Boy, we sure needed that. I can't even remember the last time the Braves won a blowout like this one. It sure is fun, though. We should do it more often.
After the Braves' lineup was revealed this morning, I got kind of sick to my stomach. With Rick Ankiel hitting second and Alex Gonzalez hitting third, I had little expectation that the Braves would score many runs. Fortunately, the reverse jinx that I put in the open thread worked, and both Ankiel and Gonzalez had good games at the plate. Ankiel even did something useful defensively, throwing out a runner at third base.
The lesson, as always: Vicente Padilla stinks. The Braves knocked him around for two 4-run innings. In the third, Melky Cabrera hit an opposite-field double off of Padilla's freakish eephus-like pitch; that knocked in Brooks Conrad to make it 1-0 Braves. After a sacrifice, Omar Infante auto-singled Melky in to make it 2-0. Ankiel then singled just under the glove of a slow-footed Ryan Theriot, and Gonzalez followed by scorching a liner into the right-center gap for a 2-run triple.
In the fifth, Infante led off with another auto-single. Ankiel walked (the one thing he's consistently done well since coming to the Braves), and Gonzalez was hit by a pitch. That brought up Brian McCann, who hit a sac fly to make it 5-0. The next batter, Troy Glaus, delivered the coup de grace with a towering 3-run homer to make it 8-0. The much-maligned, then much-loved, then much-maligned-again Glaus has shown a few glimpses lately of better play, though he is still slower than a sloth in a vat of molasses.
Those 8 runs were plenty for Jair Jurrjens, who pitched out of some runner-on-third, less-than-2-out jams and got lots of swings and misses. JJ gave up only 1 run, and that was on a double play. By the way, the Dodgers have scored 3 runs in this series, and none of them were on hits (2 double plays and a sac fly).
Jurrjens struck out 7 and walked only 1 in 7 innings. Both the walk and the run came in his last inning, with the Braves already well ahead. It was another excellent performance by a Braves starter. They've now given up just 2 runs in 21 innings in this series.
The Braves added a single run in the sixth on a sac fly by Alex Gonzalez, then put up another 4-spot in the 8th with the help of the sun. Dodgers right fielder Jay Gibbons lost a ball in the afternoon sun, which opened the floodgates for a remarkable series of bloop hits. Gonzalez, Glaus, Eric Hinske, and Brooks Conrad all had RBI singles in the 8th.
In the end, all the Braves' starters (including Jurrjens) got a hit. The 13 runs and 12-run margin of victory are the most for the Braves since May 16th against the Diamondbacks, which was also a 13-1 win. I like this whole "hitting like we're in May" thing. Let's keep that going.
Don't forget, this series isn't over. Tommy Hanson takes on Chad Billingsley tomorrow at 7 PM eastern at Turner Field. With Tommy on the hill, we've got a great chance to take yet another series. Go Braves!
Stat of the Game
The Braves are now 16-1 in home day games, but only 7-14 on the road in day games. I guess travel + early wake-up calls = poor play. It makes me wonder what the league averages are for home and road day games.
MVPs
Jair Jurrjens-- 7 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K, 0.209 WPA
Alex Gonzalez-- 2/3, 3B, R, 4 RBI, HBP, SF, 0.104 WPA
Melky Cabrera-- 2/5, 2B, 2 R, RBI, 0.134 WPA
Honorable Mention
Omar Infante-- 3/5, 3 R, RBI, 0.040 WPA
Rick Ankiel-- 1/3, 2 BB, 2 R, 0.042 WPA
Brooks Conrad-- 2/4, BB, 2 R, RBI, 0.035 WPA
Troy Glaus-- 2/5, HR, R, 4 RBI, -0.079 WPA (not a good WPA, but still a good day for Troy)
LVP
Vicente Padilla-- 4.1 IP, 8 H, 8 R, 1 HR, 2 BB (1 IBB), 2 K, -0.290 WPA
MVP in a Losing Effort
Ryan Theriot-- 2/2, BB, sac bunt, 0.018 WPA
Clutch Play
Melky Cabrera's double to start the scoring (0.142 WPA)
Unclutch Play
Troy Glaus grounding into a double play in the second (-0.076 WPA). Glausy redeemed himself just a bit later on, though.
0 recs | 106 comments
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
OFFENSE!
