I could kind of sense the Braves were in trouble tonight once I found out that Brian McCann's eye troubles had returned. Coupled with the injuries to Heyward and Escobar, that did not bode well. Little did I know how bad it would get. The Braves managed only 1 hit in the first 7 innings off Phillies' elder statesman Jamie Moyer. Moyer would end up throwing a 2-hit shutout*. Both hits were by Troy Glaus, incidentally. Moyer even had a 3-pitch 2nd inning, which went as follows: hit by Glaus, GIDP by Diaz, groundout by Ross, all on the 1st pitch.
* According to baseball-reference, Moyer now becomes the oldest man to ever throw a shutout (47). Phil Niekro, Charlie Hough, and Satchel Paige (twice! and one was 12 innings!) all did it at 46. So that's fun.
Derek Lowe started out okay but gave up a 3-run homer to caveman Jayson Werth in the 3rd and completely unraveled in the 5th, giving up 2-run singles to both Raul Ibanez and Wilson Valdez. He gave up 13 baserunners in 5 innings. I've generally been a defender of Lowe, but that was pretty brutal.
The biggest bright spot for the Braves was no doubt Craig Kimbrel's major league debut. He worked around a leadoff double and a wild pitch to toss a scoreless 7th inning. He struck out 2 and (importantly for him) walked none. He looked downright nasty at times and was hitting 97 regularly. With Kimbrel, Jonny Venters (who also pitched a scoreless inning), and the other young talent in the bigs and at AAA, the youth movement in the bullpen gives us something to look forward to even if the offense continues to be inept.
Speaking of the offense, Jason Heyward's groin cannot heal fast enough.
MVP: Moyer-- CG Shutout, 2 H, 0 BB, 5 K, 105 pitches, and a 0.276 WPA
LVP: Lowe-- 5 IP, 11 H, 1 HR, 7 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, and a -0.227 WPA
Other LVP: Matt Diaz-- 0/3, GDP (erasing our only baserunner in the first 7 innings), and a -0.098 WPA
Other Other LVPs: Everyone on the offense but Glaus
MVPILEs (MVPs in a losing effort): Troy Glaus-- 2/3 with a 0.016 WPA; and the bullpen (Kimbrel, Venters, and Jesse Chavez)-- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
Clutch Play: Werth's 3-run bomb in the 3rd, 0.266 WPA
0 recs | 147 comments
Horrid
That is right, a guy who shares the first name with many American woman just shutout out the pathetic, the horrid, the crappy, the choke-artist of a hitting lineup that not even little leaguers would fear, the Atlanta Braves today.
The Braves managed a whopping two-hits off the 47-year old lefty. Moyer’s 83 MPH fastball sure overpowered the pathetic Braves hitters tonight. His 78 MPH changeup was also effective as it induced ground ball out after ground ball out. Moyer also struck out 5 of the 28 hitters he had to face, and he walked none.
Moyer last threw a shutout in; get this, 1980friggin6, that’s right 24 years between shutouts. What an embarrassment the Braves lineup is. Last night Atlanta was getting no-hit all the way into the 8th inning against Scott Olsen. Don’t forget they already got no-hit against Jimenez earlier in the year.
The Braves hitters don’t even belong in a batters box they are so crappy. They should just send the pitcher out and see if he can NOT allow a run for 9 innings, because if he could do that then at least we know the Braves can play an extra inning game. Either that or just blindfold them, and ask them to stick the bat out — maybe they would have more luck.
Anyways, congrats Jamie Moyer, you are now 2-0 against Atlanta with an ERA of 0.00 over 15 innings in 2010. Against anyone other then a pathetic Braves offense Moyer is 2-2 with a 7.12 ERA. He hasn’t had a game in which he allowed fewer then 4 ER against anyone else. Just goes to show how pathetic the Braves are.
I wonder if Moyer has taken his nap yet?
mastermike - May 7, 2010
I wish there was something I could post rebut any of this, but there isn’t.
Rhyno18 - May 7, 2010
actually he threw a shut out in 2006…4-0 when he was with the mariners
bpk228480 - May 7, 2010
maybe he meant complete game shutout?
SouthernPanther - May 7, 2010
It was a complete game shutout, of which he had 9 in the time frame mentioned in that comment.
Stephen Schmidt - May 8, 2010
The Braves should get Steve Garvey to help them with hitting blindfolded...
John Holton - May 7, 2010
Video fail...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_qDpgyuDWc
John Holton - May 7, 2010
UUUGGGGHHHHHH.
Richard R - May 7, 2010
God, our offense sucks.
Oh well, at least the Craig Kimbrel era has officially begun. He will soon be dominant closer. Just watch.
GouldisGold - May 7, 2010
Assuming he’ll ever have the chance to come in with the lead.
Richard R - May 7, 2010
2006?
