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Talking Chop

Spring Training Open Thread: Nats at Braves

Another day, another spring training open thread, and another day of Jason Heyward hitting second. The only hit he got yesterday from that position in the lineup was when a ball hit him; we'll see if today provides more success.

Here is today's lineup:

Martin Prado, 2B
Jason Heyward, RF
Chipper Jones, 3B
Troy Glaus, 1B
Brian McCann, C
Yunel Escobar, SS
Melky Cabrera, CF
David Ross, DH
Brent Clevlen, LF

And on the mound Derek Lowe, followed by Takashi Saito, Billy Wagner, Todd Redmond, Mike Minor, Michael Dunn and Jesse Chavez.

A lot of interesting pitchers going today for the Braves. I'm interested to see how Lowe does in his first visit to the mound this season, and I'm really interested to see how Saito and Wagner fare. I'd also like to see Chavez bounce back and have a good outing.

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2nd day in the 2

spot for Jay Hey….interesting

I still haven't gotten over...

How great the return of baseball is.

It looks a bit

Springy in Boston today

yeah it does...

supposed to be 50 this weekend, pretty excited

Vaca next week

I’ll be donw south where it will be pushing 70

yeah… i have spring break starting after today but i’ll be here most of the week for hockey games anyway, hopefully it gets warm

You play?

For BU?

absolutely not...

not anywhere near even thinking about considering attempting to think about playing for the bu hockey team… that’s like being good enough to play for a decent single-a farm team

just a dedicated fan sticking around to watch :D

just checking.

There are a couple GA boys on the team

yeah the Saponari’s are from GA… not that victor really plays, :)

did you go to college in/around Boston?

Wagner and Saito...

Really, really interested to see how they do. If Wags and KK’s BFF are healthy, I really like our bullpen.

But for them, it's outing #1...

so long as they come through healthy, it’s a warm up. I’m more interested in Chavez bouncing back with a solid outing. That battle for the last two spots in the pen will be a tough one to decide with so many arms in the mix.

Good problem to have

especially with the injury history/age of the big three in our pen this year

Who’s the 3rd?

Moylan

He isn’t an injury question though. He was straight nasty last year and is nearly 2 years removed from his operation.

true

He was great at the end of last year, but you have to worry about how much Bobby used him and will presumably utilize him this year. I know these guys are supposed to be maybe even stronger after Tommy John surgery, but it still worries me that he appeared in more games last year than he didn’t.

Again, it’s just a good problem to have if we start Chavez or Dunn @ Gwinett or if Resop is pitching well early on.

And the year between the surgery and now...

he was used extensively. I’d say the possibility for injury with him is just as high as with Wags, and maybe even Saito.

Is there any way to follow the game?

Radio broadcast or pitch-by-pitch or anything?

Gameday usually is up, but only seems to update at the end of the half innings.

MLB package online i think

If you have an iphone the MLB At-Bat app is $15 and you get radio broadcasts for every game. This is my first season using it and it’s awesome. Pretty sure MLB.com has a similar deal so you can just listen to the broadcasts through your computer.

the worst part different from last year is you could stream the video and sound free without the additional audio package.

This year you have to pay extra. Lame

It’s only $15 though, but I get your point.

yup, and the audio broadcasts seem to be working better now…
told you it was awesome!

Hat tip to you, good sir. I took a sick day yesterday so I got to sit around playing 2K10 while listening to the Braves game. Plugged my iphone into my $200 computer speakers…god, it sounded wonderful. No squeaks!

Still liking it?...

Did you edit Heyward to get his name and age correct?

I actually played a legit game and everything is much smoother than last year. Other than that one game, though, I’ve just been playing My Player mode. I just got a September call up!

Haven’t gotten around to doing any editing yet. I plan on spending the majority of next week diving into the franchise mode when my roommate gets back in town, so I’ll be doing it soon.

Nice, I'm still balancing...

limited funds with chances I’ll play enough with the wife’s likely complaints with the possibility of holding out until Madden or NCAA Football. I’m leaning towards picking it up, but not bought it just yet.

I’ve skipped out on the last two seasons of Madden but I feel like this might be the year for me to make a return. I’ve heard the latest game was very well done.

I might even dabble with NCAA…it’s been years since I played one of those, but I always had a blast recruiting in that game.

Oh, also…have you thought about using Gamefly? I’m about to sign up for it myself I think.

I don't play enough other games for that...

I get pretty set on one for a while. With the Wii, I’m thinking a baseball game would be better than a football one. Having not had a system for a while, it’s been a while since I’ve been really into a game (Tiger for Wii is the last one in 3-5 years). With my limited desire on shooters, role playing, or other games, I’m set with Fifa, MLB, NBA Live, or NCAA/Madden. Wii doesn’t have FIFA that I’ve noticed, and I’m not likely to get back into Live like I used to, so that leaves 2K10 or one of the football games. The football games have the added benefit of letting me build a bigger bank cushion before splurging. But I think 2K10 might be more enjoyable on the system. It’s a debate in my head.

Gamefly is $15 a month, so as long as you play 3 games using it you’re getting your money’s worth. Play each game for 4 months, and then send it back. Just a suggestion.

And I wouldn't be playing that many...

so it wouldn’t be worth it. 1, maybe 2 at a time max. And we already pay for Blockbuster movies that way (the mail stuff). Like I said, I’m just not enough of a gamer to have it be worthwhile. I like video games, but very very few and as I age I’m playing much less often.

Interesting to see Prado batting lead-off instead of Melky. Looks like Bobby is wanting to give Clevlen a strong look as a potential bench option. Let’s see how he handles the defensive aspect.

We’ve got our three biggest pitching question marks going today: Lowe, Wags, and Saito.
Although, I suppose Huddy could be there too.

Nah....

Huddy’s golden. The way he threw last year proved that he’s healthy.

I’m curious as to how Chipper’s feeling this spring.

I wonder why Bobby is hitting Jay Hey 2nd...

He’s not going to hit there this season, right? McLouth is LH, and with Prado hitting well there last season it doesn’t make much sense

Maybe it’s just to get him as many ABs as possible this spring.

Well...

Maybe he’s thinking of putting a RH hitter in the leadoff spot (like Prado or Diaz).

One could only hope. I’ve always seen Nate as a great 6th hitter. The guy is ok at getting on base and strikes out 100 times a year. not what you want from a leadoff hitter.

Prado would be my first choice right now, with Nate hitting behind him.

My thoughts as well. I posted the same thing on another thread yesterday. I like a Prado / Diaz leadoff with J-Hey in the 2-hole. I think McLouth would be a perfect number 8 though.

8th may be a little extreme for a guy who hit 20 hrs and stole 20 bases last year ….

Is anyone else glad that the WBC is not going on this year?

I am. I’m not a big fan of the WBC.

only because it would ruin it if it happened every year

The WBC ruins itself even once every 4 years.

It is great basebal, but it sucks for MLB.

if I remember correctly,

Campillo hurt himself after pitching too much in the WBC. I really wish he was still around.

Don't get too nostalgic,

He wasn’t that great to begin with.

I really like the idea of the WBC, but it has some issues. The biggest of which is that it should never be in Spring Training… I think that heightens the risk of injuries, and interferes with guys’ preparations for the season. They need to do like the World Cup in soccer or the Olympics in hockey and interrupt the season for 2 weeks. Of course, that will never happen.

