Jeff Gross - Getty Images
McCann's mammoth homerun was not enough.
The Braves couldn't hold a lead at all tonight. Tim Hudson was unable to hold two leads that the Braves gave him. The Braves got a run in the third inning on a Jason Heyward single, but Huddy gave it right back to the Dodgers in the bottom half of the fourth. The next inning the Braves went back on top by three runs, including two homeruns by Martin Prado and Brian McCann. The McCann shot was only the 19th homerun to reach the Loge level in Dodger Stadium history -- it was a mammoth shot.
With a comfortable three-run lead, Hudson should have settled in and cruised the rest of the way, but he immediately had problems in the bottom of the fifth and gave the Dodgers those three runs back. It was a tale of two games from Hudson, as the first three innings he looked unhittable, but the second and third time through the order the Dodgers got to him.
The Braves had several opportunities to take the lead in the late innings. Their bats went dormant from the sixth to the eighth innings, and after a lead-off double by pinch hitter Brooks Conrad in the ninth, the Braves looked like they had a great opportunity to score. But Dodgers' closer Jonathan Broxton struck out the next three batters. Even though Conrad stole third, the Braves couldn't make contact and get him in.
The Braves had two runners in scoring position in the tenth inning, but couldn't get a run home. And they had an opportunity to produce a run in the eleventh, but came up empty. They were a pitiful 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position, leaving 11 men on base, and 5 men in scoring position with two out.
The Braves bullpen was un-hittable after Tim Hudson, that is until they got to Jesse Chavez. The weak link of the Atlanta pen walked the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the eleventh who, you guessed it, came around to score the winning run. The Dodgers actually bunted that lead-off walk over to second, and with only one out I was a little surprised not to see the Braves walk the next guy to setup a double play or a force out at third.
As angry as Martin Prado was in the ninth inning when he didn't advance a runner, he did have a 3-hit day, including his fifth homerun. Yunel Escobar also stayed hot with another 2-hit day. Jonny Venters was filthy in his two innings of relief work, allowing no baserunners and striking out four. Hard to believe that not many people had Venters on their prospect lists coming into this season. Baseball America only ranked him as the Braves 30th-best prospect.
The Braves earn a disappointing split, but they went head to head against the other hottest team in baseball and were in every game. Hopefully they can take that good all-around play to Arizona on Monday.
0 recs | 141 comments
When will this Chavez experiment end?
Mike Dunn and Craig Kimbrel should make him expendable.
Either way, a series split with the Dodgers isn’t all that bad. The Braves better knuckle up for the rest of this month though. It’s gonna be rough.
ATLandUNC - June 6, 2010
Hopefully soon.
The sad part is, we lost both of our games by only one run, whereas we won our two games by 7 runs. I think that we were clearly the better team in the series. Also, imagine the pain that you would feel if Chavez came into pitch in a similar situation in the playoffs. This has gotta stop.
frozendesert - June 6, 2010
If he came in to pitch in the playoffs, i don’t know what i’d do. So TC users…if you could bring any braves reliever back, who would it be? For me it would be Wohlers or Smoltzy
MBL1 - June 6, 2010 via mobile
Smoltz.
Come in, shut them down, and go. Although I have a feeling that if you ask me that question in a couple of years, I will say Billy Wagner.
frozendesert - June 6, 2010
Me too. I like Wags a lot
MBL1 - June 6, 2010 via mobile
Kerry Lightenburg. Awesome sideburns.
I’d love to have the good Wholers back. Smoltz ain’t bad either!
Sparhawk - June 7, 2010
Agreed ATLandUNC - What about Freeman status ?
While we are at it; what about KK and his 0-8 record soon to be much worse as of this week. The guy cannot hit any spot that B-Mac throws up their. KK is a joke as a MLB pitcher, Medlen is better as of today. Answers are simple.
Replace – J. Chavez & KK
with
C. Resop (might as well give him a shot due to the outclause in his contract) to replace KK
and
Leave Kimbrel in the MLB to learn from Wags b/c next season he is our closer.
