Thank God for instant replay! For the first time since the replay system was instituted, the Braves had a significant call up for video review. And boy, was it significant. With the score tied 6-6 with 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, Brian McCann hit a line shot that clearly hit off the top of the right-field wall, bounced off the back wall, then back onto the field. At Turner Field, that is a home run--and a pretty obvious one--but the first-base ump, a rookie, either wasn't familiar with the Ted's double-wall or didn't see it hit off the back wall. He ruled it a double.
Fortunately, the crew chief went to review the play, and after a couple minutes of suspense, McCann finally got to finish rounding the bases. It was the ultimate in delayed gratification, but I'm sure it was no less sweet despite that.
The Braves trailed 6-1 for most of the game before rallying for 6 runs in the last two innings thanks to the Marlins' weak bullpen and horrific defense. Eric Hinske drove in a run in the 8th off of Will Ohman to make it 6-2. Then, on a slow roller by Melky Cabrera, Marlins first-baseman Gaby Sanchez couldn't handle the throw from our old pal Wes Helms, allowing two huge runs to score.
After Takashi Saito threw a scoreless top half of the 9th, the Braves went right back to work against Marlins closer Leo Nunez. Brooks Conrad worked that bullpen-killer, the leadoff walk. That brought up pinch-hitter and Destroyer of Marlins Matt Diaz. Matty D smoked a ball to the opposite field for a two-run, game-tying homer. It was a huge, huge play even if it was soon overshadowed.
Though Saito got the "win", the best pitching on the Braves' side was by Christhian Martinez, who fulfilled his long-man role to perfection, going 4 innings while giving up only 2 hits and 1 run. He kept the Braves close enough that they could come back, and that turned out to be huge. Great job, Christhian, even if your WPA wasn't very good.
Another pat on the back goes to Bobby Cox, who proved once again that Chipper Jones' "Momentum-Turn Hypothesis" has some basis in fact. Bobby got tossed protecting Eric Hinske after Hinske was called out on a borderline check-swing strikeout. Hinske was going ballistic, and Bobby may just have saved him from being tossed. That turned out to be huge because Hinske drove in the Braves' second run later on, and possibly contributed to the Braves' inspired comeback. Yet another reason why we love Bobby.
More after the jump...
The Braves seemed lifeless for much of the first 7 innings, thanks largely to Josh Johnson. Johnson struggled a bit with his command early but settled in. He gave up only 1 (unearned) run in 6 innings, with 3 hits, 3 walks, and 8 strikeouts. Had the Braves not rallied, he would have been the story of the game, but as it is, he's basically a side note. Sorry, Josh, but it's better this way.
His counterpart, Derek Lowe, pitched very poorly. He gave up a 3-run homer to Hanley Ramirez before he'd even recorded an out in the first inning, then a 2-run single by Chad Tracy in the third inning. Lowe actually got somewhat lucky, too, as he gave up 9 baserunners (6 hits and 3 walks) in 3 innings. He got only 4 ground balls (compared to 5 line drives), good for only 36%. Clearly his sinker wasn't working today, though he did somehow strike out 4.
The Braves did get a lift when Ramirez left the game in the 3rd inning after apparently losing his breath and becoming dizzy while on the bases. Considering what he did while he was in the game (2/2 with the 3-run bomb), that probably helped the Braves win (though his replacement, Donnie Murphy, did drive in the Marlins' last run with a triple).
All in all, it was just one more thrilling comeback for a team that seems to rally from a big deficit on a weekly basis. And what's more, we somehow won the series. After how bad this team looked on Friday (and most of today), a series win is pretty dang sweet.
