After a wasted homestand, the Atlanta Braves are in trouble
This man isn't a bad manager, but his team is in a bad patch. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
If you check the standings, the Braves are still OK — four games behind Washington in the National League East, nicely positioned in the wild-card chase. That’s the good news. Here’s the bad:
If you watch them play, you see a team in trouble.
A homestand that began 2-0 wound up 3-6, with a week on the road — first the Bronx, then Boston — coming. “There are a lot of guys in here frustrated right now,” Chipper Jones said Sunday.
June began with the Braves wondering about their starting pitchers. The rotation has stabilized — although a rotation awaiting an MRI on its best arm can’t quite be described as stable — but now the losses are coming hand over fist. Randall Delgado yielded two runs over eight innings Sunday, and it mattered not.
This wasn’t one of those games where the Braves left a zillion runners at second and third. They pushed only two runners into scoring position, both of those in a third inning that came undone when Delgado bunted into a 1-6-4 double play. Contrast this with the Baltimore sixth, when pitcher Wei-Yin Chen sacrificed Steve Pearce to third. Delgado began to pitch from the windup, whereupon manager Fredi Gonzalez whistled to warm Delgado to work from the stretch, whereupon the addled rookie halted his delivery and balked Pearce home.
If a guy pitches a one-hitter against you, you take your loss and tip your hat. (Jason Hammel had done just that Saturday night. Sure enough, Gonzalez said: “You’ve got to tip your hat to him.”) To lose another winnable game in a week that saw three winnable games lost gives greater pause. Are the Braves turning into one of those clubs that does just enough to lose?
Said Jones: “There’s a lot of pride in here. We’re going to go up there [to Yankee Stadium] looking to win a baseball game.”
Then this: “The only thing we need to do is to avoid pressing.”
Which is hard to do when you’re losing. The Braves hit into double plays in innings 1, 2 and 3. (First Jones, then Jason Heyward, then Delgado’s failed sacrifice.) That did suggest a batting order that was getting antsy. But then they came to the game’s final out, when Gonzalez thought too far ahead.
The right-handed Matt Diaz, who was hitting .120 against righties, was allowed to bat against Orioles closer Jim Johnson. With left-handed hitters Brian McCann and Eric Hinske available, why not deploy one? Gonzalez’s reasoning: He planned to pinch-hit McCann for David Ross if both Diaz and Heyward reached, and if Hinske had been used in Diaz’s slot there was a chance the pitcher’s spot could roll around with the tying run at third and nobody to hit except Tim Hudson, who’s a pitcher.
The counterpoint: If Diaz makes an out, all points are moot. And it should be noted that Gonzalez had sacrificed the left-handed Juan Francisco in the eighth not because Jack Wilson is a better hitter — Wilson isn’t a better hitter than many people in the big leagues — but because he hits right-handed and the O’s had just summoned lefty Troy Patton. (Wilson popped to first.)
The impression — heck, the reality — was that the manager of a team that had lost five of six suffered a sixth loss in seven games without using either of the two left-handed hitters on his bench against a righty closer. Had Diaz ripped a single (or drawn a walk), we would applaud Gonzalez’s patience. Instead Diaz whiffed, and his final swing was as meek as the rationale that put him in that spot.
This isn’t to suggest that Gonzalez is overmatched or that his team has stopped playing for him. He’s a solid baseball man, and there has been little to suggest his men aren’t trying. But these past four weeks — the Braves have lost 15 of 24, and that’s with a six-game winning streak mixed in — have put a hitch in this team’s swagger. First the Braves weren’t pitching well enough, and now they’ve stopped hitting.
“We blew a couple of four-run leads [on the homestand],” Jones said, “and those would have gone a long way toward having people not take a loss like today’s so hard.”
Add two wasted leads to the losses-for-no-reason that closed the sets against the Yankees and the Orioles, and you have a well-pitched-but-wasted homestand. (And with Brandon Beachy out, there’s no guarantee the starting pitching will be this good again anytime soon.) It’s still too early to say the Braves’ season teeters on the brink, but it’s not too early to suggest they need to stop losing winnable games.
