Through 5 innings, this game looked like the same old story. Braves starter pitches decently but leaves trailing 1-0? Check. No hits from Braves' position players? Check. Frustrating double plays? Check. Seven men left on base (all by Troy Glaus!)? Check.
From there, though, the script reversed itself. In the 6th inning, the Braves broke through against Phillies starter Joe Blanton. Chipper Jones led off with an infield hit, then moved to second on a solid single by Brian McCann. One batter later, Eric Hinske roped a double off the right-field wall, tying the game at 1. Melky Cabrera followed with a solid RBI single to put the Braves in front (that's right--2 clutch hits in one inning!). Omar Infante added on with a sac fly to give the Braves a 3-1 lead.
That would be Blanton's last inning. His final line: 6 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 3 K, and a -0.089 WPA. Troy Glaus saved himself from goat-dom by singling in a run off Danys Baez in the 9th. Had he made an out there, he would have left 11 men on base in the game, which seems like it would have been a record.
(Bullpen props and Awards after the jump...)
Though the Braves' offense wasn't great tonight, the 4 runs they provided would more than enough for the Braves' pitchers. This was a great showing by the bullpen. Kris Medlen did an admirable job in the spot start, making it through 4.1 innings and giving up only 1 run. He worked around 9 hits but did not walk anyone.
Medlen was followed by 6 Braves relievers, nearly all of whom pitched great. Eric O'Flaherty got Medlen out of a jam in the 5th. Craig Kimbrel was wild, walking 2 of the 3 batters he faced in the 6th, but Peter Moylan got a huge double play to end the threat. In the 7th, it was Moylan's turn to be saved, as he put the tying runs on 2nd and 3rd with 2 out. Jonny Venters came in and got Ryan Howard to fly out to end the inning (Howard is already 0/3 off Venters).
Takashi Saito blew away the Phillies in the 8th, striking out 2 (including Jayson Werth). Finally, Billy Wagner closed out the win with a 1-2-3 inning, including a strikeout of Chase Utley. All in all, it was a great game for our bullpen, who continue to show that they are this team's greatest strength. For anyone who lived through the Chris Reitsma era, this bullpen is a godsend. Frank Wren (and the farm system) deserve tons of credit for acquiring and developing so many solid-to-dominant relievers.
It's great to know that the Braves won't be swept in this series. With a good effort tomorrow, we can even take the series and even up the road trip at 3-3. By the way, for all the moaning that's been going on, the Braves have won 5 of 8. I know 3 of those wins were against the Astros, but still. Once Heyward and Escobar come back, who knows what might happen?
MVPs: The Braves' bullpen-- 4.2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 4 BB, 3 K, and a combined 0.357 WPA (0.420 if you don't count Kimbrel)
Honorable Mention MVPs: Kris Medlen-- 4.1 IP, 9 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 K, and a 0.089 WPA pitching, and 1/2 with a 0.040 WPA hitting; Eric Hinske-- 1/3, BB, RBI double, R, and a 0.096 WPA; also Mac and Chipper-- each 1/3 with 2 BBs and a run.
LVP: Wilson Valdez-- 0/4, K, GIDP, and a -0.244 WPA
MVPILE (MVP in a losing effort): Shane Victorino-- 1/4, RBI, BB, SB, and 0.086 WPA
Clutch plays (more than 1!): Hinske's RBI double (0.177 WPA) and Moylan getting Valdez to GIDP to end the 6th (0.141 WPA)
0 recs | 189 comments
Go Braves!
I sure hope Heyward makes the game on Sunday. But I’m glad the Braves proved they can win without him, especially because of the bullpen. (though not preferably!) I was also glad to see Chipper hitting this game!
Joseph_C - May 8, 2010
uh oh
DOB tweet: Chipper had a mild groin strain on his infield hit in the sixth inning, but says he expects to play tomorrow.
atl192485 - May 8, 2010
Chipper is now up there with Mike Hampton, IMHO. Whenever Chip tweaks, strains, or does anything to his body, it’s not even surprising anymore.
Scott Coleman - May 8, 2010 via mobile
Mr. Glass...
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
eh, i wouldn’t even put chipper near that stratosphere.
BMacAttack - May 8, 2010
Not even close. Hampton was useless for multiple seasons. He should just keep it to himself. Sick of everyone on his back when he’s busting his butt trying to play as many games as possible.
FitzFan - May 8, 2010
definitely called that when the play happened
bpk228480 - May 8, 2010
I thought it looked like he hurt himself again…dangit. I think at this point, he should just sit and get healthy until this road trip is over. He’s not healing continuing to go out there night after night and staying injured.
Sometimes I wish BJ had kept his mouth shut, who knows how many games we might have done better if he had not been in the lineup trying to play at less than 100% because of maybe trying to prove himself after that happened.