What is the latest on Freddie Freeman ? Twisted knee is what I heard today.
The way Glaus is playing this year maybe we could and should keep him around for another year.
Holty_Panthers_Fan - June 6, 2010
I only have this to say to you:
………………….
EricGreggWasPaidOff - June 6, 2010
haha yea
Braves24 - June 6, 2010
mute
drumzalicious - June 7, 2010
+1
Smoltz's Beard - June 7, 2010
wait whaaaat
MBL1 - June 7, 2010
I keep asking you
if you’re interested in becoming an Author on TC. You keep turning me down!
Scott Coleman - June 8, 2010
Freaking
Hell
frozendesert - June 6, 2010
Jesse "Facepalm" Chavez
Right when I heard the name, I knew it was over.
We have better internal options. This is one of those sad ones. “He’ll get ’em next time,” my ass.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - June 6, 2010
So this is the guy we replaced Acosta with
VictorW - June 6, 2010
this
Rhyno18 - June 6, 2010
Please
Release Chavez, pretend he’s hurt or something!! True, you can’t win them all, but i wanted to win this one – badly.
MBL1 - June 6, 2010 via mobile
Or
make him hurt for real.
frozendesert - June 6, 2010
If he isn’t hurt emotionally I don’t know what he is know….
Joseph_C - June 6, 2010
hopefully we dfa chavez as soon as jj comes back
or right now for chris THE BEAAST resop
is he out of options? i remember reading that he was
dc_allday - June 6, 2010
He
has to be on the 25-man MLB roster by June 15th, or if any team is willing to have him on their 25-man by that date, he can go to that team.
frozendesert - June 6, 2010
When they bring Resop up, they’ll probably send Martinez down, not Chavez. Fire Frank Wren for signing chavez. Nah just kidding. But DO tie him up and make him listen to Justin Bieber “music” for 10 hours.
MBL1 - June 6, 2010 via mobile
and if the song Baby comes on make him listen to the version where Bieber tries to do Ludacris’ part.
thenightstallion - June 6, 2010
and turn it up full volume
MBL1 - June 7, 2010
I would take Resop over Chavez. That’s saying alot, or not alot.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - June 6, 2010
Who knows? Maybe Radar Gun got it figured out in Japan
frozendesert - June 6, 2010
We are going to see Brian Mccann steal a base
Before we see Martinez. Does he even exist!?!
MBL1 - June 6, 2010 via mobile
Doesn’t Mac already have a steal this year?
oVecKid - June 6, 2010
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
that’s a good one
MBL1 - June 6, 2010 via mobile
Yup
he’s got 1
frozendesert - June 6, 2010
Disappointing day, but...
A pretty good weekend. I hate to squander an historic homer and we need to face the fact that we’ve got several (relatively small) problem areas on this team (the Chavez situation, McClouth being kidnapped and replaced by a defective lookalike android and Melky’s inability to distinguish a strike from Shinola™), but all in all, still in good shape.
Now let’s go to Phoenix and rub their noses in a cowpie.
Sam Jethroe - June 6, 2010
Yeah
I like our chances against the Diamondback bullpen in Arizona.
frozendesert - June 6, 2010
We need to start scoring early again, that’s a key to the game. We usually do really well when we score in the first.
And get to Zona’s crappy bullpen, too.
MBL1 - June 6, 2010 via mobile
Agreed
It seems like in every game in the winning streak, we scored early and never relinquished that lead. In fact, for eight of those nine games, we scored in the first.
frozendesert - June 6, 2010
Exactly. Can Anyone tell me if I’m right: “The Braves haven’t lost a game in which they score 5+ runs”. Am I correct?
Joseph_C - June 6, 2010
Bingo!
