Roy Halladay proved once again why he is one of the top pitchers in all of baseball. The Braves had no answer after a Chipper Jones first inning homer, his sixth of the year. Halladay and Derek Lowe were locked in a semi-pitchers duel for most of the night, but the Phillies came out on the top due to hits from unexpected players.
Lowe was allowing base runners throughout the game, seven in total, but was able to keep the Phillies off of the board until the bottom of the sixth. Lowe left a sinker up to Jayson Werth who hit a rope of a single into left field, and then Greg Dobbs unloaded his second home run of the season to make the score 2-1.
The game only lasted 2 hours and 14 minutes. Doc had his nastiest stuff going all night, striking out seven and walking just one. The Braves had a chance against Roy in the eighth after Gregor Blanco lead off with a bunt single, but he was caught stealing on a missed hit-and-run by Brooks Conrad. Blanco looked safe on the replay, but the call was made and the Braves never got another runner on base.
In the top of the ninth, the Phillies added an insurance run against Jonny Venters. Venters came in to face Raul Ibanez and Ryan Howard but allowed back-to-back singles up the middle. A few plays later, the Phillies tried a suicide squeeze and the Braves were in nearly an identical situation as they were against the Marlins on Friday night. With Venters on the mound once again, McCann wisely ran the runner closer to the base and Chipper Jones was able to make the tag. On the subsequent batter, Juan Castro singled to left side as Jayson Werth was stealing third. Chipper was darting to the bag and was unable to switch directions quick enough to get back to the ball quick enough and Werth came around to score.
This was an expected loss, although the Braves did have a good chance to win this game until the homer by Dobbs. At that point, it was easy to lose confidence. Some days Roy has his stuff, and after that Chipper homer there was no getting to him. Brian McCann did stay hot, however, adding two hits. It was the third consecutive game that McCann had two hits.
Up Next: Jair Jurrjens (1-3, 5.59 ERA, 5.16 xFIP) vs. Cole Hamels (6-7, 4.07 ERA, 3.82 xFIP)
0 recs | 54 comments
Can we somehow get Melky to start hitting like he was a few weeks ago? That double play on one pitch for the first two outs of the 7th was a killer. And with some of our guys out with injuries, we really need him to step it up.
sleezer1788 - July 5, 2010
or how about hinske?
if i did the math correctly, he’s gone 17/85, or exactly .200 in the past month, including tonight’s game.
Bravely going forward - July 5, 2010
Yep. Just think of how good we could be if we could get everyone going at the same time. It seemed like when Chipper and McCann were struggling, Glaus and Hinske were raking. And now Chip and Mac have gotten going and Glaus and Hinske have gone cold. I’m just hoping Glaus’ slump was due to him being banged up and after the all star break, he and Heyward will get back to raking.
sleezer1788 - July 5, 2010
Yup
Looks like a need to trade for a power outfielder is becoming more and more important.
Right now, any combination of Heyward/Hinske/Blanco/McClouth/Cabrera/Diaz/Infante isn’t getting us any runs. While Heyward should be back and healthy and break out of his slump post ASG, none of the other guys are guaranteed to really step up to the plate and be consistent. They all can have hitting streaks, but the periods of suckage are longer and more damaging, as much as I like Diaz, Blanco, and Infante – none of them are worthy as regular outfield starters in terms of batting.
sag969 - July 5, 2010
Yeah, I can’t see a World Series in the future when we’re 12th or 13th in the NL in Slugging.
With the OBP being so high, a good power hitter would have a massive effect. Heyward coming back at 100% will help, but another guy is needed as well.
It’s easier to improve the hitting then improve the pitching, plus money should be avaliable to keep the guy for next year, and we don’t have to spend big money on starters for the next few years that isn’t already budgeted in.
Broccoman - July 6, 2010
Sweet game.
Scott Coleman - July 5, 2010 via mobile
Another day, another 0-fer for Yunel
Is it time to bench/demote him?
GouldisGold - July 5, 2010
Can’t really realistically do that right now with all the other injury issues we have. Infante is the only other soild shortstop we have, and he’s been needed in the outfield. Not to mention, Escobar’s defense is irreplaceable.
sleezer1788 - July 5, 2010
I’m still getting worried and frustrated, though. At least bench him for the next week or so, and it may help him out physically and mentally. Escobar has been a huge liability this season.
GouldisGold - July 5, 2010
After the break, I want this lineup:
Prado
Blanco
Chipper
McCann/Glaus
Glaus/McCann
Heyward
Hinske
Escobar
Best lineup of the year.
