Live from the Braves’ game, not long after a really tough loss
Jerry Hairston Jr. slides home with the equalizer last night. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
A few words about, er, me: For nearly two decades I expected the Braves to win every game — even though I knew they wouldn’t, I still expected it — because for nearly two decades they did nothing but win. Then they stopped winning, and gradually I came to expect less.
But over the past two months I’ve been geeting that feeling once more: That a Braves’ victory is something close to inevitable, that they’re going to figure out a way to win even if you’re never sure just how they’re managing it. And I operated, as you blog and Twitter folks well know, on that assumption last night. And the Braves …
Well, they didn’t win.
They blew a ninth-inning lead for only the second time this season. Billy Wagner failed to close a game for only the second time in almost two months. They messed around a while longer before losing in the 12th inning. It didn’t hurt the Braves in the standings — the Mets and Phils both lost again — but it served as a nice little reminder. (At least for me.)
This is baseball. Nothing is inevitable.
And on that semi-sobering note, I open the floor again for questions, comments and other metaphysical garbage. And yes, before you even ask, it’s hot at the ol’ ballyard today. Too hot. We need a roof. Somebody get Arthur Blank on it, will you?
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540 comments Add your comment
NCBravesFan
July 22nd, 2010
3:15 pm
deb: I think Joe West should get dibs on that one. And Katherine – iTunes would be a good place for that!
Glad you like, Mark.
SG10
July 22nd, 2010
3:15 pm
worried about the innings count for Venters. He seems to be in the game every day.
Mark Bradley
July 22nd, 2010
3:15 pm
I think the fifth run takes Hudson out of the game.
Indeed, Hinske is pinch-hitting for him.
jeff becker
July 22nd, 2010
3:15 pm
nice to see production from seven-eight spots… when last time melky IWd twice?
B.Packenwood
July 22nd, 2010
3:16 pm
Who is in the Braves bullpen?
Sonny Clusters
July 22nd, 2010
3:16 pm
We won’t say that anymore, Mark. With one more run we’d feel pretty good bringing in Chavez to close this thing out. With only a five run lead best leave him where he is.
Mitchell
July 22nd, 2010
3:16 pm
There we go.
Chip was postively subdued on that play.
Okay, nevermind. Why keep your starter in the game when he only gets four days rest when you can just keep going to the bullpen for the 90th time in the season.
John Kruk's Offspring
July 22nd, 2010
3:16 pm
I agree, Packenwood, about that edginess of announcers – these clean, boring announcers – Joe Buck, Chip Caray, Josh Lewin, and their ilk – need to go!
B.Packenwood
July 22nd, 2010
3:16 pm
Nice outing for Hudson. Bravo
Mitchell
July 22nd, 2010
3:17 pm
Eric, we could use some more runs here.
Sac fly man.
deb
July 22nd, 2010
3:17 pm
so, what does the infield look like if we have Chipper and Glaus resting ont he same day?
Heisenberg
July 22nd, 2010
3:18 pm
Maybe I will call one of those 800 tech support numbers in India and look busy while on hold.
jeff becker
July 22nd, 2010
3:18 pm
woohoo
Mark Bradley
July 22nd, 2010
3:18 pm
Hinske gets plunked. Could feel that coming.
It was a curve, though.
B.Packenwood
July 22nd, 2010
3:18 pm
Hinske sounded like a wounded duck
Justin
July 22nd, 2010
3:18 pm
so many hit batters lately…
Mitchell
July 22nd, 2010
3:18 pm
That’s gotta hurt a little.
Sonny Clusters
July 22nd, 2010
3:18 pm
Let’s hope this is not a toe injury for Hinske. We read somewhere that those are real bad for baseball.
Aaron
July 22nd, 2010
3:18 pm
Probably just broke every toe on his foot.
Mark Bradley
July 22nd, 2010
3:18 pm
Hinske out of the game. It might have been a breaking ball, but it stung.
Medlen to pinch-run.
jeff becker
July 22nd, 2010
3:19 pm
deb: infante, hinske
Heisenberg
July 22nd, 2010
3:19 pm
deb, Hinske at 1B & either Conrad or Infante at 3B
Aaron
July 22nd, 2010
3:19 pm
Medlen? Doesn’t he have a start soon?
Mark Bradley
July 22nd, 2010
3:19 pm
Lonely, deb. It would look lonely.
B.Packenwood
July 22nd, 2010
3:19 pm
Can the Braves plunk someone in the 8th or 9th?
Justin
July 22nd, 2010
3:20 pm
well, now bring chavez in and hit a padre on the foot.
Aaron
July 22nd, 2010
3:20 pm
No Duck Snort for Prado…
Steve
July 22nd, 2010
3:21 pm
Grand Slam???
Shane
July 22nd, 2010
3:21 pm
Question is if the Mets trade Francouer will they be able to get 2 or 3 bags of balls in return?
My guess is 2
Heisenberg
July 22nd, 2010
3:21 pm
I might trust Chavez with a 10 run lead
B.Packenwood
July 22nd, 2010
3:21 pm
U mean a Duck Fart Aaron?
B.Packenwood
July 22nd, 2010
3:22 pm
Where is Ryan Church now? Thats what we got for Frenchy.
Shane
July 22nd, 2010
3:22 pm
Its a hot day and Hudson has pitched great. No sense taking a chance with your ace starter. Good job getting him out of there.
Bullpen guys are paid to pitch (almost) everyday. Shouldn’t be a problem
Mike
July 22nd, 2010
3:22 pm
Where did the ball hit Hinske?
Heisenberg
July 22nd, 2010
3:23 pm
Church in with Pittsburgh
SG10
July 22nd, 2010
3:23 pm
Wondering if Prado’s recent slump is linked to all those HRs he some time back. Hope he was not trying to be a power-hitter, changing his swing too much.
B.Packenwood
July 22nd, 2010
3:23 pm
In the toes on his right foot Mike
Katherine
July 22nd, 2010
3:24 pm
Poor Hinske..that looked like it hurt so bad
deb
July 22nd, 2010
3:24 pm
Toe injuries are as prevalent as thumb injuries it seems.
Aaron
July 22nd, 2010
3:25 pm
Damn when this become a 7 run game?
B.Packenwood
July 22nd, 2010
3:25 pm
Church batting .190 with 3 HR and 18 RBI for the Pirates
Mark Bradley
July 22nd, 2010
3:25 pm
Just now, Aaron.
Katherine
July 22nd, 2010
3:26 pm
Come on aaron..keep up
Heisenberg
July 22nd, 2010
3:26 pm
Interesting the Pirates had Hinske last year and he collected splinters. Now they have Church. Explains why they are where they are with those kind of consistent decisions.
jeff becker
July 22nd, 2010
3:26 pm
sg10: was wondering that myself… maybe something “off the field” those two errors were wierd…
Shane
July 22nd, 2010
3:26 pm
Team has showed some character coming back after a tough loss.
‘
Took two of three ( and 4 of 6 ) on the season from the Padres.
Not trying to jinx them but if the Phillies and Mets both lose today this thing is almost over.
Aaron
July 22nd, 2010
3:28 pm
Scored on double, infield single, hit batter, and error.
Thats how I lost track of 4 runs…
Mark Bradley
July 22nd, 2010
3:29 pm
I thought Chipper got hurt running to first. But he’s staying in the game.
Steve
July 22nd, 2010
3:29 pm
Mark, in your opinion, how many games up do the Braves need to be before it really is pretty much over?
Aaron
July 22nd, 2010
3:29 pm
Made up for not running earlier by running too fast…