Live from the ballyard: The skidding Braves need a win (duh)
The NL's pitcher of the month for May needs to halt a June swoon. (AJC photo by Jason Getz)
The Braves had a chance to consolidate the gains made on their road trip, on which they went 7-3. They’ve since gone 1-4, their only victory coming on a walk-off balk. They lost a series to the Mets and have lost this one to the Rangers, and now they’re just trying to exercise damage control.
Jair Jurrjens is pitching today, and that’s usually a good thing. He’s 8-3 with an ERA of 2.13. But Alexi Ogando is working for Texas, and he’s 7-1 with an ERA of 2.71. And the Braves, as you know, have a way of making ordinary pitchers look like Walter Johnson. Imagine what they might do against a good one.
The Braves trailed the Phillies by two games a week ago. They’re six behind now, Philadelphia having beaten Felix Hernandez in Seattle last night. They’re still in good shape for the wild card — tied with St. Louis and Arizona for the lead in that category — but that six-game spread between first and second in the National League East is the widest in baseball.
A cheery note: Dan Uggla had two doubles Saturday, lifting his average to .176 and his RBI total to 21. (He’s sixth on the team in ribbies.) He’s batting second today in a strange lineup that has Jason Heyward hitting third, Freddie Freeman fifth and Nate McLouth — back from the DL — seventh. Diory Hernandez plays third base and hits eighth.
Of the Braves’ starting nine, only Brian McCann is hitting above .264. Only four are above .240. I’ve been saying for a while now that this time is going to hit, but I have to confess even the famous Bradley patience is eroding. Six games back on Father’s Day — time to get going.
And with that, the figurative floor is again open for questions, comments and Father’s Day greetings. I’ll be here all day, and I’d love your company. Thanks, as ever, in advance.
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179 comments Add your comment
dean
June 19th, 2011
12:27 pm
first?
dean
June 19th, 2011
12:28 pm
I don’t believe it. lets get it going Bravos!
Delbert D.
June 19th, 2011
12:37 pm
Well, Mark, “this time has hit”, and the Braves are in the doldrums. Now if we could get the *team* to hit, some good things would start to happen.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
12:38 pm
Kudos, Dean.
Henry D.
June 19th, 2011
12:39 pm
It’s time for Parrish to be gone, it’s time for the pressure to be ratcheted up on Fredi and it’s time for some of these no hit bums to be shipped out.
stevie zero
June 19th, 2011
12:46 pm
mark, heard anything about the braves trading for granderson?
Scott
June 19th, 2011
12:51 pm
Agreed, Parrish has to go.
ted williams head
June 19th, 2011
12:52 pm
2nd that henry d. all this is giving me a headache. not good
rich
June 19th, 2011
12:55 pm
Mark – what is going on with Freeman?? – it looks like he is thinking that ‘chicks dig the long ball’ and he is uppercutting everything – swinging for the fences on each pitch
mountain_jim
June 19th, 2011
12:55 pm
Hope the team is ready to play defense in the first inning today – they were terrible early yesterday.
Does Gonzalez have any fire in his belly at all? Needs to start raising hell when they play like that, don’t run out ground balls, etc.
chalkdawg4
June 19th, 2011
12:55 pm
I was listening to the braves mouthpiece on the rain delay yesterday and heard a load of crap. Talked about how good our pitching was up and down with no mention of how bad the offense is. Looking at another 2-1 or 3-2 loss today I’m afraid. These guys just can’t hit. Happy father’s day to all.
Cousin Vicker
June 19th, 2011
12:57 pm
First it was Mclouth 2 years ago. Now it’s Uggla. Heyward is a injury prone, batting practice legend and nothing more. Prado has heart, but is a utility player who happens to be a starter. Gonzales has been mediocre at best at the plate. I think the Braves are playing exactly to their capabilities.
Tomahawkin
June 19th, 2011
12:59 pm
It’s time to “Ol Yeller” Parrish…!
