Don’t look now, but the Bravos are back in this thing!
They’re back in it. We can’t know if they’re going to win it, but they’re in it. The Braves went 6-4 on their loudest homestand in years, and if 6-4 doesn’t sound all that hot, let’s recall they were 2-4 as of Sunday morning. Let’s also recall that only five days ago a lot of us figured they’d wind up 2-8.
But they didn’t. They roused themselves and played at a higher level than we had seen since Memorial Day, which not coincidentally marked the last time they had won a series. Back then they swept the Blue Jays, who were leading the AL East. This time they swept the reigning World Series champs, who arrived leading the NL East but who depart in a first-place tie.
The Florida Marlins are now co-leaders, and the Braves, while still in fourth place, are only two games back. Talk about exquisite timing. Lose three to the Phils and they would have been eight games out and surely looking to dump salary at month’s end. They’re not dumping anything now. They figure with their pitching and the expected return of Tim Hudson, they’ve as good a shot as anybody. They might be right.
Good things are happening now, the sort of things that didn’t happen for nearly three months. Martin Prado turned into Joe Morgan. (Slight hyperbole there, but you get the point.) Matt Diaz turned into Joe Rudi. (Again, you get the drift.) Derek Lowe found himself. Yunel Escobar finally played a game and made it a beauty. And the Braves began to get a little lucky, which never hurts.
Thursday night, top of the eighth, tie game. Mike Gonzalez, who nearly blew Tuesday’s game, walks Jayson Werth, who steals second and moves to third on Brian McCann’s throwing error. Then Gonzalez make an even worse delivery, sailing a pitch over McCann’s mitt to the backstop. (”I lost it in the scoreboard,” McCann will say afterward.) But the catcher pivots and pounces and whirls and throws, and Gonzalez tags Werth and the inning is done, the tie still in place.
Loading ...And then the Braves, who to hear their critics know nothing of fundamentals, play a lovely half-inning. McCann singles to left. Escobar bunts Jair Jurrjens, in to pinch-run, to second. Diaz doubles him home. And then Garret Anderson hoists the first pinch-hit homer of his career — the first pinch-hit homer any Brave has struck this season — into the home bullpen. Three-run lead. Three-game sweep
“Winning this series is huge, huge for the year,” Gonzalez said. “It could be a changing series for us. We played as a team.”
And when the Braves do that, they’re not half-bad. Their pitching could scarcely have been better over the concluding two series — the Red Sox and the Phils mustered 13 runs between them — and the Braves begin to hit a bit. “Timely hitting,” Bobby Cox said. “That’s what does it.”
In the aftermath of the bitter 1-0 loss to Boston on Saturday, the Braves’ season seemed down to its final throes, realistically if not mathematically. But Tommy Hanson got out of bed and threw a big game, and here his team sits, resuscitated and perhaps reborn.
“Two games out,” said a buoyant Frank Wren, making his way to clubhouse. Two games out, and the Men of Wren suddenly wear the look of a contender.
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132 comments Add your comment
Braves73
July 3rd, 2009
10:41 am
Tim – I really like the lineup you put together. Now, let’s hope that Bobby see’s what we see.
Drixie
July 3rd, 2009
10:56 am
The pitching is strong enough to win this division. McClouth, Escobar, McCann, and Chipper are The “A” team on offense and must be in the lineup as often as possible. Diaz, Anderson, Prado, and Kotchman are The “B” team and must play up to their abilities. Franceour and Kelly should be used to rest the starters. The problem with the offense is that we lack speed and power, so our margin of error is slim. That said, there’s enough talent here to win this division and the pitching is deep enough to make the playoffs interesting.
siskel_god
July 3rd, 2009
11:05 am
Please stop with the Francoeur bashing, the guy is doing much better and can still be an asset to the team in the future. If he gets hot in July like he was in April that could be huge. Prado needs to stay in the 2 hole and Yunel in the 5 spot with Nate coming back in the leadoff that lineup looks much better than the one at the beginning of the year. Hudson said he’d be open to pitching in the bullpen this year I hope that spells the end for Jeff Bennett.
