Braves suddenly lack pitching, defense and a clue
Michael Bourn misplayed this fly ball into a run-scoring triple by Rick Ankiel, one of the Braves' several lowlights. (AP photo)
If for a moment we can get past that the Braves currently have too many players who either can’t stand without wobbling (flu) or can’t see straight (blurred vision) or can’t walk without pain from a strained groin or a bruised leg (or “hematoma,” to use Chipper Jones’ new word), this isn’t a difficult problem to figure out.
If the Braves hope to survive this problematic intersection of injuries and batting slumps, they’re going to need two things: pitching and defense.
They received neither Saturday.
For the second game in a row the Braves spotted the Washington Nationals an early 4-0 lead. They scrambled back to tie, but ultimately spontaneously combusted again — like no perceived pennant contender should.
They lost 8-4. That makes six straight. They’ve suddenly tumbled into fourth in the National League East (not that standings are worthy of panic in late May).
Most important, the Braves not only lack any semblance of clutch in their offense — 15 stranded runners in two games — but their pitchers are being dismembered, and their defense Saturday looked one Volkswagen and a pair of exploding shoes short of a clown act.
“We’re not playing particularly well right now, and there’s no excuses,” manager Fredi Gonzalez said.
Those words were stronger than any others spoken by Gonzalez in the postgame. Fact is, Gonzalez’ temperament seemed a little too mild for a manager whose team is playing so poorly and, at times, lifeless. The Braves have allowed Washington, the team ahead of them in the standings, 15 runs and 12 extra-base hits in two games — this after Cincinnati had 10 home runs in a four-game sweep last week.
Gonzalez barely said a peep about right fielder Jason Heyward, who in the fifth inning had the type of lackadaisical defensive play that aroused memories of a 1998 game, when center fielder Andruw Jones was slow to hustle for a fly ball that fell for a single, prompting Bobby Cox to yank him in the middle of the inning.
Heyward’s play didn’t result in a run. But it was heinous enough that many in the crowd of 42,698 loudly booed him. He bobbled Bryce Harper’s single and then was slow to pick up the ball, allowing Harper to get to second.
Gonzalez acknowledged the miscue later. But when asked about TV replays confirming Heyward’s nonchalantness, he said only, “I have not seen that [replay] yet. I was in the middle of trying to get [reliever Kris] Medlen warmed up.”
It might’ve been the worst coverup in postgame history.
Heyward later said, “I let the ball get away, and [Harper] took the extra base. If I had attacked it aggressively, I still more likely would’ve bobbled the ball, but he probably wouldn’t have run. … [Teammates] just said, ‘Let it go.’ I said, ‘My bad’ out there, and I said ‘My bad’ when I came in. I play the game as hard as I can. I want that to happen as few times as possible.”
The Braves were missing Chipper Jones (leg), Freddie Freeman (eyes), Brian McCann (flu) and David Ross (groin). It’s not like they have much margin for error.
But Heyward wasn’t alone. Three other plays led to runs: Left fielder Martin Prado got a slow jump on Danny Espinosa’s short fly to open the game, and the ball fell for a double. Center fielder Michael Bourn lost track of the wall, bumped into it and played a fly ball into a triple. (No error was charged.) Reliever Jonny Venters had his glove knocked off by Ryan Zimmerman’s comebacker, recovered but threw wide of first base. (The error was charged to Eric Hinske.)
Bourn was as stand-up as a guy could be: “I messed up.”
He said more. But that summed it up fine.
Nonetheless, this isn’t a time for Braves pitchers to feel victimized. Mike Minor recovered nicely after allowing four runs in the first two innings, but that doesn’t excuse the start. (He also allowed a two-single to pitcher Stephen Strasburg before Danny Espinosa’s three-run homer). Medlen and Venters were poor in relief (three runs in two innings combined).
Bourn’s tidy summary: “We were hot before. We’re not hot right now.”
Forget hot. A little less slapstick would suffice.