You sir, are a winner!
frozendesert - June 6, 2010
Just got back from the game
Nothing to mention that you guys didn’t pick up on probably. What was the business with the fans and the umpires. We figured it was a fan with a mirror reflecting the sun? Really obnoxious though and I was ready to boo if that run had come in to score. I actually met Chavez’s mother last night and she gave my friend a hat that as soon as she put on we scored the 7 runs. But, today it was useless, not lucky after all.
SuperHeyward - June 6, 2010
Sounds like a nice person
is she?
frozendesert - June 6, 2010
Yeah cool lady, his whole family was there being from California and all, but his Dad was wearling Lakers and Dodgers gear even though his son played for the braves… pretty funny
SuperHeyward - June 6, 2010
Lol
MBL1 - June 6, 2010 via mobile
Good Idea. Trade him to the Dodgers, Bobby….Please!
Joseph_C - June 6, 2010
No.
Trade him to the Phillies….
EricGreggWasPaidOff - June 6, 2010
That’ll make the Phillies worse! Good for us
MBL1 - June 7, 2010
She deserves punishment for having Chavez.
However, if i ever met Heyward’s mother, i’d hug her and thank her.
MBL1 - June 6, 2010 via mobile
let's play a game
people you would rather see come out of the bullpen instead of Jesse Chavez:
Chris Resop
Mike Dunn
John Smoltz
John Rocker
Sam “Mayday” Malone
feel free to add further suggestions…
But, all in all, not a bad series given the Dodgers were/are one of the hottest teams in baseball
ByrneSupremacy - June 6, 2010
kk
oVecKid - June 6, 2010
Smoltz
or Wohlers…
I asked this a few comments ago, but its finee.
MBL1 - June 6, 2010 via mobile
Can we restrict it to guys we have in the minors? I’ll take Resop.
frozendesert - June 6, 2010
yeah it was just a joke
but on the 40 man roster i’d definitely take Resop (still not sure why he’s not in Atlanta) and Dunn over Chavez
ByrneSupremacy - June 6, 2010
fail
Resop’s not on the 40 man but you get the idea
ByrneSupremacy - June 6, 2010
Alan Butts
J-Freak - June 6, 2010 via mobile
Tony from Whos the Boss
bpk228480 - June 6, 2010
This was another good game, great series. We knew that this was going to be a tough series and we went 2-2. Yea we lost today but I think that this roadtrip has been good so far.
Braves24 - June 6, 2010
Yeah, and the Phillies lost too, so itz all good.
MBL1 - June 6, 2010 via mobile
It’s always good when the Phillies lose.
frozendesert - June 6, 2010
doesn’t get any better
Braves24 - June 6, 2010
Victorino and Utley
Fighting in the dugout would be even better.
That’s probably getting too greedy.
Sam Jethroe - June 6, 2010
No...
deadly poison in the Clubhouse buffet before a Phillies-Mets game would be bestest.
frozendesert - June 6, 2010
Lots and lots
of Ex-Lax.
Best SNY broadcast…EVER.
Sam Jethroe - June 6, 2010
Just imagine the possibilities.
frozendesert - June 6, 2010
Came up with a nickname for Victorino when the Phils lose
Victory? No.
MBL1 - June 6, 2010 via mobile
Ha..........
frozendesert - June 6, 2010
Some variation on is real nickname
Always works best.
It’s either that or a string of vile, high volume expletives, at least for me.
Sam Jethroe - June 6, 2010
Victorloseo
adc62 - June 7, 2010
You know your team is playing good baseball when it’s this disappointing to only split with a really good Dodgers team in LA.
RaymondBatista - June 6, 2010
+1
frozendesert - June 6, 2010
Very true
MBL1 - June 6, 2010 via mobile
Essentially true
Sam Jethroe - June 6, 2010
You made me feel better.