Co-MVPs
Brian McCann-- 3/4, BB, HR, 2 R, RBI, GIDP, 0.481 WPA
Matt Diaz-- 1/1, HR, R, 2 RBI, 0.461 WPA
Honorable Mention
Christhian Martinez-- 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 2 K, -0.011 WPA
Eric Hinske-- 2/4, 2B, R, 2 RBI, K, 0.117 WPA
Melky Cabrera-- 0/2, 2 BB, huge ROE, K, 0.125 WPA (Melky's GBOP skills strike again)
Bobby Cox (for getting tossed and keeping Hinske in the game)
Instant Replay (for preventing an untested umpire from screwing us over)
LVPs
Leo Nunez-- 0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 2 HR, 1 BB, 1 K, -0.922 WPA
The Marlins' defense-- 3 errors leading to 3 unearned runs
Derek Lowe-- 3 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 1 HR, 3 BB, 4 K, -0.355 WPA
Co-Clutch Plays
Diaz's homer (0.461 WPA) and McCann's homer (0.469 WPA). Sweet.
0 recs | 154 comments
Heap FTW
BeatTehMets - August 29, 2010
Literally.
Jacob Peterson - August 29, 2010
Check 1, Check 2 ....
NCChopper - August 29, 2010
Keep 'em Coming
But next time Bravos, let’s break out the check marks a bit earlier, okay? My heart can’t take it anymore.
Jman781 - August 30, 2010
keep those checks coming
Mr. Sanchez - August 30, 2010
Team of Destiny.
That is all.
fandave - August 29, 2010
Once again, the Cardiac Kids Come Through in the Clutch
/and there was much celebration throughout all of the house!
El Soro - August 29, 2010
"….and Matt Diaz looked up at the sky and said, ‘Not today.’ "
passes out
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 29, 2010
“….and McCann saw him do so, and new it was good.”
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 29, 2010
fuck. *knew
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 29, 2010
“…and he laideth his vengeance upon the ball with a mighty blow.”
Sir Veza - August 29, 2010
Chipper Jones Momentum-Turn Hypothesis FTW
GoBravesNY - August 29, 2010
'splain?
i googled but didnt get much
dank7 - August 29, 2010
Taken from SI's article about Cox
Rest of the story, in case you didn’t read it, can be found here
GoBravesNY - August 29, 2010
ah, simple
by why Chipper Jones?
dank7 - August 29, 2010
played for bobby all these years.
so i know her’s was better but im guessing it also posted first?
15ks - August 29, 2010
Maybe, Its hard to tell with TC, because sometimes it seems like one posts first but is actually posted seconds after. All mine was, was a quote from the article.
I’m a dude btw
GoBravesNY - August 29, 2010
my bad sir
i always get mixed up. and yours was first haha
15ks - August 29, 2010
cuz he rulez
MBL1 - August 29, 2010 via mobile
And now that it has been proven with sufficient scientific rigor, it is now the Chipper Jones Momentum – Turn Theorem
El Soro - August 29, 2010
what's Bobby's WPA
adc62 - August 30, 2010
bobby gets thrown out
= braves comeback from large deficits more often then they ought to. sports illustrated’s recent tribute to cox touched on this
15ks - August 29, 2010
The BP kept us in the game and gave us the ability to come back. Awesome.
We love our Caveman!!! He made BMac’s heroics possible.
NCChopper - August 29, 2010
Did you see his bat flip? He knew that was gone
GoBravesNY - August 29, 2010
yea
that was real nice. “Just another day at work”
Braves24 - August 29, 2010
That was a big key for me
Matty D never does stuff like that unless it’s important and he knows for sure.
Sam Jethroe - August 29, 2010
Yea but what the fucks up with Lowe this cant keep going on or it will catch up to us!
cali viking - August 29, 2010
That did not just happen. But of course we’re just lucky!
MBL1 - August 29, 2010 via mobile
Fan Graph Win Probability
Can I Haz?
15ks - August 29, 2010
BullManUGA - August 29, 2010
have yourself a youreawesomepuppy gif
15ks - August 29, 2010
no title
/BANNED
atl192485 - August 29, 2010
if you dont wanna stare at this
YOU’RE BANNED
15ks - August 29, 2010
i can't only glare for 30 seconds while grinning like a madman?