NCChopper - May 9, 2010
Wow. Kind of a stressful game to watch, but the result was great. Was anyone else a little surprised to see Kimbrel come in when he did?
Bravely going forward - May 8, 2010
Me.
Scott Coleman - May 8, 2010 via mobile
Me. Seemed like a lot of pressure. He did his job though
Frozen Fan - May 8, 2010
Just like there’s the Derek Lowe Win, I think we now need a new category “Troy Glaus RBI” for a hitter who fails to drive in a run all day despite multiple opportunities then redeems himself with a weak single.
redwards95 - May 8, 2010
Troy Glaus does not hit weak singles….
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
He did tonight.
redwards95 - May 8, 2010
Nope...
If it were a weak single, he wouldn’t have made it to first. Fact.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
It would have been an out then…
BullManUGA - May 8, 2010
This!
I can’t believe the hate for Troy Glaus. Good God, what does he have to do for some ppl to give him a break?
It seems as though he must hit a HR every game to please some. The guy was a cheap pick up. If he just hits singles all season, we still get our moneys worth, as I step off my ban box……
HEYJUDE - May 8, 2010
well...
he did leave 9 guys on base today AND has only hit 2 HRs…there is reason to be angry at Glaus…
SouthernPanther - May 8, 2010
I give up :(
HEYJUDE - May 8, 2010
haha
I’m not saying get rid of Glaus…i’m just saying the hate towards Glaus isn’t totally unfounded…
SouthernPanther - May 8, 2010
thats is completely and utterly wrong
there is no justification for hating a player for not playing well. There are numerous reasons for hating people, them saying stupid stuff, not trying hard, being an ass, not putting an appropriate amount of bend on the bill of a hat. But not playing great is hardly a reason. If he wasn’t trying hard, or if he didn’t seem to care, then you might be able to make an argument that the hate is properly founded.
Swo12bv - May 8, 2010
FUGA and Joe Johnson (not baseball related but after his comments tonight) are just a few people to come to mind that are worth hating.
GwinnettBraves - May 9, 2010 via mobile
Agree 100%
Very true.
Joseph_C - May 9, 2010
THIS
Troy hasn’t hit well, but his play at first (a new position) has been almost flawless, and, as noted elswhere in this thread, his batting average is pretty close to his lifetime BA. He spent most of last season on the DL. He’s been trying hard and hasn’t been a total jerk. He hasn’t given us reason to hate him. I can understand frustration with him, but then the whole offense has been a frustrating disappointment.
John Holton - May 9, 2010
You’re expecting far too much for $1.75mil….
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
he may only cost us 1.75 mil....
…but shouldn’t i be expecting more out of our #5 hitter…it has nothing to do with his price…but the #5 batter HAS to be more productive for our team to succeed.
SouthernPanther - May 8, 2010
He’s been the 2nd most productive guy on the team….
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
simply cause he has had the most chances to drive in runs at the #5 spot...
how many times has troy GIDP with the bases loaded and 1 out or struck out with runners on. the #2 batter isn’t going to drive in runs like the guy hitting #5, thats arguably the only reason glaus is the 2nd most productive guy on the team. I’m all for keeping gluas, I just understand why a lot of people hate Glaus.
SouthernPanther - May 8, 2010
He’s hitting like .236. He’s a career .255 hitter. That’s not too far off, especially considering he missed last season and the entire team is struggling even more than that. He is tied for 2nd in HRs (sadly), 3rd in slugging % (I think) and 2nd in RBIs. Is it because of the spot he’s hitting in the lineup? Maybe. Would anyone else currently on the team be doing any better in that spot? Doubtful. As for the GIDPs….he went through a short phase where he was doing that a lot, but he actually hasn’t in a while now. He’s been hitting a lot more line drives lately. It’s hard to hit into a double play off a line drive (although, he did actually have that happen to him once this season – bad luck).
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
he's definitely swinging the bat better
glad his avg is up…it was an abysmal for a while. I hope he starts hitting more XBH though…he only has 4 all year. 2 HRs and 2 2Bs, for now…I’ll take the W today and be happy. Hopefully we can win tomorrow!
SouthernPanther - May 8, 2010
I’m afraid Glaus may not hit many XBHs, other than HRs. He’s just too damn slow. However, most of his singles are good enough to score a runner from second. Some of them seem like they could even score a runner from first. So, in a sense, his singles are doing the job of XBHs. He just needs to start hitting them more when runners are on, instead of when the bases are empty.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
agreed
a little bit more timely hitting would be nice…i think thats all people are asking for
SouthernPanther - May 8, 2010
It really is Troy’s fault that people are not on base when he gets hits.
justincredubil02 - May 9, 2010
please tell me you're joking
every time he came up to bat yesterday there were at least 2 men on base. He has been batting all year with the bases loaded or two on and routinely GIDPs or strikes out. I’m okay with arguing with people who make since but don’t get delusional in your defense of Troy.
