Killer loss for the Bravos, wasn’t it? Er, not exactly
JJ pitched great, as per usual. That man Prado had another RBI. Chipper hit a homer. Esky made a heads-up play afield. Glidin’ Garret looked to have won it. Then Soriano entered and it all fell to pieces, and now the Braves are not just way behind the Phillies but also a game in arrears of the Fish.
Killer loss. Wasn’t it?
Nah. It’s baseball. This stuff happens. Even Mariano Rivera blows the occasional save. (He blew one in Game 7 of a World Series on a weird night when it rained in the desert.) The Braves are playing well. More to the point, they’re pitching beautifully. Keep doing that and they’ll have a realistic chance to win the wild card, which is all they can ask at this late date.
Back to Rivera and that blown save. It came in a World Series the Arizona Diamondbacks looked to have blown. Two nights in a row they’d carried a lead into the ninth inning in Yankee Stadium, and both times Byung-Hyun Kim yielded two-out tying home runs. (The first to Tino, the second to Brosius.) Headed back to Phoenix that team was down 3-2 and all but dead.
But this is baseball, and in baseball — I believe the saying originated with Earl Weaver, though it might have come from Eddie Haas — momentum is tomorrow’s starting pitcher. That’s why the work Frank Wren did over the winter was so important. On Wednesday the Braves will start Kenshin Kawakami, who’s pretty good. And then on Thursday they’ll have Javier Vazquez, who’s really good. And then Tommy Hanson and Derek Lowe and Jurrjens against L.A., and on and on the rotation spins.
A bad loss? Sure. But nothing that figures to leave a scar. So long as you can pitch, you have life. The Braves can pitch. They don’t need to panic. They don’t even need to make a trade. They just need to keep pitching.
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127 comments Add your comment
61 year Braves Fan
July 29th, 2009
8:20 am
Cox lost this game earlier. Why was Norton pinchhitting with a man on first and no outs late in the
game. Why not let Jair bat and sacrifice? The bum Norton hits into double play – expected. Didn’t we
get McLouth to add team speed? Then why don’t we steal and put pressure on their defense when
he gets on base to start an inning? Release Norton, Fire Cox.
matt_T
July 29th, 2009
8:23 am
Right on MB.
Tough tough loss, but one that happens occasionally. Still only 3 back in the WC and like Chipper said, with the pitching they have a good shot to win every game.
Bama Aaron
July 29th, 2009
8:28 am
While I do agree that one game should matter this late in the season it does. That one loss pretty much lets you know you’re not catching the Phils and increases the hurdles you have to jump over to have a chance at the Wild Card. I’m not saying the Braves can’t do it, but you can’t afford to give wins away at this late date.
That being said it wasn’t all the Braves fault. Soriano didn’t throw 4 balls to that 1st batter. What do MLB rules state about the size of their umps when the guy is physically too small to see over McCann and make the proper call. He was constantly missing the inside strike call as well because he couldn’t see it.
brian
July 29th, 2009
8:29 am
stop yall whinning about the strike zone…. marlin pitchers got the same crappy strike zone as well… better team won plain and simple… with JJ pitching tonight for the fish , braves will lose again
varodrunner
July 29th, 2009
8:32 am
The Braves are playing well. Last night was a shame and as Mark points out, “it’s baseball”. However, we do not have a team capable of making the playoffs – I don’t see the Phillies losing the division unless Florida gets HOT!!! and there are too many “GOOD” teams ahead of us in the wild card. I would act now and position us to be more competitive in 2010. Trade a pitcher and get something of value. I’d like to see Kawakami go, but that’s unlikely. Hate to see Lowe or Vazquez go, but we might get more in return and have a great rotation for next year and for the rest of this year once Huddy is back and effective.
Standing pat is (IMHO) the wrong thing to do. I’d trade a pitcher and gfet something in return and make it more than a rental. I’d also hire a hitting coach – we don’t have one now and could use one.
brian
July 29th, 2009
8:34 am
Benjamin
July 29th, 2009
1:01 am
Kenny K. is just as good as Josh Johnson. We’re still winning this series.
For God’s sake, they play in LAND SHARK STADIUM!
are you serious… go look at their records and era’s…. lol not even close….. nice wishful thinkin though…. better yet ill post their numbers for u.
