THAT is the Braves team we all know and love. Timely hitting, fantastic pitching from the starting pitcher and bullpen, and solid defense. The Braves played a complete game on Thursday night, and it led to them defeating Tim Lincecum, one of the top-5 pitchers in baseball.
Jair Jurrjens was on the mound for the Braves and pitched his heart out. He ended up going six innings and only allowed two runs, despite giving up five doubles to the Giants. Jurrjens probably could've gone longer in the game, but umpire CB Buckner continued his streak of awful umpiring in Braves games.
The Giants got on the board early on Thursday. After their first two runners got into scoring position, Aubrey Huff drove in the first run of the game with a groundout to 2nd. Jurrjens was able to get out of the inning mostly un-scathed though, and allowed only one run to score. The Giants struck again in the 2nd inning. With two outs, outfielder Andres Torres ripped an RBI-double over Rick Ankiel's head in CF to give the Giants a 2-0 lead. Jurrjens, once again, was able to avoid the big inning and held San Fran to only one run for the second inning in a row.
Alex Gonzalez got the Braves on the board with a 2-run HR to left-center field. It appeared that Sea Bass was fooled on the pitch, but he still managed to hit it over the fence. In three weeks, Gonzalez already has 2 more home runs than Yunel Escobar had since last September.
Eric Hinske, who had had some great swings on Lincecum all night, finally came through in a big way in the 6th inning. On a high fastball, 'Ski hit a line drive rocket to right-center field. It appeared as if Aaron Rowand had a play on the ball, but it continue to carry out of the park. Braves led 3-2 after 6. It was time for the Braves phenomenal bullpen.
Mark Bowman had a gem tonight:
Gotta love baseball's traditions. Every time you attend a Braves game, you can hear the national anthem and watch Jonny Venters pitch.
It's sad, but proved to be true once again on Thursday night. Venters came in the 7th and was absolutely filthy, striking out two hitters and then inducing a groundout to the mound on one pitch.
Takashi Saito had one of his best outings in recent memory, and followed up Venters' with a 1-2-3 inning.
Billy Wagner came in the 9th, and made an incredible catch on a line drive up the middle hit by Edgar Renteria for the 2nd out in the inning. Andres Torres singled and Freddy Sanchez just missed a 2-run HR down the left field line, but Wags was able to strike Sanchez out with a filthy slider.
Braves win 3-2.
Umpire Bob Davidson won the game for Philly tonight, as he called the game-winning hit from Gabby Sanchez foul. It was pretty darn obvious. Check ESPN at your own risk, because you'll probably get mad. Really mad. The Fish ended up not scoring, and the Phillies won it in the 10th. Thanks, Bob. Go call some more balks or something, you a$$hole.
Tom Glavine will have his number retired tomorrow night at Turner Field. First pitch is at 7:35EST, and the ceremonies start at 7:31, sharp. It'll be Mr. Bad Luck Tommy Hanson against Barry Zito, so we should be in for another pitchers dual. You have to be there for this one.
0 recs | 97 comments
Sorry about the late post
I hate working late.
Scott Coleman - August 6, 2010
For whatever reason I was suffering through the Giants post-game show. That jackass FP SantangWhatever was dissing JJ. Said he was stalling between pitches & showed up poor little CB Buckner. He went on to say after what he saw of the way JJ acted tonight he’s not a fan.
As if this hack never got mad at an Ump during his 2 minute career. Never mind that CB is one of the worst umps around & missed some calls behind the plate last night. I also don’t see what JJ did as showing anyone up .He grabbed the ball & walked back to the mound. God how I loathe the Giants.
FitzFan - August 6, 2010
STOP YELLING AT ME!
Yeah, some of those calls were pretty awful.
And I don’t get how he can say he doesn’t like JJ but loves Lincecum. Everyone knows Timmy cries like a little bitch when he doesn’t get a call.
Scott Coleman - August 6, 2010
Ugh. it’s unbearable when the Giants are winning. Their TV guys are a million times more douchey.
FitzFan - August 6, 2010
F-ing this! I live in Sac and I wanted to drive down to the Bay to punch FP in the face.
mvandonsel - August 6, 2010
Another BayArea Braves fan, yes! You know my Giants hating pain then.
FitzFan - August 6, 2010
Didn't mean to unload my rant directly to you, sorry. Thanks for the recap.
FitzFan - August 6, 2010
That Marlins-Phillies call was purtrid
Just awful, awful, awful.
