Derek Lowe had a rough 1st inning and an even rougher 4th. Lowe ended up going 4.0 innings with 8 hits, 2 walks, 7 earned runs, and 2 strikeouts. Dan Haren was unspectacular himself, but he was able to strand a majority of the 11 baserunners he allowed on. The Diamondbacks only scored in two innings, but their 5 run 4th inning broke the game open and left the Braves with plenty of work to do in order to catch up.
The Braves scored some runs in the sixth and eighth in their comeback effort but in the end, the lead was a bit too much for even the awful Diamondbacks bullpen to blow. The Braves bullpen impressed as they allowed no runs in 4 innings pitched. Craig Kimbrel saw his wildness at the Major League level continue as he walked 2 in his only inning pitched but struck out 2 as well. Billy Wagner got some work and pitched yet another solid inning in relief.
Derek just didn't have his best stuff tonight and although he was rather unlucky in the 1st inning, he got hit hard in the 4th. Mark Reynolds took Lowe deep for his 13th homer of the year and Stephen Drew added 2 more hits against Lowe, making him 17-34 in his career vs. the Braves sinkerballer.
The Braves had a chance in the 8th inning to tighten the game a bit but with the bases loaded and 2 outs, Omar Infante grounded out to Aaron Heilman to end the threat. Eric Hinske, Melky Cabrera, and Infante all added 2 hits a piece and David Ross came in half way through the game to add an RBI double and another RBI later as he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
Once again in the ninth, the Braves loaded the bases. This time Yunel Escobar grounded into yet another double play with 1 out to end the game. Escobar's line drive percentage of 16.7% is the lowest it has been in any single season and he ranks 14th in the Majors in ground ball percentage at 55%.
Lowe got the loss, moving his record to 8-5 while he saw his ERA move back past the 5.00 mark. Dan Haren came away with the win and now sits at 6-4. Chad Qualls earned his 11th save of the year.
Tomorrow, the Braves look to even up the series as Kris Medlen (3-1) takes on Edwin Jackson (3-6)
0 recs | 66 comments
Time to start referring to DPs as “Escos”…
… at least until he hits another HR.
get swoll yunel - June 8, 2010
Ah, Yunel...
Just when we think you’ve turned the corner, you go and do that again.
Jacob Peterson - June 8, 2010
Does anyone else blame Escobar for 4 of the runs in the 5th?? It really seemed to me that he blew that play with the bases loaded and 2 outs. it seemed like he had enough time to just turn around and make a nice toss, instead of trying to backhand it to Prado. Then one run scored and three more the next batter. In my mind, if he made that play, we win that game 4-3 (hypothetically).
McGriff the Crime Dog - June 8, 2010
No way in hell
He was doing good to stop that ball at all. If he tries to stop and set all hands are still safe.
Sam Jethroe - June 8, 2010
FIRE DERKE LOW
atl192485 - June 8, 2010
DROP LOWE FROM THE ROTATION
REPLACE HIM WITH CHRISTIAN MARTINEZ. HE HAS A 0.00 ERA!!!
Jacob Peterson - June 8, 2010
If
Derek Lowe dies suddenly, do we still owe him that money?
frozendesert - June 8, 2010
I was just thinking
That I wish he’d have the basic decency to steal our money while avoiding going out to the mound and compounding the insult by actually pitching.
Y’know…The Hampton Way™
Sam Jethroe - June 8, 2010
I actually thought he might have turned his season around after the last five starts, all of which were pretty impressive considering Lowe’s history in a Braves uniform. However, if this kind of mediocrity is all he can offer us in the second year of a four year contract at the clear tail end of his career; then, I am pulling for the Hampton Way.
frozendesert - June 8, 2010
I felt the same way
But he just keeps sticking his finger in my eye. He has the basic decency to obviously know he’s doing this (unlike Hampton, who seemed to expect a “thank you!!” every time he graced the mound with his presence) but it’s still no fun watching him throw BP in a game situation.
Sam Jethroe - June 8, 2010
but really…if Yunel is able to get that ball to Prado with 2 outs in the 4th, he gets out of the inning only having allowed 3 runs through 4 innings…
dunnytwogloves - June 8, 2010
This comment...
is just steeped in all kinds of wrong.
sddbaker - June 8, 2010
If he wanted to steal our money
I’d prefer he pitch disguised as the Hamburgler. Then I would know what his plan was for sure.
Pavy848 - June 8, 2010
John Caponera
Used to do a great Harry Caray impression and one of the things he had Harry asking Steve Stone was why Danny Jackson didn’t just wear a burglar’s mask when he went to pick up his Cubs’ paycheck every two weeks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prt7zCSZDMs&feature=related
Sam Jethroe - June 8, 2010
WAGNER FOR STARTER
ALL HE DOES IS WINZ
DogDaysofSummer - June 8, 2010
TRADE FOR TYLER CLIPARD AND CARLOS SLIVA
THEY HAVE A COMBINED 16 WINZ IF WE HAD THEM AT THE BEGINNING OF TEH YEAR WE WOULD BE 49-9!!
atl192485 - June 8, 2010
I love how Ross totally controlled Kimbrel on the mound and called him out for ignoring the runner on 2nd.