The greatest single sporting event I've seen in the past 5 years

Was that Netherlands vs. DR game (the second one) during the WBC. If only more people had watched it.

This comes with a caveat

In that UConn-Syracuse 6 OT game, I only caught the last 4 OTs, so I don’t know if it counts.

I like the WBC, but yeah it’s nice to not have to worry.

All I can say about Chavez is that come opening day if he’s pitching the way I’ve been able to pitch with him on The Show so far, I’ll be a happy camper. He’s fared much better for me thus far than I’d hoped.

You liking it?

I picked it up on Tuesday, but have only been able to play a couple hours so far. I was impressed though with what little amount I’ve been able to play.

It’s great.

Awesome. I did start the RTTS yesterday at lunch. In 3 games I was 0-4 with 3 strikeouts.

I do love how you take batting practice before the game, and even when you’re playing a regular game, you can throw warm up pitches.

The addition of warm-up pitches is awesome, at least in franchise mode. I’m still, after all these years, not sold on RTTS mode. It just seems like such an uphill battle to make anything meaningful happen for your character. At the end of two years I’m still getting AA bench contract offers. Then i saw where you could buy 1000 training points for a buck on the PSN, and it hit me- that make the mode that obtuse on purpose so you’ll shell out for the points you need for you character to actually be worth playing.

So only way to watch

this is by radio or delayed gameday?

or the gamethread.

Question!

I have an iPhone and was thinking about getting the At Bat app. But do you have to have a MLB.tv subscription in order to get radio and video? Or are both included in the $15 dollar price? Please help

With the $15, you get radio. But if you have MLB.tv you are able to add the video (at least for the regular season).

You need MLB.tv for the video, not for the audio.

Is the audio feed good? Like, is it pretty close to what you would hear on a regular radio?

The audio is great

Unless you’re in an area without 3G. It’ll definitely be worth your money.

That's not a problem

So I’ll he getting it. Thanks to everyone for the help!

It’s a really great app, highly recommended… used it all of last year.
You get radio streams of both cities so you can always get the Atlanta audio.

My blackberry has paperweight mode.

Verizon sucks

T-Mobile sucks worse. I can’t wait to get back w/ Verizon, actually.

acutally

Just got At Bat for the droid.

Thanks though.

I literally just bought it and I’m already very happy with it.

Answer and Question

I just got this a couple of days ago for my iPhone and I am amazed at the audio quality. My only issue with the app is the updates seem a bit sluggish. Does anyone know if this will have the the gameday pitch display like the site? I think mlb at bat 2009 had this.

So, I just read on Buster Onley’s article today where he said that the Phillys and Yankees are the next Celtics/Lakers.

WTF? Buster must be taking some crazy pills. Most of his recent articles are just ridiculous.

No offense

I think he’s on to something. They keep winning + keep building payrole they can keep meeting in October.

Honestly who is investing that much money in teh National League besids them

So what happens in 2 years when Utley, Rollins, Howard, Victorino and Werth are all F/As?

They just locked up Halladay to a big contract, so I would imagine that they can’t affor even 3 of those guys.

Also, their rotation is fairly week from 3-5. I fully expect it to show its weakness this year.

They’ve got a good offense but Rollins is on the decline. And like you said, their rotation is pretty weak 3-5. Not to mention Cole Hamels may not bounce back from last year like everyone is thinking he will. The Phillies could be a bit vulnerable.

That being said…they’re going to score a ton of runs and have the best pitcher in the bigs.

All of that is true this year…

Tim Lincecum disagrees with part of that.

Ha, I was gonna say the same thing.

Well, that’s just it — if the back end of the rotation holds together – and Lidge – then their experiment works and they can justify trying to re-sign most of that crew (Utley/Howard in particular). If however, those weaknesses fester (as you and I both hope), then I don’t see how you continue to throw money at these guys without addressing their now-depleted farm system.

Howard’s case will be interesting. He’s almost compelled now to come to a meeting of minds with Philly. The Yankees have Tex; St. Louis is expected to keep Pujouls – somehow; AGon is destined for the RSox (Peavy and the Pale Hosers notwithstanding). Who else will pony up that kind of coin for Howard? Nobody, in my estimation.

Mets maybe? That would be our luck!

The other factor is that I just don’t see Howard leaving that lemonade stand of a ballpark, where even his popouts leave the yard. Besides ;)… he’s not a Latino!

Well...

There’s always the Yankees…he could be their next DH. Ugh.

Hah.

I don’t know. Not after that Bay signing.

In 2 years, Howard will be on the decline anyway. He’ll be lucky to get a multi-year deal to DH somewhere.

The Cubs. New ownership there, and DLee is old…they’ll be making that move soon enough…

-C

Money

Can buy championships. It just can. They’s sign Utley and Howard and fill in around them

You can’t simply just “fill in” holes left by guys like Rollins, Werth and Victorino. Those are 3 of the best in the game at their respective positions.

And Championships bring money...

make the World Series a few more times, and they can probably afford to increase payroll.

How much higher can they go? They are already at $140M-ish and that is without giving any raises to their younger guys or considering the raises that their core should get.

They also have those holes in the rotation to worry about.

I think they're on the downslope...

Amaro seems sketchy to me. They got way less for Cliff Lee than we got for Vazquez… And they didn’t even need to trade him at all. And then he has not reacted well to the criticism of that move. Shades of the Royals or Mets.

The Phils will be good this year, but Rollins and Howard are going to go downhill soon, Werth and even Halladay is getting up there and probably won’t be worth his contract in a couple years. They’ll be the Mets in 2012 at this rate.

How is Howard going downhill?

He’s in his prime.

Good to see Jordan Heyman getting some more ABs at the top of the order.

Agree. I hear Justin’s pretty good.

It sounds like Mike Minor is on pace to be in our rotation come next season. But where would he fit in???

Let’s assume that Mike Minor progresses like most expect and does well in the minors and is ready for the big leagues. Could we be experiencing another D. Lowe trade watch situation?

…only to inevitably trade away KK or JJ

No, I think two years in the minors would be just fine for Minor who then could just take over for Kawakami. Let him start in A-AA this year with AAA next year and then in the majors by 2012.

I think that trading JJ would be a smart move on our part – assuming Minor progresses well.

JJ is the most attractive piece and can bring back a huge return. While I think Lowe will have a bounce-back type of year, I don’t think anyone will be willing to trade for him and his albatros contract at his age.

our 2011 rotation right now is the exact same as our 2010 rotation. I don’t have a real problem with that!

So Minor in the minors for 2 years then? I don’t have a problem with that, but I’ve heard analysts say he could start for us this year if injuries arise.

If injuries arise, then we don’t need to worry about who we trade away.

Well, I’m assuming everyone is going to be healthy at the beginning of the 2011 season.

But if everyone is healthy, Minor stays in the minors, or he becomes trade fodder. I can see that happening too – Minor does really well, becomes really attractive and we sell him for some IF depth or something.

Hmmm

True…we could trade Minor if we didn’t think his ceiling was high. But it’s not generally wise to trade away young, cheap pitching.

I think it depends on what JJ does. I see Minor as the backup plan to JJ.