ATLandUNC - August 6, 2010
And the dope could not even admit he was wrong. I guess it was a magic baseball. It bounced fair a couple inches before the bag, went foul & swrived back just in time to hit the dirt a foot fair. WTF?
FitzFan - August 6, 2010
Or maybe...
there was a second batter…
ConradsComrades - August 6, 2010
What does that have to do with the ball being fair?
FitzFan - August 6, 2010
Clueless Joe Jackson over here…
oVecKid - August 6, 2010 via mobile
Don't worry, Conrads,
I got the joke.
hailtogeorgia - August 6, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gcaq4ElAJrE
Jman781 - August 6, 2010
Agreed. As a fan beneficiary of the call, I agree. On the other hand, over the course of a season, that sort of thing tends to work out more or less evenly. It’s magnified right now because of the tightening race and the shortening season. None of that excuses the fact that it was a bad call, though. Terrible, even.
What goes around, comes around, and I’m sure that the Phillies will have to eat one like that before all is said and done, though that is small consolation right now to Braves fans, surely.
RememberthePhitans - August 6, 2010
short memory
anybody remember this game?
It happens all the time.
Bilzo - August 6, 2010
or how about this one?
My point is…that you can go find games where umpires blew calls that essentially won/lost games for just about every team.
Bilzo - August 6, 2010
it's really quite simple
when a call goes in the Braves favor it’s restitutiion for past wrongs. When it goes against them (& especially if it favors the Phillies) it’s an ESPN conspiracy.
adc62 - August 6, 2010
We’ve had a couple calls go our way this season, but from memory, it seems like a ton of calls have gone against Atlanta this year.
Then again, I am sure every team feels that way.
justincredubil02 - August 6, 2010
Or the Tigers...
I think they can complain the most.
Jman781 - August 6, 2010
Yeah. They have been screwed royally.
justincredubil02 - August 6, 2010
Dude, you need to let it go.
In three weeks, Escobar has more home runs than he did since last September.
justincredubil02 - August 6, 2010
seriously.
this blind support is getting ridiculous
kbertling353 - August 6, 2010
It’s not the support that bothers me – I love the support. Heck, I hope Gonzalez keeps this up. What gets me is the Yunel bashing – and the automatic “The trade happened, get over it!” posts that follow any sort of Yunel update or Gonzalez grievance.
justincredubil02 - August 6, 2010
All I said was Gonzalez has 2 more HRs than Esco had since September. That’s a stat, is it not?
You’re the one getting your panties in a wad over this one.
Scott Coleman - August 6, 2010
My panties are just fine – a little high-rising at the moment, but certainly not wadded.
It is a stat. You know what else is a stat? The one I posted about Yunel. Also, Brooks Conrad has more HRs in the past month than Yunel had since September of last year. You should post that too.
Why don’t you? because you are trying to make a point. You are trying to say that Gonzalez is a better player than Yunel and all of us who do not like the trade need to shut up.
Well, guess what. I did shut up. But then, you go and post this stuff, knowing that it is going to garner a response.
Just stop with the comparisons, and stop trying to stir shit up. And if you do stir shit up, don’t get offended when people respond.
justincredubil02 - August 6, 2010
Holy shit Justin. This isn’t even worth arguing about. All I said was Alex Gonzalez has two more HRs than Esco had since September. That’s the truth.
Why the heck would I bring up Brooks Conrad? That’s completely irrelevant. He didn’t even play tonight.
Stop being difficult. I’ll fucking take it out of the post if it makes you happy. Or how about you write the recaps from now on? Does that work for you? Then you wouldn’t ever have to worry about me “stirring shit up.”
Scott Coleman - August 6, 2010
Are you sure it’s my panties that are bunched?
justincredubil02 - August 6, 2010
Nice response.
How about it? Want to write my recaps from now on? I don’t wanna be a shit stirrer.
Scott Coleman - August 6, 2010
If I had time to do it or if I had an opportunity, I would love to.
But the best thing to do is to not take it personally, and stop instigating things. And like I said, when you do instigate something, don’t get upset when what you were trying to instigate actually happens.
justincredubil02 - August 6, 2010
*opportunity to actually watch the games.
justincredubil02 - August 6, 2010
You’re the only person who thinks I was instigating something.
I honestly wasn’t trying to. I was just bringing up a stat.
Scott Coleman - August 6, 2010
I’m the only person awake right now.
justincredubil02 - August 6, 2010
Damn
The Braves did just win can we all be happy bout that?!?!
