Update: The Braves lose another game but hold their ground
Chipper Jones got the Braves started with a homer. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
A lead once bulbous had been reduced to a pimple in the time it takes to say the words, “A lead once bulbous.” But, being a professional athlete, Chipper Jones broke out the usual brave bromide Monday afternoon. “We still control our own destiny,” he said, blithely ignoring the cold truth that these Braves have controlled nothing this past month.
They’d led the wild-card chase by 8 1/2 games on Sept. 1, the day they posted their 81st victory. It’s nearly October, and there’s no guarantee these Braves will ever win a 90th game. They’ve lost six of the past eight series, and one of the two exceptions wasn’t really a series but a rescheduled doubleheader in New York.
They’ve watched the Cardinals draw ever closer, and now the regular season had been reduced to three games. Win two and the Braves would assure themselves of no worse than a tie for the wild card and a Thursday play-in game; win three and the Braves would qualify for the playoffs, no strings attached. But their collapse has forced us to reassess possibilities, and a more realistic question seemed: Can they even win one?
Monday’s game offered hope — for three innings. Jones hoisted a first-inning homer that took us back to 1999, to a time when this player was capable of turning a playoff race by himself. But then, as happens in life as well as baseball, reality descended. The Phillies scored four runs and washed away a 2-0 deficit, and by game’s end Chipper was limping after appearing to hurt himself legging out a double, and in his final at-bat he hit into a double play.
On paper, this seemed the biggest mismatch of the series: Cliff Lee, who’ll probably finish second in the Cy Young voting, against Randall Delgado, who had started six big-league games. Which only goes to show that, in baseball as in Hollywood, nobody knows anything. Four of the first eight Braves to face Lee managed extra-base hits, and Delgado made it through three innings having yielded only an against-the-shift single to Ryan Howard, who surely didn’t intend to put the ball where he did.
Then the Braves stopped hitting, which they can do against pretty much any pitcher any time, and the Phillies started. Placido Polanco’s two-out single off Delgado — are two-out RBI’s even allowed? — and halved the Braves’ lead in the fourth, and Jimmy Rollins’ homer tied it in the fifth. Delgado was gone after that inning, replaced by Cristhian Martinez, who lasted two batters.
Shane Victorino’s triple into the corner forced Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez to summon Eric O’Flaherty for a lefty-against-lefty parlay at a moment when a strikeout was warranted. But Raul Ibanez, who’d failed with the bases loaded and one out two innings earlier, drove O’Flaherty’s first pitch, a slider, through the infield.
About here, the only consolation came via the scoreboard above left field. The Cardinals, who’d led 1-0, had fallen behind the Astros. The only comic amusement stemmed from the Braves’ announcement of the game’s attendance. (Autumn attendance is a sore subject with this franchise, as you know.) Monday’s gathering was assessed as 42,597, which seemed the biggest baseball inflation since Mark McGwire’s biceps.
There were moments when this crowd of uncertain number sounded loud and proud, but as the night unfolded the pride gave way to resignation. These Braves are perilously close to a failure of epic dimensions. At least some infamous September flops — the ‘69 Cubs, the ‘78 Red Sox, the ‘64 Phillies — had to win either their division or league; these Braves have only to finish first among runners-up. And with two games left, nothing is assured.
“We’ve had more than enough opportunities,” Jones had said, “to walk off the field with wins that would have put this away long ago.” But instead the Braves have been forced to race against time, and time keeps running both ways. The regular season’s end hasn’t arrived soon enough, and this time can’t retrace its steps to June or August and remember how easy winning seemed then.
And at the end Monday, the proud man who’d opened the scoring with a massive drive off the estimable Lee was reduced to looking every bit of his 39 years. The Braves are dancing on the lip of the volcano, and Chipper no longer seems capable of riding to the rescue.
