Why the Braves’ 13-inning loss to the Nats gives me pause
The happy Nationals after unleashing their winning fusillade of infield singles. (AP photo)
I’m on record as believing the Braves are a very good team, and I’ve been around long enough not to overreact — or at least to try not to overreact — to any single regular-season baseball game. (They play 162 of them, after all.) That said, a couple of things about last night’s loss in Washington bothered me.
They bothered me because they fly in the face of what I’ve come to believe — and, truth to tell, what some in the Braves’ organization have come to believe — about this team vis-a-vis the Nationals. I (and certain Braves folks) believe the local nine is better than Washington everywhere but in the starting rotation, and here let’s concede that starting pitching has an outsize importance. And that’s the root of my unease.
The Braves and Nationals were tied at 4 by the top of the fifth inning. Jordan Zimmermann, the Nats’ starter, was gone after five. Tim Hudson was pulled after six. The Braves worked eight innings — almost a full game — against a Washington bullpen that has begun to fray, and they couldn’t score a run. They mustered only four hits in those eight innings, but when you add six walks you get 10 baserunners. They had runners aboard in six of the eight innings, and four times their leadoff man reached. Still couldn’t score.
The game ended in the 13th, when Washington plied three infield hits into the walk-off winner. The game-ending single — it was originally scored a error, which seemed the sensible call — was a grounder hit to a drawn-in Dan Uggla. He should have been able to throw out Danny Espinosa at the plate, but Uggla bobbled the ball.
If we return to GM Frank Wren’s words of Saturday, we’ll note that he emphasized how well the Braves “catch the ball” — and it’s true; they lead the National League in fielding percentage — and also that “we’re also really good in situational hitting.” Alas, they didn’t catch the ball, at least not cleanly, when it mattered, and they couldn’t get the knock that would have given them a precious late-inning lead. And their strength (situational hitting) was trumped by what has become a perceived Washington weakness (relief pitching).
Again, it’s one game. The Braves could well win tonight and tomorrow and leave D.C. closer to first place than when they arrived. But this one game, I’m forced to confess, troubled me. It was a game of some magnitude that the Braves coulda/shoulda won.
(Oh, and here’s a video chat with Brian Clark of CineSport regarding the Braves, Dan Uggla and the Nationals.)
By Mark Bradley
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285 comments Add your comment
Benny
August 21st, 2012
8:50 pm
Uggla has been brutal all season. Why not put Janish at second, and Simmons at short when Simmons returns? It would solidify the middle of the infield defensively. What, you say? That Janish can’t hit? So, Uggla is a better offensive option? Really?
Benny
August 21st, 2012
8:54 pm
Dan Uggla is the Braves’ answer to Joe Johnson’s contract.
Bobbys' Booger
August 21st, 2012
9:06 pm
No reason to put Janice at 2B dude Comeonnnnnnn…Janice is a woman…a pathetic Freddie Patek at the plate. (I wanted to say…like a pitcher…EXCEPT we have the WORST pitching staff batting average..I don’t even have to go look it up….our staff blows, used to be Avery, Mad Dog, Smotlz and Glavine actually could account for a hit or three….this concoction of pitchers makes Janice look good. but alas he isn’t can’t wait for Simmons to be back, but it will be too late then. This team is a bunch pf chokers and the EPIC FAIL Part Deux will unfold in front of us starting four days ago.
bravo bravos
August 21st, 2012
9:07 pm
We should have known the curse was on when AJC writers began referring to the statistical odds of the Braves making the postseason which were reportedly very good. It was about the same time last year that they did the same and we all know what happened last year. Three losses in a row now and on the way to number four and a downward spiral to the end of the season. One postseason in the last seven years it will be and nothing past round one in thirteen. Usually I’m positive but……
Happening Again?
August 21st, 2012
9:13 pm
4 to nothing. Way to go Braves!!