By Jeff Schultz
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247 comments Add your comment
Fan of the Game
May 28th, 2012
8:24 am
Man, how did Cal Ripken make it thru the streak. I know how and how about this Harper kid. Has Hustlin Pete comeback? Watch how he plays the game Heyward and you might learn something.
Old Time Fan
May 28th, 2012
8:42 am
Just got out of Fernandino in the nick of time, lost a whole day on the beach. It is sad to watch the Braves play so lacklusterdly (is that a word?). For the poster that said Heyward did not loaf, you need to get real. Did not you see him pat himself on the chest and say “My bad”? The team is playing shorthanded now, but where is the fire and determination, surely not in the manager. He is the leader of the team and should have his players back when they need it and kick them in the backside when they need that. He is doing a poor job at both. What happened to the good at bats the team was putting up at the beginning of the season? Too many times the players are looking at good pitches going by or are caught guessing with two strikes. See the ball, hit it, don’t go up there guessing. They are also one of the worst baserunning teams I have seen, getting thrown out trying to stretch base hits with no outs, and it not even being close. Shortstop defense is killing them, the would be better off bringing up Simmons and playing the two rookies and see which one develops the best. Wilson can go, nice guy but you know where nice guys finish.
Bottom line, some guys are underachieving and the manager is in over his head, get someone in there that will push them to bust their butt and play the game like it is supposed to be played.
cloudodust
May 28th, 2012
9:33 am
The past week has caused me to flash back to the nights of 1977 when me and 5,000 other die hards showed up at AFCS to drink beer first and watch baseball second.
Go Go Pilots
May 28th, 2012
9:46 am
Well after wednesday it will 10 straight loss’s for the Inpetaturd Braves and Freddi G..Watch coach tip hat and tell AJC O’Brien we be find soon and by all star break when we 37-49…and in last place will get hear How we lost key players we lost chipper to a Hang Nail and accouncers on Sportsouth will chirp bad breaks n stuff while Tampa n Nats suprise us lead there divison’s of course followed by Baltimore and Ny Mets go figures Mets have less talent n yet they win and in 2nd place followd by Marlins and phillies we be in Last….Wren will run to dallas lookin for that pool to fall into again durin winter meetins which he did zip!Freddi the freeloader he just claim No contest soon and chipper he blame media for his hurts….and La dodgers have all ready won west now so has Texas Rangers before June1 its over now……Brewers went from playoffs to oops and Cubs well they just same as was in 1972…..and arizona no win west rockies done fire manager at all star break too!
screwball
May 28th, 2012
9:49 am
You cant count anything before the all star break.
Braves in last palce by the all star brake
May 28th, 2012
10:15 am
It becuz they have a loosing manager. I done told U this last year and everone laffed at me. I say it again this year and Shults calls me stupid. Well who is laffing now? I was rite.
Braves in last palce by the all star brake
May 28th, 2012
10:19 am
And anoter thing I aslo told U all what a looser Haywood is and U all made fun of me.
wayneone
May 28th, 2012
10:21 am
this is the least disciplined team we have had since ‘88.
Larry
May 28th, 2012
10:28 am
Anyone heard from Lewd and LoboSoDumb? Did they move to a state that will give them a marriage license?
With this manager’s ineptitude, Chipper sucking the financial life out of this club collecting 14 million on the DL, Heyward an obvious bust, a host of free-swinging, guess hitting hacks in the line-up, and now both starting and relief pitching AWOL, and with first place now permanently in the rear view mirror, it’s time for me to say…
Turn out the lights
the party’s over
they say that all
good things must end
Call it a night
the party’s over
and tomorrow starts
that same old thing again
Vicki
May 28th, 2012
10:34 am
I agree with Harpie. It takes more than 3 good players to make a good team-Play ball guys! Fredi needs to put a fire under this team or else we need a new Manager. Fredi didn’t make it in Florida and I don’t think he is going to make it in Atlanta either. The players and the manager need to quit making excuses.