SouthernPanther - May 9, 2010
Sweet post.
Never mind the fact that he’s had 48 plate appearances with RISP so far this year. The RBI leader in MLB is Miguel Cabrera…he’s had 36 plate appearances. He has 32 RBI’s.
The Triple Crown leader in the NL (Andre Ethier) has had 37 Plate Appearances with RISP. He has 32 RBI’s.
Heyward has had 32 Plate Appearances with RISP. He has 26 RBI’s.
So I really don’t think that Glaus not getting opportunities is the problem here. In those 48 PA’s, his slash line is .244/.333/.341. With the bases loaded (8 PA’s), its .000/.125/.000.
dunnytwogloves - May 9, 2010
Uh oh...
stats provided. What will justin say now?
Tim Goad - May 9, 2010
How many hits does Troy have with nobody in scoring position?
justincredubil02 - May 9, 2010
So Troy isn’t hitting with runners in scoring position as well as some of the best players in the game.
Cool.
justincredubil02 - May 9, 2010
Yeah….ya know, I’m sure there are like a dozen guys hitting better with RISP than Troy. Nevermind that they all probably make at least 5x his salary….
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 9, 2010
once again
if he can’t hit well with RISP, than he shouldn’t be hitting 5th…
SouthernPanther - May 9, 2010
not anywhere close though
he has had a lot more opportunties (48 vs. 36 and 37) yet has significantly less RBIs (16 vs. 36 and 32). He isn’t anywhere close to those guys, with that many appearances he should do better than 16. 0/8 with the bases loaded is unacceptable
SouthernPanther - May 9, 2010
I’ll grant you one thing in that. The 0/8 with bases loaded is pretty bad. But, is it possible that it’s just that small sample size thing rearing its ugly head again?
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 9, 2010
maybe...
I guess we’ll find out through more of the season. I sure hope he turns things around with RISP, if he can get hot with RISP we are gonna score a lot more runs.
SouthernPanther - May 9, 2010
Wait, you mean that 3 ABs by one guy aren’t enough to crucify him?
justincredubil02 - May 9, 2010
?
what
SouthernPanther - May 9, 2010
Troy had a bad game yesterday – which is what we are talking about (his 8 LOB).
So, since TG had a bad game, we should dump him, right?
Since TG isn’t hitting as well as Miguel Cabrera, we should dump him, right?
Since TG is a .250 career hitter, and he hit .250 yesterday, we should dump him, right?
Since TG hits the ball harder than anyone else, but is running into all kinds of bad luck lately, we should dump him, right?
justincredubil02 - May 9, 2010
Disagree. If he only hits single we are beyond screed! Who cares how much he costs. The Braves got him to produce. It’s not crazy to want your #5 hitter to be more productive & show a little power. 9 LOB’s are brutal.
FitzFan - May 8, 2010
Read my post above. You seem to be confusing the actual number of bases in an XBH with the purpose of the XBH.
The 9 LOBs were brutal, but it’s not as if he’s the only guy on the team stranding massive numbers of runners. I’m pretty sure Melky has stranded even more than Glaus, while hitting lower in the order.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
Don't forget
Glaus was the only person who prevented Moyer from throwing a perfecto last night. He just had one bad game. It happens.
Jacob Peterson - May 8, 2010
good point
i would not be able to handle 2 no-nos in less than a months time
SouthernPanther - May 8, 2010
Troy Glaus had a hit 2 days ago that hit the wall – for a single. He hits the ball as hard as anyone else in the league. Stop complaining about his singles.
justincredubil02 - May 9, 2010
I watched the game on DVR late last night and screamed in excitement when he finally got that hit. This guy has such bad luck – and I was thrilled for him to finally get that much needed hit with 2 men on base.
NCChopper - May 9, 2010
Medlen to Rotation!
Nova Scotia Steve - May 8, 2010 via mobile
I agree. Swap for Kawakami maybe?
Frozen Fan - May 8, 2010
Not a bad idea.
Joseph_C - May 8, 2010
Thumbs Up!
Now waiting for multiple posts and constant bitching from a certain “just incredible” blogger – ahem.
Nova Scotia Steve - May 8, 2010 via mobile
I'll fill in for him.
KK is a good pitcher. If we’re swapping someone for Medlen, make it D. Lowe.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
Thanks for Stepping Up
FANTASTIC – #5 if i remember correctly. 0-7 tomorrow… I hear Mark Bowman already has the game recap written….Kawakami will give up a few hits/runs and come out of the game because of a “blister”….and before you know it the Braves will be tippin caps and flying to Milwaukee!