MBL1 - August 15, 2010 via mobile
It seems that a week ago, there was much bitching about the “C” lineup that beat the Giants, and now more of the same about the Dodgers? Christ. The Braves are good. I saw it with my own eyes three times last weekend, and though I was pissed, I had to give grudging credit to the team. The “Shucks, we won that one despite all odds” routine is driving me a little nuts.
TheLetter2 - August 15, 2010
Oracle of the Day
goes to joshant for predicting the first four plays of the 3rd inning to start off the scoring
atl192485 - August 15, 2010
yes
JasonHeywardisGod - August 15, 2010
Bah. Was lucky. :P
oVecKid - August 15, 2010
It will get lost because of the eventual nature of the game but JJ got two huge Ks in this game over Loney and Kemp in situations where a fly ball or groundout would have plated a run. Gutsy, quality work from the greivously underrated starter.
Sam Jethroe - August 15, 2010
JJ's era for the year is now sub-4.00
he’s been excellent since the ASB
atl192485 - August 15, 2010
And a lot of those runs he allowed were in that bullshit Marlins game a few weeks ago.
Scott Coleman - August 15, 2010 via mobile
didnt he get knocked around
when we played in SD… i thought he gave up like 7 runs in that game
ChitownBravos - August 15, 2010
Yeah, that was the 17-2 shellacking. Right before he went on the DL.
UMDBHIK - August 15, 2010
Ugh, I’m sick of these close games.
Scott Coleman - August 15, 2010 via mobile
7K 1BB
Jair says you can take your FIP and shove it.
bbxxj - August 15, 2010 via mobile
+1,000,000
FitzFan - August 15, 2010
His FIP is right in line with his ERA this year, actually.
And anyway… I doubt he’s worried.
Jacob Peterson - August 15, 2010
I wish two of those runs were scored yesterday but I'll take the huge win!!! Go Braves!!!
taney71 - August 15, 2010
I was starting to come around on WAR
but for a guy to go 2-4 with a sac fly and a 2 run homer and have a negative score is absurd… I get that it was after the game was already won, but that still seems suspicious
willlinn - August 15, 2010
WPA
not WAR. totally different things.
Daniel McCracken - August 15, 2010
WAR != WPA.
And there is no real reason to “come around” on WPA. It just gives an account of what happened in any given game, but it’s completely affected by the situation when things happen, which players cannot control. It’s fun for the roller coaster Fangraphs charts, but it doesn’t pretend to be a holistic evaluation of players’ performances. Don’t pay attention to it unless you believe in clutch (which you shouldn’t.)
WAR, on the other hand, ignores situation, and is an all-around good stat for judging overall player value.
SS451 - August 15, 2010
They're both useful.
WPA is more useful in assessing individual game performances; WAR (and others) are much more useful on a larger scale.
Jacob Peterson - August 15, 2010
The extent to which WPA is affected by situation makes it not especially useful even for assessing one-game performances. The first run scored is not less valuable than the 13th, because run scoring actions are independent of one another.
SS451 - August 16, 2010
Sorry, that should read not MORE valuable.
SS451 - August 16, 2010
This.
justincredubil02 - August 16, 2010
A) He went 2 for 5
B) He had a 3 run homer, not a 2 run.
C) He did some pretty bad things (a double play and 2 strikeouts), some of which was when the game was still in doubt.
His GIDP alone hurt our chances way more than his HR helped, which makes sense b/c it was 0-0 when he hit into the DP but 5-0 when he hit the homer. There’s no mystery to it at all, and it’s not really an indictment of his performance. Don’t think of high/low WPAs as indications of skill, just of a better version of RBIs. They just tell you how much a player’s performance helped in a particular situation, not how good the performance was on an absolute scale.
Jacob Peterson - August 15, 2010
That lineup was fugly. Thank God Vicente Padilla sucks.
I thoroughly enjoyed watching that. I also enjoyed the statement on LA’s blog that they had better pitching than the Braves. It gave me a chuckle.
UMDBHIK - August 15, 2010
whaaaaat? frankly, it’s not even close:
Total Pitching
ATL: 3.46 ERA
LAD: 4.00 ERA
Starters
ATL: 3.58 ERA
LAD: 3.94 ERA
Relievers
ATL: 3.20 ERA
LAD: 4.12 ERA
and that doesn’t include today
atl192485 - August 15, 2010
Yeah, check out the Tru Blu LA or whatever it’s called. It’s in one of the comments on the series preview.
UMDBHIK - August 15, 2010
Their authors are pretty good. Most of their commentators are clueless though.