This team was so good under TP a year ago at making pitchers work and obtaining a high OBP…This year is a complete 180. It’s Hack, Hack, Hack at everything, And then try to play the Catchup game in the late innings! This team is not going to win in October having that approach that Parrish stresses
Ted M
June 19th, 2011
1:00 pm
the braves, I believe, are gonna stick w/the mantra that we’re gonna start hitting soon…until its too late
Tomahawkin
June 19th, 2011
1:02 pm
It doesn’t bother me losing a series to the Rangers, They are the defending AL Champs under Ron Washington for a reason…
I get more P’d off when we lose series to AAA Teams like The NY Mess and The Nationals! I abosolutely hate it when Philly beats the crap out of those AAA Teams and we make them look like the 1998 Yankees
ATLfan94
June 19th, 2011
1:04 pm
It’s funny how last season everybody wanted Terry Pendleton fired as hitting coach and now that Parrish is the coach everybody wants him gone. People chill out they are going to come around eventually. Just wait until we get Prado and Chipper back in the lineup. GO BRAVES!!!
chalkdawg4
June 19th, 2011
1:05 pm
It’s a cryin shame we are wasting this good pitching. They keep our crappy offense in every game. Didn’t like letting the rookie hit in the bottom of the 8th with a go ahead run at 2nd. Took a called 3rd strike. Would have rather had a hobbled Chipper up there in that situation.
Cousin Vicker
June 19th, 2011
1:06 pm
First it was Mclouth two years ago. Now it’s Uggla. Heyward is an injury prone, batting practice legend and nothing more. Gonzales has been mediocre at best at the plate. Prado is a utility man who happens to be starting. Chipper is past his prime. I think this team is playing to their capabilities.
teewest
June 19th, 2011
1:14 pm
Markus once again you have judged correctly!!! Thus you remain my favorite scribe right after Hummer, Tucker, Jeffery S, Towers, CARVELLE,Ralph, Sam, Joe, Clyde my cat,Hank and Fred and Smokey!!!
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
1:14 pm
The good news: The Braves have great pitching. The bad news: They’ve needed it.
Tomahawkin
June 19th, 2011
1:21 pm
We need to get it going!
Matt Chernoff said it about 10 days ago that this is the Braves year to do something in the playoffs because the NL is weak and there is really no dominant team in the league but yet the Braves keep play as if they don’t want it…
rilo
June 19th, 2011
1:23 pm
Yeah….Debbie Downer here….we’re going to be 9 out come the All-Star break. The trade that we have been thinking about will not materalize because we are going to be to far out. If Prado and Hanson were active it might not look as bleak but since Hudson and Lowe are horrible right now…Heyward and Freeman look like pitchers swinging the bat and Chipper is hurt (again) there is NOOOOOOO WAAAAAYYYYY this team is going to make up ground on the Phillies, who aren’t struggling and don’t have anybody hurt. I’d like to believe these minor league hitters we have will surprise us but unless McCann can have 10 homers in his next three games (most likely solo-homers) we don’t have a chance. Sorry folks, just calling it like it is. I’m sure the front office and management will make excuses but that will be just to keep fans coming to the games.
Mike
June 19th, 2011
1:25 pm
Count me among the ones that truly believes that this team can play better than this.
However…
For those saying “dont worry, they’ll come around”, and “its early”…Get a clue. Its not early anymore. We are approaching mid point. And we have been saying they will come around for over a month and a half now. We have had 2 good streaks all season. Early May and about a week ago. Thats been it. That is unacceptable.
Something drastic needs to be done.
A agree that it is time to let Parrish go, issue an apology to TP and ask him to takeover and get this team back to the approach of last year.
I also feel that Fredi should be on the hot seat and have some pressure. I am not encouraging us to be like the Marlins and fire a manager every year, but Fredi has not earned the leeway that Bobby did. Fredi has proved nothing so far. I question his in game decisions and I question his fire, because the team is lacking passion. the team wide slump is no affecting the pitching and defense.
I dont feel that the whole team needs to be dumped. We have the talent, though a pick up of a good bat with some speed would be greatly desired. Maybe a guy like Pence or Bourne. We just need to get Prado, Chipper, Moylan, Medlen, and Beachy back healthy.
The wildcard is still there, but the division is slipping away drastically. the Phils have withstood their injuries and have hit better than us with what should be a worse offensive team.
Its coming time for something drastic needs to be done.
Dr. Phil
June 19th, 2011
1:26 pm
This team is average at best.
Mike
June 19th, 2011
1:27 pm
Jose Reyes. Whatever it takes. At least we’ll get some inspired play at short.
Michael
June 19th, 2011
1:28 pm
They’re done, and they’re pathetic. Watch the CWS instead and see some real teams. I doubt the Braves could win a series against any one of the eight teams in the CWS.