Nova Scotia Steve - May 8, 2010 via mobile
0-7, eh?
He’s somehow going to pick up two losses tomorrow?
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
I wouldn't rule it out...
Nova Scotia Steve - May 8, 2010 via mobile
Ha...
That’s all you get. Not even a full laugh…
If you ever want to argue in good faith, please do so. The main point of contention seems to be whether Kawakami is, or is not, one of (if not THE) best #5 starters in the majors. I actually challenge you to find a #5 starter from another team and show a favorable comparison between his stats and KK’s. For that matter, compare KK’s stats against D. Lowe’s…
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
zing
BMacAttack - May 8, 2010
I just really find it difficult
To continue to defend a guy who is 0-5 with an ERA of 5.47 and opponents are hitting almost .300 against the guy. Like really. You’re telling me teams like the Twins, Rays, Yankeeseven Blue Jays or Phillies don’t have good serviced # 5’s with better #’s??
Nova Scotia Steve - May 8, 2010 via mobile
Yes.
I’m telling you exactly that. But, you’ll refuse to believe it as long as you keep focusing on W-L records. You do realize that winning or losing a game is not under the pitcher’s control, right? A guy can go out and throw a perfect game for 8.2 IP in a scoreless affair until he walks one batter, only to be pulled by his manager, who brings in a reliever, who gives up a triple, thus giving up a run and having the loss credited to the starter who pitched a gem and was worthy of the win.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
I Agree
A “guy” can go out and throw a perfect game for 8.2 innings. But that guy won’t be Kenshin Kawakami.
Nova Scotia Steve - May 8, 2010 via mobile
I seem to recall a game pretty close to perfect that he pitched….
And the losing pitcher was the #1 on one of those teams you tried to claim have better #5s than KK.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
he's pitched one great game...
…hes pitched several crappy ones
I’m not one of the people who wants KK yanked…but I don’t think his duel with Holladay holds much water anymore…
SouthernPanther - May 8, 2010
It wasn't just one game!
He pitched a good half dozen GEMS last year. The Halladay one was just the shiniest gem. He’s pitched two great games this year and taken losses in both of them. It’s getting ridiculous how much people hate on KK for not winning, when he gets ZERO run support. D. Lowe’s pitched far worse games than KK this year. And JJ pitched the worst game of any Braves’ starter this year. Why aren’t those two being attacked?
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
D. Lowe
certainly has been attacked…I agree he is worse than KK. People aren’t attacking JJ because he is a big cog in he future of the braves. I’m just saying, I agree, KK is a solid #5, but naturally when a guy is 0-5 with a 5.47 ERA people are gonna be calling for his head…
SouthernPanther - May 8, 2010
But they shouldn’t be calling for his head more loudly than they call for D. Lowe’s! KK pitches better and gets paid less for it. His W-L record is only worse because the offense refuses to show up on days he pitches. It has to be frustrating for him.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
I totally agree
but when a guy’s ERA is that high…and he has no wins (which i totally understand is not his fault), naturally it is going to happen. I’m on your side, I’m just trying to represent the other side of the argument.
SouthernPanther - May 8, 2010
Miracles Do Happen....
I see “The Miracle in Atlanta” game is being discussed. That was LAST YEAR. What have you done for me lately???? PS i hope KK wins tomorrow…but i’ll tell you one thing – i sure as shit wouldn’t bet on it.
Nova Scotia Steve - May 8, 2010 via mobile
KK
nearly beat Tim Lincecum in SF.
“What have you done for me lately” is not a good approach to judging players, at least not when the “lately” encompasses all of 5 starts.
Jacob Peterson - May 8, 2010
I already alluded to that start in this thread. No one seems to care. They just fixate on the 0-5 record.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
+1
Bravely going forward - May 8, 2010
JJ is not a cog in our future. He is trade bait or a free agent.
justincredubil02 - May 9, 2010
what???
Justin, how could say that? You’re not satisfied unless you have an argument (some justified, some ignorant). If I came out and said jj would be traded or allowed to walk in FA you’d probably tell me how stupid I am, and how terrible a braves fan I am. He’s been hurt and ruffed up so far this year, but he was one of the best pitchers in the nl last year. He should be next in line (right up there with heyward) for a lucrative contract extension.
Brave Neander - May 9, 2010 via mobile
He is a Scott Boras client who has pitched better than his periphs for 2 seasons.
I never once have told anyone that they are a terrible fan, btw.
The fact that he was one of the best pitchers in the NL only supports my thoughts that he is trade bait or going to be a F/A.
justincredubil02 - May 9, 2010
It’s not always out of their control. The Rays have a better #5 starter. So KK does not get that title, so far this year.
FitzFan - May 8, 2010
That's true.
