Swept in Philly and nearly no-hit, the beaten Braves move on
Tommy Hanson's night: Six innings, two hits, no runs, one fine outing. (AP photo)
PHILADELPHIA — They got the start they needed. Alas, they got nothing else. Heck, they nearly got no-hit.
They came here thinking one win — one crummy win — would leave them in good stead for the wild card. Instead they got swept. They weren’t overwhelmed in any of the games, which made it even worse. Three nights running, the Braves got to see firsthand how vast the expanse is between them and the Phillies.
“We got beat all three games,” Brian McCann said. “We were in every ballgame. We just got beat.”
Wednesday’s loss was sweet excruciation. Tommy Hanson matched Roy Oswalt for six innings, and Roy Oswalt was all but untouchable over his seven. (The Braves’ one hit was Martin Prado’s two-out double in the fourth.) In the eighth Jonny Venters opened by plunking Chase Utley, but induced Ryan Howard to hit into a double play.
Then Venters pitched around the right-handed hitting Jayson Werth, which made sense. Then he fell behind Raul Ibanez 2-0 and tried to throw a sinker. The ball didn’t sink. Ibanez, a pro’s pro, poked it into the left-field corner, and Nate McLouth overthrew the cutoff man and the Phillies had the run they needed. And the Braves had an 0-for-Philly.
McCann: “It ain’t easy for a left-handed hitter [meaning Ibanez] to hit a 95-mph sinker into the left-field corner. You tip your hat. And we move on.”
The Braves needed this game to prove to themselves that they could beat the Phillies when it mattered, and all it proved was that they couldn’t. Hanson did what neither of the rookie starters deployed in Games 1 and 2 could manage: He gave his team a chance to win. His team, sorry to say, wasn’t good enough to avail itself. His team is running on fumes.
The Braves had more errors (five) in the series than runs (four). Yes, they ran face-first into the Phillies’ Big Three, but if you plan on playing postseason baseball, you’d better be ready to face top-shelf pitching. All the Braves could think to try was another oddball lineup — McLouth in left and Rick Ankiel in center — against the Roys (Halladay and Oswalt), and here were the two-night totals for the twosome:
Thirteen at-bats, one single, four strikeouts.
“We couldn’t have done much better,” manager Bobby Cox said after Wednesday’s loss, and that assessment sounded at once pitiful and pithy. The Braves have tried everything this season and have gotten further than they probably should have, and now it’s down to this: Nine games to go, the wild card blowing in the wind.
McCann: “This is our season. We’ve got nine games left. We have to be able to get up for these.”
Motivation wasn’t the issue here. The Braves tried their best. The Phillies’ best was just better. Cox even broke with custom before Wednesday’s game. “I talked to the team today,” he said afterward. Then this: “We’re trying to win a game.”
They couldn’t win even once here, but late Wednesday they boarded a chartered Amtrak car for the trek down to D.C., where they’ll meet the last-place Washington Nationals. Then they return home for the season’s final week — six games against the Marlins and the Phillies, and the latter will surely have clinched the National League East by the time they arrive at Turner Field.
Meaning: For all that went wrong here, the Braves should still be able to draw the wild card. (With San Francisco losing in Chicago on Wednesday, the Braves were assured of staying atop the runner-up race at least another day.) They spent three days proving they’re no longer a match for the Phillies, but that’s no longer the issue. The Braves simply have to win as many games as they can and hope it’s enough.
Before the game, Cox had said: “I wouldn’t mind seeing a ‘WC’ [for wild card] up on the wall of our ballpark.” In previous seasons the Braves were always the team winning division titles and letting lesser lights claim the ‘WC’, but in 2010 it’s their only real hope. A big series was lost in egregious fashion, and now they move on.
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321 comments Add your comment
philee fan
September 22nd, 2010
10:56 pm
where is everybody ???
SG10
September 22nd, 2010
10:56 pm
Good article, Let’s hope things turn around starting Friday!
philee fan
September 22nd, 2010
10:58 pm
padres winning, braves out of wildcard lead
philee fan
September 22nd, 2010
11:00 pm
ok guys follow me,,, Go Phillies.
SG10
September 22nd, 2010
11:00 pm
Mark,
I asked you on the other ‘Live blog’..what do you think about starting Ankiel in these past two games..I mean the guy hasn’t figured it out for 152 games, why would he do it in the last 10?..I thought part of the reason Braves traded Francouer is that he was an easy out despite his strong defense then why play Ankiel. I can understand if he comes in as a defensive replacement with the Braves lead..shouldn’t we have started Diaz or Cabrera?
Disgusted
September 22nd, 2010
11:02 pm
Nuff said.
Mark Bradley
September 22nd, 2010
11:03 pm
SG10, they just don’t have enough outfielders. They’ve really only got one — Heyward.
SG10
September 22nd, 2010
11:05 pm
Wouldn’t Cabrera and Diaz be an upgrade over Ankiel who again continued striking out today? It is not just this series since everyone has struggled but he has been awful for long long time now..
Mark Bradley
September 22nd, 2010
11:06 pm
You’d think anybody would be an upgrade.
dawgfan37
September 22nd, 2010
11:07 pm
That’s why I am glad this is Bobby Cox last year. Rick Ankiel should be on the bench and not see the light of day.
wawel78
September 22nd, 2010
11:08 pm
and as bad as Ankiel is, he’s hitting 40 points above McLouth for the season. McLouth had 2 good weeks, raised his batting avg to 189 and all of a sudden, he’s a world beater.
Mark Bradley
September 22nd, 2010
11:08 pm
And the Braves will not be out of the wild-card lead no matter what the Padres do. If San Diego wins, it passes the Giants and becomes the NL West leader. The Giants would be a half-game behind Atlanta in the WC race. If San Diego loses, it stays a half-game behind the Giants in the West and the Braves in the WC.
DCBravosFan
September 22nd, 2010
11:08 pm
wow . . this was a kick in the pants . . . tough to stay positive after these last three games . . . Mark, what was the feeling in the clubhouse, do these guys still think that they can get the wildcard?
BravesFaninAugusta
September 22nd, 2010
11:08 pm
Phillies fans: go find another blog
wawel78
September 22nd, 2010
11:09 pm
Also, I’m glad Bobby got what he wanted and took KK out of the rotation. Minor has been a wonderful substitute.
Mark Bradley
September 22nd, 2010
11:09 pm
Yes, they do, DCBravosFan. Ballplayers are optimists.
DCBravosFan
September 22nd, 2010
11:10 pm
THey do still control their own destiny . . they just gotta get some wins here in DC . . . must take care of business with the Nats!!!
todd
September 22nd, 2010
11:11 pm
I am DONE watching the Braves. I have always defended Bobby Cox and could never figure out why many people didn’t like him. Now I know – because he is inept. Can someone explain to me why he started the first two games of the most important series in at least 4 years with two pitchers who do not have 3 months worth of major league experience between them. Funny how the Phillies thought the games were important enough to make sure that there top 3 started each game.Why does he keep Ankiel in when he is an automatic out (and there are plenty of other options). If they are not going to take the games seriously then why should we. Go Falcons!
bascogcjs
September 22nd, 2010
11:11 pm
Mark, Diaz is a definite upgrade. Ask about Nate’s lack of effor when he throws. It is pitiful.
Craig
September 22nd, 2010
11:12 pm
I am glad Bobby is going, it is time. I am glad that he will be taking Terry with him.
Mark Bradley
September 22nd, 2010
11:12 pm
Is Diaz an upgrade against right-handed pitching?
SG10
September 22nd, 2010
11:12 pm
It is likely that Braves would have lost anyway but all that manager can do is use fundamentals and put the right players by using the best judgment and not just going by his hunch…Overall, Cox has managed this season superb and if Braves get WC ahead of SD then he deserves manager of the year..but quite often he makes some stubborn moves that baffle me..there are no Greg Norton moves this year but Ankiel move is getting pretty close…and at bad time.
Eric C.
September 22nd, 2010
11:13 pm
It will be a huge shame if the Braves can’t take the wild card this year…man, a real shame. It’s almost like there is nothing left in the tank, and yet they still have to play the Phillies three more games. Thankfully, the Phillies should have the division and home field advantage wrapped up by the time they come to Atlanta, meaning they may give the starters some rest. It’s not the way I want to see the Braves make it into the postseason, but it sure beats the heck out of the alternative. Come on Braves…get that second wind and run off 6 or 7 straight.
DCBravosFan
September 22nd, 2010
11:13 pm
God bless the optimists in that clubhouse . . . I hope that the folks on the blog continue to keep the faith as well! Let’s send Bobby out with a bang . . . if we can’t do that, let’s at least keep the faith until the bitter end!
Neil
September 22nd, 2010
11:14 pm
The optimists optimist will tell you only one of these games featured a playoff pitching matchup. The Braves lost that game 1-0 on the road. You have to get in for that to matter, but that’s your Sgt. Friday “Just the Facts” thing to keep in mind.
philee fan
September 22nd, 2010
11:14 pm
hellooooo
SG10
September 22nd, 2010
11:14 pm
Compared to Ankiel, Diaz will be an upgrade..and he has shown that he can hit right handed pitching…even if he hits 0.200 it would still be an upgrade over Ankiels 0.000 average, right?
CSpin
September 22nd, 2010
11:17 pm
The Phils are on phire which makes for major philly phrustration for the bravos.
Eric C.
September 22nd, 2010
11:17 pm
To all the folks complaining about how this was the most important series…forget it. This was not the most important series because the Braves never had a real shot at winning the division. Realists gave up on that when the Phillies passed the Braves, but the wild card has been and still is a very achieveable goal and that makes the Phillies series no less or no more important than the National series. Cox is not going to mess up the flow of the season to win a series that most likely will not determine the Braves playoff fate.
SG10
September 22nd, 2010
11:18 pm
These are the type of games when we really miss Chipper..he is the only one who can get hits against great pitching.. Last year we had two clutch hitters in McCann and LaRoche..three if you count Escobar..McCann has really had down year this year..the hit he had in the All-star game is his game..but he hasn’t done that for the Braves this season..and nobody else has filled in on the regular basis, particularly on the road.
philee fan
September 22nd, 2010
11:18 pm
bradley,, i stand corrected,, darn giants had to go and lose,,, well there is plenty of time left for the braves to blow it,,,lol
Hillbilly Deluxe
September 22nd, 2010
11:19 pm
test post
SG10
September 22nd, 2010
11:20 pm
When you consider that top three guys get on base regularly but the number 4 onwards don’t drive them in..that explains poor average with RISP.
Neil
September 22nd, 2010
11:20 pm
And philee fan– there’s a seven game series where you won’t see two rookies for ya’ll to blow it. Hope that happens in October.
SG10
September 22nd, 2010
11:22 pm
Tomorrow will be the big day despite Braves not playing..since other teams play and they have same number of losses, tomorrow will determine the actual lead, if any, that braves will have.
voice of reason
September 22nd, 2010
11:23 pm
The Braves have gotten away with their defensive deficiencies all year long. Now, those problems have finally bitten them in the rear end, right when it counts – is that that how it normally works in September and October?
McCann is a train wreck behind the plate – failing to block balls, back handing outside pitches, etc. If he needed to throw out a runner trying to steal right-center field, he’d be deadly back there.
philee fan
September 22nd, 2010
11:24 pm
actually I do have an NL East bias and hope that the braves can hold on to the card,, but the road record scares me. Question now is did the Phillies take their heart ? We will see
will ferrell
September 22nd, 2010
11:24 pm
these dudes are too jolly to let something like a sweep get them down…maybe they’ll watch anchorman before the nats series
nashvillewill
September 22nd, 2010
11:26 pm
Mark,
The Braves, of course, still have a good shot at the WC if they can shake off Philly. Pitching matchups are favorable. Braves should be motivated. Can we agree that if they lose 2 of 3 to the Nats they don’t merit any postseason?