All that is assuming that Vizcaino, Tehran, etc all work out.

Maybe late, and hit others...

Minor is likely down in the minors until September barring catastrophy.

And let’s not forget the progression of Ortegano as well in the mix. I can easily see us going into this off season looking to deal away Lowe or Jurrjens. And Lowe’s deal might not be as big of a hindrance as it was this offseason with $15m more shaved off, and if need be we only cover a portion of the salary for 2 years instead of 3.

I agree...

The closer Lowe gets to the end of his deal, the easier he’ll be to trade, especially if he rebounds at least somewhat. His deal isn’t Zito bad, it’s just kinda bad.

His contract is only about $3M more than he was worth last season. With any sort of rebound, he should be worth his contract this year. I don’t think it is that bad of a deal for someone of his calibre. However, the market is the biggest issue here, not actual player value, but market value.

Player value plays a role...

a year like last year, and it’ll be near impossible to move him without eating 50% or so of the salary. If he can bounce back to what we expected, 200+ innings with mid 3s ERA and a LOT of groundballs, he becomes easier to move. Plus, if we have to eat $3-5m per year, that’s easier to do over 2 years than for 3.

Either way, this discussion is for the rosterbation threads 10 months from now, and there’s a lot of stuff that will change the discussion between now and then.

Two Words: Scott Boras

… which is why I have to agree with you. Unless JJ really wants to stay, his agent will be an issue, so “sell high.”

UGH

That would be terrible if Derek Lowe and his terrible contract is the reason why we can’t build around and pay a tremendous young pitcher like Jair Jurrjens.

I don't think Lowe impacts that...

Jurrjens won’t be ridiculously expensive next year without a repeat performance of last year. He’s been solid, but not Lincecum or anything. That makes his contract less of a problem, and the bigger factor being how we feel about Ortegano, Minor, Teheran, Vizcaino, R Delgado, Spurill, etc coming up.

Right.

I don’t think we trade JJ unless we are very confident in the guys coming up to replace him.

Oh come on.

Solid? He had a sub 3 ERA last season. Granted, he doesn’t pitch deep into games generally, but I think you are vastly underestimating how good Jair is. His control is awesome and people put too much worth in his win/loss record. He had NO run support last season.

He outpitched his perifs. He wasn’t as good as his ERA from last season indicates.

He is still very very good, but he isn’t sub-3 ERA good.

Well I think the best Minor could hope to ever be is as good as Jair.

Would be very nice to help these guys out this year. 17th in runs scored last year (one more per game would put them 2nd); 22nd in HRs.

Actually, I'm pretty big on JJ...

but in his first arb year, he’s not Lincecum and likely getting something less than $5m. Look at what Cole Hamels, Chad Billingsley, Jon Lester, and Jered Weaver just got. That’s what I’m trying to say. $4-5m for JJ isn’t bad, and isn’t going to force him to be dealt.

Yeah – wouldn’t be the end of the world since the farm is pitching rich. But I think we could survive at least one Arb year.

The first arb year is only about 40% of market value typically, so for JJ that’d be, what, $6M? We can do that.

See above comparables...

It appears JJ would likely get around 4 or 5, depending on how this season goes. But still, if we think he’s maxed out performance wise (which is still a good P, but not a must keep with the others we have coming up), the package we could get for him might be significantly more than we could get for anyone else (save Hanson, who we can all agree isn’t going anywhere). That’s why I say I think JJ’s future here depends a lot on whether we can find a suitable return for Lowe, and if not, then the progression of Ortegano, Minor, Teheran, etc.

I would think Lowe would probably be at the top...

just due to contract size. After that, I’d assume Hudson or JJ would be the next on the chopping block. Or perhaps they slow play him into long relief/2nd loogy role, and let him battle for a job in 2012 after KK’s contract expires.

Also, we got lucky last year with health in the rotation. Minor may be needed without letting anyone go if someone goes down long term with an injury.

I really doubt Hanson is an option to trade.

I think he said Hudson.

I suck at reading. My bad, Mr. Sanchez!

With you...

I’m used to the pointless point-counterpoint.

It’s so much more fun that way!

Same here...

reading failure?

Is anyone going to do play by play for those of us that

have no audio or video? Please, pretty please… :)

I will see what I can do. Logging into MLB.tv now.

OK

I have an audio feed but now video today again.

Dammit…the squeaks are back, wtf.

Lowe is warming up now.

Lead off hitter grounds out to Escobar.

Second batter grounds out to Glaus. He has thrown 3 pitches and has two outs.

Zimmerman up now.

Another day, another baseball ST game.

ok, how the heck are we supposed to find the gameday feed? I have perused the entire mlb.com site and even did a search for “gameday” but I can’t find anything. Help, anyone?

0-2 on Zimmerman with a curve for strike 2.

Zimmmerman grounds out to Chipper. Lowe threw a total of 7 pitches in the first inning and ended up with 3 ground outs. You have got to like that.

+1

That's what we want out of Lowe...

get that sinker going big guy. Pitch studly this year, maybe 20 wins and a mid 3s ERA, and we can move that monster salary out for some low level prospects without having to pay half of it.

Nice, even if it is the Nats

Has anyone else noticed that on BBTN (sorry, that is all I have – no MLBN for me…) so far, they have had a Yankees feature on every episode? Just thought I would throw that out there.

That’s what they always do…them and the Red Sox and Cubs. Those are the most talked about teams.

Full count to Prado

He grounds out to short.

Heyward at bat now.

1-0, pitch was inside (Heyward had to get out of the way)

Bounces 2nd pitch…2-0

Heyward hits a dribbler down first base line…out.

Prado grounds out to SS. Jey Hey up now.

Good work, mountangrown and Dave_D…keep it up! It is much appreciated!

No worries.

First pitch almost hit Heyward. 2-0 on him now.

Heyward grounds out to first on a slow dribbler.

Chipper up now...2 outs.

0-2 to Chipper.

Chipper grounds out to SS. 3 up and 3 down end of first.

Chipper is off to a slow start,.

So, Heyward still has yet to swing and miss at a pitch…fantastic!

That is a pretty awesome thing when you think about it. He has what, 10 at-bats now, and has either taken a pitch or made contact every time he has swung.

Yeah but besides that rocket single and double

He hasn’t gotten the ball out of the IF.

That’s fine. It isn’t like he has a lack of power.

and that is what Spring Training is for.

Chipper grounds out 6-3.

0-2 to Duncan.

I didn’t realize this was Dave Duncan’s son.

Yup, and it’s Shelley Duncan’s brother (who was in the Yankees system for the past few years).

Lowe K’s Duncan. Elijah Dukes up now.

5-3 putout for Duncan.

Should say groundout for Duncan

Dukes grounded out to Chipper

6 batters….6 ground ball outs for Lowe. The sinker is working well.

Damn straight.

Is the opposite of this “Blessed crooked”?

Good news...

Actually, he had one strike out and 5 ground balls.

Whoops, sorry. They said after Duncan grounded out that he had 5 ground outs…damn announcers.

Duncan was the one that he struck out.

Ground out to SS. Side retired and I think Lowe didn’t throw much more than 20 pitches in two innings.

Love the GO from Lowe

He need to continue to keep the ball low.