Gold Dawg
June 19th, 2011
1:29 pm
If the playoffs started today, they braves are in a 4-way tie for the wildcard. So stop complaining. They are doing their best. I guess.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
1:32 pm
I absolutely believe the Braves are better than they’ve played.
rob
June 19th, 2011
1:37 pm
i am so tired of seeing struggling teams suddenly look great against the braves. and these so so pitchers come in and look like the next cy young winner.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
1:38 pm
Rob, I feel your pain.
beaner from bogart
June 19th, 2011
1:38 pm
bring back cox!
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
1:39 pm
Game time temperature: 88 degrees.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
1:39 pm
Ian Kinsler starts the proceedings by flying out to right.
rob
June 19th, 2011
1:39 pm
@mark- i totally agree. i am only hoping that perception doesn’t become a reality for this team. at the end of the day, you are only as good as you play.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
1:40 pm
Absolutely. Pretty soon now the Braves are going to have to play to their abilities.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
1:41 pm
Elvis Andrus singles to right. Used to be a Brave, as you’re aware.
rilo
June 19th, 2011
1:43 pm
It’s not about being IN the playoffs. I think fans are more frustrated with this team because 1. Hitters are not coming through in must come through situations (bases loaded no outs…no runs) 2. Without the excellent pitching at the beginning of the season we would be out of the playoff race already. 3. We’ve paid millions to be a better team offensively and yet we are much worse. 4. Poor managing/coaching (Uggla batting 2nd, batting Uggla 4th…..heck…batting Uggla at all. 6. Players willing to make changes while struggling 5. The extra effort. This may be last but I just don’t see (or hear) this team putting in the extra effort to break out of these slumps. Tie this in with #4…
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
1:43 pm
McCann throws Andrus out stealing. Jurrjens had driven him back at least three times.
GT2010
June 19th, 2011
1:46 pm
Is Troy Glaus still available?
k483
June 19th, 2011
1:48 pm
Mark, just how much influence does a batting coach have over a professional hitter? And, just how does he influence the hitter? Maybe on some of the rookies, perhaps, or maybe on scheduling too much or too little BP, but I thought these players were pretty much on their own at this level.
dandaman
June 19th, 2011
1:48 pm
I agree that the Braves are better (and more than capable) than the way they are playing at now…
but the approach at the plate if just simply awful. What happened to last year’s approach to having more quality at bats? Seeing more pitches? Trying to coax some BB?
I’ve seen way to many 1-2-3 innings from the Braves offense lately. Too few are getting on base.
I’d definitely like to see more of hustle and sense of urgency from this team. C’mon! Get fired up!
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
1:48 pm
Adrian Beltre breaks his bat but singles into center field. Two on, two out.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
1:52 pm
Jurrjens gets Michael Young on a comebacker. Inning over.
"Chef" Tim Dix
June 19th, 2011
1:52 pm
Bradley girls treat you right?
DHD
June 19th, 2011
1:52 pm
“Andrus used to be Brave”……….continuing with the long time obsession over former ATL players. The article about Francoeur striking out 4 times this week was amazing. Exactly the kind of deep, thought provoking article I was looking for.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
1:53 pm
The many Bradley women and I are convening later, Tim.
"Chef" Tim Dix
June 19th, 2011
1:53 pm
Treat your parents good everyday folks, wish my Dad was here to spoil.
rob
June 19th, 2011
1:54 pm
i am starting to this this trade package with the rangers was the the worst one of all. i hope frank wren is taking notes on what NOT to do this year.
Robards
June 19th, 2011
1:55 pm
I do think that part of the problem is the apparent lack of emphasis on working the count. I would think that has something to do with Parrish’s philosophy.
"Chef" Tim Dix
June 19th, 2011
1:56 pm
Rob: Two words for ya, Len and Barker.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
1:57 pm
Jordan Schafer making Ogando work. Good AB.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
1:57 pm
Ogando needed 10 pitches to strike out Schafer.
rob
June 19th, 2011
1:59 pm
@chef- thanks for reminding me. ha
rilo
June 19th, 2011
2:03 pm
” Ogando needed 10 pitches to strikeout Schafer”
MB…I like how your reaching for positive things to say… Leadoff hitters shouldn’t strikeout….why we have two of our three most struggling hitters batting 1-2-3 I have no idea. Why don’t we just put FF in the leadoff spot…that way the innings will go by faster.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
2:07 pm
This is Jurrjens’ 40th pitch.
rilo
June 19th, 2011
2:08 pm
and he’s not fooling anyone
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
2:09 pm
Ogando singles. Two out, two out.