Also, it ain’t gonna happen, but I like Infante in LF and Conrad at 3B or 2B. McLouth’s throwing has been an issue all year. Does he have a dead arm? Rotate Diaz, Melky, Ankiel, and McLouth in LF or CF then release them all at the end. Spend offseason acquiring CF,3B project, SS and backup defensive catcher–McCann is horrible defensively.
Is Freddy Gonzales the choice for manager? I don’t want TP or Torre.
BravesAreDone
September 22nd, 2010
11:26 pm
We don’t know whether Diaz is because Bobby is too stubborn to try him. Instead he keeps throwing Ankiel out there. Also, McClouth has been terrible all season then he went on that tiny stretch recently where he got like 9 hits in 25 at bats or whatever, now you can’t yank him out of the lineup. I too am glad Bobby is leaving at this season. I thank him for all he’s done, but his inability to make proper changes is destroying this team.
philee fan
September 22nd, 2010
11:26 pm
Neil,, As long as the big three show up,, bring them on,,, Plus as I said many times here,,, Pitching did not kill Braves,, defense(or lack of it) did. The most impressive part of braves play this week was your young pitchers.
Dean
September 22nd, 2010
11:27 pm
Actually, this isn’t all doom and gloom. Philly is on fire. Honestly, you won’t play a hotter team than that. We were in all of these games. 2 of these games, errors killed us. No doubt, one measley big hit could have changed all three games. Not one blowout. You pick up and ralize you just played the best to three great finishes. Now, take that and win the games you are supposed to win. i od wonder if Philly has the division captured if they will rest their starters. Could prove a huge deal next weekend. this wasn’t the kind of defeats that end a season. but they better pick each other up and start beating the teams behind them. Not doing so the past several weeks is what has us in this position. Go Braves!!!
extremus
September 22nd, 2010
11:29 pm
Mr. Bradley,
Why is it that I keep having my posts delayed when posting on your blogs? Is there any way to avoid that on my end? I don’t think I did anything against the rules.
SwampFox in South Ga.
September 22nd, 2010
11:29 pm
We did not get many breaks on balls hit this series. McCann and Prado just missed homers. And the Phils hit a game winner on a double that hits the chalk. So much of baseball comes down to when you catch a team
and let’s face it the Phillies are playing great in every part of the game right now.
SwampFox in South Ga.
September 22nd, 2010
11:31 pm
Good post Dean. I agree 100%
KEV
September 22nd, 2010
11:32 pm
Philee fan we still have the Wild Card lead because the Giants lost, which means that the Padres will lead the West if they win.
Charlie Manuel's Colon
September 22nd, 2010
11:32 pm
Thanks for your previous prediction, Bradley. The Braves really emptied their bowels during this series. So long, losers!!!
Navigator
September 22nd, 2010
11:32 pm
Haven’t you figured it out yet, BCox will only play (even keep in the past) that he trust to fit his mold of what a player should be, and Ankiel fits it. I said when the season opened, that this would be a lost season with Cox making his farewell, and now it looks like they’re going to do the same for Chipper next year. The management is very sensitive about what happened to Glavine and Smoltz when their time came (and they wouldn’t take the hint), so I guess we sit through another lame duck season with Chipper next year. Are far as the team goes, they need to either develop or go free agency for 3 hitters next year, and they need a new pitching coach. Next don’t let Chipper set the tone for the team, we need fire here, and he is all laid back and subverts anyone that isn’t like him.
philee fan
September 22nd, 2010
11:33 pm
swamp fox,, that is a breath of fresh air to hear such reality,,,
jer
September 22nd, 2010
11:33 pm
The reason Cox used 2 rookie starters is that he had no choice – JJ and Medlin were injured and he has no confidence in KK. Perhaps if he had handled KK better in late June/July aftered pitching a one run game for six innings by using him at least in blowouts instead of letting him rot on the bench KK might have been useful in September as an emergency starter, but other than that he had no choice left but to use rookie pitchers. However, I agree that Diaz and Cabrera were better choices for the outfield.
extremus
September 22nd, 2010
11:34 pm
Think the Braves should get in on the Jason Werth sweepstakes during the offseason and move him or Heyward to another outfield position? At least he wouldn’t be hitting AGAINST us then.
philee fan
September 22nd, 2010
11:35 pm
kev,,, scroll up and you will see that I have already been corrected on that one,,, but as I said before ,, there is plenty of time left for the Braves to blow it.
philee fan
September 22nd, 2010
11:38 pm
Braves fans,,, why keep harping on three rookie pitchers that performed very well,, they kept you in all of the games, especially today,, ONE MORE TIME WITH FEELING,, Your defense failed you,, that and your lack of clutch hitting (or great pitching by the Phils)
Ghost of Jeff Treadway
September 22nd, 2010
11:41 pm
They took the train? What is this 1930?
Peter
September 22nd, 2010
11:44 pm
Hey Swamp Fox…….you can’t escape with a win with 116 errors ……and that almost leads the league !
Peter
September 22nd, 2010
11:46 pm
Hey extremus….Great thought ………if you can give Lowe 15 Million…… Werth deserves that……plus he could play right and Hayward left……
extremus
September 22nd, 2010
11:51 pm
Of course courting Jason Werth does come with a big caveat; he’s represented by Scott Boras, who always manages to squeeze every last penny out of winning bidders for his clients. Some would argue that he’s done a lot for players and is a shrewd negotiator, but there’s no denying the negative impact his dealings have had on how many teams can afford to keep a winning product on the field anymore.
Case in point: the Phillies most likely can’t afford Werth for next season now. That should tell you something about how few teams even have a chance of landing him.
SG10
September 22nd, 2010
11:53 pm
I think the last Philly game of the Nationals series had the biggest psychological impact for both teams…when Phillies came from 3 runs down in the 9th to win it..overall, the series was much closer than what most had expected..Braves could have taken it if they had few hits fall their way..For Braves to beat Phillies, they have to figure out how to get to Phillies bullpen quickly and how to hit Lidge..Lidge has dominated Braves since his Astros days and even in past few years when he has struggled against other teams.
philee fan
September 22nd, 2010
11:54 pm
werth to Yankees,, bet the house on it… sorry to say.
We should have signed him long term 1-2 years ago when we had the chance.
Peter
September 22nd, 2010
11:55 pm
Hey Mark……didn’t Diaz have a big homer recently against a righty ?
philee fan
September 22nd, 2010
11:55 pm
sg10,,, getting past BIG THREE to bullpen is easier said than done.
TTTT-Thumbody Thed Thats Thupid!
September 22nd, 2010
11:56 pm
Looks like Cox has brain-washed MB and DOB into ignoring Kimbrel the same way he usually does. There ’s not one mention in Mark’s article or Dave’s about the outstanding job he did in the 7th inning. That still gave the Braves a shot. BC brings him in, which surprised me, but then this time jerked him one inning too soon. Venters has obviously been over-used so why not leave Kimbrel in after what he did in the 7th? Makes one wonder what would have happened in that inning had he been in there instead of JV. No score maybe? I will never, ever understand BC’s managing process. Then again, after this year I won’t have to. Hopefully my sanity will be restored. MB and DOB I think you two did “the kid” a major injustice by not even mentioning his outstanding effort.
extremus
September 22nd, 2010
11:56 pm
I’m sure the Nationals especially feel poorly toward Boras after he laughed all the way to the bank and they lost a $100 million rookie (Strasbourg) to season-ending Tommy John surgery. But those big potential rewards come with big risks if you’re willing to guarantee that kind of money to anyone. Translation: I think the era of guaranteed contracts in pro sports should come to an abrupt end and players should once again be paid for services rendered according to production. Keep the free agency and let teams pay what they feel a player is worth; I’m certain they won’t exactly go hungry.
SG10
September 22nd, 2010
11:58 pm
I agree Philee fan..that’s why it wasn’t done.
However, I think if Braves had few hits fall their way, it could have happened…For instance if Braves had scored few runs against Hammels in that second inning, he wouldn’t have lasted 8…If Prado actually hits that game-tying HR instead of fouling it, Halladay might have gone early..just few lucky breaks here and there might have changed things..
MitchC
September 23rd, 2010
12:00 am
Mark, I wrote a long post, that didnt go up, so I’ll try to make it shorter.
The Braves played badly in the series in Philly. I saw all of Mondays and tonight’s game, and most of last night’s.
Bottom line, the Phillies are a better team than we are.
We can still win the wild card, the question is.. will we?
I see that we need two of three in DC, and at least four of six against the Phillies and Marlins at home to do it. If we go six and three, we may well pull it off.
If we dont start playing well, and winning games in DC, we can say goodbye to our chances for 2010.
BooBoo
September 23rd, 2010
12:01 am
Better they get swept in Philly in September than in San Diego-San Francisco-Cincinnatti in October. They died when they presented Derrick Lee instead of Oswalt, and brought up a rookie (Minor) to act as pitching help, when the kid had never pitched past August before. They have nothing left. Only a collapse on the level of the 1960 Phillies can save the Braves, but even that would be a momentary reprieve from the inevitable.
MitchC
September 23rd, 2010
12:01 am
My posts dont seem to be going up, and I have no idea why.,
MitchC
September 23rd, 2010
12:02 am
Okay, so I’ll try again. Short. If we go six and three the rest of the season, I still think we can make the WC, even with as poorly as we played in Philly.
Yankee Fan
September 23rd, 2010
12:03 am
The P-hillies won’t even make it out of the NLCS, i expect us to sweep the Reds.
jim
September 23rd, 2010
12:03 am
Let’s not forget the brilliant move made by our brilliant GM, when he sent Gregor Blanco to KC in return for Rick Ankiel. Now that Blanco is an every day player like he should have been while he was in Atlanta(32 at bats in 2010) Blanco’s average has climbed 12 points up to 277, whereas Ankiel’s average has dropped 32 points down to 231. Blanco also has Ankiel beat in the RBI dept. since moving to KC.
Blanco is younger and has a future. Can the same be said about Ankiel? This is just one glaring example of the incompetence we Braves fans have endured at the feet of our esteemed GM Frank Wren. Please John Schuerholtz, come back to the GM position where you belong.
SG10
September 23rd, 2010
12:04 am
and before today’s game, Oswalt had terrible ERA against Braves..so it has happened and could have happened against him too..it is just that Braves faced Phillies at bad time for them..Phillies could have said the same thing when they faced Braves in philadelphia before the all-star game .. As Chipper said some time back, the winning teams quite often catch other teams when they are not playing well and take advantage of that situation..
Jimmy Cokes
September 23rd, 2010
12:04 am
@ SG, and if the blasts the Phillies were hitting in the first off Beachy had fallen they would have scored more runs too. If the Ump hadn’t called a double play ball when the throw clearly pulled Lee off the base, then two runs would have scored for the Phils in the 9th, not 1. Crying over inches is a waste of time. The game can change at any number of points, but it was what it was. And what it was was a sweep. The cream always finds a way to rise to the top.
Ackshun
September 23rd, 2010
12:06 am
As long as ownership ignores this team and is unwilling to pay for top talent we will be mired in mediocrity. MR BLANK CAN YOU OPEN YOUR WALLET AND BUY THESE GUYS!!