Jay212033 - August 6, 2010
No. The first thing I look for in a game recap is things to complain about. Winning is secondary.
justincredubil02 - August 6, 2010
Yeah Justin, we all know that by now.
Just kidding…
Scott Coleman - August 6, 2010 via mobile
Wow.
That woke me up. Luckily, I don’t wear underwear. This prevents wading…Problem solved.
Jman781 - August 6, 2010
Wasn't suppose to be directed at you Justin
Jay212033 - August 6, 2010
oops. Too late!
lol
justincredubil02 - August 6, 2010
No Prob
Posting from my phone and it’s acting crazy tonight.
Jay212033 - August 6, 2010
No, he's not...
that’s a pretty big piece of bait you laid out there, and surprise surprise, look who bit.
Mr. Sanchez - August 6, 2010
You know it. I’m like a kid in a candy store with stuff like that.
justincredubil02 - August 6, 2010
nope, i do too
kbertling353 - August 6, 2010
Nooooo!
Yours are good. I don’t want a nightly update on why KJ and Yunel are better than everyone we have and why Frank Wren is an idiot. I prefer positivity.
RichmondBraves - August 6, 2010
Hahaha. You think that I think Frank Wren is an idiot.
justincredubil02 - August 6, 2010
I need to let it go?
Coming from the man who hasn’t let anything go in his entire TC career.
Scott Coleman - August 6, 2010
Yep. I constantly bring up Yunel and how well he is doing, and KJ.
In the future, look for my weekly KK updates as well.
justincredubil02 - August 6, 2010
I’m more than looking forward to them.
Scott Coleman - August 6, 2010
Ugh, Justin
I wish there was a way to “anti-rec” comments like yours.
After 2 it should turn red, and after 3 of them, the comment should just disappear
ATLandUNC - August 6, 2010
Because what I said is soooo off base and untrue.
justincredubil02 - August 6, 2010
what this thread has turned into
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1767626
atl192485 - August 6, 2010
Nice...
Little video there. I liked the end when they just turned away from each other and started fixing their hair and wiggling her jaw.
Good job atl192485.
XBEARDX - August 6, 2010
Or this... Justin vs mvhsbkahbkah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzhkPfZwk20
Cammando2317 - August 6, 2010
Awesome recap
I especially enjoyed the stat about Sea Bass
bpk228480 - August 6, 2010
lol
this is why we’re internets buddiezzz
Scott Coleman - August 6, 2010
Ha...
I just read this. Awesome. I believe that Fangraphs includes it as a standard stat now.
Jman781 - August 6, 2010
I want to stir some more stuff up!
First, my thoughts on the game:
1. Two homers off of the Freak: the first game since sometime in 2008 that the 2-time Cy Young winner has given up 2 HRs in one game. He’s given up 12 HRs this season, 3 to Bravos. Nice, considering we don’t dig the long ball…
2. JJ was off tonight BUT he pitched 6 gutsy innings. I love it. The Giants are a good team and could have been up by many runs at some points in the game. He kept the Braves close, which is crucial against a guy like Lincecum…
3. Good job from the pen. Yeah, Venters pitches a bit too much. But goodness, he’s so nasty is hard not to use him…
Stirring up time:
Braves should never have traded away Doyle Alexander. Screw John Smoltz. The Doyle was legit!
Jman781 - August 6, 2010
You do realize that the Doyle Alexander in the current situation would be Gonzalez, right?
justincredubil02 - August 6, 2010
Yeah...
And the Tigers went to the ALCS that year (who cares if Alexander lost twice)… What did Smoltz ever accomplish? Pfft…
Stirring…Stirring…
:-)
Jman781 - August 6, 2010
lol.
justincredubil02 - August 6, 2010
That's effing ridiculous.
Escobar will be nothing more than an All-Star once or twice at most. He will never amount to anything close to a Smoltz and will likely be a detriment to whatever ballclub he stays with because of his attitude problems.
You have to keep in mind that Yunel wore out his welcome in Atlanta and was not going to be around after the season even if we didn’t trade him before the deadline. Nobody in the clubhouse liked him, and he was hurting us more than helping us. Not only does Gonzalez give us more power than Yunel, but he’s a much better clubhouse guy, and that’s crucial as head into the final stretch of the playoff race.
Sure, Escobar is the better player over the long haul statistically, but he wasn’t going to be doing it with Atlanta one way or the other. So it was probably our best shot to win a pennant this year.
pancanbra - August 6, 2010
yea, Escobar is much more of a known commodity than Smoltz was when he was dealt.
