Christian Petersen - Getty Images
Chipper Jones and Melky Cabrera combined to go 3-7 with 3 walks on the Braves' 11-7 victory over the Diamondbacks.
The Braves bullpen proved to be not as bad as the Diamondbacks as the Braves came away with the victory despite blowing a 5 run lead late in the game. Brooks Conrad got the big 9th inning started with a single and stole 2nd after a Melky Cabrera strikeout. Pinch hitter Brian McCann got the green light on 3-0 and took a Chad Qualls pitch through the hole on the right side of the infield. Conrad came racing around third and barely beat a strong throw from Justin Upton as Brooks snuck around a well-blocked plate by catcher John Hester. Atlanta tacked on 3 more insurance runs thanks to hits by Martin Prado and Jason Heyward, and a sacrifice fly from Troy Glaus.
This was yet another back-and-forth battle between two of the higher scoring offenses in the National League. Atlanta put together a 5 run 5th inning but Christhian Martinez and Jonny Venters combined for 5 runs allowed in just 1.1 innings pitched. None of the 3 runs Venters allowed to score were earned, although that is due to Jonny committing a throwing error on what could have been a double play. Billy Wagner came in to pitch the 9th but did not have his best stuff. He allowed the Diamondbacks to load the bases, but with 1 out struck out Rusty Ryal and Chris Snyder to end the game.
David Ross and Martin Prado both had solid days at the plate. Ross came through with 2 big hits including an RBI double, and Martin Prado reached base 5 times with 3 singles and 2 walks. Chris Young hit his 10th home run of the year off of Martinez in the 7th inning, the only home run of the game. The man Prado replaced at 2nd base, Kelly Johnson, had another huge day against the Braves and was the main culprit in the Diamondbacks 3 run 8th inning. Kelly came up with the bases loaded against Venters and hit a double down the line, plating all 3 baserunners and tying the game at 7.
Tommy Hanson threw a career high 121 pitches through just 5.1 innings. He struck out 10 and was effective aside from a long 3rd inning. Dontrelle Willis could not find the zone the entire game. He lasted just 4 innings while walking 6, but he was charged with just 2 earned runs. Chad Qualls and Cesar Valdez allowed the rest as they combined for 1 full inning and allowed 9 runs to come across to score.
This was definitely a wild one, and thankfully the Braves were able to come out on top. It would have been a heartbreaking loss considering they had a 5 run lead as late as the 7th inning. It wasn't a greatly played or greatly pitched game, but a win is a win. The Braves split the series 2-2 and are sitting at 4-4 as they head into Minnesota to close out the 11 game road trip.
Tomorrow night Tim Hudson (6-1, 2.44 ERA) squares off with Francisco Liriano (5-3, 3.10 ERA) and the Minnesota Twins at 8:10 EST as the Braves play their first interleague game of the year and start their first ever series at Target Field.
0 recs | 134 comments
Yunel
Scott Coleman - June 10, 2010 via mobile
iPhone fail.
Scott Coleman - June 10, 2010 via mobile
Yunel Escobar looked great today
I love the walks. His OBP is almost up to .350.
Scott Coleman - June 10, 2010 via mobile
His BB/K ratio is great this year. What has me concerned is the power. I think it’s his swing more than anything, not the kind of loft you would like to see out of him just yet…
BenDuronio - June 10, 2010
To be honest, I’m not really looking for Esco to supply the power. I’d much rather have his defense and higher avg/obp than have him swinging for the fences. I’d certainly take a few HRs and doubles though.
Scott Coleman - June 10, 2010 via mobile
He’s taking his walks lately too.
MBL1 - June 10, 2010 via mobile
I just don’t want it on the ground anymore, more liners and I’m fine. That will lead to more gappers and occasionally the homer, I just have seen too many grounders come off his bat this year. He’ll get it straightened out though, he’s already begun to. Like you said, we’ve gotten kind of spoiled by his production as SS isn’t really a offensive position and he provides enough defense for it to mask his limited power thus far.
BenDuronio - June 10, 2010
Looking at his batted ball profile
After his first season he start trading LD for FB’s and also had an increase in HR/FB. This trend persisted until this year, where he’s hitting an all time low LD. So yeah, it’ll be good to see some more LD’s back. But he’s not Juan Pierre so I expect the HR/FB to improve from 0. I think he should do exactly what he’s been doing, namely not making outs.
fphjr01 - June 10, 2010
don't know how I missed it
Since I was looking RIGHT AT the batted ball profile, but apparently Yunel has been popping up at an all-time career high. His first 3 years he was under 4% and so far he’s popping up at a 14.6% rate. That’s a bit of a red flag to watch out for going forward.
fphjr01 - June 10, 2010
It's a red flag
But, if I remember correctly, pop-up rate can be very driven by luck.