McPants
September 23rd, 2010
12:06 am
“philee fan”, time to go to bed, your 8th grade science test is tomorrow. Hope you weren’t watching too much baseball and had time to study!
col foot
September 23rd, 2010
12:06 am
sweet, any time those premadonnas lose is great.
SG10
September 23rd, 2010
12:07 am
Jimmy Cokes, I am not defending that as the reason why Braves lost…I am just explaining how Braves could have gone to Philly bullpen sooner despite facing their Big three..scoring early runs against them and increasing their pitch count..
Randal Patrick McMurphy
September 23rd, 2010
12:10 am
If, if, if…
Well, if “wishes” and “buts” were soup and nuts, we’d all have a helluva Happy Holidays, now wouldn’t we… sheez…
TeamRedNeck
September 23rd, 2010
12:13 am
I think Braves still make it in. Phillies will now rest all their starters in the last series. . .getting t the post-season would be a big step for this young team.
Mitchell
September 23rd, 2010
12:14 am
They weren’t overwhelmed in any of the games, which made it even worse.
Tell that to ESPN and MLB Network.
H20! H20! H20!
Yay yay ya!!! We love the Phillies!
washerguy
September 23rd, 2010
12:16 am
i think vick will have the same outcome against the falcons this year just a philly thing
icedawg
September 23rd, 2010
12:19 am
It doesn’t look pretty for the Braves. They’ve lost momentum. You want to peak at this time of the year not be going down the slope. Don’t know if they will turn it around. This has happened before.
Oswalt and Phillies Relievers Hold Braves to One Hit – New York Times | SportsZrr.com
September 23rd, 2010
12:20 am
[...] Phils to 10th straight winmsnbc.comThe Canadian Press -Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 1,805 news [...]
philee fan
September 23rd, 2010
12:21 am
sg,,and if pigs could fly they would be eagles,,, please apply that logic to turning a 7 game lead into a 6 game hole,, a few breaks there to ?? explain that one to me.
philee fan
September 23rd, 2010
12:23 am
MCpants,,, your braves are the ones that have been “put to sleep”.
Goodnight Braves.
TTTT-Thumbody Thed Thats Thupid!
September 23rd, 2010
12:24 am
For the record, since neither writer thought it worthy to mention it, Kimbrel entered in the 7th inning with one out after Moylan gave up a hit. Kimbrel struck one out and walked one, then Infante made his great sliding catch of a foul ball down the first base line. Kimbrel stranded a runner on base which was huge at the time. Have no idea why BC pulled him, he was looking “untouchable” as usual. Just another one of those BC mysteries. He brought Venters in and his control was bad again. That’s when the run was scored.
philee fan
September 23rd, 2010
12:25 am
mcpants,, Braves are the ones that have been “put to sleep’
Goodnight Chipper,, goodnight Bobby,
philee fan
September 23rd, 2010
12:26 am
Pants,,, you mean like braves were put to sleep,, goodnight division,, goodnight wildcard, see ya next year.
philee fan
September 23rd, 2010
12:28 am
Go Phillies,, East Division Champs 4 years running. Nuff said
philee fan
September 23rd, 2010
12:29 am
pants,,, remember to tuck your Braves in,, goodnight Braves, see ya next year
Leanda
September 23rd, 2010
12:34 am
I’m sad to admit it but THE BRAVES SUCK, they cant hit their way out of a wet paper sack at this point. Pathetic!
Ted Striker
September 23rd, 2010
12:36 am
I don’t see/hear the team or manager panicking.
p.s. That’s also what I like — and others dislike — about a certain head football coach in Athens
philee fan
September 23rd, 2010
12:40 am
Leanda,,, keep hope alive,,, Braves ran into very good pitching,, if they find the team that won all of those games late they could be a factor.
athdog
September 23rd, 2010
12:40 am
we almost lead the league in errors. KK was a bust, Lowe had weeks of lackluster performances, Hansen is a typical second year player, inconsistent, Medlen’s gone so the defense is no good, the pitching is wasted and other than two or three players, we can’t hit. And so the wildcard blows toward San Diego…
Chrissy
September 23rd, 2010
12:42 am
Phillies= Sweep. Braves= Weep.
philee fan
September 23rd, 2010
12:46 am
dog,,, since you put it that way,,, you may have point,, but,,, keep hope alive
philee fan
September 23rd, 2010
12:46 am
chrissy,,, be nice
Chrissy
September 23rd, 2010
12:50 am
I’m nice…they can still take the wild card…and after being at the game tonight…I must say that the Phils fans gave Cox a standing ovation when he presented the line up card…not that sportscenter would admit that we can do anything nice:)
philee fan
September 23rd, 2010
12:56 am
different atmosphere her than Sunday night,,, what happened ??
MitchC
September 23rd, 2010
12:57 am
Chrissy, Phillies will be the ones “weeping”, if your team runs into the Yankees or Tampa in the WS. If that happens, Phillies will LOOOOSEEE!
Mike
September 23rd, 2010
12:57 am
I just have no faith that this team will pull itself together and turn it on and handle the Nationals and the Marlins. They havent handled them all year. They seem just completely flat. The magic and excitement and energy is just gone.
Sorry guys, I just don’t believe.
philee fan
September 23rd, 2010
1:01 am
chrissy,, please be nice,, feel their pain
philee fan
September 23rd, 2010
1:02 am
Mitch,,, keep dreamin,,,, we do know that the braves are done,, ” that’s a fact jack”.
Chrissy
September 23rd, 2010
1:02 am
At least we will get to the World Series Mitch! Sorry, that was my inner bad ass coming out. I am just riding a Phillies high and happy about the way they are playing…as for the Yankees or TB…not worried.
JASon
September 23rd, 2010
1:02 am
Regardless of what happened out there today, there is no excuse for a manager saying “well, gee, golly whiz, we couldn’t have done any better.”
This is why bobby sucks, this is why he is a horrible motivator and leader, and this is why so many people want him gone. Just go, bobby. Just go!
philee fan
September 23rd, 2010
1:03 am
not just wishful (sour grape, loser) thinking
Tiny Tim
September 23rd, 2010
1:04 am
TIPTOE, THROUGH THE TULIPS…LA LA LA LA LA
philee fan
September 23rd, 2010
1:04 am
Chrissy,,, on the other hand,, get em girl,,,, GO PHILLIES
Chrissy
September 23rd, 2010
1:07 am
And, as a Phillies fan who takes crap for all of the other stuff that Philadelphia fans do…at the game tonight we all gave Cox a standing ovation when he presented the line up card tonight…not a single boo that I heard:)
philee fan
September 23rd, 2010
1:07 am
But who saw a 17-3 coming out of the soiled bandages and discarded MRIs of what was looking more and more like a “Just not our year?” Who saw a team that appeared headed for about 86-88 victories streaking for 98-100? Who foresaw a possible homefield advantage – and that powerful edge now that the rally towels are being distributed – the entire postseason.
LOOK OUT YANKEES,, HERE WE COME,,, GO PHILLIES
oregon phillie
September 23rd, 2010
1:07 am
I remember the old days when braves pitching beat the phillies year after year after year. Kinda sweet to turn it around.
This phillie team, with the addition of halladay and oswald may be the best of the last three.
As for the braves, they have a lot of talent but also a lot of empty seats at home. Might be a good thing the BC era is ending down there.
I would wish the braves good luck the rest of the season but remember 1964. Hope then phils have it clinched when they go to atlanta for the last series.
philee fan
September 23rd, 2010
1:09 am
Oregon,,, piece of cake,,,
JB has spoken
September 23rd, 2010
1:10 am
The Braves are the greatest team in the history of baseball…..they will win all their remaining games while the Phillies lose all theirs. The braves will take the division by three games and then win every post season game on the way to the world championship.
JB HAS SPOKEN
Chrissy
September 23rd, 2010
1:11 am
Haven’t counted my chickens before they have hatched, but I may have had a stray scrambled egg or two.
ward
September 23rd, 2010
1:15 am
I HOPE DIAZ AND MCLOUTH ARN;T THERE NEXT YEAR, IT;LL BE A LONG SEASON. IS THE REDMAN AROUND? MAYBE DIAZ AND MCLOUTH CAN TAKE HITTINNG LESSONS? ONCE AGAIN CONGRADGULATINS TO THE PHILLIES AND FANS. ALL I CAN SAY IS WOW! EVEN I STILL AM AMAZED BY HOW AWSOME THE PHILLES ARE PLAYING! WE STILL HAVE THE WILD CARD, AND I CAN BE HAPPY WITH THAT. GREAT JOB PHILLIES!!! GO!! BRAVES!!!
philee fan
September 23rd, 2010
1:16 am
JB,,, can we buy some of that stuff,,, is it legal,,probably not.
Better yet , did you take your medicine,, or maybe too much of it?
philee fan
September 23rd, 2010
1:17 am
Ward,,, class as usual. Not much left in this world
Vast right wing conspiracy
September 23rd, 2010
1:18 am
Braves stink
Chrissy
September 23rd, 2010
1:21 am
I am starting to think that they filter this message board, as twice I have tried to say something about Co (x) and I haven’t seen it on here. And both times complimentary!
Keith
September 23rd, 2010
1:23 am
Tough loss tonight. We needed at least one.
I know i’m the eternal optimist. They gave us their best in Halladay and Hamels…we gave them our worst in Beachy and Minor, and we were in both of those games. One of our best pitchers tonight shuts them out but we still don’t win.
Sigh*
But I think I’d like to see a rematch in a 7-game series…when they see Huddy and hanson twice maybe with Lowe and JJ mixed in…
GO BRAVES!!!!
Do or die, boys.
Keith
September 23rd, 2010
1:24 am
Again, my last post did NOT show up. And only on YOUR blog, Bradley….
Never shultz, never DOB’s, etc.
JB has spoken
September 23rd, 2010
1:24 am
In fact, I predict the Braves will score no less the ten runs in each of their remaining games. We have been waiting for this moment all year…setting up everyone to believe we are no good and the Phillies believing they’re all good and stuff and then WACKO….we come up like a nuclear sub blasting out of the ocean scaring the crap out of everybody and then scoring all the runs we’ve been holding back on…like I said, 10+ runs per game…the division is ours and then the world series.
JB HAS SPOKEN
philee fan
September 23rd, 2010
1:25 am
Chrissy,, I agree as I find that I am allowed certain comments and others don’t make it through,,, oh well,, lets see if they have a problem with “broom” comments in lanta,,lol
Coach (2011 or Bust)
September 23rd, 2010
1:25 am
Whether or not this team holds on to the wild card is irrelevant.
They do not deserve to see the post season simply because it would be an embarrassment. The Phillies are a post season team and our Braves cannot compete with them now or in the post season.
philee fan
September 23rd, 2010
1:27 am
is an asylum missing this guy,, could you guys check,,, off of the ranch he is
philee fan
September 23rd, 2010
1:28 am
Coach,,, JB would disagree. of course JB seems to be delusional.,,,, just a thought.
ward
September 23rd, 2010
1:29 am
WREN MADE THE TEAM. HE;LL GO DOWN WITH BRAVES! I;M STLL HOPEFUL FOR THE WILD CARD. IF THE BRAVES DON;T MAKE IT.THEY HAD A GOOD YEAR.WREN WILL HAVES TO ASK HIMSELF. WHY DID HE LET ONE SLIP AWAY? GO!!! BRAVES!!!