Cousin Vicker
June 19th, 2011
2:10 pm
This team is not comprised of enough proven players to say they are “better than they have been playing”. Uggla? He’s just another Mclouth (great trade on paper, then disappears when they put on a Braves uni). Heyward? Stop hyping this overrated kid until he proves himself. All he’s proven so far is that he stays injured and can put on a show in BP. Chipper is past his prime. Gonzales has been mediocre at the plate for nearly a year now. Seriously, this team is doing good to be where they are. They aren’t that good.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
2:11 pm
And now an error on Diory.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
2:13 pm
Jurrjens escapes again. Fifty pitches.
rilo
June 19th, 2011
2:20 pm
McCann’s at bat…small blip of the kind of at bat we had the whole team doing last year.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
2:21 pm
Freeman just missed a two-run shot. Nelson Cruz caught it at the top of the wall.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
2:25 pm
McCann steals second without a throw.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
2:26 pm
Ogando plunks Nate McLouth in the knee. Two out, two out.
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
2:27 pm
Will Nate stiffen up after that blow?
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
2:28 pm
Chipper still day to day?
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
2:28 pm
a quiet, quiet end of the second
rilo
June 19th, 2011
2:29 pm
This team is horrible…on to Soccer…This team is going nowhere
Dawgs Man
June 19th, 2011
2:32 pm
Is it negative when you just know that Hernandez would strike out to end the inning? Or was it just realizm based on prior performance. Is it negative when you know Alex Gonzalez is going to strike out on a low outside curveball even before he steps up to the plate? I dont think so. It is reality based on prior performance. Why can’t Parrish spend about a half day with Gonzalez to stop him from doing it?
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
2:32 pm
Nate McPlunk Nate McDrilled now Nate McSore
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
2:36 pm
Easier inning for J.J.
Pete
June 19th, 2011
2:36 pm
Wonder if Heyward could hit water if he fell out of a boat?
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
2:37 pm
JJ will do well to go 6 after 50 plus pitches already
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
2:39 pm
Mark, didnt a long forgotten ancestor of yours shorten the surmane from McBradley after he landed here?
rally
June 19th, 2011
2:39 pm
Rally to Bradley: Why is that these coaches can’t see what the fans see. Are they that nieve and believe that all is well or do they know something is wrong. I just can’t believe how many fundamentals of ABC are missing from hitting which is A to B to C.Because this is lacking every time they get two men or one men on they ought to be bunting them over until they can fix this funk. Its Pathetic personally. We are at the midpoint you either know we got hitters or we don’t. Unfortunately I say we don’t.
dandaman
June 19th, 2011
2:39 pm
Looks like its up to the pitcher to get the offense going again…
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
2:41 pm
Braves are swinging at terrible pitches.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
2:42 pm
I’m not sure about my ancestors, tg. I come from a long line of nondescript folks. (Just kidding. My Dad: Greatest man I’ve ever known.)
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
2:43 pm
Well, Rally, they couldn’t have bunted them over in the second because there were two out.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
2:43 pm
There’s one you don’t see every month: Catcher’s interference. Schafer on first with one out.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
2:44 pm
Now there’s two on with one out. But you don’t bunt with your No. 3 hitter.
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
2:44 pm
Jordan’s favorite singer is Jason Cheek, and Nate’s favorite historical event is Wounded Knee.
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
2:45 pm
what in the world was the interference?
Pete
June 19th, 2011
2:46 pm
You bent when your 3 hitter is hitting .210
Pete
June 19th, 2011
2:46 pm
bunt guys not bent
Pete
June 19th, 2011
2:48 pm
LOL, Heyward is awful. I mean awful. In over 500 at bats since the end of May last year he has 15 HR and 48 RBI
rob
June 19th, 2011
2:49 pm
@mark – do you think they will leave uggla in the 2 spot when martin comes back? maybe slide prado to 3rd and slide chipper down one? uggla is obviously hitting better as the #2
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
2:50 pm
Jason Heyward drives in two. Singles to left.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
2:52 pm
Don’t know, rob. Don’t know that you want McCann hitting fifth.
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
2:53 pm
at last for Jason.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
2:53 pm
Freeman singles. Men on first and third, two out.