Brad
May 28th, 2012
11:12 am
EXCEPT FOR NO OFFENSE, POOR DEFENSE AND POOR PITCHING , THE BRAVES LOOK GREAT. UNTIL THE GAME STARTS, THE BRAVES EVEN LOOK LIKE A MAJOR LEAGUE TEAM. THEN THE GAME STARTS ABD THE BRAVES STRIKEOUTS BEGIN. HINSKE ONLY STRUCT OUT FOUR TIMES YESTERDAY BUT THAT IS BECAUSE HE ONLY CAME TO BAT FOUR TIMES. WHAT A PLAYER11
Scott
May 28th, 2012
11:23 am
Seven in a row. Seriously? Wonder how the Braves will find another loss today?
JAXDAWG
May 28th, 2012
11:27 am
Hematoma is a word. Fredi needs to go another clueless pitching change. I don’t understand why Livan Hernandez or Chad Durbin are on major league rosters. There has to be someone else.
BooBoo
May 28th, 2012
11:50 am
I watched a few minutes of Sunday’s loss, and in the 9th inning the broadcaster said, “Hinske’s been waiting all night to finally get a chance to bat against a right-handed pitcher, and here’s Davy Johnson making a change.” I turned the game off at that point. The game was over. There is never any fight in these Braves, and Davy Johnson knew it. He was changing pitchers just to show Freddie Gonzales the reason they actuall pay managers (rather than charge them for season tickets to sit in the dougout) is they manage games, even in losses. Gonzales only “closes the barn door after the cows have gone,” when someone says, “Can’t you smell that Freddie?” If they keep Freddie, I hope they can lose 120 games this year and start to rebuild like Washington has. PPS: I would much rather have Michael Bourne in CF than ex-wildthang pitcher Rick “Stick another roid needle in my hind end” Ankiel. That guy makes Dave Kingman look like a Hall of Famer.
nashvillewill
May 28th, 2012
12:44 pm
Heyward should have been benched – his “play” and the non-response to it tell you all you need to know about this team. No fire, no energy, no enthusiasm, and no consequences. Since payroll is always an issue with ownership the only options seem to be to promote from within the organization. Braves minor leaguers are showing promise – Simmons and Betencourt in AA, and in Gwinnett Parraz, Mejia (36 rbi), Constanza, Durango (22 Sb’s), and Gartell (11 HR’s). Gearrin has a miniscule ERA and seems to have worked out his issues; Redmond and Carlyle have been effective. How about some shuffling – release Hinske, Diaz, and Wilson, they bring no hitting and Wilson’s defense could be replaced with Simmons. Send down Venters to work on his control. Release Livan. Make some moves, show some life.
Pete
May 28th, 2012
1:02 pm
The Braves are a collection of very AVERAGE players. Average.
Nothing about this team get’s you excited or believing that they are a post season contender. Stale, lackluster, leaderless, mostly overpaid non performers.
Mediocre at best.
thankswren
May 28th, 2012
1:25 pm
But we’ve had injuries – So has every other major league team
But it rained and the ball slipped – Rains on both teams
But Wren waved the majic wand and being a genius last years losers with pixie dust were gonna be better this year – Right
C.L.
May 28th, 2012
2:32 pm
The last 2 games I’ve seen Hansen pitch his effort fielding the ball and basic effort in the field stinks. It has cost him big time in both of those games. You would think that a pitcher who doesn’t have over powering stuff would bust his fanny fielding his position and try not to give 4 &5 outs an inning at times. It’s very frustrating to constantly her all these accolades about him and he struggles to go 5 innings on most of his starts. Effort and hustle can make it palatable in rough times.Disgusted
J Harris
May 28th, 2012
2:43 pm
The Braves have hit a wall. I thought they may have turned a corner when they took 2 out 3 from Tampa Bay Rays. They need to go out a spend some money. Chipper is always banged up. I would relegate him to a pinch hitter or a defensive replacement and get a third baseman or infielder with some put who can bang out 40-50 homers. Jason Heyward has not pivoted to be a superstar. I don’t know if the Braves should trade him or let him stay. It seems like everytime a Braves player is traded, they do better somewhere else. Not a huge fan of Freddie Gonzales. I don’t see the anger and passion and the killer instinct in them. I would have yanked Heyward out of the line up when he lazily got the ball the other game which caused the runner to go to second. I would have yanked Hudson after he walked the pitcher with opened up the floodgates.
