This wasn't the most exciting of games, but it was reassuring on several levels. We saw Tim Hudson return to form with 7 solid innings, including 7 strikeouts and 65% ground balls (11/17). We saw Nate McLouth continue his good recent hitting (he doubled and homered). And we saw the Braves again take care of an inferior opponent on the road, something they had really struggled with in the last month or so.
The Braves got on the board first on McLouth's RBI double in the second inning, but the Mets came right back and tied it 1-1 on Jose Reyes' line-shot homer in the third. The tie didn't last long, either, though--Alex Gonzalez smashed a ball off the scoreboard, scoring both Brian McCann and Derrek Lee. Though Gonzalez was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a triple, his hit gave the Braves all the runs they would need with Huddy on the hill.
Staked to a 3-1 lead, Huddy did give up a solo homer to light-hitting former Brave Luis Hernandez, which was amazing because it came after Hernandez had broken his foot on a foul ball. Hernandez limped around the bases before being taken out of the game. He'll need surgery on the foot, but at least he went out in a blaze of glory.
After the Hernandez homer, Huddy didn't give up much of anything else. He preserved the 3-2 lead until leaving after the 7th inning. He gave up 2 runs, 6 hits, and 1 walk, and induced 3 double plays. His WPA was 0.227.
Hudson's counterpart, rookie right-hander Dillon Gee, was decent, but gave up a few too many hard-hit balls. He also went 7 innings, giving up 6 hits, 3 runs, and 3 walks (1 intentional) to go along with 3 strikeouts. His WPA was -0.027.
McLouth hit a solo homer in the 9th to give the Braves a little insurance. Jonny Venters pitched a scoreless 8th for the Braves, and Billy Wagner struck out all 3 batters he faced to finish the game off. Even without Takashi Saito, our bullpen is pretty darn good.
The Braves have now won their first road series since August 20-22 in Chicago against the Cubs. Tomorrow afternoon, they'll go for the sweep with Derek Lowe facing R.A. Dickey. If they get the sweep, it'll be their first road sweep since May. Go Braves!
(Oh, and I'm sorry I didn't get the open thread up today. Thanks to gondeee for getting it up.)
MVP
Tim Hudson -- 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 7 K, 0.227 WPA
Honorable Mention
Alex Gonzalez-- 2/3, BB, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 0.145 WPA
Nate McLouth -- 2/4, HR, 2B, R, 2 RBI, 0.122 WPA
LVPs
Carlos Beltran -- 0/4, GIDP, -0.183 WPA
Ike Davis -- 0/4, 3 K, -0.143 WPA
Clutch Play
Weirdly, Hernandez's homer edges out several other plays (0.130 WPA). The best for the Braves was Gonzalez's 2-run double (0.126 WPA), which presumably is docked points because he was thrown out at third base.
1 recs | 82 comments
whew! that’s a relief!
Albert K - September 18, 2010
Please get the sweep
and hopefully STL can beat SD for a 2.5 gm WC lead!
KINGSLYTUT - September 18, 2010
Hey
How did Hudson end up? Was it awful?
Jay212033 - September 19, 2010
it just gets better and better
Florida beats Tenn. and the Bravos win
southman - September 18, 2010
this
Braves24 - September 18, 2010
Exactly! Chillin’ in Cocoa beach, watching both the Braves and Gators on TV doesn’t get much better.
Joseph_C - September 18, 2010
why do we use WPA, but no wOBP?
Braves Biceps - September 18, 2010
I wanted the NL East
But if they can just make the playoffs I’ll be happy
HansonManCrush - September 18, 2010 via mobile
+10
Albert K - September 18, 2010
We've got 6 with the Phils
don’t give up just yet
BigG1392 - September 18, 2010
This...
If the Braves can sweep the 6, the Phils will basically have a Mets-like end of season (and as a Mets fan who has a ton of friends in Philly this would be great). Of course if it goes the other way, then the Braves will meet a fate similar to the Mets. Just being around Citi Field causes injury, as you see from Saito, but please leave our house and get to work.
MookieTheCat - September 19, 2010
Not giving up
Just not thrilled about having to face Hamels Oswalt and Halladay two times a piece
HansonManCrush - September 19, 2010 via mobile
TGFTM
Thank God for the Mets
Braves last series win before this one was against…the Mets as well.
Hopefully this will jumpstart the Braves.
DreamWithinADream - September 18, 2010
We need the sweep to crank it up for the phills
crsosa - September 18, 2010
It was nice to see us score in more than one inning!
NCChopper - September 18, 2010
I never thought I would say this but I’m not scared when Mclouth comes up to bat he’s crushing the ball right now Go Braves!!!
cali viking - September 18, 2010
Rick who?
