Braves 4, Marlins 0
Atlanta Braves vs. Florida Marlins – Box Score – September 20, 2011 – ESPN.
So I had only two arrows left in my luck-changing quiver. Not wanting to deploy Collins yet, I went with not watching the game and just following online while watching something else. (Not watching anything would be ridiculous.) And it worked. I did tune in once; Freddie Freeman hit into a bases-loaded double play. Sorry, Freddie.
The Braves jumped on top in the second (after leaving the bases loaded in the first) when Alex Gonzalez homered, followed by doubles from Jason Heyward and Michael Bourn and a Martin Prado single to bring in Bourn.
Randall Delgado got into a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the third, but Logan Morrison lined into a double play. Other than that, he was pretty stout; he allowed a couple of two-out walks in the fifth but that was it.
Freeman homered in the sixth to make it 4-0. AAG singled as part of loading the bases (they didn’t get any more runs, of course) and apparently hurt his calf running the bases, replaced by Jack Wilson. The Braves also had the bases loaded in the seventh, but Freeman hit into the double play.
Fortunately, the bullpen did its job — the bullpen this time being Cristhian Martinez and Anthony Varvaro. They each pitched two perfect innings. Go figure. It’s mostly my doing, of course.
Delgado isn’t overpowering hitters by any means. But he also isn’t losing his head. “Veteran poise,” I believe they called it, back in the old days when broadcasters spoke exclusively in cliches.
September 20th, 2011 at 9:20 pmThanks, Mac. I still have one arrow left in my quiver that I used last year with a week to go — changing my corporate logon password.
September 20th, 2011 at 9:26 pmShould be noted that Wash just took both games of the DH vs Philly today.
Pence had to leave the game with a leg injury also.
September 20th, 2011 at 9:29 pmtwo perfect innings. lisp varvaro. does not compute
September 20th, 2011 at 9:34 pmmlb.tv on Roku is so much louder than anything else, even other Roku channels (Netflix, Amazon, Pandora, etc.).
I can’t believe I’m watching the Mets feed. It feels so wrong.
September 20th, 2011 at 9:35 pmBases loaded for the Pagan. Fingers crossed.
September 20th, 2011 at 9:35 pmMets take the lead, bases loaded walk
September 20th, 2011 at 9:37 pmPagan walks on four pitches. 6-5 Mets.
September 20th, 2011 at 9:37 pmI did something similar Mac. I only watched the Braves were at bat.
I started to watch the ninth and Vavaro got behind a hitter. I flipped it and came back just as Chip said, “Braves win.”
Tomorrow is the last time we have to watch a base game at Joe Robbie/Sun Life/ Dolphin stadium.
September 20th, 2011 at 9:38 pmMets lead! Listen to those sweet, sweet boos.
September 20th, 2011 at 9:38 pmLarr-y! Larr-y! Oh wait, which team are we rooting for again?
Weird times, this wild card shit, but I love it. Go David Wright.
September 20th, 2011 at 9:40 pmDelgado showed real courage coming back with two nasty Madduxian front door fastballs after getting away with one to Stanton in the 5th.
September 20th, 2011 at 9:41 pmLincecum is already down 2-0, cmon Kershaw
September 20th, 2011 at 9:42 pmSpike, that 2nd strike to Stanton was ridiculous. 94-95 with great movement
September 20th, 2011 at 9:43 pmIf there was ever a player in need of a day off, it is Brian McCann.
September 20th, 2011 at 9:43 pmThe Mets just proved that we’re not the only team that can leave hte bases loaded.
September 20th, 2011 at 9:44 pmHow many starts is Lincecum at now where he hasn’t gotten a single run of support? It was 10 when we beat him 1-0 on that Thursday night and I know there’s been at least one other one after that.
September 20th, 2011 at 9:44 pmBoston lost.
September 20th, 2011 at 9:47 pmBut so did Tampa Bay, so the Red Sox are still up by two.
September 20th, 2011 at 9:48 pmTrue, but Boston was down 4-1 and came back to get the lead only to watch Papeldouche blow it.
September 20th, 2011 at 9:51 pmI need Boston to win, because I just wrote a column for the school newspaper today insisting that they were playoff-bound. It’s a biweekly paper and my deadline was literally over a week ago. Now I look like an idiot.
September 20th, 2011 at 9:51 pmCome on, Mets. Save your lols for another night.
