Braves 10, Brewers 8
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Atlanta Braves – Box Score – April 13, 2012 – ESPN.
Maybe this team isn’t bad, but they’ve certainly continued last year’s pattern of never making anything easy. They have three wins, and Craig Kimbrel has three saves, and Jonny Venters got the win last night to go with his two holds. It’s not really a long-term solution. Tommy Hanson getting stronger and Tim Hudson return would help, because right now we’re not getting more than five innings from anyone.
Michael Bourn walked to lead off the Braves’ first, and when it looked like he’d be stranded there, Brian McCann (who had a huge night) doubled off the wall in right to score him. Jair Jurrjens retired the first five he faced before allowing a little bloop single over short. No biggie, except that Alex Gonzalez — who else — lined a homer to give the Brewers the lead, followed by a solo homer by George Kottaras.
The Braves got one run back in the third when Dan Uggla doubled to score Freddie Freeman, but McCann couldn’t score from first this time and he and Uggla were stranded.
And then in the fifth Ron Roenicke lost his mind, and left Randy Wolf in there to give up six runs, only one of which was inherited by the next guy. McCann hit a three-run homer, Matt Diaz hit a two-run shot, and then Jason Heyward singled, which finally got Roenicke out of the dugout. The reliever got the first guy, but then he walked Jurrjens and gave up a single to Bourn, making it 8-3, before retiring Martin Prado, who had the indignity of making both the first and the last out of the inning.
But Jurrjens then allowed two singles and two stolen bases before giving up a two-run double and being relieved by Kris Medlen before retiring anyone in the sixth. McCann singled and stole second in the sixth, and really was just showing off at this point; he was stranded,
And the usually reliable Eric O’Flaherty got bombed. He gave up an infield single, then a double, then a two-run single to make it 8-7. He then got a double play before allowing a solo homer to tie it.
Braves couldn’t do anything in the seventh, Brewers had no answers for Venters in the eighth. In the bottom of the eighth, they finally got McCann, but he advanced two baserunners, and Uggla singled them home to make it 10-8. Kimbrel gave up one single in the ninth.



Tied with the Phillies now.
April 14th, 2012 at 10:51 amI guess it shouldn’t break our hearts that the Mets are 5-2 & beating Cliff Lee. Of course, being the Mets, in last night’s game, I saw them do something I’ve never seen before.
Josh Thole on first, RA Dickey executes a successful sac bunt & is tagged out by the first base line. Thole goes to second, but is apparently convinced by Jimmy Rollins (via hand motion) that the ball went foul. Thole turns around & walks back to first, Rollins calls for the ball & throws to first, where Thole’s tagged out. Despite the big win, such a Met-like moment…
From previous thread (Re: Marvin Freeman fan club)
sansho1,
I think I still have my Kinkos-made membership card somewhere.
Funny, you’d mention that. At the Sunday debacle in Flushing, this Braves fan & I were discussing the thrill of the ’91 team—she was trying to remember the trio that threw the no-hitter—and she was talking about how that team had personality & how that’s always going to be her favorite. I was compelled to report my small participation in that endeavor.
Off to The Bronx to see Yanks/Halos. Welcome to the AL, Albert…
April 14th, 2012 at 10:52 amI know the guys who started Marvin’s Free Men. If it’s the same one you guys are talking about, they are from Gadsden, AL.
April 14th, 2012 at 11:17 amI still am hoping for a Freddy’s Freddys to be formed and compliment Jason’s Jasons. Make it happen Braves fans! Together they can terrify opposing teams for years and years.
April 14th, 2012 at 12:16 pmDidn’t Starvin Marvin give out his home phone number to club memebers
I think the 91 not hit trio was Merker, Wholers and Pena.
April 14th, 2012 at 12:49 pmEvan Gattis has had a monster first week at Lynchburg: .455/.533/.818 in 26PAs. With Bethancourt at AA, if he keeps raking do they jump him up to AAA?
April 14th, 2012 at 12:57 pmI’m really rooting for Gattis. Cool story.
April 14th, 2012 at 1:02 pmIt’s way too early to be moving Gattis up. Not that they might not.