Bobbys' Booger
August 21st, 2012
9:23 pm
Look, I am a Braves fan from 1973. I am also a realist, Not a kool-aide drinker. This is basically the same team as last year. A team (2011 version) that skated by due to RedSox Epic Fail also. The 2011 team should go down as the worst choking team in ATL history…which really is saying something. There shouldve been more changes than letting the bogus hitting coach go. Anyway, this years version is just as bad and is set up for the massive, inevitable EPIC FAIL again. It really is sad. I want them to do good, but really they just are a mirror of the manangement staff, FG MUST Go. Roger is really poor also. Liberty Media…really it would be a blessing if they would give our team back…they SUCK. Period.
Jim
August 21st, 2012
9:30 pm
deja vu 2011? The wild card still looks possible, maybe probable, but a one-game playoff with a better motivated, better coached team is a crap shoot at best.
andrew
August 21st, 2012
9:36 pm
The Braves are the Buffalo Bills of Baseball, only they don’t make it to the World Series!
Happening Again?
August 21st, 2012
9:40 pm
The only good thing that could come from another collapse, is maybe they will get rid of fg, and find a decent manager.
pat from al
August 21st, 2012
9:44 pm
Why do they all hit first pitch? Same as last night !
Semper Fi Braves fan
August 21st, 2012
9:47 pm
Bourn’s average is dropping faster than the water levels in lake Lanier. Uggla’s average will be below the mendoza line before the weekend. Tired of Chipper Jones not playing against teams best pitching (Got to protect that career .300)
At this point I would be ecstatic to see Pastornicky playing 2nd over Uggla.
James
August 21st, 2012
10:09 pm
hehe…. i’m waiting for Tuesday night’s game to end, before i can haze Mark Bradley for his silly musing that other than starting pitching, the Braves are better than the Nationals. initally, starting is pitching is everything, so why even bother assuming it’s not. secondly, while the Braves have a great team, the Nationals have very good players and exceptional chemistry. lastly, the Nationals’ bullpen has been shutting down people all year. but hey, let the record do the talking. how many games back are the Braves now?? oh yeh… seven …that’s 7.
Peter
August 21st, 2012
10:18 pm
We have a good team overall; the frustration is that we know deep down the Braves still aren’t quite good enough, at least not yet.
Well for starters we have to beat teams over .500 we do not do that…… we pick on the weak, and we tense up at the real competition…… The amount of base runners left on base is amazing, and the quality at bats with runners in scoring position and less than two outs is frustrating.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
August 21st, 2012
10:25 pm
looks like another loss tonight
Braves WIN, Braves, WIN, Braves...NEVERMIND
August 21st, 2012
10:37 pm
How’s that SIX man rotation working out for you? Limping towards the playoffs, we can’t hit worth DICK and Struggla, jeeze! And Mr. HOFer aka O-lay at 3rd? Yikes!
the mace
August 21st, 2012
10:38 pm
McCann gets ticked off he’s not in the lineup. He shouldn’t be. Give Ross more playing time. And, don’t worry Overbay will save the day.
J Harris
August 21st, 2012
10:38 pm
The Braves are an inconsistent team, but a strong enough team to make it to the playoffs. Dan Uggla’s bat is terrible. He is batting in the low 210s and has a butt load of strike outs. It wouldn’t be so bad if Uggla had close to 30 homeruns and about 80 RBIS. Minor will not rise to a higher level in his pitching. They miss Jurrijens in the rotation where he can perform well. Bourn is a great outfielder with excellent speed, but he strikes out too much for a lead off guy he has been in the 290-300 range, but he is one of those players who can be shut down easily in a 5 or 7 game playoff series. The best bat in Prado. McCann has had a terrible year. The Braves are going have to spend some money to get a 3rd base bat after Chipper retires.
the mace
August 21st, 2012
10:39 pm
And PLEEZ don’t say Francisco is the savior of this team.
