Tommy Hanson. Where to begin?
The dude was filthy tonight.
Hanson continued to prove why he's the young ace of this staff after throwing 8 incredible innings against one of the best hitting teams in the NL. His fastball stayed down in the zone all night. His slider was nasty. The curve was devastating and made several Brewers hitters look silly. And even the change-up looked good when Tommy threw it. To summarize Tommy's night in short, it was (probably) the best start of his career. Way to go kid.
The Braves offense was awful the first few innings. As a matter of fact, they were no-hit by Doug Davis for the first 4 and 2/3 innings. Martin Prado broke up the no-no with a RBI single to LF that scored Nate McLouth from 2B. Braves led 1-0 after the 5th.
Troy Glaus showed his POWAH in the 6th with a DEEP HR to center field. After Brian McCann was hit by a pitch, everyone's favorite #3 hitter Melky Cabrera doubled down the RF line. Brian Snitker messed up big time and sent BMac home after slowly rounding 3rd. He was out by 15 feet. If the Braves didn't score in the 6th after the decision from Snitker, it would've been a huge blow to the team.
Fortunately for the Braves, it wasn't. After an intentional walk to Matt Diaz, Nate McLouth plated Melky from 3rd after Rickie Weeks made an error on a weak groundball. Omar Infante walked to load the bases for tonight's co-MVP, Martin Prado. The Brew Crew brought in lefty Manny Parra to face Nitram Odarp and he was greeted rudely with a monster grand slam from our beloved 2B. The grand slam made it 7-0 in the 6th and it was the first GS from the Braves since 2008.
The Braves added on another run in the 9th with a RBI single from Matty Diaz. Jesse Chavez came in to finish off the game and gave up a 2-run HR blowing the shutout, but recorded the final out to finish the game.
Braves win 8-2.
The Good, Bad, Ugly and some "special awards" after the jump. Oh, and a record was broken tonight!
The Good:
1. Tommy "Big Red" Hanson - 8IP 4H 0ER 1BB/8K; FILTHY.
2. Martin Prado - 2-for-5, GS(2) 5RBI
3. Troy Glaus - 2-for-4, HR(3) 1RBI 1BB/2K
The Bad:
1. Brian McCann - 0-for-4 1K 4LOB; I'm starting to worry a bit about BMac. Are you?
2. Nate McLouth - 0-for-4
The Ugly:
1. Jesse Chavez - 1IP 2H 2ER 2K 1HR; no shutout for you Braves!
2. Chipper injured again - Anyone even kinda surprised by this?
3. Brian Snitker's 3B coaching - He's been awful lately. On Sunday, he sent Infante and was gunned down at the plate by 10 feet. He then proceeded to throw up a stop sign to Martin Prado, but Prado ran through it and scored without a throw. Monday night, he sent a sloooooow Brian McCann and he was out by a mile at the plate. This needs to change.
Awards:
1. Game Thread MVP: atl192485; calling both Glaus' HR and Prado's GS is pretty neat.
2. Non-TC member MVP of the night:
Heyward isn’t playing, Jones isn’t good anymore, McCann can’t see, and Prado just isn’t good
by SRB on May 10, 2010 6:24 PM MS
Thank you very much.
Open Thread Comment Count: 2,504 -- WE BROKE THE RECORD!!! (in a non-extra innings game)
This team has been awful the past few weeks, but TC keeps going strong. That's awesome. Keep it up.
Upcoming Game:
The Braves and Brewers meet up for game 2 tomorrow night. Jason Heyward is expected to be back in the lineup for the first time since Wednesday. Tim Hudson will be on the mound for the Bravos and the Brewers counter with Dave Bush. First pitch is at 8:05EST.
GO BRAVES!
0 recs | 220 comments
Glaus
Should get bonus points for hitting that notch out there with his homer.
Sam Jethroe - May 10, 2010
what do i win??
also, bravesfan203 called the prado slam as well.
atl192485 - May 10, 2010
Yeah, but he isn’t The Oracle.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 10, 2010
Great images
Good stuff from the AP for this game.
I hate to needle him but Diaz looks like he’s being tortured in his two pics.
Sam Jethroe - May 10, 2010
Well that was a bit better than the possibility of getting no-hit by Doug Davis
BraveSaluki - May 10, 2010
That was a great game tonight!
Great offense + Great pitching…..IN THE SAME GAME!!
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 11, 2010
couldn’t agree more. We need our offense to consistently get the pitching staff runs to work with and stay healthy
Braves24 - May 11, 2010
The wonder of Twitter, you get bits like this (from DOB)
AllSaintsDay - May 11, 2010
This is absolutely fantastic
BraveSaluki - May 11, 2010
What would you do for a Klondike bar? Would you hit a grand slam for one!?
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 11, 2010
And that is my new sig
McCann and McWill - May 11, 2010
Bahahahaha
soup du jour - May 11, 2010
LOL
I love that guy. Can we keep him forever?
Smoltz's Beard - May 11, 2010
Not if he keeps up this pitching slump of his.
drumzalicious - May 11, 2010 via mobile
Yeah, he’s giving up runs in 2 of 15 appearances…let’s cut him. (seriously though, the walks are troubling)
Smoltz's Beard - May 11, 2010
dont misunderstand. He was great for a bit but as of late has been struggling a little. His appearance in Philly was solid though
drumzalicious - May 11, 2010
Moylan is slumping with his pitching but dang he is hilarious!
MBL1 - May 11, 2010 via mobile
Hil-a-rious!
Thanks twit DOB
Lizziebeth - May 11, 2010
It looks like Ryan Braun might miss the rest of the series....
