Guess who didn't stay up for this one? (It was a two-hour rain delay.) Guess who missed a terrific comeback? We put together an improbable komeback against K-Rod to win the game in the ninth. Here's the scoop:
[Francisco Rodriguez], who entered to end the eighth inning with a strikeout of Martin Prado, encountered immediate ninth-inning trouble when his former Angels teammate Garret Anderson produced a leadoff single with the help of David Murphy, who wasn't hugging the first-base line.
Five batters later, after Omar Infante had delivered a game-tying sacrifice fly, Rodriguez found his evening further marred by [Ryan Church's] grounder that bounced over the first-base bag and ran up Murphy's arm. As the Mets first baseman again unsuccessfully attempted to secure the ball, David Ross raced from second base with the winning run.
If Ross had only had to slide, that would have been shades of Sid Bream coming around to score. To me, the big play was Infante coming through with a runner on third and less than two outs. So often we've scuffled in those situations.
Braves' starter Derek Lowe exited in the third inning with a blister on his right ring finger -- something that has crept up on him previously this season. Mike Gonzalez also exited the game with a "stiff back," or the new symptom of our bullpen, "Bobby Cox arm."
Nice win for Atlanta, too bad that everyone in front of us also won, but hey, you've got to keep pace. Perhaps it is the intention of the Braves to not lose a game for the rest of the year.
0 recs | 62 comments
Despite me popping my shoulder out of it’s socket, and the two hour rain delay, I persevered (like the Braves) until around 1am.
These are always the best wins. Like Church said, you just had a feeling that something was going to happen with that grounder. Practically 2 errors……that works.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 17, 2009
And Murphy was totally hugging the 1st base line on that Anderson hit. It just went right by him.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 17, 2009
We kept on “proxy posting” for you after you left to eat.
Kept the comments exactly like you said to. LOL
NCChopper - September 17, 2009
We never quit. We never back down. We never give up.
I’m Hezekiah Sistrunk………
8-))
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 17, 2009
you should've seen it
at odd points, like Gonzo’s blown save NC just said: Chief would say: smartass comment. It was awesome
GoBravesNY - September 17, 2009
tee hee!!
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 17, 2009
These are the games that we weren’t finding a way to win earlier in the year. Losing the lead after fighting back, but we somehow won last night. I had stopped watching in the 8th and figured we lost. Glad we came back. It’s a shame we didn’t start winning these in Mid-August…
michaelcooksey - September 17, 2009
Hey the Giants lost, we’re only 1.5 out of 2nd.
Jayemay - September 17, 2009
Huh?
The Giants losing was a bad thing for us as they are in second place in the Wild Card standings. We needed them to beat the Rockies to bring us a game closer. The Rockies, Marlins (who are in second place in the NL East standings at 7 games back) and Phillies all won yesterday as well, so the only team we did gain ground on are the Giants.
Old Braves' Fan - September 17, 2009
Oops!
Sorry, I misunderstood. You’re right: we’re 1.5 games out of second place. I was thinking 1.5 games out of the Wild Card lead.
Old Braves' Fan - September 17, 2009
Even still
If we pass the Giants we have a chance because the rockies still have to pay the dodgers and cardinals.
drumzalicious - September 17, 2009
BUSH LEAGUE
hella bush league to post material from the mlb.com websites…..
in other news, Frenchy probably bought himself another night of sleep with his emotion-ridden statement about Tommy going to the Yanks….
traphicg - September 17, 2009
not bush league when he cites it
he provided a link and set it aside so that everyone knows that he didnt write it. nothing wrong with that.
Doghnut - September 17, 2009
“Busch League”
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 17, 2009
is that a nascar joke?
Doghnut - September 17, 2009
not really a joke at all. but it’s “busch league,” like the beer.
I’m assuming that’s what traphicg meant. The Bush League is in Texas. (that was a president joke)
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 17, 2009
oh come on
you know its Bus©h league when someone posts the corporate line b/c they couldnt stay up for them game…..
I have no idea whether the phrase “bush league” has a C in it or not, but Busch league makes me think of a lame Cubs-on-Cards joke or something.
traphicg - September 17, 2009
actually bush league is correct
Doghnut - September 17, 2009
It's bush league you idiot
Why would a phrase that originated in 19th century baseball be named after a beer that is only 50 years old…or after a beer at all?
It’s bush..as in the shrub…as in what littered the untended outfields of the lowest levels of minor league baseball
LMAO…Busch
DCP916 - September 17, 2009
Insulting isn’t necessary.
Gage23 - September 19, 2009
just keep winning...
that’s all they can do.