Scott Coleman - August 15, 2010
I’m beginning to feel the same about this place with all the new blood. Not like I’m some old timer, but there’s a lot of stupidity flowing on these boards all of a sudden.
And it’s much worse stupidity than my usual stupidity.
UMDBHIK - August 16, 2010
I’d love a world series, but I’m scared to see what TC would look like with all of the new fans and trolls.
Scott Coleman - August 16, 2010
I completely agree with UMDBHIK and mvhsball. I
dunnytwogloves - August 16, 2010
For kicks and giggles:
Do you happen to have those same pitching stats for after the All-Star break?
Wren_and_Stimpy - August 15, 2010
this is the best i could do
postASB
ATL: 2.97 ERA (best in NL)
LAD: 4.04 ERA
this includes today
atl192485 - August 15, 2010
I figured it was somewhere around there.
Thanks!
Wren_and_Stimpy - August 15, 2010
i thought i was having a flashback watching that game today
it was like opening day all over again…
Just minus the inaugration of “the Kid”
ChitownBravos - August 15, 2010
inauguration*
ChitownBravos - August 15, 2010
My stomach was hurting really badly this morning, and I couldn't figure out why.
Now I know:
The runs were coming.
Bad joke, I know – they call me “Smoltz”. Really, though – horrible stomach cramps this morning, but now feel right as rain.
Wren_and_Stimpy - August 15, 2010
Is it just me, or is JJ throwing harder since coming off the DL?
blitzerlover - August 15, 2010
Post-game interview said he reached 96 a couple times. JJ said sometimes, when he has a good fastball going, he can reach back and get some more, and today was one of those days.
Wren_and_Stimpy - August 15, 2010
I didn’t know he could throw 96. He did that twice today!
Scott Coleman - August 15, 2010
He has always been able to reach back in tough situations when he has 2 strikes and throw in the mid 90s, however, it is usually 94 or 95, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him hit 96 like he did today.
MatM - August 15, 2010
I think the time off helped make his arm fresher.
He’s certainly upped his K rate.
Jacob Peterson - August 15, 2010
Agreed
His freshness will be a real asset going down the homestretch.
Sam Jethroe - August 16, 2010
I think we are going to see some incredible pitching down this stretch. JJ looks to have a monster finish.
justincredubil02 - August 16, 2010
I love that guy to death
I have since he pitched for the Tigers. I was absolutely beside myself when we got him away from Detwah. I love Edgar but that was a fabulous trade.
Sam Jethroe - August 16, 2010
Great game
JJ pitched great and we the offense looked great. Hopefully we can keep this up.
Braves24 - August 15, 2010
seems like
every day as of late our starters have been lights out. can’t wait to see how minor does in his 2nd start after he got lucked to death by the stros.
lingsched - August 15, 2010
YES!
Arms+Bats+Gloves=Win
This formula hasn’t failed us yet.
hawves - August 15, 2010
Let's finish the list tomorrow.
NCChopper - August 15, 2010
Have I told you
That I love this graphic? Well. I do!
Jman781 - August 15, 2010 via mobile
Glad you like it. I have more ready for the lead up to the playoffs and post season!
NCChopper - August 16, 2010
Double check Monday?
Mr. Sanchez - August 16, 2010
I’m hoping they finally reward Tommy for his last few great performances without a win today.
Check 2 planned and ready! :-)
NCChopper - August 16, 2010
Where those sea Bass and Glaus haters now. Especially Sea Bass, cough cough justincredible cough cough
PhuckthePhillies - August 15, 2010
This
Dear Justin,
S T F U.
Warmly,
Alex Gonzalez and Rick Ankiel.
In all seriousness, we should get Alex, Rick, and Troy on a cerberus with the baby middle finger going again. That bizairre image complication would rock. Get to it somebody.
fphjr01 - August 15, 2010
So, Ankiel has a hit in 1 game, and all of a sudden, we all think he is a good hitter?
If Ankiel/Gonzalez are our 2/3 hitters from here on out, we are in trouble. That is easily the worst 2/3 in all of baseball.
justincredubil02 - August 16, 2010
Oh calm down
it’ll be Heyward and Prado by Wednesday at the latest.
Scott Coleman - August 16, 2010
I hope so.
justincredubil02 - August 16, 2010
His 1 hit was good to see, but I was more encouraged by the 2 walks. He’s such a free swinger, that took effort.
NCChopper - August 16, 2010
It was vert nice to see.
justincredubil02 - August 16, 2010
Ha.