And you could probably find a couple more #5 guys who are clearly better. But KK has to be one of the top 5-6 #5 starters, I would think. He deserves to be a starter in MLB.
Jacob Peterson - May 8, 2010
I've got a suggestion for your next post...
Do a comprehensive analysis on the #5 starters for each team for last season, and this season so far. I’d be interested to see how KK actually ranks objectively.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
That's interesting.
Kind of tricky, given the fluid nature of many teams’ #5 slots. But I guess if their #5 starter is fluid, that means the guy in there is likely not very good. I could stick to just the guys who have been in the rotation for at least a certain number of starts.
Thanks for the idea.
Jacob Peterson - May 8, 2010
If a team used mainly 2 guys as a #5, you could average their stats. If they trotted out a different #5 every week, it could be tricky, though.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
Can you add some #4s and #3s from teams with winning records last year too? You know…just to finally make some people (NSS) shut up about all of this?
justincredubil02 - May 9, 2010
Better yet...
Why don’t we do a comprehensive analysis of pitchers who have signed a contract for 3 years at $23 million + perks (or better) and see how that analysis plays out.
I suspect KK will be towards the bottom of that list, although he’s at least got Lowe beat.
We didn’t invest in this guy to be a mediocre 5th starter, and if we did it’s a boneheaded move. There’s a reason why all these other teams rotate prospects, young players, long relievers and veteran retreads into the 5th slot – it’s so they can have millions of dollars of payroll freed up to invest in other things…like offense, defense, baserunning, etc.
DCP916 - May 9, 2010
Sweet post.
justincredubil02 - May 9, 2010
Emphasis on "so far"
The Rays, while being a good team, have been playing at a ridiculously high level this season. The Braves, also a good team, have been playing at an inexplicably horrendous level this season. It will balance out some, eventually. It’s that damn small sample size thing…
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
Ain't it a bitch?
Jacob Peterson - May 8, 2010
I never once bitched. The people crying about Kawakami are the ones bitching. I just post his stats.
justincredubil02 - May 9, 2010
Hope you folks are right. Gutsy job by Medlin today. No way he shouldn’t be in the rotation given the way a couple of them have pitched.
coltzfan - May 8, 2010
By who?
justincredubil02 - May 9, 2010
Great win!!
Takes a lot of pressure off. I was hoping for a sweep of the Brewers to make this a successful road trip. Coming into the road trip I was hoping for at least a 4-5 road trip. Just gotta split the next four. Go braves!! Gotta keep scratching out wins till the bats heat up. Schedule finally gets humane for the rest of the month.
Frozen Fan - May 8, 2010
Time to bust out!
Diaz on the offensive slump:
“I know it’s not from a lack of work or a lack of effort,” Diaz said. “We’re all down in the cage doing what we can do. If we all do bust out at the same time, it could be dangerous. We just hope that day comes sooner rather than later.”
Looking forward to said breakout on Sunday—hopefully J-Hey will be back!
Joseph_C - May 8, 2010
great win today!
too many LOB, but i’ll take it!
Jareth Cutestory - May 8, 2010
Didn’t you make this same post in the OT? :-p
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
TBS has a bad spell check program. They spelled Heyward’s name: “Hayward”!
http://www.tbs.com/sports/mlb/
Joseph_C - May 8, 2010
Blasphemers...
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
It's the same article here as below, I'm sure
The Associated Press author is to blame-ESPN doesn’t write up their own game recaps, and neither does TBS.
Bronn - May 8, 2010
ESPN FAIL
lingsched - May 8, 2010
edit: AP FAIL!
lingsched - May 8, 2010
Has anyone seen mlb.com "pulse?"
Sorry if this has been mentioned before. For those of you on twitter, it shows the tweet volume of each team (which is somewhat inaccurate since an opposing team’s fans could include #braves and vice versa with braves fans and the opposing team) on an inning by inning basis. Our highest tweet volume in the entire game? After having the bases loaded with one out in the first and not scoring… Braves fans must like to complain more than they like to celebrate (or Phillies’ fans were including #braves in their celebratory/derogatory posts)…
lingsched - May 8, 2010
nevermind
I’m colorblind… that was the PHILLIES highest tweet volume =\
lingsched - May 8, 2010
This was a good win. Win tomorrow and we go 3-3 on this road trip, which has felt alot worse than that record.
Braves24 - May 8, 2010
Does Wagner's retirement announcement help or hurt his trade value?
Fred Pen - May 8, 2010
I dunno, but I see know reason as to why the braves would get rid of him. He’s good…real good.
Joseph_C - May 8, 2010
correction:
knowNo reason.Joseph_C - May 8, 2010
Umm, because this season is over and we could actually get some more prospects from
one of the very few tradeable commodities that we have
Fred Pen - May 8, 2010
Over?
