Game 1 Recap: Braves 4, Phillies 1

by gondeee on Apr 5, 2009 10:48 PM EDT in Braves Game Recaps

Derek Lowe began his career with the Atlanta Braves by proving that he is indeed an ace on the mound. Lowe held the defending World Series Champion Phillies scoreless through 8 innings of 2-hit ball. He had the slider working, getting 13 ground outs against 7 fly balls and 4 strikeouts. Lowe was in total command on the mound, as the Phillies batters looked completely fooled.

The Braves got off to a good start in the batters box with a mammoth 2-out, 2-run homerun from Brian McCann in the first inning. Jeff Francoeur opened up the second inning with laser-shot homerun on the first pitch. But the real offensive star of the night for Atlanta was the rookie Jordan Schafer. The new Braves center fielder became the first Braves rookie to hit a homerun in his first major league at-bat since Jermaine Dye in 1996. Schafer followed that up with a single in his second at-bat, and was intentionally walked in his third plate appearance, before striking out against the Phillies closer in his final plate appearance. Overall it was a great debut for the young rookie who we expect so much out of this year.

While the Braves were able to put 4 runs and 8 hits on the board, they did strike out 10 times, and only collected an intentional walk. They used an aggressive approach at the plate, which served them well with the early homeruns, but failed them when they got several runners on base in the middle innings.

Closer Mike Gonzalez in a non-save situation made the ninth inning interesting by allowing 2 hits and a walk before striking out Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez to end the game. He did spoil the shutout by allowing one run. It seemed like an odd move to bring in the lefty closer to face three right-handers to lead off the inning. It would have made more sense to put Soriano in that position, reserving Gonzalez for the lefties in the middle of the order.

But a win's a win. Off-day on Monday, and then Jair Jurrjens takes the mound on Tuesday.

0 recs | 105 comments

Comments

Damn that was quick, I know gondeee wasn’t drinking tonight!!!

mvandonsel - April 5, 2009 reply

But it’s not a slider, it just looks like a slider and moves like a slider.

Bronn - April 5, 2009 reply

I just wanna point out...

A shame that nobody picked LoganSchafer to click tonight.

!Vive la Francoeur! - April 5, 2009 reply

Logan Shaver.

ejruiz - April 5, 2009 reply

Absurd. He said it over and over. Even at one point got it right then immediately reverted back to saying “Logan”.

jeg - April 6, 2009 reply

I will point out that there is a Logan Schafer who’s an OF in Milwakee’s system. It doesn’t make Joe Morgan any less of a moron, but at least he’s not a figment of his deranged mind.

cbwilk - April 6, 2009 reply

yeah, i posted it in the thread last night, but that thing was moving so fast it probably got lost in the shuffle, or nobody cared. He’s with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, a Class A team. But i could see how you could could mix his name up with someone whose actually in the major leagues….

10-4 - April 6, 2009 reply

Ok man, sorry to overlap you, but there was no way I was going to go through a thousand posts when I got home.

cbwilk - April 6, 2009 reply

oh hell i could care less about getting overlapped.

10-4 - April 6, 2009 reply

*couldn’t

10-4 - April 6, 2009 reply

It was actually Jon Miller who repeatedly said Logan.

jeg - April 6, 2009 reply

I wonder

if the aggressive approach was just for tonight, being all jacked up to be playing the WS champion Phils, or if this will be a recurrent happening. It worked to pwn Myers and get him all shook up, but if we were up against Hamels, I don’t know well it will work.

jug - April 5, 2009 reply

I know. To me, the game wasn’t as close as the score indicated. If the Braves would have had a few more timely hits, they could have scored at least 6 or 7.

dunnytwogloves - April 6, 2009 reply

I heard a clip from McCann this morning on radio, and he said that their gameplan was to be aggressive early against Myers, thinking once he gets settled in he is pretty good. Well, that pretty much was true to form, and it worked. But yeah, i was especially not thrilled when Esco led off with a double, and Chipper, Heap, and G. Anderson couldn’t even move him to third.

10-4 - April 6, 2009 reply

more like led off with a stolen homerun haha

McGriff the Crime Dog - April 6, 2009 reply

I agree jug. Not sure if we can rely on hitting it out of the park every night. Hope D Lowe can keep this up. We’ve got a great defense that plays right into his strengths.

TMUL06 - April 5, 2009 reply

my favorite part of the evening...

was when the jackass ESPN announcer was talking about how the Braves didn’t hit many HRs last year and that they wouldn’t be able to rely on the long ball to win games for them. 6 batters later the Braves had put 3 of ‘em over the fence. ESPN game announcers are the most generic, don’t know shit, shit talkers around.

GORILLATUX - April 5, 2009 reply

“The Braves really dont have a legitimate power threat”

30 seconds later, Brian McCann says, “eff that”

Zeus12888 - April 6, 2009 reply

Logan Shaver ROY

cirela20 - April 6, 2009 reply

If I have to hear one more time that Lowe calls his slider a curve I am going to seek out John Miller and give him what for. lol.

KC Ryan - April 6, 2009 reply

Great game. I am a little surprised that Jair will be starting game two instead of Vasquez but I guess he earned it with the way he pitched last year in Atlanta.

KC Ryan - April 6, 2009 reply

Yeah...