Yeah. There was a debate this morning about who was worse right now, Glaus or Gonzo. I said that neither should be hitting above the 6 spot, but that Troy was dreadful of late and needed some time off to find his swing.
What an awesome way to shut me up! I still think Troy needs a bit more rest, but he has 2 homers in the past week. Maybe he’s coming around at just the right time.
As far as Justin, why eat crow when Sea Bass tastes better? ;-)
Jman781 - August 15, 2010 via mobile
Right!
Because one game a career makes. STFU with this. Every single time the guy does something good, it’s “HA HA YUNEL SUKS!”
Where are all the running mouths when the guy makes a costly error?
STFU.
UMDBHIK - August 16, 2010
Uhm
I see no mention of Yunel. Anyways, he’s just trying to make the point that the constant hatred on Glaus and Gonzalez gets old. And when they do have good games, the haters are never around.
sag969 - August 16, 2010
Uhm
Except that the entire point is that Escobar is so much better than Yunel, which is not the case. Furthermore, the pro-Gonzalez people are as annoying as the haters of either player.
Everybody needs to stop the bullshit. It’s old.
UMDBHIK - August 16, 2010
Heh
“Except that the entire point is that Escobar is so much better than Yunel, which is not the case.”
That was smooth! Haha, in more seriousness, I don’t think that had anything to do with Yunel. It had do with people like justin and others that keep bitching about the trade.
Anyways, as a “pro-gonazlez person” – I’ve never said Alex is a better player than Yunel. All I’ve said is 1) Alex is having a better year than Yunel (although since the trade their stats are almost identical and I realize that Yunel has more talent) and 2) most importantly Alex is a much, much, much better influence in the clubhouse. And at the end of the day that’s all that really matters.
sag969 - August 16, 2010
And while the point of my argument was not directed at you specifically, you can at least agree with the premise: the bitching back and forth is tiresome. That’s really the message I intended to convey, and while I did and still do not like the trade, it’s done and I want Gonzalez to succeed.
We have all winter to go at each other over transactions such as these.
UMDBHIK - August 16, 2010
I disagree that clubhouse kumbaya is more important than skill on the field.
justincredubil02 - August 16, 2010
rec'd
sag969 - August 16, 2010
Yeah, one game with some bloop singles and sac flys has made me reconsider that his previous 12 years are just an anomoly, and that THIS is the real Gonzalez.
justincredubil02 - August 16, 2010
So I'm not sayin but I'm sayin...
Troy Glaus is a pile of dirt… He should be released! Should have been released after his hot months! Now let’s talk about that AGon kid who has been a piece of
-- for years! All we Braves fans can do is hope he can pony up and play out of his mind, or we are DOOMED! But seriously guys, I was not able to write anything the other day, but I think we all need to be chill and enjoy that this team is STILL in first! We just gotta keep plugging along! Go Braves!UpstateNyBravesFan - August 15, 2010
stolen from AA: LOLMETS
atl192485 - August 15, 2010
This may be one of the best things I have ever seen.
AllSaintsDay - August 15, 2010
That is depressing if not an exaggeration.
Youre a Saints fan though? Where you located?
Tim Goad - August 15, 2010
Welcome to Shitti Field. Can I take-a Shitti ordah, pree?
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 16, 2010
http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/153620/?tag=Mongolians
Tim Goad - August 16, 2010
http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/153620/?tag=Mongolians
Tim Goad - August 16, 2010
Haha,
someone’s been worse than us with RISP! It couldn’t have happened to a nicer team.
Jacob Peterson - August 15, 2010
Ahhh, why not those numbers come from Phillies
Just think a game between RISP failed Mets against RISP failed Braves.
That could be a long, long, long night, maybe (20+ innings game) LOL
joshant - August 15, 2010
Awesome
The real question is though – who the hell has the worst record in NL since then if not the Mets?
sag969 - August 16, 2010
REC'd
how is this not green?!
Scott Coleman - August 16, 2010
Consider it done!
justincredubil02 - August 16, 2010
News Flash: Our starters are good.
And I love how so many are in denial. Though a totally different situation, kind of reminds me of 91 when Avery blew the Pirates away, and everyone was ‘surprised.’ Has ESPN et al. not been watching Jurrjens the past three years?? And they can’t stop drooling over Halladay, though Hudson has probably looked better all year (except for that one small game against the Marlins).