Scott Coleman - July 5, 2010 via mobile
this
Braves24 - July 5, 2010
Definitely. I just hope when Heyward and McLouth come back, Blanco gets to keep his spot over Melky. He plays better defense, puts together great at bats, and gives us a little speed on the bases. He has proven to be a much better asset than Melky since he started getting regular playing time.
sleezer1788 - July 5, 2010
We should trade Melky. Melky is nothing more than a fourth outfielder and Blanco is definitely capable of being that, if not better.
Braves24 - July 5, 2010
Maybe, but what are we really going to get out of him? He started hitting when he got switched from starter to the other half of the Hinske platoon. Now that he’s an everyday starter again, he’s been bad. So maybe he’s better without the pressure and does better coming off the bench. If that’s the case, then he’d be a valuable guy to keep to give guys rest sometimes.
sleezer1788 - July 5, 2010
Mid level prospect
Blanco can easily fill the fourth outfielder roll you are talking about and is cheaper and better.
Braves24 - July 6, 2010
I think Blanco is our long-term answer in center, as well as leadoff hitter. He is everything you’d want in a leadoff hitter. He can run well, has good plate discipline, and can execute the bunt single as well as anyone.
GouldisGold - July 5, 2010
we tried that in 2008. His OBP was good, but he can’t slug his way out of a wet paper bag, and he only stole 13 bases.
ChrisK562 - July 6, 2010
I don’t take too much out of him not getting a hit today, because the only actual hits we got were off the bats of Chipper and McCann. No one else did anything at all, besides Blanco’s bunt. I just don’t understand what happened to him. He was arguably our best hitter last year, and now he puts up some pretty pathetic at bats. Same with McLouth. I don’t understand how these guys go from solid to above average players, to looking completely lost at the plate without any outside factors, such as injuries, being apparent.
sleezer1788 - July 5, 2010
What sleezer said
Post ASG and with everyone back from injuries, this might need to happen.
The tricky thing is that Yunel (with his personality) can’t really be demoted. He will have to be traded.
sag969 - July 5, 2010
Disappointing game, but I didn’t expect this road trip be easy. The Jurrjens vs Hamels is definitely winnable (seeing our track record vs him) and I don’t expect the Braves to get beat up by Moyer again. Hopefully the Braves will rebound to win the next two.
Joseph_C - July 5, 2010
Lowe pitched good, but Halladay pitched better. Good to see Chipper and McCann stay hot. We will wake up offensively the next two games and win the series
Braves24 - July 5, 2010
Yeah well I'm not to worried about this series because the
back end of our rotation matched up to their front end of theirs, but it’s ok so Hudson and Hanson can face the Mets
bravesforever16 - July 5, 2010
Imagine that…Halladay throws a great game and he gets the front page at ESPN. Hudson and Hanson do it and can’t even make the headlines.
sleezer1788 - July 5, 2010
i should sooo ask someone to create a password and whatnot to block ESPN on my TV. but then who would i make fun of and complain about?
MBL1 - July 5, 2010 via mobile
It's crazy.
If you ask me, Josh Johnson has had the better season but you don’t see anything about him at all. I thought ESPN would back off Roy Halladay since the Phillies are playing bad and he has done just okay since the perfect game, but it is what it is.
Creek Johnson - July 5, 2010
That annoys me more than the loss. The way that ESPN covers sports and then blames fans for not knowing about certain players or teams. Whatever.
award6 - July 6, 2010
The ESPN guy sounded so bland about Chipper’s homer, I almost got sick. Yet, when Halladay struck out someone, he was almost jumping up and down. When Lowe pitched out of a bases loaded jam, the ESPN guy sounded like he barely noticed…..
I wish I had PeachTree TV.
Joseph_C - July 6, 2010
ESPN commentating is the biggest joke since Nate McLouth
Joseph_C - July 6, 2010
Joe Buck
& Kevin Millar would like to have a word with you.
Brian. - July 6, 2010
I never felt comfortable and I kept waiting for Lowe to drop that anvil on my foot. I know he had what looks superficially like a good outing but I don’t trust him as far as I could throw his wallet. Any game in October that he starts will send me to an asylum.
Sam Jethroe - July 5, 2010
Mutts lose 8-6
That’s a nice dose of Lidocaine for this game.
Sam Jethroe - July 5, 2010
Oh well, two out of three isn’t bad.
TonyAlmeyda - July 5, 2010
Dunno about you guys but i think Chipper’s homer was beautiful.
MBL1 - July 5, 2010 via mobile
It was
Just a quick little reminder how damn strong he is and what a beautiful, perfect swing he’s always had. I feel fortunate to have watched him on a daily basis for so long.
Sam Jethroe - July 5, 2010
He smoked two others as well. He talked about retiring based on his abysmal performance, but his peripherals show he really isn’t doing all that bad. Good to see him get it going these last few games.
Creek Johnson - July 5, 2010
Even though he’s not the old Chipper, he still comes through with big hits and has been swinging a good bat lately. Plus, i like his leadership on this team and the fact that he takes a lot of walks.