Talking Chop has the best gameday play-by-play of any site on the web

I love it!

I was relying on everyone else all week while at work but I had today off so thought I would return the favor.

Heh, I’m still at work…although only for about another hour or so.

I work for a DOD contractor and our IT securities block all streaming audio and video.

Which is why I am thankful for you guys giving us the updates

…stupid AF server…

I manage the firewall. :-)

Well my guy Martin on DOB site does a damn good job as well BUT......

This is my favorite site for any info and the play-by-play is awesome here too.

Glaus walks on 4 pitches.

Glaus with a BB.

Mountngrown has you guys covered, so I"m going to listen and go back to work.

They are talking about how well Glaus is making the transition to 1B.

Nice pick up, imo

Steal of the offseason, with Cameron possibly a close 2nd.

McCann flies out to the warning track in RF.

just missed it, huh?

Escobar with a RBI 2B.

Glaus showing some wheels also to score from 1B on a relatively close play at the plate.

escobar RBI double, glaus scores, 1-0

They are saying in was drilled too.

So Glaus still has some legs.

Glaus is an amazing improvement to our offense.

I love him. That’s right, I said it.

You said it, but I would have said it " I love ’em". LOL

Where’s rh with the “screenshotted” comment??

1B, runners on the corners now with 1 out.

cabrera singles, escobar to 3rd

Why couldn’t he score?

i think it was a soft flare to left, so yunel had to hold up

This is why Heyward will start in AAA.

B/c Melky hit a single?

No because we have a guy that's capable of playing RF

And letting Heyward get more ABs in AAA plus saving the Braves money.

The last part of what you said there is the only reason we should keep him down.

3-0 count on Ross

Ross walks, bases loaded now.

Loving the patience at the plate.

I am just gushing for our offensive potential this season.

The difference between David Ross and Corky Miller is unbelievable.

5 bank accounts 3 ounces and 2 vehicles.

LOL

X to the Z, very nice

Clevlen up now with the bases juiced.

A little chin music from Batista.

Sutton talking about how one would slip out of his hand from time to time, ha ha.

2-2 count to clevlen

clevlen lines out to right, escobar stays at 3rd

Clevlen flies to RF and Escobar had to hold up.

Prado up now with 2 out.

c’mon Marteeen!

0-2 count to prado, with audible boos from braves fans

Really? in spring training???

It was easily heard and there were quite a few voices.

haha, i guess more ughs and oohs

You can hear the fans in the background giving the ump a hard time over the strike calls.

Love it!

God I missed the sounds of baseball!

Sounds like a Marlins game

Several pitches have been nearly hit with pitches. Prado has had 2 near misses in this at bat. Count full with bases loaded and 2 out.

Good thing, considering he was down 0-2.

WTF, Cabrera out at home on a single up the middle? There are 2 outs and he was running on the play!!!

This is why Heyward will start the season in Atlanta!
If the guy was playing shallow it doesn't matter who was running he'd be out.

I certainly wouldn’t want to be behind the plate with Heyward bearing down on me though.

Jose Reyes disagrees with that.

No he doesn't cause he can't even run right now

They are talking about him now on SNY

wasn’t he supposed to be one of those guys who are “better than ever” that we keep hearing about?

You want to elaborate on what they’re saying? Potential 2nd round fantasy keeper.

He got sent back to NY, Thyroid probs

Seriously, the announcers sounded very confused. What the hell happened?

Apparently they thought it was going to get fielded by the SS and thus I think Cabrera slowed up when he got to third…afraid he would get out if the SS fielded the ball.

Prado grounds one up the middle and Cabrera was thrown out at the plate.

?

How does that happen

mountngrown, what just happened?

Nats 0 - Braves 2 (End of 2nd)

That’s what I thought but they were talking like the runner from 3rd was thrown out. Obviously it was the runner on 2nd.

ah, ok. Makes more sense now.

Sutton talking about how he had to hold up to make sure it was through but there were two outs so I have now idea what he was talking about.

Great. Melky just pulled a Pendleton.

Wagner on the mound now.

b-wags pitching

Wags walks Maxwell.

any word on his velocity?

Not yet but I will try to catch something. Sounds like he is primarily throwing sliders.

2-0 to Marsh, having trouble throwing strikes right now.

1B past Prado runners at the corners and no outs.

hmmm wagner not looking too sharp

Just working out the kinks of the off season

Wags throwing 92-93 on FB but announcers a saying he still has another gear on it.

I think Wagner was hitting 95 last year at the end of the year.

Wags sitting at 91-93 with FB right now.

They say that he doesn’t have control of his Slider just yet.

Ground ball up the middle on a bad hop past Prado. 2 runs score.

Boo Wagner…

2 balls have gone by Prado…just sayin.

KJ

Just saying…

sorry. I’m still bitter about it.

Arizona need more fans you and justin can go root for them

KJ is gone and hopefully not coming back.

Yeah, who wants one of the best hitting 2B in the NL anyway?

Psh, only a nerdy nerdhead.

I’d rather be scrappy!!!!!!!!!!111111

LOL, Are you serious dude?!?!
Let's see...

When we say that, we have 3 years of data to back that up. When you say he isn’t, you have 3 months of data supporting you. Hmmmm

2009

First half of 2009. Look at the numbers after he went down to Gwinnett

Like I said KJ plays in Arizona now, Prado is the Braves 2B now

Like it or not and if not follow KJ to Arizona. I wish KJ well but he no longer a Brave so I could care less about what he does in Arizona.

I can not like KJ not being on the Braves if I want to, thank you very much. Just because I don’t like that fact doesn’t mean that I have to root for some other team.

This

We are all pulling for Prado. But we just feel Kelly was better. It’s not just us two.

It's not just the two of you...

but the people who actually mattered disagreed with you on who “was better”.

not really. They disagreed with us as to who is more valuable.

KJ is a better defender than Prado and has a better track record of succes. Prado had a much better 2009. I think it all came down to the price tag.

but you gotta admit...

if KJ is a better defender than Prado, it’s very marginal. I don’t remember KJ looking like Raffy Belliard

KJ was league average even after moving from the OF to 2B. Prado is significantly worse than that with 2B as his primary position.

Kelly’s UZR/150 career at 2B is -7.4. I wouldn’t call that league average

That takes into account his first season there, which was really bad. He improved each season and was only -0.1 there last season.

his 2nd season was actually worse than his first, but you gotta take into account that to get an accurate UZR/150 figure it takes 3 years of data.

I’ll bite…just for old time’s sake:

KJ 2009:

5 April – 2 July: .214/.286/.359/.645 – 15 doubles, 2 triples, 5 HRs (234 ABs)
23 July – 4 Oct: .261 .358 .493 .851 – 5 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HRs

This was after coming back from the DL.

Now, just for fun, let’s look at his previous 2 seasons.

2007: .276 .375 .457 .831
2008: .287 .349 .446 .795

But yeah, let’s continue to talk like he has no idea how to hit and like he sucks.

I will be the first to admit that KJ is as streaky as hell. But, to think that he can’t hit or that he sucks is just ignorant.

Bet you could break up 07 and 08...

similar to 09 with a bad month or two, and some great months too. Like you say, he can’t hit, sometimes. Others he’s as good as it gets.