Tarkus - September 18, 2010
this
heap16 - September 18, 2010
I love
your quote below your comment heap16
KamikaziMelon - September 19, 2010
I agree. I also wish that Bobby would quit playing Melky and let Nate start again
heap16 - September 18, 2010
YES! NO MORE MELKY!
Albert K - September 18, 2010
Yes +10
cali viking - September 18, 2010
I agree but I just wonder if Nate starts again will he fall off again,It looks like he plays better and hits when the pressure is off him IMOP but yea why not start him let’s see if we can ride this horse all the way Go Braves!!!
cali viking - September 18, 2010
Wow, he's still hitting well below the Mendoza line.
That just goes to show you how bad he was before this recent hot streak…
Tarkus - September 18, 2010
McLouth is one of those guys...
Who is freakishly good against the Mets. He’s almost Willie Harris-level (yes Willie Harris for some reason crushed the Mets—don’t ask).
MookieTheCat - September 19, 2010
Nats fan passing through.
Just wanted to invite you all to join us at Federal Baseball if you guys are bored tonight. No waiting period to signup and we can use some company as we try to beat the Phillies!
souldrummer - September 18, 2010
Thanks for the invite!
sddbaker - September 18, 2010
You may not want to talk to us anymore.
The Phillies have hit three wallscraper homeruns in their damn bandbox. 5-1 Phillies.
souldrummer - September 18, 2010
Yeah....
CBP is ridiculous. It’s like the Phils practice hitting those wallscrapers.
MookieTheCat - September 19, 2010
you are aware that both teams get to bat in the bandbox right?
PSUcup1 - September 19, 2010
Thanks for the brilliant insight Filly Fan...
We didn’t know that.
sddbaker - September 19, 2010
Doesnt seem like it…
nothing more annoying than fans (of any team) complaining about any park… it plays the same for both teams so no point in bitching about it.
PSUcup1 - September 19, 2010
u have a team of power hitters. It’s an advantage for you.
Braves Biceps - September 19, 2010
Not true....
The home team knows the dimensions better and can actually practice hitting the ball to the right areas for HRs.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - September 19, 2010
This...
MookieTheCat - September 19, 2010
ummm… thats ridiculous!
PSUcup1 - September 19, 2010
run along home now….
sddbaker - September 19, 2010
Great win and series
Hudson looked sharp. Mclouth has looked really good since coming back and Gonzo had a good game also. Win or lose tomorrow, I think this was a great series win.
Braves24 - September 18, 2010
Damn Sea Bass
Never gets on base…
Sam Jethroe - September 18, 2010
he hit two doubles, it’s like he took a walk so it’s not that suprising
Braves24 - September 18, 2010
Starting Pitching
Great to see the starting pitching begin to reasert itself. The starters have given us a chance to win all year. I just hope it continues over the last two weeks. I am worried about J.J. against the Phillies but hopefully he will come up big.
JimH - September 18, 2010
I despise Philadelphia
with an utter despisance
MBL1 - September 18, 2010 via mobile
But it was more fun despising the Mets...
Back when they were good.
Tarkus - September 18, 2010
How old are you?
Unless you are in your 30s you don’t remember when the Mets were good. Beating up on the Mets is like tripping a blind guy.
MookieTheCat - September 19, 2010
Eh they were decent
from 1998-2000 and again in 2006.
DreamWithinADream - September 19, 2010
Mere blips on the radar....
I was at the Ventura grand slam single game in 1999 and we all knew that we were fighting above our weight.
Good story for Braves fans: that was right after John Rocker insulted New York in general with his comments about the subway. There were some Irish guys in our section who taught us very bawdy songs about Rocker, and we alighted to the subway with them after the game. The train was packed with excited Mets fans and we sang the entire way to Grand Central, when about 50 Mets fans decided to go to a bar together to celebrate. Walking down 42nd from Grand Central we noticed a few buses parked in front of a tony hotel. They were the Braves team buses. Don Baylor was standing outside talking on his cell. The songs started again and we entered the hotel bar instead. Police in riot gear arrived, which was probably an overreaction but we got the point and continued on our way.
MookieTheCat - September 19, 2010
F**k Philly and F**k the Nats can any team please play Philly with some balls I mean shit every ffn team just ffn rolls over the nats and the fish can blow me!!!
cali viking - September 18, 2010
No one is laying down for the Phillies. They have been, and are playing better ball then the Braves. I hate it, but it’s true. So when the natties hand us our ass, then get whipped by the phils. Don’t blame the nats, blame the braves.
Frozen Fan - September 18, 2010
this
DreamWithinADream - September 19, 2010
I think this...
..will be up to the Braves.
sddbaker - September 19, 2010
Hey guys my wife just surprised me with tickets to the game on sunday!!!
I was wondering if anyone had been to the stadium? If so how are the promenade seats?
