Take a wild guess at who's now tied for the best record in the National League? Your Atlanta Braves.
This game wasn't looking good early. To be honest, the Braves were looking like the Braves of April. Runners were being left on base. Opposing pitchers were driving in runs. The soft groundballs were finding a way to roll through the infield. You know how it went.
Tommy Hanson was on the mound for the Braves and pitched well, despite struggling with command at times. Hanson did settle in a bit as the game went on, and was able to battle through 6 innings and 118 pitches.
The Dodgers got on the board in the 2nd inning when Dodgers pitcher Chad Billingsley hit a double to the CF wall that scored Blake DeWitt without a throw. Andre Ethier then drove in the 2nd run of the night with a deep sac-fly to RF, which scored Matt Kemp from 3rd.
Despite having quite a few runners on, the Braves were unable to bring any of them to the plate. Something changed in the 7th inning though. Yunel Escobar led off the inning with a single up the middle and Nate McLouth "ric flair'd" a ball to the RF gap. Brooks Conrad came in to pinch hit for Hanson and delivered with a line-drive up the middle that Billingsley just missed. The Braves were finally on the board, but still trailed by one.
Joe Torre had seen enough and pulled his starter and brought in Ramon Troncoso from the bullpen. Martin Prado laid down a sacrifice bunt to move McLouth and Conrad into scoring position. Omar Infante then ripped a single to LF which scored 2 runners to put the Braves ahead 3-2. After a walk to Jason Heyward, Brian McCann came through. BMac inside-outed a ball to LF and just missed a HR by inches. Infante scored easily and Heyward, despite being held up at 3B by Brian Snitker, ran through the stop sign and beat the throw to the plate by inches. Braves led 5-2.
Mr. May MVP himself Troy Glaus then came to the plate and hit his 5th HR in 8 games, driving in McCann from 2nd. Glaus' 11th HR of the season essentially ended the game for the Dodgers, as they wouldn't be able to come back from such a deficit. The Braves added on in the 8th when Brian McCann drove in McLouth and Prado with a single to the right-center field gap. The Braves led 9-2 heading into the 9th.
Craig Kimbrel came in to pitch the 9th. He gave up a run, but still struck out 3 in the inning, including Matt Kemp and Manny Ramirez to close out the game. With Saito out for a few weeks, the Braves will need Kimbrel to fill a late-inning role.
Braves win 9-3!
Good, Bad and Ugly after the jump...
1. Brian McCann - 2-for-4, 2B, 4RBI
2. Tommy Hanson - 6IP, 8H, 2ER, 2BB, 6K
3. Omar Infante - 2-for-4, 2RBI single in the 7th
4. Troy Glaus - 1-for-5, HR(11), 2 RBI (44; now the NL leader)
5. Brooks Conrad - For as bad as Brooks looks at times, he really delivers in the clutch. His RBI single in the 7th kept the inning going, depsite being down 0-2 in the count.
The Bad:
1. Nate McLouth - 1-for-4, 4 LOB
2. Braves runners LOB: 9
The Ugly:
1. The Dodgers Bullpen - 3IP, 7H, 6H, 3BB, 3K; Ouch.
2. Home Plate Umpire Mike Murchlinski - Horrible all night. One inning you couldn't throw a strike, the next inning every pitch within 2 feet of the plate was a strike.
3. Tommy Hanson giving up a 2-out double to Chad Billingsley - Come on Tommy. You're better than that. This really would've stung if the Braves lost this game by a run or two.
Open Thread Comments Count: 2,318
Upcoming Game: The Braves will conclude their 4-game series in LA tomorrow afternoon. John Ely will pitch for the Dodgers and Timmy Hudson will be on the mound for the Braves. First pitch at 4:10EST.
GO BRAVES!
0 recs | 96 comments
No more Rainbow Llamasaurus withdrawal!
That one night without him was rough.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - June 6, 2010
Of all the mythical creatures, Rainbow Llamasaurus is the most mythical
Rally Monkey : 2002 Anaheim Angels :: Rainbow Llamasaurus : 2010 Atlanta Braves
BraveSaluki - June 6, 2010
fun facts
-we’re tied for the second most runs scored in the NL with milwaukee (after cincinnati), and that’s after a horrible april.
-we’ve got the second best run differential in the NL (first is st. louis)
it’s a bad time for the padres to be crashing down to earth. hopefully they can salvage a split in the series vs. the phillies the next two days.
atl192485 - June 6, 2010
Moyer has thrown two complete games this year. One against us. One against the Padres. WTF?