Mr. Sanchez - September 17, 2009
May have to win almost every game for the rest of the year
to have much of a shot.
Certainly, more than 2 or 3 losses (out of the 17 remaining games) would just about end it.
fandave - September 17, 2009
Chipper
It is awesome winning these games without Chipper in the lineup. I hope he’s out for at least four more games. I definitely don’t want to see him in there against the Phillies. It’s not because he hasn’t had success in the past against t hem, but since he has struggled all year, is injured, and I like our fire without him in there. Chipper, at times this year, just comes off as one of those players that just goes through the motions during a game and is out there just to earn his paycheck. But that is just my personal opinion. It would be terrible to break up the way these guys are playing, and put Chipper’s un-enthusiastic playing style back in the lineup. I know he’s looking forward to hunting season.
BravesFanScout - September 17, 2009
This.
I had hoped that they’d just send him home after the Houston series.
John Holton - September 17, 2009
Every year...
…it seems like someone is saying something along the lines of Chipper, or the Braves in general, don’t play with enthusiasm or fire. Is Chipper older, tired, and/or hurt? Yes. But the facade put on for the game just may hide the passion underneath. On one hand you have people admiring players for not showing emotion in the face of adversity (keeping their “game face” on), and on the other bemoaning the apparent lack of passion on the part of Chipper or others. I think Chipper, possibly more than the others, would love to see the Braves back in post-season play. Sorry, it just gets old year after year.
Now, is Chipper’s production awful (for him) lately? Of course. Are the Braves winning without him in the line-up? Yes.
Old Braves' Fan - September 17, 2009
that
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 17, 2009
Yea, the guy has been playing injured for his whole career, of coarse that catches up with you. I mean, what do u want him to do, dance around like P Diddy out there? Enthusiasm on the field isnt always a good thing, sometimes you just look silly (see K-Rod, Joba)
Chip has been playing hurt to try to do something for the team, but its gotten to the point where its hurting the team with him being in the lineup. I think he realizes this, hence his statement about not eating up the teams money if he cant play at a high level.
bravesguy311 - September 17, 2009
Oh please....
I cannot believe anyone would question Chipper’s passion for the game of baseball. Are you serious? “Just goes through the motions”? And this is why? Because he’s not bouncing off of walls, or leading cheers, or abusing his equipment?
sddbaker - September 17, 2009
Man, that graphic never gets old
bravesguy311 - September 17, 2009
I don’t think there is anyone on the planet that wishes Chipper was in there, playing like the Chipper we’re used to and contributing to the effort more than Chipper himself does.
I feel for him actually. I think it really bothers him he’s not the “go to” guy for us like he has been in the past. I hope this is short lived and we see #10 resemble more the guy we saw last year, next year.
NCChopper - September 17, 2009
Why not us?
Scott Coleman - September 17, 2009 via mobile
This
+1
Old Braves' Fan - September 17, 2009
The best part about this IMO – is the fact our team didn’t give up and stop playing.
Wins like this are not just good for the scoreboard and standings, but for team morale.
Lots of screaming in my house late night/early this morning as we found a way to come from behind to win it.
Now, how about a SWEEP!
It would also be nice if Gonzo would stop already with the homerun to the opponent late in ballgames.
NCChopper - September 17, 2009
+1. even when we seemed to be down and out (ie. end 8th inning) we found a way to manage to claw our way back into the game. [of course it had to happen after i left]
GoBravesNY - September 17, 2009
Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
That it’s a good think a certain starter didn’t pitch the fourth inning against a certain Mets team while being bother by a certain blister?
VivaLosBravos - September 17, 2009
I was thinking Cox was going to have him pitch 7 or 8 regardless. Yanking him out was the only way we could have won.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 17, 2009
We have..
More home games than any other team in the race…
And games vs a lower winning % than any other team in the race…
So… what I’m saying… is if we keep playing like this…
We…
CAN…
DO THIS!
SuperNewb - September 17, 2009
We can Do this, but not because of the reasons you give, imo.......
You say this because the attendance @ the Ted has been great of late, and playing there will give the Braves the advantage, and we also do so much better playing playing teams with a lower winning %!
The truth is playing to the empty stands at the Ted has to be discouraging, and we have been playing better against the better teams.
When we win, it will be because the team is playing Great baseball, not because we have the Home field advantage, and are playing “lower winning % teams” IMO
The Braves are Not giving up, last night was a perfect example! They are giving us a fun and exciting finish!
Go Braves!
HEYJUDE - September 17, 2009
This comment on the Braves site about last night’s game tickled me:
.