Remember Sugar Bear Blanks
May 28th, 2012
2:47 pm
The Braves are a dull team. No spark. No hustle. No nothing. The Rays and Nationals hustle and they look like they actually like playing baseball. College baseball is much better than the so-called major leagues.
DITTOS
May 28th, 2012
4:10 pm
It’s time for somebodies head to roll!! This is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!!
David S.
May 28th, 2012
4:19 pm
All you cry baby bitches that are already giving up on this season… Shut the HELL UP!!! Please… There is a whole lot of ball still to be played.. yes there are some issues… # 1 is pitching… Delgado has all the tools… Kind of reminds me of Pedro Martinez with his delivery… damn sure doesnt have his mind… Minor needs to decide if this is what he wants to do for a living… Shultz nailed it with this article.. but you typical front running fans of Atlanta is just sad!! Some things never change and when these Braves get back on track you all will be the same people giving them praise…
Dick
May 28th, 2012
4:51 pm
Looks like there’s soon to be 2 noteable jalopies in the Atlanta area.
Scott Brantley
May 28th, 2012
6:24 pm
EIGHT IS ENOUGH!
Rt
May 28th, 2012
7:07 pm
David S. you must be watching a different team!!!!!!!!!!!
BobDawg
May 28th, 2012
10:26 pm
I don’t see the Chicago Cubs fans throwing their team under the bus…. Maybe the gravy train fans can all “exit left” and let the few diehards enjoy the season… this is just a streak and will go away as all do…
D-bo
May 29th, 2012
12:42 am
Time to get rid of McDowell, and fredi g should be on the hot seat, considering the end of last season.
Limbo Joe
May 29th, 2012
12:46 am
How low can you go?!?! The Cubs have gone under the 12-loss streak bar. Braves, can you limbo?
James scores 32 as Heat run past Celtics in Game 1 – Atlanta Journal Constitution | The Time of Press
May 29th, 2012
7:18 am
[...] Braves suddenly lack pitching, defense and a clue [...]
Kelley Ledbetter
May 29th, 2012
8:02 am
What the braves need is a manager like Billy Martin. Sure he was a drinker and hell raiser but he got the job done. Every where he went he was a winner NY Detroit
Minnesoto (I think). Let’s face the facts Atlanta is losersville, USA. That is the reason I do not spend my money to go see the braves play. Why waste your money.
Cecil34
May 29th, 2012
9:14 am
The Tim Tucker interview with Terry McGuirk in the off-season said it all to me concerning the Braves and their ownership.
That article pretty much did it for me as far as following the Braves and spending any money on them.
what of it?
May 29th, 2012
10:05 am
at least someone is willing to call a spade, a spade
Braves Fan
May 29th, 2012
10:19 am
Good lord – hit a skid and everyone is off the bandwagon. The teams in Atlanta aren’t the issue – it’s the lousy fans.
BTW Jeff – the throw from venters was OK – Hinske missed it – it was not wide of first base.
Joel
May 29th, 2012
10:24 am
I just want a legit apology from someone with the Braves. They don’t connect with their fan base anymore. They collect their $$ and they don’t seem to care about the fan who pays thier bills. I saw all those people in the seats this weekend and I felt bad for them having to sit in that heat and tolerate this BS. Heyward sucks! I tried to buy some Braves gear from local stores for my little newborn boy. They all are Heyward jerseys and some McCann. WTF? McCann has been the man in the past (ok with him for now) but Heyward is a BUST! I am 36 years old and have been to see them every year of my life. Not this year. I will not go back until they win a NL title. Wild card doesn’t count.