Chrissy
September 23rd, 2010
1:30 am
I was going to comment on the great standing o we gave bobby upon presenting his line up card tonight. (is that secret enough?)
JB has spoken
September 23rd, 2010
1:30 am
Coach…the Braves are the greatest team ever. They’ve been holding back hundreds of runs; it’s all a disguise, like that big buggie-eyed camouflaged lizard or a stick insect…you know….they sit around all googly-eyed and then WAM, they fling their toungue and gobble their prey when they least expect it. That is the Braves…one of them lizards….just waiting to score hundreds of runs on the way to the World Series….
JB HAS SPOKEN
Chrissy
September 23rd, 2010
1:33 am
Yeah, tried another comment…nothing! note to self…do not have %^& in what you want to say.
JB has spoken
September 23rd, 2010
1:36 am
Ward, Wren is a genious…he has set this up perfectly…see my post above about the lizard and the stick insect…WAM…WACKO….WORLD SERIES.
JB HAS SPOKEN
Chrissy
September 23rd, 2010
1:37 am
Coach…I feel for you!
JB has spoken
September 23rd, 2010
1:39 am
Chrissy and Philly guy…I have never had a comment blocked. Are you sure you are hitting the “Submit Comment” button….it is right down there below and it says ‘Submit Comment’
JB HAS SPOKEN.
philee fan
September 23rd, 2010
1:39 am
night all
philee fan
September 23rd, 2010
1:40 am
yea JB,, im sure that they are just hanging on your every word in atlanta,,
ward
September 23rd, 2010
1:42 am
THE WILD CARD IS GOING DOWN TI THE LAST WIRE. GO!!! BRAVES!!! SEE YOU LATER!
philee fan
September 23rd, 2010
1:42 am
you should have your head checked dude,, not your comments blocked.. have fun in our world,,goodnight.
JB has spoken
September 23rd, 2010
1:44 am
Philee fan..I have been standing outside the stadium for weeks with a sign that says all this…even has a picture of one of those lizards on it with its tongue yanking in a Phillies hat…most people seem to believe it will happen. We’ll see.
JB HAS SPOKEN
Sad lifelong Braves fan :-
September 23rd, 2010
1:47 am
JB you are insane…the Braves are a mediocre team that played above its capabilities for most of the season….they were fun to watch for three months or more, but the sad truth is that teams like the Phillies, Yankees, Rays, etc are WS material…the Braves are not, and frankly, with their paltry 80 million payroll each year, I don’t know when they’ll be contenders again. It breaks my heart, but the Phillies are truly a great team and we are not…and that’s that.
ward
September 23rd, 2010
1:50 am
ALMOST FOR GOT, WAS WREN A GENIOUS TO TRADE MARK TEXERIA, AND JEFF FRANCOUR, AND PICKING UP MCLOUTH? SEE YOU LATER! GO BRAVES!!!!!
Oswalt and Phillies Relievers Hold Braves to One Hit – New York Times - News - Interactive Portals Directory
September 23rd, 2010
1:50 am
[...] Oswalt leads Phils to 10th straight winmsnbc.comThe Canadian Press -Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 1,805 news articles [...]
JB has spoken
September 23rd, 2010
1:53 am
Ward…of course….McLouth is hundreds of times better then those guys.
JB HAS SPOKEN
Sad lifelong Braves fan
September 23rd, 2010
1:54 am
Wow…lots of drugs late at night….
Chrissy
September 23rd, 2010
1:56 am
I think I have fallen in love with sad lifelong Braves fan…Do you know how long we were there before this?
Chrissy
September 23rd, 2010
1:59 am
And I will try once more…The Phils honored Bobby Cox as he presented his last line up card in Philly. Everyone in the stadium stood up…and that means twice we have cheered for your Braves this series (the other being Diaz’ hip check).
Sad lifelong Braves fan
September 23rd, 2010
2:01 am
Not really, but it is tough looking up at a jaugernaut that shows no inkling of letting go its top spot while we mire along in the muck of mediocrity.
However, on the plus side, I’ve gained the love of a Philly chick…I’ll take that!!
Sad lifelong Braves fan
September 23rd, 2010
2:04 am
And that was a class act Crissy….the Marlins organization (not their fans) didn’t do a thing for Bobby in the last series there…I saw the Phillies and their fans recognizing him tonight and that shows a knowledge of the game that transends team….good job.
Chrissy
September 23rd, 2010
2:04 am
We lived in mediocrity for ever! Like 15 0r so years!
Sad lifelong Braves fan
September 23rd, 2010
2:06 am
And that was a class act Chrissy. I saw the Phillies and their fans clapping for Bobby, and that shows a knowledge of the game that transcends team…good job.
Chrissy
September 23rd, 2010
2:07 am
Yeah! Finally! (We never get noticed for stuff like this!)
JB has spoken
September 23rd, 2010
2:07 am
You’all are weird….
JB HAS SPOKEN
Chrissy
September 23rd, 2010
2:08 am
Even though Atlanta and BC was the bane of our existence for so many years!
Sad lifelong Braves fan
September 23rd, 2010
2:10 am
Winning probably helps….when you win, the angst of the fan base is reduced and fans and team alike are shown in a positive light…when you are losing, the media tends to focus on the negative…right now (and for several years) you’ve had the bright light of positive vibes shining on your team….good things will show through when that happens.
Sad lifelong Braves fan
September 23rd, 2010
2:11 am
Chrissy…”Even though Atlanta and BC was the bane of our existence for so many years!”
Yeah…but not anymore….don’t know when again.
Chrissy
September 23rd, 2010
2:12 am
It has been amazing. And I am so happy to be a part of it!
Chrissy
September 23rd, 2010
2:13 am
The thing is…I went to your journalism to see what you had written… because I thought it would be false.
Chrissy
September 23rd, 2010
2:14 am
Enter your comments here
Sad lifelong Braves fan
September 23rd, 2010
2:14 am
Nah..Atlanta is too nice to do that.
Ueeediot
September 23rd, 2010
2:15 am
I sure want to hear about how hard Frank Wren worked to get Oswalt here in Atlanta. I bet it wasn’t nearly as long as he worked to get Blanco out of Atlanta. Does Wren look at the schedule? In July did he not figure out that if he didnt get Oswalt, Philly would? Did he not understand how good Oswalt is against the NL Central and how many games he had left with them?
Here is an idea, lets go to the worst teams in baseball, like the Royals and Cubs, and pick their *best* players. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
If they had good players, they wouldnt be the worst teams in baseball.
I love Bobby Cox, but someone please tell me why it took so many games to figure out that KK sucks? Most importantly, the one last game 6 let KK start. If you couldn’t tell, or if anyone was just too scared to print it, KK threw that game. He didn’t attempt to win. He gave that game away as his commentary on how he felt about being demoted. Crybaby says “I didnt come here to pitch in the minors”
Psst, hey….KK…..you dam sure aint pitching in the majors either numbnuts.
There are some games and situations that have been mismanaged, but not many. Hardly enough to crucify 6.
The man who should be crucified is Wren. Wren MUST GO.
Sad lifelong Braves fan
September 23rd, 2010
2:15 am
Good night….early morning….done shedding my tears….enjoy the playoffs Phillies, you deserve it.
JB has spoken
September 23rd, 2010
2:17 am
I love Frank Wren…architect of the Greatest Team in the History of Baseball….watch out, here comes the lizard!!
JB HAS SPOKEN
Chrissy
September 23rd, 2010
2:17 am
I almost came down to Atlanta for the last series.
Sad lifelong Braves fan
September 23rd, 2010
2:17 am
Enjoy the playoffs Phillies, you deserve it. Good night.
Sad lifelong Braves fan
September 23rd, 2010
2:18 am
You should have…..its a fun town….good fans despite what the media shows.
Sad lifelong Braves fan
September 23rd, 2010
2:19 am
Enjoy the playoffs Phillies, you deserve it….early morning, gotta run.
ward
September 23rd, 2010
2:19 am
CHURCH FOR FRANCOUR,AND CURCH IS WITH PIITSBURGE, AND WE HAD A CHANCE TO PICK UP XAVIER NADY,BUT DIDN;T. TO ME THATS NOT BEING A GENIOUS. IF WREN IS THERE NEXT YEAR! THAT WIIL BE ANOTHER LONG SEASON! JUST SATED SOME FACTS. GO BRAVES!!!!
Chrissy
September 23rd, 2010
2:22 am
Starting to be exhausted…I have been to the last Phils wins…sad lafelong…send me your address:)
Sad lifelong Braves fan
September 23rd, 2010
2:26 am
Chrissy…would be glad to but how can I do that without sending it to everyone on this blog?
ward
September 23rd, 2010
2:26 am
JB YOU NEED TO STOP SMOKING YOUR PIPE! THE WILD CARD IS, UP FOR TAKING,B IT;S GOING TO BE A LONG BATTLE FOR IT! I;M STILL IN HOPE, ALSO LOOKING AT REALITY. GO BRAVES!!!!!!!
ward
September 23rd, 2010
2:30 am
I;M NOT BEING MEAN, BUT JUST BE HAPPY WITH THE WILD CARD, AND GO FROM THERE. GO BRAVES!!!!
Chrissy
September 23rd, 2010
2:30 am
It’s your blog…you tell me!
Eric C.
September 23rd, 2010
2:30 am
Philee fan…it wasn’t long ago that the Braves ran off 14 consecutive division championships. Start talking when you get 10 more dude.
Sad lifelong Braves fan
September 23rd, 2010
2:30 am
Chrissy..try bravos7724@yahoo.com
Just created that temporarily.
Sad lifelong Braves fan
September 23rd, 2010
2:31 am
There you go Chrissy…email me there.
JB Has Spoken
September 23rd, 2010
2:32 am
The lizard Ward..watch out the lizard, and Frank Wren is the king lizard….SSSSSSSSS…..WAM when they ain’t looking. 10+ wins from here on out.
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
JB HAS SPOKEN
Chrissy
September 23rd, 2010
2:36 am
Just did.
Ueeediot
September 23rd, 2010
2:38 am
More I think about it angrier I get.
Troy Glaus…you knew he was a liability. You didn’t have a plan in February/March for June to know you would need to trade for a quality first baseman?
Did you not listen to Schureholtz at all? YOU MUST HAVE STRONG CORNERS like TP and McGriff and Chipper and Galaraga and the likes.
Kawakami. You tried (like a moron) to trade him all off season. You ruined any chances you had to actually trade him at the most opportune time, the opening days of spring training. Nevermind your dumb move to give the man 7.7 million a season when he had not pitched to a single MLB hitter. I wonder if that had ANYTHING at all to do with not being able to move him? (See Derek Lowe)
Then to add insult to injury it takes 0-10 before you realize…maybe this guy is a problem? over 50 games into the season? We knew 3 starts before the Tampa Bay series he was done. Why didnt you have a contingency plan back in Feb/Mar for this?
Nate and Melky let you down. But you didnt realize that you had to ride on Melky and get Blanco up to the majors and give him a fair shake? He came up, played his dam fool head off, and got sent to the Royals? THE effin ROYALS???
So then you make the fool trade of Blanco and *TIM COLLINS*. Gee, let us remember the moments we had Tim Collins. 2010 Stats you ask? In 3 different AA and AAA leagues with Toronto, Atlanta, and KC, Won 3 Lost 1 ERA 2.02 in 56 games, with 15 saves, in 71.1 IP 40 hits 16 runs (all earned) 5HR 27BB and (wait for it) ….. 108 SO. By all means, trade that away. And be sure *NOT* to get a starting pitcher in this trade, cause we’re all stocked up here, right? In fact, why don’t you take a washup who was washed up the LAST time he came through here? I mean, gee, his numbers havent changed any, but wait, I forgot, this is the *magical* Disney season. He will be just fine when he gets a Braves uni on.