Then again, the Braves mightn’t need rescuing. The Cardinals rallied to tie the Astros but flubbed a go-ahead chance in the 10th and lost in the bottom of the inning on a bloop double and two bunts. As catchable as these Braves appear, the chasing Cards still haven’t caught them. After another long day at the races, the shaky lead held. Still one game up, and now only two to play.
By Mark Bradley
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351 comments Add your comment
perk
September 27th, 2011
8:14 am
I loved Ernie Johnson……………but, ever since they put the microphone patch on their jersey, they have been in a tail spin. I’m just saying………..
Wookie
September 27th, 2011
8:15 am
Remember to meditate and have only positive thoughts for our Braves. Today I will be chanting for the healing of Chipper’s knee. Our boys need our support.
Felix
September 27th, 2011
8:20 am
What? Huh? The Astros won? Can’t believe it. When I went to bed the Cards had all kinds of men on base.
Jeremy
September 27th, 2011
8:20 am
You guys calling for Bobby are idiots. He had the same problem last yr. This is getting old, Freddy is the old Bobby. It is time to fire Freddy, let chipper go, and bring in someone with passion. I would take Guillen, we need someone who cares about winning and who hates to lose, what a concept.
Call it like it is
September 27th, 2011
8:21 am
Paging Dr. Kevorkian, paging Dr. Kevorkian to Turner field. We have a patient that has been holding onto life by a thread now for weeks. Can you go ahead and pull the plug now, since there is no way they are going to pull thru…….as usual.
Felix
September 27th, 2011
8:21 am
Braves offense = Chipper Jones.
longtimefan
September 27th, 2011
8:22 am
The Sox fans still want their team to win. The Braves fans have ragged this team all year.
Lowe.....Oh No
September 27th, 2011
8:25 am
Well, here we are. 1 up with 2 to play. If Freddie thinks we are clinching, he is mistaken. The Cards are going to be all kinds of upset after that heart breaking loss last night. So, they will come out with all kinds of fire and intensity. D. Lowe is on the mound tonight for the Braves. Well, there goes the season. He is the worst pitcher in major league baseball in the month of September. Ibanez, Victorino, Howard, etc. is ready and chomping at the bit to hit tonight against Lowe. I have a horrible feeling that tonight is going to be a disaster. The only way we win is if Lowe pitches out of his mind. And I just do not see it. Regardless of a miracle at Turner Field, Hudson will be the starting pitcher tomorrow. And, if the Braves choke this thing, SOMEBODY better lose their job (Parrish), because the fans deserve better than this garbage that was handed to us this month.
john
September 27th, 2011
8:34 am
It’s another day –Braves-guess what you get to do today–PLAY BASEBALL–lets have some fun tonight
Blob Horner
September 27th, 2011
8:34 am
Whether or not the Braves make the playoffs, it’s obvious that this is the transition team from the team Wren inherited to the team of the future. Due to a few bad trades to try and leverage the last of the playoff runs, we have been left with a stop-gap, make-shift team. Most of the desperate moves to fill those gaps have just not panned out. That’s what happens when you make short-term moves, you become desperate in your future moves. The trades Wren has made the last year are less of the shorterm,desperation variety and will pay benefits into the next several years. If someone will cover a third of Lowes contract next year, if Chipper gets tired of limping around the bases, plus the obvious expiring, deadbeat contracts,we will have a competative wild-card team in 2012, one that can win a playoff series. By 2013, we’ll have a team to win the division. Until then, we’ll still be feeling the hangover from our stop-gap moves, maybe best to skip the play-offs for now.
JSS
September 27th, 2011
8:36 am
Poor kerryb… Sounds like your circle is pretty small…
Go Dream!!! Tonight is the night!
Rickster
September 27th, 2011
8:37 am
Remember a few months ago when Mark Bradley wrote a blog about “Why aren’t people more excited about the Braves?”
This is why.
GT
September 27th, 2011
8:40 am
You got to wonder even if we make it if we desire it. How can you get worked up for the playoffs when you are a lottery pick getting in. Philly is like a bunch of rich kids playing with homeless kids. At the end of the day they get to go home to a warm place while we are on the streets. Those smirks on their faces while we are having a nervous break down is too much to watch.
