Kevin C. Cox - Getty Images
The Old Man has been making good contact lately, and now he's back where he belongs--in 1st place.
What a great way to end an phenomenal month of Braves baseball--by walloping the rival Phillies to take over 1st place! That makes 6 straight wins for the Bravos, and a 16-4 record in their last 20 games. The Phillies have been going in the other direction; they have now lost 7 of their last 9 games.
The last time the Braves were in first place this late in the season was 2005, which not coincidentally was also the last time they won the division. Obviously there's still a lot of season left and the Phillies (not to mention the rest of the division) are far from buried, but the signs are all positive right now. After that 9-game losing streak, did anyone think (even the optimists) that we'd be in first place by the end of May?
As for the game, Tommy Hanson looked extremely shaky in the first 2 innings. He threw a ton of pitches and had particular trouble with his fastball, which was consistently up in the zone. He escaped both innings unscathed however, thanks to two double plays. After that, he settled in and pitched very well, even making it into the seventh inning. His final line was: 6.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 2 K, and a 0.164 WPA.
Tommy was pulled in the 7th after giving up a double to Raul Ibanez. Even though the Braves had a 6-run lead at the time, Bobby Cox brought in Peter Moylan. Let's just say that move didn't work out really well. Moylan gave up 3 straight doubles, each of them scoring a run, and cutting the lead in half. Fortunately, Bobby brought in Jonny Venters, who (after hitting the first batter), got out of the inning, and the Phillies did not threaten again.
On the hitting side, the Braves had no trouble scoring off the Phillies pitchers today despite a rare 0/5 night from Jason Heyward. They jumped all over Joe Blanton from the get-go. In the first inning, Chipper Jones hit his first homer since April 16th, a 2-run shot. Then, after Ross Gload dropped a deep fly ball by Troy Glaus, Eric Hinske singled Glaus in to make it 3-0. Gload was inexplicably playing right in place of Jayson Werth, and even more inexplicably was leading off.
The Braves added 3 more in the 3rd off of Blanton. The first run scored when Ryan Howard whiffed on an Eric Hinske grounder down the line. Yunel Escobar (who looked great for the second straight game) then laced a ball into the left-center gap, scoring 2. He was thrown out at second, but got a great ovation from the crowd anyway*. Blanton's final line was 6 IP, 8 H, 6 R (4 ER), 1 HR, 1 BB, 2 K, 7 line drives, and a -0.328 WPA.
* The crowd, by the way, was amazing all game--42,000+ and very into the game.
After the Philies cut the lead to 6-3, the Braves offense immediately went to work on reliever Chad Durbin. After Chipper singled to start the 7th, McCann worked an epic walk on a 10-pitch at-bat. That sat up a 3-run bomb from the Glausosaur. The homer was his 8th, by the way, and the RBIs his 35th, 36th, and 37th. The man really knows how to shut up his haters, doesn't he?
All in all, it was another complete victory for the Braves. Gritty pitching, great hitting, and solid defense. Let's hope they can keep it going and sweep the Phillies!
Awards after the jump.
MVPs:
Chipper-- 2/4, HR, 2 RBI, 0.178 WPA
Hanson (pitching line above)-- Tommy also had 2 hits, as many as he had in his career coming into today.
Honorable Mentions:
Glaus-- 2/4, 3 RBI, 3 R, K, 0.083 WPA
Hinske-- 1/3, 2 RBI, R, 0.119 WPA
Escobar-- 2/4, 2 RBI, 0.016 WPA
LVPs:
Blanton (stat line above)
Gload-- 0/3, HBP, error, -0.048 WPA
Howard-- 0/4, GIDP, K, error, -0.128 WPA
MVP in a losing effort:
Raul Ibanez-- 1/3, 2B, RBI, R, BB, 0.037 WPA
Clutch play:
Chipper's homer (0.184 WPA)
Unclutch play:
Howard's GIDP with a runner on 3B to end the 1st (-0.116 WPA)
0 recs | 109 comments
SUCK IT PHILLY
ATLandUNC - May 31, 2010
+1
ByrneSupremacy - May 31, 2010
REC'D
Jacob Peterson - May 31, 2010
this reminded me of the life and times of tim
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Co4oTl87Yk (although it is football, and i also hate the giants)
lingsched - May 31, 2010
very underrated show
a hooter's baby - May 31, 2010
indeed.
