After 75 forgettable games, Braves have one to remember
When you’ve played 75 games and nothing much has happened, you’re looking for that one good night. You’re looking for a start, a spark, a reason to keep hoping when you’re a good week away from even nosing above .500. Maybe this was that night. Maybe this was the start of something, if not quite big, then at least bigger than what we’ve seen.
The Braves blew a game against the reigning world champs and won it anyway. They won it because Gregor Blanco, who was playing only because Bobby Cox decided after batting practice that Nate McLouth shouldn’t, and Martin Prado, playing only because Kelly Johnson has forgotten how, mustered seven hits between them.
They won it because they outpitched the Phillies, which everyone does, and also outhit them, which you wouldn’t figure these Braves could ever do. They won it despite two horrendous pitches from Mike Gonzalez that turned a 3-2 lead into a 4-3 deficit. They won it in the way the Braves used to win games all the time but this team hasn’t yet.
They won it in the bottom of the 10th, and after they did Matt Diaz, who touched off the winning rally with a tough two-strike single and scored the winning run, said this sort of winning is capable of being replicated on a more or less nightly basis. “That’s what has been so frustrating about this team,” Diaz said. “We should be able to play this way more often that not.”
What way is that? Diaz again: “We got great pitching [six big innings from a rejuvenated Derek Lowe and clutch relief from everyone save Gonzo]. We got great defense. [Chipper Jones authored a beautiful double play in the top of the 10th.] We got timely hitting.”
And what, having done all that for seemingly the first time this millennium, were the 2009 Braves left to think? “That we can do this,” Diaz said.
The Braves began the day in fourth place in a five-team division, five games below .500, and then they trotted out a lineup that didn’t include McLouth (hurt), Johnson (awful) or Yunel Escobar (hurt). They got no hits from Brian McCann or Diory Hernandez but 13 from everybody else. They trailed three times — and how often has it felt a one-run deficit was insurmountable for these hitless wonders? — and hit their way back in the bottom of every inning.
Loading ...Prado had four hits and four RBIs, and afterward Bobby Cox proclaimed him his starting second baseman. “Right now, yes,” Cox said. “He’s too hot to take out.”
And sometimes that’s what it takes to light a fuse: A utility guy is given a chance and renders himself indispensable. Three times Prado drove home a tying run, and in the 10th he hammered a two-strike pitch over the head of John Mayberry Jr. in left field to untie this one forever. Martin Prado, of all people, and he could have picked no better moment.
Diaz again: “We’re starting to play division games now, and someone has to win. We need that someone to be us.”
Just like that, the Braves are within four games of first place and within one of third. Just like that, a homestand that went flat against the Yankees and Red Sox has found a second wind. Just like that, a team that has had no reason to feel good about itself celebrated the best night of 2009.
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121 comments Add your comment
Jim Ed
July 1st, 2009
10:34 am
Look…nice win. But Prado and Blanco delivering 7 hits is an aberration. Last night’s lineup had two sub .200 hitters. That’s not gona win ballgames…regardless of the pitching. Braves need to make a deal for some consistent hitting and a little bit of power. Now is the time to move Kelly Johnson and Francoer for a consistent hitting (and fielding) 2B (Infante when he gets back is to valuable as a swing man) and power hitting OF. Would even consider moving Escobar (seems like a head case) to somewhere like Pitt for Jack Wilson (a little maturity).
The Grinch
July 1st, 2009
10:34 am
True, Kelly doesn’t mess up that often, but when he does it’s usually a doozy.
I somehow doubt we’d score more runs with Chipper or McCann leading off; who would drive them in? Plus it’s not exactly like they’d make the opposing pitcher uncomfortable once they were on. Not to mention they’re both only 3/4 time players; the constant lineup shifts would be disruptive.
It IS rather interesting that all our players who hustle and have good fundamentals are “bench” guys. Something tells me they’d be starting on other, smarter teams.
Ramblinwreck83
July 1st, 2009
10:56 am
Silly Atlanta Fans, you are a silly atlanta fan. You sound very much like the fans that came and cheered for the Yanks or Sox this past week. We’ve got to show a little faith as true fans. Otherwise we’re no different that National fans.
Ran Man
July 1st, 2009
11:00 am
Uh…slightly off topic but – how many more articles is the AJC going to run on Francour’s freak’n turkey underwear?? Two in two days is about two too many. Does anyone really think the Braves fortunes ride on Jeff’s skivvy’s? And why exactly is this news?
Blue Skies Belue
July 1st, 2009
11:06 am
Trade Francour’s turkey underwear for ARod’s toothbrush
http://dentistry.about.com/b/2009/05/24/post-game-dental-ritual-for-alex-rodriguez.htm
kevin mckillop
July 1st, 2009
11:09 am
How long do you think it will take MR WREN & Bobby cox to understand that Prado belongs at second base and when the backup SS comes back give him some right field experience.Frency will still not get it done.He gets a few hits and then his EGO will again take over.
benchwarmer
July 1st, 2009
11:20 am
I get the feeling that there are at least a few Braves who don’t always agree with Bobby Cox. I don’t always agree with him either. Play the hot bat. If no one is hot, play the better team player. Such things as good hard working at bats contribute mightly to a teams likely success in later innings. Stupid first pith free swingers had better be lights out hot to stay in my lineup. Prado has been a super baseball player who plays smart for quite a while. Bobby you are wrong. KJ sits , Prado plays!