BigGreenTribe
September 27th, 2011
8:40 am
Yes, it was Lee yesterday…but the fact is the Braves would make Elmer Fudd look like Lee the way the hitting (especially with men in scoring position) is. By the wat–this is nothing new; the team has had these prolonged hitting woes for long periods all season long.
And poor Brian McCann-since returning from the disabled list his hitting has gone into the toilet; he’s now a sucker for off-speed pitches and swings wildly more often than not at high, out of the zone,
fast balls. I regret saying this but Brian is right there now with the disappointing and totally confused
Hayward, a mere shadow of his 2010 self and a forlorn and sad figure at the plate.
Ted M
September 27th, 2011
8:41 am
Fredi should have taken Chipper out after he hurt his leg.
Chipper should have had that ball hit down the 3rd base line even w/his gimpy leg.
uhoh
September 27th, 2011
8:42 am
Am I on the only one that noticed Chipper playing on one leg late in the game last night? Can’t find a mention of it in the AJC. What’s his status? Anyone? Anyone? Chirp..Chirp…Chirp…
anotherdawg
September 27th, 2011
8:44 am
Never thought our hope to make the playoffs would hinge on the Astro’s sweep of the Cards, but that’s the way it looks.
bj
September 27th, 2011
8:47 am
GT311. Fla job is going to Ozzie..they wouldn’t have Fredi with Gold Bars hooked to him….only Braves take the loser.
Mike
September 27th, 2011
8:50 am
Holy negativity batman! You guys need to chill out and enjoy the final few games — you couldn’t ask for better drama to end the season on!
Sideline Dude
September 27th, 2011
8:50 am
Who cares? Major league baseball is too slow & boring.
Sonny Jackson
September 27th, 2011
8:50 am
Win or lose they are still my team… I was here in the ’70’s and ’80’s and know what a bad team is. Let’s stick with Freddi, swing the bat a little more and just see what happens.
Disgruntled
September 27th, 2011
8:52 am
McChoke, K-ward, and Struggla have killed the Braves with their September disappearing acts. These are three guys that we expect to be difference-makers, and not one of them has come through with a single, solitary big hit this entire month.
This team is a joke. The Cardinals have given them break after break in the last week, and they can’t take advantage.
MJ
September 27th, 2011
8:54 am
The Braves are just slumping at the wrong time of the year. It happpens to teams. They obviously have to find a way to suck it up the next two days. The manager needs to motivate the guys, and the players have to look in the mirror and get fired up on their own. The pitching has been great, but to rely on the bullpen for 100% of your success is not realistic. Our bats need to wake up. BMac, Uggla, & Prado – where are you?
I know it sounds crazy, but if we come alive and win the Wild Card, I think we’ll win it all. If we get that mojo back, we’ll be fine. If we cannot win the Wild Card, then we still have a really good team that just went cold at the wrong time of the year. This team, with their youth and speed, has been fun to watch. Not since Furcal have we had players with speed like Bourne and Constanza.
As anyone can see, our offense is killing us. As talented as he is, we cannot have a .220 player in the line-up every day in right field. We need to settle in on a full time left fielder. Our shortstop has an awesome glove, but we need more consistent hitting from that position as well. I hate to “what if” right now, but I think we’d put a kid in right field today if he was hitting .285, with 20 HR’s, 87 RBI’s, a slugging % of .476, and an arm strong enough to throw runners out going to 1st base. (By the way, Frenchy is in KC playing for Ned Yost, not for the Braves where he belongs) Same thing at short – the ex-Brave Andrus, who we gave away for Texiera would be sweet in the line-up. Those two bats would have already driving in enough runs to have allowed us to clinch the Wild Card.
