Derrek Lee and David Ross brought the bats out tonight and guided the Braves to yet another home win. Lee went 3-3 with a walk, had the game's first RBI, and added a walk. Ross was 2-4 with a grand slam and a triple. Ross' homer was the dagger in the seven run fifth inning -- the team was leading just 4-2 at the time.
Jason Heyward had the go-ahead hit in the fifth on an RBI double to the left center field gap, which scored both Nate McLouth and Omar Infante. Heyward has been on a tear as of late and his hit tonight was crucial, especially since it was another big hit against a left-handed pitcher. Alex Gonzalez and Melky Cabrera also added RBI hits.
Mike Minor was not as spectacular as we have seen him but was able to get through five innings, which allowed him to earn his third win of the season. The left-handed rookie struck out four, walked two runs, and allowed ten hits. The following four Braves relievers -- Eric O'Flaherty, Jonny Venters, Takashi Saito, and Peter Moylan -- retired every batter they faced.
Jon Niese certainly did not have his best stuff tonight, allowing 12 base runners over 4.2 innings. The Braves had 10 hits against him in his short outing.
The importance of David Ross was evident today. He had one of his best performances of the year a few days after being recognized on Fangraphs as close to the perfect backup catcher. For this team, he is undoubtedly perfect as the second stringer. Now that J.C. Boscan is up, Ross can be used in more pinch-hit situations which could benefit the team down the stretch. His great eye and significant power from the right-hand side of the plate have provided value since he joined the team.
Tomorrow, Mike Pelfrey and Tommy Hanson are the starters. The Braves have scored nine runs in each of the first two games and have allowed just five runs combined. This has been a great series so far, and the Braves can take it tomorrow with Hanson on the hill. The Phillies are winning 6-1 right now, so it looks like the division lead will stay at three games.
0 recs | 42 comments
If you look at the offense for us in August...
we have scored the most runs in baseball!
how many of us knew that? we were complaining about offense for the entire month.
gtbravesfan - August 31, 2010
Offense looked awesome
Minor looked pretty bad IMO
But bullpen was awesome and nice to see Moylan look really strong
KINGSLYTUT - August 31, 2010
IMO
The HP Ump was terribly inconsistent tonight. Was giving Niese the corners but Minor didnt get one that I saw. That forced him to play middle of the plate baseball.
Tim Goad - August 31, 2010
But...
He battled and won, no pun intended. He had the bases loaded with no outs and only gave up two. I told my wife that he saved the game by not letting things get out of hand. Look how Niese handled his bases loaded situation. Yeah. Not well.
Castillo has made some horrendous fielding mistakes in the past, but tonight’s was embarrassing. I will take it.
If Lee heats up, watch out!
Jman781 - August 31, 2010 via mobile
I totally agree.
For a ML rookie with only three previous starts under his belt, he handled some potential adversity well. He had a 4.00ERA coming into this start, so he didn’t pitch worse.
And on Jurrjen’s Surgeons’ point, I was saying the same thing to a friend on the phone during the game. Very erratic strike zone on the part of the ump.
Old Braves' Fan - September 1, 2010
Agreed.
I like to see how a guy hadles adversity and tight spots. It’s easy (if you have good stuff) to do well when your pitches are all working and doing what you want. When that’s not the case (and it often won’t be at this level) you need to know how to hang with it and, as Sutton always quotes Red Adams as saying, “bum your way through” it. Mike dd that last night and was rewarded with a nick of time offensive outburst to get a win.
Sam Jethroe - September 1, 2010
Bench HEYWARD!!!
DFA the roster!
Tim Goad - August 31, 2010
Bench Infante*
Start Troy Glaus.
No, seriously, I’m sure half a dozen people would make this post as a real suggestion.
sag969 - August 31, 2010
WE DONT NEED NO STINKING BATTING CHAMPz!!!
Tim Goad - August 31, 2010
Pretty good stuff
We got really lucky on that horrible error by Luis Castillo (which absolutely should have had a mention in the recap). As Ernie Johnson said – that was the game changer. If he makes the routine double play, there are 2 outs with no men on base rather than 0 outs with 2 men on base. And I say lucky cause that was Castillo’s second error of the season.
Anyways, aside from the luck, the Braves did very good to take advantage of the error and take the lead back and rack up the score. So good all around. Also, sounds like was Frenchy’s last game as a Met. We won’t be seeing him too often in Texas.
sag969 - August 31, 2010
That was a terrible kick off that grass
It released like a golf ball when it hit that dirt. The trajectory of the ball was a lot lower than Castillo was set up for.
Tim Goad - August 31, 2010
I didn't realize that
He only had one other error. I guess when he screws up, it’s so bad that it’s memorable.
Jman781 - August 31, 2010 via mobile
Rookies are going to have games like Minor had today.
It comes with the territory. He’s not going to K 12 every time out. Fortunately, our offense came to play for the 4th straight day. Too bad they never did that for KK (and haven’t been doing it for Hanson lately), but I’m glad they’re doing it now.
I love our catchers, by the way.
Jacob Peterson - August 31, 2010
+Kajillion
Tim Goad - August 31, 2010
That contract looks great
Ross has been more valuable than many (more or less) full time catchers. I think at last year’s AS break he ranked 2nd in the league in WAR-behind McCann.