Preston Hannatized
July 3rd, 2009
11:10 am
Mark … I don’t hit you often on here but when I have I’ve been ragging on Bobby Cox. Let me tip my cap to the old Skipper for last night’s game. Was it me or did Bobby pull out more than the usual rabbits? Pinch runners (for McCann, Kotchmo) sac bunts, even Mr. Loyalty lifting Frenchy for a PH – and how did that work out? Prado is rewarding Skip for the PT. Matty Diaz is a gamer – he doesn’t have the talent and can disappear for games at a time but he busted it last night. Great win. We are back in it. Though the Phillies are awful now … look at their RBI totals – they have three or four guys with 45+ and Howard with 60. We have too many guys on a pace to drive in 60 for the year. Getting Mclouth back will help but I don’t know if there’s enough O to go with the division’s best starters 1-thru-5 with Hudson in reserve.
cdog
July 3rd, 2009
11:14 am
IF BOBBY COX JUST DON’T DO ANYTHING STUPID LIKE PUT KELLY JOHNSON BACK IN THE STARTING LINEUP WE WILL WIN THE EAST. GOOD TIMES AND HAPPY DAYS WILL BE HERE AGAIN
Hillbilly Deluxe
July 3rd, 2009
11:24 am
Given the weakness of this division and their history of strong second half play, better keep your eye on the Fish.
Adam
July 3rd, 2009
11:31 am
Why is Jeff F. still in the lineup!?!?!?!!?
Drixie
July 3rd, 2009
11:33 am
Hillbilly D:
Good point.
61 year Braves Fan
July 3rd, 2009
11:35 am
Trade Frenchy, K. Johnson, Jo Jo Reyes and Bennett for Corky Miller
Mark Bradley
July 3rd, 2009
11:38 am
It sounds weird, but the Phillies are in much worse shape than Atlanta. They can’t pitch. And you can’t win if you can’t pitch. They’ve got to go get two arms, and those arms have to be somewhat more impressive than Joe Blanton, who was last year’s fix. And I don’t think there are two available arms of that eminence.
Hawk01
July 3rd, 2009
11:40 am
Have to go with the following outfield:
LF………..G. Anderson …Last 10 games…….Avg. 342…….38 AB……….13 Hits……2 HR……6 RBI
RF………..Diaz……………Last 10 games…….Avg…500…….14 AB……….7 Hits…….1 HR……3 RBI
CF………..McLouth………Last 10 games…….Avg. 317……..41 AB………13 Hits……2 HR……9 RBI
Utility………..Francouer…….Last 10 games…….Avg…270……..37 AB……….10 Hits…..1 HR…3 RBI
Francouer can spell Garrett and Diaz for defense and play on occassions. Blanco can spell McLouth in center. Waive Norton and Carlyle when they come off DL, send Reyes to AAA when he comes off disabled list. Infante can spell Jones, Escobar, Prado, Kotchman, and the corner outfield positions when he comes off DL. In my opinion I thought Infante was a better player than Prado, so Cox will have decide if Prado or Infante stays at 2B.
The Colonel
July 3rd, 2009
11:45 am
On the issue of Francouer “bashing” . . .
The guy we bashers are really unhappy with here is Bobby Cox. Clearly, Francouer’s head isn’t right for starting every night, yet Cox keeps sticking him out there. Everyone will agree that Francouer is not as tough as a Smoltz or a Chipper mentally and these failures night after night aren’t doing him a lot of good. One of the other bloggers said this already, but the whole little soap opera is getting hard to watch. Cox makes a lot of really smart moves. But he has guessed wrong time and time again with Francouer. And, to be frank, now it’s like Cox just doesn’t want to admit it.
Francouer’s selfish approach to the game doesn’t really make us feel any better about him.
Somebody also said this before but it does bear worth repeating as well. Francouer really needs to be in the minor leagues working out his problems. Until then, his story is just a regrettable little melodrama that no one seems ready to take the blame for.
As for you, Bradley, you remain delusional on this whole issue.
eastbound and down
July 3rd, 2009
12:08 pm
the 2008 season seemed to go to hell in a handbasket because KJ dropped a pop up against the phillies. in 2009 prado catches one to end the game and sweep the phillies. maybe i will sprind for mlb ticket at the all-star break
eastbound and down
July 3rd, 2009
12:08 pm
of course that should have been spring..
Dr.R
July 3rd, 2009
12:12 pm
I hate to second guess Bobby (unlike many fair-weather, football-minded dunces, I think he’s a great manager), but I think the Prado move to second is long overdue. KJ had numerous chances and has shown to be too inconsistent with the bat and glove. I think the small bit of power he adds led Bobby to stick with him too long; he does love those power guys more than I do. The whole division is full of flawed teams in every way, but the Braves clearly have the best overall pitching staff and that could make a difference, especially in the dog days when everyone’s arms start to wear down. And once you get to the postseason with a bunch off good arms, anything can happen. I think the only addition at this point might be to add a middle reliever. Remember, Infante should be back after the break, which gives you another bat you can move around.