The Brewers say he’s day-to-day on the injury to his left elbow.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 11, 2010
Crap, he is on my fantasy team
bbxxj - May 11, 2010
Me gusta. With all the shitty luck we’ve had I’ll take any advantage we can get.
Scott Coleman - May 11, 2010 via mobile
Even an advantage that is the result of being hit by our pitcher?
John Drake number 6 - May 11, 2010
absolutely
kreese555 - May 11, 2010
yeah, it’s a part of the game. It’s not like Hanson threw at Braun on purpose.
Scott Coleman - May 11, 2010
It’s one thing to dispassionately acknowledge that the loss of a star player will likely give your (our) team an advantage, but describing that as a good thing just seems wrong to me and not “part of the game”, especially when the injury resulted from the actions of someone on our team, whether it was intentional or not.
John Drake number 6 - May 11, 2010
Boo hoo hoo
Hanson hit a guy who was standing too close to the plate. No intent at all. It probably wouldn’t have bothered me even if the intent had been there. You take that chance when you stand there.
Any sympathy I may have had for Braun (which wasn’t much, I’ll be honest) he forfeited with that episode of Joe Pepitone Theater he staged over at first.
Sam Jethroe - May 11, 2010
I agree
It is one thing to acknowledge an injury helping your team, but it is truly unsportsmanlike and classless to celebrate it. Good for you John Drake for pointing that out. Shame on the rest of you.
Andy Braves Fan - May 11, 2010
Good lord…
Smoltz's Beard - May 11, 2010
are you serious
it absolutely is part of the game…if he is gonna crowd the plate, pitchers will come up and in on you. Stand back if you don’t wanna get plunked. Stop bringing so many morals and feelings into the game that aren’t there.
SouthernPanther - May 11, 2010
of course
the hitting is part of the game. I think the problem is the celebration of the injury.
Andy Braves Fan - May 11, 2010
Yes, that was my point: it’s one thing for an opposing player to get hit (that IS part of the game), but quite another for us to cheer about it.
I’ve come to appreciate baseball’s “you try to do your best and we’ll do the same” attitude, implicit in how the game is played.
The opposite attitude exists in football, where the philosophy is to physically punish the opponent’s quarterback and receivers so that they can no longer play to their potential —a spirit that is tightly woven into the fabric of the game.
That mindset exists in basketball too, where a player making a layup is sometimes hit with a hard foul to made him think twice about taking such shots in the future and point guards are hip checked into the scorer’s table or run full-speed into picks set by the opponent’s center at half-court. (Then there is the entire chapter that could be devoted to Karl Malone’s elbows and the appendix set aside for his knees).
To be sure, there ARE a few examples in baseball of punishing the opponent: trying to knock the catcher loose from the ball in a play at the plate, trying to take out the player turning the double-play at second. Further, no one says you have to play to the opponent’s strength by, for example tossing creampuffs to Pujols.
But there is an ethos to baseball that is proven by the existence in the vernacular of terms like “bush league” or “not part of the game”. Remember for example the uproar when single-season-Brave Robert Fick slapped at the first baseman’s glove in an apparent attempt to dislodge the ball as he ran out a grounder (or the uproar a few years later when A-Rod did the same).
The players on the field would never countenance injuring an opponent for long-term gain. The least we can do as fans is not cheer the injury.
To be fair to mvhsbball, the original comment was perhaps an ill-considered, off-hand comment that wasn’t really meant, perhaps followed up with a response that misconstrued the point of my question. Anyway, my two cents.
John Drake number 6 - May 11, 2010
He's a top 5 position player in baseball (arguably) and the Braves are struggling mightily.
I’m fucking celebrating the injury, unapologetically.
kreese555 - May 11, 2010
well
that’s very classy of you. Thanks for giving us all a bad name.
Andy Braves Fan - May 11, 2010
No. Giving everyone a bad name would mean going over to the Brewer’s site and gloating.
UMDBHIK - May 11, 2010
No
it’s still giving Braves fans a bad name, but you are correct that gloating on the Brewers site would be considerably more douchey.
Andy Braves Fan - May 11, 2010
My sentiments, lets not celebrate injuries
You are spot on about football, they try to injure each other and don’t care if it’s for life and the accursed coaches encourage it. That is the main reason I don’t watch football and basketball is just plain boring, don’t get me started about hockey. Baseball is the best game in the world because nowhere is it implied that you are supposed to hurt someone. You are supposed to play , PLAY baseball. Humans being what they are, bring some of their lower nature to the game. I guess I’m getting too mellow in my old age, but I’ve been around for quite a while and I do not like it when people get happy because someone gets hurt. If people getting hurt is your thing, why watch baseball at all. Go watch the barbarian UFC, better yet sponser a dog fight. I’m A Viet Nam vet by the way and I ain’t no Vegan either.
jimmontg - May 11, 2010
correction: “but quite another for us to cheer about it or the resulting injury.”
John Drake number 6 - May 11, 2010
A great "wireless mind tweet" from CyBorg Hanson during the game...
on this HBP:
A link if you want it: http://twitter.com/CyborgHanson48/status/13759926745
sddbaker - May 11, 2010
LOL…“wireless mind tweet” kills me every time.