VivaLosBravos - August 31, 2010
I like how
Minor’s bad game only resulted in 2 runs scored. I love his poise already. Cox mentioned in his pregame interview with Lemmer that he’s pitching like a vet. It’s easy to pitch when your stuff is working (like I know. Ha), but it’s telling how a pitcher handles himself when not sharp. He did well.
And I am excited to have Mr. Ross for at least 2 more seasons. The pride of Bainbridge strikes again.
Jman781 - August 31, 2010 via mobile
Ben, not 10 hits, it´s seven
probably you mean 10 baserunners
joshant - August 31, 2010
Yeah, awesome that Heyward’s been hitting some lefties lately.
VivaLosBravos - August 31, 2010
Agreed
And the first strikeout he took was a ball by six inches; blue was inconsistent last night.
joshmaurer - September 1, 2010
This was a fun game to watch. I missed the game changing error, but saw the grand slam. Can’t believe we have, what? Six of them? this year when we didn’t have any last year. I was also complaining about a lack of walk offs last year, I recall…
Hoping tomorrow’s is just as fun as I’m going! Partly to help turn Hanson’s luck around (so far this year he seems to pitch better when I pay attention. I don’t even know), but I’m nervous because my friend who is like 8-0 in games she’s attended this year isn’t going with me for once.
Sarahbeth - September 1, 2010
Great win for the Braves
Too bad the Dodgers don’t wanna help out tonight.
jayjaxon - September 1, 2010
I'm just gonna say...
I’m full of win.
SuperNewb - September 1, 2010
full of win, sure
but not of modesty…
JUST KIDDING
atl192485 - September 1, 2010
You know who else is full of win…
Randy.
oVecKid - September 1, 2010
Jeff F
Did you see that the Mets traded Jeff to the Rangers
FreddieFreemanTime - September 1, 2010
too bad we didn’t have that hole for 2 more games. oh, well.
Why do we still have McLouth again? If I start seeing him out in center field again, I’m going to be sick.
Heyward > Diaz/Cabrera/Ankiel > McOut
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 1, 2010
padres lose
we’re tied for the best record in the NL!
atl192485 - September 1, 2010
ugh
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 1, 2010
ugh? Do you know what home field advantage would mean for us?
Scott Coleman - September 1, 2010
ok, true.
The few… The proud… The Ted.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 1, 2010
I'll take 48-18 any day of the week...
Winning 73% of your home games AND getting home field advantage for the entire playoffs (Thanks, McCann!!) would be monumental for this team.
-C
cthabeerman - September 1, 2010
On SportsCenter,
They showed the standings for the East and the records in August for both the Phillies and Braves. The Braves went 18-11 in August, while the Phillies went 18-10. IS it just me or did it feel like the Phillies gained a lot more than 1/2 a game over the last month. I just thought it was very interesting seeing as how poor the Braves played at times.
GreatestEver - September 1, 2010
the Philly-paranoia is probably magnified by the Mets dropping off the face of the earth.
VivaLosBravos - September 1, 2010
My favorite comment regarding the Francoeur trade:
F***. There’s 8 likely outs we’re going to have to make up in the next couple of days.
frozendesert - September 1, 2010
That was mine
Over at Rowland’s Office. Glad you liked it.
Sam Jethroe - September 1, 2010
dont trade Glaus
We’ll need him this year off the bench or on the corner..
bluelg - September 1, 2010
Oh Hell.
Nate McLouth is going to be on our post-season roster, isn’t he?
Lennox - September 1, 2010
If he outplays Hinske down the stretch...
I could agree with that.
Mr. Sanchez - September 1, 2010
i could too
i would rather have mclouth’s speed than hinske’s performance lately
forgotten_glory - September 1, 2010
That's kind of my point....
with Glaus back, his ability to play 1B and 3B makes Hinske a little less valuable. If McLouth can prove he’s hitting as well or better, his speed would make him more valuable. Then again, if Hinske starts hitting again like he did early this year, he’s definitely on.
It’s a little premature, but thinking of a post season 25, you’d have…
1 McCann
2 Ross
3 Infante
4 Lee
5 Glaus
6 Prado
7 Gonzalez
8 Heyward
9 Melky
10 Diaz
11 Conrad
12 Hudson
13 Hanson
14 JJ
15 Wags
16 Saito
17 Venters
18 EOF
19 Moylan
20 Diory (gotta have a backup SS since Infante is now a starter)
21 Hinske
22 McLouth or Ankiel (or both if Hinske can’t come around)
23 Lowe if healthy (if not, then KK or Minor)
24/25 then 2 more relievers from the crop of KK, Minor, Proctor, Kimbrel, Farnsworth, Dunn and Martinez
Mr. Sanchez - September 1, 2010
Well, sure, if he outplays someone for a month then, of course he looks good.
What I’m concerned about is that he’ll keep playing like Nate McLouth, but still get a spot on the post-season roster.
And Hinske did really well in the Florida series, so he might be getting out of the slump he’s been in.
Lennox - September 1, 2010
McLouth/Frenchy
Did anything look or feel different about McLouth’s return to the Braves? It still had the same feel. Nothing has changed. Jeff will have his ego in full swing because he is the reason the Rangers are in 1st place.
jaleemom - September 1, 2010
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