:(
atl192485 - August 29, 2010
His name was McCann, and to see him play would make one say, “Goddamn, that replay made my day!”
/Run-DMC’d
El Soro - August 29, 2010
Wow
This is why you never give up on the Braves. I apologize for throwing in the towel and leaving the gamethread when Lowe attempted to dig a hole to China.
hawves - August 29, 2010
Man oh Man
Just seems like it is truly meant to be this year, GO BRAVES ! No need for instant replay on Big Mac Homer although I am truly glad that we now have it in baseball for sure. Marlins bullpen strikes again, what else can you say great game, great series.
Go BRaves.
Holty_Panthers_Fan - August 29, 2010
good thing
mvhsbball didnt do this recap or it would be a loss
Erihury - August 29, 2010
Haha
I did recap the Brooks Conrad game (among others)… but I also had to do the Ubaldo game. So it’s not like I have a perfect track record, either.
Jacob Peterson - August 29, 2010
which one?
I mean… I guess I know which one (we all do), but there have been multiple Brooks Conrad games, y’know.
Xshare - August 29, 2010
I would get mad about this...
but it’s true, and I’ve accepted reality.
$5 says we’re swept next weekend in Florida.
Scott Coleman - August 30, 2010
Can’t believe Phillies fans think we’re lucky. Stupid, stupid, stupid! Sounds like a big fat excuse to me…
/end rant
MBL1 - August 29, 2010 via mobile
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/statistics/standings.php
Check out the W3/L3 column. Actually, we are UNlucky. It’s the Phillies who won basically 3.5 games on luck.
Creek Johnson - August 29, 2010
Bring on the Mutts tomorrow.
TonyAlmeyda - August 29, 2010
Tim McClelland
had a “grin” according to ESPN. That was a full fledged smile
GoBravesNY - August 29, 2010
That was absolutely awesome
Any other ump, except maybe Jim Joyce, and I would’ve been nervous and preparing a conniption. With Timmy Mack on the case, I knew it was just a matter of him seeing it once.
Sam Jethroe - August 29, 2010
We can all agree that Joyce blew a ten foot johnson on that perfect game.
But he has been consistently rated one of the best in the game since he came into the league, and I think he was STILL rated the best by the players even after that blown call.
The way he manned up to his mistake got me misty eyed. Pretty impressive IMO.
Tim Goad - August 29, 2010
He's The Man
Always been one of the finest umps in the game.
Sam Jethroe - August 30, 2010
For Simon... THE BRAVES BROUGHT ASTROGLIDE TO THE BALLPARK TODAY
SuperNewb - August 29, 2010
damnit padres..
15ks - August 29, 2010
LET’S GO PADRES!
x1000
NCChopper - August 29, 2010
they'll need a braves-like rally now
15ks - August 29, 2010
They’re beating themselves. They’ve committed FOUR errors.
TonyAlmeyda - August 29, 2010
derrick lowe
when are the Braves going to put him in the Bullpen and let the kid move up in his spot? They sent the guy back to aaa but i read they brought him back, maybe he will got Lowes spot?
jayball - August 29, 2010
1. They sent Minor to GCL as a strategic move to get Kimbrel for a couple of days.
2. It’s Derek.
3. ???
4. PROFIT!
MBL1 - August 29, 2010 via mobile
2. It’s Derrek.
Corrections in which the corrections are wrong are fun.
Bronn - August 29, 2010
Crap
I thought it was Lee, instead of Lowe. I’m easily confused.
Derek Lowe, Derrek Lee.
I’m an ass.
Bronn - August 29, 2010
haha. What happend to the other 4 steps?
GoBravesNY - August 29, 2010
you
are FAIL
MBL1 - August 29, 2010 via mobile
Corrections in which corrections of corrections being wrong are wrong are fun?