KK (5-7) 4.04 ERA … JJ (9-2) 2.80 ERA…. wow, thats really close
curtis jones
July 29th, 2009
8:37 am
It’s easy to get drunk with love for the Braves since their recent resurgence, but as MB mentioned, they have played 100 games. Looking at the whole, instead of the past 3 weeks, some problems can’t be overlooked.
1. The HOF Manager has grossly underperformed this year, especially during the first 80 games. He constantly failed to use his best hitters in the lineup, abused his bullpen and mismanaged the player who will likely be the team’s MVP this year.
2. This team has a first baseman who produced 6 homers and 55 RBI in his first year as a Brave. No other team in the bigs would accept that. So he saves a run or two occasionally with his glove? Does that really make up for all the baserunners he strands?
3. Chipper is 37. He is not getting any better. His best years are in the rear view mirror. He is, at best, a 20 HR, 80 RBI guy these days, and his range is statue-like.
4. Garret is maybe the best DH in the game. He has one tool, his bat. He should not even own a glove.
5. If the HOF manager has no faith in a hustling, impact .300 hitter like Matt Diaz, for God’s sake, deal him somewhere and get a player who might actually see some game action. Same for Kelly Johnson. At the moment, he is wasting a roster spot. He is a one-position, no-glove bench player who sometimes hits a hot streak with his bat. Can someone use him, and give us something we can use in return?
6. As long as the HOF manager demands playing time for non-athletes like Greg Norton, Jeff Bennett (and Corky Miller, Craig Wilson, Scott Thorman and Chris Woodward in years past), the Braves will be a .500 team, at best.
7. Why have a slugging backup catcher if there is no apparent way to get his bat into a game more than once every 10 days or so? Catchers all over the bigs can play a second position if needed. Why can’t McCann or Ross?
8. The Braves are among the worst-bunting teams in baseball.
9. The Braves are among the slowest teams in baseball.
10. The Braves are among the least powerful teams in baseball.
If playoffs or wild card is going to happen, most of these items had better get fixed soon. The Braves are wasting some outstanding starting pitching this year.
MatthewH
July 29th, 2009
8:41 am
With regard to Adam Dunn, as I mentioned on another blog, the Nationals routinely put in a defensive replacement for him in the late innings. As a matter of fact, the TV announcers make it a point to mention when he is NOT being replaced. Do the Braves need more outfield drama?
Mac
July 29th, 2009
8:43 am
Agreed. This was not a pivotal loss, portending doom on the horizon. It was just a pi$$er, which will happen sometimes. It should not affect their psyche at all.
By the way, does Garrett Anderson favor the president, or is it just me?
tralfaz
July 29th, 2009
8:51 am
“These” games do happen…but, our quota of “these” games has been pretty much used up already, can’t afford any more if we want to keep playing at the end
Mark Bradley
July 29th, 2009
8:56 am
If the Braves are indeed shopping for a middle reliever, it tells me they definitely think they have a shot to win something. That’s not a commodity you seek if you believe you’re out of it.
Mark Bradley
July 29th, 2009
8:57 am
Garret Anderson and Barack Obama: Can’t say that one occurred to me. But I’ve never seen the latter in person.
Chris
July 29th, 2009
9:02 am
Latest Garret stats aside, I wonder if Barack would hustle more.
curtis jones
July 29th, 2009
9:06 am
I thought they would have to hold up the game last night while the Loafer returned to his position after watching the fly ball land on the warning track. You could have timed him with an hourglass. Maybe they can send out the bullpen cart for him on those occasions when he has to jog more than 10 yards from his appointed position.
Bubba
July 29th, 2009
9:15 am
Someday maybe Cox will realize that if you go to the bullpen enough times–eventually you’ll find someone having a bad day!! Gonzo was throwing great–leave him in for 2 or 3 innings, then use Soriano another day for the same if he is pitching versus throwing!!
BravesFanLostInOhio
July 29th, 2009
9:23 am
Right on, Mark! But, with so many games left in the division, should we really count out a division run? That is, if they keep hitting/pitching/ fielding like they are now!
As for the wild card, the 2nd half Braves are a better team than anyone else in the hunt. It’s totally do-able!
BravesFanLostInOhio
July 29th, 2009
9:24 am
With that said, all bets are off if the Phils complete a trade for an ace.
abudefdef
July 29th, 2009
9:26 am
hmmm, Braves are 7-2 against the Phillies this year so far…9 games left against them…NL East IS within reach
Kotchman…his 1.000 fielding percentage (read ZERO errors in 720 chacnes) has saved how many runs? I’ll take that defense behind our pitchers…
All I'm Saying Is...
