Live from the ballyard: Could the Braves really lose to Jo-Jo?
May 23, 2008: Jo-Jo Reyes discusses key matters with former allies. (AJC photo by Jason Getz)
Jo-Jo Reyes used to be a Brave. He was the ride-along in the last summer’s Yunel Escobar/Alex Gonzalez trade. Lately he has become infamous for going 28 starts without winning, which matched an all-time big-league worst.
The good news: Jo-Jo Reyes starts against the Braves today.
The less-good news: He’s pitching better.
He has, believe it or not, won three of his past four starts, beating two decent teams from Ohio (Cleveland and Cincinnati, duh) and Baltimore. His ERA is a not-that-horrible 4.18. And he has actually been good in interleague competition (3-1 with a 1.79 ERA).
That said … even by Braves standards, it would look pretty bad to lose to a guy who went from June 13, 2008, to May 30, 2011, without winning a start. But the Braves, as we’re aware, often make ordinary pitchers they’re facing for the first time look like Christy Mathewson. And this will be the first time, not counting batting practice in spring training, the Braves will have faced Jo-Jo.
Meaning: Hold your breath.
While you’re holding it, I invite you to join me for all the online fun and frolic. First person to make a good Beatles/”Get Back”/Jo-Jo joke wins a round of coveted kudos.
By Mark Bradley
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238 comments Add your comment
Joe Tess Fish House
June 22nd, 2011
1:59 pm
Way 2 go. Let them score. Next think U no they will tie than be leading. Braves R domed 2 loose again
rudy
June 22nd, 2011
2:00 pm
was chipper swinging at the first pitch again? didnt get to see hi AB ?
Craig
June 22nd, 2011
2:01 pm
Tracy, show me a team’s broadcaster that critiques the team they are working for. It does not happen. The closest is the two that works for the White Sox. If they criticize to much they will not be around long for that team.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:02 pm
Yes, Braves. It was Bautista’s first hit of the series.
Given that he’s hitting .325, I’d say he was past due.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:02 pm
Let me go on record here: Brian McCann is a tremendous ballplayer.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:03 pm
McCann with 13 homers now. It’s 4-1.
rudy
June 22nd, 2011
2:03 pm
Brian is HOT~!!!!!!!!
TOMY FOURNIER
June 22nd, 2011
2:03 pm
MC…WHAT?????…GOING…GOING…GO..HAY JO-JO…SORRY…QUE PENA!!!!
Andy
June 22nd, 2011
2:04 pm
I like Joe. He is not a journalist so there is no expectation that he should remain impartial when calling a game. He is certainly a homer for the Braves but we all know that going into it so what’s the problem? I think he offers solid analysis.
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
2:04 pm
do it again dan
stevie zero
June 22nd, 2011
2:08 pm
jo-jo left his slider in tucson arizona……
Crunchy fan
June 22nd, 2011
2:08 pm
Joe gets on his knees every time gonzo makes a routine play, it’s getting pathetic. he also has a hard on for Uggla too.
rudy
June 22nd, 2011
2:10 pm
Beachy is going to have 10+ strike out this game…wow
Bravos
June 22nd, 2011
2:12 pm
I bet Kimbrel is getting jealous of all those k’s.
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
2:13 pm
just be glad yankees gotour old one duuuuuuuuuuu
Peter
June 22nd, 2011
2:13 pm
SWEEP CANADA!! With their beady little eyes and flapping heads so full of lies, SWEEP CANADA!!
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:15 pm
Nine strikeouts for BB, who’s throwing BBs
Skeezix
June 22nd, 2011
2:16 pm
Beachy is looking great, really composed. McCann is on a tear. Dare we hope (once again) that now Uggla will finally break out of his funk?
SG10
June 22nd, 2011
2:18 pm
Mark,
I had read somewhere that Glavine regards Beachy pitching action as perfect – something he would like to teach to his kids. Do you agree with that? Who are the pitchers in the recent years who could be regarded like that? Do you think the Braves have a set pitch count for Beachy today?
