The big attraction for the day was Tommy Hanson, making his major league debut, and his game was a story of two halves. For the first nine batters Hanson was unhittable and dominant, and struck out the side in the second inning. But then he became a mortal, though really he only made a few mistakes. The unfortunate part about those three mistakes is that they were of the two-run homerun variety. We knew that Hanson was a bit prone to giving up the longball, and facing a team with power throughout their lineup, he was bitten by the gopher ball.
On a whole, I liked the outing by Hanson. He showed us a lot in those first three innings, he only walked one, and even after the homeruns he kept his composure on the mound. We keep thinking he's a super-human, but we have to remember that he's still a rookie and he's going to take his licks. I also think the day game has something to do with it; as I've written before, Hanson is not as sharp during the day (here are his number at triple-A this year):
Day Games: 3GS, 0-and-1, 3.18 ERA, .231 BAA, 3HR
Night Games: 8GS, 3-and-2, 0.91 ERA, .146 BAA, 2HR
If the main attraction was the kid, then the offensive star on the day was the old man, Chipper Jones. Chipper belted two homeruns, a triple, a single, and then they didn't want to pitch to him anymore and walked him. He drove in the Braves first five runs of the game.
Nate McLouth started in the leadoff spot and had a key double in the eighth that drove in the tying run. Yunel Escobar, who also had a big day at the plate, going 3-for-4, followed McLouth with a hit to drive him in for the go-ahead run.
Despite 8 runs being scored by Atlanta, the offense still looked frail. The biggest black hole in the lineup continues to be Jeff Francoeur, who is just 2-for-14 since his game-winning homerun last week. He killed several rallies today with a double-play and some weak groundouts, and I don't believe he got the ball out of the infield all day.
Mike Gonzalez finished it off in shaky fashion in the ninth for his first save in two weeks.
0 recs | 61 comments
Atleast we should win 3/4 vs the pirates!
lineup tomorrow should be:
McLouth
Esco
Chipper
Heap
GA
KJ
Prado
Frenchy
Scott Coleman - June 7, 2009
Like this alot
Zeus12888 - June 7, 2009
No way, LHP going tomorrow for the Pirates, Bobby will bat Frenchy 5th or 6th.
Lennox - June 7, 2009
One HELLUVA game....
cha-ching!! let’s keep it going against those Pirates!!! We’ve got the inside edge!!
Chief Noc-A-Homa - June 7, 2009
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we won today in spite of Jeff Francoeur.
The honeymoons over, it’s time for him to pack his bags. Hitting anywhere in this lineup, much less 5th is inexcusable.
Heres to an OF of FUGA, Little Mac, and Diaz/Blanco/BJones
Zeus12888 - June 7, 2009
This
bbxxj - June 7, 2009
yeah. that would be great. going 1-10 all the time (even if the one is a huge hit) isn’t going to help anybody fast.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - June 7, 2009
honeymoon has been over for at least a dozen months
Smoltz's Beard - June 7, 2009
Francoeur really is ready to be put out to pasture.
17843 - June 7, 2009
He's so awful.
sdp - June 7, 2009
not to forget
Jeff didnt even looked like he gave a fuck after his DP in the 7th. he just kinda had that deer in the headlights look and walked to the dugout.
Scott Coleman - June 7, 2009
Probably because he was surprised at all the booing in the park directed towards him.
royhobbs - June 7, 2009
At least he doesn't have that smirk like Andruw did...
Still though, go away Jeff. Go somewhere, anywhere. Too late to take that football scholarship to Clemson?
The Keith Lockhart Era - June 7, 2009
Hell no. Maybe he can go back on the beef lifting program and play the line. I heard they had problems there.
MichaelProcton - June 9, 2009
"Can anyone really be this good?"
Nope.
Scott Coleman - June 7, 2009
Sweet SI Picture
Anybody else remember when those babies were going for like $30 on ebay UN-signed after he came up? Autographed Francoeur balls were going for $100 plus and if I’m not mistaken, his batting average started with a three.
Disgusted sigh.
The Keith Lockhart Era - June 8, 2009
yeah, i bought one. i don’t wanna talk about it.
10-4 - June 8, 2009
I think it’s (past) time for Bobby to just sit Francoeur for about 4 or 5 days, no pinch-hitting or defensive replacing or anything. Then, when that period is over, give him a start. If he doesn’t have it together by then, send him to Neverland forever.
Our lineup struggles enough without that black hole.
The good news is that Frank acknowledges that Francoeur is sucking horribly. That’s a start.
Little Lady - June 7, 2009
By the way...
I’m really glad we won today!
Chipper is a freak of nature. How the heck did he get that second HR out?
Little Lady - June 7, 2009
i think Manny Parra would like to know the exact same thing. his face was priceless after that HR.