Joseph_C - June 6, 2010
So we lost a game
Hakuna matata, bitches
GoBravesNY - June 6, 2010
IT MEANZ NO WORRIES 4 DA REST OF UR DAYZZZ ITZ OUR PROBLEM FREE….PHILOSOPHY! HAKUNA MATATA
MBL1 - June 6, 2010 via mobile
yeah, that and the first refrence to Talladega Nights in a while
GoBravesNY - June 6, 2010
when I saw Chavez was going to pitch the 11th, I knew it was going to be difficult that we win this game
Kobe:The Legend - June 6, 2010
Are u watching the NBA Finals? From your name, i can tell you’re probably a lakers fan.
MBL1 - June 6, 2010 via mobile
yes I am, i'm so pissed right now, the refs are killing the lakers right now
Kobe:The Legend - June 6, 2010
I’m watching, but i haven’t been paying much attention haha. Eating dinnerrr
MBL1 - June 6, 2010 via mobile
We are going to see _________ before we see Martinez pitch.
Fill in the blank. winner gets cake that i stole from mvhs’s fridge.
MBL1 - June 6, 2010 via mobile
Julio Tehran
GoBravesNY - June 6, 2010
Shea Jones
Sam Jethroe - June 6, 2010
shaq make a three
Kobe:The Legend - June 6, 2010
Hey Shaq was pretty good in his heyday
MBL1 - June 6, 2010 via mobile
I know, but he can't make a three pointer
Kobe:The Legend - June 6, 2010
Shaq makes a free throw?
frozendesert - June 6, 2010
Next Years Top Draft Pick
bravesforever16 - June 6, 2010
Rickey Vaughn
SidKotchman - June 6, 2010 via mobile
gondee sober
bpk228480 - June 6, 2010
We has a winnar
MBL1 - June 6, 2010
BULLETIN
Russell Martin is a fat fuck. I hate the Dodgers. Matt Kemp can burn in hell. L.A. is overpriced.
In other news this hour: Brian McCann has been cast as the lead in the fall series Sexy Librarian Catcher. Martin Prado is an All-Star of my heart. Tim Hudson, despite some wobbles, is still as honorable a man as any in this fine land. Jareth is now up-to-date on why I like to watch men’s volleyball.
More news after this station break. We’ll be right back.
TheLetter2 - June 6, 2010
/back
Gulf spill blah blah blah blah blah BP blah blah blah blah blah oil blah blah blah blah blah obama blah blah blah blah blah.
MBL1 - June 6, 2010 via mobile
And now, here's the weather.
TheLetter2 - June 6, 2010
Water vapor
I do love it so.
Sam Jethroe - June 6, 2010
Actually, this is the IR loop. The WV product looks pretty similar today.
TheLetter2 - June 6, 2010
I blame Cantore
For me making that mistake.
Sam Jethroe - June 6, 2010
Please Don't Use The Oil Spill In A Joke, It Isn't Funny If You Make A living Off The Gulf.
jimmontg - June 6, 2010
Sensitive much?
He wasn’t making a joke about the oil spoil—he was making a joke about the repetitiveness and beat-a-dead-horse-to-death aspect of the various news media outlets. We all feel for you guys down there and hope everything turns out okay.
Rafael Belliard's #1 Fan! - June 7, 2010
I’m not joking about the spill, I’m joking about the media talking about it so much on TV that it drives me nuts.
MBL1 - June 7, 2010
If you don’t mind me saying, that was a hilarious conversation to watch unfold. I was also surprised to see Bronson Pinchot cast as the library security guard in Sexy Librarian Catcher…just doesn’t seem right for the part.
Smoltz's Beard - June 7, 2010
I didn’t want him to feel upset about the mix-up, but God was it funny. Seeing his thought process slowly assembling the facts couldn’t have played out any better.
I would adamantly veto that casting. I’m thinking either Bobby Valentine (in his disguise) or Reginald VelJohnson.
TheLetter2 - June 7, 2010
If the Marlins make Cody Ross available does anyone think we should take a shot at him?
I would but only if he leaves that “Cody! Cody! Cody!” chant with him
bravesforever16 - June 6, 2010
It would give Medlen
Someone to pick on for loking young.