Agreed. But we aren’t debating his streakiness. Home-boy said that KJ is not a good hitter, so I am simply pointing him in the right direction.

And depending on the month, he could be right ...

so he’s not exactly wrong. KJ is a good hitter, on hot streaks. On cold streaks, he most certainly is not good.

In other news, when the sun is not up, it is dark outside.

Stop lying on me

Go back and read everything I said I never once said he was NOT a good hitter!

Ok, not in those words, but when I said he was one of the better hitting 2B in the NL, you asked if I was “serious!?!?!?!”, indicating that you thought he was not good.

One more note: in 2009 KJ’s BABIP fell from his career average of .326 all the way down to .224. Put that in your pipe and smoke it for a while.

That's because he's not one of the BEST htiing 2B

I can name several 2B that I’d much rather have that KJ. Now when KJ is hot he’s one of the best but he may have a month or two where he’s not and the rest are so-so! Oh and is defense IS NOT good dude and you can throw that UZR crap out the window but I saw this guy on a daily basis and he was crap dude!

Ok, Joe Morgan.

No you need to stop Jon Miller
Shhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyyaaaaaaaaaaaatttttttt......

Kelly had a lot more than 3 bad months. His bat was bad just as often as it was good. Granted, when you look at end of season averages he’d be respectable. But it’s a lot more than 3 months of data showing he struggled to hit.

Second baseman Kelly Johnson had a nice D-backs debut as he singled and drove in a run in the first inning.

From the Dbacks website.

I really hope he does well. Definitely my favorite player when he was here. But now we have Prado and I really hope he’s for real

I am not as worried about Prado’s offense as I used to be, but his D worries me a ton.

Well they did say that it almost took his head off on the bad hop…

Hard to blame the pitcher for a bad hop single.

bring wickman back!

…waitaminute

How the hell does 2 runs score with guys on 1st and 3rd?!?!

runner on 1st stole 2nd

Ok didn't know Morse stole 2B

Wagner picks the runner off. Glaus takes the throw and then throws to Escobar for out.

Talking about good footwork by Glaus by stepping inside the base line to make the throw to Escobar.

its so hard to tell whats going on with the noobs calling the game

Sutton certainly doesn’t have that excuse.

Well these guys sound like they’ve been drinking too much beer. They’re obviously not in midseason form and Sutton is hardly saying anything. They’re too busy telling stories and talking about player to call the damn game.

he’s just in there talking, not doing any play by play

Agreed, and the play-by-play guy is painful to listen to.

Wagner with a K for 2nd out.

Wagner gives up another 1B.

Zimmerman flies out to Heyward and he should be leading off the inning as well.

zimmerman flies out to right, 3rdout

Heyward is up. 0-2 count.

One called and one fouled off. Still hasn’t swung and missed a pitch.

heyward singles to center on 3-2 count

oops, you are right it was CF

I can’t wait for an outfield of McLouth, Schafer, and Heyward

I am looking forwards to that when the time comes also.

I read that Schafer is still having trouble with his wrist, ugh

Where did you see this?

On Talking Chop,

A TC’er @ ST, was able to chat with him, and Shafer told him that his wrist is far from being healed.

Yikes

All i read was that they say he should be good to go. Either way, just let him spend the year in AAA and get at-bats. If he does that, he will be starting for us again next year

Yeah, made me sick to read that he is not ready to go.

and an IF of Chipper, Yunel, Prado, Freeman, McCann…sick.

and a rotation of Hanson, Jurrjens, Minor, Tehran, Vizcaino…epic.

+1,000,000

you can have 999,929 of those back.

Sutton says Heyward is a Tight End who decided to play baseball.

Jason Heyward is a God who decides to play baseball when he isn’t curing world hunger

Time to get the runs back that Wags gave up.
That Mejia kid for the Mets is gonna be GOOD!!!

Oh and Mike Stanton looks terrible at the plate right now.

Chipper flies to Dukes in RF. 1 out.

I really wish we could have brought in put-up-ya Dukes.

The guy is crazy, and he played like crap last year. No thanks.

Not talking about his off field issues, I think he is darn good and will show it this year

Well, you cant have him on the field without taking his off the field behavior with it.

I’m not arguing that, I’m just saying he’s a good player, whether or not he played like crap last year

Heyward steals 2B without a throw.

heyward steals 2nd, nats don’t even try throwing him out

Beast mode!

This Heyward kid sounds pretty good. Maybe he’ll get a call-up one day…

Just joined in

did Wags look bad or did he just do bad?

Control problems mainly

Sounded like he was having problems working his slider in.

He was working on his slider and didn’t have great command of it.

Oh ok

that’s to be expected in early ST. How about his fastball? What did he top out at?

Around 93 but he was holding back a little on velocity they were saying.

sounds like he's just working out some kinks

as long as he can still hit 95 or so I’m happy

Glaus walks. Two on and 1 out with McCann coming up.

I love how Glaus refuses to swing at crap, and takes first base. Yes

I am get more and more giddy every time I read this line: Glaus Walks.

So he's replacing Norton?...

I want HRs.

I want plate discipline. HRs will come – especially with a guy like Glaus.

better than “kotchman hits one high…and deep…and caught by the third base dugout”

I’ll tell you what though. When Kotchman hit one, they went deeeeeep

haha…good ole 3U

Yep, I hope it rubs off on some of the other guys!

Heyward thrown out on attempted steal at third base. Very controversial call.

Either way, I like his aggressiveness so far this spring.

Absolutely, that is something this team has been missing for several years now.

Glaus takes 2nd base.

McCann pops out for 3rd out.

oh frack

bill hohn is the home plate ump

No wonder they were booing him earlier.

He hasn’t been lynched by now?

Give it time

I'll try

but patience is not one of my strongest virtues

You and me both lol

Saito on for the Braves now.

1B to RF for Duncan.

Might as well cut Saito too

Dukes drives it off the wall in CF for a double.

Pudge Rodriguez is the Nats catcher and is up now. He is the one that threw Heyward out at 3rd last inning.

Saito striks out Pudge on 3 good durves.

make that curves.

I had thought that they might be Japanese versions or something. HAHA

FIRE WREN OUR BP SUCKS!!!!ONE

fail for not putting a space inbetween exclamation marks.

ok so if the fastball isnt working throw the curve

Maxwell strikes out on a 91 mph FB on the inside corner.

I just got AtBat for the iPhone

love the radio!

If you can the app (it’s $15 bucks) get it.

yea but i am pissed i couldnt just use the one i paid 10 for last year

$15 is a little pricey...

but I had like $40 bucks in itunes gift cards and I get all my songs from other places….so it was worth it to me

"other places"

Lars Ulrich is gonna come after you!

Oh that is just funny!

This is the first time I actually wish I had an iPhone.

+71

copy cat.

I like it. Immitation is the best form of flattery.

I agree!

I just got it as well. I am loving it. To celebrate being able to listen to the game at my desk at work I went down to the cafeteria to buy some cracker jacks! It was a bit pathetic actually, you would have thought I was 10 years old again.

WHIFF! Strike 3!

Saito strikes out Maxwell

A two out double to the gap that drives in 2 runs.

great our new bullpen giving up the lead

2 for Wags and 2 for Saito.