AlabamaBrave
July 1st, 2009
11:21 am
A series win, and then we will talk about whether or not this is a turning point.
Hawk01
July 1st, 2009
11:21 am
We will not be able to win unless we have some power numbers. Punch and Judy hitters (Singles Hitters) will never produce alot of runs. We need the 3 run home run type of guys. Kotchman, and Francouer are putting up 2B and SS numbers……………Oh, I’m sorry……………even 2B and SS put up better numbers than those 2. It amazes me that some of the comments about Escobar when he will always be a better hitter than Francouer. But…………………….He is the Golden Child from Atlanta and he is the right color for so many racist fans in Atlanta,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,so we give him a break. Yet you pick on Escobar when he makes a mistake. Bobby Cox sucks !!!!!!!!!! When Francouer makes a mistake, no one says much to him, but let Escobar make a mistake and this blog jumps him big time. I would rather keep a 15 Hr 70 RBI SS than the same numbers for a corner outfielder. Francouer will never be but average. Escobar has an upside. Francouer seems to be falling and has seen his best days. CAN YOU SAY JOE CHARBONEAU. Trade him while he has some value for he will never produce here due to he is still upsett about being demoted last year and it appears that he would not mind a trade. He may produce for someone else. He has lost his power and will always for Atlanta be 15 Hr 70 RBI player.
AlabamaBrave
July 1st, 2009
11:23 am
Everyone is talking about trading Francouer for a power hitting OF. First of all, who would take Frenchy? Secondly, what OF is available that fits the bill? Dunn perhaps?
AlabamaBrave
July 1st, 2009
11:26 am
How about trading for a 3B an OF and moving Chipper to first?
benchwarmer
July 1st, 2009
11:26 am
Dunn, Dunn, Dunn! What’s up with that. Strikes out way to much. When and where has he shown that he can propel a team into the playoffs? And he fields below average.
AlabamaBrave
July 1st, 2009
11:27 am
Bench…..I am just throwing out names. Got anyone better, besides not Dunn?
Tomy Fournier
July 1st, 2009
11:27 am
LATIN POWER(UFFF…VENEZUELAN)
Mark Bradley
July 1st, 2009
11:34 am
Obviously we can’t know if this was a turning point until things actually turn (or don’t turn). But it seemed pretty big at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday night.
AlabamaBrave
July 1st, 2009
11:41 am
You are right about that MB. Many of us have been looking for a sign of something positive. Perhaps a trade for another bat would give us more hope. Does the front office have anyone in mind to fill that void?
The Dude
July 1st, 2009
11:58 am
I want to see line-ups that excite me. It appears that only happens once in a blue moon when players are healthy. I wonder how the weekend would have played out with Infante at SS. Diory Hernandez is like having another pitcher in the line-up. That’s not exciting.
elliot
July 1st, 2009
12:50 pm
BT – 10 years ago our lineup was juuuuuuust a tad better. We had 4 guys with 20+ HRs (not including Chipper’s 45) a team avg nearly 20 pts better and 6th in the league with steals. Then you have the pitching…well….
This does not even begin to speak to the competition in the NL East. The Phillies weren’t the Phillies of today and the Marlins were bottom feeders.
Being 10 back today is not the same as being 10 back in ‘99
Benjamin
July 1st, 2009
2:31 pm
One game does not a season make, fellas. This team has lost too many games in heart-breaking fashion this year for us to be prepared to believe that last night completely turned our fortunes around. We need to just win this series and build from there.
We’ve got the pitching. Our lineup could be better, but we’ve got guys who haven’t performed up to par for their projected abilities, also. It’s just a matter of learning to put everything together for this franchise. Once we do that — and once Bobby learns to manage the bullpen a little better than he has (here’s hoping old dogs truly can learn new tricks) — we’ll be better off. No one is going to run away with this division, most likely, so we’re in the thick of things, as is.
JEZ
July 1st, 2009
2:32 pm
Cox is dumb if he puts Kelly in there over Prado…why must he keep killing the braves chances of winning by keeping slumping hitters in there like KJ and JF? If there were no other options that would be one thing but Prado is solid all around!
Benjamin
July 1st, 2009
2:36 pm
Dunn, Dunn, Dunn! What’s up with that. Strikes out way to much. When and where has he shown that he can propel a team into the playoffs? And he fields below average.
–
Regarding Adam Dunn, he would be a godsend to this lineup, low batting average and all. His power and ability to get on base via walks would be helpful, and he’d provide the ample protection Chipper, Mac, and co. would need hitting above him.
Defensively he’s not a stud, but if we were ever able to land him, he’d be huge.
(Regarding his playoff record — or lack thereof — he hasn’t exactly had anything to “lead” to the playoffs, for the most part. Arizona’s the only solid team he’s ever been on, and he did his part there. Kind of hard to pull a cart to the top of the hill if you’re the only healthy horse pullin’ the wagon.)