Must of heard him wrong…I guess.
mastermike - May 7, 2010
phils fan…(just giving the background…not here to revel in your misery).
I don’t get what’s wrong with y’alls offense this year. Despite fear of jinxing, I posted in the Phils games log that a braves lineup sans Heyward, Escobar, and McCann seemed pretty impotent, based on their performance this year. Wow, was that an understatement.
Chipper look lost, and nobody else in that lineup seems to be able to do anything, and I don’t understand it because the Braves were a pretty decent lineup last year, weren’t they? What’ve you lost? Frenchy….Kelly Johnson (who sucked in an ATL uni, but is lights out for ARZ).
I’m not writing the Bravos off just yet, but it’s not looking good.
Bilzo - May 7, 2010
Kelly Johnson is having a good year with the DBacks?
You lie!!!
Scott Coleman - May 7, 2010 via mobile
I like how you said "y'alls"
feel free to stay as long as you like
TheBravestWay To Block A Decent Prospect - May 7, 2010
raised in NJ, for first 17 years, but mother from Shelby, NC and she never lost her southernisms. Spent (and still spending) next 17 years in NC.
Bilzo - May 7, 2010
where in Jersey?
bpk228480 - May 7, 2010
Exit 2, down in the land of orchards and pastures, well….at least when I was there. (Mullica Hill)
Bilzo - May 7, 2010
I go to Rowan, (Glassboro St.)….Mullica Hills a nice area…I’m from Buena (near Vineland if you’ve never heard of it)
bpk228480 - May 7, 2010
ive heard of byoo-nuh. Even know how to pronounce it. :)
Bilzo - May 7, 2010
LOL good you can stay here then
bpk228480 - May 7, 2010
Pitiful
No adjustments to Moyer’s slow, slower, and slowest pitches. This lineup is awful.
DrB - May 7, 2010
Well, Esco, Bmac and Heyward are all out. That’d be like taking Howard, Werth and Polanco out of the Phillies lineup. If you take 3 of the best 5 or 6 hitters in your lineup out, you’re gonna struggle.
But yes, the offense sucks right now.
Scott Coleman - May 7, 2010 via mobile
Well...
If McCann wasnt struggling and Escobar wasn’t hitting .215 I would say it was a valid point.
mastermike - May 7, 2010
They both have career averages of about .300. Pretty sure that makes it valid.
Scott Coleman - May 7, 2010 via mobile
I forgot that career averages are more important than how the person is actually hitting this season.
RichmondBraves - May 7, 2010
Important might not be the right word, but career averages mean a lot more and should be better predictors for the future than 25 games.
Weldon - May 7, 2010
Especially when coupled with their abysmal BABIPs, which indicate they’re due to return to their career norms any day now.
J-Freak - May 7, 2010
I’m amazed how the ball off the Braves bats never seem to fall in front of the outfielders. Very depressing watching the other team hit gappers we can’t reach, but they catch all of ours.
bighop - May 7, 2010
Especially Glaus. He’d be hitting his career AVG right now and no one would be bitching about him if not for all the goddamn web gems.
J-Freak - May 7, 2010
Absolutely, at least he’s getting some hits lately, we have too many getting none.
bighop - May 7, 2010
Sex.
sdp - May 7, 2010
Drugs
bravos1984 - May 7, 2010
Rock and Roll
bighop - May 7, 2010
A soul sensation that you can't control
J-Freak - May 7, 2010
Why?
Why must you taunt me?
sddbaker - May 7, 2010
C-c-c-combo breaker...
J-Freak - May 7, 2010
Hil-freakin-larious
drumzalicious - May 8, 2010 via mobile
Only the people who sat and watched this game or the no-hitter all the way through should be allowed to watch the winning streaks we are going to have when we start hitting again.
-
-
-
-
We are going to start hitting again, right?
bravos1984 - May 7, 2010
whew…yesss
bpk228480 - May 7, 2010
that’s moronic
RichmondBraves - May 7, 2010
What is?
bravos1984 - May 7, 2010
I’m starting to think we aren’t.
John Holton - May 7, 2010
Sorry. I was watching Iron Man 2.
TonyAlmeyda - May 7, 2010
How about
People who were following both games in agony on their Iphone?
dragonhawk26 - May 8, 2010
Yeah, the bandwagon jumper on-ers and off-ers are easy to spot.
Those who suffer together and in turn win together make up the true community that IS Talking Chop.
NCChopper - May 9, 2010
Best part about the current losing streak?
NEW PEOPLE!!!!! YAY!!!!
McCann and McWill - May 7, 2010
I know right?
I feel like opening up another account just to I can piss and moan about anything and everything related to this team.
bravos1984 - May 7, 2010
I’m starting to think we should just shut TC down after the loses. I get tired of all the newbies bitching after the loses, but surprisingly don’t say a word when the Braves win or sweep the Astros.