Dawgs Man
June 19th, 2011
2:54 pm
Good rally Braves, but I am betting it is now over with Mr. No-Clutch Gonzalez who will more than likely strike out on one in the dirt.
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
2:54 pm
wish JJ was only at about 30 pitches right now
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
2:55 pm
I will be very glad to see Diori go back to the bench
Dawgs Man
June 19th, 2011
2:55 pm
Well done Mr. No Clutch!!!! You suck.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
2:57 pm
Pretty bad. Torrealba and Young knock each other off Alex Gonzalez’s pop. Scored an error on the catcher. It’s 3-0.
rob
June 19th, 2011
2:57 pm
yeah mccann in 5th is the only prob. would that dare put chipper in the 5th spot? ha
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
2:58 pm
catcher’s having one of those days!
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
2:59 pm
it was really pretty funny.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
3:01 pm
Rally started with catcher’s interference, was aided by catcher’s incompetence.
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
3:01 pm
funny and sure to be replayed 5,000 times on ESPN today.
rob
June 19th, 2011
3:02 pm
why can’t i get uggla’s double that was literally 2 inches from winning us the game last night? dang.
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
3:03 pm
I can hear Mel Allen now. “My Oh My!!!
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
3:03 pm
It’s 3-1. Torrealba with an RBI hit.
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
3:05 pm
I always thought that record would stand until it was broken
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
3:06 pm
Another odd sequence. Ogando strikes out but the ball eludes McCann — it’s scored a wild pitch — and Torrealba moves to second.
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
3:07 pm
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz. ~Humphrey Bogart
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
3:08 pm
Eighty-one pitches for Jair Jurrjens.
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
3:09 pm
That’s baseball, and it’s my game. Y’ know, you take your worries to the game, and you leave ‘em there. You yell like crazy for your guys. It’s good for your lungs, gives you a lift, and nobody calls the cops. Pretty girls, lots of ‘em. ~Humphrey Bogart
Clete Boyer
June 19th, 2011
3:10 pm
It’s a long season and not for the faint of heart, fare weather, Atlanta fan, especially the move ins from Chicago-Boston-New York-Michigan in my subdivision that tell me the “correct” way to care for my lawn, grill out and set my garbage by the curb.
Last week the Braves were tied for the 3rd best record in all of Major League baseball (not just the National League). I am confident that they will be back to that point in less than 2-3 weeks. Save yourself from some stress and do your Monday morning quarterbacking in September.
Thanks.
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
3:10 pm
It’s hard to win a pennant, but it’s harder losing one. ~Chuck Tanner
and may he rest in peace
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
3:12 pm
Torrealba has been removed. Taylor Teagarden catching for the Rangers. No explanation offered … yet.
Another Mark
June 19th, 2011
3:20 pm
Interference and an error seems a plausible explanation…
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
3:21 pm
Torrealba was removed because he became hysterical at his catcher and had to be sedated.
rob
June 19th, 2011
3:22 pm
someone please ask chip carey to stop being a fan of expanded interleague play. it is horrible and distorts who the real top teams are for the play-offs.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
3:23 pm
Ninety-seven pitches through five innings.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
3:24 pm
I like interleague play.
Henry D.
June 19th, 2011
3:25 pm
To those who say be patient until Prado and Chipper get back in the lineup. What was the excuse when they were in the lineup and this bunch still couldn’t hit their way out of a wet paper bag. And Gonzales the SS. has got to go. I could walk to the mound and strike him out right now. All you have to do is throw 3 pitches outside in the dirt and he will strike out.
Hate to be so negative, but this is rediculous.
rally
June 19th, 2011
3:25 pm
If I was the number 3 hitter I would bunt him over just and “sacrifice” it for the team because were struggling. You can’t go wrong with that. When your struggling for runs you do the little things….and I know you don’t bunt with two outs. He he he:) Good one Mark!
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
3:29 pm
McCann with a 390-foot single off the fence. Hamilton played it deftly.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
3:31 pm
Another hit for Freeman.
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
3:31 pm
was bmac held to a single due to Hamilton’s deft or his own heft?
rob
June 19th, 2011
3:32 pm
it’s OK mark but only if they change the scheduling to make it more balanced. the braves play in the hardest division in baseball. the NL central is always the easiest league to win. one or two choice interleague series is fine but half of our june schedule is american league teams. in my opinion, it’s just excessive. maybe it’s just b/c i grew up watching national league teams and really don’t care for the AL.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
3:32 pm
A combination of both, tg.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
3:33 pm
Don’t believe the National League East is quite as potent as the American League East.
