Talking Chop

Well, I guess I asked for it. I wanted excitement, and I got it. It sure was nice to watch the wild 7th inning that saw the Braves score 7 times to cut what was once an 8 run deficit, down to just 1. But since the offense actually put it together, it had to mean something else was bound to fail.

Tonight's pitching was downright atrocious. I can't believe I'm going to say this, but even Damion Easley hit 3 homeruns off Atlanta pitchers. That's right, not Luis Gonzalez. Not Conor Jackson. But Damion "Freaken" Easley.

Ken Ray took his turn getting roughed up tonight, lasting just 2/3 of an inning while giving up 3 runs, 3 hits, 1 walk, and Easley's 3rd homer of the evening.

There are some disturbing signs across the board with this team. John Thomson has come apart after a promising April. He was a hard-luck 0-1 with an 0.76 ERA in his first four starts, but has a 7.27 ERA in his past seven. As the AJC reports, in his last two starts,(Thomson) is 1-2 with a 11.09 ERA while surrendering 34 hits and 28 runs (23 earned) in 18 2/3 innings, with eight walks and just six strikeouts.

And I know this is going to come as a surprise, but I think it's time that Bobby sit Jeff Francoeur for a few days. Jeff has REALLY been struggling again, hitting just .183 over his last 15 games (11-60), while walking twice and striking out 12 times. Over that stretch Jeff has not hit a single homerun and only recorded 3 RBI. I love Jeff, but he needs to ride the pine for a few days to try to get his act together.

Well I've had enough for one day. To recap the action from today...

Game 1
 Arizona  1 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 - 4 10 1
 Atlanta   0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 2  6 0

WP: E. Gonzalez (1-0) S: J. Julio (3)
LP: J. Smoltz (4-3)  

Game 2
 Arizona  0 1 0 5 2 0 2 0 3 - 13 18 2
 Atlanta   0 0 0 0 0 2 7 0 0 -  9 13 0

WP: C. Vargas (6-2)
LP: J. Thomson (2-5)  

Keep the faith! Good night...