It’s the first week of ST. Relax. These guys are just trying to work on some specific stuff. I seriously doubt if they even care whether they give up runs or not right now.

It was obviouls they didn’t. They were working on specific things.

They often try stuff they worked on in the off season on live hitting during their first few ST games. Give it time.

Morse rocks one...

4-2 nationals

It’s 2006 all over again

Ground out to short to end the inning and Freeman is playing 1B now also.

Damn these play by play guys suck…they’re too busy talking to their good friend in the booth than telling us what’s going on…it’s not like we have TV to watch what’s happening. Morons…

I know what you mean!!!

wait…buck…is that the old UGA QB

Are Buck and Kinkade calling this?

They basically just do their afternoon show in the booth and interrupt with game updates.

yes, that’s why the play by play is so bad….i live in cali so dont hear the radio beyond the actual game

And everynow and then Buck shouts

FASTBALL!

Esco, Melky and Rossy due up in the 4th

Escobar drives one in the gap for a double. It was a screaming liner.

Esco rips a double

You could hear the bang off the bat.

Cabrera with an RBI single up the middle. 4-3 Nats.

Melky rips one up the middle!

Esco scores. 4-3

Dumbass announcers just called Melky Cabrera….Blanco. WTF? I swear they’re drinking margaritas!

The game is getting in the way of their conversation.

I hate when that happens to the Mets announcers

This is why Heyward will start in….ah, nvm.

haha

Jason Heyward decides his own fate.

great, this reinforces Bobby’s platoon with Matty D all year.

Melky getting a single?

hahahah. So far, Melky’s 2 singles have determined the fates of Heyward and Diaz.

I'm gonna laugh when Melky...

hits .300 for the year, and has a nice 750-800 ops on the year in 300-400 ab.

I think he will have a great year, myself.

haha

that’s not a crazy thought though. I see him being significantly better than last year

Ross on with a courtesy single that shoud have been an error and Clevlen lays down a sac bunt. Runners at 2nd and 3rd.

Clevlan puts down a nice little bunt

moves the runners to 2nd and 3rd. Zimmerman made a great play to get him by a step.

LETS GO MARTEEEEEN!

2-1 count, runners on 2nd and 3rd, 1 out…

If only so the KJ lovers can drop it...

Let’s go Odarp!

I hope Melky doesn’t get thrown out at home again…then Cox will REALLY be in a pickle!

“He’s got 2 singles…but he got thrown out twice…two singles…thrown out twice…”

RBI infield single by Prado!

Hit it in the hole…no play on the ball.

Pitching change for the Nats. Runners on 1st and 3rd w/ 2 outs.

4-4 tie

Is Rizzo playing to win this game?

Hello!

YOU PLAY!… TO WIN!…THE GAME!

playoffs???

Don't come to me talking about playoffs...

we’re talking bout practice. Not the game, practice.

YOU GUYS ARE WHO I THOUGHT YOU WERE!

Both teams played hard my man...

both teams played hard. (Still my favorite. Love some Sheed).

dang i wish i had the audio to this game

Gotta get the app!

i cant get apps…im using old school nextel phone still haha

Heyward up

Everybody be quiet…

Why?

Can you hear me?

Yes

And we all know you just ripped one.

But it smells like...

lilies.

RBI?

that counts right

no

just trying to help the kid out

Heyward rips one to the 2B…reaches on an error. Ross scores.

5-4 Bravos

It's Spring Training...

…they should call it a hit.

They have called every other one like that a hit so far.

An error on the second basemen....

As the mighty Heyward spanked the ball at 3000 mph, the second basemen’s attempt to catch the ball was thwarted presumably by the incredible speed of the ball. An error will be put in the books even as the second baseman’s hand is currently detached from his body and has been found by the center field fence.

And so builds the Heyward legend!!

heyward causing errors even

Thurston batting now.

yeah buddy

RBI

Have we had any inning in ST where runs scored and Heyward was not involved somehow?

Thurston singles to RF

Prado scores from 2B.

6-4 Braves

OFFENSE BABY!

Freddie Freeman at the plate!

Freeman at the plate now.

Gone!!

way to go freddie

FREEMAN 3RUN HOMER

Freeman drives one out to RF for a 3 run bomb.

FREEMAN 3 RUN HOMER!
oh jesus

Freeman ran past Thruston on 1B.

/facepalm

WOW

Freddddddie

Weirdest play ever
Yikes Freddie

out for passing the runner

BUT

FREEMAN OUT AS HE PASSES THURSTON

so it’s only a 2-run homer

Freeman called out because he passed Thurston on the base paths while watching the flight of the ball.

What the hell was Thurston doing?

note: dont pass the baserunners in front of you

ugh....can't pass the runner in front of you

Pretty much why he’ll be down longer

2 runs score thow as the braves have spun a wheel at the plate this inning.

BMac singles up the middle

this could get ugly…

Freeman 3-r Homer

ohhh waiy. C’mon man

Freeman caught enjoying his hit a little too much
Esco

going deep, but not deep enough

escobar 2B, mccann scores from first lol

heaps and heaps of...

..speed?

Escobar drives one off the wall for a double that scores McCann.

Said it hit off the 385' mark about 6' below the top of the wall.
Offensive explosion
uhhhhh

what was thurston doing?

what was anyone doing on that play

Holding up to make sure it wasn’t caught.

Waiting in case he needed to tag

maybe he didnt get the memo this kid hits it far

I like this a lot, good time to tune in

Chug Chug McCann!
This sucks

i want to watch the hilarity ensue

Ground out to SS. The inning is over.

Dang how many 2B does Esco have in this game!!!

If I were Mac, I would have stopped at 3B and been like “Guys, you know if this were May or June I would have scored, right?”

If only the game were on TV,

this would be a heck of a game to be watching.

Top of the 5th, 9-4 Braves as they put up 7 in the 4th. Jesse Chavez on to pitch now.

ok redemption time Chavez

Just out of curiosity, how do you score that situation?

That’s one thing I’ve never put into a scorebook: ‘out by passing runner.’ I presume somebody is awarded a phantom putout. 2 RBIs and no hit???

I think the official scoring is a 2 RBI single, or whatever base was last legaly possessed by the batter-runner.

Chavez throwing FB nowhere near the stike zone and walks the first batter.

AAA for Chavez!

After all that praise from Bobby and DOB!

1st week of ST…

AAA for Wagner, too!
AA For Chipper!
A ball for Heyward
Rookie League Even

who gets two stolen bases in ST, he’s the worst

Yep give me Acosta all day baby!

I was just freakin kidding!!!

He got through the inning with just giving up the one walk. I wouldn’t make any assumptions off of his first two innings of work in ST.

Highlights on MLB network tonight are going to be funny!

Fly to LF for 1st out. Blanco playing RF now.

well Chavez lucked out there

ok this ‘can of corn’ phrase is getting annoying

I agree.

I was thinging that yesterday. Can we try a new one, like a dying quail or something. You know, mix things up a bit.

Another flyout for out number 2.

What about?

Corn that’s just been freshly canned? Better?

Zellwood is just up the road a piece from Disney. Great corn by the middle of May.

Duncan grounds out to Conrad, who is now playing 2B, for the 3rd out.

Ross

Doubling up

I hope he gets in more games this year.
He probably will

since Mac wont have the clean-up duty

Pete Orr playing 3B for the Nats. Ross leading off the inning with a double to RF.