September 20th, 2011 at 9:55 pmDo you think there’s any chance at all Lowe doesn’t make the playoff roster? I mean, it happened last year with Zito, so anything is possible.
September 20th, 2011 at 9:56 pmYou know, Alex Gonzalez has been a pretty bad hitter; we all agree. But from a non-statistical, just-watching-the-games standpoint, he seems to have saved most of his big hits (read: solo homers) for key games. hasn’t he homered in two of our 1-0 wins? Love it. Would i like a better-hitting shortstop? sure, but he’s been passable down the stretch, for so good a fielder.
And i love the kids. Delgado looks fine! Obviously i wanted to have full-health Jurrjens and everything, but i’m kind of intrigued by Delgado for the postseason. Hanson is still a question mark, but Hudson, Beachy, Minor, Delgado..this could get very interesting. Could Lowe just strain something already, so there’d be absolutely no question that Fredi would use him for a playoff start? kind of scared…
September 20th, 2011 at 9:56 pmDelgado has a lot of movement. If he can refine his control some more he’ll be really good.
Edit: Ugh, Cardinals take the lead on a bases loaded double.
September 20th, 2011 at 10:00 pmThe LOLMets just gave up a ground rule double. 7-6 Cardinals. I hate them.
September 20th, 2011 at 10:01 pmDo you think there’s any chance at all Lowe doesn’t make the playoff roster? I mean, it happened last year with Zito, so anything is possible.
Right now, I’d say no chance. But he’s got one or two more starts, and if he really stinks up the joint – especially in ways that are detrimental to our making the playoffs – I could see him getting left off in the case we do make it.
September 20th, 2011 at 10:02 pmOf course, this game makes me hate the Mets even more. I swear they do this on purpose.
September 20th, 2011 at 10:02 pmUgh Mets
September 20th, 2011 at 10:02 pmI wish we had a good baseball team. You know, like the Cardinals.
September 20th, 2011 at 10:02 pmIBB Molina? WTF?
I HATE YOU, NEW YORK METS.
September 20th, 2011 at 10:03 pmnooooooooooooooo
September 20th, 2011 at 10:04 pmBut, but, but….they need to set up the force-out at every base. Molina might beat the throw to first, after all.
September 20th, 2011 at 10:05 pmThe Mets can’t do anything right.
September 20th, 2011 at 10:05 pmHow do I love thee, New York Mets? Let me count the ways:
1)
September 20th, 2011 at 10:06 pmWell the mets decided to be the mets finally… 3 run triple
September 20th, 2011 at 10:08 pmGod the Mets suck.
September 20th, 2011 at 10:08 pmAnd that’s a bases loaded triple, so now it’s 10-6.
September 20th, 2011 at 10:09 pmThe new Marlins logo.
http://bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5429:miami-marlins-logo-leaked&catid=30:mlb-news&Itemid=42
September 20th, 2011 at 10:09 pmMolina would not have hit a triple. I can pretty much guarantee that.
September 20th, 2011 at 10:09 pmUnfortunately, the next two games are automatic losses. We’re in trouble
September 20th, 2011 at 10:09 pmWho the hell just tripled for the Cardinals, anyway? What is an “Adron Chambers”?
September 20th, 2011 at 10:10 pm@41
When you are positive, we do better.
September 20th, 2011 at 10:10 pmSee what the Braves have reduced us to? Pinning hopes on the Mets? It’s insulting!
Well, I’m just happy to have bagged a win. Magic number down to 6. I refuse to root for the Mets.
September 20th, 2011 at 10:10 pmAnd the guy who hit it is called Adron Chambers. Honestly. Looks like a randomly generated name from some Madden clone. Singled in the winning run for them on Friday night.
Man, that’s one ugly logo the Marlins chose. Hell, they’d be better off with that goofy gator from Back to the Future II.
September 20th, 2011 at 10:11 pmOver his eight year career, Molina has three triples. Just sayin’.
September 20th, 2011 at 10:11 pmSmitty, that is one ugly color scheme. Wow.
When’s the last time a good sports team logo was unveiled? I can’t remember the last time I looked at a new one and went, “Wow, that’s actually pretty cool!”
September 20th, 2011 at 10:12 pmMaybe the Mets should get in front of a bunch of cameras and talk about what a travesty it is that Terry Collins has quit on the season, because that’s the only explanation for a managerial decision that freaking stupid.