Dorothy Davis
July 3rd, 2009
12:20 pm
O.K. , so now that we have a winning line up, how long will it take Bobby to screw it up? I realize we need McLouth back in, but we do not need Frenchy (striking out) when we have Diaz getting clutch hits. And KJ needs to be a back up player, not a starter, as why would you take your hottest hitter (Prado) out of the line-up. But me thinks Bobby will find a way. Come on Wren, put your foot down.
Skeezix
July 3rd, 2009
12:22 pm
I think Frenchy will be okay. He had two bad at bats last night (swinging for the fences again/bad situational hitting), but overall hit well over the last 3 series. He could still get his average to 275/280 by end of this season; which is not bad for a RF with his arm.
Meanwhile...Hanson induces amnesia
July 3rd, 2009
12:34 pm
4-0 in five starts with a 2.48 ERA. I guess that’s impressive, if you’re into arcane numbers like wins and losses, and ERA. But wasn’t there some prospect complaining about being released prematurely before the callup?
Paul "Bear" Bryant
July 3rd, 2009
12:56 pm
RE: Jeff Francoeur
Ever since Jeff Francoeur got married to that silly girl, all his good BASEBALL has been going out the end of his [Jeff Schultz] .
bravos 123
July 3rd, 2009
1:06 pm
Guys, it’s pretty simple:
JF and KJ in the lineup = automatic outs and no runs,
JF and KJ removed from lineup = big weight lifted off of team and lots of runs scored
I’m sure they are great people, but we have to win some ballgames now. They will be fine in life, but it’s time to win some games.
jwil4bravos
July 3rd, 2009
1:08 pm
We are currently in the best position (once we get beyond the .500 mark) of any other team in the NL East because we have trade bait, a good bench and pitching depth. Consider this MB the braves need a quality leadoff man. The Dodgers are going to bench Juan Pierre for Manny, granted the Dodgers are one of the better teams in baseball they still need to strengthen there bullpen if there going to make a run deep into the post season, and Pierre wont be content to sit the bench after hitting .318 w/ 10 – 15 steals. Package Frenchy and decent mid inning reliever for Pierre and we have a formidable line up. I think McClouth has the ability to be a great number 2 hitter similar to how the Phils use Utley. Not to Mentiono he would be hitting in front of Chipper you would have to pitch to him, better pitches = more hits = more rbi’s for Chipper and Big Mac. Pierre and McClouth at the top of the lineup would give us something we’ve lacked for years two guys with speed and a high OBP. What a lineup this would be:
Pierre
McClouth
Jones
McCan
Escobar
Anderson/Diaz
Prado
Kotchmen
wow. Get it done Wren and Company and we’re back to the good ole days of winning pennants and making deep post season runs. let me know what you think.
Sonny Clusters
July 3rd, 2009
1:49 pm
When we was playing ball together back in school I was always the one that did the strategy and what Jeff done was mostly by instink. He still plays that way like when we was playing together. I could have gone on to some bigger baseball too but I already had some pretty good benefits going at work and mostly was not wanting to mess that up. It dont seem like the state champions was all that long ago.
Wes
July 3rd, 2009
3:00 pm
Bat Francoeur 8th and he gets more strikes thrown to him. And he can actually hit with power when pitches are in the strike zone.. I’m just sayin.
Buckman
July 3rd, 2009
3:26 pm
Wes:
Your man has a homer every 60 at bats. Let it go. Please.
Nova Scotia Steve
July 3rd, 2009
5:48 pm
this is an absolutely awesome article…man I was so friggen pumped after last night’s game…so much fun to watch…and I seriously got chills when the Atlanta Faithful where chanting our war cry while Garret Anderson was at the plate and then the Ted exploded when he hit him out…It made me proud to be a Braves Fan.
And one more note…Mark I literally burst out laughing when I read your second post about “Nice touch…great game last night now lets rip Francoeur” lol…Hilarious.
What do you think of the hour long meeting between Wren and Cox yesterday Mark? Think something is going down?