SG10
June 22nd, 2011
2:20 pm
I have noticed that when McLouth starts getting out to in-field pop-outs or ground outs, he is usually in a funk. When he is hitting well, he has more fly-outs and line-outs to the outfield.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:21 pm
I hadn’t heard that Glavine comment, SG10. But Glavine’s motion was pretty sleek. And Maddux’s. No extraneous movement.
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
2:23 pm
just when was he hitting well
Headley Lamar
June 22nd, 2011
2:23 pm
I had read somewhere that Glavine regards Beachy pitching action as perfect
I heard Glavine say that as well during a broadcast before Beachy was injured.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:25 pm
Ten strikeouts.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:26 pm
Halfway to the big-league record in a nine-inning tilt
Michael in Dunwoody
June 22nd, 2011
2:28 pm
I feel like it’s appropriate to sweep a Canadian team the day after a Canadian city officially stole our hockey team.
Skeezix
June 22nd, 2011
2:29 pm
Yes, Glavine said that he was teaching Beachy’s motion to his kids.
Bravos
June 22nd, 2011
2:29 pm
If I’m not mistaken, that’s a new career high for Beachy….
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:29 pm
Eleven K’s. Of 15 outs.
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
2:30 pm
ump calling good game so far
SG10
June 22nd, 2011
2:30 pm
Despite 11 Ks, pitch-count too high for Beachy. Unless he get a quick inning, he might be done after one more..still very good to get 6 innings on his return, on a day game. Braves must feel good to get him back.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:30 pm
Hammer wins the Tool Race.
Steve
June 22nd, 2011
2:31 pm
Mark,
What is the Atlanta Braves record and the Braves franchise record for strikeouts in a game? Also, McCann = God.
Bravos
June 22nd, 2011
2:32 pm
Poor drill.
SG10
June 22nd, 2011
2:35 pm
Beachy was never a hot prospect for the Braves like Hanson, Teheran or even Minor. It seems like he has made full use of chances he has got and establishing himself. He seems pretty advanced on the mental aspect of his game. It is too early but I wonder, have we found our Wainwright?
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
2:38 pm
wasted at bat
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:38 pm
Atlanta Braves record for strikeouts: 15 by John Smoltz (done twice)
SG10
June 22nd, 2011
2:38 pm
After scoring few runs against lefties in the past few starts, I am wondering if we have turned things around.. Even Uggla hit a HR! Of course, these are not top lefty pitchers but we struggled against everyone..
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:39 pm
All-time Braves record for strikeouts is Warren Spahn with 18 in a 15-inning game. Record for a nine-inning tilt is Charlie Bluffinton with 17 K’s.
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
2:39 pm
try bunting one time then hit away
little dave
June 22nd, 2011
2:40 pm
hi every 1.i get to go on my dream holiday next year,im going to be flying from the rainy uk to sunny georgia to watch my fav teams,but do i come in june and watch the braves or do i go november and take in the falcons,hawks and bulldogs ?
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:40 pm
Beachy with 83 pitches through five cantos.
Cagey Veteran
June 22nd, 2011
2:41 pm
Charlie Bluffinton?
middlegabravo
June 22nd, 2011
2:44 pm
Damian Moss lives in Dublin, Georgia. Selling insurance and conducting baseball camps, as well as helping coach at a GISA school. Married a girl there and has 3 little girls
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:45 pm
Action in the pen.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:45 pm
But Chipper makes a deft short-hop to trigger a DP.
Sutton's Fro
June 22nd, 2011
2:45 pm
Man, that was a killer rotation — Charlie Bluffinton, Dave Shuffel, and Ted Deal!
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:46 pm
Sorry, I meant Charlie Buffinton
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
2:48 pm
good day beachy now cool off
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:49 pm
That’s all for Jo-Jo. Got 16 outs, yielded five hits and four runs. Not awful.