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
Dball
September 28th, 2011
8:06 am
Ok, I have never been paid to be a professional baseball coach. I have coached little league. Here’s the scenario, my season is on the line and we need to win games. Common sense kicks in…should I put my worst pitcher on the mound or someone who could possibly have a chance to win the game? Common sense, what should I do? Well, I think you should put another pitcher on the mound who could do better than the pitcher who can’t really pitch that well. No, I am smarter than that, I will go with Derek Lowe. Who is smarter Common Sense or Coach Gonzalez? Place your vote!!!
atlvol55
September 28th, 2011
8:08 am
What more can you say, but wow! I agree with most; I have no idea waht Freddi was thinking in starting Lowe. At least one of the young guys gives you a chance of pitching lights out. With Lowe, you KNOW he is giving up 4 or 5 runs.
However, what has happened with our bats?? We don’t even hit hard foul balls at this point. Its as if some of our guys can barely make contact with the ball. Of course none of them will admit it; but the Braves are wound so tight rignt now, we have very little hope. I’m tired of Freddi and Chipper trying to put on this Joe Cool face. I want to see some FIRE…Kick some tables, throw your glove, do something to bring some PASSION and show me you actually give a crap. Otherwise, I will find myself spending my dollars elsewhere
Peter
September 28th, 2011
8:09 am
How many quality at bats did anyone see last night ?
Can’t be many cause we got one run……..now how will any pitcher win with one run ?
The offensive game plan must stink.
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
September 28th, 2011
8:11 am
U all need 2 admit I was rite all a long.
convexhull
September 28th, 2011
8:12 am
August 1, 2011: This idiot Jeff Schultz writes a column called “Can Braves Catch Phillies? Schedule says Yes” (http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2011/08/01/can-braves-catch-phillies-in-east-schedule-says-yes/?cp=8)
I thought it was a ridiculous article and said that the Braves would be lucky to even make the playoffs. Look who was right? a dumb Phillies fan like me or a so-called talented fancy newspaper columnist. I truly hope for a Phillies sweep tonight. Actually the best thing would be a Braves – Cardnials playoff, so that both teams pitching is weakened for the next round.
In response to the article I wrote “the heat in Atlanta must be warping your sense of perception. There is 0 (ZERO) chance that that Braves will catch the Phillies. In fact, I think there’s a pretty good chance that the Braves won’t even make the playoffs. You fools for Braves fans think that they’ve earned a playoff spot in August. ha. The only October baseball you’ll see will be from the stands at Citizen’s Bank Park. Go Phillies.”
Peter
September 28th, 2011
8:13 am
There is not a player on this team or any team since David Justice…..He had attitude, and he had moxie, and then when the time came he backed it all up.
For all the talent Chipper has, he has never carried this team, or been a leader. He has had a wonderful career, now the Braves need to find a guy like David Justice.
Jeff
September 28th, 2011
8:13 am
Derek Lowe is exhibit A for why baseball needs to do away with guaranteed contracts. We still owe that worthless excuse for a pitcher $15 million next season too.
Ares
September 28th, 2011
8:14 am
We saw a different team from the 1st half to the second. The Braves are a first half team….barring injuries next year, they will be back. Although Chipper has proved so much to the Braves over the years and he has been plagued by injuries, he still can’t get the bat off his shoulder when we go down the stretch?????
Peter
September 28th, 2011
8:16 am
Really Frank Wren who got kicked out of Baltimore put this mess together, and signed Lowe for the silly contract…….and we have Lowe next year for $16 million folks.
Why is Wren here ?
J
September 28th, 2011
8:19 am
Little Jimmy – i like your thinking … think that is exactly what it’s going to take to win today … Hudson shutout and a homerun by hudson. Ugh, this collapse is monumental. Fredi did a horrible job managing his pitchers this season. Every single one of them is tired beyond belief. I place the blame solely on him.
Darryl Blackberry
September 28th, 2011
8:19 am
Why is it that Frank Wren looks good when it comes to the small-fry contracts, but absolutely cannot land a big fish that’s worth his pay scale for this team?