You owe a debt of gratitude to Derek Lowe. He could have gone out there and phoned it in for you, Frank. I mean, after all, it was only the best kept secret in the organization that you didnt think he was worth his money.
I wonder what Houston would have thought about Jurgiens mid June when he was 3-0 after coming off the DL and on fire?
Wren must go.
Chrissy
September 23rd, 2010
2:38 am
I think we have it under wraps…but is going to be a little weird to get it on the road…unless we do it sunday!
JB Has Spoken
September 23rd, 2010
2:40 am
The Braves can’t lose….Wren is great, assembling the greatest team ever.
Braves to the World Series,,,,,,,,YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JB HAS SPOKEN
Ueeediot
September 23rd, 2010
2:40 am
If Derrick Lee wants to watch baseball, why wont he buy tickets?
ward
September 23rd, 2010
2:44 am
ANYWAY : WE STILL HAVE TO FINISH OFF WASHINGTON NEXT, AND THEN THE BRAVES CAN MOVE ON FROM THERE. HAVE A GOOD ONE SEE YOU LATER! GO BRAVES!!!!!!!
Rowsdower
September 23rd, 2010
3:05 am
First off…congrats Phillies. You did what you had to do when it mattered. No reason to gloat.
Now, we are not out of this by any stretch. We still lead the WC despite what happened the last 3 days. At no point were we out of these games. We easily could’ve won 2 of 3 against their stacked pitching. I’m encouraged by this.
We have to field the ball better and we have to hit better when it matters. Easier said than done, but without errors, we can pitch our way to the wins we need.
You would think the Phils won all 3 games by 10 runs the way their fans have flocked to our blog to talk smack. See you guys in the NLCS.
Ueeediot
September 23rd, 2010
3:10 am
Better win 5/6 against Washington and Florida. And youll need at least 1 from the Phillies at home. (Cmon, at least win on Sunday for 6)
If I was the Phillies, I would be trying to put the Braves out of the playoffs next week when the Braves pitching staff STILL isnt matched up.
phillee fan
September 23rd, 2010
4:12 am
Chrissy, shut your damn mouth!!! The phillies will not win a world series, we barely beat a team that had two rookie pitchers on the mound two straight games, we should be lucky and thankful to win a division in which such a supreme team has dominated for so many straight years……
rc35
September 23rd, 2010
4:41 am
I’ve got nothing against the Phillies. They’re a class organization and have played excellent baseball for a month. If you line up player by player, we’re toast–I mean Utley is a gamer, and compare 1B–Ryan Howard has 30 HR and over 100 RBI while we have Glaus with a great month, two has-beens and a never-was over there. The only way the Braves can/could compete was to get the best out of various combos of guys full of heart, but it was sort of like getting the best dice roll on Strat-o-Matic, and those rolls only come up so many times.
Emotionally, it LOOKS like the Braves have quit. Our offense has had something like two good innings in the past week, and unless you get Tom Glavine’s proverbial “Pitch a shutout and hit a homerun,” good pitchinig alone can’t win games when the batters are putting up still life portraits every night.
I hope I can remember June, July, and August this winter, but the stink of September is making that pretty hard to do right now.
Eric C.
September 23rd, 2010
4:49 am
phillee fan or philee fan? why?
SUCK
September 23rd, 2010
5:09 am
I don’t want to see this miserable team in the playoffs—go play golf and lets start over with a few new faces next spring
Disgusted Braves Fan
September 23rd, 2010
5:38 am
The Braves may get in the playoffs on the WC but only because
of the closeness on the Padres/Giants/Rockies in the West Division
standings….otherwise I don`t think Braves can make it without help
they way they are playing now.
Bye-bye Braves – phillyBurbs.com (PS3 NEWS) » PS3 SONY PLAYSTATION 3 BLOG
September 23rd, 2010
5:48 am
[...] out of reach for Braves, but not postseasonCBSSports.comNational League Game CapsulesSports NetworkAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -MLB.com -Philadelphia Inquirerall 1,903 news [...]
Ted M
September 23rd, 2010
5:56 am
McLouth’s throw was pitiful. I don’t get it, why lob the the ball in.
Terry
September 23rd, 2010
6:10 am
If Chipper and Bobby can’t get this team motivated, stick a fork in them……..their done!!!
Sons of Rick Matula
September 23rd, 2010
6:36 am
Whatever happened to Hinske? He’s no gazelle out there but could he play left worse than McLouth? We are supposedly putting our best defensive team out there in a bandbox ballpark. And we still had more errors than runs in the three games. Put Nate in center and put Ankiel on waivers. Hinske plays left.
Or, Brooks Conrad at 2B and Omar in LF – where he has played before.
Bobby’s book won’t work with Wren’s wretched club.
The math is not looking good for the last nine.
stoky
September 23rd, 2010
6:37 am
the phils gave bobby a case of kleenex last night as a going away present. Did you see him in the dugout pulling boogers like a machine. Yes he gave the phils the finger but in true cox fashion, it was the wrong one.
BobDawg
September 23rd, 2010
6:51 am
…these off days the Braves have (2 still) are huge…we win 2 out of 3 from the Nats and Fish and then get the Phils in our place which should be fun. My parents live in S.Jersey and we are going back and forth with smack talk… I used to be a HUGE Phillies fan growing up there but gotta support the local teams now…Go Braves!
whoops i did it again
September 23rd, 2010
6:54 am
Well its come to this two sports writers who act like nothin bad ever has in cox manangin skills lets remember Fact 91 92 lose world series..In 93 we win 103 games more then the sillies what happens we lose 4-2 to them.Excuse from Glavine we were Tired at end of season…Big excuse were the Yankees Tired when they won 109 games in 2000..with Torre and won 4-0 over mets..Lets hear is Dave O’Liein and Mark brodley…no answer we need go 9-0 folks to win Wild card are the Rockies will be there we be home watchin McCann throw ball over 2nd base.Where Prado at did he die are somethin…if we lose to Nats weekend n play like we waitin for spring Trainin well we did…So we also Hope The ted will be packed every game with Marlins n Phillies and we make loud sounds of cheers wave hankies to like in Phillies Fans do…Oh wait we In atlanta where People sit on there hands n clap like at a church picnic i go but alas some things keep me from doin that. So this is the game we must win 8-1 be in wild card be 95-67 at end are that all…and u see maybe atlanta vs Newyork in world series if Not be Phills vs Tampa Rays in World series again like face in 2008…
papadawg
September 23rd, 2010
6:56 am
Thanks for the season Braves, see you next year
DALTON BRAVE
September 23rd, 2010
7:03 am
Love my braves but phils are obviously the class of the N L they will win the pennant easily. Their big 3 starters remind me of the 96 braves Maddox, Glavine, Smoltz. Hold on to the Wild Card Braves!!
Turtsnap
September 23rd, 2010
7:04 am
Perhaps the Braves should look to hire Ron Gardenhire at the end of the season. Similar payroll, but he atleast knows how to get the most out of his players!
Bill Donohoo
September 23rd, 2010
7:05 am
It was so nice to see McLouth laughing as he came off the field after lollypopping a throw that cost the game. I hope he continues to have a good time on another team ASAP.
JP
September 23rd, 2010
7:11 am
The Braves are finished for the year. Pitching is not the Braves problem, it is hitting. When you score 4 runs in 3 games, you aren’t going to win many. Cox will be gone soon, and there will be changes made in the coaching staff. Maybe that will help.
DawgInDC
September 23rd, 2010
7:12 am
The Phillies are better and the braves know it. Heck they can’t even beat the crappy nationals…i don’t want to hear any dang stupid excuses when they lose 2 of 3 to the sorry nastynals
Larry in 19006
September 23rd, 2010
7:12 am
AS a longtime Phillies fan, it was a fun three-game series (especially with the end result). But, like Braves fans, I was surprised that Matt Diaz didn’t play more, because he has always hit the Phils. I also think Brian McCann is a class act, but anyone can make an error. What absolutely mystifies me is to see Turner Field with so many empty seats game after game. Where are the Braves fans?? The Phillies can handle the Rays if they get to the WS, but the Yankees will prove (again) a real challenge. I think we’re prepared to let Jason Werth walk; people like Scott Boras and his uncallous greed have absolutely ruined baseball. Bobby Cox is also a class act and I salute him for a fine career and the many challenges he’s given the Phils over the years.
Arkie
September 23rd, 2010
7:13 am
Cox’s handling of pitchers has cost our Braves numerous chances for wins. Ventors has been a “Lites Out” pitcher. Bobby has over used him to the point that it appears his arm is worn out. A new pitching coach, a new hitting coach and Manager for 2012 and we could get back to post season play. This season is going down hill FAST. We all love our Braves BUT they have many holes in the outfield that Wren did not address. Most of his stupid trades doomed us from the start. JS is Wren replaceable too. We have needed a power hitter for years. Wren stop shopping in the bargain basement!!
Ray
September 23rd, 2010
7:13 am
While I understand being down after being swept, you guys still have the SECOND BEST RECORD in the National League even after a tough few weeks!!! That’s nothing to sneeze at. The Phils have been CRAZY hot – I only hope they can let it down after they clinch and then somehow get it back when the post season starts. But you’ve played the Phils about even this year (maybe better, I’m not sure of the record for the season series but I know you were up before this series) and, given how close you came in 2 of these 3 games, things could turn around in the playoffs all too easily.
So, keep your heads up and play well and you’ll win the wild card. If the Phils clinch home field (which since we’re six games up on you folks and you’re up on everyone else, seems highly likely), they’ll come into Atlanta next weekend resting their people, so you have a good shot at winning that series, if not sweeping it. So take care of business against the Nats and Fish and you should get in while those NL West teams keep beating each other up. And then its a whole new season.
Look, I’m a Phillies guy through and through and I actually think that, now that we’re more or less healthy (J-Roll aside), this is the strongest Phillies team of the past three. So we should be favorites to reach the series and, if we do, I even like our chances against the Yanks or whoever this year just because of the strength of our top three pitchers. But we arguably weren’t good enough to win in 2008 but we got hot at the right time and pulled it out. And given how bad our starters were in the post season last year (we had Lee and half a Pedro and NOTHING else last year), we had no business getting there and deserved to lose to the Yankees. This year, we could beat anyone. But we could just as easily flame out in the first round or NLCS – baseball’s like that. We could EASILY lose to Cincinnati or you guys or Colorado. Although I like our chances against the Giants or Padres.
So hang in there. You have just about as good a shot as anyone and better than most.
-Ray
-Ray
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
September 23rd, 2010
7:14 am
wow, surprise surprise, the intense elite braves managed 1 FREAKIN HIT!!!! if this is any indication on how the season will end, folks you just witnessed it last night. no fire, no sense of urgency, nothing. maybe BC is doing this on purpose or the players have just given up. Either way, what a disappointing end to what was a great season. see you in 2011.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
September 23rd, 2010
7:15 am
yay, we got a hit last night. what a disappointing end to a great season. both the mgr and players have thrown in the towel. see you in 2011
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September 23rd, 2010
7:17 am
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Eric
September 23rd, 2010
7:19 am
As Leo says.. their BRICKS!
Eric
September 23rd, 2010
7:19 am
duhh they’re
losers!!