UpstateNyBravesFan - September 18, 2010
Good seats. You’ll like them
GoBravesNY - September 18, 2010
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 18, 2010
Braves go for the sweep tomorrow!
award6 - September 18, 2010
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 18, 2010
Can you explain...
How the leg sweep was any more illegal than the very illegal kick to the face that Danny won it on? Makes no sense to me.
MookieTheCat - September 19, 2010
Legality, schmegality.
You do what you have to do to impress teenaged Elisabeth Shue.
Sam Jethroe - September 19, 2010
This...
I guess I concede to the Elizabeth Shue argument. But I raise you a bicycle boogie with a young Lori Loughlin. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EoHdRVepGE
MookieTheCat - September 19, 2010
Phillies won AGAIN.
They have to cool off soon.
Maybe they’ll crash and burn in the final week of the season? I hope. I really hope. They’ll cool off soon, right? RIGHT?
Of course they will.
And i’m talking to myself….
MBL1 - September 18, 2010 via mobile
They do have 6 games against………us.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 18, 2010
In which Heyward
will post a 1.000/1.000/4.000 stat line
BigG1392 - September 18, 2010
with 15 HRs
and 54 RBIs
DreamWithinADream - September 19, 2010
60 RBIs
SuperNewb - September 19, 2010
If he is moved to cleanup
I was taking into account that he would only have maximum 1 runner on base in his first AB of each game.
Or he could have 6 ABs/game, which would make it 18 HRs with 66 RBIs.
DreamWithinADream - September 19, 2010
If we win 4/6 against the Phillies, it's totally possible to pass them.
And a final division title would be very sweet indeed. But realistically, that’s a tall order. With Oswalt in the fold and Hamels pitching great, they are really tough. I really would be happy to see Bobby manage in the playoffs one more time, regardless of how we get there.
Jacob Peterson - September 18, 2010
we've actually played better against the aces
than the scrubs.
blwfish - September 19, 2010
They've just had everyone clicking at the same time this month
Check out the individual OPS for September/Season/Career
Victorino: 1.026/.777/.775
Utley: .999/.837/.895
Howard: 1.099/.871/.947
Ibanez: 1.024/.793/.823
Ruiz: .997/.843/.746
Valdez: .902/.662/.610
Really only Werth and Polanco in their starting lineup isn’t playing over their head, and they’ve still been decent. But that is a ton of players with OPSes close to 1.000. Now you could argue that since most of these players were posting OPSes for the season lower than their career numbers, they had to normalize, but all at the same time?
Not to mention Hamels is posting an ERA under 1.00 for the month and Oswalt is posting one under 2.00
DreamWithinADream - September 19, 2010
I always thank gondeee for ‘getting it up’
yondaime4 - September 18, 2010
Rec'd
Jacob Peterson - September 18, 2010
“…Thanks to gondeee for getting it up.”
That’s what she said.
jwrocks - September 18, 2010
I was waiting for someone
to catch that. Frankly, I was beginning to get a little disappointed in TC having to scroll almost the entire thread, or at least 2/3 of it to find a TWSS moment.
UMDBHIK - September 19, 2010
LOLmets
Tim Goad - September 19, 2010
Oh nice....
After coming by our way and being friendly.
Dear God, please have the Braves replace Cox with Jerry Manuel. Let them walk through the valley of the shadow of ridiculous bunt and fear. You have no idea what we have been through. It’s painful.
MookieTheCat - September 19, 2010
You brought that on yourself
Manuel, Minaya, Randolph, Phillips, it’s the gift that keeps on giving.
Mr. Sanchez - September 19, 2010
How exactly did the fans bring it on ourselves?
This is like blaming Indonesians for the tsunami.
MookieTheCat - September 19, 2010
Front office...
ours is clearly better run, with better ownership.
Mr. Sanchez - September 20, 2010
I am friendly.
I didnt make that picture, its on Google.
Amazin Ave is a great blog, with mostly intelligent people. You guys make fun of your team, why cant I enjoy a little laugh too?
Tim Goad - September 20, 2010
This kind of helps with the weekly depression I feel after Notre Dame games...
SuperNewb - September 19, 2010
your fault for being a ND fan
awix - September 19, 2010
BEAR DOWN ARIZONAAAAAA!
WHAT A GAME.
Scott Coleman - September 19, 2010
Maya
I was at Turner Field Monday to see the Braves go against Maya and the Nationals Monday. Other than the two balks and big hits by McLouth and Diaz, the guy really pitched pretty good. So, maybe he will break through with a win today against the Phillies. Or, maybe I am just looking for something to hope today when it comes to the Phillies.
JimH - September 19, 2010
This team
Has had a knack for sweeping the Phils at Turner Field (see earlier 2010 and mid 2009). So, if they can make it to that final series only 2 or 3 games back…
HansonManCrush - September 19, 2010 via mobile
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