Justin
September 28th, 2011
8:19 am
Go Phillies!
wballs
September 28th, 2011
8:21 am
Lowe is not solely responsible for this (Go Vols, really?) – The Braves as a team have dropped 10.5 games over the course of a month. Sure, Lowe is terrible and insanely overpaid, but there are many fingers to point here. Look at the roster and ask yourself if this is playoff team? I’d be surprised if you can confidently say yes.
the truth...
September 28th, 2011
8:25 am
FIRE FREDI………………….HE DOES NOT HAVE A CLUE
GTT
September 28th, 2011
8:25 am
Lowe’s contract was two years too long. He should retire, but isn’t that honorable to leave the money on the table.
Call it like it is
September 28th, 2011
8:26 am
How about a pay for performance plan. Instead of stroking a huge check to these guys for half butt attempts at winning, hit them where they have their heart, their checking accounts. If its good enough for the rest of working Americans it should be good enough for them. Bonus for homeruns, era’s, stolen bases, and a big bonus for the ring. Coaches included.
the truth...
September 28th, 2011
8:28 am
FREDI QUOTE MONDAY NIGHT: to the question will you have a game plan with Lowe going tomorrow night….will he be on a short leash ????
“NO WE’LL JUST SEE HOW THINGS GO AND PLAY IT BY EAR; BASEBALL IS NOT A SPORT WHERE YOU CAN HAVE A GAME PLAN”
IDIOT !!!!
Insider
September 28th, 2011
8:28 am
The stimulus is working!
Obama is doing a great job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Infamy
September 28th, 2011
8:29 am
Dear Life,
You told me a long time ago to give up on the Braves this year, but I refused to listen.
You told me to let go when the wild card lead went from 10.5 to 8.5, but I held on.
You told me to move on when the lead was down to 4 and that was the Braves accumulated runs over 6 games!
You told me to look away when no regular Brave hitter was batting over or close to .250 for September!
You told me to give up when I believed Derek Lowe would rise to the occassion with the lead down to 1.
You no longer have to tell me anymore, Life, I am done.
dean
September 28th, 2011
8:29 am
For what it’s worth:
“Gonzalez served as the manager for the Florida Marlins for three-plus seasons (2007 through June 22, 2010) and went 276-279 with the Marlins, including 34-36 in 2010. He is the all-time winningest manager in Marlins franchise history, surpassing Jack McKeon’s 241 career wins.”
Boyz From North Ave
September 28th, 2011
8:36 am
dean, he is 2 games under .500. That speaks volumes. He was a loser there and hes a loser here. We need a total whitewash of all that was Bobby Cox. Fresh manager, fresh pitching coach. I say hire TP as manager. He was a guy that made the most of what talent he had as a player, which wasnt much btw.
Infamy
September 28th, 2011
8:38 am
@dean “Freddie never played in the big leagues”-Hanley Ramirez, player for Marlins all-time winningest manager.
Braves #17 Fan
September 28th, 2011
8:39 am
@Infamy – Don’t do it. It’s not worth it. It’s just baseball. I survive by finding other things to keep me busy and my mind preoccupied. Call a hotline and get help!
Tom Baynham
September 28th, 2011
8:40 am
I’ve said this before, and I’ll repeat it again; this team has no heart or guts. The problem is none of the writers or fans in Atlanta have the nerve to say it publicly. These guys are scared and define the meaning of the “choke artist.” The front office is incompetent and useless (Pence should be in Atlanta instead of Philly); the manager has no fire or baseball intelligence. The Marlins signing Guillen as manager has insured the Braves will never win with Fredi or Wren. Any manager with a set of smarts would have put Lowe in the bullpen. Any team whose hitting coach isn’t worth a tinker’s damn would have fired him when this mess started. I have followed the Braves since college, but i’m about ready to dump them for a team that has the desire to win and play like major leaguers, and not the high girls softball team. This is what needs to happen for 2012: fire Fredi and Wren tonight after you choke tonight; trade Chipper to the AL for a pitcher with some talent; send Heyward to the minors; trade Lowe for whatever you can get; trade for a SS who can hit; sign Bourn long term, no matter what it takes; trade Prado and make Constanza your every day outfielder. It’s sad when you can’t beat teams that have minor league talent at best (Marlins, Mets and Nats). In my opinion, unless you address these issues, this organization will never see postseason again; they will be doomed to failure.