Bronn - June 10, 2010
I’m fine with him not hitting with a lot of power. He just needs to continue to take walks and hopefully hit more liners
Braves24 - June 10, 2010
I agree, but I there’s just a nagging sort of vision in my head that shows Yunel flashing maad power his first year. Maybe I invented it in my mind, or maybe he’s going for avg (in general), but my hopes (or frustrations) seem to be tainted by wanting more XBHs and HRs. B/c I think he’s got it in him.
Also, he could turn a couple 2Bs into 3Bs with his hustle.
traphicg - June 10, 2010
He only hit 10 hrs is first year, and 14 last year with 24,26 2Bs respectively. Once he starts hitting more doubles, I think the hrs will come.
Braves24 - June 10, 2010
yea, it’s incredible how his OBP is skyrocketing. can’t wait until his power comes back
atl192485 - June 10, 2010
He’s certainly doing better than earlier in the year. Which is good to see.
For some reason, I’ve never considered Yunel a HR hitter but more of a guy who will find holes in the defense and get his RBIs that way. I’m almost afraid if he starts trying to hit for the fences and get homers, it will hurt more than help. The thing that surprises me about him is for all his speed at defense, his baserunning is always… interesting.
NCChopper - June 11, 2010
Yeah, he doesn't seem that fast on the basepaths...
and I don’t expect him to ever steal 20 bases, even double digits is a stretch.
Mr. Sanchez - June 11, 2010
For those who missed it the first time
I whipped up a little somethin’ about what Nate was up to today.
TheLetter2 - June 10, 2010
a clusterf*ck of a win
but i’ll take it. meanwhile, the braves (tentatively) have the best run-differential in the NL, and have scored the 2nd most runs in the NL (!!!!!)
atl192485 - June 10, 2010
now imagine if we could convert baserunners better
SuperHeyward - June 10, 2010
Meanwhile, I am the biggest Josh Johnson fan tonight…
BenDuronio - June 10, 2010
i wouldn’t mind seeing stanton take halladay deep…
atl192485 - June 10, 2010
Johnson tonight:
8 IP, 3 H, 0 R.
I think he took that perfect game Halladay threw against him personally.
Jacob Peterson - June 10, 2010
to be fair...
Halladay’s line was like :
7 IP 4H 1R or something close
traphicg - June 11, 2010
just saying, its not like halladay bombed or anything. It was an awesome pitchers duel.
traphicg - June 11, 2010
Listened to the postgame show on the radio in the car. They said the total of pitches for the game was 411, and that somewhere, Greg Maddux is rolling his eyes
MBL1 - June 10, 2010 via mobile
It took foreverrr. Did they show the fan running on the field? He got mauled out there by security lol
Scott Coleman - June 10, 2010 via mobile
No – it was on the radio.
Was that fan you? DONT LIE
MBL1 - June 10, 2010 via mobile
Haha no, promise it wasn’t me. It was an older guy actually. Probably 50 or 55.
Scott Coleman - June 10, 2010 via mobile
Lol wish i could have seen that!
MBL1 - June 10, 2010 via mobile
I saw a picture of it when he’s down and I was like did this old guy have a heart attack? Didn’t really get what was going on, now I understand haha.
BenDuronio - June 10, 2010
Follicly challenged carbohydrate addict
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/atl/gallery/im:urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,getty:20050301:mlb,photo,3df7c9bdff83591dc7eada7b6b159950-getty-95688638cp015_atlanta_brave:1
Any chance it’s David Wells?
Sam Jethroe - June 11, 2010
CyborgHanson says...
DESIRE TO ENTER OUTFIELD HOTTUB TO ENGAGE IN PHYSICALLY GRATIFYING YET EMOTIONALLY EMPTY ACTS WITH FEMALE HUMANS.
MBL1 - June 10, 2010 via mobile
aren’t cyborgs programmed to not enter into sexual relations with humans?
atl192485 - June 10, 2010
How should i know that? GOOGLE IT
MBL1 - June 10, 2010 via mobile
Good win
It was ugly but we won. It feels like we lost this series but we managed to split it
Braves24 - June 10, 2010
Charlie Manuel...are you stupid?