Scott Coleman - June 7, 2009
Yeah, what was that?
Shock? Confusion? Awe?
Little Lady - June 7, 2009
the second that came off his bat
I was disappointed because i knew it was going to be an easy fly ball out…. and it just kept going.
was385 - June 7, 2009
I agree...
I thought it would get out to the track, but that Cameron would flag it down easily.
Little Lady - June 7, 2009
The thing is when Chipper hit it he acted like he got it all the way, he was joggin to first, seemed like he expected it to be gone.
rockybull - June 7, 2009
The way Frank is swinging his stuff around lately that may be enough….
yondaime4 - June 8, 2009
While Hanson’s line didn’t end up looking too nice, I was VERY impressed with his stuff. He just threw quite a few too many meatballs. I LOVE that he attacked the hitters, instead of nibbling around the plate too.
eaheckman10 - June 7, 2009
Gotta love that he was able to limit the walks
Smoltz's Beard - June 7, 2009
So, I drove down from Tennessee to see both weekend games and here were the main impressions I got.
1. I have denied Garret Anderson’s laziness until now. The guy seriously stands there in the outfield and watches the ball roll around while McLouth busts his ass to get to the ball.
2. Francoeur’s at bats are more depressing to watch in real life than on TV. The whole crowd seriously died when he hit into the double play. The girl next to me was getting pissed off everytime I commented on how bad Francoeur was at hitting, and his face is plastered all over everything. It’s gonna be hard to trade or release him with all the publicity he gets around the stadium.
3. Tommy Hanson looked great until his rhythm got knocked when Escobar booted that ground ball. Rough start, but absolutely great potential.
4. Kelly Johnson does not to bat leadoff ever again, and I’m glad Bobby finally realized that. Had it been KJ instead of McLouth up in the 8th, this game would have been lost. And the fans seem to really love Nate.
Great way to end the series, and hopefully Nate can lead us to a four game sweep of the Pirates, boy do we need it.
BigG1392 - June 7, 2009
I mean, sure, other than the fact that over his last 12 games batting leadoff Kelly was hitting .291 with an .898 OPS.
Lennox - June 7, 2009
So KJ’s batting average falling lower than Francoeur’s means nothing to you? The guy isn’t clutch, doesn’t matter if he gets on base if no runs are scored.
BigG1392 - June 8, 2009
Que?
Lennox - June 8, 2009
Que doble
sddbaker - June 8, 2009
rubble rubble
Sparhawk - June 8, 2009
Those fights with stupid kids who grew up hearing about FYF are RIDICULOUS!
They’re just as likely to ask you how much money you make or what kind of car you drive as to actually even know how to calculate a batting average.
MichaelProcton - June 9, 2009
i was at the game today awesome stuff i was in RF and these guys were racking on Jeff all game long, chanting “BOOOSSTTOOON” “BRAD PENNY” “Failcoure” etc… it was pretty funny actually, then Jeff threw them a ball in the top of the 8th, they shut up haha it was funny
Tommy was great for the first half of the game HOW BOUT HIS FIRST ML K AGAINST FIELDER??!?! that was something, then the few bad pitches that werent actually that bad
and How bout Chipper ALMOST getting the cycle today? that was something to see
I was a few rows away from the Mac foul ball that sailed over the fence that was good
awesome comeback once again for the Bravos and good to see Nate get his first RBI hopefully the HRs and the SBs will follow very soon
GO BRAVES!
bravesfan1047 - June 7, 2009
Nate already has his first steal as a Brave
was385 - June 7, 2009
i know i was taking about more SBs and HRs
he already dominates all of the Braves in those so hopefully we’ll see more of those
bravesfan1047 - June 7, 2009
oh ok, well I would like to see more also
was385 - June 7, 2009
yeah that pissed me off
when they walked Chipper. I wanted to see the cycle so badly!!
McGriff the Crime Dog - June 8, 2009
Amazing
on espn.com’s recap video…the highlights were “tommy hansons poor debut” showing both braun hrs and no mention of chippers 4-4 2hr, 3b, and walk game.
bpk228480 - June 7, 2009
yep
and they pretty much recaped EVERY at bat in the yankee game.
Scott Coleman - June 7, 2009
Figures.
The Keith Lockhart Era - June 8, 2009
It’s too bad Chipper isn’t hitting for power this season…
Smoltz's Beard - June 7, 2009
What about this lineup in a week when Kotch gets back?
Nasty Nate
Kotchrocket
Larry
Heap
FUGA
Escobarrrr
KJ
FYF
It would give us a little more L/R balance and put Esco in more rbi opportunities (which he’s great at).
Scott Coleman - June 7, 2009
Kotchrocket
Holy crap can we all just drop “Casey” and just call him Kotchrocket for the rest of his career? Tell me that “Kotchrocket & McLovin (or Nasty Nate)” isn’t a TV show that people would watch.