Smoltz's Beard - May 11, 2010
I like this one...
mvandonsel - May 11, 2010
HAHAHA I'm not sure I agree that he's a dickhole but that is hilarious. This guy gets me out of nowhere sometimes LOL
kreese555 - May 11, 2010
Yeah….whereas Davis obviously threw at McCann on purpose.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 11, 2010
lets just hope that
Bush or Gallardo don’t try to extract revenge on our star outfielder
drumzalicious - May 11, 2010 via mobile
Davis already tried to exact revenge. He threw at McCann. It just didn’t hurt McCann any because Davis throws like a girl.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 11, 2010
No offense to anyone here of the feminine persuasion….in retrospect, most of you could probably throw harder than Davis.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 11, 2010
I threw harder than Doug Davis when I was 11. In fact, I could probably still throw harder than him left-handed, although I’d have no idea where the ball was going to go.
UMDBHIK - May 11, 2010
Not me...
I throw like a girl with two broken arms.
sddbaker - May 11, 2010
Hehehe, I think Lizziebeth has a kickass cartoon for that.
NCChopper - May 11, 2010
Yeah, lol.
Sure seem to use it a lot more than I thought I would, somewhat to my dismay. Will hold off this time; a little busy adding Mr. EricGWPO to the bell tower list.
/sarcasm (well, some anyway)
Lizziebeth - May 11, 2010
Staying Mum After Mother's Day
………i still have nothing positive to say, so i’ll keep it too myself…man…i mean i’m happy with the win and Hanson showing us he’s our number one….but are folks really feeling good about the team? I’m not even close…guess it’s one game at a time and be prepared to tip a cap in the event of a no-hitter….cause we threatened by one almost nightly.
Nova Scotia Steve - May 11, 2010 via mobile
I have no words
Skyagusta - May 11, 2010
Don’t even bother. Until we win 15 in a row, some fans still won’t be happy.
It’s similar to what i said in the GT. Troy Glaus could hit 3HRs tonight, but then fans would complain he isn’t drawing walks. This is basically the same situation.
Scott Coleman - May 11, 2010 via mobile
Its just an awful way to be a fan. Why the heck would you want to be pissed off and depressed all the time about the team you ‘love’? Doesn’t make any sense.
bbxxj - May 11, 2010
I have no idea....or maybe not the words
To be excited by winning with 5 hits and feature a line-up with three regulars batting under .200….i’ll say that again three regulars batting under .200 and 6 batting under .250…I know they are trying and God bless them…but….ya know….nevermind…..i’m fighting a losing battle here….I gueess the only other point i’ll (try to) make is that when Escobar comes back Chipper should be DL’d. The man is hurt.
Nova Scotia Steve - May 11, 2010 via mobile
Rather than enjoy the offense when it does show up, you decide to continue to harp about it. Admittedly, the OFs not named Heyward have not been good thus far, we all know that. They could all bat .500 for the next week and not get over .250. But when they do hit .500 for a week, you would be still griping about how low their season average is.
Tonight, Melky had two solid drives to the opposite field, plus a walk; Matty D had a nice rip for an RBI; and Nate went hitless, but still managed to drive in a run and score twice himself. So yes, this should be encouraging. Is the problem solved? Absolutely not. But maybe, just maybe it’s getting better. Possibly? Maybe? You think?
/sunshine brigade
BraveSaluki - May 11, 2010
I just see a mediocre team - at best
…and really had higher expectations coming into the season
Nova Scotia Steve - May 11, 2010
You’ve made your thoughts plenty clear, fairweather fan.
Maybe you should stick to watching curling, because you fail as a baseball fan.
UMDBHIK - May 11, 2010
He's not a fair-weather fan, just a pessimistic one that passes it off
as “being realistic”. If we make the playoffs he’ll be excited, but then say we have no chance in the first round.
kreese555 - May 11, 2010
Wrong.
It’d be because he hit each of those 3 HRs with nobody on base.
WE GOT HIM TO DRIVE IN PEOPLE ON BASE! DRIVING HIMSELF IN DOESN’T COUNT!
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 11, 2010
Troys home run was not long enough!! Send him to the AA club!!
Frozen Fan - May 11, 2010
Yeah, it stayed in the stadium, comon, pathetic
bbxxj - May 11, 2010
rec'd
great post
Bravely going forward - May 11, 2010
No reason to stay Mum
I’m happy with the grand slam….isn’t that a tiny little way of saying Braves offense is maybe coming back? I mean, Braves hitters struggled but came through strong….and without Heyward! I see no reason as to why our team isn’t showing it’s better.
Joseph_C - May 11, 2010
+1
SouthernPanther - May 11, 2010
best week of my year so far -
was watching, up close and personal, the Braves get embarrassed four days in a row in St. Louis. Fan-up buddy….
traphicg - May 11, 2010
agreed
even in the rain and amidst a sweep… i loved every second..
plus busch stadium is beautiful and heyward is a mangod in person
The Devil Wears Prado - May 11, 2010
Smoltz's Beard - May 11, 2010
lol
Lizziebeth - May 11, 2010
I love this.
justincredubil02 - May 11, 2010
I feel good about the team. Heck YEAH.
I felt good about them in 1988 when they lost 106 games. I felt good about them in 1998 when they won 106 games. They are my team. I support them. I LOVE them.
Any more questions?
sddbaker - May 11, 2010
Mute
drumzalicious - May 11, 2010 via mobile
Green it up.
Operation Green Troll is still in full swing!
justincredubil02 - May 11, 2010
I was watching the game on my iPhone and just as Infante was going to first in the sixth inning my phone died. I had my two week old on asleep on my lap (obviously very into the game) so it took me a bit to get the charger and get the game back on. By then the score was 7-0 and I JUST KNEW I missed a grand slam. Oh well I’m just glad it happened.