Smoltz's Beard - June 1, 2010
Atlanta in 1st place
sure does look good, and feels good too :)
HEYJUDE - May 31, 2010
win one of the next two, and we'll be there when the series is over too.
Mr. Sanchez - May 31, 2010
SUPER DUPER REC!
23 recs? Holy Heyward
MBL1 - June 1, 2010
Julio Teheran
8 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 14 K
yea, he’s a keeper
atl192485 - May 31, 2010
pants = filled
DogDaysofSummer - May 31, 2010
GTFO
Are you serious with that line? Oh baby.
Scott Coleman - May 31, 2010
Time for AA.
Bronn - May 31, 2010
So Myrtle isn't proving very challenging...
damn.
Mr. Sanchez - May 31, 2010
Also, if people needed any more reason to be giddy today. Here is Teheran's line from today.
I need to change my pants.
ATLandUNC - May 31, 2010
Rec'd this too
Awesome day to be a Braves fan.
Jacob Peterson - May 31, 2010
Will he be here next year?
Braves Biceps - May 31, 2010
thats a joke right?
I mean he’s really good but he’s like 19 and in High A… he still has a long way to go before he is ML ready…This isn’t a knock on him he’s fantastic right now, but that doesnt mean he’s ready yet
Swo12bv - May 31, 2010
u could see him getting pushed to AA this season, next season, spend a few months in AAA, bring him up for the BP or if we need another starter.
Braves Biceps - May 31, 2010
It’s hard to imagine him not succeeding in AA even right now. Of course we don’t want to rush him, however, he needs to be at a closer level of competition to continue to learn.
bwellnjonesco - May 31, 2010
To be fair, most any other team would probably have him slated for the next years rotation…
bwellnjonesco - May 31, 2010
that he'd be a possibility some time in 2011 isn't a joke...
if what we’re seeing is for real.
Mr. Sanchez - May 31, 2010
I can’t remember the last time I was refreshing a minor league box score every few minutes,,
bwellnjonesco - May 31, 2010
I used to for Hanson’s starts and when Heyward was in AAA, but I’m gonna start for JT’s starts.
Scott Coleman - May 31, 2010
Wow!
I was joking before but Teheran for the 2011 rotation!
romone_braves91 - May 31, 2010 via mobile
Porcello made the jump at 20
And JT is making Porcello’s stats look pedestrian.
ATLandUNC - May 31, 2010
As promised from before- everyone iChop
GoBravesNY - May 31, 2010
That certainly seems to be catching on…
Fonce - June 1, 2010
/iChops
MBL1 - June 1, 2010
And since I missed the GT earlier today....
Scott Coleman - May 31, 2010
Thank you! I miss that
GoBravesNY - May 31, 2010
Maybe you could give me the point in NAHWAL because I was a moron and read question #3 as “which pitcher will leave the game first” or something similar to that?
Just kidding…
Scott Coleman - May 31, 2010 via mobile
Maybin, Maybin not. I’m feeling really bad about my ineptness in scoring (which will have to be a process) so I may give out points to whomever posted yesterday. So not for that, but maybe for yesterday
GoBravesNY - May 31, 2010
3rd rec
MBL1 - June 1, 2010
20-8 in May
15-4 since Hinske began starting against RHP as the LF. Keep it rolling boys! Can anyone dig up the Braves last 20-win month?
CharlotteChop - May 31, 2010
Last 20 win month? Not sure, but I know they had a 20 win May back in 03. Surely we’ve had other 20 win months though, right?
Scott Coleman - May 31, 2010
Last 20 win month was July 2004 (20-6) followed by a 20 win August in the same season. Would love to repeat that!
CharlotteChop - May 31, 2010
This!
HEYJUDE - May 31, 2010
i know we tied the team record for wins in the month of may
set by the 2003 team
lingsched - May 31, 2010
After five years of....
Chaos, disorder, rape, war, brutality, necrophelia and Justin Timberlake. The universe has been restored to it’s natural order. There is NO place, like FIRST place!! Go freakin Braves!!!
