Yesterday, when I was on my way out of Turner Field, I walked past this plastered drunk college guy, stumbling by, absolutely annihilated. This is not an uncommon occurrence at the Ted, but it was this guy's shirt that caught my attention; in the most non-descript lettering, on a plain red shirt were the words:
"matt diaz ** rules"
Now there was a censored abbreviation for an expletive there, but despite yesterday's losing effort, the shirt still gave me a chuckle. If you as a Braves fan do not like and/or appreciate Matt Diaz, then you probably don't really like baseball.
In three career at-bats against Brad Lidge prior to today, Matt Diaz was retired once. The other two were Diaz home runs.
In the fourth meeting between the two, in the bottom of the ninth today, Diaz did not homer off Lidge, but he also was not retired. An attempted sacrifice bunt to advance Garret Anderson to second, resulted in an abysmal fielding performance which saw Lidge bobble the bunt, make a bad throw well past Ryan Howard, which bounced the ball off the wall near the first base dugout, putting it into no-man's land. By the time Werth got the ball back into the infield, Anderson had scored, and Matt Diaz was on third base, with the score tied up at 3 apiece, with nobody out. Brad Lidge now has eight blown saves on the season.
After walks by Adam LaRoche and Greg Norton, followed by a Ryan Church strikeout, Omar Infante slapped a grounder just past the reach of a diving Jimmy Rollins, Braves win.
It was an ugly win, but it's a win nonetheless, and I'll take it. Things were looking bleak, and a sense of "here we go again" crossed my mind when Jayson Werth homered, and the Phils took their 3-2 lead into the bottom of the ninth, but I'm reminded again why baseball is so great; in the blink of an eye, things can change that fast.
Both starting pitchers performed solidly, with the struggling Cole Hamels settling down a little bit, despite giving up a two-run blast to Brian McCann, finished with a solid 6.0 inning performance allowing two runs on three hits. Kenshin Kawakami finished his day with 6.1 innings pitched, on seven hits, and three earned runs, one of them being the aforementioned Werth homer in the 7th.
Some things worth mentioning was in the 5th inning, center-fielder Nate McLouth re-aggravated his hamstring, and had to be replaced by Ryan Church. He was listed as day-to-day afterward. Martin Prado also left the game early; the diagnosis I heard on the radio was due to the heat. (Anyone care to confirm?) Granted, this opened the door for Omar Infante to play the hero, but you never want to hear anyone getting hurt.
Tomorrow, the rubber match takes place, this time being nationally televised, as ESPN is picking it up for Sunday Night Baseball, at 8 p.m. EST. Javier Vazquez takes the hill, with J.A. Happ opposes.
0 recs | 74 comments
Game MVP: Brad Lidge
danielmobo - August 15, 2009
Diaz’s bunt almost makes us forget about his stolen base earlier. He’s one of those guys that every succesful team needs.
I’m still wondering why the Phils weren’t at double play depth on the game winning hit.
Bobby Cocks - August 15, 2009
The same reason Victorino was hovering in between third and home instead of tagging on the sliding catch by GA. They let us have this ball game.
BigG1392 - August 15, 2009
Like we gave them that game where we walked the ballpark with the bases loaded.
bravos1984 - August 15, 2009
I'll take any win..
If it means taking away wins from the Phillies…and just as long as the Marlins are losing along with them :D
King_of_Hearts - August 15, 2009
Hopefully...
…this mega blowup in the 9th will have the similar effect on the Phillies that the KJ dropped pop-up had last year on the Braves. We stole this game, and it’s time for Javy to give us the series tomorrow!
BigG1392 - August 15, 2009
I got the game televised on FOX today, so I have back to back televised games on major networks.
Tim Goad - August 15, 2009
Me
I love it!dragonhawk26 - August 16, 2009
I’m listening to the radio archive to hear the 9th inning call.
bravos1984 - August 15, 2009
WHOOOOO!!
Is all i can say. I left in the middle of the game and was keeping track on my phone and saw when Mac GIDP after chips lead off single and i was kinda upset.