And BTW thanks everyone for the kind words on my fanshot of my little Noah Kreke on his Braves blanket. To the one who asked I am of no immediate relation to Jordan Kreke though we must be fairly closely related as we are both from the same Illinois/Indiana/Kentuky tristate general area as well as the fact that there are so few Krekes living outside of Germany.
bbxxj - May 11, 2010
Haha, I was helping my wife cook with an eye on the game and started to walk to the bathroom to pee. I walked by the TV and Prado was up and my gut said to me ‘hold on just a second’. Next pitch I nearly wet myself on the spot.
Skyagusta - May 11, 2010
TMI!!!
dunnytwogloves - May 11, 2010
SLIFE!!!
went to the other room for two seconds during pitching change….
traphicg - May 11, 2010
Great win!!
Offense looked good, but I gotta give almost all the credit to Tommy. I sometimes question this teams confidence. I don’t know how they would have responded to being on there way to another no hitter, if the brewers had pushed across a few early runs. But big red destroyed the brew crew. Go braves!! Let’s sweep and leave town with a winning road trip
Frozen Fan - May 11, 2010
It’s amazing how much negativity you managed to veil within that celebratory post….
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 11, 2010
God forbid the Braves go an inning without getting a hit- regardless of what happens after that people will be lamenting the fact that we almost got no-hit.
Skyagusta - May 11, 2010
or 4 2/3's
By Doug Davis….or 7+ by Scott Olsen….or a two hit shutout by Jamie Moyer…God forbid any of that happen.
Nova Scotia Steve - May 11, 2010 via mobile
Can’t argue with that logic; or lack thereof, I guess.
Skyagusta - May 11, 2010
No I have no complaints. I do question their confidence sometimes
Frozen Fan - May 11, 2010
I know Hanson pitch count was at 109 when he left, but should have Bobby left him in to finish the game for his first complete game and shutout?
Braves24 - May 11, 2010
No reason to put that wear and tear on his arm. He’s young – don’t want to burn him out – especially this early in the season.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 11, 2010
No no no. That’s the Dusty Baker philosophy. In a 8-0 game, there’s no reason to risk blowing Tommy’s arm out.
Now if it was 1-0 and Wags, Saito and Moylan were all tired then maybe you leave him in. But not in that situation.
Scott Coleman - May 11, 2010 via mobile
that’s what I was thinking but he was pretty close to do something he has never done before in the mlb. He will have plenty before his career is over anyway
Braves24 - May 11, 2010
I think we’ll get to see plenty of CGs from Hanson yet. I would have liked to have seen him finish and get the shutout, but I understand the need to protect his arm. Like others have said, if it were close then yes, but let’s save his arm for a night when there is much less room for error.
NCChopper - May 11, 2010
The complete games will come. I know that last year and the early part of this year Tommy was throwing a lot of pitches to get his outs. Since his Houston start, he has been attacking and keeping his pitch count lower. If he continues to improve on that, we can expect many complete games and shutouts.
Frozen Fan - May 11, 2010
Funny quote from DOB
“Hilarious moment in the clubhouse. Bunch of reporters surrounding Prado, holding out recorders as he’s talking. And all of a sudden I notice Prado smiling and trying not to laugh, and I look to my left and there’s a Klondike bar. Moylan is standing there holding the ice-cream treat out like it’s a microphone and he’s a reporter….”
Jay212033 - May 11, 2010
Delete
I’m late!
Jay212033 - May 11, 2010
ESPN's recap
called odarp Martin “The Devil Wears” Prado
atl192485 - May 11, 2010
Better than Chip calling him “Sparky”….
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 11, 2010
I thought Joe said that?
McGriff the Crime Dog - May 11, 2010
Joe mentioned it.
Chip needlessly hammered it into the ground.
sddbaker - May 11, 2010
haha
Smoltz's Beard - May 11, 2010
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 11, 2010
Ugh.
Lizziebeth - May 11, 2010
Maybe
We can make Anne Hathaway the new GM.
Sam Jethroe - May 11, 2010
I thought someone had that copyrighted, damn.
McCann and McWill - May 11, 2010
yeah, definitely a username on here for quite some time
Smoltz's Beard - May 11, 2010
phew...
someone recognized I have been here…. I was getting worried.
The Devil Wears Prado - May 11, 2010
Did you guys hear something?
Smoltz's Beard - May 11, 2010
maybe it was the wind…
Lizziebeth - May 11, 2010
Dust in the wind?
The Devil Wears Prado - May 11, 2010
WHAAAAAAT
that has beeeen my name for a while now!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Devil Wears Prado - May 11, 2010
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Add Snitker’s ass to the ugly portion of the good, bad and ugly. He’s been horrible judging when and when not to send runners!
Jay212033 - May 11, 2010
I just found our out!
Don’t fire TP. Fire Shitker, move TP to 3B and hire a new hitting coach. It’s so simple, and yet…
J-Freak - May 11, 2010
fixed
yeah, I thought I had forgotten something in the Ugly column.
Scott Coleman - May 11, 2010
I really think him not saying a peep when Matty D was called out at third on the TH bunt was worse than sending Mac. At least in the latter he was trying to jump start a struggling offense.
bpk228480 - May 11, 2010
So chippers out and Jhey is back
who ever will bat third….
Oxymorman - May 11, 2010
Oh man, good question...
no Yunel and BMac has been horrible lately. I’m gonna guess we’ll see this:
McLouth
Infante – SS
Prado – 2B
BMac
Glaus
Heyward
Hinske/Melky/Diaz
Hicks – 3B
Hudson
it could really be anything though. I’d bet $1 that it’s NOT Heyward. I doubt Bobby would do that to a rookie coming off injury (assuming he does play), but who knows.