Also, I missed the boat on the whole McCann/Heap thing… elaboration?
The Keith Lockhart Era - June 8, 2009
im not 100% sure, but im pretty sure its a nickname he got in the minors since he’s a slob and can sleep anywhere
Scott Coleman - June 8, 2009
Heap
Stems from the heaps of crap that he always left behind, since he is such a slob, and his teammates decided to just start calling him “Heap” as a result.
royhobbs - June 8, 2009
I don’t think you can take Esco out of the 2 hole. He has been clutch for us this year. Plus after a couple of weeks being out Kotchman should start lower in the order IMO.
Fischerking - June 8, 2009
royhobbs...
You’ll be happy to know that I made it onto the jumbotron wearing my Failcoeur t-shirt. I wasn’t paying attention though, so you couldn’t see the back.
Little Lady - June 8, 2009
ha, I must not have been paying attention. I didn’t actually get to my seat until like the 3rd inning. So this makes three Failcoeur shirts present in yesterday’s game (to my knowledge). That’s awesome.
royhobbs - June 8, 2009
Actually...
It was at Friday’s game. Just never got around to mentioning it.
Little Lady - June 8, 2009
Huh
I guess I wasn’t paying attention then, either, ’cuz I was at that game too.
royhobbs - June 8, 2009
Me neither...
I didn’t realize I was on it until the last second when the people behind me started screaming and tapping on my shoulder, or else I would’ve turned around so everyone could see the back.
Little Lady - June 8, 2009
I saw rh’s Sunday from the Top of the Chop and it looked great. Everyone around me loved it.
Lizziebeth - June 8, 2009
Sorry I missed your call, btw. I didn’t even hear my phone ring or vm vibration during the whole watching Hanson thing.
royhobbs - June 8, 2009
Oh sure, you were obviously boycotting my non-Failcoeur pink rhinestone-y Braves tank top, lol (a birthday present from my nieces; I had to wear it at least once before washing and shrinking it so it has to be passed to one of them).
That’s so funny, we must’ve both had our Hanson blinders on, ‘cause after I saw your JJ pic, I realized I had been standing down the rail from you at that time, and later on at the corner of the pen, after which I (apparently) walked past you to the other end before heading up to the TotC. That’s where some guys were having a conversation about the names on jerseys, and I said, “Let me know if you see a Failcoe…nevermind, I see it”.
I haven’t had a chance to look at the pics I took, so I’m not sure how many you wound up being in. But you definitely got the sweet spot for pics in the pen!
Lizziebeth - June 8, 2009
Haha...
Yeah, at one point I got up and I think that’s when everyone behind me noticed what my shirt said because they all burst out laughing.
Little Lady - June 8, 2009
Having Diaz and Failcoeur batting 4th and 5th was very cringe inducing as I sat in my seats. Two free swingers with little power back to back for the heart of the lineup. Wow, Bobby just blows my mind sometimes. Top of the lineup looks fantastic. Thought Kelly should have been above Francoeur since he does hit lefty’s pretty well.
Hanson looked pretty good, but fell in love with the fastball too much if you ask me.
I do have some really good pictures from the game, with some up close pics of Hanson stretching before the game and warming up in the bullpen. I’ll post a few when I get off from work and link to more.
It was just a great day for baseball…and my pale skin is all red now. sweet.
This game made me realize something. There are no such things as rallies/momentum in baseball. Not like there is in basketball and football. After Chipper hit his second home run the crowd was going ape shit which was awesome to see and hear. Then the bottom part of the inning the Braves just lost the lead like that. Meh. A damn good game though. Best I’ve been a part of in the 3 years I’ve been living in Atlanta. Seems a lot of people in the crowd knew who Hanson was and were there to see him pitch.
I wish I got a picture of it, but some dude was wearing a Jonh Rocker jersey. WTF!!?
Sparhawk - June 8, 2009
EIther there were multiple Rocker jerseys, or we were sitting near one another. I’m leaning towards multiples, because I was under some shade for most of the game and am not red and burned.
royhobbs - June 8, 2009
I was under the shade most of the game too, but I’m pretty pale. Hell I was surprised I got to red, but I do need to work on a tan. I was out in right field close to the Braves bullpen.
I chatted up a couple guys behind me that were commenting on the jersey as well. Takes some balls to wear that jersey. Or just stupidity.
Sparhawk - June 8, 2009
The worse day outings...
might have to do with temperature. balls travel farther in warmer weather, he gets fly balls too often, at night the stay in the park, during the day they fly out. makes sense really. still he looked pretty good, hell settle down, and stretch those perfect 3 innings farther soon. cant wait
Don Draper - June 8, 2009
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