September 23rd, 2010
7:20 am
First pitch stirkes, 5 errors in three games,oh more errors than runs scored, lack of offense, nuff said….Braves are done and they deserve to be!!
rc35
September 23rd, 2010
7:21 am
A team with no offense just can’t get it done unless, to use Tom Glavine’s quote from Warren Spahn, “You pitch a shutout and hit a homerun!” The Phillies were just too deep–just compare first base–Ryan Howard, 30 HR and 100+ RBI–our first base–one month of greatness, two has-beens, and a maybe-someday-but-not-yet.
Right now, in the emotion of the moment, it’s hard to evaluate the situation. Come winter, will we remember the euphoria of June, July, and August, as a scrappy band of brothers fought and held first place, or will we remember the stench of September as an assemblage of incompetents did still-life portraits at home plate and played Three Stooges defense?
I once sat behind a somewhat-inebriated fan at the old Riverfront Stadium. For several innings, every time a Red came to bat, he shouted: “See the ball! Hit the ball!” Somehow, our hitters seem to have forgotten that simple admonition.
Arkie
September 23rd, 2010
7:21 am
Still half a sleep – Manager for 2012 – should be 2011. JS go out side the organization for your Coaches and Manager. They will want wins and production, not have been players.
Thomas
September 23rd, 2010
7:21 am
It is clear that Budget Baseball teams at the end of the season lose the ability to play, mostly from “man I just need a vacation or to what team will I be on next year?” This season can be reflected by the attendance at the ball park, We the fans, do not like the ownership of this team and will not support them.
losers!!
September 23rd, 2010
7:24 am
D Lee and A Gonz need to go!! Braves should have gotten A Dunn for the power they lack but didn’t and does it ever show. So, it’s more of the same…which is, see ya next year folks!
Jethro Bodeen
September 23rd, 2010
7:26 am
The Braves players will be sitting around their cement ponds with their portable tv’s watching the post season games like the rest of us!
papadawg
September 23rd, 2010
7:26 am
How long will we have to wait for the Braves to announce the new manager and which farm team will he be coming from. That’s the pay they will most likely want
CreekBoy
September 23rd, 2010
7:33 am
The reason people aren’t going out to the ball park is because of performances like last night’s. The hitters didn’t show up…something that has happened over and over again with this team.
It's over
September 23rd, 2010
7:37 am
Braves will be out of the wild card race before the Phillies come to town. But does it really matter? If they made it to the playoffs, do we really think we can beat the Phillies one game, much less 4?
JPop
September 23rd, 2010
7:42 am
If you follow baseball, you know that teams go through stretches where everything goes right. Each liner down the line stays fair. Each borderline ball/strike call goes your way. Well, the Phillies are in one of those stretches right now. The consolation for Braves fans is that those stretches eventually end and the baseball gods stop smiling on you. I’m not sure the Phillies luck will change fast enough but it will change. I’m hopeful we’ll sneak in with the wild card just as the Phillies start experiencing some of the bad breaks the Braves have experienced this week.
Cox Basher
September 23rd, 2010
7:56 am
This series is another example of why Bobby Cox should have retired years ago. The most overrated Manager in baseball history. With the talent he has had over the year, should have been more successful. Thank God he is finally retiring but please don;t put Terry P. in the seat.
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September 23rd, 2010
8:01 am
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Dumbo
September 23rd, 2010
8:02 am
Yes Sir…..Frank “I have no idea” Wren and Bobby “Thumb in the bun” Cox oughta be happy. Their team, the Braves, have managed to have won 85+ games this year, in spite of their (Wren & Cox) lousy attempts to fix the team. No team I can recall has made as many errors or been so dreadful at hitting with men on base as this Braves team. Heck, for a pitcher to get a win, he has to pitch a shutout and pray that the other pitcher makes a few bad pitches. Hanson has either lost or had a no decision in 11 starts, in which he gave up less than 3 runs. Yes sir, Wren & Cox, can we, also, ask Wren to leave after the season, just to make sure Cox doesn’t get lonely.
Gen Neyland
September 23rd, 2010
8:03 am
Start two rookies on the hill in a critical three game series, then another rookie charged with a game changing error in game one. Lollipop Nate gets partial credit for last nights only Phillies run, Prado sure didn’t look hiself at all. The Phillies are a solid veteran club practically top to bottom and it has shown, not only in the Braves series, but in the month of SEP..Still, it ain’t over till it’s over…
Gordie Howe
September 23rd, 2010
8:05 am
HOW SWEET IT IS!!! NO PLAYOFFS FOR BRAVES IS THE GOAL WE ALL AS ATLANTANS STRIVE FOR.
Ramjet
September 23rd, 2010
8:06 am
McLouth is an iceberg, he is sinking the ship.
joe
September 23rd, 2010
8:07 am
20 years ago there was a poor defensive catcher that made up for his dificiencies with his offense. The difference is Piazza hit .320/30+ HR/120 RBI and Mcfat hits .275/20/80. Time to get better behind the plate Brian……
Gordie Howe
September 23rd, 2010
8:08 am
you are right MClouth was great with the Pirates the Braves organization squashes talent..they come here and get stupid much like the residents
The other Dean
September 23rd, 2010
8:08 am
Boy, it sure would be nice to have the 48 home runs Adam Laroche and Kelly Johnson have for AZ.
If I were the Phillies I’d be thinking, “The Braves have no hitters to speak of and we could have easily lost 2 of 3.”
If their pitching falters at all in the playoffs, they’re done.
braves fan
September 23rd, 2010
8:08 am
Would any other “play-off” team in the major leagues start either Nate McLouth (.185) or Rick Ankiel (.205)????…..it’s no mystery why they continue to falter……I really liked Ankiel’s top of the 6th at bat…….take two heaters right down the middle of the plate, then whiff at one shouler high and inside……….maybe next year.
BaseballBuff
September 23rd, 2010
8:09 am
The Phils have a good, confident team and are fun to watch. The Yankees or Rays will have their hands full with them. As for the Braves, maybe next year, but I’m starting to get old.
Taylor Wooten
September 23rd, 2010
8:10 am
That was a pitiful display. Talk about rolling over. They have dont deserve the playoffs.
10-1 lead after 3
September 23rd, 2010
8:10 am
Someone has to be held accountable for this implosion. This is the worst collapse in Atlanta’s sports history. HOW DOES BOBBY COX STILL HAVE A JOB????
reebok
September 23rd, 2010
8:10 am
” “We couldn’t have done much better,” manager Bobby Cox said after Wednesday’s loss.” I would think that was a mis-quote unless I’d watched this moron butcher the management of this team for nearly 20 years.
Absolutely pathetic. A fitting coda to this tired, incompetent old fool’s reign of error will be taking a team leading its’ division by 7 games in August and missing the playoffs altogether. What a perfect finish to the career of the ‘manager’ who took more talent and accomplished less with it than any manager in MLB history.
bbkorbel
September 23rd, 2010
8:11 am
Tuesday night I was watching the game in bed & tried to go to sleep listening the rest of the way. Couldn’t fall to sleep with the Braves losing. So my wife came into the room & turned on Dancing with the Stars & BOOM…out like a light!
Werthless
September 23rd, 2010
8:14 am
I think “if” is the most common word used by Braves fans. It’s kind of pathetic, time to face reality. Also, if you look at the teams since the All Star break, Philly has been playing much better than TB or NYY and the Phillies have better pitching witch always carries you far in October. Not just one ACE, but now three!
hucker
September 23rd, 2010
8:15 am
Let’s face it – if you can’t hit, you can’t win. The Braves right now are not playing basic baseball – witness missing the cutoff man on the Phillies run in the eighth. They don’t move runners over, hardly ever get the big hit. Don’t look for a playoff spot. Given the team’s history in Washington, I’d bet they will lose two of three there. They didn’t put the Phillies away when they had the chance in July and it’s coming back to haunt them.
JMOR
September 23rd, 2010
8:16 am
I can see the Braves losing the rest of their games…Who is going to get a hit? Although the starting rotation was supposed to be “the best in baseball” we know that is not true. The game last night could have gone 15 innings and the Braves would not have scored. The pitching no longer matters with the offense shut down. And the defense, what can I say.If there is a worse defensive catcher in the league, I can’t name him. Half this team will be gone next year…Ankiel,Melky,Lee,Glaus,Farnsworth,all gone, and KK and McLouth not tradeable because they have large contracts and are not major league talents. The Braves need to dismantle this mess and go with youth next year.
Thomas
September 23rd, 2010
8:17 am
Complete games by Braves starting pitchers this season? 2
Werthless
September 23rd, 2010
8:18 am
Give your young pitchers credit, although it is common in MLB for rookie pitchers to have moderate success before a reliable scouting report can be formulated and hitters get acclimated to their pitches. Philly should not be worried too much about their run production, they have a habit of scoring when(and only when) they need to. With studs on the mound, they fell into a false sense of security.
Meatball
September 23rd, 2010
8:18 am
Why do we want the Braves to get the wild card slot – it just extends the pain. This team is done. Watching another post season of Bobby Cox bone head decisions is not how I want to spend early October.
DALTON BRAVE
September 23rd, 2010
8:20 am
Ankiel should not play another game this year still takes that pitchers approche swing hard in case you hit it which he never does. put McClouth in center the rest of the way. put Diaz in left screw the lefty righty crap Diaz is a very unconvential hitter and given the chance might get it done.
Cecil34
September 23rd, 2010
8:21 am
More than likely, based upon how the Braves usually play Washington and Florida, they will drop 2 out of 3 from each series, then face Phillies scrubs the last 3 games and struggle to win one of them.
Too little, too late.
BaseballBuff
September 23rd, 2010
8:21 am
Many fans predicted this godawful collapse. Talented or not, the Braves had a solid lead in the division and were plenty good enough to do better than they have. Sure, we still lead the wildcard and may somehow hang on to it, but any hope of postseason play seems like grasping at straws at the moment. If we lose the wildcard spot, this will certainly be one of the biggest, most prolonged collapses of the Bobby Cox era, but it sadly is not surprising.
RGP
September 23rd, 2010
8:23 am
Hansen pitched superb. Don’t understand why Hudson didnt start one of the 3 games instead of two rookies. Phils had their 3 aces going. Team defense has killed us all year and did again. McCann needs to work on his throws to second and not throws into the outfield.
jsmuga
September 23rd, 2010
8:23 am
Glad Bobby Cox is gone soon……………..
RM
September 23rd, 2010
8:24 am
Last night’s performance is exactly what you will get from the Braves if they even make the playoffs. A game they needed to win and they get 1 lousy hit! They will get swept in the first round so who really cares if they make it. They have no business in the playoffs with those bats.
RM
September 23rd, 2010
8:25 am
What you saw last night is exactly what you will get from the braves in the playoffs. Crunch time and they get 1 hit!
jimmya
September 23rd, 2010
8:28 am
wish wren would go to
Randle Patrick McMurphy
September 23rd, 2010
8:29 am
McCann needs to work on more than his throwing… try pushing himself away from the table and working on his waistline…
Steve-o
September 23rd, 2010
8:30 am
In the most important series of the year, Bobby Cox inserts Ankiel into the lineup for two straight games. Brilliant strategizing! News flash Bobby — Ankiel CANNOT hit. And, unfortunately, McLouth is back to early season form. A lineup with two players hitting .184 and ..202 is downright embarrassing. Result: loss.
Liberty Media Brass
September 23rd, 2010
8:31 am
Over 2 million attendance. Not bad for a non playoff team. Let’s all take a drink and be somebody.