April 14th, 2012 at 1:07 pmIt’s too early right now, but what if he is still raking in late May? His defense isn’t close to ready it seems, but is there a big difference between working on that at High A and at AAA? On the other hand, the “Rays have interest in Bethancourt” rumor was kind of weird…
April 14th, 2012 at 1:27 pm#3
April 14th, 2012 at 1:53 pmNope, Athens, Ga.
Yahoo’s Trending Topics would have us believe that the Internet is preoccupied with searches for Jeff Franceour based on this:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/jeff-francoeur-gets-pizza-delivered-fans-bleachers-233500021.html
April 14th, 2012 at 2:09 pm@9, if he’s still raking, we need him in the system. There isn’t going to be any free agent signings of note for the forseeable future, and there’s still a big hole in LF.
April 14th, 2012 at 2:45 pmFor you dish network folks, check the alternate channels 455 and 456 for tonights game. At least thats wha.t its on in Birmingham.
April 14th, 2012 at 3:47 pmThis fellow that looks increasingly like Elmer Fudd that catches for the Braves is pretty good, isn’t he?
Can’t believe anyone would doubt him.
April 14th, 2012 at 3:51 pmIt must perplex Mark Bowman whenever Brian McCann has a big night. Other than justhank, he has no critics to silence.
April 14th, 2012 at 4:46 pmCould the Braves buy their way out of their TV deal?
April 14th, 2012 at 5:00 pmThanks for trying to help, csg, but i’m getting MLS and then boxing on those channels. Just got off the phone with Dish and basically I’m screwed until they sort out this bs with PTV.
Idiots.
April 14th, 2012 at 6:13 pmFabulous start.
April 14th, 2012 at 6:14 pmWhew. Fransisco made a great play.
April 14th, 2012 at 6:19 pmThis is tough to watch the Braves and watch the weather at the same time.
April 14th, 2012 at 6:29 pmBE – AGGRESSIVE !
April 14th, 2012 at 6:37 pmB – E – AGGRESSIVE !
YES!!!!!!! Way to go! What a relief to have some good baserunning.
April 14th, 2012 at 6:38 pmWoooooo!!!!!! Offense!
April 14th, 2012 at 6:39 pmThat was a great piece of hitting and even better base running.
April 14th, 2012 at 6:39 pmAnd then Fransisco delivers? Wow.
In and out with the rangers playoff game. But 2 early runs is nice!
April 14th, 2012 at 6:41 pmPresented without comment:
“Orange you glad you’re in Atlanta today?” — Chip Caray
April 14th, 2012 at 7:13 pmYay, a starter made it through 6.
P.S. @26 – I think you killed the thread.
April 14th, 2012 at 7:38 pmI just don’t want to jinx Minor.
April 14th, 2012 at 7:40 pmHow did Bourn get on? I’ve got an eye on the sky and am flipping between channels for the Braves and the weather here in KS.
April 14th, 2012 at 7:41 pmNo Braves tonight because Dish Network and PeachTree TV can’t get along. Channel 17 right now is just an endless loop of Dish Network’s side of the story.
April 14th, 2012 at 7:44 pm@29
Singled on a line drive to center fielder Carlos Gomez. None out.
April 14th, 2012 at 7:46 pmHope things go ok in Kansas.
April 14th, 2012 at 7:50 pmThis is the Braves’ eighth game and Jonny Venters’ fifth.
April 14th, 2012 at 8:19 pm@30, I recommend you call Dish and politely complain. You’ll get a few bucks off your bill.
April 14th, 2012 at 8:22 pmOh no.
April 14th, 2012 at 8:23 pmWonder if the Braves will move Uggla to 3B next year.
April 14th, 2012 at 8:29 pmAnything happen? I was busy outside as we our tornado sirens sounded.
Fortunately everything is OK here.
April 14th, 2012 at 8:32 pm@37, Our sirens are always a few minutes late when it counts. Glad to hear y’all are OK.
April 14th, 2012 at 8:38 pmC’mon Kimbrel.