And then, this quote on the pregame article today:
Jurrjens has pitched much better than his (10-11) W/L record shows.
He could be somewhat bitter about his lack of run support, but he says:
NCChopper - September 17, 2009
Jurrjens knows that everybody in the clubhouse is on the same side. He’s beyond his years in wisdom. Not worried aboot him at all.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 17, 2009
JJ better give us a good 7 innings tonight…or 9.
Scott Coleman - September 17, 2009 via mobile
keep him
i dont see how we can ever part with JJ or Tommy after repeatedly being proved that these “young” pitchers are more mature than douchebags like Mr. Glass or Wicky.
Two aces and our Heyward/Freeman upcomers, with Mac and Yunel…. I dont see how we trade any of our foundation. These 6 will put us in contention for another decade if we play it right (and dont say playing it right is trading JJ for another bat. Fuck that.)
traphicg - September 17, 2009
And people talk about trading him?...
For what he’s done so far, considering his age, that better bring back a monster package including a legit slugger and others.
Mr. Sanchez - September 17, 2009
properly quoting someone else is totally bush league. :-)
yondaime4 - September 17, 2009 via mobile
Hehehe, that’s like a slap on the wrist with a feather ~ ;-)
NCChopper - September 17, 2009
Me next! LOL
Old Braves' Fan - September 17, 2009
“Bobby Cox arm”
Et tu, Brute?
Bobby Cocks - September 17, 2009 via mobile
Stop all this winning BS late in the season when we have no shot at all at making the playoffs. Give up the season loose the rest of the games so we can get a third baseman in the draft to replace Larry. This crap is just a tease. This team should have been playing like this in August. IF the Braves really wanted to win why not bring up Heyward. Hello Baby Braves round two!!!!! Hanson and Heyward carrying us all the way. Chippers Contract looks like shit right now, Cox needs to retire. ITs time to build this team around Hanson, JJ and Heyward we will not win with Chipper. Amen!!!
That a boy - September 17, 2009
As someone on here once said....
…I think it was royhobbs….
I think they handed out laptops on the short bus today.
sddbaker - September 17, 2009
I didn’t stay up, but why were they pinch running Ross?
10-4 - September 17, 2009
slight improvement over BMac.
Old Braves' Fan - September 17, 2009
Sorry for the blurriness of the first photo...
but I was a little excited about the win:
Lizziebeth - September 17, 2009
No problem...
…on the quality of the image in the first photo. I can’t believe you were even disciplined enough to even think to take a picture. Great job; awesome.
Don’t you love being rewarded like that for sticking around so late, through rotten weather? I remember going at the last minute to Turner Field on a Sunday afternoon for a Mets game in July and sitting in the left field bleachers in the sun all day. Braves were losing big late, but Javy Lopez his a GS. The Braves even batted around after that, and won. Most had left before the comeback.
Old Braves' Fan - September 17, 2009
"...hit a GS."
Even
Old Braves' Fan - September 17, 2009
you sure Javy hit a GS
because you seem to indicate that the braves came back, which would require a rally, agreed? Now a Grand Slam is no different than a home run except for it has men on base. Now we know that a home run kills a rally; so are you really sure Javy hit a grand slam or were your eyes deceiving you?
GoBravesNY - September 17, 2009
Yes
And Javy had men on base when he came up for the second time in the same inning. Too bad he made an out to end the inning the second time. The Braves were losing big time and it was incredibly hot. That’s why most ppl had already left. Fortunately for me and those that stayed, we got to see the Braves come back.
Old Braves' Fan - September 17, 2009
And...
I’d already posted my reply when I finally recognized your allusion to Francouer’s “rally killer” comment. Doh!
Old Braves' Fan - September 17, 2009
Great pics! You surely deserved the fantastic finish! Happy you were there to see it, and take the pics!
HEYJUDE - September 17, 2009
Wow!
Awesome pictures (and Brooksy fans got a treat). Your pictures really give a whole new angle to the ballgame that tv stations don’t cover. Thanks so much!
GoBravesNY - September 17, 2009
Is that Mac on top of Martin in that second photo? Poor guy…
Gage23 - September 17, 2009
Looks that way! Prado may be out of the line up due to a back strain!
HEYJUDE - September 17, 2009
You are correct. I couldn’t quite figure that out…later. Much too caught up in the moment to think about it then, lol! Have more pics, but haven’t had time to edit them yet.
Exciting win, helped fuel my
walkrun back to the car in crackville at 1 a.m.Thanks for the compliments!
Lizziebeth - September 18, 2009
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Talking Chop to post a comment.