Braves 3, Giants 2
San Francisco Giants vs. Atlanta Braves – Box Score – July 19, 2012 – ESPN.
The Giants thoroughly, utterly embarrassed and humiliated the Braves at home this week, outhitting them 31-16 and outscoring them 20-7. The victory today was a gift from heaven above. The Braves had just three hits against nine by the Giants, but those three hits included a Michael Bourn RBI triple and two solo homers by Freddie Freeman and David Ross.
Speaking of David Ross, you all know how good he is, but it’s easy to forget just how good. I tweeted this during the game, but:
This is the fourth year that David Ross has been a Brave. He has played 196 games and amassed 560 plate appearances, which is basically a full season’s worth for a catcher. In those 560 plate appearances, he has hit .277/.368/.476, with 20 homers and 83 RBI.
In those four years, there have been 11 catchers who have managed to hit 20 homers in a full season: Brian McCann, Bengie Molina, Carlos Santana, J.P. Arencibia, Mike Napoli, Miguel Olivo, Victor Martinez, Jorge Posada, John Buck, Matt Wieters, and Joe Mauer.
Bengie Molina’s pretty much out of baseball, but his brother Yadier is about to hit 20 for the first time this year, and Yadi just got $75 million in the offseason. Mauer got $184 million in 2010. Posada did it after signing a $52 million contract in 2007. Martinez signed a $50 million deal in 2010. Napoli, Wieters, Santana, and McCann haven’t hit free agency yet, but it’s fair to assume that when they do, they’ll get paid.
But our guy did that in parts of four seasons, and has gotten paid a grand total of $6.25 million, about 30% of what Joe Mauer’s making this year alone.
If you’re ever inclined to throw your remote control at the TV or curse Frank Wren, remember: sometimes he gets it right.
So Ross is a useful, comfortable idiot. Lord knows we need a few of those on this team.
July 19th, 2012 at 7:15 pmHe’s more than useful. Per at-bat, considering his position, he’s one of the best players in baseball.
July 19th, 2012 at 7:20 pmRoss is going to have a nice, and more lucrative, career after he is done playing. I’d take him as manager over Fredi right now.
July 19th, 2012 at 7:26 pmI’d take the jerky made out of that deer Ross shot last weekend over Fredi right now.
Just kidding. A little.
July 19th, 2012 at 7:41 pmEven though the Giants embarassed us and Melky is complete jackass, we win two of those games if Fredi hits Ross instead of Janish last night.
July 19th, 2012 at 7:42 pmRoss apparently loves Atlanta and backing up Bmac. Wouldnt be surprised to see him stay in this role.
July 19th, 2012 at 7:43 pmKimbrel for Cy Young.
July 19th, 2012 at 7:44 pmRoss knows how to provide a good soundbyte too.
I’ll be pissed if the Braves don’t find a way to resign him.
July 19th, 2012 at 7:45 pmI apologize if this has been linked to already, but here’s Robinson Cano’s reaction to Melky’s HR in the All-Star game.
http://gif.mocksession.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/BUTTHURT-CANO.gif
July 19th, 2012 at 7:45 pmAnd heck, here’s Pablo Sandoval:
http://www.gifflix.com/media/5669/Pablo_Sandoval_Cake_Trip/
July 19th, 2012 at 7:47 pmNice recap, AAR.
The Braves have some nice pieces. Prado, Andrelton, Freddie and Jason are a good, relatively inexpensive base upon which to build.
Beachy and Vizcaino could morph into rotation leaders post-surgery, while Sheets and Huddy solidify the rotation until Minor, Teheran, and Delgado gain consistency.
Venters may become Kimbrell-like in his performance. Medlen and O’Flarety (Sp.?) could even improve, and we might find a few fungible arms not named Durbin. Maybe, just maybe our young pitchers will grow from prospects into studs.
Perhaps McCann and Bourn won’t price themselves out of Atlanta, and Gattis will turn out to be the real deal.
Hope springs eternal, but 0ther than having these dreams fulfilled and getting more bench players as capable as Ross, I won’t ask for a single thing.
Well, maybe a manager like Washington’s or Tampa Bay’s.
July 19th, 2012 at 8:06 pmCarryover from last post:
Craig Skok 1978
Craig’s who?
