Christian Petersen - Getty Images
Brooks Conrad had a big inning and scored the go ahead run in the games final game. Billy Wagner had a solid series, going 3 IP without allowing a run.
The Braves scored 23 runs in this 4 game set without hitting a home run, but only came out with a split in Bobby Cox's last trip to Arizona as the Braves' manager. Many wanted at least 3 games but going .500 on the road is better than what they've been doing most of the season. So as an optimist, it is good to see they are at least treading water away from Turner as of late. Here are the recaps if you missed them:
What we liked:
Billy Wagner pitched well in the three games he was in. In the final game, he did not have his normal stuff but was able to end the game unscathed. His line for the series was: 3 IP, 0 ER, 5 Ks, 2 H, 3 BB, 1 SV.
Tommy Hanson started off game four throwing a lot of pitches and had a very long 3rd inning. Despite the rough inning, he only allowed 2 runs and struck out 10 while allowing just 6 base runners through 5.1innings.
Melky Cabrera had at least 2 hits in the 3 games that he started. His line for the series was: 7-14, 1 BB, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 3 R, 1 SB. Cabrera should see his playing time increase with Nate McLouth's head injury
Kenshin Kawakami had his best start of the season as he went 6 innings, allowed 8 base runners, and struckout 8 while not allowing a run to score. The Braves weren't able to win the game he started, but it is great to see Kawakami dominating such a sturdy lineup.
What we didn't like:
The Braves were pretty awful with runners on base throughout the series and had they come through a bit more, they could have won at least 3 of the 4 games. They stranded 47 runners throughout the course of series, which is a pretty terrible number to say the least.
The Bullpen blew leads late in the series' final 3 games. In the 2nd and 4th games, the Braves were able to come back and win, but they weren't as fortunate in the 3rd. Jonny Venters blew 2 saves and Peter Moylan blew 1.
The collision between Jason Heyward cost the Braves a game due to Gerardo Parra coming around for an inside the park home run. Although some are happy McLouth is now out of the lineup for the time being, the collision did cost the Braves the game and it hurts the team's overall depth and defense.
Derek Lowe was not able to continue his streak of solid starts. He let up 7 runs in 4 innings with 9 base runners allowed. Hopefully, it was just a bad start for Derek and does not become a trend once again.
Series MVP: Melky Cabrera
Series LVP: Derek Lowe
Up Next:
The Braves go up to Minnesota to take on the Twins in their first trip to Target Field. Rain is in the forecast, but hopefully they can squeeze the games in and avoid any cancellations. Tim Hudson, Derek Lowe, and Kris Medlen are the scheduled starters for the weekend series. Personally, winning just 1 would not upset me too much, but winning the series would have me ecstatic as it would lead to an 11 game road trip with more wins than losses.
1 recs | 10 comments
So I was wrong about 3 out of 4...
But I can’t be unhappy with a 3 game lead in the division…
Mike Kerns - June 11, 2010
I thought the Braves would win three of four as well. This was an ugly series.
TonyAlmeyda - June 11, 2010
I love this post!
For it is level-headed…You echo my thoughts exactly. A split with the Dodgers was great as they were hot, too.
I would’ve liked to take 3 of 4 against the D-Backs, but anything can happen on the road (in fact, we could’ve lost any of these games)…The Braves are one of the best home teams, but have struggled away from the Ted…Thus, treading water is fine by me, as this is the longest road-trip of the year and we are still 2.5 games up in the East…
I say we take 1 of 3 at Minny, but I’m with you, a 6-5 road trip would be solid going into our interleague homestand that includes TB and Detroit…
Jman781 - June 11, 2010
Me, four
I thought they would take 3 of 4 from Arizona, as well, but 4-4 on this road trip isn’t bad at all. They are playing better ball on the road than earlier this season. They have been in every game so far. I was looking for a 6-5 road trip and that is still very doable.
DawgB - June 11, 2010
+1
We would’ve gotten 3 out of 4, but there was that UGLY collision. But, we’re in first, so there’s not much to complain about.
MBL1 - June 11, 2010 via mobile
We only took 2 games,
but most importantly, the division lead is still at 2.5. As long as we can keep ahead of the Phillies, I’ll be happy.
Jacob Peterson - June 11, 2010
Oh, and
Series MVP: Melky Cabrera
My four favorite words! (Or to be more precise, my 3 favorite words and 1 favorite acronym.)
Jacob Peterson - June 11, 2010
It would have been nice to have gotten at least 1 home run in AZ.
That series LOB number of 47 – ouch.
I hope Medlen makes his start. I thought I heard he may miss it, so that’s good news if he’s still scheduled.
NCChopper - June 11, 2010
I think if Medlen were in doubt...
they’d have probably delayed Resop’s start last night. After all, if Medlen can’t go, who else do we have for it with JJ on the DL and Venters getting worked pretty hard this week. We don’t really have a “6th starter” right now other than Resop.
Mr. Sanchez - June 11, 2010
Crazy...
In a weird way, I think that those stats show that (a) our offense is potent and (b) that Arizona’s pitching is dreadful…If you would’ve told me that we would strand 47 guys and not have a homer, I would’ve thought that we would have been swept…But instead, we won two games and averaged 5.75 runs per game, even WITH all of those guys stranded…Those figures include the typical KK offensive game (which was blown for different reasons as stated above)…Wow.
Crazy
Jman781 - June 11, 2010
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