July 29th, 2009
9:27 am
Blown saves happen in baseball, people, so get over it. It is true that in baseball, momentum is the next game’s starting pitcher. Case in point, a few years ago, the Dodgers rallied to win a game late in the season with four consecutive home runs, that’s right back-to-back-to-back-to-back jacks. Everybody was jumping up and down and hooting and hollering that they were on their way, blah, blah, blah. Not only did they lose the next game but they didn’t make the playoffs.
mac: It’s just you. GA does not at all resemble Barack.
curtis jones at July 29th, 2009 8:37 am: Your post was excellent, my man. Despite what you typed, though, the Braves can still win the wild card. We do need Bobby/Wren to remain committed to Prado, release Norton, bring Conrad back up, turn KJ into a late game pinch hitter/give a guy an off day occasional player, and consider Infante at first when he returns with Kotch a late game replacement in order to keep the runs coming.
LET’S GO BRAVES!
John
July 29th, 2009
9:27 am
Good god yall are the most whiny bunch of kids i have every heard!
If Bobby Cox is sooooo terrible and stupid then id love to see yall be the damn manager! Yall make it seem like its the easiest job in the world. Just shut the hell up and enjoy the game! Soriano got squeezed and blew ONE save! Were playing good baseball and pitching WINS games which we finally have. I swear to god if we won EVERY game in a season some of you would STILL talk S***!
Noah
July 29th, 2009
9:35 am
Everyone on here is killing me with the doom and gloom. The Braves are in a pennant race. You don’t have to be 7 games up for it to count as a pennant race and be interesting. The offense looks fine, but could use another bullpen arm. Fox Sports suggests that will be Hudson.
Alan
July 29th, 2009
9:35 am
You’re right, Mark. There’s no need to panic, but that was a very tough loss. Just another game? We’ll see about that tonight. To stay in the Wild Card hunt, the Braves have to keep winning series, especially head-to-head with other WC contenders like the Marlins. Tonight’s game is pivotal, I think. Regarding potential trades, I really doubt the Braves will get a big bat (although Paul Konerko would be nice), but they could use another reliable bullpen arm, and I have a feeling they’re going to make a deal this week (Kelly Johnson and JoJo Reyes). I’d also like to see them discard Norton and bring back Conrad ASAP. In any event, there’s no way the Braves are sellers this year — this team is far superior to last year’s.
abudefdef
July 29th, 2009
9:36 am
AMEN John! Preach on brother!
Ben
July 29th, 2009
9:36 am
Why is Norton still on this team? think. I guess he is still with the Braves because who wants a pinch hitter hitting around .100. I would PH a pitcher instead of him.
Matty
July 29th, 2009
9:45 am
I have a felling the loss last night signed, sealed and delivered this year for us. I would not be suprised if they are swept by the Marlins and go into a 10 game spiral because of this emotional loss. However, if they can put this behind them, right the ship and can win the next two I am a believer in the wild card
abudefdef
July 29th, 2009
9:48 am
I would agree about Norton, while he did do a great job for us last year, what has he done for us lately (as in ALL Season)? Give Conrad the nod, release Norton so he can try a change of scenery, and let’s get pumped up at Turner Field!
Turner Field should be a HOME game every game, even when the BoSox come to town, the Braves fans SHOULD be drowning out their cheers of “Let’s Go Sox”…Atlanta, show some emotion and spirit at Turner Field, it ain’t hard, use your lungs and vocal cords, and let’s give the Braves our loudest support! I’m sure when they’re down there on the field, or on the mound, or at the plate, hearing Braves fans cheering over the other team’s fans gives them a good feeling…SUPPORT THE BRAVES!!!
abudefdef
July 29th, 2009
9:49 am
Matty, we have 5 top quality starting pitchers…no slide for the Braves!
Mark Bradley
July 29th, 2009
9:58 am
Greg Norton is on the team because he has a lovely singing voice, ideal for those long bus-ride renditions of “100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall.”
raleighbravesfan
July 29th, 2009
9:58 am
Hudson and Infante returning is like 2 trades.
GO BRAVES
July 29th, 2009
10:06 am
Trade Kelly Johnson,cut Greg Norton and bring Brooks Conrad back from Gwinette.Omar Ifante will return soon also.