Scott Coleman - May 11, 2010
Who knows indeed, he put Melky in the 3rd spot too, remember?
jimmontg - May 11, 2010
no, I don’t wanna remember.
I doubt Bobby would do that again. Or at least, I pray he doesn’t.
Scott Coleman - May 11, 2010
Hicks? When did they bring up Hicks?
jimmontg - May 11, 2010
when Esco went to the DL last Monday. Good defense so far, but baaaaad offense…which is to be expected.
Scott Coleman - May 11, 2010
http://www.talkingchop.com/2010/5/3/1455498/braves-escobar-to-the-dl-hicks-to
Scott Coleman - May 11, 2010
I've been gone all week fishing and didn't know, thanks
jimmontg - May 11, 2010
when Esco is healthy again will they send Hicks back down to AAA?
Braves24 - May 11, 2010
i would sure think so
Scott Coleman - May 11, 2010
i just hope
it isnt Cabrera.
Maybe McCann.
Although everyone knows it should be Heyward
drumzalicious - May 11, 2010
I really enjoyed the game
There hasn’t been a lot them recently to enjoy. I couldn’t believe my eyes when Prado hit that Grand Slam, it made me so happy. The Braves 1st grand slam since July of 2008. Bad news about Jurrjens popping his hamstring, we need him. I hope he gets better soon. I hate to see anyone hurt, but it really gets to you when it’s someone on your own team. Seems Glaus is waking up with a bit of power. Even Melky got a hit and that catch by Diaz was pretty good even tho it looked like he was concentrating on where the fence was. Hanson’s outing was simply masterful, no other word for it. As for the people who want to keep on bitching about how bad the team still is well, take a break, OK! We did good tonight and so enjoy the win. Maybe we lose tomorrow, but that’s tomorrow. I’m going to the Ted this weekend with a bunch of kids and win or lose we are going to enjoy ourselves and no matter the score we will stay till the end of the 9th.
jimmontg - May 11, 2010
Thank you. You know, for all the crying people do about high ticket prices, I love when they leave in the 7th inning. Stay for the whole game!
Scott Coleman - May 11, 2010
The kids rarely get the chance to see a Major League game
It also may be the only game they see in person in their lives and I’m not not leaving early.
jimmontg - May 11, 2010
scratch one "not"
jimmontg - May 11, 2010
I'm from LA
You haven’t the slightest clue what fans arriving late and leaving early is. It’s sad, really.
yaggiefresh - May 11, 2010
I'm originally from LA too
I know exactly what your talking about, they leave early there to beat the traffic, not that Atlanta’s much better. My 1st major league game was at Dodger stadium, watched the Angels and Indians. The Angels didn’t have their own stadium then
jimmontg - May 11, 2010
Seriously…stay for all of us who don’t live in the area and never get to see The Ted!
Smoltz's Beard - May 11, 2010
I have to come from Alaska to see the braves play. You’d need a crowbar, a rifle and ten wild horses to get me out of my seat early. Go braves!!
Frozen Fan - May 11, 2010
I Like...
This dedication. Go for it Frozen Fan.
XBEARDX - May 11, 2010
WHOA! A FELLOW ALASKAN???
mvandonsel - May 11, 2010
haha
Smoltz's Beard - May 11, 2010
Yeah, live out in the Valley. Work in Prudhoe Bay. Hoping that interleague play will bring the braves to Seattle one day. Be nice too see the boys play for less then $800 for a change
Frozen Fan - May 11, 2010
Nice…by ‘Valley’ I imagine you mean the Matanuska Valley, very cool, I have relatives that live in both Palmer and Wasilla.
I am originally from Fairbanks/North Pole, but I moved to California in 2000 for college. I became a Braves fan because of TBS, what about you?
mvandonsel - May 11, 2010
I lived in Virginia till I was 8
My grandmother always had the game on. So yeah, I’d have to thank tbs for fanhood too
Frozen Fan - May 11, 2010
This amuses me to no end
royhobbs - May 11, 2010
My hometown's attempt to cash in...
mvandonsel - May 11, 2010
DOGSLED CONVENTION!!
Lizziebeth - May 11, 2010
That was uncalled for…
mvandonsel - May 11, 2010
My deepest apologies…I see now from the picture you posted above that it should’ve read “REINDEER SLED (& GINORMOUS SANTA) CONVENTION”.
Lizziebeth - May 12, 2010
I'm always there til the very end because
the shuttle for ME AND MY 20 FRIENDS who park 5 BLOCKS AWAY uphill both ways doesn’t pick up any earlier than that.
Lizziebeth - May 11, 2010
We could have used your logic added to the chorus on the GT last night.
Those of us who were celebrating good pitching, good hitting and our first GS in forever were obviously drinking the Kool-aid and talking out of our minds. One night does not make a season (win or lose) we all know that. But, some refuse to enjoy anything good when it happens and feel a need to berate those of us who do.
NCChopper - May 11, 2010
+ million
Go Girl Go!
HEYJUDE - May 11, 2010
I don't usually get on the game thread as my computer's in the bedroom and the TV's in the living room
I can be negative too,but I can enjoy a good game, we’ve had some that were good this year,but we still lost :( I try to enjoy the game just for itself though I want my team to win, it isn’t possible in this world for everyone to be perfect, but we won tonight so I’m just going to enjoy it. I hope they win Fri. sat. and Sun cause the kids will just enjoy it even more. :)
jimmontg - May 11, 2010
LOVE IT
god it was nice to see us dominate…
SouthernPanther - May 11, 2010
+1
yes.
yaggiefresh - May 11, 2010
Its amazing
what happens when you hit with RISP and you have a pitcher on the mound who can control the game.