Ross
July 3rd, 2009
6:03 pm
I like it, but i want to harp my favorite note – McCann should be at 1st base. He’s too good a hitter and too poor a defensive catcher. Putting Ross behind the plate is good for a run a game. Also Sarge (Diaz) NEEDS TO PLAY EVERY DAY. Make him the starting LF and forget about it. Having Anderson on bench is a great plus. GA is old and slow. Diaz is young and hungry.
-drl
Ken Stallings
July 4th, 2009
9:48 am
I love how folks rip Bobby for not starting Martin Prado earlier. They apparently forget that Prado was playing a lot at the start of the season, but quickly injured his hamstring, which is an injury that needs a lot of time to heal up.
It seems to be OK now and quickly he comes in with a good bat and Bobby’s starting him.
Kelly Johnson was struggling worse I’ve seen him. So just one hot bat to replace a cold one can make so much difference. If Prado can continue to hit around .300 the Braves might have a chance to win what’s clearly the weakest division in baseball.
That’s a worthy goal! I hope the team can do it. Then in the playoffs, with quality pitching, anything is possible.
Rico Carty
July 4th, 2009
11:38 am
I guess my asking for whether there’s a quote function for this blog doesn’t rate a response.
Klaus
July 4th, 2009
11:53 am
Lowe is here for 3 more years not 2. He signed a 4 yr deal that the Braves will regret perhaps as earlier as next summer. Too much money and too long of a deal but that’s water under the bridge.
KK just reminded Wren (we can only hope) that trading Vaz would be a bad idea no matter how tempting the offers. Caveat: Unless Vaz lands you Pujols, Adrian Gonzo or a similar proven slugger under contract for a few more years.
Put KK in the pen when Hudson comes back or go with a 6 man rotation until the playoffs. If Lowe continues to be bipolar that would be reason enough to keep Vaz. You cannot expect JJ and Hanson to pitch winners every night with no veteran protection.
Jeff is a good guy and is really trying. I don’t get the hate or the comments that he is selfish. The guy is stressed out and cannot believe his 2008 struggles came right back on May 1st.
He looks like he is on something in the dugout or someone on the verge of a break down. He hair is all crazy like he is pulling at it between innings and the guy’s smiles are forced. He looks really alone in that dugout.
More specifically he looks like a man whose career is slipping through his fingers and he knows it.
I agree Bobby is trying to play him through this but the benchings and now being pinch hit for cannot be helping Jeff’s confidence.
For his mental well being Jeff should go to AAA for a month (no matter how well he hits on day one or week 3).
BJones can take his spot that or keep Conrad up here as he can play the OF (I believe).
Jeff needs to mentally reboot and not in the limelight. He needs to get away from all the people who are advising him and spend a month with one guy who will help him.
If he turns it around you can bring him back in August or put him on the waiver wire if he doesn’t
You won’t get anything for him now or by July 31st so why torture the poor guy in from of his friends and fans.
Hell if he were smart he should go play in Japan for a few years and come back when his confidence and skill set are up to the challenges of MLB.
Today they are not and no one is helping the guy with his biggest need – remove the spotlight from his recovery.
ABQ brave
July 4th, 2009
1:41 pm
i agree with you klaus…lets NOT get rid of one of the best SP (vazquez), who has the best K to 9IP ratio, real good era and excellent stuff. i like idea of 6 man rotation and how awesome would it be if it really worked and the braves took off in august and septembeer.
someone earlier said to move a 3 (soon to be 4) time all-star cathcer to 1st base cuz he lacks defensively…i’m sorry but did you see the pass ball the other night, i did, great play b-mac. oh and he is one of the best game callers in the league…and besides kotchman is real solid defensively at first.
wren, dont trade anyone unless major injuries occur…we dont need to get rid of our farm system (who knows, we may need them next year when someone is slumping)
for all of those who want a big trade and dont love how our team is set now than you are not a braves fan and are a disgrace to the club
Thomas P.
July 4th, 2009
3:34 pm
Someone please explain to me what Booby Cox could possibly be thinking by taking Hanson out of the game. He is such an idiot. It’s as if he is not even watching the game. Hanson has been breezing through the entire game. Cox has had nothing to do but sit back and pick his nose. I just don’t get it.
LSU
July 5th, 2009
10:05 pm
“Don’t look now, but the Bravos are back in this thing!”
Mark,
I looked, and the Bravos lost 2 of 3 against the mighty Nationals…Maybe I should’ve listened to you, and not looked.