Freddie, at the very least, put Hinske in Left Field and Constanza in Right field to try and bring some offense and speed to the game today. I really like Diaz and Heyward, but they are not getting it done. Good luck Braves – just keep fighting – Freddie – time to step up and get creative with your players. Try a little LaRussa – bat the pitcher 8th, and have Constanza 9th in front of Bourne. Those guys would change the game if they were on the bases together. You could manufacure a few runs early that could mean all the difference. Go get ‘em guys
Dr. Phil
September 27th, 2011
8:57 am
The statement “Braves hold their ground” is a misnomer. Houston played like champions.
Sonny Clusters
September 27th, 2011
9:05 am
They’re holding ground like it’s an earthquake. Laying down and hugging the ground. Hugging baseball teams and fanny patters never advance to the playoffs. We was watching Chipper when he pulled up lame last night and we was wondering if he has “tree stand knee” a famous malady of deer hunters who jump out of their tree stands. Maybe Mark could ask him about that. Chipper looked like he was going to hit us to prosperity last night until he came up with runners on base and the game on the line. Can he play tonight or will Henry Grady start at third base? Could see some fancier glove work from O’Henry. Not many people know the candy bar was named for him.
Falcon A Man
September 27th, 2011
9:06 am
Even if the Braves pull it out do we really want to see how many people show up for a home playoff game being down 0-2 in the series? The way the Braves are playing do you really think we can manage to take even one game in Miller Park?
Sonny Clusters
September 27th, 2011
9:06 am
Filtered! Until they get this fixed we’re out of here.
Dr. Phil
September 27th, 2011
9:07 am
Should the Braves somehow sleepwalk into the post season, please don’t fly another wildcard pennant.
bj
September 27th, 2011
9:08 am
Sonny, I was here in 60,70,80..I too know what a bad team is and you’re looking at one..Fredi and the 2011 Braves stink bad.. nothing new!
I would Fire Fredi, Parrish, and (Mcdonothing) Pitching Coach..Give Chipper opinion to be a coach. Hire Greg Walker the hitting coach from White Sox now that Ozzie was fired. Get a manager from another organization with some fire in his belly and stop the good ole boy crap.
The Truth…Braves will make no moves..its easy to do nothing.
Still my team!
September 27th, 2011
9:08 am
When the playoffs start, all teams are .0000! Who knows what will happen, but I am riding with the Braves til the wheels fall off! Limping in means you’re still walking. As long as they are walking, they have a chance!
1eyedJack
September 27th, 2011
9:09 am
Well, you’ve just got to tip your cap to….who’s left to tip our cap to?
1eyedJack
September 27th, 2011
9:10 am
Well, you’ve just got to tip your cap to…..wait, who’s left to tip our cap to?
the truth...
September 27th, 2011
9:10 am
See the team with the worst record in baseball win with two straight bunts?
Our boy Fredi couldn’t call a bunt wo save his life…the other night we had bases loaded no outs with Bourn at bat…..then second and third and 1 out….
bunts……………??????????????????
of course not….to hell with the speed fundamental baseball game….sit back and wait for somethign to happen………..
You think those guys for Houston tonight decided to bunt in the bottom of the 10th?????????????
Sure….manager called for sure…..
When your team can’t hit….you bunt……………………..
dean
September 27th, 2011
9:19 am
Stat of the night.
W/RISP: ATL-1 for 10. PHI-3 for 5. There’s your ballgame.
heb11:1
September 27th, 2011
9:23 am
Keep fighting, Braves! It doesn’t matter that you get to the playoffs ugly, just that you get there! Anything can happen after that.
Rickster
September 27th, 2011
9:24 am
In the immortal words of Skip Caray…. “So long, everybody.”
Braves fold.
afan
September 27th, 2011
9:27 am
I’ll take my hat off to White Sox for firing that idiot of a manager they had…Braves need to do the same.