Up Yours ASG
September 28th, 2011
8:42 am
Derek Lowe makes Rick Camp look like a Cy Young winner.
cal
September 28th, 2011
8:43 am
what an epic gag job. they don’t seem to have any fire. very disappointing
Big Green Tribe
September 28th, 2011
8:43 am
Team basically phoned it in last night; of course, starting Lowe announced that grim message.
The hitting continued its stunning nosedive…although its been in a nosedive throughout the season
with occasional spurts.
Is it the manager? The hitting coach? Both? Whomever, the spectacular fizzle of players like Hayward (who is so confused and lost at the plate it is really pitiful and I feel badly for him) and, in the past month guys like Prado (he’s collapsed ever since Bourne arrived and Prado keeps worrying if Bourne is going to steal, killing his hitting) and even our rookie first baseman (whose nosedive the past month has him swinging wildly at pitches in the dirt and at chin height).
I know he brings lots of baggage, but perhaps it would have been a prudent move to hire the
incendiary Ozzie Guillen. At least with Ozzie you get a manager with guts and fire who isn’t afraid of upsetting his spoiled players.
like McCann,
StillaBraveFan??
September 28th, 2011
8:45 am
If by some miracle they do squeak in, Fredi will pitch bLowe because he’s gonna he has thoughts he’s gonna give us a hell of a pitching performance. Fire Fredi and at least fire Parrish & Roger. Don Baylor for manager or hitting coach!!!
NICK
September 28th, 2011
8:46 am
Plain and simple….. This team sucks and to be quite honest the Cardinals deserve the playoffs more. They will be more competitive unlike the Braves who will be gone in the first round.
lkmantsk
September 28th, 2011
8:49 am
Hope they lose tonight and Cards win. They don’t deserve to even watch the playoffs, much less be in them. You’re right Schultzie, they can’t hit or pitch, and the catch thing is certainly doubtful at times. Boozer and Chipper have been done for awhile now. Both are stealing money, as is Heyward and several others. Jair Jerkoff is awful even when he’s healthy. Face it, you’re stuck with Boozer for the duration of his contract. Trade him? What could you get besides a hood ornament for an old Buick, and that’s a maybe, and only if you’re really lucky, and the owner of said trinket is stoned out of his mind. The hitting coach should not be fired, but instead should be “FIRED AT”.
All of this confirms the need for “pay for performance” contracts. If any other proof is needed, I refer you to Mike Hampton. The above stated contracts should apply to all professional sports. If you don’t believe that once a player gets his “payday”, and then sets his a$$ on cruise control, you’re as crazy as a s#!!house rat.They don’t earn money, they steal it. When the last year of their contract comes around, they play like both their hair and a$$ are on fire. Then disappear as fast as a fart in a whirlwind. Some of these people are paid more than some third world countries have as their entire national budget. Here is a very good argument for “taxing the rich more”. If they (the owners) are stupid enough to pay these players the type of money they do, then they should face a huge tax rate. And I’m not even a Demo (or Repub for that matter). And let’s not forget these players. Some of these “bozo’s” actually go broke. How the hell does that happen???? Do you really need 10 houses, 25 automobiles, and yachts the size of a light destroyer? The answer is “NO”. Yet some of you will say yes. Greed after all is what has gotten this country to it’s present state.
I won’t be one of those who “waits till next year”. I decided some time ago, to quit watching over paid individuals play a game of any type. Even a rerun of Thomas the Train on PBS is better than that. Am I the only one who gets this? Apparently so.
loserville!
September 28th, 2011
8:54 am
the name fits, as usual. 1 fluke title in atlanta pro sports history and a bunch of chokes. Enjoy!!!
red&black
September 28th, 2011
8:59 am
OMG, LMAO, GFY, FAY, And “WHO” didn’t expect this…………….loser’s
PMC
September 28th, 2011
9:00 am
Sports teams in this town are always fools gold. There is a reason this is loserville.
Jaine
September 28th, 2011
9:07 am
Please…just lose tonight…put us all out of our misery. “Worst to first” will have a beautiful ring to it…next year. Not.
Tucker
September 28th, 2011
9:11 am
Could we possibly include the Braves in the relocation package for the Thrashers?