September 20th, 2011 at 10:13 pmNEW YORK METS: Everybody hates me!
ME: Well, why do you suppose that is?
NEW YORK METS: Because I’m the son of the devil?
ME: Uh-huh, that’s a good start… why else?
September 20th, 2011 at 10:14 pmWell on the plus side, the Cards’ season is pretty much over if they somehow find a way to blow this. High risk, high reward. Terry Collins is clearly crazy like a fox.
September 20th, 2011 at 10:16 pmOver an eight year career of mostly hitting right in front of the pitcher, Molina has 28 IBBs.
September 20th, 2011 at 10:17 pm@47
Most recent changes around sports have been downgrades, but the Tampa Bay Lightning’s change this year, favoring simplicity, was a major improvement, IMHO:
http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=551150
September 20th, 2011 at 10:18 pmGood call, ONIO. That logo is cool.
September 20th, 2011 at 10:19 pm@51
If more than three of those were in front of an obvious pinch-hitter, I would be shocked.
Maybe Terry Collins is taking his cue from Mets history. Apparently all we need is for our worst hitter to hit a crippling home run to win a playoff series or something and the victim club will forever more be frightened of said crappy hitter.
September 20th, 2011 at 10:21 pmExplain this…
Bill James says if a runner is at 2nd with no outs and a ball is hit to short stop, the correct play is for the runner at second to be aggressive and run to third.
September 20th, 2011 at 10:21 pmThat would seem to contradict the “never bunt” theory.
September 20th, 2011 at 10:23 pmAnd it’s over. LolMets lose, as we should have suspected.
September 20th, 2011 at 10:39 pmAnd … that’s a Mets suck, ladies and gentlemen.
September 20th, 2011 at 10:39 pmThis is what I wish would happen to the Mets.
September 20th, 2011 at 10:47 pmLet’s face it, we’re screwed. We have no shot at winning any of the games against Philly and we have Lowe against Vaz tomorrow and Strasburg on Monday.
It’s virtually impossible for us to make the playoffs
September 20th, 2011 at 10:50 pmThis is a real tweet:
@AdamRubinESPN Phones to #Mets bullpen stopped working about sixth inning.
September 20th, 2011 at 10:52 pm@60: We don’t even play the Nationals on Monday. Strasburg is Friday, versus Hudson. I like that matchup just fine.
September 20th, 2011 at 11:05 pmwhatever how are we going to beat strasburg?
September 20th, 2011 at 11:12 pmWhat’s so crazy about that 6-run Cardinals rally was that it all began with 2 outs & nobody on base.
But that’s what you get when you have to root for the Mets.
September 20th, 2011 at 11:14 pmwhatever how are we going to beat strasburg?
It’s not going to happen. We’re not going to beat him. Not Monday, not ever.
September 20th, 2011 at 11:20 pmBut seriously, Strasburg’s had 3 starts so far and has had pitch counts ranging from 56 to 61. He was yanked after the 3rd inning in one game upon racking up 57 pitches. I’d just try and work counts against him, be patient, play a war of attrition with his pitch count.
He’s pitched really well so far, but as long as we’re not going in and giving him 6-pitch and out innings, I’m not intimidated.
September 20th, 2011 at 11:22 pm65 -That’s true, Strasburg is actually an ancient God awoken from a 1,000 year slumber to reign chaos and havoc upon us. We truly have no hope.
Edit: You were right the first time. Strasburg will soon unleash his fiery vengeance upon us.
September 20th, 2011 at 11:26 pmWe beat him the only time we faced him last year.
September 20th, 2011 at 11:30 pmwe were a playoff team last year….
September 20th, 2011 at 11:35 pmHuff grounds into a double play, and the Giants lose 2-1.
September 20th, 2011 at 11:53 pmCoolStandings updates:
Entering tonight: 78.2% chance of playoffs
September 21st, 2011 at 12:29 amAfter beating Florida: 85.5%
After Cardinals beat Mets: 80.0%
After Arizona and San Francisco lost: 81.0% (+2.8% for the night).
66,
So… I’m thinking 49 pitch complete game?
September 21st, 2011 at 1:41 amBases loaded and nobody out. I long for the days when I was glad McCann was up in that situation.
He is simply lost.
Now would be a good time for Ross and Constanza (LF).