Then i realized that we no longer have holes at the bottom of our line up and maybe we could pull it off. If this was the beginning of the season its no way we win this game but now with out the bottom of our line up being black holes we have a shot anytime in the game.
Good job for us to not give up and to come back and win this one. Now lets go on another winning streak
drumzalicious - August 15, 2009
Welcome back, Omar. Hopefully he gets the start in CF tomorrow. Nate looks like he’s been struggling.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 15, 2009
I hope
That tomorrow’s lineup (against a southpaw mind you) looks like the following….
Church/Infante
Prado
Chipper
Escobar
Mac
Diaz
LaRoche
Infante/Church
RaffyGonzo - August 15, 2009
scratch infante and put in KJ and you have yourself a lineup. KJ in the 8 of course.
justincredubil02 - August 15, 2009
Justin they're bashing you on "The Good Phight"
Early in the game recap comments you seem to have gotten to at least one “Phan” rather nicely. Kudos(
).
The Keith Lockhart Era - August 16, 2009
lol. They are clueless over there, and their site manager seems a little classless to me. Since when are people considered “trolls” when commenting on the board of the opposing team in the series preview section? I understand if it were a gamethread or something, but these moderators know that links will be posted to that thread on our site.
Oh well. Lesson learned.
justincredubil02 - August 16, 2009
Lesson learned… They get the attitude from Victorino.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 16, 2009
(insert cheesesteak related Michael Vick joke here)
The Keith Lockhart Era - August 17, 2009
Good win, lets hope we can keep it going tomorrow. I was very scared to look at the scores tonight, but this saved my day. Hopefully we get a good preformance tomorrow and can take 2/3
GoBravesNY - August 15, 2009
lidge. is the shit.
MacsGlasses - August 15, 2009
WAS IT BIGJOE???
mvandonsel - August 15, 2009
No
If you recall, bigjoe couldn’t stand let alone stumble correctly, when annihilated.
royhobbs - August 15, 2009
Confirmed on Prado out due to heat.
“Bobby Cox said Prado just needed to drink more water instead of energy drinks and McLouth needs a couple days off.”
ESPN recap
ATLforlife - August 15, 2009
Prediction for Series MVP: Greg Norton and his otherworldy 1.000 OBP
In all seriousness though, it’s nice to know we can actually mount a comeback even with the bottom third of the order at bat
McCann's the Man - August 15, 2009
At the going rate
Any time the game is on the line and Matt Diaz is scheduled to face Brad Lidge, there’s a chance for something good.
royhobbs - August 15, 2009
I’m willing to bet large sums of money we don’t see Lidge tomorrow, in any case. After his performance these last two games, plus the fact that he’s actually pitched in 2 straight, means he’s just not getting into the Sunday Night contest.
So, I hope we have a lead going into the 9th this time.
Bronn - August 15, 2009
Wow what a win
I like our chances with Javy tommorrow
UltimaParadox - August 15, 2009
Ditto
Gotta take the series, and cut it to 4 games.
Bronn - August 15, 2009
Can anyone link me to any kind of article that explain Victorino’s douchebaggeriness?
I don’t like him at all, but I don’t really know why, other than the fact that he smiles too much. Maybe that’s why I didn’t like Francoeur that much either.
Bobby Cocks - August 15, 2009
http://www.metsblog.com/2009/05/08/note-shane-victorino-is-a-cheater/
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=4467307&c_id=nym
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 15, 2009
ill probably get ripped for this … but the McCann thing wasnt dirty… McCann admitted it wasnt dirty… Victorino made sure he was ok… it was a hard nosed play at the plate… some of the other thigns are a little douchish.. but he just plays hard and is apparently willing to get hit by a ball or run into/over a player to get the job done…
if he’s a douche he’s a douche but i dont think any of these are evidence of it…
Swo12bv - August 16, 2009
I’m with you. I would really enjoy having him play in an Atlanta uniform.
justincredubil02 - August 16, 2009
Yeah, yeah, yeah……but are people not allowed to have a nemesis that plays on the team they hate most? That’s all I’m saying. I hate the guy, and he’s a douche. And has a little bit of talent.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 16, 2009
I'd love to have him and Chase Utley
With those two, we could 110 games.