We are hardly a month in and only 5 games back. The schedule gets easier in the coming weeks too. I would hardly say this season is “over” yet.
the cow - May 8, 2010
Last I checked...
There was still over 80% of the season left.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
Fail at life/posting/IQ/reality/fanhood
BMacAttack - May 8, 2010
Not yet, but ya thats actually a really good idea, get prospects for his ass
fizzbot - May 8, 2010
reply fail?
BMacAttack - May 8, 2010
If ATL falls out of the play-off race
The FO should trade Wagner to a contender so he has a chance for a ring!
Nova Scotia Steve - May 8, 2010 via mobile
He'd have to ok the trade.
I’m pretty sure Wags has a no trade clause.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
Trade talk? Really? Little early for that. Offense has been pathetic, but it will get better. 5 games out in EARLY May. Golly, no teams ever come back against those odds.
Frozen Fan - May 8, 2010
Why the hell is this a reply to my post?
Have you read my posts in this thread at all?
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
Was a reply to the thread. I saw that you said 80% of the season was left
Frozen Fan - May 8, 2010
Ok.
But, just for the record: I’m not advocating trading anyone (except maybe Melky).
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
Maybe Lowe…. I’m just sayin
Frozen Fan - May 8, 2010
Ok….D. Lowe, too. Finding another team willing to take on his salary would be an epic win for Frank Wren.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
It would be insane to pay players based on performance. I remember the smoking deal we got on Hampton.
Frozen Fan - May 8, 2010
If anyone here is actually insane enough to believe that this team has a shot at the
playoffs, that is your problem/inability to deal with reality. You probably also clung to that hope last year.
D. Lowe and Melky are not tradeable commodities. They are hot garbage. Wagner and Medlen are about the only players the Braves would be willing to trade that would bring anything valuable in return. It is definitely time to start looking to next year and beyond.
Fred Pen - May 8, 2010
Last year's team?
You mean the one that was two games out of the playoffs with 6 games left… Yeah, they never had a chance. There was never any hope.
/ sarcasm.
J-Turn14 - May 8, 2010
At least there are a couple rational people here besides me. Thanks.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
I bet you withdrew from all your college courses after getting a C on the first test, didn’t you?
Don’t give up on a team in May. Ever. Come mid-July, if we’re 10+ games out of a playoff spot, we can have this conversation. Until then, you’d be better served to remember that a team’s record on May 8th is not a great indicator of its final record.
Jacob Peterson - May 8, 2010
the 2007 Rockies would like to talk with you about that statement (althought admittedly they are probably the exception that proves the rule, although there are numerous of instances of it happening
Swo12bv - May 9, 2010
Braves don’t give out no-trade clauses. If they would have, we would likely have landed A-Rod before he signed with Texas.
And he’s not a 10-and-5 guy.
dunnytwogloves - May 9, 2010
Vazquez had a partial no trade clause.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 9, 2010
The Braves didn’t give it to him though.
justincredubil02 - May 9, 2010
Screw trying to get him a ring. The FO’s only concern should be making the Braves better.
FitzFan - May 8, 2010
such a stressful game!!
the damn ump wouldn’t give us a call, and our bats took forever to get going. but watching the bullpen blow this potent phils lineup away was satisfying!!! Go Bravos for tomorrow!!!!
SouthernPanther - May 8, 2010
medlen gave up 9 hits.
just fyi. don’t forget this. We were lucky we only gave up 1 run. we were really one or two XBH from blowing it wide open.
Braves Biceps - May 8, 2010
He wasn’t giving up XBHs, though. That was the key that allowed him to strand so many Phillies on the bases today.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
So, you’re sayin’ – for once the Phillies fans left feeling like the Braves fan have at times? ;-)
NCChopper - May 9, 2010
Ugly win. But whatever. If they can not get stomped out for the remainder of this road trip, they have a chance to gain ground. Schedule has been brutal. Starting with the brewers, the schedule gets better
Frozen Fan - May 8, 2010
Why was it such an ugly win? It was a very solid win, IMO.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
The amazing amount of men they leave on base stresses me out. All wins are nice, but I didn’t relax to the final out
Frozen Fan - May 8, 2010
But, that's just baseball....
It’s hard to relax before the final out in ANY game, unless it’s a blow out.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
True
HEYJUDE - May 8, 2010
2 questions
a) Why did Medlen only go 4.1 innings?
b) what are the early returns on Krimbel? How good is he? I’m yet to see him get in a game
GoBravesNY - May 8, 2010
A) Medlen pitched relief just a few days ago (and twice total this week), and he’s used to pitching only 2-3 innings in relief appearances. Therefore, he wasn’t stretched out enough to pitch more than 5 innings tonight. Everyone accepted that going into today’s game.