Who grounded out?

Ground out to 3rd for 1st out. Conrad now batting.

Anyone seen Braves-Slayer Willie Harris? He still a Nat?

Conrad with the “Can of corn” to CF.

freddies HR

it was ruled a single

thanks – really bizarre.

Blanco

RBI single

Blanco with a 1B up the middle and Ross beats the throw to the plate.

Thurston grounds out on a slow roller to 2B to end the inning.

Hank Aaron

didnt he hit a homer and pass a guy at first and get called out? if i recall correctly, the runners werent able to advance then. i’m not sure they got that call right.

Lou Gherig lost the season HR crown to Babe Ruth one season because he lined one out so hard that it bounced back into the field of play. Babe looked up to see an outfielder catch the ball and peeled off into the dugout as he rounded third causing Gherig to pass him on the basepath and the HR to be ruled a triple. Ruth finished the season with 1 HR more than Gherig.

I love baseball.

agreed

things like this separate it from other sports

They got it right, at least according to the present Offical Playing Rules.

Dukes hits a dribbler down 3B line for a single. Chavez still pitching.

Fly out for 1st out.

Matt Young in the outfield now.

Dukes stole second and Maxwell draws a walk off of Chavez.

Acosta can walk people too!

Anyone still wanting the play by play updates?

getting annoying?

I am enjoying them, but if I am the only one paying attention, by all means don’t continue.

yes!

Ok I will keep at it then.

we can do like a inning/half inning trade off
Yes if you don't mind
If you will keep us up with the score, and any highlights, I'll be happy, thanks
apparently...

they got the call right. here are all of the “runners passing runners” instances in mlb. pretty cool stuff.
http://www.retrosheet.org/passing.htm

Desmond hits a GS homer off of Chavez.

Send Him Down

NOW!

Not making a solid case to stay up...
still early though

Plus Huddy just did an interview saying that he was kinda upset at himself for not getting into jams, you cant learn and develop when you just sit everybody down, you kinda want to get in trouble in spring

Maybe that is true, but giving up a GS is getting himself out of a jam in an undesirable way….LOL

That HR did kill the rally…

but know he knows, dont do that

Huddy is speaking for himself, well maybe for the others that have a guaranteed spot.

Chavez is pitching for a job…

obviously

but im just saying, itll be better for him in the long run than if he pitched flawless and got the job then ran into serious trouble in the season. Get it out now

Acosta can give up Grand Slams too!

Score is 10-8 Braves now. McDowell out to talk to Chavez. I think he needs more than he can provide in a mound visit.

Chavez,

I know it’s early but?!?

Funny. Gondeee just retweeted a Jim Powell tweet where he said Chavez was a near lock for the bullpen this year! LOL

1B to RF. I think Chavez is throwing BP to the Nats.

But it's just 2.2 innings for Chavez
chavez...

might be ok, but he’s sure not looking it…i expect him to go down on the making the team meter this week.

yes, back to back bad outings is not helping his cause.
There goes the HOOK!

Apparently, even Bobby’s patience has limits.

Dunn coming into to pitch now.

Just getting back from lunch…that Freeman HR sounds like it was bizarre.

The only person that knew what happened was Sutton. The rest were, and still are, very confused.

They would have to be paying attention to the game to clear the fog of confusion.
re: chavez

don’t forget the horrible inning EOF had last spring

This makes 4 for Chavez, just sayin'

oh i know, but a lot of us thought that one outing was enough to seal his fate

Very true

I think EOF gave up like 9 runs in one inning last ST

So I just got here...

It looks like Escobar, Lowe and Prado had good games. Chavez….not so much.

Wagner, Saito, and Chavez gave up all the runs. The offense has been putting on a show though.

Orr pops up to Conrad to end the inning, mercifully.

If I have to listen to this stupid energy-saving-dog-training commercial one more time…

That is why I love it when they have the video feeds. I can just mute the sound for the commercials and see when the game comes back on.

its just preparing you for the non-stop Gieco commercials youll suffer during the season

So I am reading a Fantasy Baseball preview magazine and just noticed that the Braves have 4 relievers listed in the top 60 – not too shabby!

Wagner, Saito, Moylan…

Medlen.

Really? Very nice.

seriously

good back pat to start the season

Yeah. Did you realize he had over 9 K/9 in the BP?

No I did not, holy crap. Imagine when he starts to tone his walks down.

The kid has talent. I like our pitching future a lot.

Wow, Bill James is pretty high on Meds this year

what about freddie freeman?

he cost himself 3 bases, a run, and an RBI. that’s almost a year’s worth of bad.

Freeman leading off the inning. Nobody on in front of him this time.

Who'd have thought...

that we might need that run Freeman lost on the HR…er 1B….er….

Freeman flied on the first pitch.

Hicks is on deck now.

Julius Peppers to the Bears, huh? Always liked that guy.

Mercado draws a walk. Hicks coming to the plate.

Hicks doubles. Runners at 2nd and 3rd.

he has been impressive.

Also, in this Fantasy Baseball Preview magazine, it has Bobby Cox listed as #14 in terms of BP abuse from managers.

What an underestimate

I don’t know the formula, but this analysis is statistically based, believe it or not.

yeah

but statistics probably don’t point out the lopsidedness of his abuse. Ask Moylan at the end of the season if he abuses, well ask his arm, Moylan is too nice

or

maybe they are discounting all the innings pitched after he gets ejected, and predicting a record toss out rate to go out in style

All 5’6" of Matt Young at the plate now.

Young draws a walk. Bases loaded for Ross.

Thanks for the play-by-play...

It is very much appreciated!!

You’re very welcome.

In ST so far, have we had a bases loaded situation that has NOT resulted in at least 1 out?

WOW. I just noticed at the bottom of the Braves Preview page this little tidbit:

Get more Braves analysis at BRAVESHEART.COM

Go ahead, Large Joseph!

That’s it. We’ve lost him in the bowels of corporate filth. His razor sharp wit and rusty nail dick stabbing have been lost to us. sniff.

Ross flies out, runners all hold. Minor league catcher on 3B with no wheelds.

Fly to RF to end the inning.

Bases Loaded

amounts to nothing 10-8 still

wait

10-8? Can you guys fill me in?

In one word, Chavez

haha. What about the 10?

Freeman y Esco
Freeman

was only good for 2 of his 3 runs via HR

what about Esco?

I think he has like 3 doubles

Classic Esco. Has that convinced anyone he should stay in the 6 hole?

he always was there for me

me too, just there was talk here of wanting to move him

Double

machine

is he the new

Juan Bautista Berenguer

Just noticed that the Braves haven’t struck out once in this game.

Thats always a good thing

Ok all, I am outta here. Gotta go work on the boat now that the weather is warming up a tad.

Nice work today.

Thanks for the play-by-play.
Thank you good sir
Hicks

records the second out

the lead runner

nieves reaches 1st

Figures...

NOW I find out that my XM Radio has the PBP.

Maxwell

grounds out to end the inning

Attention everyone

This is a heckuva long game

lots of runs

always means long

...but good.

Well, except for the giving up of the runs…

I like

pitching duals personally

Me too.