Tim Goad - May 11, 2010
replace [control] with [dominate]
SouthernPanther - May 11, 2010
Yea
thats a better choice of word.
Tim Goad - May 11, 2010
You're wrong about Snitker
When the offense is struggling like the Braves has been, the third base coach has to take more risks, especially with two outs. The chances of getting yet another two out hit is minimal, so Snitker chose to risk a perfect throw from Werth and Inglett; both of whom did their job.
Snitker’s actions are solely a result of the poor hitting of the Braves.
Secondly, you’re especially wrong about Prado running through Snitker’s ‘stop sign.’ If you paid close attention, you would notice that Snitker is yelling “go, go!” to Prado as he ran while holding his hands up. Snitker is directly in line with the left fielder, and it is very likely that the reason that Ibanez chose not to throw the ball was because he believed Prado was being held up (or it was simply because he knew his terrible arm had no chance at throwing out Prado). Either way, Snitker made the right decision.
Don’t be so quick to place blame, Snitker is doing his job.
TrailBraves49 - May 11, 2010
No sir
Snitker sent the slowest player on the planet. I don’t care how bad this offense is struggling with McCann running there is no way he’d score from 1B on that play. That could’ve been an even bigger inning don’t run yourself into unnessasary outs.
Jay212033 - May 11, 2010
I agree that he shouldn’t of sent him, but if the offense is producing like it should, he holds him up without hesitation. I’m simply arguing that his actions are a result of the circumstances and not his lack of instincts.
TrailBraves49 - May 11, 2010
Good point
If the Braves are scoring runs at a regular rate then you hold him. At this point you need all the runs you can get, regardless if Hanson is throwing a gem or not.
yaggiefresh - May 11, 2010
Disagree
Using that same logic, Snitker should’ve held up B-Mac. Since the Braves aren’t scoring he should never send a guy who was out by a mile. Shows crappy instincts imo.
FitzFan - May 11, 2010
You forgot about Glaus…
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 11, 2010
Don’t know what game you were watching, but there were no outs in the inning…
dkinser86 - May 11, 2010
100% wrong.
Smoltz's Beard - May 11, 2010
then why did he try to hold up pardo the other day
who ran through his stop sign and scored. I don’t think he’s being any more aggressive, just stupid
SouthernPanther - May 11, 2010
How do you explain him not even bothering to argue about Matty D. being called out at third when he was safe by a mile?
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 11, 2010
‘Cause when you aren’t scoring runs, you need all the runs you can get. If your 3rd Base coach gets tossed, who is left to send guys home at every opportunity – whether they have a snowball’s chance in hell at scoring or not?
See? Snitker made a calculated move to not argue the call – because he knew that nobody else in their right mind would send McCann home. Only he has that thought process, and dammit, this team needs that aggressive stupidity!
justincredubil02 - May 11, 2010
+1000
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 11, 2010
As pitching goes, so do the Braves
The offense will come around. Glaus won’t be THIS bad (or so we hope), Mac is an all-star, and it’s a matter of time before J-Hey is batting in the 3 hole (Chipper batting 2nd, anyone? Anyone?). As long as the staff strings together quality starts I can’t help but to believe that the offense will find its way. It’s not as we’re counting on unproved AAAA talent. The team will hit.
I’m not jumping the gun here but maybe Prado batting 3rd and Chipper going 2nd could be better for Martin to come up in more run-producing opportunities. Now .. if only we could get healthy and figure out this tricky eye problem of Mac’s ..
yaggiefresh - May 11, 2010
Our lineup should be
Mclouth
Prado
J-Hey
MCCANN
Chipper
Glaus
Yunel
Diaz/Melky/Hinske
JasonHeywardisGod - May 11, 2010
Troy has been on fire all of May
aside from his one stinker where he left 9 guys on but still hit an RBI…he’s been our best hitter in May, I think he’s already come around
SouthernPanther - May 11, 2010
THIS.
I mean seriously….wtf? Why do people keep insisting Glaus is bad when he’s been the best hitter on the team not named Jason Heyward?
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 11, 2010
In a word
stupidity :)
HEYJUDE - May 11, 2010
What do you mean Glaus won’t be this “bad”???
You know what? I am Operation Green Trolling you just for that one stupid comment.
justincredubil02 - May 11, 2010
Prado is definitely part of the young core...
he’s a keeper at 2B, Esco and Heap at C and SS, Freeman hopefully at 1B, Heyward in RF, Hanson in the rotation, not a bad core.
Mr. Sanchez - May 11, 2010
+1
Pretty darn good if you ask me. Don’t forget JJ in the rotation and all the other young arms in the ‘pen (Medlen, Venters, Kimbrel, etc.). You should probably add Schafer in CF, too. We don’t know how good he’ll be, but he’s worth putting on the list.
How many teams would love to have our core of 28-and-under players? Most of them, I’d wager.
Jacob Peterson - May 11, 2010
Yup…I said pretty much the exact same thing in the confidence poll thread.
Smoltz's Beard - May 11, 2010
He keeps looking better and better...
just a good, solid hitter whose power is improving as he gains old man strength. And if we can find a 2B to leadoff easier than a LF who could do the trick (although Damon will be available again this winter), he is versatile enough to slide out there.
I like the current “in ink” members of the lineup for what should be most of the next decade or longer.