I’m just kidding of course…I think.
Scott Coleman - May 7, 2010 via mobile
Yea
At least when the everyday people complain it generally is hilarious, i.e. thunderdome. If only these newbies would make their post comical. They don’t even know they can’t use gifs, yet they don’t. Its disappointing really.
McCann and McWill - May 7, 2010
We need better newbies
I propose drafting them all out of the tech schools.
J-Freak - May 7, 2010
That where we got Pac from right?
McCann and McWill - May 7, 2010
Post fail
I added “I propose drafting them from all of the tech schools.”
Stupid site decided it didn’t want to use half my post…
J-Freak - May 7, 2010
FARK
My stupid screen didn’t display the body of my first post there, and now I’ve made a big mess. Apologies to all.
J-Freak - May 7, 2010
It's not your fault
McCann and McWill - May 7, 2010
I blame the servers. But thank you.
J-Freak - May 7, 2010
Shame on you and your entire family…lol
bighop - May 7, 2010
FUCK HIS FAMILY!!!
My god, that bit never gets old:)
Rhyno18 - May 7, 2010
Get over it mvsbball. When the team plays poorly people are going to complain. Some of it is hyperbole, but to act like things are well is idiotic.
mdhenshaw - May 8, 2010
YEA!!!
WHAT HE SAID!!!
McCann and McWill - May 8, 2010
You're missing my point
I could care less if you post negatively on TC as long as you’re talking about the positives as well. Hell, I’m pretty negative myself, especially when things are going bad during the games.
What pisses me off is when you’ll see a poster only comment on the loses and how much the Braves suck. It’s like, where the hell were they when the Braves swept the Astros? I sure didn’t see them posting then.
But the very fucking minute the Braves lose, all of a sudden all these Negative Nancies pop out of the woods and start bitching and crying about the team. I don’t get it. What, you can’t post when things are going well but you can find time to piss and moan when things aren’t going well? Come on now. That’s just stupid and a waste of time.
Scott Coleman - May 8, 2010
Of course, I don’t know if sweeping the Astros is something that we should be all that proud about…
And for all we know, by the time this team starts to be consistent on offense, it might be too late.
dunnytwogloves - May 8, 2010
Agree 100%
It isn’t time to be saying The Braves are the worst team in MLB because they aren’t.
It isn’t time to start talking about how good The Braves are—‘cause they aren’t.
I agree with what you said 100%. Many of those who post (including myself) need to sit down, and take a few deep breaths. Patience and time will show us what kind of team the Braves are. Complaining when things go wrong is (as you said) “a stupid waste of time”.
(I probably need to read this every time before I post…I’m as guilty as the worst complainer!)
Joseph_C - May 8, 2010
Hmm. This is pretty bad.
Being 2-hit by Jamie Moyer isn’t great. Can’t take too much positively from this game. Good job by Glaus and the Bullpen though, especially Kimbrel. Nice to see that he performed well in his ML debut.
3-pitch inning. Ouch. Can’t possibly do worse than that. As I type this though, I’m about to watch Strasburg’s first AAA start and the person doing the anthem is terrible. So I guess it could be worse.
RichmondBraves - May 7, 2010
I'm encouraged by Glaus too
atleast his bat is finally starting to heat up…now the rest of the lineup needs to get the memo.
SouthernPanther - May 7, 2010
ugh
Well in defense of the Braves offense we had a lot of bench players playing today (Infante, Cabrera, Diaz, Ross) which kind of contributes to a lack of production 2 nights in a row. I really wish Bobby would put our everyday players in the same lineup against lefties and stop platoon lineups.
I would love to be patient with this team but as of right now they aren’t cutting it plain and simple. I’m not going to say to trade players however I will suggest some changes.
=> if Medlen pitches good tomorrow and in a possible 2nd start then I say move Lowe to the pen. He has been terrible. No other words to describe it.
=> Try Hinske or one of our minor leaguers in LF (like Matt Young) and reduce Cabrera, Diaz and maybe Mclouth to bench roles or ship them out. Young may not have any power but he has shown himself to make solid contact and get on base at a good clip.
=> Rest Chipper. Plain and simple I believe he isn’t 100% and the offense has won without him and can continue to do so. He will not help us in the field or at the plate being 37 and playing through injuries. We have plenty of options to play 2B or 3B (Infante, Conrad, Hicks, even Glaus)
I mean I don’t honestly know what else could be done. I feel as though because of Bobby’s loyalty he is less inclined to make some serious moves to some of the “star” players but it could be the shake up we need
drumzalicious - May 7, 2010 via mobile
Why isn’t Hinske playing more? He should.