Sam Jethroe - June 6, 2010
LOLZ
MBL1 - June 6, 2010 via mobile
By the way…
If i have to hear “This Town” one more time…
MBL1 - June 6, 2010 via mobile
I too share a passionate hatred for that song.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - June 6, 2010
Never heard that song. Hopefully it stays that way.
Sparhawk - June 7, 2010
THIS TOWN, THIS CITY, THIS CROWD
bpk228480 - June 7, 2010
LIFT YOUR HANDS UP CMON SING IT LOUD
MBL1 - June 7, 2010
Better than “Whoa-oh, Whoa-oh, Braves plaaaaaaay here”
10-4 - June 7, 2010
I was never fond of that “load the bases” country ditty they played last year.
TheLetter2 - June 7, 2010
I miss that Cee-Lo "It's Gone!" song
Sam Jethroe - June 6, 2010
Wren needs to quit screwing around
and bring back Kenny Fucking Powers! No matter the cost!
TheBravestWay To Block A Decent Prospect - June 6, 2010
No mention of unearned runs?
Errors cost us the lead IMO…Not Huddy.
Nova Scotia Steve - June 6, 2010 via mobile
Hey
I just made my first fanpost, could you do please me a favor and give me some comments on it? It’s on the sidebar.
frozendesert - June 6, 2010
I like the idea, but maybe you could cut it down to the “known” players in the D-Backs. Some of them just aren’t important, or even that good. For the same reason we wouldn’t put Chavez on such a list. Hope you make one for every series though.
Joseph_C - June 6, 2010
Thanks
Good point. I think I am going to restrict the players, and provide career stats.
frozendesert - June 6, 2010
Hopefully the Fish will sweep the Phillys, and we’ll sweep the D-Backs.
Joseph_C - June 6, 2010
i wanna see
mike stanton jack 8 HRs that series, then shut down for the rest of the year
atl192485 - June 7, 2010
Heyward
I read on ajc.com that his thumb is bothering him a bit and that it’s causing him problems once he gets to a certain point in his swing.Have anyone else more info about this,to me it makes a lil sense being he has been off a bit the last few games.
LakersMania - June 6, 2010
It Was An Emotional Game, Best emotion I had Was Saquatch Farting In The Campfire.
When they said Chavez I knew it was a lost cause. I’m not down on the guy but he isn’t an extra innings pitcher. I was really disappointed in Melky’s swing in the dirt, feels like Frenchy, well, it pissed me off the same way he used to do, swinging at shit in the dirt, but there was a few other times tonight made me feel the same way. That Messing with Sasquatch commercial ought to be banned, I SAY BANNED!! It made me laugh so hard i fell out of my chair and spilled my beer and damn near pissed my pants HA HA HA HA!!!! It still cracks me up!
jimmontg - June 6, 2010
anybody else think
that it’s time for esco to start hitting 2nd again?
Logan Allred - June 6, 2010
Yes.
He’s earned his way back to a higher spot and it might help Jason to mix the order up a bit.
Sam Jethroe - June 7, 2010
I didn't even see the final innings
but i don’t wanna watch. Fucking Jesse Chavez (that’s his new official first name, BTW.) always blows it.
It’s okay though. A split in LA is fine with me.
Scott Coleman - June 7, 2010
May I offer
Jesse Fucking Chavez? It just rolls off the tongue easier for me, and I think I will be using it more often as the season rolls along. Must preserve my vocal cords!
frozendesert - June 7, 2010
how about
JFCJFC?
which stands for: Jesus F***ing Christ, Jesse F***ing Chavez!
to be exclaimed every time Chavez does something bad i.e. every one of his outings
atl192485 - June 7, 2010
That first part
might offend some people. What do you think about ‘JC, it’s JFC!’?
frozendesert - June 7, 2010
i like it
MBL1 - June 7, 2010
Pretty good for us
considering we played their regular offense while missing Chipper in our lineup. Also having a slumping McLouth doesnt help. Oh and not to mention losing our 8th inning SU man.