Braves WIN, Braves, WIN, Braves...NEVERMIND
August 21st, 2012
10:40 pm
And, isn’t it time for the AJC to start putting the wild card standings up???????????????
Dawg Reporter
August 21st, 2012
11:18 pm
Mark, the difference is Management. Nats have it, Braves do not. Wild Card locked up. So is one-and-done for the Braves. It’s the “Bobby Cox Reprise.”
Atlantarama
August 21st, 2012
11:36 pm
We’ve seen teams in the past win the World Series, even though they’ve had to come from behind.
It has happened often. It’s a matter of heart, and I feel the Braves could have that heart.
Curlydubs
August 21st, 2012
11:45 pm
Better than Washington everywhere but the rotation? Minus a miracle comeback in July you’d be 3-11 vs the Nats. That’s quite a bit of fanagling you must be performing in that noggin of yours, Mark. Your infield defense is better? You’re clearly better at 3rd, 2nd and 1st? Really? Our lineup has DECIMATED by injuries this year and it is remarkable how well they’ve held up and excelled. Our full lineup is actually better, younger, and far deeper than yours, as the remainder of the season will show now that we have close to our full lineup (no Ramos). Fact is, our pitching staff is better, our lineup is better, our infield d is better (Uggla….really?) and our bullpen is pretty close to yours. Certainly not far enough off to be a huge liability. The Braves are an outstanding team and franchise, but to sit there and spout what you just did is truly asinine. Some objectvi
ty would be nice.
BTR
August 21st, 2012
11:56 pm
Can anyone explain why dan uggla is still on this team ????
This guy simply is TERRIBLE+++, I mean awful. Heck, I wish I could make a tenth of what he does to do my job as poorly, hell, I’d have been fired months ago.
This guy has to go and go NOW, he is killing this team all by himself !!!!
Plus, here we go, round the bowl and down the hole into the playoff abyiss, I mean NO playoffs !
These two games have clinched it for DC, and started another collaspe. just like last season, only earlier. The ONLY good thing about it, we will have a new manager next season, and the freddi show can leave town once and for all !!!! I just hope they FIRE Chicken wren too !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
captguitarman
August 22nd, 2012
1:37 am
The Nats are a force. Their hitters all have killer instinct. I don’t know if messing with the Braves line up is really the best way to go, but McGann is obviously hurting, and Uggla is spotty at best. But, Gonzalez is obviously hoping for the best continuing to start them. The Braves might make it into the play offs because of scheduling angels, but it won’t last long. Both LA and Washington way out class them, and maybe even San Fran and Pittsburgh. But, it’s fun to watch Chipper. There is lots to like. And they should get into the wild card, and maybe even play for the pennant, but that will be as far as they can go this year. They can’t beat a team like Washington. Braves fans should just lower their expectations and enjoy the rest of the season. It should e fun to watch.
jc_dawgs
August 22nd, 2012
5:37 am
This current starting line up is much too similar to last year when the bats went ice cold in September….leading to a horrible collapse. We’ve go different hitting coaches and I guess thats a start. But…Gonzales needs to shake things up to avoid another September fade.
1) Uggla needs to be a platoon player until his bat comes around. Move Prado to 2nd and let R Johnson play left.
2) Play David Ross more and MCcann less.
3) We need to get Simmons back and let him share starting time with Janish.
You’ve got to do something because offensively….our starters are nearly identical to a year ago. The only exception is a rather poor hitting Janish.
If we do make the play-in game….Gonzales is going to be under enormous pressure to make the right decisions. If the Braves lose the play-in….he will be arm-chaired to death with ridicule.
Question for you folks….if the play-in game was today….Pit at Atlanta….do you put Uggla in the starting lineup? Or….move Prado to 2nd and let R Johnson play left? Lets say we face a RHP. What would you do? MCCann or Ross? Uggla or R Johnson?
poolcue
August 22nd, 2012
5:47 am
someone was dumb enough to take d. lowe and joe johnson. could there be another g.m. out there to take dan upper cut uggla.
