What a way to ruin a Saturday. That game was won. Tommy Hanson pitched brilliantly, 3 hits, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts, and only one real mistake to Adam Dunn. But Mike Gonzalez just didn't have it today. The Braves have to start realizing earlier when Gonzo is not sharp and get him out of the game before the damage is too deep to erase.
The Braves took advantage of several scoring opportunities early in the game with some key hits, but they also grounded into 4 double plays, 2 each from Prado and Escobar. Those ended up coming back to hurt us in the end. Moylan got a ground ball that should have been the end of it in the eighth, but it found a hole.
It's not worth going into detail about all the what-if's in this game. Just know that we should have won it 3-to-1 and given Hanson his fifth win. It was in the bag and we blew it.
0 recs | 17 comments
Another great outing wasted
blitzerlover - July 4, 2009
Watching the Mets-Phillies game. I don’t know who to cheer for. I really can’t bring myself to cheer for the Mets. I’d rather be 3 games back than to cheer for the Mets.
Gage23 - July 4, 2009
FIRE BOBBY COX!
TRADE GONZALEZ!
BENCH MCCANN!
WE SUCK!!!
Come on Mets. Lets keep it within 2 games. We should’ve won, but maybe Bobby will finally get the message he cant have the same guy pitch 3 days in a row.
Scott Coleman - July 4, 2009
I couldn’t watch real time, but just finished watching it on DVR.
I see Bobby once again left Gonzo out there too long and the pitcher coming in for relief is put into a situation with NO room for error and it ends up biting us in the ass. Again. If Gonzo doesn’t get the first batter – he should be on a very short leash – if he doesn’t get the first 2, then he should be removed from the mound. Period. Bobby should at least give the guy coming to replace him the chance to get out of it without having to be perfect.
I really feel bad for Hanson who pitched more than good enough to win. You should be able to pitch 7 innings, giving up just 1 run and win. He like so many of our SPs this year deserved a better fate. The 4 DPs we hit into were frustrating too.
Oh well, I was really hoping to lock up the series today, but we’ll have to do it tomorrow.
NCChopper - July 4, 2009
Oh, and wanted to add that I find it more than cool to see a player this day in time come to the plate with no batting gloves. Congrats to Brooks Conrad for getting another hit today.
NCChopper - July 4, 2009
Well said
Gonzo, for whatever reason, seems to either be totally dominant (like last night) or totally off (like today). Overuse could have something to do with it, and to be honest I had a bad feeling when he came in today because he’s been used a lot recently. I feel roughly the same way about Moylan, too.
Just a really tough loss today.
get swoll yunel - July 4, 2009
GF, you know we share the same opinions on just about all aspects of the game, especially the BP situation!
I missed all but one of the DP’s because Hubby and I were riding our bikes today. When I turned it on I thought all was well, UNTIL the BP exploded and cost Tommy and the Braves a win! Hope y’all had a great 4th!
Looking forward to a win tomorrow!
HEYJUDE - July 5, 2009
Scrap iron bullpen - Atlanta Braves
There are only 2 worthy relievers in the bullpen – the rest are a waste of fan money, and those 2 are overworked.Hanson would be 5-0, if he would have been allowed to pitch the whole game,He doesn’t need any relievers coming in and mess things up.How in the world,can 3 relievers,come in at the end of one game, and give up 4 runs? That’s unheard of ! These freeloader relievers,can’t even do what they are paid to do – strike out hitters with a scrub record – they are pathetic !
tombuster77 - July 4, 2009
I agree, It’s almost not heard of these days to allow a SP to pitch a complete game, but Tommy is young with a strong arm, why not let him try to finish it out. It;s not like we are talking about Lowe, Glavine or Smolze here.
It it’s not broke why fix it…..
I wish these young starting pitchers would stand up to Bobby and suggest he leave them in, if they are cruising with a low pitch count!
HEYJUDE - July 5, 2009
Acosta needs some work
You can’t have Gonzo and Soriano pitch every night. This was gonzo’s 4th outing in 5 days, i’m not surprised he didn’t have it. Acosta has pitched well, not sure why he gets no work, and Medlen needs to pitch or go back to AAA. Seems like since Bennett is hurt (and terrible), Bobby just wants Gonzo and Soriano to pitch until their arms fall off.
Eltoasto - July 4, 2009
BP WOES
Bobby Cox is wearing our bullpen down. It is nice to throw Moylan-Gonzo-Soriano 7-8-9 but someone else has to step up especially when winning more than 3 games in a row. Maybe the starters can start stretching it out a little more. Acosta has the arm just not the attitude or control. Give Valdez or Nunez a shot. Both have ERAs below 3.00 at AAA. The bullpen has been pitching lights out but there are times when the starters need to help out & go just a little longer.
chicken little - July 5, 2009
Pen
I am sick of the way Cox uses the pen! Medlen and Acosta get no work at all and both have no been bad. I would rather have Acosta in than over use Gonzo. I just hate to see such a good outing go to waste.
atlbravesfn12 - July 4, 2009
Medlen and Acosta rarely get to come in a game unless the SP has been pulled early and/or the game is out of hand. They may pitch a little better if they had more opportunities to come in and succeed instead of always mopping up a mess. I think they should be used more often to help rest Gonzo/Soriano.
I love Bobby, but he tends to let things get a bit too far before reluctantly coming out and pulling a pitcher that is clearly struggling whether it’s his stuff or he’s simply getting squeezed by the ump. Effectiveness should be the rule IMO.
NCChopper - July 5, 2009
Another reason to get rid of Bobby.
His managing loses us more games than he wins us.
taney71 - July 4, 2009
the bullpen just sucked today
I agree with all the criticism’s of Bobby’s bullpen management, but let’s face it. Gonzalez and the relievers who followed him and threw gasoline on the fire just plain sucked today. Regardless of how Bobby misuses them it’s still their job to get 6 outs and preserve a 2 run lead, and they failed.
Since Bobby doesn’t want to use more than 3 or 4 relievers, why not send Medlen or Logan to Gwinnett and call up Norton? Another good pinch hitter would be much more valuable than a reliever who pitches once a week.
redwards95 - July 5, 2009
Don't blame Bobby
Bobby cannot go out there and pitch for Gonzo. You may argue that Gonzo worked a few days in a row. HE IS A PROFFESSIONAL!!! That is his job! He comes out of the bullpen when needed, however often that may be. The guy pitches one inning!
Just be happy Bobby benched FYF.
If you want to blame Cox for anything, blame him for leaving Gonzo in too long. He should have brought in SORIANO (not Moylan) after Gonzo walked those two. Then allow Moylan or Medlen to close it out.
You guys who say “Fire Bobby!” Have become spoiled. Watch a couple of other teams for a while. See the dumb stuff their managers do and you will get some perspective.
SupermanWearsBobSander'sPJs - July 5, 2009
No, you can definitely be mad at Bobby. That was Gonzo’s 4th outing in 5 days and 3rd in a row. The guy is coming off Tommy John, he shouldn’t have been sent out there. You could tell right from the start with his fastball in the 89-91 range and his slider was flat.
MatM - July 5, 2009
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