SuperNewb - August 29, 2010
+1
Bronn - August 29, 2010
phew had to read that a few times to make sure i didn’t royally mess it up
SuperNewb - August 29, 2010
fail
Braves24 - August 29, 2010
Derek is part of the D.E.N.N.I.S system.
Tim Goad - August 29, 2010
I enjoy seeing Always Sunny in the oddest places.
Sarahbeth - August 30, 2010
Its an awesome show.
I cant wait for the new season.
Tim Goad - August 30, 2010
ehh
Minor’s not out of the rotation, we used 4 guys this time through because of the off day to protect MM’s arm, he’ll be back this week. With Medlen having TJ, the only option to replace Lowe is Kawakami, which is another debate entirely.
15ks - August 29, 2010
In short:
No.
DuPu - August 29, 2010
They sent him to AAA to make room for Kimbrel in the bullpen but more importantly to skip his start to keep his arm fresh.
Wren_and_Stimpy - August 29, 2010
guilty
I switched of at 6-1 to watch little league WS wow
bravestatoo - August 29, 2010
You suffered enough
The little world series shouldn’t be inflicted on anyone except 12 year olds.
Bronn - August 29, 2010
I watch
out of patriotism, and that’s the only reason. Once they’re out, I turn it off.
hawves - August 29, 2010
You do realize...
That one U.S. team makes the final every year, right??
It’s a U.S. v. the World format, with U.S. teams facing each other until the final and all the countries facing each other until the final…
-C
cthabeerman - August 30, 2010
Shhhhhhhh!
Don’t spoil the fun!
sag969 - August 30, 2010
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let’s start givin
/sways
UMDBHIK - August 30, 2010
I did it too
hawves - August 29, 2010
You know better
I’m gonna just call you next time to make sure you are watching.
jayjaxon - August 29, 2010
What a win
I was so excited to see the Braves get that comeback win.
jayjaxon - August 29, 2010
Wouldn't it be exciting
If the Phillies lost? Too bad the Padres decided to take the weekend off.
Bronn - August 29, 2010
No kidding
You know what they say. If you want something done, you gotta do it yourself. Braves can handle the Phillies when we play them again.
jayjaxon - August 29, 2010
Why must the Padres choose now to suck?
SuperNewb - August 29, 2010
they can
afford to suck. They have a 6 game led over SF.
hawves - August 29, 2010
How did Martinez end up with a negative WPA?
GoBravesNY - August 29, 2010
gave up a run?
i dunno
SuperNewb - August 29, 2010
Easy.
He gave up a run early, when the Braves had a relatively good chance of coming back, and didn’t really get a chance to make up that difference because all of his innings were low leverage. The longer the game went on at 6-1, the less important his outs were, so the less credit WPA gave him. That’s not really his fault, though, which is why I put him in the HM section.
WPA is a fun stat, and it tells us a fair amount about an individual game, but it has the same context-dependency issues that RBI and pitcher wins have, so I wouldn’t worry about an aberrant number too much.
Jacob Peterson - August 29, 2010
Padres are just not having a good day...
when you have as many errors as hits, it’s not a good sign.
Wren_and_Stimpy - August 29, 2010
It’s like you’re the braves or something
SuperNewb - August 29, 2010
-1,000,000,000,000,001.5
Wren_and_Stimpy - August 29, 2010
:D
SuperNewb - August 29, 2010
What a game…What a team
saipol - August 29, 2010
On our way back from cincy today and could not listen to more than one or two batters at a time without getting pissed and turning it off. Arrived home, refused to watch the end and went to ride my bike. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised. Was hoping the Pads would help out, but hopefully the Dodgers can. Braves gotta keep it going against the Mets!
CharlotteChop - August 29, 2010
Wish I didn’t pass out in the 5th.
Smoltz's Beard - August 29, 2010
drunk again I see.
Erihury - August 29, 2010
You say that as if...
