The Braves broke out the homerun ball for the win against the Nationals on Wednesday night to sweep the 2-game series. Atlanta got homeruns from Garret Anderson, Martin Prado, and two from Adam LaRoche -- who now has 3 HR in his frist 35 at-bats back in a Braves uniform (Casey Kotchman had 8 HRs in 450 at-bats during his 2 years with Atlanta). The Braves also added two runs in the eighth on bases loaded walks. If you're keeping track at home, that's 4 solo homeruns and 2 bases loaded walks -- a strange way to score all your runs.
Starting pitcher Derek Lowe once again managed his way through 7 innings of good-enough work -- 7 hits, 4 walks, and 5 strikeouts. There were some innings where he really struggled, and there were other innings where he looked unhittable. But this is what Lowe gives you -- starts where he goes deep into the game and gives you a chance to win. That's Lowe's 12th win, good enough to rank second (tied) in the NL.
The game ended in pretty cool fashion, and something you don't see everyday. With a runner on second and Nyjer Morgan at first, Mike Gonzalez deliverd the pitch. Morgan had wandered pretty far off of first, remember, there is someone in front of him at second, so there's no reason to be 15 feet off first. Adam LaRoche snuck in behind Morgan and Brian McCann gunned a throw down to first after the pitch was delivered. Morgan was picked off to end the game.
0 recs | 60 comments
Way to take care of business boys
Now let’s phuck the phillies up on Friday!
We have another damn off day tomorrow. Jason Heyward better do something magical tomorrow night to hold us over.
Scott Coleman - August 12, 2009 via mobile
Anyone just see that crap on ESPN
Cubs have the bases loaded, and Jake Fox (I think) hits a long fly to the warning track.
Victorino camps out under it, and just before the ball reaches him, a fan throws a beer on him. Victorino still makes the catch, but that’s some garbage behavior, there. We’ve seen stuff like this from Cubs fans before, on occasion, but still…what an asshole.
Bronn - August 12, 2009
Thats ridiculous
esadb - August 12, 2009
Yeah, and if anyone deserved it, it’s that shithead.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 12, 2009
the game has been over for a while now anyways. we’re ready for the “phuckers” on phriday.
Go Bravos!!
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 12, 2009
Is he a shithead?
what did he do?
esadb - August 12, 2009
He got thrown out of a game by the home plate umpire recently. But I can’t say that really reflects poorly on him as much as it does the umpire.
Bronn - August 12, 2009
He’s a bad dude, man.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 12, 2009
go on....
esadb - August 12, 2009
He plays dirty. Dirtier than almost anyone I’ve seen. And when you play that way, drunken Cubs fans may “accidentally” drop a cup of beer into your glove. He’s a douchebag.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 12, 2009
Please give us some examples
danielmobo - August 12, 2009
http://www.metsblog.com/2009/05/08/note-shane-victorino-is-a-cheater/
I rescind my disbelief
danielmobo - August 12, 2009
Yeah, assorted shady moves like that. He almost crippled McCann last year with a very bad shot at home. Shadiness.
Shane Victorino is a shithead.com.org.shh
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 12, 2009
As long as baseball continues to allow any player coming from 3rd a free shot at the catcher AND award them with a run if that shot causes the ball to come loose it’s just “good hard nosed play”.
Lennox - August 13, 2009
lold
esadb - August 12, 2009
I don’t really know if this specific example is dirty. If you’re in the basepath during a rundown, the runner has the right to go through you. If you impede him, he’s awarded the base.
If he’d gone out of the way to run into Reyes and be awarded second base, perhaps…but I can’t find a video of this incident, and the photos on that blog seem compelling for Victorino’s case.
Bronn - August 12, 2009
http://wap.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081004&content_id=3591763&c_id=mlb
http://www.ajc.com/braves/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/07/27/mccann_braves_injured.html
danielmobo - August 12, 2009
This
Seems like people are taking issue with Victorino’s play because he is a smart, aggressive player who knows the rules of baseball and takes advantage of them.
I don’t see anything wrong with that. Frankly, most teams could use more of that.
Yakker - August 13, 2009
I like Victorino a lot. I wish we could have gotten him somehow. He is a really good ballplayer, and I have no problem with his style or the way he plays.
justincredubil02 - August 13, 2009
Wow that’s lame as hell. Pierzynkski did something like that against the Rays last year. Reminds me of soccer dives or basketball flops. Within the rules, but annoying as hell to watch.
VictorW - August 13, 2009
World Baseball Classic
USA vs. Puerto Rico, on a deep right flyball, Victorino tags up on second base, RF throws it to third to prevent the advance, but Victorino waits for the ball, and allows the ball to “bounce” off of his leg, and ricochet into no-man’s land, while he takes third, and uses his superb speed to score.
Kinda dirty.
royhobbs - August 13, 2009
Is it?
Seems like a smart play to me. If Derek jeter did that, the ESPNers would sing paeans to the stars about him. Come to think of it, they sing paeans to the stars about Jeter when he takes a dump…
Yakker - August 13, 2009
I'd think so
A lot of the PR players were waving their arms afterwards in the “wtf” fashion, because in agreement to your above comment, yeah, it’s fair, but it’s kind of cheap. Like exploiting a glitch in a video game or something, Victorino knows almost every little loophole, and takes advantage of them every opportunity he gets.
I kind of cheered because he was representing USA, but told everyone around me that if he did that during a Braves/Phillies game, I’d be livid.