Sparhawk - May 7, 2010
Agreed
Promote Matt Young, bench Chip and Melky/nate/Diaz
Young
Infante
Prado
Glaus
Hinske
Ross
Nate/Diaz
Melky
even this lineup makes me cringe, but hell, no where to go but up, right?
murph35 - May 7, 2010 via mobile
More like
Young LF
Conrad 2B
Prado 3B
McCann C
Glaus 1B
Heyward RF
McLouth CF
Infante SS
drumzalicious - May 7, 2010 via mobile
i really like Heyward batting behind Glaus
that has worked really well recently (until Heyward hurt his groin)
SouthernPanther - May 7, 2010
How good do we really think Young is going to be? And this by no means suppose to be negative. I’m just wondering what about this kid has people excited. I don’t really know anything about him.
McCann and McWill - May 7, 2010
Line drive hitter with speed, very little power, good OB%
bighop - May 7, 2010
and
apparently from the pictures I’ve seen, size.
McCann and McWill - May 7, 2010
He's real small,
like 5’8", 155
bighop - May 7, 2010
If he’s 5’8", its with his spikes on. I’m 5’8" and he’s shorter than I am. CB refers to him as “pocket sized”.
Rhyno18 - May 7, 2010
I’ve only seen him on TV and one game in Chattanooga, but I was quite drunk and didn’t pay attention. I’d take CB’s word over mine.
bighop - May 7, 2010
He signed for me outside Harbor Park last month. I was looking down at him. He’s tiny…but very cool:)
Rhyno18 - May 7, 2010
What I’m hearing is that this guy is not big, size-wise, he’s not got much.
bighop - May 7, 2010
Honestly, at this point I’d love to see the Braves just DL every outfielder not named Heyward, or at least Diaz and Melky and bring up the Gwinnett OF’s. I don’t know that things would get better, but I’m positive they wouldn’t get worse. Clevlen and Mitch Jones have looked a lot better over the last 3 weeks than the Matty/Melky combo have. I think McLouth is being hurt by being stuck in a platoon situation, and I really don’t know what’s wrong with Diaz this year.
Rhyno18 - May 7, 2010
I have no proof or stats, just my belief, but Diaz sat too long at the start of the season. Maybe he bought the Melky’s a 4th outfielder bit, then Melky was starting every game.
The last Florida game of ST, travel home day vs Tigers, we shut off the offense to get the game over with quick. The offense for several players has not been “on” since.
bighop - May 8, 2010
I can buy into that. If I think McLouth is being hurt by Melky taking AB’s away, I can believe the same thing is happening to Diaz.
Basically, Melky is ruining our season!
Rhyno18 - May 8, 2010
Rabble! Rabble! Rabble!
LYNCH MELKY!!!
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
McLouth: was overrated when we got him. He’s not as bad as this rough start, but he’s not as good as we thought/hoped/wanted/needed him to be. He’s a thoroughly meh player.
Melky: KIWF. Pinstripes is bad JuJu.
Glaus: Did not bounce back the way I genuinely thought he would. His AVG is artificially low due to him getting repeatedly web-gemmed, but his power stroke has not been what we all though it had the potential to be.
Yunel: had an avbysmally low BABIP. I expect a return to normalcy post-DL stint
Diaz: Chipper’s right; his lack of a planned approach is finally starting to do him in. I love Matty to death, and he’s shown in previous years that he can be so much better than he’s been this year, but he needs to adjust his approach if he wants to put up the resutls.
McCann: will be fine now that he’s diagnosed his eye problem (deja vu all over again)
Lowe: I hate you. I hate you because for a year and a half I stuck up for you- I wanted you last Spring, I had your back when you started hot, I had your back when you finished poorly. I had your back coming into this season. But goddamn it, you’ve thrown all of that away and pushed headlong through the Land of Suck anyway, with no end in sight. I’m done with you.
I think that pretty much covers it. Glaus isn’t awful, and certainly not bad enough that we should go out and blow a ton of prospects on an A-Gon, he’s just not as good as we’d hoped. Melky and McLouth I think are the real holes that need to be plugged if we want to look for improvement. Be that a call-up or a trade for even a middling OF, we’ve got to get some different warm bodies in the OF to complement J-Hey.
J-Freak - May 8, 2010
In regards to Glaus...
Before I start, I just want to say that this isn’t directed specifically at you. It’s directed more at the people constantly complaining about Glaus or saying how much of a disappointment he is.
What were you expecting for $1.75mil? Did you honestly believe that you were going to get 30 HRs and 100 RBIs out of a first baseman for that price? Furthermore, does anything less than that have to constitute a failure? I still think Glaus will put up 20 HRs and 80 RBIs, along with batting .250ish with an OBP of .350ish. Isn’t that better than what we’ve had at first base in a long time? Isn’t that more than your money’s worth for $1.75mil? Does anyone besides me realize that Glaus is just the last in a long line of stop-gaps before we have a real, long-term first baseman next season? Seriously, what’s with all the unreasonable expectations and the unwarranted disappointment directed at Glaus? Compared to the rest of the guys on the team not named Prado or Heyward, he’s hitting like an All Star right now.