BullManUGA - June 6, 2010
Didn't look good for awhile there
Good job Braves!!! Big win tonight!
Nova Scotia Steve - June 6, 2010 via mobile
Chipper Jones threw me a ball!
Good win!
homerun - June 6, 2010
Exactly the kind of game
We’ve lost a lot of over the last 4-5 years. Good starting pitching holding the opposition down and keeping it close in spite of them seeming to be in total command of the game and then, sometime in the last few innings, WHAM!
So much more fun to be on the good side of games like that.
Nice work from Moylan tonight. That’s very good to see.
Sam Jethroe - June 6, 2010
Troy Glaus
IS HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!! That’s what I used to think, I’m embarrassed by my impatience. So glad I’m wrong (obviously he’s been raking for a month). I just remember being at game 4 of that wretched St. Louis series and hearing a Braves fan a few rows behind me (there are always a lot at Cards games) scream “You’re WORTHLESS!” as loud and hatefully as he possibly could after Glaus struck out.
I think my favorite memory now is how many STL fans made fun of me for the Braves picking up Glaus. It’s nice to see them eat their words. It’s nice to see Troy Glaus be Troy Glaus
foxrobe - June 6, 2010
I was extremely pessimistic directly after the signing (and especially after April). It sure is looking like a good 3 mil spent.
HOWEVER, .850 OPS from 1B isn’t THAT great, and there’s still a long way left in the season. If he can keep proving me wrong, that would be fine with me!!!
kbertling353 - June 6, 2010
no, .850 OPS is pretty GREAT
it’s not pujols/votto ELITE, but it’s pretty great. only 5 1B have a higher OPS than troy in the NL, and for what we’re paying him, he’s a steal.
atl192485 - June 6, 2010
oh no don’t get me wrong, its good… im just saying just because hes leading the league in RBIs doesn’t mean hes been one of the best first basemen.
if he’s at 850 OPS in september, I’ll be damn excited. because getting that kind of production out of a 3 mil fill in is a damn good deal for us
kbertling353 - June 6, 2010
also im really drunk right now
kbertling353 - June 6, 2010
hell yeah, brah!
Bravely going forward - June 6, 2010
But the .942 OPS he put up in May was pretty decent.
Oh and the 1.380 OPS he’s working on in June is alright too.
April is still dragging his overall numbers down a bit. By the end of the season I won’t be surprised to see him OPSing over .900. This looks like the Glaus of the early 2000’s
ATLandUNC - June 6, 2010
I was at the game tonight and some scrub in front of me asked his buddy if that was the same Troy Glaus from the Angels a couple years back, then yelled “RETIRE!!!” Next pitch Troy goes deep. Pretty funny watching his shame as Troy rounded the bases.
homerun - June 6, 2010
I was a Glaus supporter from day one. When I saw him hitting all those singles in spring training, I knew it was just a matter of time before the power came around. I say let’s get him signed up for next year while we have the chance. He would be good insurance at first, in case Freeman isn’t ready or at third to spell or replace Chipper. Also, one hellua DH, when Inter-league (and World Series) play comes around.
DawgB - June 6, 2010
if chipper retires...
we definitely need to re-sign glaus to play 3rd, then we’ll have Freddie Freeman’s throne ready at 1B
CoxXx - June 6, 2010
And as of now, only $2m....
he won’t be getting more until late July or August. Quite possibly the best free agent signing of the year.
Mr. Sanchez - June 6, 2010
Where are all the Wren haters now?
Agreed. Hinske was another good pick-up. So were Wagner and Saito. And let’s not forget signing Ross last year.
DawgB - June 6, 2010
Anyone who thinks Frank Wren is a terrible GM
hasn’t been paying attention.
Jacob Peterson - June 6, 2010
For Real
Remember last year when he let go Smoltz and Glavine and everyone hated him. Admittedly we all hated him because of the emotional ties we had to those two and it was hard to see that happen. But in the end it was the best decision for the organization and Wren has spot on with about all of his decisions thus far (except maybe McOut). I have supported Frank Wren because he was the under study of Schuerholz and if he left the Braves to him then I thought the Braves were in good hands even though the moves he made early made people question him.
kp.atl - June 6, 2010
Love seeing the recap up early!
Excited to see huddy get the series win!