DC from Conyers
July 29th, 2009
10:12 am
First this loss won’t matter that much if the players can put behind them and move to the next one. Casey is a average player but good enough for me, especially with his defense. Guys they can’t have 10million players in every position. I will agree it is time for Norton to move on, bring up Gregor Blanco. He can hit and this would give BC more options when he subs.
The strike zone was small last night. I don’t know why there is not more consistency when calling behind the plate. I think the umps do a great job overall though. I really don’t want to give any more youth away from the farm system.Huddy will be back soon and I would move Kawakamie to the pen. All his breaking stuff might do well in relief.
Speaking of JF, he should have taken the contract the Braves offered him at the same time they signed McCann. This would have let the Braves to give him time to get straight on his hitting. Refusal of the contract was his first mistake.He made others and that led to his trade. I was really a fan of his, and pulled for him to succeed. Great kid it just didn’t work out here, move on.
Diaz needs to play more, heck look at his average, especially with men on base. Younel made a great play with his throw back to first last night, and Casey showed he is always in the game. These Braves will be fine, and I’ll be pulling for them even if they don’t make the play-offs.
They Don T Really Care About Us | All Days Long
July 29th, 2009
10:21 am
[...] Killer loss for the Bravos, wasn't it? Er, not exactly Atlanta Journal Constitution They don't need to panic. They don't even need to make a trade. They just need to keep pitching. Bummer, bummer, bummer!!! We really need to gear up for the … See all stories on this topic [...]
Marc from FL
July 29th, 2009
10:30 am
The score is all that matters. 4-3 might as well be 15-0. We lost, big deal. Keep your eye on the prize, a series win and we’re still in a good shape. It’s like the old formula, to hell with sweeps, just win the series and you’ll be ok.
Skeezix
July 29th, 2009
10:51 am
This was a tough loss. Makes it especially hard to win the series with who the Marlins have on the mound tonight…but the Braves need to remember that they managed to beat the Giants’ ace recently. The Marlins have a solid team and could end up ahead of the Braves in the NL East. But why panic? I have been finally enjoying watching the Braves for the first time in a long time. We are over .500, the Mets are reeling, the starting pitching is solid and the offense has finally come around (but the bullpen still needs beefing up). What the heck happened in left field when that ball dropped in on GA? GA has to be the worse outfielder since Ken ” the Hawk” Harrelson who I once saw play at Fenway (also got to see the great Carl Yastrzemski). Is it just me, or did the umpire’s strike zone tighten up in the bottom of the ninth? My memory is that he had been calling the low strike before Soriano took the mound.
Mike
July 29th, 2009
10:52 am
It’s only NOT a killer loss if they bounce back tonight. Then it’s just a blip. If they don’t, and lose the series to the fish, they may look back at the end of July as the time they lost a realistic chance of making a run at the playoffs.
Roy Hobbs
July 29th, 2009
10:57 am
I agree with you, its not something to panic over, but a series sweep would make the Braves sellers on Friday.
brent a.
July 29th, 2009
10:58 am
IIRC, Rivera tried to get an 1+ inning save that night – and failed!
Average Joe
July 29th, 2009
11:05 am
Last night’s loss is only a big deal if it leads to doubts from the players themselves. They’ve proven that they play great baseball, they just need to KEEP believing it and let that belief translate into good, solid, fundamentally sound baseball. All closers have off nights and nights where their fastball is as straight as an arrow. Like Mark says, that’s baseball.
This is as good a Braves team as we’ve had in the past 4 years, certainly good enough to win the wild card and maybe even the division. The so-called experts on ESPN, et al, are typically quiet about just how good our starting pitching really is, but they all know the Braves are a force to be reckoned with, they just can’t bring themselves to admit it. And remember, many of these same experts picked the Mets to run away with the division, or at a minimum finish WAY ahead of the Braves. I wonder if they still cling to that prediction?
Let’s go out tonight and make a statement, Bravos!
abudefdef
July 29th, 2009
11:14 am
MB, if he’s such a good singer, why doesn’t he try out for American Idol? Too old maybe? I don’t know, and frankly, too lazy to research it!
Marc from FL
July 29th, 2009
11:22 am
And I wouldn’t get too worried about JJ taking the mound tonight. I’d like to compare our records against # 1 and 2 starters versus our records against #3-5 and rookie starters. I bet it’s something like a .800 record against front of the rotation guys and .400 record against everyone else. And guess who, KK, has been one of our best counter aces thus far this year (bested only by our JJ against other big name pitchers so far this year).