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
3:33 pm
that’s what i thought too Mark
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
3:34 pm
even if the AL were absent the DH?
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
3:36 pm
Tool Race is taken by Saw.
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
3:37 pm
i think the Braves should seriously consider (next year) moving BMac to first, Prado to third, and Freeman to left. Let David Ross be front line catcher and extend BMac’s career. All assuming Chipper retires.
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
3:38 pm
at least that’s what most people saw.
curiosity
June 19th, 2011
3:39 pm
MB – you think the Yankees would have sent Granderson south for D Lowe and included a candy gram and a bow during the off season? If any, which player do you see the Braves trading for over the next month and a half. – love the blog.
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
3:40 pm
and harking back to another column Mark, the Tex deal was truely awful for the Braves.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
3:40 pm
This hasn’t been the greatest played game ever. Freeman just muffed a foul pop. Not given an error, though.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
3:41 pm
I’m not sure about the Granderson rumors, curiosity.
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
3:43 pm
cant figure out why i liked Chip when he was with WGN but find him a bit annoying now.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
3:43 pm
Pitch No. 110. Two men up in the Braves’ pen.
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
3:46 pm
Wasnt familiar with Granderson till now. Why would the Yankees want to trade him to Atlanta? For all 5 starting pitchers maybe?
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
3:47 pm
That’s it for J.J. Needed 117 pitches to record 16 outs. But his team is ahead.
Tomahawkin
June 19th, 2011
3:47 pm
Get Double J out NOW!
Bring on The Sheriff! (Sherrill)
bigstack
June 19th, 2011
3:53 pm
If my memory serves me and it may not since that was many beers ago but the Braves led the division at the break last year by at least 6 games and Philly managed to overcome that. With the Braves pitching if they can get some offense like Prado returning and adding someone through a trade i.e. Hunter Pence they should be good. They don’t need alot of offense most games just 4 runs or so.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
3:58 pm
Lt. Colonel Randall Simmons of Gray, Ga., is today’s Hometown Hero.
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
4:03 pm
Mark, looks like you picked a good game to go to. Probably not much chance today for extra innings or one or more rain delays. heh, heh
rob
June 19th, 2011
4:04 pm
@mark- point well taken re: the AL East. the red sox have started playing better. i am hoping if they decide to split the two divisions into 15 teams that they leave the divisions in place. maybe mix in a few interleague series for good measure. we def need division rivals to stay in place. makes the long season more interesting to have NL East rivals.
Sonny Clusters
June 19th, 2011
4:05 pm
We was late getting here because it’s Father’s Day but we are here now and glad to see the Braves winning. How many hits do they have today? Happy Father’s Day to everybody, especially ol’ Mark who’s having to work today.
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
4:06 pm
Mark, does Frank Wren typically travel with the team on road trips?
Sonny Clusters
June 19th, 2011
4:06 pm
We was studying this lineup and was wondering if Fredi uses darts?
Dawgs Man
June 19th, 2011
4:08 pm
If Fredi puts that no-pitching Proctor in we will lose for sure.
todd grantham
June 19th, 2011
4:09 pm
Dawgs, didnt you hear that Proctor was placed on the DL this morning for being a pain in the tail?
Outside Observer
June 19th, 2011
4:12 pm
Four straight games for Proctor?
kirkinga
June 19th, 2011
4:14 pm
It would be nice if the Braves featured speed as part of their offense. It seems to work well enough for the Rangers and some other teams.
Born To Run
June 19th, 2011
4:19 pm
RIP…Big Man
MitchC
June 19th, 2011
4:20 pm
Mark, Happy Father’s Day, first of all. Good to talk to you again,. my friend.
Yes, we know the Braves are struggling now. Hopefully, they will pull this one out today.
That having been said, the six game spread between the Phillies and Braves, while large, and much larger than we would like, or hope, isn’t totally surprising.
Realistically, look at that team, Mark. They have the best pitching staff since the Maddux-Glavine-Smoltz heyday of the primes of all of their careers, when they were starters. When any of them had the ball, the team , and the fans, felt like we could win every night. Most of the time, they did, which is why all of them will likely be in the Hall in the next few years.