MBL1 - July 5, 2010 via mobile
Just going to make this point
I really appreciate how people here at TC understand baseball and dont blow things out of proporation(for the most part). Yall understand that there is 162 games a year and that no pitcher can throw a perfect game every time out and no batter hits a home run everytime out. Before two years ago the only blog I would visit(just because its the only I knew about) was over at atlantabraves.com. The people that post over there honestly make me depressed to be a braves fan. I know some of yall post at both, but yall are the better ones that post over there. Just wanted to say thanks for being a source of sanity during my summers.
Don’t go read that message board, if you do you are just going to come away furious
Texastriplecrown - July 5, 2010
That's what I love about Talking Chop too.
I used to read the AJC blogs as well as the stuff on the official, but I realized that I came away feeling depressed and as if I somehow got dumber. Talking Chop teaches me things (since I’ve been reading, I know a LOT more about our farm system and certain stats), and for the most part, the people here tend to stay positive. It’s awesome.
Sarahbeth - July 5, 2010
Good post. :)
and never go look at the AJC comments. The people who comment on there are really stupid(and some of the AJC writers are too)
MBL1 - July 5, 2010 via mobile
this
Braves24 - July 6, 2010
Hi.
I’m the understatement of the year. Have we met?
UMDBHIK - July 6, 2010
Thanks for the positive comment.
HEYJUDE - July 5, 2010
Tough loss
Since we led for most of the game and had some really bad luck/plays that could have netted us a few more runs (I’m looking at you Melky), but losing to Roy Halladay is not a surprise, the guy was pretty dominant all night.
Hopefully Jurrjens can best Hamels tomorrow night, and then Hanson? can take care of whoever the Phillies 3rd starter is.
sag969 - July 5, 2010
Kris Medlen pitches Wednesday against Jamie Moyer. Hanson will probably pitch Friday against the Mets.
TonyAlmeyda - July 5, 2010
At least the Mets lost
with their best pitcher against the Reds AAA call-up. That’s always fun.
Scott Coleman - July 6, 2010
And Pelfrey
Really, really sucked tonight. Just could not stop the bleeding. The Reds can do that to you (it all reminded me a lot of Hanson’s game against them in late May), but he just looked increasingly confused and pissed out there as it went along, which was (obviously) quite enjoyable to watch.
Sam Jethroe - July 6, 2010
Between the Padres and Reds, I think one team will stick around and the other will falter down the stretch. I’m just not sure who will at this point.
Scott Coleman - July 6, 2010
Yeah,
he lost his cool when the K was overturned(I thought it was the proper call).
Brian. - July 6, 2010
Lowe
In his 52 starts with the Braves, Derek Lowe has only given up 0 ER twice. Opening day last season, June 24 @ CWS this season.
Should have a few more for $15,000,000, no?
McLouth Maniac - July 6, 2010
That's a pretty demanding standard
How many times do most starters give up 0ER? Not real often. Lowe has been either good or bad this year – when he’s pitched, the team has been out of it quickly or really has had a chance to win, not much in between.
The pitch Dobbs hit was only barely a strike and from what I remember was thrown where it was intended. And Lowe did pitch out of a couple of jams not especially of his own making without giving up anything. He’s actually been pretty darn good most of the year. It’s just that when he doesn’t have it, he really doesn’t have it.
blwfish - July 6, 2010
Intellectually
I know most of that is true but when I see him on the mound, I seem to instinctively start preparing to be disappointed or angry, usually alternating bursts of each.
Sam Jethroe - July 6, 2010
For $15,000,000? I expect a pretty dominant pitcher. Somebody who can lead a staff. An ace. Somebody who given a run in the first inning, you actually believe that might be enough. Was there any doubt in your mind that Derek Lowe was eventually going to give up some runs last night? There sure wasn’t in mine. I knew he was going to give up that lead and if he didn’t it would have been one of the biggest shocks of the season.
I know you can’t expect 0 ER every start, but I would expect it more than 4% (2/52) of the time (or 2% (1 of last 51) of the time if you take out his first career start with Braves).
McLouth Maniac - July 6, 2010
1. Chipper Jones needs to talk about retiring more. It seems to have awakened the sleeping power in his bat.
2. Derek Lowe pitched a heckuva game last night. Really had the good sinker going, and may have had better results if that mickey mouse 2B ump from the minors hadn’t botched that call. He had to throw several more pitches that inning. Perhaps the 2 run HR doesn’t happen if that call is made.
3. Roy Halladay is awfully good at pitching. Tip of the cap because there’s no shame in losing to one of the best in the game.
UMDBHIK - July 6, 2010
i doubt that about the home run
at the game. watching from the ball park it looked like the proper call
Delaware Boiler - July 6, 2010
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