GwinnettBraves - June 6, 2010 via mobile
Murchlinski was a fucking clown tonight. I usually try to keep the umpire bitching to a minimum, but that dude’s strike zone was ridiculous.
get swoll yunel - June 6, 2010
Yea, it wasn’t biased per se, just really inconsistent.
kbertling353 - June 6, 2010
In all ho
murph35 - June 6, 2010 via mobile
He's already figured out rule #1
If Escobar’s up and it gets to the catcher on the fly, it’s a strike.
Sam Jethroe - June 6, 2010
MLB Rookie Ump
Not trying to make excuses for him, since he’s got to have experience before reaching the Majors, but how do rookie umps usually do compared to tonight? It was a bad night regardless, but if someone much more dedicated then myself were to compare performances of rookie umps, I’d be interested in reading it…
award6 - June 6, 2010
The rookie ump from Game 1 of this series did OK
behind the plate. This guy was much worse.
Jacob Peterson - June 6, 2010
Umps
There’s been a lot of ump bashing lately. I’m not talking about overall in the MLB, we’ve all seen that story, but with Braves games in particular on this site. Have the umps been that bad/inconsistent or are there just a few more people on this site that really like to get mad at umps. For the most part people here seem to be pretty level headed, honest with themselves, fans. I’m curious as to what the deal has been
foxrobe - June 6, 2010
well did you watch the game? Cause it was awful tonight.
(not being a dick…serious question.)
Scott Coleman - June 6, 2010
it was inconsistent tonight (not unfair for either team).
yesterday, it was unkind to KK.
any complaints other than that = homerism
kbertling353 - June 6, 2010
The thing that I’ve noticed the most, especially in this series is a belt-high pitch will NEVER be called, but ankle-high is guaranteed to ring a guy up.
chantshuffler - June 6, 2010 via mobile
The outside corner
Seemed like the main problem.
Nothing on the basepaths that compared to that egregious one the night before with Melky at second.
Sam Jethroe - June 6, 2010
The Braves BrainTrust
are looking like absolute geniuses re the Glaus signing.
fandave - June 6, 2010
and the signing of Hinske. And making the decision to go ahead and start Heyward in RF on Opening Day… and signing Wagner and Saito. They made some crucial decisions this past winter, and every one of them have worked out.
dkinser86 - June 6, 2010
Haha, I'm a Wren guy, but "every one"?
Certainly most of them have, but what about handing the LF and CF jobs to Diaz and McLouth, with Melky as the backup? How’s that one working out? Also, the jury is still out on the Vazquez trade (I’m optimistic, but a lot of folks aren’t).
Jacob Peterson - June 6, 2010
With Melky warming up to his average...
and Hinske taking LF, those decisions are working out nicely. We’ll all get to become pro or anti Wren again in a month or two, because you know we’re going to be active with all the differing pieces we have and this being Bobby’s last year.
Mr. Sanchez - June 6, 2010
Those decisions aren't working out.
McLouth still sucks. The only reason LF is doing OK is because of a separate decision—signing Hinske. I don’t think Wren had any idea that Hinske would get this much PT in LF when he signed him.
Certainly, the net result of all the decisions at this point has been pretty good, though.
Jacob Peterson - June 6, 2010
You can’t tell me that it was never in the consideration in the signing of Hinske. Everyone knows he his a corners player. He was signed to play backup in case Glaus struggled/got hurt, Chipper gets injured, Diaz struggles in his first year as a full-time starter.
dkinser86 - June 6, 2010
Eh
What did we send to Pittsburgh for McLouth? Two iffy prospects plus Charlie Morton? Yeah, McLouth hasn’t been lights out, but its not like we lost on the trade. Same for the Cabrera trade. As much as I hated losing Vazquez, its not like we’re missing him (whether he pitches good or bad), and the upside with Vizcaino is huge. Plus, the other thing is that you just know McLouth and Cabrera are better hitters, and eventually they’ll produce. So overall, the trades have worked out pretty well (in terms of fairness), but the potential for the Braves is still there and eventually we’ll cash in.
sag969 - June 6, 2010
Hold up
I don’t think that anyone could have seen McLouth slumping this badly, whereas Diaz did do a decent job in his role last year. Signing Hinske to cover Diaz’s platoon split against righties was theoretically correct and is paying dividends.
frozendesert - June 6, 2010
That wasn't what we signed Hinske for.