I thought for sure Vazquez would be the #2 starter, but I guess that distinction only matters in the first series or so. That said, I think it’ll give teams fits to have to face his power stuff followed by Kawakami’s more finesse approach.

ejruiz - April 6, 2009 reply

Actually, the rotation will look like this after all the off-days are said and done:

Lowe
Kawakami (he’s pitching the second game in Atlanta)
Jurrjens
Vazquez
Glavine (if he pitches the 19th as scheduled)

gondeee - April 6, 2009 reply

same

Smoltz's Beard - April 6, 2009 reply

MLB.TV

Can someone please fill me in on the MLB.TV online package please? I’m in Kansas City and the Braves are almost never on tv here so I am thinking about purchasing the online MLB.TV package. Are the games shown full screen or do i have to look at a tiny broadcast? Is the premium package that much better than the regular package? I have a 720P HD monitor but are there enough HD games available to justify the extra expense? Is the the picture quality for the regular package pretty good? I would appreciate any answers you guys can give me. My wife will hate on me for spending the extra $ but I can’t stand another season without seeing my Braves on a nightly basis.

KC Ryan - April 6, 2009 reply

I have never had it

but I bought it for the first month only this year. If you want you can buy the first month for 20 bucks and see if you like it or not

eaheckman10 - April 6, 2009 reply

Directv and

Comcast also offer packages that allow you to see out of town games

angrysmurf - April 6, 2009 reply

Supposedly all the games are offered in HD this year…the only games you WON’T get are nationally televised stuff (FOX, ESPN, TBS), and since you’re in KC, Royals games. They’re doing a deal of $110 for the year in the premium feed (which I recommend) or 20 bucks a month (which I did). This year, they’re using a flash player. I’ve only watched one inning on it, but it seems pretty nice so far

bigjoe - April 6, 2009 reply

I was feeling a W all day

Props to Chip, Frenchy, Mac, and Yunel (if it hadn’t been for that dumbass fan, Yunel would have gone deep as well).

And those all-blue batting helmets complimented the navy-away uni’s very well. Those are pimp. Can’t wait for Tuesday and Wednesday!!!!!!!!!!

The Bravos are back!!

Chief Noc-A-Homa - April 6, 2009 reply

yeah defininitely

loved the new helmets, couldnt get over it

McGriff the Crime Dog - April 6, 2009 reply

Fantastic

Lowe was simply dominant. Maddux-like.

Looks like Logan Shaver is the real deal, too. And there’s hope for FYF!

WienerDog - April 6, 2009 reply

Very nice start to the season

Its nice to be excited about the Braves again. Here’s to hoping it lasts!!

Jaxon - April 6, 2009 reply

Like many others, I ran the gauntlet of emotions for this game, from the highs of the early homers to the ucler-inducing bottom of the ninth. I just finished reading the massive game thread (almost 1200 posts? Good Lord!) and I know many of you felt the same way. It would have been devastating to lose that game, and it always feels good to start with a win.

Most importantly: baseball is BACK, and I couldn’t be happier about that.

VegasAces - April 6, 2009 reply

What was Lowe’s pitch count? Any reason he couldn’t have pitched a complete game? I’m a little disappointed Bobby didn’t keep him in there.

Gage23 - April 6, 2009 reply

97.

its early.

10-4 - April 6, 2009 reply

I totally agree. Bobby isn’t gonna let his starters break 100 pitches for their first few outings.

KC Ryan - April 6, 2009 reply

Plus Gonzo needs "real time".....ummmm.....simulation.

He doesn’t get enough ‘hardcore’ playing time in spring training. He wanted the 9th. And he got it back, and pwned as usual.

Chief Noc-A-Homa - April 6, 2009 reply

he never does, and I was surprised he let him get 97 pitches to be honest. I think he just realized that he was too good to pull.

jug - April 6, 2009 reply

BRAVES WIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Way to go guys. Now if we can only win with JJ Tuesday.

bobbywarren95 - April 6, 2009 reply

Great win but ...

Great win and am excited for this team but does anyone else feel that Kelly looks uncomfortable (again) leading off. Kelly is a great hitter but not a lead off guy. I realize that Bobby wanted Schafer to relax and not feel the pressure but we need Johnson to be a run producer. Maybe we will see Jordan as he gets more comfortable with his new situation.
I know that it can only be Johnson, Escobar or Schafer leading off but Johnson needs to move down in the lineup.

Fortune favors the brave(s) - April 6, 2009 reply

Kelly goes through spells

I really don’t think he cares where he hits

Chief Noc-A-Homa - April 6, 2009 reply

Joe and Boog asked him about it during one of the games in Florida, and he was like “i don’t care where i hit”, then they asked about leadoff, and he kinda shrugged like it was his least favorite spot. I’m sure his real least favorite spot is on the bench against lefties.

10-4 - April 6, 2009 reply

Apart from the entire Braves club being underrated in the eyes of the media this year...

Kelly is one of those guys that flies under the radar. He doesn’t have dreadlocks. He isn’t outspoken. He’s not an attention hog. And these are all qualities that Braves players have. It may take a few games, but when Kelly gets hot, forget about it…..Just put him in the line-up somewhere.

And if he goes through one of his cold spells, which will happen……………Prado. I really think this team is going to click this year. And next year as well. Basically, I’m very excited.

Chief Noc-A-Homa - April 6, 2009 reply

good point! but shrugging says a lot. Hope he can adjust because I think he is a great ball player.

Fortune favors the brave(s) - April 6, 2009 reply

great game

and great recap, nice write up gondee

StottsEra - April 6, 2009 reply

was it just me?

or did you guys think, “here we go again” after the first 2 batters. Kelly Johnson pops out and Yunel grounds out. But then, Chipper showed off why he is the best hitter ever and slapped a single to left. And then, McCann unloads on Brett Myers! I jumped out of my seat and started running around my house. Yesterday was a good day.

Last year, we lose 1-0 to the Nats on opening night and it became the theme of the season, losing 1 run games and the bullpen blowing it.

This year, I’d like to believe the same thing will happen after last nights game. Although it wasn’t pretty after the first couple innings, at the end of the day, the Braves took an early lead and shut the door on the opponent.

tdoublem23 - April 6, 2009 reply