It’s a problem instead of an ongoing issue.
-C
cthabeerman - August 30, 2010
Dang Phils gonna sweep the Padres? Geez.
I’d feel a lot better if we could gain a bit more ground.
Where are the Astros when you need them? LOL
NCChopper - August 29, 2010
I decided I'm looking at i this way (since it's done anyway)
We can win the division for ourselves. Lets the Padres lose, and us have home field+ play the wc team in the 1st round if it isnt the pharies
15ks - August 29, 2010
*at it
15ks - August 29, 2010
Right there with you
I’m rooting for most of the leading teams in the NL to lose, for that reason or similar ones.
The Cards covered themselves in rhino shit this weekend, too. Too bad there wasn’t a fight in that game today. It had all the makings of a doozy.
Sam Jethroe - August 29, 2010
Adrian Gonzalez is still very good I see
Padres can’t score, but he’s three for fou.
Bronn - August 29, 2010
Not having a good day, are we?
GoBravesNY - August 29, 2010
fail
Braves24 - August 29, 2010
MLB did live look in with 2 outs in the 9th and I swear, half the stadium was Philly fans standing and cheering.
Let ’em cheer now – they STILL have to go through Atlanta.
NCChopper - August 29, 2010
green
15ks - August 29, 2010
rec’d
Wren_and_Stimpy - August 29, 2010
what? why would you rec someone saying the rec’d someone else?
GoBravesNY - August 29, 2010
haha, loser.
reply, fail.
Wren_and_Stimpy - August 29, 2010
rec’d
Braves Biceps - August 29, 2010
rec'd
Tim Goad - August 29, 2010
so
Nate is coming back
thats greatErihury - August 29, 2010
Maybe he just needs a Disney-esque boost of confidence.
Bobby pats him on the shoulder and says “You’ll do great.” and then suddenly he’s really good again
Bronn - August 29, 2010
I was so hoping the Heyward collision was going to knock him back to 2008 McLouth.
Richard R - August 29, 2010
honestly
i don’t know who i’d rather have: ankiel or mclouth
atl192485 - August 29, 2010
id rather have
Gregor or maybe Dale Murphy can still get it done at the plate.
Nate and Rick are so useless.
Erihury - August 29, 2010
Greg Norton
GoBravesNY - August 29, 2010
Craig Wilson
Erihury - August 29, 2010
you win
forgotten_glory - August 29, 2010
Ankiel
doesn’t GIDP
hawves - August 29, 2010
FUGA
He’s a “professional” hitter.
Wren_and_Stimpy - August 29, 2010
didnt he get
released by the Dodgers. WE NEED HIS PROFESSIONALISM GIT R DONE WREN
Erihury - August 29, 2010
yes...
and has been labeled the worst hitter in Dodgers’ franchise hitter.
DIAZ CANT HIT ZE RIGHTEES – WE NEED FUGA FOR ZE RUNNNNZ
Wren_and_Stimpy - August 29, 2010
HA!
hawves - August 29, 2010
I would have a heart attack...
Get very drunk and eat a lot of ice cream
SuperNewb - August 29, 2010
Per DOB… no way that’s true. Is it?
GoBravesNY - August 29, 2010
as a “game-winner”…..probably
Chief Noc-A-Homa - August 29, 2010
yeah
replay went into effect 8/28/2008
hawves - August 29, 2010
I think it is.
Certainly the first one I can remember. If I had time to you know, research that, I would’ve put something in the game story. Oh well. Lazy journalism, I know.
Jacob Peterson - August 29, 2010
we still won even though Lowe did his usual
Albert K - August 29, 2010
On a side note
I went to the Omaha Royals game today and got to see some former Braves.
I came away less than impressed with former Braves prospect Tim Collins. He ended up with a blown save and took the loss, 1 inning, 2 hits, 2 runs, 1 BB, 2 K’s.