Bronn - August 16, 2009
Chase Utley I respect, not Victorino.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 16, 2009
To me,
He seems like the type of guy that you’d love to have on your team but hate if he’s not on your team.
ATLforlife - August 16, 2009
he isn’t on my team, and I think the guy is awesome.
justincredubil02 - August 16, 2009
jesus christ
this has nothing to do with the Braves, but i was at the Dbacks/dodgers game tonight when Kuroda got his face smashed in my a line drive (check espn).
after he was hit in the face, EVERY Dodger player ran to the mound to check on Kuroda…well, all except for one: Manny F’ing Ramirez. he just stood in left field for a good 3 or 4 minutes before walking in.
what a total ass hole. things really are bigger than you Manny.
anyways, good win boys and lets kill em tomorrow.
the whole thing just really rubbed me the wrong way tonight. sorry if this isn’t Braves related.
Scott Coleman - August 16, 2009 via mobile
Manny doesn't stop being Manny, even when a teammate is bleeding from the face.
The Keith Lockhart Era - August 16, 2009
knowing Manny he probably had no clue what was even going on, he never seems to at least in the field
McCann's the Man - August 16, 2009
Just thinking tonight, if we had the players that we now have, at the beginning of the season,wonder where
we would be in the standings. I say most likely First in our division.
That means a line up without 2 or 3 auto outs! Granted KJ has come around, and Jordan/Logan injured and sent down, and of course Frenchy with the Mutts.
Well, FW got us the players we needed, and off we go…..lots of exciting games yet to come!
Go Braves!
HEYJUDE - August 16, 2009
Javy's been lights out lately
Tomorrow is gonna be huge.
The Keith Lockhart Era - August 16, 2009
The Phillies fans over on The Good Phight are terrible.
I read/post on opposing teams sites all the time and I’ve never seen fans be so hateful towards opposing fans as they are over there. I mean, I can certainly understand being bitter and sarcastic to people who make really off-the-wall comments or are taunting, but I didn’t even see any of that.
Little Lady - August 16, 2009
After a tough loss is probably not the best time to go to an opposing site.
bravos1984 - August 16, 2009
Yeah, it was bad over there yesterday. Apparently Braves fans are by far the WORST fans of any sports team in America. What a freaking joke.
Bobby Cocks - August 16, 2009
They’re still jealous, in general.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 16, 2009
It's Philadelphia
What else would you expect, coming from a blog of a city that prides itself on its sports devotion so rough and tumble that they’re happy to be mean and crude to everyone else, and sometimes themselves? Besides, I’ve seen things get comparably bad over here when the Braves have lost some games they shouldn’t have lost…
royhobbs - August 16, 2009
Blasphemer. You know fully well that if it werent for corrupt umpires and a few unlucky breaks the Braves would go 162-0.
!Vive la Francoeur! - August 16, 2009
Everyone gets unlucky breaks and bad umpiring. But this season, I’m seeing stuff I’ve just never seen before from umpires.
It’s pointless to complain, but this stuff just NEVER happens.
1) Home plate umpire walks toward Braves’ dugout, lineup card IN hand, asking Bobby who he should eject from the game. After the game, he fist-bumps the Marlins’ catcher.
2) Home plate umpire signals strike, runner is thrown out and called out at second base, and the runner is then told to take his base.
If the MLB took some kind of action regarding those two incidents, I promise I’d stop complaining about umps for the rest of the season.
Bronn - August 16, 2009
+20
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 16, 2009
I missed all but the 9th inning yesterday….and boy am I glad I got to see us come out of that game with a WIN to tie this series!!!
I’m hoping (crossing fingers) to be able to see the game tonight. My out of town visitors decided to extend their stay, but I’ve informed them that tonight, no matter what they’re gonna have to watch baseball with me LOL.