Ok, that’s the end of my rant…
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
It doesn’t constitue a failure, though I should point out that the dollar value on the contract, like every other contract in baseball, does not directly correlate with the value you get from the player (see Heyward, Jason and Wells, Vernon). I don’t necessarily expect him to go 30/100, but a guy with Glaus’ raw power ought to have no problem hitting at least 25 homers a year. Right now he’s on pace for 12. That just doesn’t jibe at all with his skills and his career marks. That’s why he’s a disappointment- he doesn’t have to step in and be a superstar per se, but he does need to be a serviceable power threat. We could have signed any number of guys this offseasson to just keep the spot warm and hit .250 with little power; we went after him because he’s a power guy.
J-Freak - May 8, 2010
I was assuming Heyward not playing
But if Heyward is in the game, I like him in the 5 hole. I prefer Hinske to Conrad though
murph35 - May 7, 2010 via mobile
Rosterbate good times come on!
There’s a party goin on right here
A rosterbation
To last throughout the year
So bring your good times
And your losses too
We’re gonna rosterbate
And party with you come on now
UMDBHIK - May 8, 2010
We gort rosterbation…
John Holton - May 8, 2010
TPTB, someone open a venting thread, cause I need it.
Let’s take it to the Thunderdome! I missed the game, but I’m completely dumbfounded how the Braves only managed 2 hits and got shut out by a
olddead guy.Sparhawk - May 7, 2010
I'm past frustration
I really just FP and SMH. Until Mac and escobar get it going and Heyward gets healthy, just gonna have to hope our pitching throws some shutouts and we score a run somehow
murph35 - May 7, 2010 via mobile
Road Trip
Braves having another dismal road trip. Maybe I’m a “homer” but I think coming home next week might be the trigger for the offense to get going. Esco comes off the DL, Heyward and McCann ought to be back to strength. I am a little concerned about Heyward’s injury, he was held out a lot last year and in Arizona. Chipper looks like he needs a timeout, give Conrad or Hinske a game or two.
At this rate, we’ll be 8-10 games back by mid-week, might be time for something drastic. Whether it’s Matt Young or an early trade, we need something to happen pretty soon. I was really excited about the 2010 Braves, so many disappointments. Lowe, Moylan and EOF, Diaz, McLouth, Melky, Chipper, Esco, McCann….I’d have never believed they all would be so bad this deep into the season. We’re nearing the 20% point of the season, time for something to change.
bighop - May 7, 2010
playing at home hasn't been the problem though
its our abysmal play on the road…
SouthernPanther - May 7, 2010
Correct
But 7 on the road, 3 at home, 9 on the road is part of the problem. When we come home we have 7 this time. Might, I said might, be enough to get used to hitting the ball.
bighop - May 7, 2010
good point
i sure hope so…we need to turn it around quickly though or we are gonna be out of the play-off race come June
SouthernPanther - May 7, 2010
Maybe not out of it, but in really bad shape anyway….hell, we already are.
bighop - May 7, 2010
We need to go sign Barry Bonds
….to hook us up with them PEDS.
McCann and McWill - May 7, 2010
I know a guy...
homerun - May 7, 2010
Well, I watched this one at a local sports bar, and oh my god, the reactions from the bar crowd. I did my best to calm the masses using the arguments many have made here as to why we should basically ride this thing out, while getting blasted with “Fire TPs” and “Look at Kelly Johnson”…the fat old guys at the sports pub sound a lot like some of the folks who come on here to bitch and throw a fit every time we lose.
Bravely going forward - May 7, 2010
Sometimes there’s just not enough rocks…..F Gump
bighop - May 7, 2010
They go to their mom’s basement after the games.
McCann and McWill - May 7, 2010
it does kind of make me wonder sometimes…i know there are plenty of athenians on here
Bravely going forward - May 8, 2010
If those philosophers and *snicker* boy lovers are still watching games...
Then we certainly are going to continue to do so, no matter how bad the losses.
THIS… IS… TC!!!!!!
J-Freak - May 8, 2010
Oh my god...
What if… they’re the same… PEOPLE…
J-Freak - May 7, 2010
how long are we going to have to wait?
really?
Braves Biceps - May 7, 2010
I am not going to read the rest of these posts, just because I am having a good night and don’t want to ruin it.
