That's about how I expected this game to go. The Braves get no-hit through 5 and two-thirds, then we come back and get 3 two-out RBIs and take the lead for good. Pretty much a typical Braves win this year -- we look completely over matched offensively and then somehow wake up and play some baseball.
Marlins starter Josh Johnson had complete command of the game through 6 innings. Matt Diaz broke up the no-hitter with two-out in the fifth, but the real damage came in the seventh. With 2-outs and runners on first and third, Omar Infante laced a 2-run triple into the cavernous outfield at whatever the name of the Marlins stadium is now. Then David Ross hit a seeing-eye single back up the middle to score Infante. Omar's triple was the only extra-base hit for Atlanta on the evening.
Back to back singles by Adam LaRoche and Yunel Escobar in the eighth plated two more runs for Atlanta.
Kenshin Kawakami had a good outing and probably could have gone deeper into the game. Through 6 innings of 6-hit, no-walk, 1-run ball, Kawakami threw only 75 pitches (51 strikes) while striking out 5. They pinch-hit for him in the top of the seventh attempting to get more runs, but they called Greg Norton's number, and he, well, he struck out -- to no one's surprise. It will be interesting to see what the Braves do with the rotation, after a great start from Kawakami, and Tim Hudson returning to the mound tomorrow.
0 recs | 57 comments
I still have no clue how we won this game
but hell, i’ll take it. a win is a win and now we’re only 3 games back in the wildcard.
Scott Coleman - August 31, 2009
We scored more runs than they did! ;-)
sddbaker - September 1, 2009
Jason Werth told us how to be winners.
10-4 - September 1, 2009
idk about yall but i'm liking the postgame show alot more now
who’s that girl? lol
bravesfan1047 - August 31, 2009
Cassidy Hubbarth, who’s going to be on the SEC show they’re hyping. She is quite cute…
John Holton - September 1, 2009
“It will be interesting to see what the Braves do with the rotation, after a great start from Kawakami, and Tim Hudson returning to the mound tomorrow.”
If Huddy throws like Huddy of old, then Lowe needs to move to the pen and spot start for anyone that needs a breather (KK, Hanson).
Yes, I know $15 million is a lot for someone in the pen, but who would have ever thought that our rotation would be this damn good?
Bobby Cocks - August 31, 2009
i think we all need to realize one thing
Tim Hudson will probably not be the Tim Hudson of old tomorrow night. He’s gonna need some time to get full command of his pitches and to build his arm strength up.
if we go into tomorrow night thinking anything less than 6 innings and 2 runs is not acceptable, we’re going to be in trouble. Huddy struggled a bit in his rehab starts. I think we all just need to be patient.
Scott Coleman - August 31, 2009
Well Tim pitches to contact, so his arm strength won’t be as important to him as it would be a power pitcher It will be interesting to see how much rust he has to shake off though.
bravos1984 - August 31, 2009
Yep and Bobby’s blessed to have such a deep rotation that if he struggles, we’ve got arms to help him out. It may take him a bit to get his full groove back – it will be nice to see him on the mound for sure.
NCChopper - August 31, 2009
well said. We all do need to take a step back and realize he is coming back from an injury. Hopefully the O can come up big tomorrow
GoBravesNY - August 31, 2009
True, my “if” was a big “if”, but how good would he have throw to gain your confidence in moving him into the rotation full time?
Bobby Cocks - August 31, 2009
at this point
i dont think there are many assured “spots” in the rotation. I think JJ and Javy definately have a guaranteed spot, and I would say Tommy has one too, but he’s never thrown this many innings and the Braves might be careful with him. KK has been really good as of late, but, like Hanson, hasn’t thrown that many innings in a season before. DLowe is the big question mark, but it seems like he always comes back with a big game whenever we truly need it (like Saturday night against Cliff Lee).
I think the Braves are going to take their rotation one day at a time. If a pitcher needs a day off, let him have a day off. If Huddy really struggles, put him in the pen and let him keep recovering from the surgery. If he’s great, well, lets cross that bridge if/when we get there.