B) CK was apparently sharp last night (I didn’t get to see it, either), but he showed a bit of his characteristic lack of control in today’s game. Of course, it was partially the umpire’s screwy strike zone, too (3 good strikes got called as balls). Bobby pulled him and brought in Moylan to induce a GIDP to end the inning. CK definitely throws hard, though. That’s for damn sure.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
He threw 88 pitches
and his first start and obviously longest outing of the season. Too bad he didn’t make 5 innings. He’s going to be a gooder – already is. Kris Medlen has really impressed me this year. its time to give him a shot. BC is already using him in pressure situations this year and he has responded really well IMO. He should get another start.
Nova Scotia Steve - May 8, 2010 via mobile
WTG Boys
Ahh, I feel so much better when the Braves win. Hopefully Kawakami can pitch good Sunday and get some run support.
mastermike - May 8, 2010
Answer to a. Medlans conditioned to be a reliever. I heard Bobby wanted 75 pitches from him. He threw damn near 90. Great effort
Frozen Fan - May 8, 2010
Who?
justincredubil02 - May 9, 2010
Kawakami has come to a point where he must win. You can only be awful for a certain amount of time. I’m fairly confident he’ll pitch well tomorrow—I just hope the offense will explode.
Joseph_C - May 8, 2010
I'm with you Joe
our offense should explode and make the Braves the best offense in the NL east
southman - May 8, 2010
Kawakami was pretty good in his last start.
justincredubil02 - May 9, 2010
You MUST be using extreme sarcasm
IP H R ER HR BB K
5.0 7 3 3 2 0 1
Thats his last start….the only thing acceptable on that stat line is 0 walks.
Tim Goad - May 9, 2010
6.0 IP and 3 ER is a QS. He could’ve pitched an extra inning, but Bobby pinch hit for him. And the 0 walks is more than acceptable – that’s spectacular. Do you realize how rare it is for a starter to give up 0 walks?
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 9, 2010
No sarcasm. That is a pretty good start.
justincredubil02 - May 9, 2010
7 hits and 2 HR?
hahahaha
Tim Goad - May 9, 2010
in 5 innings from a #5 starter? Yes.
justincredubil02 - May 9, 2010
Tell me if I'm crazy
Followed the game on AtBat while at work, and the boxscore said we had 22 LOB. I’m glad for the win but I must’vs stared at that for 5 minutes wondering how the hell it was possibe with I think 7 hits and 6 walks?
chantshuffler - May 8, 2010 via mobile
You're right...
22 LOB isn’t possible. I think the actual number should be around 11-12?
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
Man on 1st, 2 batters leave him there, equals 2 LOB
bighop - May 8, 2010
Theoretically a team could leave 27 runners on base in a nine inning game.
There could be alot of dropped 3rd strikes to have that happen. Maybe Wakefield is on the mound?
BullManUGA - May 8, 2010
Doesn't take any funny business.
If a team leaves the bases loaded in all 9 innings, that adds up to 27.
Jacob Peterson - May 8, 2010
And if they are loaded all 9 innings, with no outs, nobody scores, it’s 81 LOB
bighop - May 8, 2010
it counts people more than once
say there are two on with 1 out. The next person up strikes out leaving 2 on base. Then the next guy up strikes out two…leaving those same two on base. Well it counts both batters as leaving two men on base. see what I’m saying?
SouthernPanther - May 8, 2010
I didn't know it counted like that?
That seems kinda screwy…
That would allow for 81 LOB in a normal 9 inning game.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
only on gameday...
it keeps track of individual LOB. The team LOB stat was more around 11 or 12
SouthernPanther - May 8, 2010
11
Jacob Peterson - May 8, 2010
Summing the individual LOB of everyone on the team seems like a pointless number.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
It seems like that
because it is pointless.
Jacob Peterson - May 8, 2010
well...
thats where people are getting the stats like Glaus left 9 on base today…
SouthernPanther - May 8, 2010
Yes.
That’s being applied to Glaus. Glaus is an individual player – not the entire team.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
right
SouthernPanther - May 8, 2010
The box score I saw (on Yahoo) said 8.
John Holton - May 9, 2010
Look at "Team LOB". For this game, our team LOB was 11.
the individual numbers added together double count, because they count LOB with less than 2 out. So Glaus and Hinske both got 3 LOB in the 1st even though only one of them ended the inning.
Individual LOB also counts guys who end up scoring. So for instance when Glaus lined out in the 6th with 2 on, he was credited with 2 LOB in his column, but both of those guys actually scored, so they’re really not LOBs in the team sense.