I will say that I am thoroughly pissed at myself for missing Craig’s debut. The kid deserves all the success that he can get. A top-notch guy and not a bad pitcher either!
justincredubil02 - May 8, 2010
This
Rhyno18 - May 8, 2010
Be quiet Justin
you aren’t allowed to talk about the positives in tonight’s game like Kimbrel’s great debut. All you can do is piss and moan during the loses and then not say anything during the wins. Posting positive stuff on TC about something is dumb!!!!
Scott Coleman - May 8, 2010
in sports it seems like there are three types of fans online.
- Negative fans who bitch and moan
- Fans who bitch and moan about those who bitch and moan
- Those that understand both groups
mdhenshaw - May 8, 2010
You forgot about the other group – those who like to butt in on conversations that they have no business butting in, because they don’t realize that the others who are talking are joking around.
And then there is the group that doesn’t ever understand joking around, or just doesn’t get the jokes.
justincredubil02 - May 8, 2010
Missed the game.......
and saw Iron Man 2. That movies sucked but from what I read it was way better than this game. Yet tomorrow I am going to be sitting on my couch like an asshole saying “we gotta a chance” or “just wait till we get rolling, then they’ll see”. But hey basbeall isnt life so relax have a few beers and enjoy the weekend.
Shoert - May 8, 2010
I should say baseball isnt the most important thing in life, but I think you guys know what I am driving at
Shoert - May 8, 2010
That’s too bad about Iron Man, hopefully MacGruber will be funny
Bravely going forward - May 8, 2010
You're joing right?
MacGruber looks like inhumane torture.
J-Freak - May 8, 2010
joking*
J-Freak - May 8, 2010
i hadn’t heard any reviews yet, so i didn’t know
Bravely going forward - May 8, 2010
dont take my word for it....
I’ve never been a huge fan of the fanrasy/action genre, I just got drug aking with some friends, most people seemed to like it. As far as Macgruber, who knows, its based off of a 2 minute recurring comedy sketch from SNL, and quite frankly they were all basically the same, so who knows it could be funny
Shoert - May 8, 2010
I also can’t spell, its fantasy/ action and I got drug “along” with some friends. Sorry about this I need to type slower
Shoert - May 8, 2010
I missed the game last night to watch Iron Man 2, as well. I didn’t think it sucked, but it definitely wasn’t as good as the first one.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
This really is bad beyond belief
It’s not just that Moyer threw a CG shutout, it’s that he did it with 105 pitches and faced only 28 batters.
Think about that for a second. I know no-hitters get all the buzz but how often do you see a pitcher do this. Perfect games (27 up, 27 down) happen about once every five years and four of the past five of those required at least 115 pitches. Seriously, how often is a pitcher as effective against a lineup as what we witnessed today? 28 batters faced on 105 pitches? That can’t happen more than once every couple of years or so.
And it was old man Moyer throwing junk. Ugggh.
Add to this the fact that the Braves have already been no-hit once and nearly two other times and this is like something out of the Twillight Zone.
DCP916 - May 8, 2010
From rotoworld:
“Moyer throws complete game shutout at age 47
Jamie Moyer, 47, became the oldest player to ever throw a complete game shutout on Friday night.
Knuckleballer Phil Niekro was 46 when he accomplished the feat. Moyer surrendered just two hits to the Braves, who have to be absolutely humiliated after getting blanked by a guy whose fastball tops out at 83 mph. The last time Moyer had a two-hit shutout was 1986, and don’t expect it to happen again anytime soon. Everyone except the Braves has been teeing off on Moyer all season. "
mastermike - May 8, 2010
Heyward to DL?
“Braves manager Bobby Cox isn’t optimistic about when Jason Heyward (groin) will return to the lineup.
“I think it’s worse than day-to-day,” Cox said before Friday’s game against the Phillies. “We’re gonna wait a few more days and see if it gets better. Hopefully we don’t have to disable him. That would be rough right now.” Heyward’s importance to the lineup is only underscored by the team’s pathetic offensive output over the past two nights. Be sure to stay tuned on his status this weekend. May. 8 – 1:20 am et"
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Rotoworld
mastermike - May 8, 2010
Lowe, right now...
…is reminding me a lot of Jeff Parrett. He’s not lobbing it straight it, everything is moving but too often it’s down out of the zone or it’s a breaking ball that starts high and then sets itself on a tee for someone like Werth to smash.
Sam Jethroe - May 8, 2010
Lowe is TRASH.
I wonder how long is Frank Wren and Bobby Cox is going to wait before they shake up this ball club because WE SUCK!… Also has anybody else notice the dip in velocity of Lowe fastball since he arrived in ATL? He’s in the 89-87 range with his fastball instead of being in the lower 90’s.
deewill23 - May 8, 2010
Derek Lowe never once threw low 90s for the Braves and hasn’t since his closing days with the Red Sox and maybe his early Dodger days.
And how do you suggest shaking things up? (not being a dick here, just trying to hear what you’d do.)