July 19th, 2012 at 8:07 pmI’ve been thinking about Carlos Tosca, who remains something of a cipher to me. I don’t want to appear unfair, but I’ll ask this question anyway:
What good is a bench coach if he can’t keep his manager from making poor in-game decisions?
July 19th, 2012 at 8:15 pm@12
Just another in the litany of ’70s-’80s Braves pitchers who didn’t look remotely like professional athletes.
July 19th, 2012 at 8:31 pmEverything points to Dempster getting dealt in the next day or two…if, as the (granted, anonymous internet) reports suggest, the Dodgers then Braves are his preferred destinations, and the Cubs are looking for pitching in return, we’ve got to have a good shot, if Wren really wants him, and if the Dodgers aren’t willing to give up Zach Lee. Other than maybe Tolleson most of those Dodgers pitching prospects are either failing to progress or have obvious hurdles to get over. I’d have to think Gilmartin is as valuable as any of them (other than Lee).
July 19th, 2012 at 8:43 pmDefinitely not saying I would want to give up Gilmartin for Dempster…although, damn, it would be nice to go to the playoffs this year.
July 19th, 2012 at 8:55 pmI would think Delgado is the piece we are looking to move. Teheran is off limits according to Wren. I dont know what Gilmartin’s trade value is, but I dont think it would be a huge loss if he was moved for the right piece. Id like to see us add one of Greinke, Shields, Dempster, Liriano, or Garza. Probably in that order if $20mil per isnt Greinke’s resignable price.
July 19th, 2012 at 9:03 pmI would be hesitant to trade Minor or Delgado for Dempster, Liriano or even Greinke w/out an extension. We have so much of it that it is easy to undervalue cost-controlled starting pitching. For a two month rental, with no draft pick compensation–that is a steep price to pay. With Gilmartin I would be tempted, but would want to make sure I couldn’t get Shields or Garza instead, knowing it would require some different or additional pieces.
I’d offer Delgado, Spruill and Cody Martin for James Shields (+ an MRI).
July 19th, 2012 at 9:24 pmGarza makes $9.5 million this year–what kind of arbitration raise will he get? This year he’s not much more than a $10 million pitcher.
July 19th, 2012 at 9:28 pmNo draft pick compensation; the Braves probably want someone they can lock up beyond 2012, if they’re going to be giving up young pitchers. They probably won’t get Dempster, he has ‘Lowe’ written all over him.
July 19th, 2012 at 9:38 pmJust announced on ESPN that Dempster is officially scratched from tomorrow’s start and that Cubs and Dodgers are trading names. Probably baloney.
July 19th, 2012 at 9:38 pmA lot of people think he’s heading to LA.
July 19th, 2012 at 9:42 pmThat’s fine. Let’s get someone younger who we can extend.
July 19th, 2012 at 9:56 pm@14 Before consigning Craig Skok to the bitbucket, recall his most impressive accomplishment: July 30, 1978. http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1978/B07300ATL1978.htm In 2 2/3 innings of relief, Craig gave up 5 home runs, taking a 5-0 game and turning it to 13-0 when he left. Think about that the next time you think Fredi has a slow hook.
By the way, that game was one of only 13 19-0 games in major league history.
July 19th, 2012 at 10:52 pmRoss is one of those guys like blauser or bream who will always be remembered fondly despite his obvious limitations. A guy that true fans will be heartily cheering in veterans day in 20 years.
July 19th, 2012 at 10:56 pmMatt Diaz is hitting .222/280/333. Wren might want to get a 4th outfielder who can hit at the deadline too.
July 20th, 2012 at 12:21 amIf you had told me back in March that entering July 20 the Braves would be 1 game behind Pittsburgh in the standings, I would have said it must have been a disasterous season.
July 20th, 2012 at 12:40 amI would rather have Greinke than Dempster but if we got Dempster then the autographed ball I got from him at the 2000 All-Star game will be a bit more meaningful to me… I guess.
July 20th, 2012 at 6:30 amCubs, one stop shop: Dempster, Reed Johnson, and Shawn Camp.
July 20th, 2012 at 6:46 amMinor League notes…
Nick Ahmed is really turning it on at High A. He has a 1.094 OPS in his last 10 and is leading the league in stolen bases with 28 (stealing at about an 80% clip). If his glove can stick at SS and his bat continue to get better, he’d be a great 2b double play combo for Simmons when Uggla gets gone.