April 14th, 2012 at 8:40 pm“@30, I recommend you call Dish and politely complain. You’ll get a few bucks off your bill.”
Sounds like a plan.
Though Dish Network is the one in the right in this dispute. PeachTree TV sans Braves is nothing but old movies and Seinfeld, Family Guy and Big Bang Theory reruns. Who would pay premium rates over years and years for that?
April 14th, 2012 at 8:44 pmKimbrel is getting squeezed like crazy.
April 14th, 2012 at 8:50 pmWow, a major league manager using his backup catcher to pinch-hit in a critical moment…didn’t work, but still. I’m sure Fredi is dumbfounded.
April 14th, 2012 at 8:53 pmLike that the Brewers’ manager saw fit to pinch hit for a player (Lucroy) who hit a double in his previous at-bat, for a player (Kottaras) fresh off the bench and cold.
April 14th, 2012 at 8:54 pmWhew.
April 14th, 2012 at 8:55 pmBraves win!
April 14th, 2012 at 8:55 pmNice!
We’re .500, baby.
April 14th, 2012 at 8:55 pmI can’t handle too many like that. Great game, Mr. Minor.
April 14th, 2012 at 8:56 pm“Maybe this team isn’t bad, but they’ve certainly continued last year’s pattern of never making anything easy.”
Amen Mac.
April 14th, 2012 at 8:56 pmI doubt many outside of the clubhouse will say anything, but McCann’s pitch calling (especially the last two batters) won the game.
April 14th, 2012 at 8:56 pmAtta boy, Kimbrel.
Series #2 in the bag for the Bravos.
April 14th, 2012 at 8:56 pmFour wins in a row. If I was in a deep depression over the way the season started, I guess I should be figuring out where I could crash in Atlanta during late October.
April 14th, 2012 at 8:57 pmI’d be interested to know, in the history of baseball, what percentage of games involved a catcher being removed after the 9th inning due to injury.
April 14th, 2012 at 9:00 pm@49 – yep.
Kimbrel has GOT to get his elbow up and finish down. Where the hell did this drop-down crap come from?
And why isn’t McDowell all over it?
Which makes McCann’s recognition and adjusted pitch-calling all the more impressive – as is Smitty @49.
April 14th, 2012 at 9:07 pmAs I type, I’m eating an Atkins Peanut Butter Cup.
It’s better (yes, better)than a Reese’s Cup.
Oh, and I’ve lost 14 pounds.
April 14th, 2012 at 9:10 pm@49 – McCann’s pitch calling may have been good, but you also have to give some credit to McDowell. It looked like he gave Kimbrel a plan after he got into trouble and it was all she wrote after that.
April 14th, 2012 at 9:36 pmVintage Braves pitching performance tonight by Minor, to go along with the sweet vintage cream-colored jerseys. I mean, I know I have an emotional attachment to the Braves’ colors, but that look is just sharp.
April 14th, 2012 at 9:56 pmOk, maybe I was being too demanding by asking for a 162-0 record….I will take 158-4.
April 14th, 2012 at 10:05 pmYeah, Im a big fan of those jerseys. I just wish they would get rid of the tomato red ones also.
April 14th, 2012 at 10:12 pm@ 56 and 58:
April 14th, 2012 at 10:48 pmmy sentiments exactly.
njbravesfan,
That was a helluva Sens/Rangers game tonight. Nasty.
April 14th, 2012 at 11:14 pm@40 – Same deal with AT&T Uverse…Peachtree games are unavailable in Birmingham. Which would just be silly normally, but even worse since AT&T Uverse was a sponsor of the Braves last season. “Hey Braves fans, subscribe to Uverse so you can miss 25% of the Braves games!”
April 14th, 2012 at 11:55 pmGreat postgame comments about Minor. He seems to be gaining a lot of respect from the team.
April 15th, 2012 at 2:54 amGood, Carroll Rogers didn’t get the memo about losing the postgame quotes feature….
April 15th, 2012 at 4:39 amNobody bothers to bait Rogers because he doesn’t get into flamewars with the AJC Neanderthals. DOB should take a tip.
April 15th, 2012 at 10:16 am