I know the Braves of recent vintage have a history of June swoons, but something tells me this team won't follow in that grand tradition. As Joe Simpson said today, "it's not June, it's just May 32nd." The Braves as a team seem to be embracing the "endless May" philosophy, as their first game in June was eerily similar to so many of their May performances: good pitching, good hitting (especially from the Glausosaur), and timely defensive plays.
After Tim Hudson set down the Phillies 1-2-3 to start the game, Troy Glaus* gave the Braves an early lead, smacking another 3-run homer to score Martin Prado and Chipper Jones. Soon after, a rain delay came, knocking out Phillies starter Cole Hamels after just 2/3 of an inning. Six Phillies relievers were able to finish off the last 7.1 innings, but they hardly shut down the torrid Braves offense. The Braves added 2 in the third off of Chad Durbin, 1 in the sixth off of Kenneth Herndon, and 1 in the 8th off of Danys Baez.
* By the way, Glaus is now hitting .277 / .375 / .452 and has 40 RBIs.
Unlike Hamels, Tim Hudson waited out the rain and did not even seem fazed by it, as he pitched 6 excellent innings. His only mistake came when he left a pitch up for Ryan Howard, who belted it for a 2-run homer. (Even that at-bat came with a bit of an asterisk, as home plate umpire Angel Campos blatantly missed a strike 3 call on a previous pitch.) Hudson's final line was 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 HR, 2 BB, 6 K, and 10 out of 17 ground balls (59%). His WPA was 0.144, and yes, he added a hit as a batter to extend his hitting streak to 5 games.
The Braves' bullpen made it somewhat interesting, though the Phillies never got within 4 runs after the 3rd inning. The Phillies entered the 9th down 7-2 but scored a run off of Jonny Venters and loaded the bases. That brought up the tying run in the person of Ryan Howard. Fortunately, Billy Wagner came on and only needed 3 pitches to get Howard to bounce out to end the game.
That makes 7 straight wins for the Braves, and 17 of 21. The division lead is now at 1.5 games, and will grow even larger if the Braves can complete the sweep tomorrow afternoon. Let's keep it going, boys!
MVPs:
Huddy (line above)
Glaus-- 1/2, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 BB (1 IBB), 0.237 WPA
Talking Chop OT Commenters-- 3,503 comments over 3 threads (which I believe is the new record)
Honorable Mention:
Yunel Escobar-- 2/3, RBI, BB, 0.045 WPA
LVPs:
Shane Victorino-- 0/5, 2 K, -0.120 WPA
Hamels-- 0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 1 HR, 1 BB, 1 K, -0.265 WPA
MVP in a losing effort:
Carlos Ruiz-- 2/2, 2 BB, 0.103 WPA (suddenly he's an OBP machine... who knew?)
Clutch Play:
Glaus' homer (duh), 0.228 WPA
Unclutch Play:
Wilson Valdez hitting into a hilarious 5-4-2 double play, with Carlos Ruiz somehow getting thrown out at home (-0.063 WPA)
0 recs | 71 comments
great game!
went to the game, (first game ever at turner field), when I got to my cousin’s house I was soaked of water, didn’t have an umbrella, didn’t care so I stayed at the game and watched a great game!!
Kobe:The Legend - June 2, 2010
Way to tough it out. If you catch a cold, be proud of it!
ATLandUNC - June 2, 2010
I like these kinds of wins, especially against the Phillies.
TonyAlmeyda - June 2, 2010
Wins mean twice as much against the Phillies! (In more ways than one) Hope Lowe can get his number 8, while handing the Braves an 8th straight win.
Joseph_C - June 2, 2010
If DLowe gets the W today. Puts him on pace for 23 or 24 win season. Dude just wins!! 2.88 ERA over last 4 starts makes that less funny
Frozen Fan - June 2, 2010
lol
Smoltz's Beard - June 2, 2010
Keep it up, and maybe the Mets or Yankees will want him this winter
or the Angels even.
Mr. Sanchez - June 2, 2010
We can only hope.
Gage23 - June 2, 2010
Let me tell you something my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.
Mr. Sanchez - June 2, 2010
Shane Victorino was also an LVP for launching a bat into the stands and not even caring if it hit anyone. What a douche.
McCann and McWill - June 2, 2010
He looked pretty concerned to me, he kinda mosied over that way taking several glances.
10-4 - June 2, 2010
Oh please, he's the devil...
acting concerned but really wanting to see if he was able to take out more than one Braves fan. Mama said.
Lizziebeth - June 2, 2010
Victorino apparently not having fun that at-bat. As you said, he threw one in the stands, and upon his next swing he hit McCann in the helmet on his swing! (Prompting hitters interference, and consequently no steal for Dobbd)
Joseph_C - June 2, 2010
Hey Joseph_C,
I saw the comments you were making over at The Good Phight and I liked the point you made about Hudson. I thought it funny that the Phillies fans seemed annoyed that Hudson was upset when he gave up a homer to Howard. I mean was he supposed to be happy that he gave up a homer? Its lame on the part of the people over at The Good Phight that they cant even logically discuss a ballgame with an opposing fan without saying things like “fuck you and fuck Hudson”. The only mistake you made was thinking you could go over there and have an intellignet discussion with some of those guys, I would not have apologized if I were you. That being said, the writers at The Good Phight do a great job and have been classy the whole time.