Bill Gullion
August 22nd, 2012
8:34 am
As long as this team has a second baseman and shortstop hitting a few points over .200, it will never contend! For most of his career with the Braves, Uggla has been a liability! How many men has he left on base in the last two years.
Bill G
Goodbye Fredi, Goodbye Fredi
August 22nd, 2012
9:12 am
Goodbye Fredi, Goodbye Fredi. Goodbye Fredi….your team is about to collapse now.
We won’t miss you and we won’t miss Larry…we won’t miss Brian – you are were lousy in 2012.
Git out of town..git out of town…Sorry you did not know anything but how to collapse.
bill
August 22nd, 2012
9:41 am
what should have given u pause was the fact they lost 3 games in a row and now 4. they have a terrible record against good teams also.
i won’t be surprised at all to see them miss the playoffs. would be fitting since they always been chokers except for one lucky year in 95.
Paul
August 22nd, 2012
9:47 am
What’s worse the tex trade or fugla?
Wren is an idiot.
Thomas Brown
August 22nd, 2012
9:54 am
As with my beloved Georgia Bulldogs’ Football Program, the Atlanta Braves problems are extensive, and on-going currently for years with no underlying even admission of our clubs rife with issues.
Both the Braves and UGA football are without the ability to bring-in top players compared to other clubs. Both have issues with management and fundamental coaching recurring grievous errors. Both have no offense.
At least with UGA you can go to the games, even away games, and know when the games are. I cannot even tell when I am watching a Braves game Live anymore. I turned on TBS to watch the 1st game against Washington Nationals, and it was a Blank Screen. Found it somewhere up in the 800 channels area and saw us get a run and them 4 to end the game. That’s the 1st Braves game I could watch I knew I was watching Live. All this taped-delay Braves stuff and this is Atlanta. Great Scott. TBS has all these other teams you can watch. For years, I watched all the Braves’ games. You don’t even know when I find a station with the Braves game, if it is even Live.
Mountain DAWG
August 22nd, 2012
10:20 am
What about moving Janish to second when Simmons returns? Can’t see any downside to that. Buh-bye Uggla.
skip
August 22nd, 2012
10:22 am
Braves Lose,Braves Lose, Braves Lose—————–AGAIN
P Rose
August 22nd, 2012
10:29 am
It’s time to face the music, folks. The Braves are not going to the World Series this year. The division belongs to Washington, and even if the Braves win the wild card by ten games, they still have to win a one-game playoff — the ultimate opportunity to be clutch or choke — what do you think the Braves will do? The sad fact is, they simply do not have the rotation to compare with the likes of the Nationals, Dodgers and Giants; and the bottom half of the batting order has become a black hole with Uggla, McCann, Janish and the pitcher’s spot — there are at least three sure outs within those four at-bats, especially against said teams with superior rotations.
In Chipper’s Farewell Tour, you’d think getting to the playoffs would be his prime motivating factor. But by excusing himself from a must-win game against the division’s leader, simply because of having to go 13 innings the night before, thereby taking away the team’s most important bat, he’s sending a message to the rest of the team. Like it or not, the only flag for the Braves in 2012 will be a white one.
Steak with rice on a Plate
August 24th, 2012
1:44 pm
well after Mccann back on saturday cryin to freddi underwear braves are 2-5 with that…..Uggla 209 avg and Brian McCann a free agent good luck way he hittin Must not want a good contract Maybe cleanin horse stables is his likein…..we lose again friday we be 2-6 and st.louis n SF are arizona Pittsburgh could get last spot…and we be lookin in again and Frank Wren….who said we Goin all the way he be goin all the way to Buffalo to GM the Minor league team…Freddi he just Pick his nose read his hand notes. AJC shultz n Obrien n durwood i mean bradley will just butt kiss his ass…..No ask since u blew it again will u be fired now!