Jacob Peterson - May 8, 2010
Thanks...that's what I was going by.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 8, 2010
what everybody else said
Chief Noc-A-Homa - May 9, 2010
GREAT win today
i hope d. lowe was watching medlan pitch. although he gave up a bunch of singles he put up one really important 0 on the board today: 0BB. we have a phenomenal bullpen as we saw today. the offense will come around, and the starting pitching will be dominant. at some point all three of these will come together and we will be a force in the NL. will we turn it around in time to make the playoffs? well that’s what we play 162 games to find out.
tilton007 - May 9, 2010
In games like this
The official scorer should have option to assign the win to a starter, even though he didn’t go five. I wouldn’t want to make that a habit (and very few guys who went less than five would even deserve one), but when you have a guy who is a spot starter with medium expectations for pitch count going in, he should be eligible. No big deal, but Meds deserved a “W” for his effort today.
And I couldn’t care less how many guys Glaus left on. He brought home the one who gave Billy enough room to work.
I’m also glad Saito rebounded from his last outing. He looked fabulous today.
Sam Jethroe - May 9, 2010
The Braves were losing 1-0 when Medlin left the game. That’s why he didn’t get the win. The 5 inning rule had nothing to do with it.
They took the lead in the 6th inning. That’s why EOF got the win, eventhough he only threw three pitches (!!!). He was the pitcher of record when the Braves took the lead…luck of the Irish.
DCP916 - May 9, 2010
He wouldn’t have gotten the win if he they were up 1-0, either.
Sam Jethroe - May 9, 2010
I thoroughly enjoyed the game
Medlen did a wonderful job in his outing, and as much as I have cringed watching Prado and Chipper allow balls to pass the last few games, the pitchers and defense have been absolutely rabid about inducing Vidros. Seriously, I really can’t recall seeing so many GIDPs in such a short span as this week.
All the BP pitchers today did great work, maybe with the exception of the nervous Kimbrel, but Moylan and Venters both getting out of huge critical jams was gigantic, and Saito was a flat out door slammer in that 8th. And watching Billy Wagner freeze Chase Utley in the 9th had me doing the imaginary chainsaw strikeout motion from my couch, yelling like Tom Hallion.
Great win today, hopefully there will be more of that tomorrow.
royhobbs - May 9, 2010
No other team in baseball is better than finding those just-out-of-reach gaps than the Phillies. Consecutively.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - May 9, 2010
THIS ONE'S FOR MY HOMIE EricGreggWasPaidOff
The combination of FOX and the allure of alcohol wouldn’t let me watch until after the game was nearly over, but I watched the “Enter Sandman” outs at my local Buffalo Wild Wings and was the only consumer to applaud when the Braves won. Let’s go win a series on the road in 10 hours, mkay?
LET’S GO BRAVES!
BraveSaluki - May 9, 2010
i just stared at that thing for like 2 minutes.
Scott Coleman - May 9, 2010
That makes THREE Rainbow Llamasauruses to celebrate this Braves win! Yay!
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 9, 2010
At work early in the morning...
I hope this game helps Bobby realize that he needs to use Hinske as the LH in the LF platoon against RHP.
LHP:
Infante, O.
Prado, M.
Jones, C.
McCann, B.
Glaus, T.
Heyward, J.
Diaz, M.
McLouth, N.
RHP:
McLouth, N.
Prado, M.
Jones, J.
McCann, B.
Heyward, J.
Glaus, T.
Hinske, E.
Infante, O.
Both of those line-ups have amazing potential – and when Esco comes back, are deep 1-8.
Wren_and_Stimpy - May 9, 2010
Agreed
Eric is a very valuable player who can play a number of positions. He was brought in to pinch hit, but he can do a lot more.
John Holton - May 9, 2010
Theres a reason he won ROY.
Tim Goad - May 9, 2010
I had my Mother's Day early with my Mom yesterday and had to DVR the game...
..and watched it late last night. It was so nice to see our guys come away with a WIN against the dang Phillies!!!
The BP sure backed up Medlen and it was nice to see. And better yet, we scored more than 2 runs!
Looking forward to today’s game and hopefully we’ll do to Philly what we couldn’t do to the Nats – and take the series.
.
And.. pet peeve here…. his name is spelled MEDLEN for goodness sake!
.
NCChopper - May 9, 2010
Are you sure?
It’s not Medlin? Or maybe its Medlan?
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 9, 2010
Really?
I thought it was spelt “Boy Wonder”….
Wren_and_Stimpy - May 9, 2010
It’s not that common of a name, people. Chill. I always call him Meds, anyways. But yes, I have accidentally spelled it with the ‘i’.
They’re coming to take me away, ha ha; they’re coming to take me away, ho ho.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - May 9, 2010
Not being bossy, just razzing y’all.
If he was a new player, or a player on the other team I would have said nothing.
It’s not like it’s mentioned all over the recap or anything.. LOL :-P
NCChopper - May 9, 2010
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Talking Chop to post a comment.