A more apt comparison for the chicken little view would be Brandon Phillips – a middle infielder who displayed a lot of potential talent but also some bone-headedness and was traded but who eventually put it all together and became a really good player.
Also, it’s looking more and more like we pulled off our own Alexander-Smoltz deal when we got rid of Adam Wainwright.
DCP916 - August 6, 2010
Ugh
Don’t even get me started on that one. Not to mention a Mr. Elvis Andrus.
pancanbra - August 6, 2010
that's not a bad comp...
both teams got a vital addition that helped them make the playoffs (Alexander and Drew/Marrero), but gave up a very successful young pitcher who had a long, solid career (Smoltz and Wainwright). That’s a trade that in effect works out for both sides.
I think the big problem with the Wainwright deal is supposedly they wanted Horacio Ramirez first and we said no. Now that’s bad talent evaluation. although we ultimately were able to flip Ramirez straight up for Rafael Soriano (and that obviously turned out in our favor).
Mr. Sanchez - August 6, 2010
Ok, obviously I was not saying that Escobar is/will be as good as the Hall of Famer John Smoltz.
Easy there, fella.
justincredubil02 - August 6, 2010
Can't we all just get along?
Nope…Guess not.
Jman781 - August 6, 2010
Don’t take it too seriously. It’s hard to establish tone when writing these things. It was to be meant in a very light-hearted tone. I enjoy your gripes though. I just wanted to chime in on that comparison.
pancanbra - August 6, 2010
Good win, that's check one...
now if this team can just get healthy.
Mr. Sanchez - August 6, 2010
There's 1 indeed.
NCChopper - August 6, 2010
Now we need 3 more...
since it takes 2 more checks in the win game column to produce the check in win the series.
Mr. Sanchez - August 6, 2010
I think KK has already copyrighted “Mr Bad Luck”.
Love the line about Venters by Bowman. Too bad none of them have the balls to ask Bobby about it.
10-4 - August 6, 2010
this
Braves24 - August 6, 2010
Great win
JJ pitched good and we scored enough runs off a good pitching staff, led by Tim Lincecum. If Hinske is going to play everyday at 1B, then shouldn’t we put Glaus on the DL?
Braves24 - August 6, 2010
I was so mad after the Phillies-Marlins game… almost made it hard to enjoy this victory. But what a game it was. It feels like we stole a game from Lincecum and the Giants because Jurrjens was far from his best. Great win, hopefully the home runs keep coming.
abraves - August 6, 2010
Great win
Great contributions from players who aren’t normally expected to carry the offense
And yes, Gonzalez has been better for us than Yunel was. I love his bat lower in the order.
ATLandUNC - August 6, 2010
I love Venters
He’s on my fantasy team, helping out with Holds, FIP, and K’s. Over the last two weeks, he’s given me 3 HD, 12 K, and a FIP of 2.700. I love the guy. I wish the Phillies had one – the pen will be the death of that team if the actual death by injuries doesn’t happen first.
RememberthePhitans - August 6, 2010
A few things:
First, I think the key thing with the foul/fair call in the Marlins game is the Bob not watching the ball all the way to see where it landed. When you watch the video of it, you can clearly see that when the ball lands in fair territory past third base, his eyes are directed towards home plate and he’s already in the process of making the foul call. It was awful.
Second, I was at the game (Braves, not Fish) last night, and the jumbotron typist was having some issues. First, they listed Aubrey Huff as having a .945 OBP, and that it was the third highest in the NL. WOW! That’s freaking amazing. Someone needs to learn their stats, because I’m pretty sure they were referring to OPS. Second, when showing Lincecum’s career accomplishments, they hyphenated Cy Young. Who are these two pitchers, Cy and Young?
Last, I do know that Bobby is overusing Venters (even though he was absolutely incredible last night), but I have a feeling watching Farnsworth blow the one run lead a few days ago (and the Braves subsequently losing) had a lot to do with this decision. I’m okay with him trotting Venters out there when we’re in the position to get a win against Lincecum.
hailtogeorgia - August 6, 2010
With a .945 OBP
You would think he would get some NL MVP love. But no. Votto and his lame .423 OBP is getting all of the attention…No respect, I tell ya!
Jman781 - August 6, 2010
Bob Davidson actually handled the situation correctly even though he missed the call.
The 1st or 3rd base umpires never would turn their head to see what the ball does after it passes the base. The only thing that matters is if the ball is fair or foul when it goes by or crosses over the plate.
Although turning around may have helped on this one cuz that ball was fair before the base, fair as it crossed over it and fair when it landed behind it.