September 21st, 2011 at 3:50 am@55
Bill James is wrong. He should have consulted Yunel.
September 21st, 2011 at 7:24 amI was proud of the guys last night. They came back after two tough loses the last two days came back with a gutty, not pretty, but gutty performance last night.
I would start Ross tonight at catcher, just to try and steal a extra day for McCann’s brother to diagnose pimp bot’s swing, and maybe nullify the Florida speed game against Lowe. (You know there will be baserunners).
September 21st, 2011 at 7:24 amHe probably did consult Yunel.
September 21st, 2011 at 7:49 am@75
I agree. That way McCann gets two days off in a row. He looks tired.
September 21st, 2011 at 8:04 amThe problem with saying Strasburg will only pitch six innings is that the Nats bullpen is pretty good too. And they aren’t exactly facing the 1927 Yankees. It’s just hard to believe that a team can be as inept as the Braves are with runners in scoring position. They basically only score when they hit home runs.
When I decided to go to the game on Friday, I was hoping it would be fairly meaningless. No such luck.
September 21st, 2011 at 8:06 amI love how we have have given up on tonight’s game and one that is two days away.
Hudson looked good his last time out. Have some faith
September 21st, 2011 at 8:19 amPitching matchups per ESPN rest of the way:
Lowe v. Vazquez
Hudson v. Strasburg
Beachy v. Wang
Minor v. Detwiler
Delgado v. Lee
Lowe v. Worley (though I heard he was moving to pen)
Hudson v. Oswalt
for STL:
Garcia v. Schwinden (seriously NYM?)
September 21st, 2011 at 8:53 amWestbrook v. Capuano
Carpenter v. Dempster
Lohse v. Lopez
Jackson v. Coleman
Garcia v. W. Rodriguez
Westbrook v. Sosa
Carpenter v. Myers
See, we’re screwed
September 21st, 2011 at 9:05 am@80
Mac better do a LOT of un-watching.
September 21st, 2011 at 9:06 amI feel like we have a good shot to win tonight. Despite being a crappy pitcher, I don’t think Lowe is incapable of a good start, so maybe tonight we’ll get one. And we can roll over Javy Vazquez.
Looking ahead to Washington, I think they have every reason to come out and play hard against us. They’re a team with every reason to think they’re going to play for the playoffs next year, and with a team full of young talent, they’re going to be wanting to end the year on a good note. What better way than to kick the Braves’ asses and make us sweat heading into the playoffs?
80: What’s up with starting Hudson on the last game? If we’re in the playoffs, that start should go to Teheran.
September 21st, 2011 at 9:13 amWell one good thing about those matchups, no chance Lee. Worley, or Oswalt go more than 6IP. Same with Strasburg. They’ll be resting some starters also. At least we arent facing Capuano.
If Bmac has been catching most of Lowe’s starts, then Fredi should definitely change it up and get Ross behind the plate. Its worth changing. Man, we need a win today and a ST Louis loss.
September 21st, 2011 at 9:14 am#79
September 21st, 2011 at 9:18 amExactly. I don’t give up on any game. It’s baseball.
@84
I also think we have an advantage in Washington:
Hudson > Strasburg
Beachy > Wang
Minor > Detwiler
Plus you have to think we probably pull off at least one against Philly. A win tonight would be huge. I feel better after last night.
September 21st, 2011 at 9:18 amIf we go 4-3 STL must go 8-0 to win outright and 7-1 to tie. I’ll take that, though not sure we will go 4-3. As Smitty said tonight is huge because with a loss tonight, we could be only 1 game up the next time we play, but with a win, we could be as much as 4 up with 6 to play.
September 21st, 2011 at 9:33 amI had tuned out a little this past month thanks to our comfortable lead and the turmoil in my life (which is steadily improving by the way). It’s as if the Braves knew I needed a distraction and promptly lost a bunch of games to make things interesting.
September 21st, 2011 at 9:41 amI’m sorry, I know everybody has commented on this guy, but holy crap “iloveemmastone” is unbelievable. It’s almost like he’s a bot that Mac has programmed to respond to certain comments.
September 21st, 2011 at 9:50 amAn odd idea: The Phils might actually have a bit of an incentive to play well vs. the Braves in that final series.
If the Braves get knocked out of the WC, that means the Phils would play the Cards in the first round. I’m sure the Phils wouldn’t mind seeing the Cards get there via one-game playoff with Atlanta.