Scott Coleman - May 8, 2010
We need a different style
I remember Lowe pitching in 89-92 range while pitching with the Dodgers, but Lowe pitches really scared to me.
I have been extremely optimistic about the Braves and always defended the players on our ball club alot since our divisional title streak ended. Now I pretty much see de ja vue again with us not making the playoffs. As a Braves fan hopefully they will make me eat my words.
So the question how would I suggest shaking things up? I am not sure how Wren is going to be able to shake things up during this season, but the crew of players we have haven’t and will not work. Our team is basically built the same way this year like the other previous where we didn’t made the playoffs. We need another great hitter because Chipper is old and can’t carry us anymore. Lowe, Melky, Glaus and McLouth all need to be replace. Escobar has regressed this season because he has been pulling everything on the ground. Our bullpen is pretty much the ish. Heyward, Infante, Hinske and Prado are the only players hitting. I do expect McCann to get his game together sooner rather than later. I also think we need another starter because KK and Lowe are guarantee losses at this point. I would like too see if we can get a speedy leadoff hitter that plays in the OF like Nyger Morgan, get Gonzo for 1B and maybe somehow trade for Vazquez while is stock is down or another good SP. I also wouldn’t mind if we trade prospects like Vizcanio or Delgado (keep either one and Teheran), Betancourt, Milligan or CJ if that can get us a great player like Gonzo. I know its still kinda early in the season, but are team really isn’t all that good in my view.
deewill23 - May 8, 2010
if you recall
KK got off to a slow start last year, so I wouldn’t jump ship on him just yet. Lowe on the other hand has trended downward since last season.
Chipper can’t carry us anymore, but he can still be a productive offensive player. (Here’s a good post on why CJ can still help http://capitolavenueclub.com/?p=2653)
Melky and McLouth have been a bust so far. Glaus is sub-par but looks to be turning it around a bit, and I’m willing to give him a bit more time before I abandon hope on him.
Escobar is one of the most talented SS in the NL East, and deserves to prove it after a slow start (+injury). He’s always been a ground ball hitter, and young hitters usually start hitting more fly balls as they develop. You have to believe he’s going to play better once he’s back.
You’re right about McCann… no reason to expect him not to get it together at some point.
What I don’t want to see is another Tex trade. I don’t think we get Gonzo without parting with Teheran… and if I see another Braves prospect (Wainwright, Andrus, Feliz et cetera) blow up with another team I might just scream. In any trade, Teheran should be off limits. We seriously need to weigh our options. If we are close to contention, maybe we pull the trigger. I just think the OF is where we really would need to improve via trade vs 1B. Hinske IMO isn’t an every day 1B, but maybe he will get a shot at some point if Glaus gets injured/he to be less productive than Hinske.
The only short term fix I can see if this offense doesn’t get off the schneid… Freeman/Hinske/Glaus? timeshare at 1B.
Omar to LF (possible Diaz platoon)
OF trade/FA straw grasp
Doesn’t look too sunny…
lingsched - May 8, 2010
So i missed Kimbrel's debut live...
but just watched it on DVR. Holy cow…those pitches are filthy. I’m officially cool with Wags retiring after the season to be with his family. I wish he’d come back, but Kimbrel got this.
Scott Coleman - May 8, 2010
and if you missed it like I did and you have the MLB At Bat App, check the condensed game. The Werth double, wild pitch, 2Ks and groundout to end the inning are all on there.
Scott Coleman - May 8, 2010
I feel a little bad
…that Kimbrel and Venters each had to make their debuts in bummer games. If they develop like they look like they should, we can all laugh about that in years to come.
Sam Jethroe - May 8, 2010
bobby
do you think he would do what is in the best interest of this team if it meant harming the pride of one of our “veterans?” i’m interested in seeing how Medlen pitches today. i’m sure i’m not alone in thinking he could do a better job in the rotation than Lowe, but there is no way bobby would ever consider moving Derek to the pen which is sad. this obviously doesn’t address the offense (which is the main problem obviously), but i’m sure it doesn’t help a struggling offense to look up at the scoreboard seeing they have to battle back from 3-5 run leads.
lingsched - May 8, 2010
Don't Blame Bobby
It isn’t Bobby’s fault that we’re doing so horribly. The real problem is our hitters. They have little to no motivation—you can see it in their faces when they’re at the plate. Until something happens to the player’s motivation levels, nothing’s gonna happen. So please don’t even suggest that Bobby could do anything with the lineup…because lineups make no difference, if your players can’t hit with a will, or hit well.
Joseph_C - May 8, 2010
Motivation?