Frozen Fan - May 31, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr9_5uZn6ds
GoBravesNY - May 31, 2010
We DID it! - Now let's Keep it!
NCChopper - May 31, 2010
I suppose next is
Take over the best record in the NL.
Bronn - May 31, 2010
Sweep the PHILS!!!!
bwellnjonesco - May 31, 2010
rec
MBL1 - June 1, 2010
I've was lucky enough to be at the last two games...
and besides getting really sunburned and sweating out about 20 pounds, I haven’t had as much fun in a long time. I think the coolest thing, besides beating the crap out of the Bucs and Phils, was getting to experience Wags’ entrance – the roar of the crowd, Metallica blasting, it was really exciting. You don’t get to see that kind of stuff on TV.
Bravely going forward - May 31, 2010
BADASS QUOTIENT
ATLforlife - May 31, 2010
I'm sad that I missed this game....
I’m happy that the Braves are in their rightful place, though – 1st in the NL East!
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 31, 2010
* The crowd, by the way, was amazing all game--42,000+ and very into the game.
Why, thank you. I was there today! Such a great game. Glad I bit the bullet and decided to go (this was my first game this year – I only live about 25 minutes away, but other stuff keeps me from going as often as I’d like). Seeing Chipper hit that homerun in the 1st was worth it!! So nice to see that power! Ok, actually what was worth it was seeing Tommy get those hits and stand on base twice. He’s my favorite, so I like to think he knew I was there and was showing off for me. I’m delusional, I know.
Now let’s hold onto 1st place for the rest of the season!
Sarahbeth - May 31, 2010
I was there too
My 3rd game this year, and the Braves are 3-0 in those games. My first game was the game that broke the losing streak, and now this. So awesome.
I loved how big of an ovation Tommy got when he got pulled, and how loud the place got after the Glaus homer in particular. (The crowd also was very loud when rooting for that Army soldier to win the “go from here to there and pick up the base” contest, which was cool, too.) We Braves fans just needed a team that we could really get behind, and I think we’ve found it. I expect we’ll see lots of good crowds this summer.
Jacob Peterson - May 31, 2010
totally agree
Bravely going forward - May 31, 2010
That guy was faaaasssst
I thought they slowed down the clock a little bit for him so he could win but it wouldn’t have mattered; he’d have won with lots of time to spare anyway. Probably the fastest guy I’ve seen in that contest.
Hey-Maker - May 31, 2010
Fastest I’ve seen, and I’ve been to 15 games. It helped that J-Hey moved the bag about 20 feet closer though.
kauf67 - June 1, 2010
Heyward moved it up? I fucking love that guy. If I saw him walking down the street and he asked me for my wallet, phone and keys… I don’t think I could say no to him.
Scott Coleman - June 1, 2010 via mobile
I'd let him.
I mean, who could pass up a chance to be mugged by J-Hey?
Jacob Peterson - June 1, 2010
this
romone_braves91 - June 1, 2010
I noticed that it was closer than it usually was but I didn’t see Heyward move it up. That’s awesome.
Gage23 - June 1, 2010
The only times they ever win that one is when they throw it closer. I think I’ve seen Heyward, McLouth, and Hinske, all throw it closer this season, and they won all 3 times. But that dude yesterday looked like he might have had it anyways.
McGriff the Crime Dog - June 1, 2010
I definitely loved how big of an ovation everyone got – especially the soldiers/veterans. Every time they were shown, the place seemed to roar. It was awesome. As far as Glaus goes, I was glad he hit that because some fool a few rows behind me was saying not-so-nice things about him throughout the game. I’m assuming that homerun finally shut him up, but I couldn’t tell over how loud everyone else was. And I completely agree! I’ll definitely try to make it out to a few more this year. The place almost seemed electric today.
Sarahbeth - June 1, 2010
you’re right. that crowd today was awesome.
Bravely going forward - May 31, 2010
I agree
I haven’t seen the crowd be that into a game in loooong time.