Javy on the mound makes me very optimistic. Perhaps our offense will make this one a no-doubter and send the Phillies home knowing the Braves OWN them this year.
NCChopper - August 16, 2009
twas the night after Christmas
Sorry didn’t have a better opening line…Well, the game came on at 11pm over here in Kuwait (AFN) and by the top of the 9th I was taking pwr hits…only to be awoken by one of my co-workers screaming out…“He threw it away”! With one eye lid straining to see the big screen I saw FUGA jogging into score and the “speed deamon” Diaz sliding into 3rd. Now I was awake….Cockroach…int walk…Norton works a walk….Church who I though would be PH’d by KJ looked lost at the plate… stuck out..then “Infinity man” hits a “seeing eyer” through the hole…with a smile I headed to my bunk to have a nice time out and sweet dreams!
bravestatoo - August 16, 2009
hells yeah
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 16, 2009
Anderson scored from 1st?!
Okay, I missed the game yesterday so I am gonna need some clarification, Anderson….as in Garrett Anderson?…. scored from 1st? How God-awful was the throw that allowed that gastropod to score from first?
!Vive la Francoeur! - August 16, 2009
I thought Diaz scored…..
And I never got to vote ‘10’ on a poll this week!!! huh?
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 16, 2009
This awful.
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=6112961
l0stnumber - August 16, 2009
Awfully
funny.
vooodooo - August 16, 2009
It was just a perfect situation… the ball passed first and stopped in an area equidistant between Howard (1B), Utley (2B), and Werth (RF).
Garret scored from first on the Diaz bunt to tie the game. Diaz scored from third on the Infante single.
danielmobo - August 16, 2009
Jason Heyward
anyone know how he did last night? im on a phone up in phoenix and can’t get milb.com.
Scott Coleman - August 16, 2009 via mobile
0-4. Freeman went 2-4 though.
soup du jour - August 16, 2009
Heyward
he walked, though, and no Ks
VivaLosBravos - August 16, 2009
yuck. he has officially hit his first slump. good to see freddie playing better tho. i was a little worried when his average was down to .260
Scott Coleman - August 16, 2009 via mobile
"ugly win"
I mean no offense but I feel this term is used too loosely. Did Philly win the
prior night becauase Sorianio through an ugly slider a few inches off the
side to center plate.
Game of inches: Kawakami held the vaunted phillies for 7 innings. Diaz
bunts and in this situation nerves are tight, a bad through follows and Braves
win. Pehaps ugly, but perhaps the total effort and a stellar performance by an
improving back of the rotation pitcher sets the stage for the tide of the game of
inches to shift.
sealift67 - August 16, 2009
Valid
But the reason I said it was an ugly win is because the game-tying and game-winning runs were both unearned. It was as more the fault of the Phillies’ poor play that cost them the game than it was the Braves putting the ball into play. It’s never pretty, but I’ll still take it.
royhobbs - August 16, 2009
I swear to god this whole thing is ridiculous
You people are going over to TGP and arguing with them about nothing. How fucking old are you guys? They dont come here, so why bother their blog?
esadb - August 16, 2009
lol, I don’t go over there, but I’ll gladly talk shit about them here. The Phillies suck ass and are going down tonite, hard.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 16, 2009
I didn’t go over there until I saw them come over here. It really is stupid all around though. My dad can beat up your dad type stuff.
justincredubil02 - August 16, 2009
isnt it bad that if the braves dont win today i will go into deep depression?
MacsGlasses - August 16, 2009
yeah, you might want to take a week off of baseball or something.
justincredubil02 - August 16, 2009
but if they win i wont be able to feel good unless im watching
MacsGlasses - August 16, 2009
look at it this way: it could be worse. you could be a Cubs fan.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 16, 2009
Or a Natinals fan.
justincredubil02 - August 16, 2009
or even the Nationals. kidding
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 16, 2009
justincredubil02 - August 16, 2009
HA. sure. awesome stuff. (bows)
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 16, 2009
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