Shoert - June 2, 2010
The 30-22 Braves
Hudson is the Ace of the staff. Glaus is bringing the Powah finally. Prado is still raking like a gardener. Chipper is getting in a groove. Escobar is heating up. I can’t believe Bobby put in Infante in for a Lefty in LF (new platoon role maybe?). This is the team I think we all envisioned at the beginning of the season. Go Bravos!
romone_braves91 - June 2, 2010
this x 162?
kreese555 - June 2, 2010
yea
the platoon was great. McLouth and hinske on the bench
drumzalicious - June 2, 2010
The platoon was Three Stooge-esqe in the field though.
DogDaysofSummer - June 2, 2010
lol
Heyward can only cover one half
drumzalicious - June 2, 2010
Good win.
Heyward goes hitless but still on base twice in the night. Gotta love it
drumzalicious - June 2, 2010
As long as he is seeing the ball well and not having bad at bats, he will get hits. Righty tomorrow so I expect a decent show for him.
romone_braves91 - June 2, 2010
It's not like he's been hitting dribblers to the shortstop (LOL YUNEL) either.
About 1/3 to 1/2 of his outs in this mini-slump have been balls to the warning track…liners straight to people etc.
DogDaysofSummer - June 2, 2010
1/2 is a bit high but I made my point.
DogDaysofSummer - June 2, 2010
The Braves actually have been winning without Heyward! When Heyward starts getting his usual power hits, I suppose we won’t only win….we’ll dominate!
Joseph_C - June 2, 2010
He going to struggle but he’s doing good right now. His walking alot and still hitting the ball really hard, just right at people.
Braves24 - June 2, 2010
Great picture!
Even if it was yesterday. Let’s hope to see 20, 25 more of the same by seasons end!
oVecKid - June 2, 2010 via mobile
Great game!
I was so glad I went to this game. Didn’t even get wet just moved up to the covered areas when the rain came. (It was actually funny to see the rain slowly coming towards us and all the fans running for cover.)
Heyward also crushed two pitches tonight. Could have easily been two homers if not for landing just foul and just short of the right center field wall.
GwinnettBraves - June 2, 2010 via mobile
Also
This the first recap with no mention of the Almighty Jason Heyward?
GwinnettBraves - June 2, 2010 via mobile
Yup. Apparently the super good (seven-straight) Braves have room for improvement still. And that isn’t a bad thing either. I’m loving this season!
Joseph_C - June 2, 2010
Heyward was also 0/5 on Monday
So now the Braves are winning games, even when Jason takes an 0-fer. With Freeman hurting his knee, does anyone think it’s time to try to re-sign Glaus for next year? We will probably have to pay him way more than he’s making this year. But if we make him an offer now, we can probably lock him up and have insurance for Freeman, Chipper, et al.
DawgB - June 2, 2010
The stadium filled up dramatically after the rain…but you could see people walking away even as Glaus jacked his homer….Why do people leave if they pay for a game?
Joseph_C - June 2, 2010
they weren't leaving the game
they were taking cover from the rain as it started to rain pretty hard
atl192485 - June 2, 2010
Understood
Must be more cover than I thought at Turner! Haven’t been there yet…. :(
Joseph_C - June 2, 2010
Great win for the braves!!
Keep the streak alive! Everyone on the team seems to be hot or heating up. As for McLouth, I swear I’m not bashing the guy, but I think it would be a good idea to drop him to AA for a bit. He obviously has some issues he needs to work out. It would be a stress free environment to work on his swing. Blanco/Melky could fill in. They would have to play very poorly to perform any worse. I just want to see Nate succeed. Go Braves!!
Frozen Fan - June 2, 2010 via mobile
Something needs to change, that's for certain.
Unlike the Glaus Cannon, Chumper Jones, and even the Melkman who were showing signs of promise during their respective slumps Nate has just looked overmatched at the plate. I think a lot of that has to do with pitcher’s finding that massive hole in his swing. This isn’t something that is just going to be fixed with a little extra face time with TP (or any batting coach, for that matter). I mean we are talking about him maybe completely overhauling his swing.
DogDaysofSummer - June 2, 2010
Agreed, except for the “Chumper Jones” part. Don’t know how Nate could drop so far, so fast. I wish Jordan Schafer could start hitting his stride. If he hadn’t got injured last year, I doubt Nate would even be a brave.
Frozen Fan - June 2, 2010
"Agreed, except for the "Chumper Jones" part"
What, you don’t agree with “START INFANTE!!!!!!”? Are you saying that Chumper Jones won’t hit .220 this season?