And I’m not saying Wren made a bad decision at the time. Obviously it was a reasonable call. But given Diaz and McLouth’s performance, you can’t argue that that decision has worked out well so far.
Jacob Peterson - June 6, 2010
It was
the correct decision at the time to start these two, and based on their performance over the last two years, it was a reasonable decision also. You can’t expect the GM to be a fortuneteller and pick position players correctly 100% of the time. Wren has hit most of his marks this year, and is doing a pretty damn good job.
frozendesert - June 6, 2010
Sorry
read your post incorrectly. You can’t expect all of the players to perform up their career standards every season. Wren has no control over what McLouth will be hitting in June. The fact that players are not performing to their expectations is not the GM’s fault.
frozendesert - June 6, 2010
Ok… maybe not every decision he has made has worked out. McClouth has sucked this year, I’ll give you that (though he has been clutch for us a few times this year).
As for the Vazquez trade, it ultimately depend on Arodys’s development. But take a look at what he did with all of that situation, basically trading Vazquez for Melky, Glaus, Hinske, and a high-upside prospect in Arodys. If he doesn’t trade Vazquez, we don’t sign Glaus or Hinske.
dkinser86 - June 6, 2010
Why
The Diaz hate?! Haha, I love the guy. Hope he comes back and makes a good impact post all star game.
sag969 - June 6, 2010
Diaz was playing hurt and then had a long stay that is still continuing on the DL. So, I say you can’t seriously suggest that was a bad decision.
fandave - June 6, 2010
Nice to see Nate move from UGLY to just plain old BAD
bpk228480 - June 6, 2010
also there’s nothing like passing out with your laptop on your lap in the 5th inning down 2-0 only to wake up at 3 AM with that stupid Directtv symbol floating around your tv and scrambling to the interwebz to see if they won….good job boys
bpk228480 - June 6, 2010
I completely fell out as well. Circumstances not as bad, but still.
fandave - June 6, 2010
The last 34 games: 25 - 9.
a great run.
fandave - June 6, 2010
And 11-1 over the last 12
DawgB - June 6, 2010
10-2, Actually
Old Braves' Fan - June 6, 2010
I stand corrected. Still darn good.
DawgB - June 6, 2010
10-1 over last 11, I think you mean.
And 15-3 over last 18
Jacob Peterson - June 6, 2010
Bad night to go to bed early
Around 12:30 or so sleep got the best of me. Woke up an hour+ later with a text message saying that the Braves had won 9-3. Couldn’t believe it lol.
sag969 - June 6, 2010
Very upset I wasn’t here to celebrate another of Glausosaur’s bombs.
Smoltz's Beard - June 6, 2010
hahaha
wow…….. just wow…….
atl192485 - June 6, 2010
that 4 bager .gif. (?whatever themthings called) is truly, for the ages epic
fandave - June 6, 2010
Is royhobbs rolling in his grave over the lack of photoshop skills?
VictorW - June 6, 2010
well, well, well…i was just wondering how come you haven’t stopped by here recently
Smoltz's Beard - June 6, 2010
Weren’t you the one who disappeared first?
VictorW - June 6, 2010
perhaps…
Smoltz's Beard - June 6, 2010
Look who came crawling back.
VictorW - June 6, 2010
CMON HEYWARD. At least he's still bringing in the walks and the singles. He's been really streaky so far though.
Thank god it seems like when he isn’t doing well, someone else steps up though.
EyePod - June 6, 2010
Can't wait til he puts it all together...
Braves Biceps - June 6, 2010
Yup
He’s definitely a hot or cold guy. One series he’ll be tearing the cover off the ball, the next he’s 1/10. Either way he’s still amassing a ton of RBIs, and eventually he’ll settle in and figure things out.
sag969 - June 6, 2010
He better be careful around here if he’s going to be a streaky player. The majority of the TC readership will be ready to run him out of town if he slumps for any length of time.
For validation of that point, see:
McLouth, Nate
Johnson, Kelly
Glaus, Troy
Rhyno18 - June 6, 2010
I tried to make it through this game
But I’ve been sick lately and sleep got the better of me in the 6th inning. I figured I probably wouldn’t miss much based on how the game had been going. Boy, was I wrong! And boy, am I glad that I was!
Go Braves!