And just so you know, I was pretty happy to see Glaus show what I had been asking for. I’ve been with you on the opinion that the power would eventually come around the way he’s been making good contact, but it was kind of (and still is) the sort where you want to see it to believe it. But that shot was a good one, and was the power we’d hope for after so many seemingly long fly balls that are caught on/near the warning track.
Mr. Sanchez - May 11, 2010
As much as I still wish we had KJ, I’m happy to say that I seriously underestimated Prado. Hope he keeps it up.
Glaus looked pretty awful during his first 2 ABs, but was very happy to see him send one deep in this third. IIRC he also hit a single and walked in his last two as well. He’s a head-scratcher, that’s for sure.
Smoltz's Beard - May 11, 2010
The thing is...
could we have kept KJ, and left him or Prado handle LF, giving us no reason to ask for Melky and instead asking for more guys from their minors. Doesn’t solve leadoff, but it’d be better than what we got. Ahh rosterbation permutations, how I love thee.
Mr. Sanchez - May 11, 2010
Yeah, I think the same thing on a daily basis.
Smoltz's Beard - May 11, 2010
"Pip, what are you thinking about?"
“Swimming pools.”
Mr. Sanchez - May 11, 2010
That movie doesn’t get enough love.
Smoltz's Beard - May 11, 2010
Agreed...
I knew you’d catch that.
Mr. Sanchez - May 11, 2010
I’m not sure FW really asked for Melky. I think the Yankees just said “take him or leave him.”
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 11, 2010
This.
justincredubil02 - May 11, 2010
Nice backtrack...
Yesterday:
“OMGZORS!! HE ONLY HAS 4 XBH ALL SEASON!!!?!?!?!”
Today:
“I knew that power would come around!!!”
-C
cthabeerman - May 11, 2010
Haha, this should be good…
Smoltz's Beard - May 11, 2010
royhobbs - May 11, 2010
Hadn't seen that one...
might be my new favorite of the facepalm meme.
Mr. Sanchez - May 11, 2010
Had to find something fresh. Was tired of Optimus Prime, Captain Kirk, Homer Simpson, and all the other generic ones.
royhobbs - May 11, 2010
Very nice…haven’t seen that one yet
Smoltz's Beard - May 11, 2010
Ernie rocks.
Lizziebeth - May 11, 2010
"Bert, you're shouting again, Bert."
Bravely going forward - May 11, 2010
“Bert. You’re shouting again, Bert.”
UMDBHIK - May 11, 2010
I feel like such a complete sieve..
UMDBHIK - May 11, 2010
Where to begin...
from the extreme take on what I said, to that last line. An accurate, actual quote, since you put quotations marks in there, would be a nice touch.
It’s pretty simple, Beard and I both have eyes, and we can both see him ripping a lot of singles. Singles are better than outs, but they also weren’t what he was brought in for. You could see a lot of well struck singles, but also a lot of deep fly balls that kept dying 10-20 feet short of the fence.
So while he has been hitting well, and we all hope the power comes around, it certainly isn’t a sure thing yet. And 4 XBH in over 30 games isn’t exactly much worse than a mere 5 XBH in over 30 games. Let’s just see if he can get that number in the teens by the time June gets here.
Mr. Sanchez - May 11, 2010
Nice paragraphs there.
So you’re saying it’s okay to whine and rail on it all day and then flip-flop and say you were expecting it all along??
Now, I’m not saying that you directly said his power wouldn’t return. But logic leads one to believe that had you really thought that, you probably wouldn’t spend all day yesterday crying about his lack of power. I think several of us opined yesterday that it was just a matter of time before his power stroke returned and I don’t think we bawled about all those singles.
FWIW, he did leave one on base yesterday, feel free to use that as you wish. And he also got a hit with a runner on, moving his batting average to .300 with runners on base. Unfortunately, it was just a single…feel free to harp about that as well.
-C
cthabeerman - May 11, 2010
Stick around a while...
you might pick up on things that you couldn’t by just paying attention for a single day. Kind of like what has been a running dialogue between myself and justin on Glaus that you are taking snippets of to form massive, incorrect opinions about.
Mr. Sanchez - May 11, 2010
I’ve been lurking awhile, well before the Glaus signing…I think I’ve caught most of it.
Just so you know, it’s nothing personal. Hell, I called a guy out the other day for comments he didn’t even make. I just like to stir things up every now and again, especially when some statements are seemingly contradictory.
-C
cthabeerman - May 11, 2010
And that's not...
saying he was hitting the ball well, but not getting XBH doesn’t change in a day. He’s still hitting the ball well, but still has very few XBH to show for it. That hasn’t changed, and it’s only speculation to say the power will be there going forward (see an accurate quote like “it was kind of (and still is) the sort where you want to see it to believe it.”).
The statement was also a bit of a preemptive move against Beard for saying “I told ya so” on Glaus. I saw it, and was excited. It was certainly great to see one fly far instead of the usual dying in the OF. But as for now, it’s still just 5 XBH in over 30 games, which is not a good rate to have going forward and would be nice if it improved.
Mr. Sanchez - May 11, 2010
Me say “I told you so”? I have no idea what you’re talking about…
Smoltz's Beard - May 11, 2010
You or Mr. Incredible...
I had a feeling someone would call me out on that.
Mr. Sanchez - May 11, 2010
I did in the game thread.
justincredubil02 - May 11, 2010
when I'm not around?
loser
Mr. Sanchez - May 12, 2010
"And that's not contradictory" is what the subject line should read
Mr. Sanchez - May 11, 2010
Awesome win.
Especially since Heyward was out and Mac still hasn’t come out of his slump. Maybe Matty D’s hit in the 9th will resuscitate him. We need at least 1 non-Heyward OF to be hitting at any given time.
