Is it just me or has every other game we've played lately been an extra innings game? Last night was no different as the Braves and Pirates played 15 innings.
Braves starter Kenshin Kawakami managed more good work through 6 innings, limiting the Pirates to just 4 hits, while striking out 5. The Braves pen was then lined up to go Peter Moylan, Rafael Soriano, and Mike Gonzalez to finish out the game in the seventh, eighth, and ninth, but Moylan ran into some trouble. Moylan's pitches were up and out over the plate and the Bucs hitters didn't miss any of them as they tied the game.
The offense came alive with power as Chipper Jones, Nate McLouth, and Brian McCann all homered, but all the Braves scoring was done by the sixth inning. That was until the 15th innings, when a benign infield single by David Ross scored Frenchy for the walk-off winning run.
The bullpen after Moylan was solid in holding the Pirates scoreless for 8 innings, highlighted by rookie Kris Medlen going three innings of one-hit ball to pick up the win.
If you don't count the one-third of an inning that Moylan pitched, this was a good game. We hit 3 homeruns, stole 2 bases, everyone in the starting lineup got a hit (of course, they had 15 innings to make it happen). Despite giving up the lead, the team held on and came through for the win, getting the job done however they could.
This game also had some statistical significance for our manager. This was Bobby Cox' 2,000th win as the Braves manager. Bobby has more wins than that overall, as he manager the Jays for a while, but 2,000 wins with one team is mighty impressive.
0 recs | 48 comments
This game was a good example of how important the McLouth trade was in helping us win games. The obvious one was the solo shot from the leadoff spot but the one that got my attention was the stolen base. Had he not stolen that base he likely wouldn’t have scored on Escobar’s hit and we wouldn’t likely have gone to extras. His power and speed put us in a position to win that we wouldn’t have otherwise been in.
We know we are going to get all-star performances from McCann and Chipper on most days but McLouth really adds that missing link. This is not to say that we need a real RFer but its a huge boost.
bbxxj - June 9, 2009
Rosy post-game quotes
Bobby Cox:
Brian McCann:
10-4 - June 9, 2009
i was going to hit on this
but you already did….
It just seems like the wins are more fun this year, and the losses, well, i dont know, they just dont seem to sting as much. Maybe its b/c Frenchy isnt the one striking out or grounding in to a game ending DP like usual.
traphicg - June 9, 2009
So it's better if it just kills a MID-game rally?
MichaelProcton - June 9, 2009
We've just come to expect bad things from him...
That’s why seeing Frenchy suck so badly and hurt the team doesn’t sting as much.
Little Lady - June 9, 2009
Chemistry and a Sense of Humor
Absolutely…
Did you see Huddy and Ross after the RBI to end it? How could you not love to see that kinda stuff?
Cammando2317 - June 9, 2009
And it was fun to see Hudson messing around with the bat in the dugout.
I actually forgot he was hurt and was thinking they were contemplating using him to hit.
MichaelProcton - June 9, 2009
No...
What happened?
Little Lady - June 9, 2009
Everyone in the dugout mauled Ross after his game winning infield hit, and Huddy was on the outskirts getting in some cheap sucker punches to Ross’ ribs…the mob broke apart and Ross went after Hudson and put him in a headlock.
Funny stuff.
Smoltz's Beard - June 9, 2009
way to go Meds
Thats the type of pitching I’m gonna hope to see from Kris from now on. Makes me REALLY like the bullpen move now.
traphicg - June 9, 2009
solid stuff
Go Bobby!!! GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!! Let’s clean up against these fools while the Mutts and Thillies battle it out.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - June 9, 2009
Thillies?
TradeAndruw - June 9, 2009
Thillies
Chief Noc-A-Homa - June 9, 2009
Yes...
Very nice to know it’s gonna take a LOT of innings to need a starter.
MichaelProcton - June 9, 2009
The best part
Was watching Tim Hudson during every shot in the dugout. He’s getting so antsy and anxious to play real ball now, it’s funny to watch him pacing around the dugout tapping people with the bat. And when the game ended, he was the one giving Ross the rib-punches, and Ross almost trying to DDT him or something afterward.
That aside, yesterday’s game is the kind of games I loathe – why is that the Pirates and Astros are always involved in these marathon-type games? Moylan’s apprehension of using both sides of the plate proved his undoing, as his repeated slew of outside pitches led all Pirates hitters to just go the other way. But Moylan aside, pretty much everyone else in the bullpen, as well as Kawakami all pitched pretty good, which is promising to write out.
royhobbs - June 9, 2009
they seemed to be enjoying their Brian McCann signature bat throughout the game, especially in the extra innings.
10-4 - June 9, 2009
lmao
Huddy bumping Kelly repeatedly when Chipper hit that “almost homer” in left had me laughing out loud.
AND he got a couple punches in on Ross after the game. Ross broke lose and ran straight for Huddy.
HAHAHA. loves it.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - June 9, 2009
Honest to God, for just a second, I thought Ross was going to pick him up and body slam him to the ground.
fandave - June 9, 2009
Smoltz' beard
said he was going to pick you up and body slam you to the ground.
:)
justincredubil02 - June 9, 2009
huh?
Smoltz's Beard - June 9, 2009
Poor Kawakami, he’s been pitching really well his last 3 or so starts. He gets the worst run support in the league and finally got some runs tonight. If Chipper didn’t rush that throw in the 7th and planted his feet to get the out, that big inning might never have happened. I had no clue what Chipper was thinking on that play cause he had more time to throw the ball.