Mejia hit his 20th HR last night.
Constanza has a 22 game hitting streak
Teheran turned in a “quality start” going 6 giving up 3 runs.
Cory Gearrin has a 1.22 ERA at Gwinnett and striking out over 10 1/2 per 9.
Moylan still struggling in rehab and gave up another run last night.
Buchter at AA is cloning Gearrin’s numbers with a 1.25ERA and striking out almost 11 per 9.
Bethancourt hit his first HR of the season.
July 20th, 2012 at 7:46 amI bet Constanza and Mejia get called up when rosters expand. Cory Gearrin can go away.
July 20th, 2012 at 7:59 amWe could stop in Minnesota and pick up Willingham, Liriano, and Perkins.
July 20th, 2012 at 8:05 amI think Greinke is the best option, since he’s immensely valuable to us this year and will solidify the rotation moving forward. I just don’t think we can get Bourn and Greinke.
July 20th, 2012 at 8:21 amHere is a pretty poor comment on the Braves announcers:
The other night on MLB Network, they cut to the Braves/Giants game as McCann was about to come up in the 9th inning. Greg Amsinger said that, instead of cutting to Chip Carey and Joe Simpson, we will keep it here because “Chip and Joe get pretty down when the Braves are losing and we want to have some energy.” Then, I suspect that Amsinger saw McCann hit the home run with the delay so they switched to them.
But what does that say about the professionalism of an announcer that he cannot be counted on to provide an adequate account of the game because the team is losing?
July 20th, 2012 at 8:28 amMLB Network often plays clips of Hawk Harrelson. That alone should place their judgment in question.
July 20th, 2012 at 8:44 amYes, but they are doing that for what they perceive as its entertainment value (like it or not). Here they are saying that Chip sucks too much to even be shown.
July 20th, 2012 at 8:54 amChecking the box score it shows Kimbrel only threw 8 pitches, with one K. I know it’s mathematically impossible, but I believe, deep in my heart, that one day soon, Kimbrel will become the first pitcher to strike out the side on 8 pitches.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:02 am@31
That is an unfair observation on a ridiculously small sample size. When used right, Gearrin can be lethal, however he hasn’t been used right neither time he’s been called up. His splits at the Major League level:
vs RHB: 20K in 56PA and a .533 OPS against
vs LHP: 7K in 42PA and a 1.230 OPS against
Cory gets called up when the pen needs a breather. Then he gets thrown into a game to go multiple innings or to face LHB, even though Gwinnett is treating him like a 1-inning setup man/ROOGY. Then he gets shelled and sent back down. His numbers against RH batters at Gwinnett are ridiculous:
25 IP 36K .72ERA and .159BAA .84WHIP
His stats are there and someone will find his value, whether it’s the Braves or not.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:16 am@34
Well, first, Chip is not good, but that’s the first time I’ve ever heard him being accused of “getting down”. He is the LEAST grumpy announcer we’ve had since Ernie.
Second, who the hell is Greg Amsinger, and when do we get to judge the professionalism of someone who trashes his fellow announcers on air while they’re doing their jobs?
July 20th, 2012 at 9:34 amThe Astros just sent some crap to the Blue Jays for a bunch of minor league pitchers
July 20th, 2012 at 10:06 amIm not trynig to be fair. For his career, even in the minors, he cant pitch on back to back days. Thats hard to overcome.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:18 am#31, 41,
July 20th, 2012 at 10:27 amThe continued mis-usage of Gearrin every time he’s been called up is, to me, one of the most damning signs that Fredi just doesn’t get it. He knew how to utilize Moylan. He’s put Gearrin in some terrible spots dating back to last year, doing no favors to the pitcher or to the team in games they are trying to stay in/win.
I like Gearrin. He ia a local boy who I hope does well.
He really needs to be able to get lefties out better. The way most teams set up their lineup, he might get in to face one batter. The other team may send out a left handed PH too.
I agree he is miss used, but his strongest assest is limited and can be nutralized pretty easily.
