Ryan Howard hit his 4th and 5th home runs in his last 13 at bats against the Braves and 78 year old Pedro Martinez combined with 97 year old Jamie Moyer to allow just 1 run over 6.1 innings spanning 2 rain delays. Tommy Hanson, like Martinez, was forced to leave the game after just two innings, earning an unfortunate loss as he allowed a solo home run to Howard.
Chipper Jones' struggles continue, as the Braves legend went 0 for 4, mustering only an RBI groundout. Matt Diaz continues to thrive in the leadoff spot in the absence of Nate McLouth, collecting 3 hits. Martin Prado and Garret Anderson also each collected a pair of hits for Atlanta.
Howard managed to victimize both Hanson and Kris Medlen for home runs, and he leads all active players with 29 home runs against the Braves. He's single handedly killing the Braves playoff hopse, as they now fall 8 games back in the Eastern Division. Though they were able to mainain their 4.5 game deficit in the Wild Card standings as Colorado lost as well. At a time when the Brave need to win every game, they dropped their 4th of their last 7.
0 recs | 21 comments
Don’t know what else to say. The Braves are falling and falling fast. Lost 2 out of 3 to the lowly Padres and can’t seem to get Howard out(can someone hit him) The body language says it all, there beat up and drained. You look at the San Fran and Rockies games and it seems like both teams are in the playoff race, the Braves on the other hand looks like a team who can’t wait for the season to be over. Sad to say it but I think it is. They get Philliy I believe 3 more times and the Marlins always find a way to win , St. Louis, Houston etc.
See you next year boys!
AlRoBraves95 - August 29, 2009
I agree on what you said about the Rockies and Giants
Both of those teams bust their ass on every play and show a ton of emotion. The Braves…well, I haven’t seen it in quite a while.
Scott Coleman - August 29, 2009 via mobile
It’s ridiculous that Hanson gets the loss. No more pitching to Howard in this series. As far as the Braves are concerned, Howard IS the Phillies.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 29, 2009
Same vein as giving up that 2-out, no one on HR to Gonzalez last series.
The Keith Lockhart Era - August 29, 2009
Exactly. I’m really not that worried about the Phillies. I’m worried about Ryan Howard.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 29, 2009
Couldn't agree more
And you know what? If we walk him four times, and Ibanez/Werth manage to drive him in twice, at this point I’ll be pretty happy with that.
The Keith Lockhart Era - August 29, 2009
Ibanez and Werth have been freakin’ scalped.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 29, 2009
Phooey is all I have to say. Next 2 games are gonna be tough, but we need to take em, especially from a confidence point of view.
soup du jour - August 29, 2009
The only way Howard should see a base for the rest of the year against the Braves.
NCChopper - August 29, 2009
amen.
Scott Coleman - August 29, 2009
Agreed.
The Keith Lockhart Era - August 29, 2009
exactly
HEYJUDE - August 29, 2009
No team wins every game.
Right now, for example, although it is pretty unbelievable, there are only two teams in MLB with any winning streak – the lowly Reds (5 in a row) and D-backs (2 in a row). In the NL, no team is better than 7-3 for the last 10 games, and the three teams in the hunt with us ain’t among them. Specifically, the Rockies are 6-4, the Giants (like the Braves) are 5-5 and the Marlins are 4-6.
The big issue with another 34 games to go is: Can the Braves get hot again? From June 28 – August 23, we just had a great run of 32-18 (64%). We’re getting Nate back, we’re getting Huddy back, and Chipper is definitely going to hit better than he has lately.
There is still ample time to make a move and tighten the screws. If we can even win 5 in a row or 8 out of 10, that would likely put major pressure on the teams above us, and the entire dynamic of the stretch run would likely be wholly changed.
I will repeat myself, again: It ain’t over.
fandave - August 29, 2009
You're right, it ain't over.
There’s enough time left in the schedule for the 07-08 Mets to collapse TWICE.
The Keith Lockhart Era - August 29, 2009
I would be happy just to see them win 1 game, starting tonight!
HEYJUDE - August 29, 2009
Check out Jamie Moyer's record
That guy just knows how to win.
get swoll yunel - August 29, 2009
HoF
justincredubil02 - August 29, 2009
He needs 42 wins at 46 years old to get to 300
What are his chances? It’s a reach, but no more so than asking the same question about him six or seven years ago, maybe less.
The Keith Lockhart Era - August 29, 2009
0.00%
cbwilk - August 30, 2009
relax. It was a joke.
justincredubil02 - August 30, 2009
And a damn fine one, too.
The Keith Lockhart Era - August 31, 2009
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