P Rose
September 27th, 2011
9:27 am
Flipping between the Braves game and Monday Night Football, I was struck by the difference in the levels of excitement. Now, I hate the Dallas Cowboys, and I never liked Tony Romo. But he was playing with a cracked rib; he kept taking hit after vicious hit, and I kept expecting him to get knocked out of the game. But he kept getting up. After each hit, he’d get in the face of the blocker who missed his assignment, or the receiver who dropped the ball, and scream at them. I could read his lips: “COME ON! Let’s GO!” Then I’d watch the Braves. Someone would strike out or pop up, and just walk back to the dugout with his head down, and the team’s leader stood blank-faced. The Cowboys fought back, came from behind and willed themselves to a win. The Braves didn’t.
Runnin With The Dawgs
September 27th, 2011
9:31 am
The Braves are in a do or die situation, and they’re sending Lowe to the mound tonight???
I don’t get it!
P Rose
September 27th, 2011
9:32 am
Flipping between the Braves game and Monday Night Football, I was struck by the difference in the levels of excitement between the two games.
Now, I hate the Dallas Cowboys, and I never liked Tony Romo. But he was playing with a cracked rib, and he kept taking hit after vicious hit. I kept expecting him to get knocked out of the game. But he got up every time. After each hit, he’d get in the face of the blocker who missed his assignment, or the receiver who dropped the ball, and scream at him. I could read his lips: “COME ON! Let’s GO!”
Then I’d watch the Braves. Someone would strike out or pop up in a crucial situation, and just walk back to the dugout with his head down, and the team’s leader stood blank-faced.
The Cowboys fought back, came from behind and willed themselves to a win. The Braves didn’t.
Ron Hartley
September 27th, 2011
9:33 am
Chipper put the Braves pathetic season in perspective last night in that one game. He homered—–GREAT—-but nobody was on base. he doubled—-Great—-but nobody was on base. Then—with runners at first and second and only one out—-grounds into a rally killing double play. Put that in the lowlight reel. That along with “MR. ALLSTSAR”????? McCann???? Ha—what joke. then how about Mr freddie Freeloader fFreeman. Look at all the chokes we have on this team!!!.
OZ
September 27th, 2011
9:34 am
Tonight’s the night! Can you feel it? Can you say CLINCH!! Oh yes! We’ll be poppin’ the bubbly tonight!!
Double Zero Eight
September 27th, 2011
9:34 am
The wheels have fallen off, the Braves
are riding on rims. I am still not giving
up. Even if they back into the playoffs,
they have a mathematical chance of advancing.
PMC
September 27th, 2011
9:36 am
Guys, I’m feeling strangely good this morning. Yeah they lost, but so did St Louis. Up 1 with 2 to play. Just got to win 2 games to get in. The rest of the month doesn’t matter, just do something now. I thought they played hard last night.
I think they can do this!
PMC
September 27th, 2011
9:36 am
Guys, they are winning these two games and getting in!!! Go Braves!
Runnin With The Dawgs
September 27th, 2011
9:37 am
I’d love to see Jurrjens on the mound tonight instead of Lowe!
afan
September 27th, 2011
9:38 am
I have made two post and didn’t use any bad words etc and it has not been posted. Why?
Runnin With The Dawgs
September 27th, 2011
9:38 am
Bats are STILL silent for the Braves.
Roadsterron
September 27th, 2011
9:39 am
Chipper Jones put the entire season in proper perspective last night. Homered—Great—–nobody on base. Doubled—–Great—nobody on base. Runners on first and second with one out—-hits into a rally killing doulble play. Put all that in te lowlight film. Then how about “MR. ALLSTAR” McCann—what a loser. Let’s not forget Mr. Freddie Freeloader Freeman—–he tops the choke list!!
JeanE
September 27th, 2011
9:40 am
I think they’re done but I’m a fan and fans watch and hope no matter how hard and this is HARD to watch. I don’t know what’s wrong with Mac but I wish Fredi had started Rossy last night against the lefty. The vaunted bullpen is not what they were. The nails were EOF allowing the score and Jonny the next run. And now we have Derek Blowe going tonight?? I commiserate with Red Sox fans, this is the pits!!!!!