That’s crazy talk.
DogDaysofSummer - June 2, 2010
We have to start Infante over Chipper! However, after Prado’s 1-4 effort tonight, and Jason Heyward going 0-8 in the last two games, I finally see them for the terrible ballplayers they are. I think all braves fan must unite, and DEMAND that we trade them for Kelly Johnson and Jeff Francoeur! We need to get back to playing some winning baseball!
Frozen Fan - June 2, 2010
what hole?
any link to this?
someguy1 - June 2, 2010
The hole in McLouth’s swing? I’m assuming DogDays is talking about how he continually get’s busted up and in and never has a chance with that uppercut swing.
Smoltz's Beard - June 2, 2010
Seriously.
It doesn’t even have to be up half the time either.
DogDaysofSummer - June 2, 2010
Very true.
Smoltz's Beard - June 2, 2010
I don't know that he has a hole in his swing
The whole motion is very smooth and balanced; I think he’s having trouble either seeing pitches or judging them — maybe he need some Heaptacles.
skymuse - June 2, 2010
Is it too much to hope
That people will get past their Mark Bowmanitis and get off of Escobar’s ass already?
The Phillies can’t field for sour apple shit. That’s been true for a while, now.
I think I speak for most of us who were following this team in ’08 when I say that any time that jackass Victorino looks bad, I feel all warm and fuzzy.
Sam Jethroe - June 2, 2010
Escobar suxxxx
So does Glaus and KK. Trade them all for whatever F- prospect we can get.
Trade the farm for A-Gon.
Fire Bobby and TP.
Blow up Turner Field.
DogDaysofSummer - June 2, 2010
That about covers it.
How did McDowell manage to stay off that particular Shit List™? He’s a regular Andrei Gromyko.
Sam Jethroe - June 2, 2010
Bring back Dayton Moore.
DogDaysofSummer - June 2, 2010
Fuck Victorino
Although, the Braves always shut him down, anyway.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - June 2, 2010
Talking Chop had....
3,504 comments in the 3 Gamethreads tonight. Keep it up everybody. That’s freakin awesome.
Scott Coleman - June 2, 2010
Out of all the Phillies, Victorino is the biggest uber-douche!
JadedMayberry - June 2, 2010
I hope you all get tired of seeing this graphic before the season is over ;-)
NCChopper - June 2, 2010
Never!!! Time to update the post-it not. This years team deserves a sweep the series box.
Frozen Fan - June 2, 2010
Never get tired of that. Sweeping other teams. Now that's annoying.
Frozen Fan - June 2, 2010
I’m on it…. be back.
NCChopper - June 2, 2010
How is this?
NCChopper - June 2, 2010
veryyyy nice
MDBraves49 - June 2, 2010
Be better with both boxes checked...
Hopefully we can view that this afternoon!
TCfromDubVee - June 2, 2010
Awesome!
Frozen Fan - June 2, 2010
I like.
Gage23 - June 2, 2010
I thought there was one?
TCfromDubVee - June 2, 2010
Anyone know when they’re coming out with the next updated NL allstar voting?
MDBraves49 - June 2, 2010
I guess you want to see how many more votes Rollins gets without playing.
DogDaysofSummer - June 2, 2010
I want to throw up every time i see all those Phillies in there. Especially Rollins. Just trying to see how Heyward and Prado are doing
MDBraves49 - June 2, 2010
lingsched - June 2, 2010
just awesome
CoxXx - June 2, 2010
I was just over on The good phight, looking at comments. They hate Huddy now. The fans are really awful there….Not that I’m surprised…
MBL1 - June 2, 2010
So, what you are saying is that Troy Glaus is a good hitter and that we shouldn’t have freaked out when he only hit singles?
justincredubil02 - June 2, 2010 via mobile
He still has a very small number of doubles
Mr. Sanchez - June 2, 2010
wow…
Smoltz's Beard - June 2, 2010
please tell me you can see the sarcasm font on that one...
although on the more specific subject in a serious manner, I qualified my position at the time of accusation with multiple “at this time” remarks indicating while I thought Glaus was making good contact throught March and April, it wasn’t resulting in extra bases up to that point, and while it could (and obviously has) improve in the near future, the man needed to start hitting more than just singles (which he has, and we can see the impact hitting for extra bases has had as a result).
Mr. Sanchez - June 2, 2010
and one more thing,...
the man has 4 doubles so far. 4, in over 200 plate appearances! He’s obviously having a great year and well deserving of player of the month honors in May, but you’re a liar if you say you’d have expected just 4 doubles out of the man when we are in June, barring an injury. It is a shockingly small number considering he entered today with 9 HR, and had 2 in 1/6 the at bats last year, and seems to generally get around 30 when he plays a full season.
So while the comment was said in complete and total jest in context, it is a true and accurate statement.
Mr. Sanchez - June 2, 2010
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