For his allstar staff he selected the Padres’ manager and the Giants’ manager. Didn’t pick Bobby…are you stupid? I guess there’s a rule that if your last name is manuel and you’re a MLB manager, you have to be stupid.
Sorry for my little rant there. I just don’t see why Manuel didn’t pick Bobby. :(
MBL1 - June 10, 2010 via mobile
wow is this true?
fuck charlie manuel. fuck him.
atl192485 - June 10, 2010
+infinity and a dozen donuts
Its true. Go jump off a cliff manuel
MBL1 - June 10, 2010 via mobile
I have this sinking feeling he’s going to pick all Phillies. I hope I’m wrong.
Would it be a stretch to say Martin Prado should start over Chase Utley?
TonyAlmeyda - June 10, 2010
No.
Not a stretch at all. Manuel is a total jerk.
MBL1 - June 10, 2010 via mobile
Just look at their careers. Prado in a landslide.
VivaLosBravos - June 11, 2010
I hope you’re wrong too, but I have a feeling Manuel will be Manuel.
Look for an AL (vs) Phillies All-Star Game.
NCChopper - June 11, 2010
Bobby may have turned it down. He turned down Clint Hurdle in 2008 when the game was at Yankee Stadium.
10-4 - June 11, 2010
If Bobby wasn’t offered, any shred of class that might have been in the Phillies organization has left the building – for good.
NCChopper - June 11, 2010
Lol. I love cyborg
HUMAN TEAMMATE HEYWARD JASON FOR FRANCHISE MVP AFTER TAKING MATTERS INTO OWN HANDS AND REMOVING MCLOUTH NATE FROM LINEUP VIA COLLISION.
GoBravesNY - June 10, 2010 via mobile
Thats been posted about 20 times lately
MBL1 - June 10, 2010 via mobile
Haha. Whoops
GoBravesNY - June 10, 2010 via mobile
first time i've seen it. pretty clever haha
kreese555 - June 11, 2010
Anyone else have that feeling.....
Last year, I think I would have turned off the game after giving up a 5-run lead but this year I’m staying and eating rolaids throughout most of ’em!!!
traphicg - June 10, 2010
did anyone see the triple play the mets grounded into today?
LOLMETS
atl192485 - June 10, 2010
yeah
Was Frenchy involved?
MBL1 - June 10, 2010 via mobile
he was on first
but ruben tejada was batting
atl192485 - June 10, 2010
wait wait wait....
grounded into?
AvoidTheDolphin - June 10, 2010
5-4-3
atl192485 - June 10, 2010
i wonder if frenchy
can pull off a lifetime triple-play cycle, where he occupies each base during a triple play.
he’s already got first and home covered
atl192485 - June 10, 2010
That’s be hilarious
MBL1 - June 10, 2010 via mobile
So weird to see “two of the higher scoring offenses in the National League” on a Braves recap.
Richard R - June 10, 2010
if i told you in april
that we would be #2 in runs scored in the NL in mid-june, would you have believed me?
atl192485 - June 10, 2010
I would have
though I would have been moderately surprised.
Jacob Peterson - June 10, 2010
It's funny
Because living in New York and listening to talk radio up here, you realize how little they pay attention to teams outside of the area. The genuine consensus is that the Braves can’t hit well enough to seriously contend for a playoff spot and that the Phillies will easily take it over once they get going. I guess they haven’t realized that literally half of the Braves offense is under-performing. Escobar, Jones, McCann, and McLouth or whomever they put in center should hit substantially better than they have over the first two months. While that also means the guys who are hot like Heyward, Glaus, and Prado will come down, when our other guys get hot it should keep us right near the top in runs scored.
BenDuronio - June 10, 2010
I don’t think you could have said that better. My favorite though, is whenever Los Mets win a single game, Francessa thinks they are suddenly WS contenders again and brings someone like Olney to figure out what pieces they need
GoBravesNY - June 10, 2010
francessa is one of the dumber sports commentators in the US. Rob Dibble and Joe Morgan are his main rivals
telemakhos - June 10, 2010
oh yeah, obviously. Somehow he has a radio show from 1-6:30 and my carpool will only listen to him. At least when Mad Dog was there it was fun. Not anymore
GoBravesNY - June 10, 2010
I feel like Prado and Glaus are playing well within their capabilities. Check out their career stats.
Heyward may have some cool stretches here and there, but I feel like he can maintain production in the .850-.900 OPS range pretty easily… Mac and Esco almost certainly will continue to get better, but I’m having my doubts about Chipper (power) and McLouth (everything).
get swoll yunel - June 10, 2010
Melky
should be better than McLouth has been, if given the chance (offensively, anyway). Rest assured, we won’t put up with a .570 OPS from CF all year.