Woodrow Call
September 23rd, 2010
8:36 am
You really have to ask yourself – After the embarrassment that just occurred in Philly, do you want the Braves in the playoffs at all, just to be swept in 3 games? There are teams out there playing better baseball with better managers, that are more deserving then this collection of inept ballers.
Yes its been a great ride, but, do you really think this team worthy?
STRETCH
September 23rd, 2010
8:37 am
I dont even know if this team is going to make it to the post season. And if they did, they would only lose in familiar fashion anyway. This is what the fans get when the Braves are forced to play budget baseball.
I love Bobby Cox, just frustrated at some of his coaching, but overall, players like him so that says a lot about him and his coaching. Frank Wren, as much as people talk about him, the guy is NOT afraid to make moves. Hey, when George was alive, thats all he did was push buttons and the Yanks have like what…27 WS rings?
So whats the problem? Money most likely is the problem. Take this series against the Phils for example: they score 4 runs in 3 games, were really in all three games. Pitching was pretty good, but once again the lack of offense reared its ugly head. They really need to just play the season out and look forward to the off-season cause they know they dont stand a chance in gaining the NL banner. Heck, they might not make it to the playoffs!
A few things i think a few of us would like to see going into next season:
1. Get that pitching staff back healthy, they are loaded so im not worried there.
2. Freeman needs to take over at first, keep Lee as backup.
3. Chipper needs to give it a try and he should be able to determine by ST weather or not he can go. If not, take that 15 mil and get some HITTERS!
4. GET A REAL LEADOFF HITTER. When is the last time have they had one…2005??? Last night was a prime example of why you need that type of guy on your team. Someone that knows how to generate runs. Hanson pitched his tail off, and that lineup couldnt get ONE run!
5. Stop with the musical chairs in the outfield. Time to go get an everyday LF too.
I really believe this team will be better and possibly a WS contender. Like i said before, the pitching will be much better, just need a speedster and some bats, they will be fine.
BaseballBuff
September 23rd, 2010
8:39 am
Steve-o, I still have not forgotten when Cox started Tony Graffanino and Danny Bautista in Game 6 of the 1999 NLCS against the Padres. Padres were up 3 games to 2 at the time. Graffanino and Bautista were youngsters who were both hitting under .200. Braves were blanked, Padres went to World Series.
Robt. Gibson
September 23rd, 2010
8:40 am
The game was over when non-HOF manager B. Cox yanked the shutout-pitching starting pitcher after just the 6th inning. I guess Cox wanted to save him for the stretch drive.
BaseballBuff
September 23rd, 2010
8:40 am
Excuse me, Stevie-o, I meant 1998 NLCS against the Padres, not 1999. 1999 was the year the Braves choked and collapsed against the Yankees in the World Series.
DALTON BRAVE
September 23rd, 2010
8:40 am
RGP dosen’t matter who you pitch if you dont play defense and hit braves pitching was good enough to win all 3 .
WonderDawg
September 23rd, 2010
8:42 am
Venters is now what Moylan was two years ago. Abused.
Moylan had to have TJ surgery fom Bobby overusing him. Venters will be next.
Steve-o
September 23rd, 2010
8:44 am
BaseballBuff,
I can understand playing McLouth. He was playing pretty well before the series. But Ankiel should be reserved for pinch running and the occasional late game fielding duties. Bobby should play Diaz more – he can be clutch and his hitting would improve if he played more.
John Kruk
September 23rd, 2010
8:44 am
How bout them phils!!!!!!, and how bout somebody get me another bagel!!!!!
Over for 2010
September 23rd, 2010
8:46 am
Wren tore this team apart. We needed one hitter and he went after Ankel and Lee. Once Ankel took over then here comes McLoser back and thats all there is folks. Glaus can hit but once his knee went bad Bobby dumped him. Glaus went into a slump. Now they are using players who did not take us to the lead but instead are here for the ride and they are not getting the job done. Glaus should be playing 3rd and Prado should be playing 2nd and Diaz should be playing in the outfield daily. Freddy should be getting the starts at 1st base but instead they are distroying his confidence sending him in to pinch hit. The kid was hitting in the 400’s before Bobby called him up, started his arbitration clock and then benched him. Good use of a really good rookie. Lets not play him, instead, lets let him sit and drop in the standings.
Right now I would say that the Phillies are a way better club with their pitching and hitting. A GM needs to know what to get and where to place it. The braves and Wren started to tear this club apart with the trade of Escobar and did not stop till they had a non hitting center fielder and replaced a 1st baseman. Our pitchers are exhausted having to do all the work and win games with their arms. Personally its the way its always been. Good pitching, no hitting. Even McCann is not holding up. Until they decide to spend some money in position players we go no place. We dont have prime Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz any more. We never will again. We need hitters to help out our pitching. What we have is another year of KK-Lowe and Chipper holding on to his youth. With those three salaries next year, we will again have nothing but utility players pretending to be hitters on a big league club. We will have to wait for 2012. Nothing but bad management and bad decisions that ripped apart a very good club. We should have done nothing.
Sonny Clusters
September 23rd, 2010
8:52 am
We was thinking there is too much cap tipping and not enough players getting mad for blowing this series and blowing a 7.5 game lead in the division. Bobby must not have watched the same game.
BaseballBuff
September 23rd, 2010
8:53 am
Right, Steve-o. I agree. McClouth had shown signs of improvement, but he is now playing like a minor-leaguer again. Just loved that rainbow throw of his from left field last night. Pretty weak for a guy who usually patrols center field.
ryan
September 23rd, 2010
8:53 am
Mark- I agree. Philly is just a better team. More depth and a better front end rotation. Hanson proved he is a big game pitcher last night. That is the one bright spot. We’re better at catcher and possibly right field. Other than that Philly is better everywhere on the field.
Jesse Stone
September 23rd, 2010
8:56 am
We have more errors than runs in the series and people are still asking why we didn’t shuffle our rotation. This team needs outfielders. Who is the best option for CF? Melky? That’s pitiful. The holes in this team are glaring. Surely FW can do better than acquiring Glaus and Melky this offseason…can’t he?
Jesse Stone
September 23rd, 2010
8:59 am
Over for 2010- where was Freeman hitting in the 400s? I must have missed that. Do you really want Glaus playing 3rd? Chino Cadahia probably has better range than Glaus. Have you forgotten that he couldn’t even bend over to catch throws from the pitcher? Ang BC is “distroying” Freeman’s confidence? I didn’t even bother reading your second paragraph because the first was so offbase.
Don
September 23rd, 2010
8:59 am
Some Cox bashers are trying to say that Bobby played both Ankiel and McLouth in last nights game. Us Cox supporters know that that ain’t true – couldn’t possibly be true – our Hall of Fame manager wouldn’t do that — No matter what the box score says, and no matter what we appeared to see — We have faith in Booby – no matter what.
Mike
September 23rd, 2010
9:04 am
OK. It’s top of the 7th. Our guy has gone 6 innings and given up just 2 hits. Someone please explain why Hanson was pulled. This is a complete over-use of the bullpen. Still might have lost. Don’t know. I guess we’re saving our pitching for the “stretch run”.
The Braves are DUN.
ben
September 23rd, 2010
9:05 am
How does MCCLOUTH miss the cut off man there? FIRST thing you learn in little league ALWAYS HIT YOUR CUTOFF!!!
First game, heyward misreads a fly ball. game over.
Second Game, Bobby takes a chance on Dunn instead of bringing in Moyland for the last out of the inning so that he can pinch hit in the next inning for Dunn. game over.
third game, Mcclouth misses his cutoff man, game over.
Its the little things that we DONT DO WELL.
the talent is there for the most part. the heart and chemistry seems to be there.
IT MUST COME down to coaching.
I’m still on board, but i’m looking forward to a new coaching TEAM!
Sweet Old Buck
September 23rd, 2010
9:06 am
What is it with McCann? He isn’t hitting and he seems to be letting a lot of balls get away from him. Is he tired? Are his eyes bothering him? Is it just me, or does seem a little heavy?
Don
September 23rd, 2010
9:07 am
Some Cox bashers are trying to say that Bobby played both Ankiel and McLouth in last nights game. Us Cox supporters know that ain’t true – Bobby couldn’t possibly do that — no matter what the box score says or no matter what we thought we saw — We have faith in our Hall of Fame Manager.
Jesse Stone
September 23rd, 2010
9:10 am
Mike- Phillies didn’t score until the bottom of the 8th. Oswalt only gave up one hit and was pulled after 7.
Jesse Stone
September 23rd, 2010
9:11 am
ben- I would rather Dunn pitch to Ibanez than Moylan. With Moylan’s delivery, lefthanders get a nice, long look at his pitches.
The Man
September 23rd, 2010
9:13 am
will someone tell the idiot phillie fan that Hanson is not a rookie?
Richievan
September 23rd, 2010
9:13 am
Believe it or not, there is a silver lining for the Braves (and I’m a Phillies fan for full disclosure): The Phillies magic number for best record is five, which they should take care of before they get to Atlanta next weekend. That means the Phillies will rest their starters since they would have nothing to play for. That only helps the Braves.
Turtsnap
September 23rd, 2010
9:14 am
Eight reasons this team will not make the playoffs:
1) Frank Wren
Kyle Fudgeworth
2) Bobby Cox
3) Terry Pendleton
4) Nate McLousy
5) Rick AnKKKKiel
6) Dufus Lee
7) Troy Glousy
Jesse Stone
September 23rd, 2010
9:14 am
where is this talent everyone is talking about? We have one outfielder deserving of being an everyday player. We have firstbasemen on the downside of their career. Prado is fielding like a DH. Infante is a utilityman having a career year. Look at the Phillies roster. That is a first place team.
Corvette Ed
September 23rd, 2010
9:16 am
I’m from Philly and always liked the Braves for years. But I need help in someone explaining to me why the Braves pitching rotation was what it was. Manual took this series very serious and made adjustments to have his three top guns on the mound. Cox knew this series was coming weeks in advanced and should have adjust his pitchers to match the Phils. Last night’s pitcher did very well and probably should have stayed in the game.
Good luck with the Wild Card.
heymmered
September 23rd, 2010
9:19 am
I really feel like the spark that Infante and Prado was giving the team earlier in the season is gone. Everything went with these two. They both looked horrible in this series. Infante was just flailing at pitches.
Tosh.No
September 23rd, 2010
9:19 am
Thats alright, at least we didn’t buy our team like the yankees and now the phillies do every year. Thats why I have lost ALL interest in baseball, cause no one does what teams like the braves do and build teams, they just buy them and it takes all the meaning out of the sport. Enjoy your championship that you bought Philly or New York. Sure one of you will win it, and if not, you sure did waste a LOT of money this year…
carlchamblee
September 23rd, 2010
9:20 am
LOL I still remember Jeff Schultz saying the Braves “sent a message” when they acquired Ankiel and Farnsworth. And Bradley saying Braves will NOT squander lead.
I also remember them piling on a Philly sportswriter who said midseason that the Braves are nothing special and the Phillies should catch them once they get rolling.
Now of course there is no reflection or mea culpas, just more pom pom waving in the form of “they did all they could with their talent, etc”
Hilarious.
G Morris
September 23rd, 2010
9:20 am
The Phils win the close games because they seem to know how to play them. It makes sense since the Phils have played about 30 playoff games the last two years. With those 3 starters, you can only hope for a close game…which is how you get swept.