I love being overlooked. Makes it that much sweeter.
ryantex - August 15, 2010
We’ve known our starters are good. It is our offense that has us worried. If we make the playoffs, our offense will face the top pitchers and that could be a problem.
rubbles88 - August 16, 2010
I wasn’t talking about us. Of course we are all worried about the offense.
I was referring to everyone else. I was reminded of this by the post above that referred to the Dodgers blog about our pitching staff.
ryantex - August 16, 2010
It would be sweetEST if we can take it to the house this year, and leave all the analysts with their jaws on the floor
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 16, 2010
It would/will still be attributed
to an inexplicable Phillies/Rockies/Giants/Padres collapse. No love for the Bravesout there.
skymuse - August 16, 2010
Another thing that really blew my top...
MLB’s specials where they focus on years is a joke, too. 1995, they barely even mention the Braves. They focus on Cal Ripken.
Nothing against Cal, but that’s a slap in the face.
So many well-to-do journalists have deep-seeded hatred for the Braves because of all the years of dominence. They really are probably the best over-all team in baseball, that gets no love, what-so-ever, from the national media.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 16, 2010
FREE FREEMAN!!
Sheesh. Glaus has been hitting better for about the last week no need to call up the kid.
Good game all around. Really surprising to see Ankiel who has a terrible OBP get 2 walks in the #2 spot today. When I first saw that lineup i was a bit pissed as well but it all turned out for the good.
Now we just need Prado back so Heyward can take over the #3 spot. Although I wouldnt mind Prado hitting 3rd and Heyward staying 2nd.
drumzalicious - August 16, 2010
Freeman
Will be called up September 1. I really doubt any earlier than that – especially if Glaus is really starting to hit again.
sag969 - August 16, 2010
at which point
he would have no place except a late inning replacement. Which would then stunt his growth because im sure Bobby would try to DH Glaus in the WS and put Freeman at 1B only for Freeman to have not had an AB in a month
drumzalicious - August 16, 2010
Well
If he was called up the Braves would play him and just bench/rest Glaus – just to see what he can do. If Glaus is really hitting again, then maybe they won’t call him up period.
sag969 - August 16, 2010
I’m hopeful that we’ll have a big enough lead in September that we could play Freddie a couple of times a week.
That said I do have a tendency to be overly optimistic sometimes.
Sarahbeth - August 16, 2010
If Freeman comes up Sept. 1...
He’s not available for the postseason roster. He has to be on the 40-man by Aug. 31.
-C
cthabeerman - August 16, 2010
I am one who wanted Freeman called up when Glaus was in a month+ long slump, but I would much rather have Glaus produce regularly than try to rely on another rookie. Seeing Glaus really bring it the last week or so is a relief to me.
sleezer1788 - August 16, 2010
Common sense does not belong in this place!
justincredubil02 - August 16, 2010
It’s great to see the offense come through like this! It needs to continue! Gonzalez needs to stop batting third rabble rabble!!!
Meanwhile, the Phillies start a stretch of 24 games in 23 days on Tuesday.
TonyAlmeyda - August 16, 2010
HEY
what do ya know. Sounds like something we did earlier this year that included a gruesome trip to the west coast.
drumzalicious - August 16, 2010
That even possible?
I thought 20 in 20 was the most allowed in the schedule?
UMDBHIK - August 16, 2010
I’m assuming there’s a double header mixed in there somewhere? Because I’ve been sitting here with a baffled look on my face for the past 30 seconds.
Sarahbeth - August 16, 2010
Yes. They have a doubleheader against the Marlins on September 6.
TonyAlmeyda - August 16, 2010
So, I left the game thread in the 7th inning last night, and come back this morning to find that I have been issued a warning…for what???
That should be a stat included in this write-up: How many warnings were issued to people in the OT? I know of at least 3 off the top of my head, and 1 unwarranted ban.
WTF?
justincredubil02 - August 16, 2010
It wasn’t me…although the ban button has looked good next to your name.
:)
Just kidding Justin. I obviously respect your opinion…even if we agree on literally nothing.
Scott Coleman - August 16, 2010
yea..... i got warned too, justin
presumably for using the M-word
atl192485 - August 16, 2010
I didn’t even cuss.
justincredubil02 - August 16, 2010
holller
traphicg - August 16, 2010
I got one for no apparent reason.
TheLetter2 - August 16, 2010
Well...
Gonzo was just incredible, Melky delivered in the 8 spot, and even old Troy squeaked one out.
Let’s keep this momentum going and take 3/4!!!!!
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 16, 2010
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