Pavy848 - June 8, 2010
In gonna miss Rossy in 2011.
Scott Coleman - June 8, 2010 via mobile
+1
HEYJUDE - June 8, 2010
+1
Wonder if he’d consider coming back next year?
John Holton - June 8, 2010
really?
when was this?
drumzalicious - June 8, 2010
After he let the runner steal second by not even looking at him. Then Ross takes off the mask, points at the runner (now on second) and yells “LOOK AT HIM, YOU GOTTA LOOK AT HIM” or something like that.
McGriff the Crime Dog - June 8, 2010
It was during Kimbrel’s inning last night. Runner on second and Kimbrel didn’t check him once during the prepitch signs and just threw. However, a split second before he threw, Ross called time and Kimbrel wasted a pitch. Rossy then pushed his mask up and yelled to watch the runner. It was an awesome job trying to slow the game down for Kimbrel and keep him from the “tunnel vision” problem.
Pavy848 - June 8, 2010
Lowe had a crap day.
He had 5 straight good performances coming into the game. I’m going to give him the benifit of the doubt, and hope he can provide a quality start his next turn. Glad the phillies lost today. Braves are on a tough stretch of games right now. Every day they can hold onto first place is great. Can’t win em all. I still like where the teams at. Go Braves!!
Frozen Fan - June 8, 2010
I'm sorry...
that statement made too much sense to be allowed here. Please stop.
sddbaker - June 8, 2010
Zing!
HEYJUDE - June 8, 2010
I apologize. Every braves player who doesn’t succeed every single game, should be flogged in public. FIRE EVERYBODY!!!!!
Frozen Fan - June 8, 2010
Too much optimism!!
/banhammer
TonyAlmeyda - June 8, 2010
A few things
I looked up Wagners rookie campaign and he had 30 walks vs 67 strikeouts in i believe 51.2 innings of work his rookie season. The next season he had 30 walks vs 107 k’s. I say that just to point out that Kimbrel will progress as he gets more work. Wagner essentially didnt become a dynamite closer until he was 28. Now i hope it doesnt take Kimbrel that long but I think we should all be a little more patient with him.
In regards to Lowe he just seemed to have a rough game. He had a few good starts coming into this game and he just got roughed up a bit today. No starter has amazing games for an entire season. Even Roy Halladay gets knocked up some time.
Although it will hurt our lineup i really believe we should give Prado and Heyward a day off. Heyward is in his first full ML season and could most likely use just a day to relax and clear his head. Prado is dealing with this hurt wrist of his and the last thing we need him to do is keep playing through it and make it worse. Bobby should be able to field a fairly respectable lineup if Chip can play tomorrow.
Cabrera RF
Infante 2B
Chip 3B
McCann C
Glaus 1B
Hinske LF
Escobar SS
Blanco CF
Medlen P
Also can we please swap Resop for Chavez. Thanks.
drumzalicious - June 8, 2010
And I remember some Mets rookie pitcher in the late 60’s, who walked a lot of batters in his first few years, while also racking up a ton of K’s. He was worked into a rotation of Seaver, Koosman, & Gentry. His name —-Nolan Ryan.
DawgB - June 8, 2010
I'd like that lineup...
and it’s not like Edwin Jackson has been dealing lately, so it should be good for some runs. I think the key is Chipper’s health though, and we aren’t wanting to give all 3 of our top of the order guys an off day.
Mr. Sanchez - June 8, 2010
Jackson has posted a 2.27 ERA over his last four starts and only allowed three runs in his last 16 innings.
TonyAlmeyda - June 8, 2010
Jackson pitched a 3 hit shutout in his last start(vs dodgers)
Frozen Fan - June 8, 2010
Guess I should actually look at that before I say it huh?
Mr. Sanchez - June 8, 2010
That'll work...
I agree that Prado and Heyward need some time off. I appreciate that Martin wants to bulldog it through, but he can really use a day off to rest his hand, and Heyward needs a day to reboot, because right now he’s no help. If Chipper’s not ready to go put Blanco in left, Hinske at third and McLouth in center.
John Holton - June 8, 2010
Someone should really tell him about birth control and condoms then…
kreese555 - June 8, 2010
He’s been borrowing Manny’s “medicine” again.
Sam Jethroe - June 8, 2010
LOSE BRAVESOLOGIST
JINX!
bpk228480 - June 8, 2010
So now bobby uses wagner?
last two games… not the smartest use of management…..
Braves Biceps - June 8, 2010
wagner wasn’t used on sunday…
dunnytwogloves - June 8, 2010
huh?
sddbaker - June 8, 2010
Nothing burns me more than seeing a guy not take a strike in a walk-the-bases-loaded situation, especially behind in the ninth inning. It’s one of the few hitting rules I took away from my baseball coach in high school. Maybe I am conservative in my desired hitting approach, but damnit – how about taking a strike before hacking away Yunel. Man he works my nerves. Got to get em tonight Bravos!