In the end a split is good under those circumstances
drumzalicious - June 7, 2010
The Dodgers were without their starting third baseman, Casey Blake, the entire series as well.
I also am not too upset that we split the series in LA. Before the trip started I said I’d be okay with a 5-6 trip. Anything more than that will make me really happy.
Old Braves' Fan - June 7, 2010
wtf ?
Why Why why ? Why does Cox keep running out JESSE f—-ing CHAVEZ in CRITICAL situations ? Please !!! Somebody tell me !!!
ggotch - June 7, 2010
Well
the person who was traded for Rafael Soriano has to be good, right?
frozendesert - June 7, 2010
A loss always hurts
but still some good positive trends going on. Split the series w/one of the best teams in the NL on their turf. Starting to play better in their division by handling the Marlins & the Phils of late. Sitting on top of the NL East with a .579 pct and a L10 record of 8-2.
adc62 - June 7, 2010
Tough loss. We had the series in our hands and let it go.
And, although I will never understand the logic of throwing a guy with 6 hits all year an off speed pitch to speed his bat up with you have 2 strikes on him already (I wonder if that was Chavez or Heap’s call) …when you read our stat with RISP yesterday, it’s pretty hard for me to hang this loss entirely around Chavez’s neck.
That’s pretty pathetic and I hope we never see a stat like that again.
Onto Arizona – and let’s take our frustration out on them. A sweep would be more than nice.
NCChopper - June 7, 2010
Yeah
Two 5-4 one run losses, coupled with how many opportunities we had to score in the game, make this series a tough one to handle. I hope we don’t make a trend out of this inability to come through in critical situations; we won’t have a chance in Minnesota or against the Rays.
frozendesert - June 7, 2010
I continue to think that it is stupid
that major league managers refuse to use their best reliever in extra inning games on the road. Why on earth was Chavez in there when we had an available Billy Wagner? So Wagner can pitch with the nonexistent lead? Stupid. I’m not just criticizing Bobby Cox here—hardly anyone uses their closers in these scenarios.
Oh well, I said before the series I’d be happy with a split, and I am. It would’ve been nice to have won 3/4 though. The good thing is that we should be able to score more runs in Arizona. I want better than a split in that series!
Jacob Peterson - June 7, 2010
You would not waste your best reliever when the game is not in sight of ending. We had Kimbrel and that MR. X guy Martinez in the bullpen also.
BullManUGA - June 7, 2010
On Chavez
I completely agree that he should be allowed near high-leverage situations like a baby near a bottle of Jack. But still, when you’re pitching on three days rest out of the bullpen, you SHOULD be able to get Russell Martin (.243/.339/.334), Blake Dewitt (.273/.355/.373), and AJ Ellis (.222/.267/.259) out; or, at the least, not allow them to score a run. However, apparently a different set of rules apply if you are Jesse Fucking Chavez. Which reminds me, Deadspin’s got an article (including video!) of a baby drinking Miller Lite at a Phillies game-
http://deadspin.com/5557185/and-heres-a-little-kid-drinking-beer-at-a-baseball-game
frozendesert - June 7, 2010
This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by MLB Advanced Media.
damn.
atl192485 - June 7, 2010
That
sucks; it was working not too long ago. Well, you get the point.
frozendesert - June 7, 2010
I wasn’t able to watch it, darn MLB
MBL1 - June 7, 2010
Series Split
The manner in which they lost the last game is disappointing. But, I find no disappointment in splitting a 4-game series with a good team. A true disappointment would have been losing the series. The 1990’s Braves won pennants by taking care of business against the bad teams, and then playing either at .500, or just above, against the good teams.
Kulani23 - June 7, 2010
just don't lose a series...
if we can not lose a single series between now and the end of the year (meaning win at least 2 in all), then we’re playoff bound.
Mr. Sanchez - June 7, 2010
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