Double Zero Eight
May 29th, 2012
10:39 am
S.O.S. The ghost of the Titanic has
resurfaced. Man the lifeboats.
Here it is....
May 29th, 2012
11:07 am
Yep, here we go again….year, after year, after year…nothing ever changes with this organization! The front office is awful…They don’t have a clue about putting a great team on the field. They just want to sell you expensive tickets! hahaha…keep buying um…see where that gets you….haha…Its been this way for YEARS…even with Booby Cox. He messed up so many Championship teams….and only won 1..sad whats going on in Atlanta…When is this city going to demand changes in ALL sports??
Milburn Drysdale
May 29th, 2012
11:13 am
I agree with an earlier post that said Derrick Lowe is a cool weather pitcher. Once it hit 90 degrees you could just see all of his energy getting zapped. I believe Hanson is the same way. Starts getting a little hot, and ERA starts going up. Not very good for pitchers in HotLanta.
DZ
May 29th, 2012
11:57 am
You left out the Hanson/Hinske/Uggla I-got-it/you-take-it grounder that turned into an infield single and led to a 4-run 3rd inning that basically ended the game.
If I was the manager of this team, after that play, I would’ve gone to the mound and called the whole infield in and read them the riot act.
Fredi is too nice. He has no fire.
Roscoe P. Coltrain
May 29th, 2012
2:00 pm
What’s this? The Braves suck? Heck, just last week they were the best team in the NL.
This is what breeds haters. When they are winning, the whole organization is the most well run in baseball. The media and the fans in this town swoon at how great the Braves are and Chipper is on his way to the HOF.
Then when the true side of the team is exposed (mediocrity) all of you start boo-hooing. After 17 years of this dopey cycle…it just gets old watching them lose dramatically with that Ol’ Bobby Cox formula.
Clean house. Completely. And please do not bring back Jones to be a coach. Enough already…
mediocrity continues...
May 29th, 2012
3:49 pm
Know why they don’t have a “clue”? Start with the doof in the dugout filling out the lineup card. Is there a clause built into his contract for tipping his cap? Pathetic…
Go get Joe Maddon when this season is over.
mediocrity continues...
May 29th, 2012
3:57 pm
Right Milburn… Because there were no Cy Youngs in “Hotlanta” in the 90’s. Great point sir.
Paul In Richmond
May 29th, 2012
4:03 pm
The entire team has turned into Larry Jones. Part time players. Ill, whining and hurt. Playing in fits and jerks instead of putting a consistent game on the field.
smooth
May 29th, 2012
5:13 pm
Jeff, you need to move to NY or some other dirty place, you don’t belong here and have no idea what you are talking about. Get out of town bum!
John A.
May 30th, 2012
2:14 pm
Jeff, don’t you think it’s time to focus on John S., he is the President, and the one responsible for hiring Frank Wren. If I were the President (and the man responsible for the 14 in a row) I would taking that guy to the woodshed for making me look bad. Obviously John no longer cares what is going on with the team, or has decided to just draw a paycheck.
If John no longer shares the interest of the fans the least he could do is retire and go fishing.
johnny 99
May 31st, 2012
1:25 am
Schultz = moron. every week it’s a new article on how great the team is, then how awful, then how he was wrong, then how he was right, and on, and on and on. every year since 2007. just go write about the falcons and college sports, where no one cares that your last original idea was to grow facial hair when you went bald.
SR
June 1st, 2012
11:16 pm
It’s Wren that’s the moron- just saw Melky Cabrera triple to the deepest part of AT & T park here in SF which is not easy to do. Another multiple hit game for this dude, who the Braves gave up on way to frickin early by releasing him no less, didn’t get jack for him and the dude has raked ever since, hitting about .375. WREN = MORON, MORON, MORON.
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June 5th, 2012
2:22 pm
[...] have been really good (25-15) and really bad (eight-game losing streak). The issue is not talent but chemistry. We’ve seen that they’re a different team when Chipper [...]