Wren Loss
September 23rd, 2010
9:22 am
Wren ruined the season by not trading for an impact player. He essentially swapped for equal parts at SS, 1B, and CF just so he can say “We are trying.” I definitely was in favor of getting a new OF and 1B, but we needed someone who could carry our team offensively. We got players that are kinda similar statistically. Why trade just to trade? We should have tried to get the likes of Dunn, Bautista or Fielder even if it was just for a season.
Jason
September 23rd, 2010
9:24 am
We couldn’t have done much better??? Are you kidding me Bobby. We just got one hit and committed more errors than runs scored in the series. And Mark, Beachy gave us a chance to win as well, only one earned run. But bad defense and lack of clutch hitting ruined his good outing. Pitching was not the problem in this series.
Woodrow Call
September 23rd, 2010
9:25 am
I’m rooting for Tampa Bay! They didn’t buy their team!
Darin
September 23rd, 2010
9:25 am
What? Only 1 hit and no runs at the Philly band box? How pathetic! Maybe it seems like Petco to the Braves hitters in lieu of a Little League Field.
Terry Harper
September 23rd, 2010
9:26 am
Can we please put Prado back in as leadoff. Has everyone forgotten this spring before he was at leadoff(9 losses in a row), what happened when he lead off from May through August(tore it up) and what has happened since he hurt his pinkie sliding in home(losing again). Everything else will take care of itself. Please comment here MB cause no one else seems to remember the chemistry and I am surprised Cox hasn’t tried it.
tin man
September 23rd, 2010
9:27 am
if i was manager i would have all my players at the doctors office first thing to have their eyes checked and their reflexes. i have never in my life seen players swing at so many bad pitches and take good pitches. if i was starting a new team from scratch there are only 8 or 9 players from this team that i would pick and most of them would be pitchers. the remainders might make a good AA ball team.
Ralph
September 23rd, 2010
9:28 am
Mark is just finding out what some of us knew back in April, braves have a good pitching staff and thats it, PERIOD. I have said it before and i’ll say it again, the braves should trade McCann during the off season for a lst rate CF or 3B, he has geat trade value but his defence really hurts the team and a good trade could replace his bat also Ross is a first rate catcher and he can hit.
Pete
September 23rd, 2010
9:30 am
Eight reasons this team will not make the playoffs:
1) Frank Wren
2) Bobby Cox He cannot leave soon enough. WHy do players love playing for him? because he refuses to put a foot in someones ass
3) Terry Pendleton
4) Nate McLousy
5) Rick AnKKKKiel
6) Dufus Lee
7) Troy Glousy He is the only reason the Braves were in first place at all this season. He carried them for a month and a half. He starts to slump so we trade for a player slumping worse than he is. Lee has 115 more at bats than Glaus and has 2 more RBI. Do you morons realize this? Glaus was on pace for 24 HR and 95 RBI. If I told you that at the beginning of the season you would have taken it in a heartbeat. The Braves should have called Freeman up and benched Glaus for 10 days to get his legs healthy. We instead trade for an older more beat up first baseman
Kyle Fudgeworth
Pete
September 23rd, 2010
9:31 am
Glaus is the only reason the team was ever in first place
Woodrow Call
September 23rd, 2010
9:34 am
Everyday players from 2010 Braves should have on opening day roster in 2011.
Jason Heyward
Martin Prado
Brian McCann – Could trade for a third baseman and hitter
Chipper Jones – If he can come back, won’t know that until Spring Training
thats your everyday players from the 2010 season that are anywhere good enough to be in the major leagues. Thats sad!
For those of you wanting infante. He’s a utility player have a once in a lifetime season! You can’t count on his playing this good again. Trade him, release him, NO. But you better have a backup plan!
Now you know why this years Braves don’t deserve to be in the playoffs!
PMC
September 23rd, 2010
9:36 am
Meh, take your lumps, move on. Focus on the wildcard. We’ve known for 4 years now that the Phillies have a better all around ball club and they have a ferrocious lineup. Something the Braves simply don’t have.
The Phillies are a great team…but the Braves have a chance to win 90 games with very average MLB talent. That’s a great sign. They really play hard. That’s good. If they can pull out the wild card in this last week it will be icing on the cake of what’s been a very solid season for this club.
Just dust yourself off, rub some dirt and icy hot on it and go smash the next club you play.
Go Braves.
Empty Seat at Turner Field
September 23rd, 2010
9:36 am
I have a riddle.
What enters as a 3 but exits as a 6?
john davenport
September 23rd, 2010
9:37 am
Did Tom Petty once play for the Braves, we still have the heartbreakers.:
sportsmandh
September 23rd, 2010
9:37 am
Excuses on the pitch Ibanez hit the double on. It was a bad pitch.
McClouth wouldn’t have thrown Worth out at home even if he’d hit the cutoff man. The loss is on Venters.
PMC
September 23rd, 2010
9:37 am
Also, it seems Carl Crawford is available for next year…..all it takes is money.
tin man
September 23rd, 2010
9:37 am
have you ever seen a team lose 3 big games like these and just walk out of the dugout like it was april or may? somebody needs to turn over a water cooler or kick down a table or something. has bobby intimidated this team so bad that they act like a bunch of wussies? why can’t they throw inside on the hands once in a while to keep the opposition from unbuttoning their shirts and swinging from the hips? this club is pitiful, but it’s not our fans it’s the owners and GM fault.
Don
September 23rd, 2010
9:39 am
Some of the Cox bashers are trying to say that Bobby again played BOTH Ankiel and McLouth in last nights game. Us Cox supporters know that ain’t so – It is not possible that Bobby would do that — No matter what the boxscore says and no matter what we thought we saw — We have faith in our Hall of Shame (Woops – I mean Fame) Manager – no matter what.
butthurt braves fan
September 23rd, 2010
9:41 am
BRAVES LOSE!!! BRAVES LOSE!!!
Southern Boy N Philly
September 23rd, 2010
9:43 am
Look, I don’t want to gloat or say anything bad about the braves. I just want to point out that this was a form of payback for the sweep earlier in the year. It was a hard pill to swallow then and we just are giving it back to you. Now go win the f***ing wildcard so we can meet for the NLCS! You’ve got the talent. Take a deep breath and go beat the Nats and Fish and we’ll see you on Friday.
Felix Millan
September 23rd, 2010
9:44 am
good to see McCann step up and actually speak to the media
The Chrome Gouda
September 23rd, 2010
9:46 am
The Braves are just not a very well-rounded ball club this year. They deserved to lose this series, and any chance at the division, and that is exactly what happened.
That being said, anyone who has paid attention to this season can see that, while the Phillies are the strongest team in the NL, they will almost certainly get destroyed by whatever AL team they face in the WS, if they can get past the Padres in the NLCS. Yankees and Rays both have much better lineups, and the Rays, at least, have the arms to match Halladay, Hamels and Oswalt.
I don’t see the Phillies having much of a chance. But let their fans get excited for now. It will be short-lived.
oldmike
September 23rd, 2010
9:48 am
Just posting something that’s already been said. Why in the world was our outfield Ankiel in center and McLouth in left? Do something creative Bobby. Like maybe Conrad at second and Infante in left and Cabrera in Center? Freeman at first against either righty? Where’s the urgency? Don’t let the door hit your on the way out Bobby. You’ve been a great company man and even keel manager. But please, your approach to meaningful games is putrid and the overuse of the bullpen ultimately kills us. Starters need to go deeper into games. Period. I am over them this year. Even if they make the playoffs what will be different. We’ll have to watch them squander second and third and no outs for no runs or bases loaded and no out for no runs with another strikeout/double play combo by some part of their order. My heart can’t take it.
Ed Orick
September 23rd, 2010
9:51 am
Glaus and Henske carried the team to first place, so why are they now on the bench? Glause should be at third and Eric in LF…
Woodrow Call
September 23rd, 2010
9:55 am
Ed Orick has a great point!
Elmer
September 23rd, 2010
9:56 am
Cox could have started Minor Sunday against the Mets and had Lowe for the Phils. His sticking to the rotation shows he had no sense of urgency. This was a series to have take seriously. It’s not June anymore.
Line Drive
September 23rd, 2010
9:58 am
On July 22, the Braves had a 7 game lead in the NL East….and then came the trade deadline and Frank Wren went to work….what a complete dumba$$ this man is. The results of your work at the deadline can be seen in the standings this morning, FRANK!……FRANKLY, FRANK, your dumba$$ needs to be fired before noon today, even before your manager is replaced…..you should have zero input in the replacement
Ted M
September 23rd, 2010
10:00 am
Pitching had nothing to do with the Braves being swept. Terrible defense was biggest issue with a lack of hitting come a close second.
Line Drive
September 23rd, 2010
10:02 am
For all of the Brian McCann fans out there, sorry…..he needs to be TRADED in the offseason for a HITTER that plays in the outfield. I will gladly settle for a light hitting catcher who bats eight in the lineup who can CATCH, THROW RUNNERS OUT ATTEMPTING TO STEAL, BLOCK THE PLATE AND CATCH THROWS FROM THE OUTFIELD….in other words do the things catchers do….Trade McCann probably to an AL team who needs a DH while he still can possibly bring you something back
Woodrow Call
September 23rd, 2010
10:07 am
Line Drive – I can’t argue with that. I love McCann as a home town kid, yet, we need more then one player at this point. McCann has value, get as much as we cann, pun inteneded, for him. Not prospects, bona fide major league hitter and everyday defensive catcher.!
Sam Crow
September 23rd, 2010
10:07 am
Look on the bright side, “Braves Nation.” Now you can shift all your focus to football. Oh wait, you guys already did that…
oldmike
September 23rd, 2010
10:40 am
Forgot about Hinske and what he “brung” earlier. Why wasn’t he in left the last 2 nights.
The other Dean
September 23rd, 2010
11:15 am
The TB Rays are having a yard sale at the end of the season. I believe there is a hitter or 2 down there to be had. Of course, the yankees/red sox/mets will grab them. Just wishing…
Petro
September 23rd, 2010
11:46 am
Chrissy – As a Phils fan here…….. act like you’ve beeen there beefore. Save that stuff for Met fans.
Mike
September 23rd, 2010
11:51 am
What difference does it make if they make the playoffs or not? I will still be able to walk up to the window, 20 mins before game time, and get a great seat……if I decide to go.
Ralph
September 23rd, 2010
12:05 pm
McCann would make a great catcher in the AL where they don’t steal a lot of bases.
DC Brave
September 23rd, 2010
12:11 pm
Pretty frustrating to see guys watch a fastball down the middle…then swing at that fastball on the next pitch…only, on that next pitch, it isn’t a fastball it is a changeup down and away. Do they really think they’ll get the same pitch at the same speed in the same location twice from guys like Oswalt at this point in the season. They looked like chumps.
1957 fan
September 23rd, 2010
2:01 pm
The fat lady’s mouth is open and the musical notes are flowing out. What a joke.
Hunter
September 23rd, 2010
3:59 pm
This is where we need our leader…this team has a lot in place to make a run. Just a couple more spots that need to be shored up. I hope Chipper is taking note and working his tail off this offseason to get ready. We miss the veteran leader of our clubhouse. It shows bigtime. Chip comes back, we make a few good moves in the offseason and we could be one of the favorites next year. This year isn’t over yet either.
Baldemar Huerta
September 24th, 2010
10:26 pm
The air has been let out of the deflated gas bag that is booby cox. Good riddance.
Baldemar Huerta
September 24th, 2010
10:28 pm
Hurry up, I’ve got a 4:35 Tee Time October 3rd! Still enough daylight for a quick nine.