By Mark Bradley
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363 comments Add your comment
John
June 18th, 2012
2:37 pm
I don’t understand how Constanza is good enought to start over Diaz and Hinske for 10 games but then gets sent down? I am not saying he is a great player but at least he can make things happen when he gets on base. This team just has such a defeatest attitude once they get down. I honestly don’t think they belive they can win when they are down after the 4th inning. This team has alot of talent. They have been kind of banged up but everybody is. They just don’t seem motivated. Unlike some, I think this is Fredi’s job. It is not just to fill out a different lineup card everyday. Whatever happened to letting guys get comfortable in a spot in the order. Other than Bourn and Prado, these guys have no idea where they are going to hit. Heyward will bat 7th one day and then 3rd the next. The same with Freeman. Since shuffing the batting order obviously does not work, how about keeping it the same and bumping everybody up one when someone is hurt. I like Matt Diaz off the bench but he should never bat 5th in a major league game. I don’t care what his average is against a certain pitcher.
C from Marietta
June 18th, 2012
2:37 pm
A lot of anger and hatred on this board. Ya’ll must be a joy to be around. Talk about overreaction! LOL
John
June 18th, 2012
2:39 pm
It really feels like all of the Braves just “tip their hats” whenever they get down by more than one run. I understand sportsmanship and respecting a dominant performance but I just might lose it if I hear or read the words “tip your hat” again.
HammondB3
June 18th, 2012
2:42 pm
could someone one please tell me why everybody wants Constanza when he comes up he get some hits and then he goes cold yes he is fast we need clutch hitting and pitching somebody needs to kick a little but or send them down hit pitch or find a real job that pays this much money
The ATL
June 18th, 2012
2:43 pm
ATL=loserville
all the teams either suck or choke in every big game. I need some drinks—several.
MoneyTR
June 18th, 2012
2:45 pm
the owners of the braves make millions if they suck or not–chumps keep buying tickets and paying obscene prices for beer and food, so the owners keep laughing as they pocket all those millions!! keep paying chumps—the want your money!!
Yanquista
June 18th, 2012
2:52 pm
Fredi is disheartens and oppresses players with good potential. As a manager he lacks vision and is not well liked by the a lot of the players. At least Bobby Cox was liked. The Braves have been in trouble since Ted Turner sold them. Bye Bye Birdie
htownbravesfan
June 18th, 2012
3:01 pm
To all of you who want Constanza back: What is this infatuation you have with a guy who will hit no more than .220 in the major leagues. Does he bring energy and an occasional spark? Yes. However, he’s nothing more than a pinch runner in the long run. The organization needs to find an everyday left fielder, as they’ve needed to do for the past few seasons. And, if you think this year is bad, wait until next year, when we lose MB in center and we have to go out and find two outfielders to partner with a marginal plate presence in Heyward. I’m nervous just thinking about it.
htownbravesfan
June 18th, 2012
3:03 pm
On the flip side, I will add we are not out of this thing yet. As a matter of fact, if the season ended today we’d be one of the wildcards. Provided Beachy is healthy, all is not lost.
DawgNole
June 18th, 2012
3:17 pm
C from Marietta
June 18th, 2012
2:37 pm
A lot of anger and hatred on this board. Ya’ll must be a joy to be around. Talk about overreaction! LOL
___________________
“LOL”? That’s how you react?
Classic loser attitude.
b
June 18th, 2012
3:22 pm
Braves management has treated Constanza like crap!
b
June 18th, 2012
3:24 pm
hometownbraves fan, your infatuation with Constanza hitting .220. He’s never hit that in his life.
He’s a lifetime .304 in minors and .291 in majors. Quit making up stuff. He’s better for the roster than Francisco.
Darryl Blackberry
June 18th, 2012
3:27 pm
I actually do think Wren will fire Fredi if things spiral further out of control. However, the Braves need someone competent who can fill his shoes…and I can’t come up with a single name who’s willing to step in.
Maybe next year, once Terry Francona inevitably gets tired of sitting next to Orel Hershiser in the ESPN booth…
Peter
June 18th, 2012
3:28 pm
Frank Wren has built this team…….. Please let’s get rid of him !
Peter
June 18th, 2012
3:38 pm
Constanza. is not an everyday Left fielder…that is typically played by a guy with power…. BUT wait, we do not have an outfielder with power now do we ?
Prado belongs at 3rd, the experiment they brought in to take Chipper’s spot is totally questionable, and I wonder about Chipper with his extra curricular activities…..Why does one get divorced ?
We all know why the first time….. another reoccurring theme again ?
