, 2011
7:04 am
9-17? Really? They going to re-sign this loser?
William
September 28th, 2011
7:07 am
How the H*ll does Freddie keep his job after this collapse, and running Derek (gas-Can) Lowe out there once again???? (maybe today he’ll only give up 1 run an inning)
jc
September 28th, 2011
7:07 am
The people I feel most sorry for are the ones who bought their playoff tickets two months ago and will now have to ask for a refund! Is there ANYONE out there who thinks the Braves can beat the Phillies worst pitcher, Joe Blanton???? I don’t think the Braves can beat ANY pitcher right now!! not with their “anemic” can’t hit the ball out of the infield or away from an outfielder’s glove..this team is PATHETIC!!!! and will go down as the worst collapse of ANY NL team ever!!!!! And I don’t want to hear about the injury excuses!!!…this time of year, all teams have key injuries.
Eric
September 28th, 2011
7:09 am
hey Derek .. I got an idea… how about downing a 5th of Jack before your next start?
couldn’t hurt ..
RGP
September 28th, 2011
7:10 am
The Phillies and Cards can hit. What’s up with the Braves hitting or should I say lack of?
JSS
September 28th, 2011
7:15 am
ATL Hoe
September 27th, 2011
10:32 pm
“Another typical collapse from an ATL sports franchise… this city is cursed how does anyone not believe it now?”
Wow, you people are getting what you deserve, you put your emotions in teams that don’t deserve such a depth feeling… Meanwhile, across the way at Phillips, a team that started 2-7 has been on a 3 month tear. So last night, while the Braves were imploding again, they tore through the No. 1 seed in their conference on their home floor and it wasn’t even that close.
So go ahead, crack your silly women hating jokes, I’ve never been prouder of a team with A-T–L-A-N-T-A written on their uniforms!
Joe Braves Fan
September 28th, 2011
7:15 am
WhosoSuprised ….. This is an AWESOME assessment of the current mindset and environment in Atlanta …. well done!
~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*
Why are Braves fans so surprised? For years, this team has been a corporate team whose strategy is to put a product together where during the course of the season a season ticket holder can send a client to a game and have a 50-60 % chance of them seeing a win and then pack up: It’s college football season. It starts with the fans that are mostly the Chastain Amphitheatre table types more concerned with the entertainment value than the quest for a championship. If this weren’t true, that stadium would be packed for a wild card race rather than the fans packing for what…fall foiliage. I have season tickets on the front row and it is amazing how little focus is on the game even now. This is followed by top down corporate attitude. How many times have you heard about the business like attitude in the clubhouse? Demand excellence…be a little controversial… outtta here. In comes a manager with the same attitude. I think truthfully, BC fought against this for most of his final years. This is the antithesis of Steinbrenner or Turner for that matter. Sure the playoffs bring in more money, but this is not instilled in the players who feel no threat to perform there. Behave, make some entertainment value plays when there’s no pressure, and have a good golf handicap is the prerequisite. Then hire a feel good broadcasting staff led by Chuck doodle and force them to drink loads of Cool aid before each broadcast. Lemke and Mazzone are so disingenuous it is incredible. These guys were competitive SOB’s and if you don’t think they have been defrocked or voluntarily cast that aside for a pay check, then you’ve been drinking more than cool aid. Chuck is an idiot yes man, but that is his goofy shtick. Just watch the Mark Richt Show. Buck, well he’s a football guy but at least you can hear some skepticism in his voice. This is all Disney entertainment product. When the goal is an entertainment product rather than winning championships, this is what you get. And, it’s really all Atlanta fans want.
So sad, yet so true …
Joe Braves Fan
September 28th, 2011
7:16 am
WhySoSuprised ….. This is an AWESOME assessment of the current mindset and environment in Atlanta …. well done!
~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*
Why are Braves fans so surprised? For years, this team has been a corporate team whose strategy is to put a product together where during the course of the season a season ticket holder can send a client to a game and have a 50-60 % chance of them seeing a win and then pack up: It’s college football season. It starts with the fans that are mostly the Chastain Amphitheatre table types more concerned with the entertainment value than the quest for a championship. If this weren’t true, that stadium would be packed for a wild card race rather than the fans packing for what…fall foiliage. I have season tickets on the front row and it is amazing how little focus is on the game even now. This is followed by top down corporate attitude. How many times have you heard about the business like attitude in the clubhouse? Demand excellence…be a little controversial… outtta here. In comes a manager with the same attitude. I think truthfully, BC fought against this for most of his final years. This is the antithesis of Steinbrenner or Turner for that matter. Sure the playoffs bring in more money, but this is not instilled in the players who feel no threat to perform there. Behave, make some entertainment value plays when there’s no pressure, and have a good golf handicap is the prerequisite. Then hire a feel good broadcasting staff led by Chuck doodle and force them to drink loads of Cool aid before each broadcast. Lemke and Mazzone are so disingenuous it is incredible. These guys were competitive SOB’s and if you don’t think they have been defrocked or voluntarily cast that aside for a pay check, then you’ve been drinking more than cool aid. Chuck is an idiot yes man, but that is his goofy shtick. Just watch the Mark Richt Show. Buck, well he’s a football guy but at least you can hear some skepticism in his voice. This is all Disney entertainment product. When the goal is an entertainment product rather than winning championships, this is what you get. And, it’s really all Atlanta fans want.