How do we measure this? These guys are professionals… you don’t think hitting .200 or getting embarrassed isn’t a motivating factor for them? I’m not buying this. All major leaguers have a sense of pride. More than that – do you think performing poorly is going to bode well for their next contract negotiation? Sure there are some bad eggs to be found in the MLB that seem to have bad attitudes or mail it in but I definitely don’t see any guys like that on this team. Maybe you mean frustration, because lack of motivation implies that they don’t care… If we did buy into this then whose responsibility is it to motivate? Bobby’s, right? I’m not trying to blame Bobby at all but if we follow your logic it would seem that the burden of motivating would fall on the manager (or possibly the gasp scapegoat hitting coach TP).
lingsched - May 8, 2010
Point taken. I guess motivation is a harsh term. Perhaps the slumps are a result of continued depression. Motivation works best when it comes from inside the team. Sometimes it’s hard for managers to provide adequate motivation.
Joseph_C - May 8, 2010
what is bobbys job then, exactly?
Other than trotting out a lineup card and deciding when to take out our starters, isn’t it at least somewhat bobbys job as a manager to try and light a fire under his guys’ asses? He’s not even getting himself tossed from games…come on bobby, u gotta do something. This team isn’t going to turn itself around without some drastic moves
Brave Neander - May 8, 2010 via mobile
Not Bobby's style
Bobby has never been one for the drastic move. He has kept guys in there when it has been obvious to everyone that they couldn’t work it out. Reitsma and Kolb still being used with the game on the line. Greg Norton PH’ing in crucial at bat after crucial at bat when he couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat. The examples are numerous. Given, we often didn’t have better options available. Bobby has never been quick to yank a guy as long as they are putting forth the effort. That’s what endears Bobby to the players… his loyalty. On the flip side it really screws us over when we have guys that aren’t cutting it.
lingsched - May 8, 2010
The Braves have little to no way to bring in new players. The only way to get this going is for the players to start hitting. And I really can’t figure how that’s going to happen. As for what you said, I mostly agree. It is a pity that Bobby hasn’t argued calls often enough to get ejected—the umpires these days are inaccurate a lot of the time. But, I can’t figure out what drastic moves are going to make a difference—if Bobby makes any at all. Which (as “lingsched” said) is not Bobby’s style.
Joseph_C - May 8, 2010
Change!
I think we make some changes like firing Terry Pendleton we`re hitting so inconsistant right now!
David Helms - May 8, 2010
If you're talking
Change for the sake of change in a “not even TP who was once a beloved Brave is safe” sorta way then I guess… There is really no guarantee that it does anything at all, but nothing else is working at this point. I don’t blame TP for the hitting struggles. I really don’t see him going anywhere during Bobby’s last season. I think it is more likely that hitting coaches get fired when pressure is on the manager for an improvement and the manager would be the next to go if no improvement is realized. Bobby is under no sort of threat so I wouldn’t expect that type of reaction from him.
lingsched - May 8, 2010
This really is a problem with TP. I believe this is the 3rd complete game shutout thrown against the braves this year. Jimenez, Halladay, Moyer. This particular one only took 105 pitches by moyer. This team is not patient enough. They need to make the pitcher work and even if they can’t hit him, chase him from the game.
telemakhos - May 8, 2010
Exactly. Our hitters have been lacking patience. (I mean—a three pitch inning? Sheesh! How many times has that happened?)
Joseph_C - May 8, 2010
Once. For those of you keeping score at home, we’ve been one of the most patient teams in the Bigs. So much so that it’s actually come around to bite us. Bobby told J-Hey to be a little more agressive, and J-Hey answered by hitting 3 dingers in 3 games. We’ve led the majors in walks for most if not all of the season- patience isn’t the issue. It’s making solid contact on a regular basis that’s killing us, because we get the bases juiced with, say, a hit and a couple of walks, but then can’t get the knock to get them in.
J-Freak - May 8, 2010
This!
HEYJUDE - May 8, 2010
Seriously
How many times have the guys walked this year? Come on…
Weldon - May 8, 2010
Not patient enough?
You do realize that they lead the NL in walks, right? A lot of people have been arguing that they’re TOO patient this season, and now you throw out the “not patient enough” line? That’s a bit ridiculous.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
Is this what it’s like to be a fan of a crappy team? I’m still hoping this is just a bad streak but christ, how do Pirate fans do it?
Richard R - May 8, 2010
Pressure!
Its alot of pressure on our pitchers to not give up runs because we`re not hitting right now so they`re trying to throw perfect pitches and its coming back to bite them!
David Helms - May 8, 2010
FIRE TERRY PENDLETON
FIRE HIM NOW
Goggles Piazzano - May 8, 2010
And burn his house down!
And let Peter Gammons fulfill his lifetime ambition of taking TP’s ‘91 MVP trophy over to Barry Bonds’ house.
That’ll show ’em!
Sam Jethroe - May 8, 2010
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Talking Chop to post a comment.