Jean Claude Killy
June 18th, 2012
3:40 pm
When does Skiing season start.
Yanquista
June 18th, 2012
3:41 pm
This has got to be worst Braves team in history.
seabass
June 18th, 2012
3:48 pm
I read an article out of Cincy, before the season started. This article was predicting the season for the A.L. and N.L.. This article also read that the Braves had the worst manager in all of MLB, but the best players/lineup. The author went on to say how like last year when we should have won the division, Fredi will find some way to lose. I thought the article was full of beans, but I am beginning to see the truth.
Easy Breezey
June 18th, 2012
3:48 pm
Only manager worse than Fredi is B Cox. They come from the school where u do less with more.
Slimjr
June 18th, 2012
3:49 pm
doc, how bout those Braves? Crickets………….roll eyes…
Lost 6 of last 7..Headed to Yankee stadium tonight. Yankees on a 9 game winning streak!
Oh the Humanity…..
Stick a fork in these Turkey’s..They are done!
Slimjr
June 18th, 2012
3:50 pm
Enter your comments here
Slimjr
June 18th, 2012
3:52 pm
Oh the Humanity!
Sucks being the Braves…..
Slimjr
June 18th, 2012
3:53 pm
Retire Rick Sund! And take Fredi with ya!
Slimjr
June 18th, 2012
3:54 pm
Fredi has got to be pulling his hair out right about now? lol
Jean Claude Killy
June 18th, 2012
4:00 pm
I’m ready to hit the sloaps,, then maybe watch a little FutBol,,,,
andrew
June 18th, 2012
4:02 pm
The Braves are the same old Braves, they just win enough to keep you watching them, and then they blow it! That is why the Braves fan are the way they are! Freddy is a idiot! Hey Wren please get off your ass and do something to help this team win!
Loserville
June 18th, 2012
4:12 pm
No Comments….. Crickets…..
Loserville
June 18th, 2012
4:14 pm
I’m done with these losers! Yankees win 12-1 tonight!
GO YANKEES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Loserville
June 18th, 2012
4:15 pm
Go Yankees!!!!
Loserville
June 18th, 2012
4:16 pm
Good ole boys getting it done? Not…
DawgDad
June 18th, 2012
4:17 pm
“You are absolutely right, don’t know how I could have forgot about Whitey Herzog. He was probably the master at it. He could almost pull runs right out of the air. If one of his Cardinals team got into a “self-imposed funk” like the Braves are now, he would do anything in the book to scratch out one of two runs until he got it going again.”
Well, Whitey did not win every year and after Gussie Busch (owner) died he didn’t have the horses to win. What Herzog did otherwise was play his hand masterfully, which included tailoring his team to the extreme conditions of Busch Stadium in those days (hot, expansive, astro-turf), and, until the last couple of years under corporate ownership, HE was accountable for the roster and the results. Herzog didn’t manufacture runs, his players did. Was he daring? Yes, but with Coleman-McGee-Herr-Van Slyke-Ozzie (and others who could run), he’d have been stupid NOT to be.
Since you mentioned it, Herzog inherited a Cardinal roster that wasn’t going anywhere with some solid veterans . He turned some big talent over in daring trades (Simmons, Templeton, Vuckovich, Fingers), threw his lot in with some key young players (Herr, McGee, Andujar, a no-hit version of Ozzie Smith, and others). I look at this Braves team and see, under Herzog, Chipper and Uggla in the American League, Prado playing second or third full time and batting THIRD (re: Tommy Herr), similar emphasis on young pitching with one veteran anchor (Hudson – Bob Forsch), Kimbrel pitching one-plus innings per outing (Sutter), and someone imported to hit cleanup. Herzog wouldn’t be afraid to trade a veteran for a 20-something prospect he thought would emerge. He wasn’t always right (David Green), but he got solid production from a whole host of young players (Lonnie Smith, Coleman, McGee, Herr, Ozzie, Pendleton, Dane Iorg, Tito Landrum, Van Slyke, and several young pitchers), and he would have some young players on the bench. The Braves have many of the pieces, but they have some dead weight Herzog would not tolerate for long. Of course, Herzog didn’t have any Chipper-Lowe contracts to contend with.