Jacob Peterson - June 10, 2010
melky will be fine at the plate, as long as he
1. learns how to bunt
2. stops whiffing at sliders in the dirt
atl192485 - June 10, 2010
This. Please. And soon.
NCChopper - June 11, 2010
I still hate the idea of a pinch bunter...
couldn’t Huddy do that and not waste a more valuable batter/defensive player?
Mr. Sanchez - June 11, 2010
At its current state, Glaus’ numbers are right in line with his career, definitely. A few weeks ago it was all right there aside from the slugging percentage but now since he has traded in some singles for doubles it’s increased closer to his career norm as expected. My point was mainly that he won’t be as hot as he’s been, and he hopefully won’t be as cold as he was in April either.
Chipper won’t hit for power from the left side anymore. I felt that way midway through last year and ever since then all he has done is validate my opinion. I really do have faith in Nate coming back. I may be the only Braves’ follower or blogger that has that opinion but he’s been to productive over the past few years for me to lose faith in him completely. His end of season numbers won’t look good pretty much no matter what, but I think he can straighten himself out eventually.
BenDuronio - June 10, 2010
Is anyone else concerned about Glaus' legs?
It seems that whenever he is trucking into second for a double, he is limping slightly. Does he have an injury or just nagging stuff that a day off could help resolve?
kreese555 - June 11, 2010
I believe he’s had a bit of a hurt foot for a good while now. I notice him limping in the dugout a lot as well.
BenDuronio - June 11, 2010
He fouled a ball off his foot a while back that really got him. I’m sure its just a bruise and soreness that he’s dealing with, but like a lot of other guys, he could probably really use a day or two off to rest.
Rhyno18 - June 11, 2010
Which is why I hope a lot of our guys get snubbed for the AS game...
Heyward, Glaus, McCann, they could use a few days off.
Mr. Sanchez - June 11, 2010
Phillies down to their last strike
fphjr01 - June 10, 2010
fish win 2-0
halladay gets KK’d
atl192485 - June 10, 2010
That's got to be a JVL if there ever was one?
fphjr01 - June 10, 2010
no kidding
atl192485 - June 10, 2010
+0.333 WPA
Definite JVL for Halladay
fphjr01 - June 10, 2010
Yup.
Definite JVL. His 2nd of the year. Funny thing is that Johnson got a JVL in the perfect game, too. Every time those guys meet, it’s a JVL.
Amazingly, Jonathan Sanchez has 3 JVLs already this year. The others with 2: Wainwright, Oswalt, Hamels, Moyer (!), Greinke, and Pavano (!!). Vazquez himself has 1. No Brave has a JVL yet.
Jacob Peterson - June 10, 2010
KK would have qualified yesterday
If he’d only been around long enough to qualify. I’m assuming, at least.
Bronn - June 10, 2010
Well
can’t get a JVL if you don’t get the L.
But he met the other criteria, yes.
Jacob Peterson - June 10, 2010
Phils win
terrific pitching by both Johnson and Halladay. Johnson comes out on top.
fphjr01 - June 10, 2010
Um…u mean Fish win?
Johnson says: WHAT PERFECT GAME?
MBL1 - June 10, 2010 via mobile
Ooops
fphjr01 - June 10, 2010
chris resop's final line
9IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 8K
atl192485 - June 10, 2010
geez
please bring him to replace Chavez or someone
jaypatel - June 10, 2010
Only 8 Ks?
The man is slacking off.
Bronn - June 10, 2010
serious?
thats great
Braves24 - June 10, 2010
Wow
Bet ‘Zona wouldn’t mind having him on their staff…
get swoll yunel - June 10, 2010
who do we want back?
kelly johnson?
atl192485 - June 10, 2010
Upton and Mark Reynolds for Resop and Jo Jo.
Scott Coleman - June 10, 2010 via mobile
um how bout Resop and Nate for Conor Jackson or Parra
jaypatel - June 10, 2010
One hit shutout!
CALL HIM UP NOW
MBL1 - June 10, 2010 via mobile
And he got the win
He’s clearly better than KK.
Bronn - June 10, 2010
Hopefully
Frank won’t settle for some low-ball offer for Resop. He could probably fill in for us as a 4th-5th starter right now and be as good as Lowe. For the league minimum, he could give us some value.