JROLL1
September 28th, 2011
9:13 am
SOOOOO. IT WASN’T TERRY PENDELTON’S FAULT AFTER ALL! HOW BOUT ALL THEM PLAY-OFF TICKETS THE BRAVES HAVE BEEN SELLING!!! GODD LUCK WITH THAT!
Ted Abernathy
September 28th, 2011
9:13 am
No pulse. Even a friend in Tennessee thinks the Braves are in trouble.
money max
September 28th, 2011
9:15 am
will I get back all the money I paid for playoff tickets? someone told me no refunds!
Ted T. Urner
September 28th, 2011
9:15 am
Liberty Media c/o Atlanta Braves, notice is hereby served that I want my name disassociated with the Braves post-haste. Over the years I have been pleased by the association and ownership of this team and the fact that I have a world series Championship from efforts past. Now, not only have they just flat out given up (some 12 weeks back)but show no signs of ever returning to their winning ways.
Promoting Shurholtz – Fail
Promoting Wren – Fail
Hiring Fredi Gonzalez – Fail
Hiring Homophobe McDowell – Fail
Hiring Parrish – Fail
Signing Lowe – Epic Fail
Signing Kawakami – Epic Fail
Signing McClout – Fail
Signing Linebrink, Sherril, etc – Fail
Selling to Liberty Mutual – Epic Fail
Atlanta Braves 2011 – Epic Fail.
Please cease and decist using Turner Field asap…you are not worthy.
Ted
wow
September 28th, 2011
9:16 am
They need to cut the stupid kid crap with the mohawk’s and silly stupid stuff and play ball. That is what they are paid to do not see who can have the worst haircut. And how about a true leader on the team. We need someone to step up in a closed door meeting and blow the hell up. A little emotion from our coach would also be nice. Bobby would have lit up a ump, spit and cussed for a few minutes by now.
Come on Braves close this thing out!!
jeffrey d
September 28th, 2011
9:22 am
Fire everybody!! Hire Otis Nixon!
gcs
September 28th, 2011
9:23 am
Why is it that everyone in America knew not to start Derek Lowe except Fredi Gonzalez?
Did he think he was magically going to become awesome?
.
Liberty-n-Media
September 28th, 2011
9:24 am
The Atlanta Braves was a financial investment for tax breaks, nothing more, nothing less. Financially they have performed as we wanted thim to and produced the benefits that was envisioned when we bought them. Now that we are approaching the end of the period when such breaks are no longer positive, we will be selling this team.
Atlanta, please understand, this was never about winning or losing, it was about the money. Whether your team won or lost had no direct impact on our ability to make money off o f them. Thanks for making us rich, and good luck on the next owners.
To the Atlanta Braves Team…thank you for playing your part and understanding that it was never in the “Cards” for you to participate in the 2011 playoffs.
Libby N. Media-Darlings
Dontavius Supremo
September 28th, 2011
9:24 am
Pathetic, isn’t it?
cal
September 28th, 2011
9:25 am
Enter your comments here
RB
September 28th, 2011
9:26 am
I heard Freddy said he wouldn’t trade any player on his roster for anyone else. PANTS ON FIRE! PANTS ON FIRE!!
1eyedJack
September 28th, 2011
9:27 am
Should the Braves back into the playoffs someone please do a Gillooly on Derek Lowe.
jeffrey d
September 28th, 2011
9:28 am
I heard Freddy said he wouldn’t trade any player on his roster for anyone else. PANTS ON FIRE! PANTS ON FIRE!!
Freddy was promoted to GM? And he changed the spelling of his name??
jeffrey d
September 28th, 2011
9:30 am
I know this is a popular time to make scapegoats, but I don’t have a big problem with Liberty…they’re shelling out close to $90 million in a poor economy while the Braves have iffy attendance.
@UrethraFrankln
September 28th, 2011
9:30 am
Derek Lowe has been a joke for years. Unfortunately that joke has been completely on us. We can’t give that guy away (and we’ve tried–several times).
Who the hell starts a pitcher who’s 4-11 w/ a 6.19 ERA in his past 15 starts, with the season on the line, when the guy has shown you nothing in years? Looks like Fredi’s got some of that good ol’, loveable “player’s manager” in him! That’s always worked out peachy for us in the past.
Epic. Absolutely EPIC.