The bottom line is, it’s hard to hate a guy for sucking, and Victorino is a really good player that kills the Braves.
royhobbs - August 13, 2009
That throw to home he made (was it last year?) was an absolute laser.
justincredubil02 - August 13, 2009
Fair enough
I actually like when people exploit loopholes; I think it adds charm to the game. Was it cheap when Veeck pinchit Eddie Gaedel? When Connie Mack dropped an easy pop fly? I see what Victorino did in that light. A loophole, but one that everyone can take advantage of.
Yakker - August 13, 2009
an article on ESPN today...
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=4392903
justincredubil02 - August 13, 2009
This still explains nothing
But ill take you word for it.
esadb - August 12, 2009
Philadelphians would have done worse
danielmobo - August 12, 2009
I had that thought myself
But still, I can’t remember any recent incidents with Phillies fans like this.
That Braves/Cubs game in Wrigley from, oh, 3-4 years ago (where there was a 20-something minute after the entire stadium was throwing garbage on the field, and the Braves had to go into the clubhouse) immediately came to mind regarding Cubs fans.
Bronn - August 12, 2009
I admit, if everyone else was throwing trash, I would too.
esadb - August 12, 2009
Took my time to think about it
I probably wouldn’t. Depends on just how much horseshit I had to endure prior to it.
I mean, someone recently posted a fanshot with videos of the 1984 brawl between the Padres and Braves, and if I had seats right behind the Braves’ dugout, I’d have thrown some garbage at the douche who rushed over there to pick a fight with Bob Horner.
Bronn - August 12, 2009
Derek Lowe with 12 wins, nice to see at least one of our pitchers hasn’t been hurt in the win column due to offensive inconsistency
McCann's the Man - August 12, 2009
except
he and all of our starters could/should probably have 1-2 more wins each (at least)
nuftjedi - August 13, 2009
We swept the Natinals right out of the Ted!
Great job guys. Rest well, eat well and get ready for the Phillies.
This winning stuff is a lot of fun to watch!
NCChopper - August 12, 2009
I agree, and it sure is fun watching them win!
HEYJUDE - August 13, 2009
Why is everyone on TV sucking Pedro off?
I understand he won but the guys on ESPN are acting like the old Pedro is back after five innings and three runs. It’s a 5.40 ERA.
was385 - August 13, 2009
Cause ESPN loves the Phuckers and any current or former Boston redsox player. It’s a perfect day for them.
Scott Coleman - August 13, 2009 via mobile
Probably because he's hilarious..
“The Yankees are my daddy..”
“Who ees.. Kareem Garcia??”
Hobnail_Boot - August 13, 2009
not to mention that could’ve easily been a GS for Jake Fox, a few more feet
McCann's the Man - August 13, 2009
I also love how is 91 MPH fastball is “throwing gas” according to the BBT guys.
justincredubil02 - August 13, 2009
Did the Braves ever get any love last night on BBT? I watched a little bit, but was getting tired of the usual suckoff-fest.
award6 - August 13, 2009
a little bit…they talked about the 2 laroche HRs and the play that ended the game…that was pretty much it.
justincredubil02 - August 13, 2009
And it’s not like the Cubs have that great of an offense. Maybe if he had held the Yankees to 3 runs it would be a little different..
sleezer1788 - August 13, 2009
amen
Scott Coleman - August 13, 2009
Anybody
Got a link to that line drive close call with Gonzo?
WienerDog - August 13, 2009
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=6068901
10-4 - August 13, 2009
Wow
thanks for the link showing Gonzo’s near death experience. That’s the first time I saw it. Braves are hot. 17-9 since the break. Best in the NL. Practically everyone contributing offensively last night. LaRoche w/his 2nd half surge action. Prado is a godsend. GA turning out to be a good offseason move. Great D w/Gonzo’s face catch & McCann picking off Morgan to end the game. This is baseball at its best. My wife thinks I’m nuts. I’m trying to educate her.
adc62 - August 13, 2009
Mac is the man!
geapsquash - August 13, 2009
Anyone still whining about the Kotchman trade?
pancanbra - August 13, 2009
Yes
Since I’m not prepared to evaluate a trade with a 2-year window after 30-something ABs.
Yakker - August 13, 2009
Not really relevant...
…but I am the only one who sees a line of 6 runs on 0 hits?
AllSaintsDay - August 13, 2009
HURR DURR ESPN HATES US HURRTHEY ONLY LIKE TH THILIES AND YANKEES DURR
esadb - August 13, 2009
Phillies clubbing the cubs yet again.
NCChopper - August 13, 2009
:/
This race will go down to the wire apparently
esadb - August 13, 2009
So apparently, if we take 2 out of 3 this weekend, we’re still down 4 games. Meh.
Hate to say it, but we need the sweep.
Blanton/Jurrjens
Hamels/Kawakami
Happ/Vazquez
No Cliff Lee, which is good. If Kawakami can pitch anything like he did in his last start, we’re going to be in really good shape for this series. Truth is, of those guys, Blanton is the one that worries me most right now.
Bronn - August 13, 2009
I agree 100%.
Hamels and Happ do not scare me at all. And, honestly, I wished we faced Pedro. The Phillies are in trouble if they are counting on these guys for a stretch run with a team as hot as Atlanta on their heels.
Is your math correct though? After today, we are down 4 games to the Phils…2 of 3 means we get to within 2 games, right?
justincredubil02 - August 13, 2009
3.5 games back we will be.
esadb - August 13, 2009
Yoda?
justincredubil02 - August 13, 2009
We’re 5 back right now because the Phillies won today. If we take 2 of 3, that means we win 2 and they win 1, so we only gain one game on them. That would put us at 4 games back.
Hence, a sweep would really help.
Bronn - August 13, 2009
Ah…for some reason, I thought we were only 3.5 back going into today…2 damn off days in a week will screw me up like that.
justincredubil02 - August 13, 2009
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