Scott Coleman - August 31, 2009
Actually
KK has thrown around 200 innings before the only reason they are being careful is for the last 3 seasons i think he has been in a 6 man rotation
drumzalicious - August 31, 2009
Kawakami pitched GREAT tonight for us to take the first game of a series!
I’m glad we could give him the win. Not expecting to pitch until last minute, this could have been an ugly night facing this Marlins team – but KK stepped up to the task and did very well.
Our offense kept us guessing (and worried) until late, but they found the grit and determination to start hitting and give us the WIN!
That’s 1 out of 4….
NCChopper - August 31, 2009
Post game interview – Bobby was applauding KK’s 10-pitch at bat too!
NCChopper - August 31, 2009
great. the one time KK has a good AB and i miss it. go figure
GoBravesNY - August 31, 2009
He’s had a few good at bats.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 31, 2009
I'd have preferred
That he got one more at bat so Norton can sit his lame ass on the bench. KK was good for at least another inning, and after he was out, we had to burn our 4 best relievers in the first game of a 4 game set where hopefully we’ll need them all.
Thanks, Bobby, for having Soriano throw 26 pitches in a 4 run game. Awesome.
fphjr01 - September 1, 2009
I was surprised that Bobby pinch-hit for KK last night. We knew he was coming out of the game, but it wouldn’t have hurt to let him hit for himself. He had a fantastic night as it was.
John Holton - September 1, 2009
Yeah. That might be what got Johnson out of his groove. Cause before that, he was unstoppable.
bravos1984 - August 31, 2009
All 5 runs came with 2 outs. THAT is how a playoff team gets it done.
bravos1984 - August 31, 2009
no kidding.
Scott Coleman - August 31, 2009
This was our 69th win. It took us till September 21st last year to win that same amount. It’s nice to know how much difference a year and fewer injuries can make.
bravos1984 - August 31, 2009
wanna know why we're so much better? read my sig
Scott Coleman - August 31, 2009
If we make the playoffs, I’ll 2nd that and resolve that Bobby should be Manager of the Year.
It’s kinda funny though…..I remeber reading on the offical Braves message board about everyone bashing Wren for not getting anything done. I guess he’s just a late bloomer and does his best work during the season.
bravos1984 - August 31, 2009
No
He did the best he could in the offseason and went out and re-did basically our entire pitching staff.
However he did not anticipate GA being injured and basically using the first month of the season as Spring Training. KJ slumping this hard. Then Schafer being injured and going down hill, after his ST im pretty sure they were confident in him being at least league average.
What i like about Wren is the fact that he didnt wait TOO late. He gave Schafer about a quarter of the season to get his stuff together and he couldnt play with that wrist. Then on top of seeing KJ and FYF slumping along with GA he realized the team needed a move, so he made an aggressive offer for McLouth.
FYF continued to decline so he shipped him out.
He knew we needed some power going into this play-off push so he got LaRoche.
What one common thing i like about him is that when he has had to replace a player he has done so without sacrificing defense. Church, McLouth, and LaRoche are all just as good if not better than the people they replaced.
I can’t wait to see what he does this offseason.
drumzalicious - August 31, 2009
that McLouth deal is looking like a steal so far.
justincredubil02 - September 1, 2009
I’d agree it looks like we won it now, but it can’t be classified as a steal when he’s on the disabled list during crunch time.
soup du jour - September 1, 2009
Not sure I agree there
McLouth has like a .762 OPS with the Braves, hasn’t stolen many bases, and has been out for about 3 weeks during the most important part of the season.
Meanwhile, the Pirates cleared a space for a clearly better player and got other prospects in return. At best you can say it was a win-win for both teams — but a steal for us is a reach.
fphjr01 - September 1, 2009
I was speaking more in terms of what we gave up and how they are panning out SO FAR this season. Morton has been horrific at times.
justincredubil02 - September 1, 2009
nah
theres no way Bobby could beat our Jim Tracy or Tony LaRussa this season for Manager of the Year, but i think there’s no doubt Frank deserves it.
Just think what Wren has done this year:
Said no to Peavy (who has been hurt all season long)
Brought in Javy for essentially Tyler Flowers who is a DH waiting to happen.