I don’t see the Phils knocking themselves out to do it—the Braves’ problems are, after all, the Braves’ problems—but it wouldn’t break their hearts to guarantee avoiding Milwaukee or playing a rotation-taxed St. Louis.
September 21st, 2011 at 9:51 am@89
I knida think it might be Mac.
September 21st, 2011 at 10:08 amExcept that rotation-taxed St. Louis just took 3/4 from Philly, beating up on Halladay and Hamels while doing it, didn’t they?
September 21st, 2011 at 10:08 am@90
A team that just whipped up on them this past weekend?
September 21st, 2011 at 10:09 amAnd the Phils just got swept by the Nats who beat Cliff Lee in the process.
Would the Phils rather play the Cards or, say, Milwaukee? I’d take the Cards.
Wouldn’t you rather face a team that has to play Game #163 as well?
September 21st, 2011 at 10:12 amI’m not giving up on any game but just saying the Braves have a tough road. The Braves traditionally play poorly in DC. Statistically, the odds favor the Braves holding on but I’m not sure reality does.
With respect to the Phillies, Halladay would be scheduled to pitch Sunday. This would put him on course to open the playoffs on five days rest. Maybe the Phillies would prefer he not have too much rest so they push his next start back to Monday. Lee pitched yesterday so he would be on course to pitch Monday, so maybe he pitches Tuesday and then Hamels. The point is, if the PHillies manipulate the rotation by having Halladay, Lee, and Hamels pitch on Mon, tue, Wed, they would be perfectly positioned to pitch in the first round on their normal schedule. Of course, they aren’t likely to pitch a lot of innings in their last starts.
September 21st, 2011 at 10:26 amDecent article on the Braves in Grantland:
http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/6996725/braves-struggle-stay-playoff-bound
September 21st, 2011 at 10:44 amI think Sam’s absence and the Braves decline are not coincidental.
September 21st, 2011 at 10:45 amJust noticed this, but why in the world did Cliff Lee throw 120 pitches yesterday?
September 21st, 2011 at 11:06 am@98
September 21st, 2011 at 11:11 amAccording to Manual, he’s stretching him out for the playoffs just in case he has to throw a 14-inning 200 pitch shutout.
Nice Ryan.
Are you the ryan c I’m facing in the finals of the Braves Journal Crowhoppers Fantasy League?
September 21st, 2011 at 12:02 pmSo it looks like Auburn might be in line to move to the SEC East with Bama staying in the west. They’d still probably play the Iron Bowl every year but Bama-Tennessee and Auburn-LSU would no longer be annual meetings.
September 21st, 2011 at 12:14 pmIf Auburn moves, they’d certainly retain the game with Bama as one of the 2 permanent annual opponents from the other division, and I’d guess they’d keep playing one of the Mississippi schools as the other.
But… Missouri?
September 21st, 2011 at 12:38 pmBraves lead by two in the loss column.
Lowe has two more starts this season.
Ergo, the Braves and Cardinals are actually tied right now.
September 21st, 2011 at 12:38 pm@101
The SEC has to keep the Third Saturday in October. I think it is a better rivalry that the Iron Bowl. Many Bama fans would say the same.
September 21st, 2011 at 12:46 pmDan, pretty much true there
Lowe in sept
3GS 0-3 13IP 26H 15ER 7BB 12K
thats 4.3IP per start
September 21st, 2011 at 12:51 pm@105
He should be rested. LOL
September 21st, 2011 at 1:03 pmMaybe Lowe is just intentionally reducing his innings so he can prepare to be used as a reliever in the playoffs.
September 21st, 2011 at 1:12 pmFor music fans, R.E.M. announced its breakup today.
September 21st, 2011 at 1:15 pm@108
WOW
On Lowe,
I have a feeling if he sucks tonight, he may not make another start.
September 21st, 2011 at 1:19 pmWell, I guess UBubba just picked the game thread video for us. There’s no choice, really. Thread is up.
I would rather play Tennessee every year than Auburn. But there’s an actual law that Alabama and Auburn have to play. My belief is Missouri should go to the East under the “screw them” principle.
September 21st, 2011 at 1:24 pmChipper sits, Gonzo sits, t- bone and Jack in.
September 21st, 2011 at 2:43 pm