ATLBRVS_19 - August 6, 2010
I just wish he’d man up & admit it after the game, instead of giving some lame excuse.
FitzFan - August 6, 2010
That's reasonable,
and I understand that the only thing that matters is whether it’s fair or foul when it crosses the bag, but the reason they don’t look to see what happens after it crosses the bag is because it (normally) is irrelevant. A ball isn’t going to be foul crossing the bag and then miraculously go back fair without impacting something. Perhaps it would be a better strategy to watch it all the way if you aren’t quite sure…because if it lands fair, then it was fair. You could take a strategy of “I’m going to call it foul unless it lands in fair territory.”
hailtogeorgia - August 6, 2010
I realize that if we keep using Venters like we are, he will likely tire by the end of the season, but when he pitches like he did last night, it makes you want to see him no matter the inning or the score. If I had Bobby’s job, it would take a lot of restraint for me not to use him.
sleezer1788 - August 6, 2010 via mobile
The best solution...
Is for us to get a huge lead on a team…For example, he didn’t pitch against the Mets in Game 3…So how about tonight we win 10-0?!
Jman781 - August 6, 2010
Ya know, that would really be fine with me.
sleezer1788 - August 6, 2010 via mobile
i think we can just say that CB Bucknor continued his trend of awful umpiring in general…
forgotten_glory - August 6, 2010
The blown call in the Phillies-Marlins game was brutal. I was watching it online after the Braves game and it kind of sucked some of the joy from the Braves win out of me.
While it was a great win for the Braves last night, this is still not a team that live by relying on homeruns. I’m looking for some extra mojo for the team tonight, from the festivities for Glavine.
LEastCoastBears - August 6, 2010
Speaking of brutal...
Did anyone hear the Marlins’ announcers on the call of that play (and the subsequent replays)? It was awesome. My favorite
-“That was ABSOLUTELY BRUTAL!”sddbaker - August 6, 2010
Yunel vs. Gonzalez
I have to throw in my two cents in about the Yunel deal.
I am very, very much on the side that thinks Yunel had to be traded. And the fact is, I loved watching him play. But it is easy for me to say, because I just have to watch him on TV. I don’t have to spend time with him in person or deal with him on a daily basis.
I understand why they traded him. For those of you who have employees working for you, you know what it’s like to have a difficult employee; it doesn’t matter how productive they are, if they are causing drama at work, they become detrimental and need to be let go. This was obviously the case with Yunel. He was affecting the chemistry, and this is what wins championships. That is why so many wild card teams go to the World Series. If you have any doubt that we shouldn’t have traded him, what kind of message did our players send with a standing ovation? That’s not subtle.
Yunel is talented, even if he couldn’t hit a softball in June. But he is definitely, definitely not John Smoltz, so that analogy should just stop now.
ryantex - August 6, 2010
Ha
Woops, I basically wrote the same thing above, without reading yours.
+1 though :-)
pancanbra - August 6, 2010
Chemistry does not win championships. Good pitching and timely hitting does.
Do you really think everyone in the Red Sox clubhouse liked Manny?
I bet I could list bad clubhouse guys from every single championship team from the last 2 decades.
justincredubil02 - August 6, 2010
Obviously I know that timely hitting and good pitching wins championships, but that’s simplifying it too much.
Chemistry DOES make a difference; I did not mean to imply that that is the ONLY thing needed to win a championship.
I just think that it is very important, but that’s just my opinion.
ryantex - August 6, 2010
Fair enough, but it is definitely over rated in a sport like baseball – where it is all individual performances that make the difference. There is little teamwork involved in this game compared to football or basketball or any other major sport.
justincredubil02 - August 6, 2010
That doesn't necessarily mean we should keep Yunel...
as you presuppose that he was going to improve his hitting if he stayed. Maybe he would have, maybe he wouldn’t, but that will never be known since it never had the chance to happen one way or the other.
Mr. Sanchez - August 6, 2010
That’s a fair point.
And I am willing to never talk about the trade again – provided it doesn’t get brought up in this type of manner again.
justincredubil02 - August 6, 2010
Pretty psyched about that win over a guy the team almost never beats.
Time to pound that granola eating, free love having, guitar playing hippy into the ground tonight.
UMDBHIK - August 6, 2010
Buster Posey was 0 for 4.
OVERRATED!!!!!
TonyAlmeyda - August 6, 2010
He’s no Brian McCann, that’s for sure.
Scott Coleman - August 6, 2010
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Talking Chop to post a comment.