Scott Thorman on the other hand went 4-5 and hit for the cycle.
jack dein - August 29, 2010
Do you
have a typo? Scott Thorman? Baseball is weird…
hawves - August 29, 2010
Yeah he looked really good. His 1 out was a deep drive to dead center warning track. It’s 408 to dead center.
jack dein - August 29, 2010
is that the same scott thorman
who took until something like june to get over the mendoza line… in richmond (aaa)???
blwfish - August 29, 2010
Yeah the same. He’s hitting .274/.347/.485 with 21 HR’s with Omaha this year.
jack dein - August 29, 2010
Can you say
AAAA player? Good old Scotty Thor, swingin’ hard in case he hits it.
Jacob Peterson - August 29, 2010
That is why I never leave early...
I was at the game this afternoon and we saw a bunch of people leave early. I would hate to be those people now.
Also, that two run error in the eighth to me was the biggest play of the game. It made the ninth possible. I still can’t believe that ninth though. Let’s hope we can get hot now and put some pressure on the Phillies.
JimH - August 29, 2010
well
You better believe it. It’s happened 22 other times already. :-)
hawves - August 29, 2010
Have to admit...
I left the bar after the 8th. I am an ass.
Duff_Man - August 29, 2010
In other news
R. Delgado pitched 6 perfect innings for Mississippi. He gave up 1 bunt single in the top of the 7th and 2 BB later in the same frame. He pulled out after pitched 7 2/3.
joshant - August 29, 2010
I can't wait to see that kid.
When he comes into Turner for the first time, I hope thay have him walk in on a bed of rose petals.
Sam Jethroe - August 29, 2010
The best part of the game
was that bat flip by Diaz. Loved it!
drumzalicious - August 29, 2010
Can someone give me the ERA of every bullpen we’ve lastatbatbravesmagic’d? Thank you.
MBL1 - August 29, 2010 via mobile
http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/team/_/stat/pitching/split/128
joshant - August 29, 2010
Thank you
So we’ve lastatbatbravesmagic’d some pretty good bullpens.
MBL1 - August 29, 2010 via mobile
I am sad I missed this game today... Damn you apartment hunting!
SuperHeyward - August 29, 2010
I don’t like 9 run comeback losses.
5 run comeback wins, however, I much likey.
UMDBHIK - August 29, 2010
i was out of town playing Frisbee Golf all day
so glad to come home and find that we came back and won
ChitownBravos - August 29, 2010
First game sinse I was 5 years old and that was awesome.
BRaves1 - August 29, 2010
Glad I watched this game in its entirety.
Tim Goad - August 29, 2010
I just wish this team could hit in the clutch. I’m sorry, but this is just not a playoff team without any clutch hitting or power bats.
justincredubil02 - August 30, 2010
sarcasm: received
KJDH2154 - August 30, 2010
WHO DELETED THE "JUST NOT A CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM" POST?!?!?!
SuperNewb - August 30, 2010
hahaha. It kinda deserved it – along with a banning.
justincredubil02 - August 30, 2010
but… but… second best fanpost of the year!
SuperNewb - August 30, 2010
I watched the end of the game about 3AM.
Those Marlins TV guys are such schmucks. On ball 4 to Brooks in the 9th, the guy goes, “I don’t even need to look at FOX Trax (an insane piece of shit these guys treat as the holy grail of strike zones) to know that one was a strike!”
So they put up the graphic. It was completely out of the zone. I cracked up.
I started watching in the top of the 9th and you could tell that the Marlins guys didn’t really believe in their team’s ability to win that game. They sounded pretty resigned to the fact that we were going to come back and win even before we did.
BullManUGA - August 30, 2010
Rich Waltz
Is a buffoon.
Worse than Bob Carpenter.
People on the street could do better.
People in asylums could do better.
Absolutely stealing money if he’s paid in anything more than NutterButters™
Sam Jethroe - August 30, 2010
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