Chapel420 - June 1, 2010
Wow, things have changed since April
One of my favorite parts about today, is that Heyward can go 0-5. But the TEAM still raked all day. The Jason Heyward show was nice, but we need the whole team to win a championship. Liking our chances for the sweep. Huddy, I need not say more. As for DLowe, 2.88 ERA in last four starts! Little suprised when I read that last night. Hell of a ball club they got down there in Atlanta! Suck it espn. Both of you precious northeast filled divisions are being led by southern teams!! Ha ha!!
Frozen Fan - May 31, 2010
I thought of that too
He did hit the crap out of that ball in the first inning. But yes, everyone else came through.
Hey-Maker - May 31, 2010
This
HEYJUDE - May 31, 2010
The sunburn was worth it...
1. CyborgHanson48 got 14 guys out in a row between the third and the seventh when he left the game. I was trying to decide about him in hot day games (was horrific against the Reds, but was also great against the Red Sox last year) and was glad to see him get squared away.
2. I went nuts when Blanco got his hit. Got my season tickets for the first time in 2008 and saw the horror that season became. Blanco was the starting CF for most of it and I enjoyed watching him. Not that we’re not in bad shape if he becomes a starting OF’er for us this year but I love his effort two years ago and was happy for him today.
3. 29-22. Better than 29-23.
Hey-Maker - May 31, 2010
Or even 28-23.
Bronn - May 31, 2010
Was referring to the Phillies 29-23
Being in first place and all.
Hey-Maker - May 31, 2010
Oh no...
They’re 28-22. My bad.
Hey-Maker - May 31, 2010
aw man...
I drove through Atlanta today about 2 hours before the game (on my way from North Carolina to Florida) and seriously considered stopping. I got the itch when I drove past turner field. Wish I had. Luckily, I caught most of it on the radio.
beeswax - May 31, 2010
GWN Braves 3 IND 1 3rd ining
Resop has given up a HR, but other than that pitching well.
We’ve got 2 HR’s thus far.
Enjoying watching them on CSS.
Love the depth in our farm system. The Braves future looks bright :)
HEYJUDE - May 31, 2010
Glaus' homer was huge
Those bastards have staged some epic somebacks against the Braves the last couple of years. His slamming the window shut on their fingers like that was a bigger psychological blow than the score would have indicated.
Sam Jethroe - May 31, 2010
Absolutely
I went from worried to completely confident when he hit that bomb. The crowd went bonkers, too. Glaus has been fantastic in May. If he can keep this up, he’ll surpass even my high expectations.
Jacob Peterson - May 31, 2010
I enjoyed reading to recap on the good phight.
They described Glaus as, “suddenly resurgent”. Like he’s gotten 30 of his RBIs in the last two games. I don’t know why their pain makes our success so much sweeter to me. But it does, it really, really does.
Frozen Fan - June 1, 2010
This feels great.
Tomorrow should be a great game with Hudson going against Hamels but I’m very confident in our lineup to pull out the W.
drumzalicious - May 31, 2010
Ladies and Gentlemen, your First Place Atlanta Braves!
I was sorry I didn’t get to party with you guys in the OTs the last 4 games, but I listened to the games on the XM whenever I had the chance. I already know tomorrow’s gonna be a great birthday, since the Braves will be in first place when I wake up. Hopefully it’s the same situation for those people whose birthdays are on October 4. But since I’ve missed the last 4 OTs…..
RAINBOW LLAMASAURUS PARTY
BraveSaluki - May 31, 2010
LOL…i just stared at my screen for like 30 seconds.
Scott Coleman - May 31, 2010
There’s no way the Phillies can win… we’ve got these guys!!
BigG1392 - May 31, 2010
can we have one of them dining on victorino’s head?
BMacAttack - June 1, 2010
I have no words
MBL1 - June 1, 2010 via mobile
Are you sure that’s a llama? It loks like a mutated whale-horse with dentures……..
Joseph_C - June 1, 2010
Llamasaurous.
MBL1 - June 1, 2010 via mobile
Cannot Believe...
the level of play the Braves are putting on the field, so exciting, let’s get ’em HUDDY!!!!!!
foxrobe - June 1, 2010
OMG...
