Tommy Hanson was awesome on Saturday afternoon against a pretty good Marlins lineup. After being in the worst stretch of his professional career, Big Red came up big against the Fish. He threw 6 and 2/3s innings and should've gone longer, but an inconsistent strike zone raised his pitch count up a bit. He allowed only 1 un-earned run, and that was on a missed catch by Martin Prado in the 2nd inning. He struck out 8 hitters on the day and only walked 2, so Tommy had his full command back.
As mentioned above, Florida got on the board first on a botched catch from Prado. The Braves left quite a few runners on base in the first few innings (a trend that's starting to worry me a bit.), but finally broke through in the 4th inning for 4 runs. After Chipper walked and Brian McCann bunt-singled, Omar Infante delivered yet again in the clutch to tie the game up at 1-1. Yunel Escobar (YUNEL ESCOBAR!) then doubled to the right-center field gap to drive in McCann and move Infante over to 3rd. Gregor Blanco, who, in my opinion, is playing his way into the starting CF job against righties once Heyward comes back, came up big yet again with a line drive single to score Infante and Escobar. Braves led 4-1 heading into the 5th.
That was it for scoring in today's game. After Hanson excited in the 7th, Peter Moylan struck out superstar super whiney Hanley Ramirez on 3 straight pitches. Ramirez didn't even take the bat off his shoulder. Way to go, stud.
Takashi Saito allowed two hits in the 8th, but forced Ronny Paulino to promptly hit into an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play. Billy Wagner, after blowing the save last night, was filthy in the 9th and recorded his 17th save of the season. Yunel Escobar made an incredible play to record the 3rd out of the inning. Be sure to check SportsCenter for the highlights.
Braves win 4-1.
MVP(s):
Tommy Hanson - 6.2IP, 5H, 1R, 0ER, 2BB, 8K
The Braves' 6-7-8 hitters (Infante, Esco and Blanco) - 4-for-9, 4RBI; Great stuff from them today.
LVP(s):
Eric Hinske - 0-for-4, 1K, 4LOB; 'Ski is slumping. Dude is probably due for a game winning hit tomorrow.
Upcoming Game:
Final game of the 3-game series is tomorrow at 5:05EST. That's odd. It'll be Tim Hudson vs. Ricky Nolasco, which should be a terrific matchup. I'm really hoping Brian McCann gets the day off. Dude needs it.
The Mets lost (again!!!) to the Natinals in the 9th, so the Braves pick up a game on them to increase their lead to 3 games in the NL East. Keep it up Nats.
Go Braves!
0 recs | 55 comments
I apologize about the sub-par GT today
I’ve been really busy this weekend and thought I had posted the GT the night before. Guess I didn’t.
Scott Coleman - July 3, 2010
Spoiled brats...
if you were around game threads last year, you’d probably not call it “sub-par”.
Mr. Sanchez - July 4, 2010
Never been so happy to see the Nats win.
Oh, and I hate FOX.
Sam Jethroe - July 3, 2010
Would rather watch the game on Fox
then listen to Ernie Johnson do another game. How pathetic was his call on Infante’s game-winner last night?
FeartheChop - July 3, 2010
no kidding. he didn’t even say anything.
Scott Coleman - July 3, 2010
Glad somebody else feels the same way. Say what you want about Chip, but he at least can make an exciting moment, well exciting. No only does Ernie sound like Bill Walton, but he doesn’t even no what he’s doing it seems.
FeartheChop - July 3, 2010
I only hate Chip when he teases us.
“DEEEEEEEP FLY BALL BELTED RIGHT!!!!!!….and Glaus makes the catch by the dugout.”
He does love the Braves though. And I’d much rather hear him than Mr. Monotone.
Scott Coleman - July 3, 2010
LINE DRIVE BASE HIT.... caught out there...
atl192485 - July 3, 2010
That
was a hilarious call. But he still has a better voice than Ernei.
FeartheChop - July 3, 2010
Feel the exact same way. He pisses me off when he does that. But that is a good point about him loving the Braves. He’s very passionate, obviously. I can only hope Ernie doesn’t last.
FeartheChop - July 3, 2010
"Monotone"
is the key word when describing Ernie’s voice. I never thought I would say I miss Chip, but after being put to sleep by Ernie’s voice. I would welcome Chip back. Of course, I would rather have Smoltzie, but at least Chip doesn’t lull me to sleep while watching the game. Thank goodness I can hit mute and listen to the play by play on the radio:)
HEYJUDE - July 4, 2010
Not as much as he loves the Cubs…
Weldon - July 4, 2010
Agreed
As impressive as Ernie Johnson’s resume is, he doesn’t always get into the games the way Chip and Joe can.
sag969 - July 4, 2010
The reason I hate Fox
Is that I was forced to watch St. Stephen today, instead of being allowed to watch the Braves.
I had the same thing happen to the Saturday game against the Tigers. I hate that their ridiculous broadcasts (Joe Buck and the fool Kevin Millar…torture, plain and simple) stomp all over my getting to watch the Braves.
Sam Jethroe - July 3, 2010
that’s why you watch the game with the volume down and turn on the radio for the play by play. Jim and Don do a good job.
beeswax - July 4, 2010
Where has Chip been??
ATLBRVS_19 - July 4, 2010
I think
He only has a contract with SS. Peachtree did not want to hire him. But Peachtree only has ~40 games, so you’ll hear him for most of the other ones.
sag969 - July 4, 2010
Mets fans are funny. They think that their team is the best when they win, but it’s like they’re the Orioles when they lose!
