Now that is what I am talking about! I was honestly wondering when this was going to happen for Kenshin. You could tell all year that he was just on the cusp of being really solid but his control would just slip away every now and then. And a guy just doesn't go from walking 1.9/9IP to 4.5/9IP. I just had a feeling all year that something would click eventually and he would stop walking people. I hoped. The great thing tonight was that his K totals (which have also been a pleasant surprise this year) remained solid. So lets just pray he keeps up this kind of production.
The hitting wasn't outstandingin this one, but we were up against the masterful Roy Halladay. If you had asked me coming into this season to name my top 5 pitchers in baseball Halladay probably wouldn't have been farther down than 2 on my list (the return of Zack Greinke probably changes that now). But heck, just getting a win against Halladay and the rolling Blue Jays gives me hope. Also we have a winning record on the road right now and if we were just .500 at home we would be leading the division (I know I said this earlier) and I feel like that this is one of those occurrences that will correct itself as we go on in the season. Nince win, lets see if we can win the series tomorrow against Scott Richmond.
0 recs | 32 comments
also a link about Frenchoeur:
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/05/what-to-do-with-the-braves-outfield.html
yondaime4 - May 22, 2009
Good Read...
Steve Adams knows what he is talking about when it comes to Frenchy!
HEYJUDE - May 23, 2009
FRANCOEUR SUCKS
sdp - May 22, 2009
no he doesn’t he is just misunderstood
yondaime4 - May 22, 2009
This was a Spectacular start from Kawakami, which is exactly what we needed to beat Halladay.
This was one of the best Braves games of the season so far and we got are two best pitchers going this weekend. Can I get a little positivity? Go Braves!
GwinnettBraves - May 23, 2009
BEST. HOME GAME. THIS YEAR.
Left the park more satisfied then I’ve been in ages. Who would have ever guessed Kenshin Kawakami would go toe to toe with the Great Roy Halladay, inning for inning?
I’m not going to lie here, the play of the game was Rolen’s double. Rolen doesn’t get in scoring position, and Gaston doesn’t lift Halladay. And Kawakami’s slick curve to get that last K? Jesus, that was ballsy. But so awesome!
This was such an awesome game. Totally worth the risk of weather, and getting owned. I actually had my camera around for this one. I might throw a few pictures up soon.
royhobbs - May 23, 2009
+1
Would have been great to be there.
sdp - May 23, 2009
I was calling for that curve…
Smoltz's Beard - May 23, 2009
+ 100
Can’t wait to see the pics!
This was the best game of the year!
Great pitching on both sides!
KK looked like the pitcher I was expecting to see when we signed him! Just Awesome!
I’m pumped!
Go Braves!
HEYJUDE - May 23, 2009
When I saw the slow roller to Prado in the 9th I screamed a few obscenities and looked away from the TV. Seeing him recover from that play to make the throw to first…wow.
Seriously pumped.
Smoltz's Beard - May 23, 2009
Pretty sure I saw you on Live at that time. Liar
bigjoe - May 23, 2009
owned
royhobbs - May 23, 2009
So…you’re busting my balls for being on XBL during the game, when you were on XBL during the game? Haha, fair enough. I did turn the game on in enough time to watch the final two innings.
Smoltz's Beard - May 23, 2009
Heh, I was watching it on the comp though.
bigjoe - May 23, 2009
I’m not sure which is the sadder commentary on the Braves’ offense: that Kawakami hit for himself in the bottom of the eighth in a scoreless tie or that he scored the winning run.
Tokyokie - May 23, 2009
That … isn’t what happened.
Lennox - May 23, 2009
Diaz pinch-hit for Kawakami and hit the lead-off double that turned into him eventually getting home on Kotchman’s sac-fly. I’m guessing you were catching the game via the internets, and whatever application you were following it through didn’t bother to replace Kawakami with Diaz the entire time?
royhobbs - May 23, 2009
Also, there’s no shame in getting absolutely stifled by Roy Halladay. Pretty much everyone in the American League has been at some point.
royhobbs - May 23, 2009
Quick pics
This awesome game summarized in a few crap-quality photos:
During the rain delay, bonus coverage of another game is shown – who else could it be?

Ah, the joys of Interleague… watching AL pitchers take at-bats

I would never believe you if you told me the one responsible for all the Toronto zeroes was Kenshin Kawakami

But he was, and the standing ovation he earned was well deserved, and long overdue:

I love 1-0 games. Doubly when we’re on the winning end of them.

The pre-fireworks celebratory fireworks

The big thing missing from this is the stat 0 BB; but I’m really glad to see Kawakami’s name and this honor together at last.

That’s really about it, I didn’t take that many photos. But for some reason, the only five Canadians in the entire attendance were right in front of me, and they even had one of those annoying horns from the Skydome that they blew whenever Halladay threw a K. But in the end, the only thing that blew, was well, them!
royhobbs - May 23, 2009
Great pics
bravesrbaseball - May 23, 2009
That should be gem
I had no chance to watch the game (even I was in front of my flat screen), but Kenshin must be doing the same what I’d seen many time here with Dragons. I will check NHK’s MLB highlight program tonight and hope he can continue this kinda domination.
I guess he is using more slow curve balls than he was with Dragons (he pitched it only twice or three times a game), but is it effective as rookie pitcher?
dragonsfanatic - May 23, 2009
His curveball that day was magnificent, and the best part was that he was saving it, and not overusing it. Maybe it helped to be pitching to AL pitchers who had never seen him before, but he got at least two guys on 3-2 counts looking absolutely silly with it, which is always a thing of beauty.
royhobbs - May 23, 2009
no fanpost? weak…
Smoltz's Beard - May 23, 2009
Please. I save the fanposts for after losses, not wins.
royhobbs - May 23, 2009
I am really starting to think Kawakami just needed time to build his arm strength up. The way he went toe to toe with Halladay tonight was by far his best moment so far. It prbably had something to do with him knowing alot of people here and his homeland were going to be covering this game. His last pitch looked better than his first pitch. Best game so far this year.
bravesrbaseball - May 23, 2009
Awesome game, but I sure am glad I went to that turd last night instead of Wednesday’s or tonight’s game. From now on I’ll just stay away from the ballpark, fellas. . .
Also, let’s just go ahead and sign Lebron to take over in all three outfield positions. Killer night for sports.
Meatloafin' - May 23, 2009
The emotion at the very end of the game was very intense
Loved it. Very good effort. Late birthday present, Bob
Chief Noc-A-Homa - May 23, 2009
“Omar was part of my development as a player. We talked every day.”
~ Martin Prado
Chief Noc-A-Homa - May 23, 2009
he’s not dead.
Bravely going forward - May 23, 2009
who said he was? i just liked the quote.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - May 23, 2009
I went to Thursday’s game and not Friday.
I definitely went to the wrong game. I was going to go Friday, but I really thought the game would get rained out.
But I watched the game on tv (after a little xbox) and it was damn good. Love Halladay! KK pitched unbelievable.
Sparhawk - May 23, 2009
I had one eye on this game and one eye on 360…the dude I was playing in UFC wondered why I kept shouting and whooping. Yeah
bigjoe - May 23, 2009
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