I am a life long Braves fan. I just tonight realized how good Chipper has been during his career. I allways thought he was one of the top 5 position players in Braves history. I was bored and looked up the Braves all time leaders. He is the second best position player in the organizations history. Obviously Hammerin Hank is number 1. My suprise came when I matched his stats next to Eddie Matthews. They have played almost the exact same amount of games. Chipper beats him in all catagories except home runs and doubles. Eddie freakin Matthews! Hats off Chipper. Gonna miss you like crazy when your gone. He has a hot bat lately. Keep it up, play next year and never retire.
Frozen Fan - June 1, 2010
*triples I mean... Chipper has a lot more doubles. OBP is obscenely better
Frozen Fan - June 1, 2010
Skip said something a few years ago
about Chipper that has stuck with me since. Essentially, that it’s easy to lose sight of how good a player he’s been historically when you’re watching him on a daily basis. You know he’s great and a mainstay of the team, but one day you look up and he’s already in HOF territory.
It’s going to be incredibly cool when he goes into the Hall. Third Base is a very underrepresented position and we’re going to have two.
Sam Jethroe - June 1, 2010
This.
It’s amazing to think that the vintage Braves teams had 5 no-doubt HOFers on them (Chipper, Bobby, Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz). And we got to watch them EVERY DAY. We are extremely lucky.
And now we get to watch J-Hey, too. So glad I’m a Braves fan and not, say, a Pirates or Royals fan.
Jacob Peterson - June 1, 2010
Yuniesky Betancourt is going to the HOF, hater.
DogDaysofSummer - June 1, 2010
Mea culpa, Mr. Glaus. Mea culpa.
gramsey712 - June 1, 2010
What?
You just lost me. What does that mean?
XBEARDX - June 1, 2010
He’s apologizing to Glaussy for ever doubting his (homerun) POWAH.
rhinoskin - June 1, 2010
This^^^^
gramsey712 - June 1, 2010
Troy Glaus
changing lives & opinions one swing at a time.
adc62 - June 1, 2010
I said all along that as long as we were .500 after the end of May we’d have a good chance to staying in the playoff picture during the later months. So obviously this recent turn of events pleases me.
Smoltz's Beard - June 1, 2010
Kind of crazy to think that years from now, we’ll be all like “Jason Heyward…remember when he came up? That kid was awesome.”
MBL1 - June 1, 2010 via mobile
Can someone give me the date in which Diaz was injured? and then if it somehow correlates to the current awesomeness of the Braves.
I like Diaz and all, but damn.
ATL_BUC - June 1, 2010
Hmmm, the Philles offensive struggles started after their bullpen coach got caught stealing signs....
CAUSATION NOT CORRELATION FOLKS
DogDaysofSummer - June 1, 2010
You comment has absolutely nothing to do with my question. I asked for a time period and you reference a single game?
ATL_BUC - June 1, 2010
gg reply.
ATL_BUC - June 1, 2010
no re
DogDaysofSummer - June 1, 2010
A quote from the Good Phight
They’re just jealous
MBL1 - June 1, 2010
All I got to say is look at the game threads. We have over 5 times the amount of comments they do…
bwellnjonesco - June 1, 2010
Yeah, they have like 200 comments. We usually have 2,000+, if you count both threads. Idiots. Do they now anything? The Braves own the south, and there are fans all over the country. I’ve seen fans here from California, New York, etc. As i said, they’re just jealous
MBL1 - June 1, 2010 via mobile
*know
MBL1 - June 1, 2010 via mobile
look at attendence...
they probably double ours.
Mr. Sanchez - June 1, 2010
If attendence was so important, then why isn’t it posted on the site?
bwellnjonesco - June 1, 2010
Nice.
I see what you did there.
McGriff the Crime Dog - June 1, 2010
Pelican.
NCChopper - June 1, 2010
More proof of how awesome the Bravees are: The Braves in May led NL in runs (163) and walks (123), were second to Reds in batting average (.279) and OBP (.364), third in slugging (.433).
Joseph_C - June 1, 2010
And that’s without Escobar, McClouth, Jones, and McCann hitting all that well. Jones and McCann have already picked it up a bit, and it appears that maybe Esco has turned a corner. Now if McClouth can start hitting – watch out.
jdluke - June 1, 2010
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