We have every reason to feel good going into tonight’s game, and then we go for a series win tomorrow and stay on track!
Ralph
July 29th, 2009
11:26 am
I don’t understand why Cox pulled a starting pitcher who was sailing along after only 6 innings and put in Norton to pinch hit. Norton hitting .115 and Jer hit at .159, if Cox just wants to get Norton some at bats then do it when the braves are leading 10 to nothing, or better yet send him to the minors where he can hit as much as they want him to, better yet, give him a one way ticket to nowhere, the braves would have a chance at a wild card with another manager but 0 chance with Cox who doesn’t care if they win or lose so long as his boys are happy.
JEZ
July 29th, 2009
11:37 am
yea, Soriano had an off night. Hey Papelbon gave up the win last night with the Bosox so it’s no reason to panick. I agree though and proceeded to yell at the tv last night when I heard Cox was taking JJ out after 98 pitches. I don’t understand why he is so set on the 100 pitch count..that is not only hurting us, but hurting our bullpen!!! These are grown men who make millions of dollars and pitch once every 5 days…they can get stretched above 100 pitches..especially when it’s close and they are keeping us in there! Cox needs to get with it!!
Navigator
July 29th, 2009
11:59 am
Mark, I really disagree with your premise. Soriano may be able to pitch, but he simply doesn’t have the personality to be a closer. I watched his demeanor when he first went to the mound, and immediately felt that the Braves were in trouble. I’m sorry, nonchalant doesn’t get it as a closer. You want fire, a challenger, a smart pitcher, but more than anything else, a guy who doesn’t walk hitters when the game is on the line.
Marc from FL
July 29th, 2009
12:02 pm
I don’t know why people are trying to blame Cox for last night. We went into the bottom of the 9th with the lead and one of the best in the game coming in to close it out. What more does he need to do?
I could argue that KJ would have been a better option than Norton, but JJJ isn’t a great bunter and McLouth sucks with RISP, so pinch hitting when we had a chance to score a run or two made sense. Regardless, it’s all based on speculation of what could have/ might have happened. Again, we went into the bottom of the 9th with the lead and put our best pitcher up to close it out…
Braves Fan
July 29th, 2009
12:04 pm
Soriano seems to always start out the season sharp and degrades into a game loser. How many games will the Braves lose before someone makes Cox remove him as the closer.
Marc from FL
July 29th, 2009
12:06 pm
Navigator, I rarely call people out, but you’re full of it with that Soriano comments. He’s considered one of the most intimidating relievers in the game. Why? Because of his demeanor. Do you want someone that’s going to freak out every time they give up a hit or someone that’s going to be rock-solid on every pitch regardless of what the last batter just did or who’s due up next? The umpire’s inconsistent strike zone cost us the game last night, he made Soriano throw a pitch he didn’t want to throw in order to keep the winning run off base, simple as that.
raleighbravesfan
July 29th, 2009
12:15 pm
I agree mostly with Marc. BTY, Infante returning should take care of Norton.
Roy Hobbs
July 29th, 2009
12:22 pm
Soriano blowing the save is not a big deal, but Nortons hitting into a double play is a big deal. Why does the guy keep getting at bats with the game on the line?
Bravo
July 29th, 2009
12:24 pm
I think it’s time to look toward next year. You say it’s just baseball and it happens.. well, the great teams (playoff caliber) find ways to win down the stretch. And great players make the play. The Braves lack those players that won’t allow their team to loss. I say we move Gonzalez, Soriano, Lowe, Johnson and Moylan. None of these players empressed me and I’m sick and tired of all the excuses. You say even Mariano Rivera blows some, but guess what, he at least got them there. With all of the suppose talent these guys have, why is it then that everytime they go to the mound I bite my lip wishing, hoping for the best and maybe they can get it done. Lets move these guys now while there’s so many teams looking for help. Lets get great young talent back and gear towards next year and who knows? you might catch lightning in a bottle and excite this team to take the next step this year. The pitching would still be there. Lets get some return now. These guys aren’t the answer, they haven’t been and never will be. Lets get a return!!!
Bravo
July 29th, 2009
12:26 pm
And Navigator, you hit the nail on the head! It’s time we play every game as if it’s the last. No more excuses!!! This is getting so old! Lets get some guys with a desire to win.