But I like variety. Besides, I had enough pitching duels last year to last me a lifetime.

I cant get enough

good clean old school baseball. with our Rotation and Heyward manning the bags, i hope well get a lot of that this season

it be great with a beer

but they don’t like that at work. Blogging either I’m sure. Or litening to the Braves.

What inning are we in?
Conrad

HR left

Brooks Conrad up now. 1-1. Check swing – 2-1.
HOME RUN

Longest game evar

And just like that, I’m out again. have a great weekend guys

Greg White up now. 0-2 count.

And the final bench spot goes to...............
Blanco

single

Mad Men huh?

I couldn’t get into it

You're actually

the first to bring it up.

I tried really hard to love it.

Watched first season and was ehhh..

It got better with time

Shit got REAL! sorry baby choppers, cover your ears

yeah, end of the first began to do that

Plus

you gotta love Roger Sterling, hes my hero

I plan on giving it a chance eventually but currently watching Carnivale, Oz, and just started Rescue Me last night. I normally a little behind when it comes to TV shows, as you can tell.

Warning

It is VERY slow. youll go thru a whole season without anything developing till the last two episodes

Ugh…that’s exactly how the first season of Brotherhood was.

yeah

I can easily see why some hate it. I just think the show is extremely well written from a subtle point of view, its like anti-lost in a way

Ha, I still haven’t even bothered to watch Lost. Mad Men is on my Netflix queue though, so I’ll get to it one of these days. How many seasons does it have?

I tried jumping into lost mid first season and was so confused it scared be from ever going back. I’m glad that is wrapping up so i can stop hearing about it

haha…shout out to the Langdales?

my mom used to work for them down in Valdosta

Did you go to school in Valdostta?

nah, went to Lowndes Middle but moved over to Brunswick and went to Glynn Academy

When did you graduate from Glynn?

Thurston

sac bunt gregor to 2nd

Forgot to mention

all of this off the new pitcher Garate

16 hits for the Braves today… so far.

Gotta like that, after last season.
I really like

the 7-14 with RISP

+1

… but of course, it’s the Nats pitching staff… the pitches just thrown to FF were described as being timed with a sundial!

2-1 Freeman

pops up for 2nd out

Is there a game on.... Oh I better call it!

Sounds like these guys finally realized the game was on and that they needed to start calling it.

Full count to Orlando Mercato.

Yeah, Merca"D"o

i was gonna correct you

but i figured you caught it already

The chop is out in force apperently

Wonder if my fellow cube mates would mind if I broke out in the chop chant too….Hmmmm, better not.

Haha

mine would especially not like that, damn met fans in brooklyn, whats up with that?

I think this game is supposed to end right

before re-runs of saved by the bell : college years tommorrow morning

What's going on?

Last I saw the score was 10-8. I know Lowe did alright, who gave up the runs?

wagner, saito, chavez
Juan Bautista Berenguer

If I recall correctly…. Wagner 2; Saito 2… Chavez GS in his second inning.

Hicks K's to end the seventh
youll have to take over

im in a sound sensitive area now

Gotcha covered.

They just showed Kris Medlen playing for the Marlins lol!

Todd Redmon (sp?). one pitch, fly out to CF.
Score is 11-8 Bravos. Top 8th one out.

Owens – gapper to wall in RC – double.

Who's pitching?
Todd Redmond pitching

Willy Taveras. Long foul to RF. Matt Young playing out there now.
0-2. Ball inside, 1-2.
Ball outside, 2-2. Good slider, but laid off.
Close, but ball 3.
two fouls…. as if it wasn’t a long enough game already….
Taken for a walk.

getting down in this

pitch by pitch even

Beats the manual I’m trying to read.

i hear you on that, i should be drawing sections, nahhh

Alberto Gonzalez up… no, not that AGon…

Grounder to 1st…. force at second…. two down…. runners on corners.
Well done, Freddie.

But Glaus

turned that the other day…

I think the announcers were of the opinion that it wasn’t a DP ball in this case.

Pete Orr. Fouled off, 0-1.
Fouled again. Bounced…. Gonzalez to second.

Check swing – he’s gone. Top of 8th done.

You suppose to say it like the White Sox guys

He Gone lol!

You can put that on the boooooooooooard.

You can put it on the boooooooooord YE)AHHHHHH

Tod Clippard(sp?) pitching for the Nats.
1-2 pitch grounded past 3rd by Matt Young.
Thrown out trying to stretch a single to a double.

1 down. CoJo up.

LF fly out. Clevlen now up. Dang, I gotta get a roster.

thanks

just read the whole thread, thanks guys for the play by play. Awesome that yall are doing this

I need to start bringing my charger to work…audio drains my iphone battery before the game ends every time.

Does your backlight stay on?

Backlight? Apologies, I’ve only had the phone for a few months.

I hear ya...

There is a setting to have allow the phone to lock and turn off the screen after a short amount of time. You can also change the update interval from 15sec to 1min. That may affect battery as well. Regardless as hot as my iPhone gets listening to the game, it is still really burning some battery.

I’ve been using “background” button so that the audio pulls up in Safari and then I just lay it on my desk while I work so the screen is black the whole time. Not sure exactly what you’re advising.

another trick

is to turn of 3G and run on EDGE…that will save u some batterylife

have you tried streaming the game audio using the edge network?

audio sucks

on Edge though

No clue what EDGE is, please fill me in.

EDGE

is essentially “2G” its the older version of sending data through the air, and is slower but less power grubbing

I see…and how would one alternate between 2G and 3G?

Settings > General > Network > first option is a switch to enable 3G, if you turn it off, it runs EDGE, the “3G” icon at the top will be replaced with an E, and your battery life will be extended. unless you’re doing some heave web surfing, or using an app that is data heavy, have it turned off, you’ll love your new battery life.

+1
Keep in mind

as it was discussed elsewhere in this thread. if youre listening to the game audio, you should probably run it over 3G edge is a little too jumpy.

Why is he talking about a fire off in the distance!!!!!

I know it is a long game, but COME ON!

1-2 pitch – check-swing strikeout. End 8th. Still 11-8 Braves.
Last chance for the Nats before they hit the golf course.

Todd Redmond back in for the 9th.

2-1 on Norris…. strike two…. fouled.
Grounded to 3rd… out at first.

Eric Bruntlett up. First pitch fly out to FF at 1st. Two down.

Will Neives (sp?) up. 1-0 pitch fouled off.

Working fast… tee times are looming! 1-2 count.

Strike three… Braves win. post game report coming. Much later.

Thank you, great job!

I only get the save – others did the heavy lifting!

We all know

saves are important too, which is why Wags need to bounce back after today

I thought Minor was suppose to pitch today?

Yeah, he was on the list, but it didn’t happen.

He pitched yesterday.

w00t

3-1 so far

i know ST records dont matter, but winning is always better

Medlen vs. Oswalt tomorrow.

Hanson goes on Sunday as the Braves and ’Stros do a “home and home” weekend mini-series.
Should be some more widespread radio coverage tomorrow – 103.9FM here in North Alabama.

Thanks to Mountngrown, Dave_D, Don Draper and carpengui for the updates today! You guys did great!

If only we could get video going

calling play by play from audio is difficult, i dont know who is on the bench for the nats, let alone their prospects.

What did I miss?

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