Jacob Peterson - May 11, 2010
That was a classic Diaz AB and hit.
Smoltz's Beard - May 11, 2010
Nice recap...
Spent the nite at Coors watching the Rockies throw away a game with the Phils.
Glad to hear my favorite team won, even tho my hometown ballclub couldn’t field to save their ass and thought letting Manny Corpas pitch was a good plan…
-C
cthabeerman - May 11, 2010
Question
Why won’t Bobby let Hanson EVER pitch a complete game? Am I missing something? Is it just not that important of a stat? I mean last night would have been the night to do it (and the final score probably would have been 8-0).
McGriff the Crime Dog - May 11, 2010
We were up by 8 and he had already thrown 100 pitches?
Smoltz's Beard - May 11, 2010
But it was a meaningless game in May against Milwaukee!
UMDBHIK - May 11, 2010
And if he'd thrown 120, where's the harm?
Since he’s never done it before, it’d be nice to let the kid finish what he started, or at least come out in the 9th and prove he’s worn out. If Chavez couldn’t finish it off and things blew up like the last time Hanson had 8 shutout innings, it’d be ugly second guessing today.
But then, I said that would happen no matter what if Hanson had a shutout 8 innings. If it’s close, they’d bring in Wagner. If not, then use another arm. Bobby will find a reason to keep the young man from logging a complete game until after this season.
Mr. Sanchez - May 11, 2010
Maybe because you don’t push the ace of your staff on a game that’s a) already decided and b) absolutely meaningless.
Unless you’re Dusty Baker, that is.
UMDBHIK - May 11, 2010
We assume it's "pushing" him...
it may not be. Halladay, among others, have no problem throwing complete games. At some point, it’d be nice to get Hanson his first. And as I say, there will always be a reason to pull him if you are constantly worried about too many pitches. He’s not an 8 year old, he’s a grown man, and can throw 100-120+ pitches from time to time.
Mr. Sanchez - May 11, 2010
He’s still young, with less than a full year in the majors. Young pitchers who throw a lot of pitches per game early on are much higher injury risks later on. Look at how the Oakland Athletics used to abuse their young pitching staff. The guys pitch well for a few years, then they go to free agency, sign massive contracts and their arms suddenly fall off and they need Tommy John Surgery. The Braves, and Bobby Cox in particular, like to protect young pitchers early on to prevent that scenario from happening later.
Also, I’m not sure Halladay is the best example on complete games. He’s a bit more economical with his pitch counts, IIRC. Ubaldo Jimenez would’ve been a better example. He’s a young pitcher who throws a lot of pitches. Still, I think he’s going to pay for it later. Or rather, the team who signs him in free agency will pay for it.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 11, 2010
It's one damn game...
we’re not talking about piling up 120+ pitch games, or repeated long outings like the Brewers did with Sabathia. At what age do we say, it’s ok to pitch a full game, and “push” the kid instead of babying him with kid gloves. In one damn game, where’s the harm?
And as for the A’s crew, Hudson has gone on pretty well and it took a while here before he needed Tommy John. I don’t think Zito has ever missed much time. And Mulder is done. Considering the A’s had all 3, and all 3 had entirely different results, it may be safe to assume some of that “overuse” idea is individual and not a general rule.
Just this once, why not let him start the 9th, and if he runs into trouble, pull him. You’ve got the rest of the year to keep him from overextending himself by say 10-20 pitches in a single game.
Mr. Sanchez - May 11, 2010
Zito hasn’t had to have TJS, but you can tell his arm is used up. I fail to see how the results are different – Hudson just lasted a little longer.
As for Hanson and age – I’d say he needs at least 2 years in the majors first. You may or may not be aware of this, but he rarely threw a lot of pitches per game, or innings per season in the minors (it’s not just him, that’s typical). When they brought him up last year, they really handled him with kid gloves, because there was fear he didn’t have the proper conditioning to throw 100 pitches per game and 200 innings in a season. That’s not as much a fear now, but it’s still there somewhat. He’s still been in the majors less than a full season! Stop expecting so much so soon.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 11, 2010
No. Just no.
He’ll get his opportunities down the road.
UMDBHIK - May 11, 2010
I can’t wait to see how Baker handles Leake and Chapman in the coming years…how many more pitchers can he ruin before he’s done with baseball??
-C
cthabeerman - May 11, 2010
Always good for a laugh: link
Smoltz's Beard - May 11, 2010
How quickly things turn. We go from complaining about getting no hit by Davis to rejoicing over the Glausosaur and Odarp going deep.
Hopefully the bats remain awake for Huddy tonight.
UMDBHIK - May 11, 2010
That’s only because certain people at TC like to start whining about no-hitters in the 1st inning. I’d at least wait until after the second time through the batting order (so 6th inning) before fearing a no-hitter.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 11, 2010
Went to the game last night ...
Middle of the fourth, I’m taking a bathroom break, and a not-so-informed Brewers “fan” is talking smack to me about how “Double D” (read: Doug Davis) is going to no-hit the Bravos.
Needless to say, not a bad outcome.
FrankyWren - May 11, 2010
Posted this in another thread...
…but it needs to be seen. Tonight’s lineup:
1. Prado
2. Heyward
3. Chipper
4. McCann
5. Glaus
6. Hinske
7. Infante
8. McLouth
9. Hudson.
Smoltz's Beard - May 11, 2010
Mr. Sanchez - May 11, 2010
SWITCH CHIPPER AND HEYWARD.
Scott Coleman - May 11, 2010
I JUST CAME
kreese555 - May 11, 2010
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