P.T. Barnum
June 18th, 2012
4:39 pm
Why don’t the braves ban hugging abd eating sunflower seeds in the dugout. Maybe they’re getting too soft. What injury is Freeman going to have next? I thought Heyward had chronic injuries until Freeman became injured. How many weeks has it been since he played a full week. It’s time to make changes especially mcdowell. W’ve had more injured pitchers than Leo had .
Old Dodger
June 18th, 2012
4:43 pm
I really hope the braves sweep the yankee, I’m 69 yr old and have hated them for over 60 yrs. I doubt it but still hope
Mark: Buy a Clue
June 18th, 2012
4:45 pm
Yea keep those non athletes on your roster and see how far that takes you…
Mark: Buy a Clue
June 18th, 2012
4:48 pm
Old Dodger= Simpleton
I cant stand these Braves!!
By Next Monday the Braves will have lost 12 of the Last 13!
Braves get their azz kicked tonight!
Go Yankees!!!!
Mark: Buy a Clue
June 18th, 2012
4:49 pm
Yankees sweep these turkeys again!
Mark: Buy a Clue
June 18th, 2012
4:50 pm
Chipper for President! Yahoo!
Whiskey Breath
June 18th, 2012
5:01 pm
Mark, I don’t like you being the homer, but Freddie didn’t deserve this.
Bobby Cox was one of the all time winning managers in MLB history.
His personal choice to replace him was Freddie. Freddie may have got fired from Florida,
but wasn’t because he couldn’t win. We are very lucky to have Freddie. We just don’t have any money to get players. Plain and simple and don’t like Wren, but I can’t blame either man.
Tony King
June 18th, 2012
5:11 pm
Why is Matt Diaz and Jack Wilson on this team? Hinske has been terrible this season. How much more of this can we take. Fredi is not doing a good job and it’s time for him to go. I don’t see him taking us to another level. His in-game decisions are terrible. You can also send Frank Wren packing as well. He put this team together and I am not sure he can make the moves neccessary to fix us short, middle or long term.
Packer Ed
June 18th, 2012
6:14 pm
A new owner please?
Von Trapp
June 18th, 2012
6:27 pm
Robo Braves only 4 games behind with no fire in em…………………..I quess we can count our blessings
Need Bones Jones to go home for a month and get healthy. Only this time DONT bring “Bones” back until he is really healthy
Dale_in_NC
June 18th, 2012
6:31 pm
All I know is that at least twice this season Fredi has left the pitcher in to bat for himself only to replace him the next half inning! Not even the first time was acceptable or made any sense. How in the F%^& did he manage to do it a second time?!! Ive never seen anyone at the AJC call him out or question it.
Hy Ronatt.
June 18th, 2012
6:43 pm
Told you so. Last year.
74BravesJersey
June 18th, 2012
6:58 pm
Mabey some rich Russian who becomes enamered about baseball & decides to give Liberty Media a nice hansom price to buy the Braves off there hands & own the team & say’s “ve vill du vhatvever vit takes to brin’ vorld shampionsip vack to georgia. Then he picks up the team & moves them to georgia-soviet union. That means all the teams playing the Braves would have to fly to russia & play em’. Oh yeah, he tells fredi he’s changin’ his name to vladimere ishkoff, mgr.
74BravesJersey
June 18th, 2012
7:01 pm
I wish we did have a whitey herzog mgr. who wouldn’t put up w/ any dead weight, & wouldn’t put up with any inconsistency, unproductive easy outs.
FRED-IDIOT has got to go!
June 18th, 2012
8:16 pm
This moron of a manager has got to go! He is an absolute idiot and should not even be managing a little league team.
Whiskey Breath - You have had to much to drink!
June 18th, 2012
8:20 pm
Freddie is an idiot and needs to be fired and run out of town in front of an 18 Wheeler headed south bound down I-75 and take his sorry butt back toward Florida and Cuba from whence he came……”Lucky to have him” You have to be kidding…..
Steve
June 18th, 2012
8:51 pm
BTW the Braves are losing 4-2 in the 6th! Yawn…….
Poppy
June 18th, 2012
9:09 pm
By the way, Mark Bradley did an excellent job with this piece. It’s almost startling to read a forthright, honest article about what is happening. Mostly, all you see in this market is a bunch of fluff pieces that dance around the core issues without any fair-minded assessment.
Thanks
Ted Turner
June 19th, 2012
7:56 am
Eddie Gonzaloz always started strong in Florida before fizzling. It seems the same in Atlanta now.