Jacob Peterson - June 6, 2010
This is why I will never worry about being down early in the game
Runs scored in the first third of the game (1st through 3rd) : 82/274 (29.9%)
Runs scored in the second third of the game (4th trough 6th) : 76/274 (27.7%)
Runs scored in the final third of the game (7th through 9th) : 114/274 (41.6%)
And it’s been hovering around 42% the entire year. With how the bullpen has been pitching, I’d say that’s a pretty good combination!
fdoubleprime - June 6, 2010
Basically, Braves strategy: chase the SP out of the game and tag the RP before the other teams closer shows up. Good enough for me.
romone_braves91 - June 6, 2010
Great win
Hanson struggled in the first few innings and then settled down to pitch long enough for the offense to get him the win. The offense looked helpless the first few inning, but they continued to fight and scratch. These types of games we would have almost always lose in the past five years.
Braves24 - June 6, 2010
GO BRAVES! BEAT THE DODGERS!!
CJ10JHEY22 - June 6, 2010
Let Venters set up Wags.
Tim Goad - June 6, 2010
Don’t worry about Heyward.
He’s had a couple slumps like this and just when you think he’s in a bad one he does something amazing.
So don’t worry, ROY will be fine
MBL1 - June 6, 2010 via mobile
I'm surprised no one has said anything but
Heyward kind of showed up Brian Snitker. I think most posters on this site realize that Snitker is an awful third base coach, but I also think that had Heyward been called out, he would’ve been punished, or at least criticized, for not heeding his coach. So shouldn’t Snitker receive some criticism for making such a poor decision?
acie4mvp - June 6, 2010
Hes not as bad as everyone thinks. You just don’t tell the mighty Heyward to stop.
As Mark Lemke once put it, “If you run through the stop sign, you BETTER score.”
MBL1 - June 6, 2010 via mobile
I was always
taught that if you ran through the stop sign, you wouldn’t score again.
frozendesert - June 6, 2010
Since this year, a clause has been added to that teaching. It reads “Unless you’re Jason Heyward”.
Joseph_C - June 6, 2010
Damn it
I fell asleep at the END OF THE 6th and woke up at 6 am on my couch. Thanks for the highlites.
Go Braves!!!
Chief Noc-A-Homa - June 6, 2010
Time zones suck
MBL1 - June 6, 2010 via mobile
Now you guys know how I feel when I miss all the games live because they start at 4:10.
Scott Coleman - June 6, 2010
Damn the braves are good!
Going into this 17 game stretch the braves are on(3 vs phils, 4 at LA, 4 at Dbacks, 3 at twins, 3 vs Tampa), I would have been happy with a 9-8 record. Braves are off to a 5-1 start. This team is awesome. It’s starting to make me greedy.
Frozen Fan - June 6, 2010
and we certainly could keep it up
but the Twins at home and Rays on the road might be the 2 best teams in baseball. Today’s game against Ely won’t be easy and the DBacks just lost like 10 in a row, so they’re getting ready for one of their 8-game winning streaks now.
Scott Coleman - June 6, 2010
With a win today and what should be a series win against the Dbacks. Braves could take a hit against AL teams and still be looking fine
Frozen Fan - June 6, 2010
Braves Lineup today...
No nate. Melk-man in center
Braves Biceps - June 6, 2010
can you post the complete lineup?
thanks
atl192485 - June 6, 2010
Braves Lineup... Via David O'Brien Twitter
1. Prado (Maybe, his wrist is still bothering him)
2. Infante
3. Heyward
4. McCann
5. Glaus
6. Hinske
7. Escobar
8. Melk-Man
9. Hudson
Braves Biceps - June 6, 2010
I
like it
frozendesert - June 6, 2010
I wish
We had a pregame thread so we can complain about the pregame show and the lineup and all that :P
MBL1 - June 6, 2010 via mobile
and how the padres suck
and how they can’t beat the phillies
atl192485 - June 6, 2010
wow
way to fucking go Padres. I stop watching for 10 minutes and they lose it.
Scott Coleman - June 6, 2010
Isn't it interesting
how now they’re back at home they’re tearing the cover off the ball? Stupid, filthy, binocular-using cheaters.
frozendesert - June 6, 2010
I love how Chip said “Nothing was gonna stop the Hey-train!”. Great to see Heyward break his mini slump with a single.
Joseph_C - June 6, 2010
Today will be known as...
the Day Nate Mclouth was finally benched!
Braves Biceps - June 6, 2010
Really? Cause there have been a whole lot of games this season that Nate didn’t start.
Rhyno18 - June 6, 2010
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