So sad, yet so true …
Gen Neyland
September 28th, 2011
7:23 am
Man, Atlanta Braves fans sure have been spoiled since 1991. Ya’ll should have been around since the 60’s and you’d understand what losing really felt like. Here’s to hoping the Braves have a game to win left in ‘em…
joe
September 28th, 2011
7:24 am
To think the Lowe was going to give them a chance to win last night was just dreaming. Now the question is if they somehow back into the playoffs(doubtful) will these boneheads continue to give Lowe the ball???? IDIOTS
tennisbrave
September 28th, 2011
7:24 am
Hey Fredi – Did you know the White Sox had an opening for a manager?
mdcain
September 28th, 2011
7:31 am
Just like Shultz mentioned in the article it doesn’t matter who is pitching. This team can’t hit a lick.
Nick
September 28th, 2011
7:34 am
Hey Schultz! But the Braves schedule says that they can still catch the Phillies for the division right? You are the worst sports writer in America. AJC should be embarrassed to give you a paycheck. Don’t worry, the Phillies will put the Braves out of their misery tonight like a sick dog that needs to be put down.
KB
September 28th, 2011
7:36 am
At the beginning of the season, a wild card was really all any Braves’ fan could seriously hope for, and here we are. One possibly two games. (Although I will admit that the end of the season really B’Lowes.
Runnin With The Dawgs
September 28th, 2011
7:39 am
Bobby Cox would have sent Lowe to the Gwinnett Braves a couple of months ago. This is baseball. If you can’t get the job done there’s someone waiting for their chance that can. We need a new manager.
Packer Ed
September 28th, 2011
7:40 am
What difference does it matter who is pitching, the Braves hitters have tee times somewhere this weekend and have quit. Bet the Braves players lockers are already cleaned out.
Steinbrenner and Jerry Jones would fire from top to bottom.
Hanson and JJ would be gone, worthless when you need them and they have selected a non wrokable agent.Change, Change and more Change!
Forkinit
September 28th, 2011
7:41 am
Firing Fredi TODAY would be a strong move on the part of the Braves organization. No matter what happens right now, he does not deserve to stay.
Frank Shab PA
September 28th, 2011
7:42 am
the headline should read as I said previously
THE CONRAD CURSE STRIKES AGAIN! (remember him last year)
that’s what I’m blaming this debacle on
Hater
September 28th, 2011
7:44 am
Hope the fans rain boos down on the team tonight…maybe some batteries…choke on it Braves, you a66holes… Go fudge yourself.
Hater
September 28th, 2011
7:47 am
Fire Freddie? Yeah, cause he’s holding a bat. You guys probably blame the teacher when your dumba66 kid fails a test. Get real. It’s all about personal responsibility and execution. How dare you let these heartless players off the hook.
01HAWK
September 28th, 2011
7:48 am
Time to RE-BUILD. Do like the GIANTS did in releasing Aaron ROWAND and MIGUEL TEJADA. Giants had to eat 13.5 MILLION.
Detroit Tigers ate 13 MILLION a couple of years ago to rid themselves of GARY SHEFFIELD.
Braves will find no takers on DLOWE nor KAWACRUMMY………………………………In the mean time they are taking up space.
PRADO is a utility man, JHEY needs to start at AAA. We need 2 outfielders. Their is alot of work to do with this team. We also need new owners that will pump some payroll into the team.
Kick them out and show them the way to the airport or highway. If we get new owners I hope Gonzalez and WREN are shown the door.
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
September 28th, 2011
7:51 am
I told U all this when they hired the loosing managar. He had a loosing record what did U expect? I got pix on for saying this all year now it is oblivous I was rite.
HH
September 28th, 2011
7:52 am
somehow still alive? you didn’t know that if they lost and stl won, they would be tied?
Runnin With The Dawgs
September 28th, 2011
7:54 am
Pitching is everything! We don’t have a pitcher on the staff as good as Glavine, Maddus , or Smoltz, and we had all three of these guys on the same team. The way these guys are pitching 5 or 6 runs doesn’t get us a win.
01HAWK
September 28th, 2011
7:56 am
No fire in any of the players. No one can hit. Next to last in hitting to the PADRES this month. It is time to see what they can do for next year. I believe this season is gone. CARDS are playing better but not great.
And to think we never considered LANCE BERKMAN.
The problem we have is you have 6-7 players that make I believe about 65-67 % of the payroll.
HECK,……………………….Just Chipper and DLOWE make 33 % of the payroll………………Embarassing.
Ted
September 28th, 2011
7:59 am
The Braves are getting exactly what they deserve. Go Phillies!!!!!!
Mid Town Joe
September 28th, 2011
8:02 am
This is a nice 20 year tribute to the ‘91 team.
Candy
September 28th, 2011
8:04 am
THE BRAVES ARE WHY YOU SHOULD COME OUT AND SUPPORT THE THE ATLANTA DREAM WOMEN WHO ARE PLAYING FOR THE WNBA CHAMPIONSHIP! LET’S SHOW THE BRAVES HOW TO GET IT DONE GIRLS!!!!!!!!!!
Call it like it is
September 28th, 2011
8:05 am
I hear Canada is looking for a team.