The Phillies current rotation, while it might not be.. Maddux-Glavine-Smoltz, is pretty good. Halliday-Hamels-Oswalt. Not to mention that their lineup, is probably better than we were in our prime.
Before the season, I felt that the Phillies might well run away with the division, and that the Braves have a realistic shot for the wild card. I still feel the same, even before the Braves current cold week.
We have to do our best, of course, but.. if the Phillies do in fact turn the division into a runaway, we now thankfully have the wild card, to get into the playoffs, and, as we know, (While I;m not saying this will happen to us) there have been plenty of wild card World Champs. The teams that have won World Championships as Wild Card teams, dont give the championships back, just because they won them as the wild card, and not as division champs.
curiosity
June 19th, 2011
4:20 pm
we’ll just call this the todd grantham blog today. it’s quality becuase he didn’t know who curtis granderson was until today.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
4:21 pm
Sometimes Wren travels. Other times not. It depends.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
4:22 pm
Thanks, Sonny. Glad you’re here.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
4:23 pm
Braves have used five pitchers to reach the bottom of the seventh.
dean
June 19th, 2011
4:23 pm
Anyone else get the sneaky feeling they are going to blow this one?
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
4:24 pm
Attendance: 34,599.
G
June 19th, 2011
4:29 pm
Uggla is worthless…. I agree with Simpson, why bat Uggla second he can’t move runners over because he refuses to go the other way with the ball.
Sonny Clusters
June 19th, 2011
4:31 pm
We thought National League teams played small ball and American League teams was sluggers. The Braves play like sluggers without sluggers except for McCann.
Born To Run
June 19th, 2011
4:33 pm
Clarence Clemons was 69 yrs old. He & Bruce were were a show. Much like Nascar, which I do not follow…some things are amazing sights to behold. Talladega…Bruce & the E Street Band.Uggla gettin a hit…
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
4:33 pm
That’s exactly right, Sonny. They depend on the home run without a true homer-hitter.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
4:34 pm
I’ve seen all of those things, Born to Run.
"Chef" Tim Dix
June 19th, 2011
4:37 pm
FF and J-Hey still rooming together in the ATL, Mark?
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
4:38 pm
I don’t believe they are, Tim.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
4:38 pm
Freeman doubles in a run.
"Chef" Tim Dix
June 19th, 2011
4:41 pm
Saw Bruce an the E at the Omni on the River album tour. Paid 100 bucks when it was still 100 bucks.
Don’t regret it, fo sho.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
4:42 pm
I saw Springsteen in Cleveland the week before “The River” came out.
"Chef" Tim Dix
June 19th, 2011
4:45 pm
“al bum”…What KK translates into english.
"Chef" Tim Dix
June 19th, 2011
4:46 pm
Rory marching like Sherman folks.
"Chef" Tim Dix
June 19th, 2011
4:47 pm
Imagine what Venters could get you.
"Chef" Tim Dix
June 19th, 2011
4:48 pm
Not to say you would, every body.
Hillbilly D
June 19th, 2011
4:51 pm
Nice catch, Nate.
Born To Run
June 19th, 2011
4:52 pm
Yea..Born In The USA tour he pulled a fat old lady out of the front row for the Dancing in the Dark routine. Omni I guess. They gave you ur moneys worth…almost 4 hour shows as I recall. Hope Clarence did not preform on Outlaw Pete. He was too good for that.
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
4:53 pm
That was a nice catch by McLouth. And it was needed.
"Chef" Tim Dix
June 19th, 2011
5:01 pm
BTW, Johnny 99 off of the Nebraska, my fav song. Next, Candi’s Room.
Born To Run
June 19th, 2011
5:11 pm
The drums & guitar in Candiesroom sound so good loud. Ol Bruce has lost a few friends in recent years. Wrote a couple good songs in remembrence ….bet he outdoes himself 4 the big man. hope so. go braves.
matt
June 19th, 2011
5:18 pm
Hi Mark
I have a question that I have been pondering for awhile, but have not seen anyone tackle from a historical standpoint. Does this Braves team compare at all to 1993 team before McGriff. The reason why I say this, is that year you had the pitching, bullpen and capable hitters, but they were pressing much like this year’s team is doing. I still think Braves will be in the postseason, on strength of the pitching. Your thoughts
Mark Bradley
June 19th, 2011
5:37 pm
Braves win, by the way. (Sorry. Forgot in all the excitement of a 3 1/2-hour game.)