Bronn - June 10, 2010
We could shuffle Lowe into the 'pen
and use Resop for a few starts, the way he’s going, until someone gets desperate close to the all-star break.
Bronn - June 10, 2010
would you trade resop for a league-average CF?
.270 BA with .750 OPS with average defense? i would.
atl192485 - June 10, 2010
no!!!
that’s the description of jeff francouer right now.
.268/.326/.419
for an ops of .745
Don’t do it!
telemakhos - June 10, 2010
that's why i clarified center-fielder
a .750 OPS would be a huge upgrade over nate mclouth
atl192485 - June 10, 2010
frenchy would probably be an average defensive CF
telemakhos - June 10, 2010
I really doubt that. His range is pretty limited in RF; in CF it would be horrendous.
Most of his defensive value is tied up in his arm.
get swoll yunel - June 10, 2010
still, he sort of fits the description, and I do not want frenchy anywhere near this team
telemakhos - June 10, 2010
Aye
frozendesert - June 10, 2010
i'll respectfully disagree
atl192485 - June 10, 2010
Frenchy in CF? LOLOLOLOLOL
Scott Coleman - June 10, 2010 via mobile
I am sure that Melky
can put up a .750 OPS (or close to it) for the rest of the year. Of course we might not be able to tolerate his defense in CF.
Jacob Peterson - June 10, 2010
he has made some nice catches out there though
and we play much better with him batting in the lineup than with Nate who records automatic outs it seems like every single PA
SouthernPanther - June 11, 2010
When Nate gets back
Melky should have the everyday CF role. Man’s up to almost .250 after having a terrible April. Plus, he would know to stay out of Jason Heywards way…
michaelcooksey - June 11, 2010
Well, I don’t know about that, but Melky would probably have been too slow to have been in Heyward’s way.
Rhyno18 - June 11, 2010
Haha, true!
I love how so many people are on the Melky train right now, despite how his overall numbers look (still really bad). It goes to show that people on TC can separate his (almost unbelievably bad) start from his true talent level.
Jacob Peterson - June 11, 2010
MVP MVP MVP
some of us have been believers since the start….he’s a WINNAR
bpk228480 - June 11, 2010
Bruce Chen, 3-0 4.01 ERA… Bruce… Chen.
BenDuronio - June 11, 2010
haha… I can’t believe that guy is still pitching.
I remember when he was our best prospect for awhile after Andruw got promoted to the show…
get swoll yunel - June 11, 2010
So what’s the thinking…chipper dh tomm?
ottie - June 11, 2010 via mobile
Dang! Just realized we are gonna miss out on huddys hot bat tomm…
ottie - June 11, 2010 via mobile
I liked Joe's idea
Of using Glaus at DH and having Prado play first, with Omar covering second.
Sam Jethroe - June 11, 2010
sounds about right
kreese555 - June 11, 2010
I've been trying
To finagle a scenario that puts Prado, Yunel and Omar on the field at the same time for a while. I liked what I saw today.
Sam Jethroe - June 11, 2010
what about brooksy manning third?
chip DH and let everyone else chill out
MacsGlasses - June 11, 2010
this
SouthernPanther - June 11, 2010
yay!
i should be manager
MacsGlasses - June 11, 2010
although you've been absent from Heap's face for a little while...
should give you some free time.
kreese555 - June 11, 2010
he seems to be doin alright
MacsGlasses - June 11, 2010
against righties, sure
but not against lefties. brooksy hasn’t proven he can hit lefties.
atl192485 - June 11, 2010
If you missed Melky high fiving the ump
here it is.
TheBravestWay To Block A Decent Prospect - June 11, 2010
hahaha
this is great
SouthernPanther - June 11, 2010
haha joe just kinda goes with it
ATLBRVS_19 - June 11, 2010
Melky's
expression is priceless. “Ummm…. aight. High five!”
frozendesert - June 11, 2010
Melky
really does look like an elf in the picture they used at Chase Field
Scott Coleman - June 11, 2010
I thought that's what I saw
Joe is mellowing out. 10 years ago he would have flipped.
Sam Jethroe - June 11, 2010
So let me get this straight..Christian Martinez has pitched for 2 straight days? Is the world ending?
10-4 - June 11, 2010
yes. meteor will hit any minute
Rhyno18 - June 11, 2010
And Craig Kimbrel only used twice in a week...
why not see if the kid can do what we want him to do?
Mr. Sanchez - June 11, 2010
How would we feel if we let D. Ross catch today and put in Mac as the DH?
FalconUdean - June 11, 2010
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