CharlotteChop - June 8, 2010
Yunel’s cocky play caused that 5 run inning. If he had turned and thrown to 1st on that play, damage would have been minimized.
TennKen - June 8, 2010
I agree 100%.
Smoltz's Beard - June 8, 2010
And it really has me thinking the team may be ready...
to cut ties with their current SS. If Chipper returns, meaning we don’t need to focus on 3B too, we could possibly get a decent one combining Yunel and a starter. Maybe buy low on Everth Cabrera, or perhaps JJ and Esco to Texas and bring back Elvis? Not sure if the Brewers would be willing to swap Escobars, and then with Castro up the Cubs would be willing to part with Ryan Theriot? I know, I know, in public and everything. Just call me Mr. Reubens.
Mr. Sanchez - June 8, 2010
I’m still an Escobar apologist so I certainly hope he sticks around and gets his offense going again, but it hasn’t been easy this year. I just don’t know what he was thinking on that play. On an almost identical ball earlier in the game he ranged over to it and made the throw to 1B…maybe the one in the 5 run inning was a little too much to his right and he felt like he wouldn’t have been able to set his feet. I dunno…
Smoltz's Beard - June 8, 2010
I'm still a big fan and hope he has a long successful career here too...
but just thinking out loud; the mental mistakes, the constant injuries, the FO may or may not be willing to part ways. Of course, he’s still a very talented player, so if he was moved he’d need to bring back a premium package and we’d also need to find a SS to replace him in a deal (either including Yunel, or otherwise since we don’t have a ready replacement in the system).
Mr. Sanchez - June 8, 2010
My problem with dealing Yunel
is that we’d be selling at his absoute low point. That’s never a good move. Besides, until we have a replacement lined up, he’s our guy. Our immensely frustrating but still very talented guy.
Jacob Peterson - June 8, 2010
I don’t think it’s fair to say that Kimbrel was wild. The pitches he was missing on were JUST off the corner of the plate and he wasn’t getting the calls. He easily could have struck out the side without any walks if he got a couple of close calls or if he had throw the ball 2" in one direction.
I was impressed with his poise and his movement. They were talking about his strikeout pitch on the broadcast and saying how when he throws that mid 90’s fastball it stays on the same low plane and never sinks like most fastballs. That’s why Drew and LaRoche just watched it as they thought it was going to sink out of the zone.
He needs to develop a changeup though, or at least throw it more consistently.
Dave_D - June 8, 2010
I thought the strike zone was small all night. Lowe was getting frustrated.
TennKen - June 8, 2010
Kimbrel was a lot better than Lowe. Our offense failed Lowe in clutch positions though. They had the chance to get the win, but failed. Let’s win the series with these next two!
Joseph_C - June 8, 2010
Our offense failed all night.
Pavy848 - June 8, 2010
double (facepalm)
Chief Noc-A-Homa - June 8, 2010
Arizona is now 41-50 in the all-time series against the Braves, going 19-27 at Chase Field.
I don’t feel so bad about the loss. We should be able to win tonight, and maybe on Wedensday. Chipper goes for batting practice before the game tonight. If he feels fine, then he’s in the starting lineup. McLouth is not slated to be in tonight!
Joseph_C - June 8, 2010
phantom injury
pfoley - June 8, 2010
Start intentionally walking Drew.
He gave the DBacks 4 of their 7 runs, and always has it out for the Braves. He’s like Randy W.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - June 8, 2010
That was a frustrating game to watch. But going up against Haren I thought they would have the advantage. Goat of the game goes to Yunel in my eyes. Heyward needs a fucking day off.
We got them tonight though.
Smoltz's Beard - June 8, 2010
Goat of the game was pretty much the entire team.
Just a pisspoor job all around except for the bullpen.
DogDaysofSummer - June 8, 2010
Agreed.
Sam Jethroe - June 8, 2010
I'm very confident
that we can take the next three…we basically saw the best of their bullpen last night which is equivalent to a little league bullpen. Haren’s by far their best starter and even he’s not great. As long as none of our Starting Pitching goes DerekLowe we should be fine considering we’ll be able to tee off on their SP + Pen
Logan Allred - June 8, 2010
At least the Meds/Hanson starts are looking good. There’s that other dude that couldn’t get a W to save his life, and hopefully will be replaced by JJ. My gut tells me that Chavez isn’t going anywhere, but we still have a great opportunity to change our rotation from good to GREAT.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - June 8, 2010
and p.s.
Bud Selig made the draft unwatchable. Someone should put a hit on that old dumbass.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - June 8, 2010
I’ve wanted to put a hit on Selig since 1968. Hasn’t happened yet.
John Holton - June 8, 2010
Actually, Ian Kennedy has been their best starter this year. Haren was their best last year, but he’s far from it this year.
TonyAlmeyda - June 8, 2010
Was it just me?
Or did the Diamondbacks looked surprised they actually won?
gramsey712 - June 8, 2010
BRAVESOLOGIST IS A JINX!!! AHHHH FIRE HIM!! OR WE SHALL LOSE EVERY GAME!!!
(just kidding, new guy)
MBL1 - June 8, 2010 via mobile
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