Didnt sign Furcal (well, he kinda did but w/e..) and thus letting Prado emerge.
Brought in Nasty Nate who saved us from a total failure in CF without giving up much.
Brought in Roachy who is slugging just below .700 for us
And this is only his 2nd full year. Not too bad.
Scott Coleman - August 31, 2009
oh
and add he had to balls to finally get rid of Smoltzy and Glavine.
Scott Coleman - August 31, 2009
a million times yes
cirela20 - September 1, 2009
We've been incredibly lucky
Almost every player we went after that we didnt get has performed below what we would have wanted in a sense. Mainly at the beginning of the year.
drumzalicious - August 31, 2009
thank god we didnt sign Ken Griffey jr.
I was going to bang my head thru a wall if we would’ve signed him over GA.
Scott Coleman - August 31, 2009
don’t forget about Vazquez, EOF and Logan. They have all been spectacular for the most part. Then there is the absence of FYF, the presence of KK and the bat of Ross.
FW has done a remarkable job with limited resources.
justincredubil02 - September 1, 2009
No Adam Dunn no GM of the Year, period…right justin?
mvandonsel - September 1, 2009
lol
soup du jour - September 1, 2009
BAH!
justincredubil02 - September 1, 2009
Its a good win
Although i missed the game this was a good one for the team to come back and start strong against the Marlins after those losses in Philly. Good for the confidence.
Now lets just give Huddy some run support tomorrow
drumzalicious - August 31, 2009
DId you open the GameThread to see the little congrats near the top?
Hope all is going well with your family.
NCChopper - August 31, 2009
No i didnt i will go look now
Thank you in advance!
drumzalicious - August 31, 2009
AH!!!
White Sox dealing vets!!!
Dotel and Dye would look nice.
Put Dye in RF. Get rid of GA and put Diaz in LF.
drumzalicious - August 31, 2009
we dont have the money
do we?
Scott Coleman - August 31, 2009
unless
that pro-rated stuff kicks in
e.g. Brad Penny will only be paid 100,000 by SF
….pretty good deal
Titansfan9 - August 31, 2009
Post season push
We make the money appear lol. Honestly if we are winning the WC im sure ppl would come out..
Apparently we are kicking the tires on Cameron tho
drumzalicious - August 31, 2009
i’d only want Cameron if McLouth is done for the year.
Scott Coleman - August 31, 2009
If McLouth
comes back just put Cameron in RF and Diaz in LF
drumzalicious - August 31, 2009
Dye, maybe. Dotel sucked when he was here.
John Holton - September 1, 2009
Omar Infante, ladies and gentlemen. The Return of the Fucking King.
That’s how you shut down the Marlins. Winning 3/4 in Miami will make that trip to Phillie a little less harsh. Damn you, Phillie. Be sure to keep an eye out for that Wild Card.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 31, 2009
Personally
Im looking at a sweep
drumzalicious - August 31, 2009
~ Atlanta is now 61-14 when scoring 4+ runs.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 31, 2009
Call-ups
Brooks Conrad, Luis Valdez, Clint Sammons. Is that all the space they have? Time to drop Norton, bring up Brandon Jones or Gregor Blanco. Either of them is a better option than Gorecki at this point.
Kayne - September 1, 2009
A fun game to listen to
Sure, the first few innings were worrisome, the way Johnson was mowing down Braves batters, but once the offense got going, the rest of the game was relaxing to watch. Sure, there was a nice cushion, but I’m a little disappointed that Soriano couldn’t figure out Dan Uggla yet.
Anyway, the most amusing part of the game for me was the very loud fan(s) and their ongoing commentary throughout the game.
“We’re walking a 40 year old to get to a 46 year old”
“He’s a lefty Garret, think about that”
It’s nice to know that even in the midst of a tight playoff race, there’s always going to be a team more poorly attended than the Braves.
royhobbs - September 1, 2009
WWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
SuperNewb - September 1, 2009
i wasn’t at the game thread to type constantly in capital letters so i thought i’d add that
SuperNewb - September 1, 2009
this series makes or breaks our playoff hopes. good win last night
bravesguy311 - September 1, 2009
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