Most of the hits off Moylan were pretty lucky hits, I didn’t see anything solid, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.
Sparhawk - June 9, 2009
right. nobody’s fault though. nature of the game. I’m sure he’s feeling more comfortable with run support.
ESPECIALLY since we’ve got a lead-off guy now. Kelly and Yunel don’t need to be leading off. Just wait though…..whenever Kelly gets hot…..it’s officially on.
Even Frenchy was pulling his weight last night. If a guy is struggling, but still hustling, I’ll give him props for that. And dude was hustling.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - June 9, 2009
Maybe Moylan shouldn’t be the designated 7th inning guy in close games. Just an idea.
redwards95 - June 9, 2009
If it was up to me.....
7th – Meds
8th – Gonzo/Soriano
9th – Gonzo/Soriano
Chief Noc-A-Homa - June 9, 2009
i was fussing about Medlen seemingly being ignored in the pen in the 7th inning and on , until he was the last man available. but then using him last worked out pretty damn well. Touche Bobby, touche.
10-4 - June 9, 2009
…and this.
bbxxj - June 9, 2009
THIS
bbxxj - June 9, 2009
Yeah...
But it’s nice to have your long guy (who’s already stretched out) available for extras if needed.
MichaelProcton - June 9, 2009
I agree with this one. Moylan’s simply just not ready. To be pitching, let alone a hold situation in the 7th inning. It’s not his completely his fault his rehab was cut short and rushed, nor is the assumption that because he was so good in 2007, he’ll be good in 2009. He’s still too inconsistent, and even on days he goes unscathed, still has a tendency to hang some pitches. Nor is he utilizing both sides of the plate like he used to, with that nasty, filthy looping little slider that used to catch the edge at the right moment. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’d almost rather see Acosta handling the 7th innings right now.
royhobbs - June 9, 2009
Roller coaster of a game last night and so glad it ended with a victory.
(ut hum…predicted by my positive thinking self I might add)
I think the move of the game by Bobby was taking GA out of left field late in the game. That hit by MaClutchen (sp?) would have certainly been another run GA had been out there. We held him at 3rd for the rest of the inning and that was a key to our being able to keep them from scoring again and allow us to come back to win it.
I’m glad for Bobby and his 2,000th win. In this era of managers changing so often, it’s a milestone not easily reached with 1 team.
NCChopper - June 9, 2009
GA is really starting to piss me off in the field.
“That hit by MaClutchen…”
That’s a good nickname for him.
TradeAndruw - June 9, 2009
I was at thisclose..
to throwing something at GA on the triple that should’ve been a double. I might have if I wouldn’t have had to go to the other side of the stadium to do so. And WHY doesn’t he ever even attempt to throw the runner out when they tag up?! If there’s no one on base, where’s the harm in at least trying?
…at least Frenchy hustles.
Little Lady - June 9, 2009
...Some times.
The bottom of the15th last night, when he needed to score to win the game? That was not one of those times.
MichaelProcton - June 9, 2009
I thought the same thing. So glad Blanco was in left instead of GA. They would have surely had that run if it had been GA. Luck of a move.
Gage23 - June 9, 2009
Although that ridiculous boot in the extras from Greg had me real scared.
MichaelProcton - June 9, 2009
Does anyone else think that Escobar's head doesn't seem to be in the game?
Or am I just seeing stuff? Not only does he seem to be making mistakes more often than he usually does, he seems to have a funny stare-off-into-space look when you see him on camera.
Or I could honestly be making all of this up and it would not surprise me!
gramsey712 - June 9, 2009
I think you’ve hit on something. I’ve been trying to catch some shots of the oft-noted enth-Yuni-asm(s), but have been unable to get many. I don’t see him exhibiting quite as much flair (so far) this season, unfortunately.
Lizziebeth - June 9, 2009
Considering he’s making a base-path mistake almost once every two games now, it’s not just you. His first two years, it was “good instincts” when he wasn’t getting caught, but now he’s abysmal on the base paths, now that he’s getting caught all the time.
I’ve lost count, but at this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Yunel giving up an equivalent of one game’s worth of outs (27) by season’s end.
royhobbs - June 9, 2009
bat flip
he also got reprimanded after hitting an ump with that little bat flip. Then again, just with his walk off single, he flipped that thing violently.
Homeboy’s gotta figure out how to understand English, or at least become a big leaguer. Love him, but he’s immature.
traphicg - June 9, 2009
this
Rhyno18 - June 9, 2009
Agree 100%.
get swoll yunel - June 9, 2009
he is twitching...
does anyone else notice this? should we be concerned about it?
justincredubil02 - June 9, 2009
The Braves business-like game approach has killed his spirit.
10-4 - June 9, 2009
Oh, if only we hadn't traded Brayan Pena...
MichaelProcton - June 9, 2009
Francoeur jogging in the 15th
Did anyone else notice our beloved #7 cadillac down the line the first 20 ft. until he realized the play was gonna be at home then he actually started running. GET HIS ASS OUTTA TOWN!
leedouglas10 - June 9, 2009
Thank you.
TennKen - June 9, 2009
I think that was full speed for him.
Rhyno18 - June 9, 2009
Francouer out of lineup tonight!
1. McLouth
2. Esco
3. Chipper
4. Heap
5. Anderson
6. Diaz
7. Norton-1B
8. Kelly
9. Lowe
10-4 - June 9, 2009
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