Good win for us. The weird time for the game is probably because of July 4th
MBL1 - July 3, 2010 via mobile
oh and i love the photo caption
MBL1 - July 3, 2010 via mobile
gracias mi amiga
Scott Coleman - July 3, 2010
I'm just glad we kept Wes Helms in check
We have to be the only team he does decently against.
WatsonTiger - July 3, 2010
in other news
bruce chen (!!!!!!!) had a perfect game vs. the angels through 6
atl192485 - July 3, 2010
he’s actually been pretty good this year…nice to see. I met him a few years ago and was awesome to me and my dad.
Scott Coleman - July 3, 2010
I've always rooted for the guy
Along with most ex-Braves.
Sam Jethroe - July 3, 2010
Besides Francoeur. Frenchy can go 0-for his next-300 as far as im concerned.
Scott Coleman - July 3, 2010
Yes.
Francoeur, Kyle Farnsworth and Bob Walk.
Sam Jethroe - July 3, 2010
Farnsworth was an absolute tool
Remember those comments he made when he left the Braves about how they couldn’t keep winning with what they were doing. Now he’s a setup man for the ever dreaded KC Royals
ATLBRVS_19 - July 4, 2010
Bruce Chen is great.
I love how he went to Tech in the offseason to get his degree. I went to Tech, and I can tell you that it’s not easy. For him to do that and be a pro ballplayer is impressive as hell. Plus, he just seems like a really nice guy.
Jacob Peterson - July 4, 2010
Way to go, guys. In other news, we finally killed that fucking purple dinosaur that rules Colorado.
TheLetter2 - July 3, 2010
lol
I still remember when he used to stick his belly out and shake it when Bob Wickman would pitch in Colorado. I almost cried from laughing.
Scott Coleman - July 3, 2010
you guys really rocked him
good for you. hope we get another crack at him and muster at least a hit this time
atl192485 - July 3, 2010
HAHA
The ESPN person just said they don’t play favorites
thrashtalk - July 3, 2010
By the way...happy early 4th of July to everyone
I’m going up to the river to
go swimmingget hammered and then probably pass out due to dehydration, so have a beer on me tomorrow.Also, the All Stars are announced tomorrow morning and I’ll be putting a post up, so be sure to check that out!
Scott Coleman - July 3, 2010
Martin Prado > Kelly Johnson
Jason Heyward > Ryan Church or Jeff Francoeur
Gregor Blanco > Garrett Anderson
Billy Wagner + Takashi Saito > Rafael Soriano + Mike Gonzalez
Eric Hinske >>>>>>>> Greg Norton
abraves - July 3, 2010
don't forget
glaus > kotchman
atl192485 - July 3, 2010
and glaus > laroche also
Kobe:The Legend - July 3, 2010
Glaus > first half Laroche
FeartheChop - July 3, 2010
And
Kobe > LeBron
FeartheChop - July 3, 2010
yes!!
Kobe:The Legend - July 3, 2010
Funny thing about that is
that I was going to do that before I saw your user name. Lol, that just gave me more reason too.
FeartheChop - July 3, 2010
Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins > Kobe and Gasol
Scott Coleman - July 3, 2010
i've never had lebron
is medium-rare lebron tasty?
atl192485 - July 3, 2010
2010 Braves > 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 Braves
Scott Coleman - July 3, 2010
yes
haha
abraves - July 3, 2010
You can probably add ’05 to that too.
FeartheChop - July 3, 2010
A pretty good set of key factors
To explain this season so far.
Sam Jethroe - July 3, 2010
haha, funny thing is I was just going to say Blanco > Anderson because of his recent hot streak but the others were too obvious to ignore.
abraves - July 3, 2010
Fuckin A
Frozen Fan - July 3, 2010
The start time for tomorrow
Seems geared toward having the game start well after the parade clears out, but gives people enough time to clear out of the ballpark after the game ends before fireworks start across the street. I’m assuming fireworks don’t start until 9:30ish, so it’s guesswork.
Bronn - July 4, 2010
The game can't start any later
because the it would interfere with the ESPN telecast and couldn’t be televised. But it has to start somewhat late so the fireworks will be soon after the game instead of 3 hours after the game. Hence, 5:00.
Jacob Peterson - July 4, 2010
So...
What was that gondee said about Blanco?
Please, eat your words now!
sag969 - July 4, 2010
Hanson's being more selective.
I think I figured out what was wrong with Tommy Hanson before. In the past, I noticed he was throwing more curves and changeups instead of his fastballs and sliders. Why go away from your two best pitches? Today, he threw almost nothing but fastballs and sliders, and only mixed in his curveball/changeup after he established his two best pitches.
mattlanta - July 4, 2010
Chipper and Hanley should've been ejected
For showing up the ump plus Chipper even went back and got in the umps face. Lets see what happens today. It was a pretty crappy strikezone yesterday though.
Jay212033 - July 4, 2010
I didn't see any of the game,
but it sounds like Tommy got back on track just like I’d hoped he would. Now, we’ve got Timmy going today with a chance for the sweep. I like the sound of that. Go Braves!
Jacob Peterson - July 4, 2010
Will this put the “I’m worried about Tommy” posts to bed now? One can only hope.
UMDBHIK - July 4, 2010
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