I also think the Gwinnett is the greatest pitcher’s park in America.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:39 amBack when starting pitchers were routinely pitching 7 innings or more, maybe an OOGY was a luxury a team could afford. But carrying a pitcher who you have to immediately pull as soon as the other team trots out a LHB (because to this point he can’t get them out at all)…well, we haven’t carried a LOOGY in a couple of years either. Gearrin seems both over-specialized and easily fatigued, so what does it matter that he can do one such specific thing well?
July 20th, 2012 at 10:46 amI don’t get the Jays on this trade. They’re in last place in the AL East, and they buy a Lyon rental? They must really like 29-year-old Happ to improve over the next couple of seasons.
Of course, with the Jays, Lyon could be a piece of a larger deal. They love those funky trade gambits.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:53 am#43,
Agree completely. ROOGY’s are too easily neutralized to be very useful, and if Moylan’s not as dominant as he was at his peak I don’t see much use in reserving a roster spot for his mastery of the skillset either.
But asking a young guy who does one thing well and two things badly to keep doing the two things he sucks at says more about the manager than it does about the player.
July 20th, 2012 at 11:10 amGearrin is a nice guy to have if you’ve got an otherwise-strong ‘pen and need someone to pitch situationally. In other words, he’d have been great with last years’ bullpen, where you had three shut-down guys at the back of it and good long men. With Gearrin, you can bring him in to pitch in the 7th or 8th when the other team’s got a bunch of RH hitters coming up. You force the other manager to either pinch hit (presumably removing one of hit better hitters) and allowing you to bring in a dominant lefty or let you get away with a great matchup.
This year, when Kimbrel’s been the only thing that is truely consistent (even O’Flaherty’s had a few bumps and just isn’t as good as either he or Vetners were last year) you need a guy whose able to do more than get a tough righty out situationally.
If the real Venters come back, maybe you can find a role for Gearrin. Until then, it’s just hard to make him useful in this bullpen.
July 20th, 2012 at 11:43 amSome nice quotes about Kimbrel at the end of this one:
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=17714
July 20th, 2012 at 11:50 amPer MLBTR
The Brewers offered Greinke 5yr/$100
Thr price of Dempster goes up
July 20th, 2012 at 12:28 pmNot sure if the Braves can/will top that offer, but my guess is that Milwaukee trades him if he turns that down. (Maybe then he’ll be “available”?)
I heard some quite interesting stuff about him from Buster Oleny on the Jonah Keri podcast the other day. The gist was that when teams spoke with him prior to his trade to the Brewers, there were more than a few that decided they wanted nothing to do with him based on the interaction. A lot of baseball folks characterize him as “weird”, which I assume is code for something. I figure its got to do with the anxiety issues or whatever he dealt with a few years back, but to me its fascinating. It really seems like this is a guy that could be had for less than market value (although that report on MLBTR sorta changes that view) but only if its in the right spot, and even then, it sounds like there’s a risk (real or percieved) that at some point he just decides he doesn’t want to play baseball anymore.
Like I say, fascinating.
July 20th, 2012 at 1:22 pmBrewers can keep him. I dont think you trade top prospects for him and then try and pay him $20M per. Check in on Greinke in the offseason and keep your prospects.
July 20th, 2012 at 1:56 pmAgreed. Stay away.
July 20th, 2012 at 2:09 pmWren never makes the expected move.
July 20th, 2012 at 2:15 pmBut we want to win now. We need him this season. And he’s worth the prospects plus the $20 mil it’ll take to keep him.
mravery hit the nail on the head. How often is it that the best pitcher available is also someone who, for whatever reason, the Yankees don’t happen to want? How often is it that whatever inefficiency in the market plays right into our hands? His price is being driven down into our ballpark! He WANTS to play for us! Doesn’t that nullify any questions about his overall desire, etc?
July 20th, 2012 at 2:16 pmI really want Greinke, because I think he makes us the best team in the NL, but I think it should be at a rental price. We don’t do weird very well here, but I’m sure everyone could get along long enough to push for a flag this season.
July 20th, 2012 at 2:17 pmI’m not sure if he makes us the best team in the NL, but he would boost our rotation.
If we also address our pen and bench, we might be the best team. I think the Giants are the best team in the NL, even we have Greinke.
July 20th, 2012 at 2:25 pmSaying that Zack Greinke is “weird” is not pejorative. It isn’t even code. It is descriptive. He doesn’t react in a “normal” way in social interactions. That doesn’t mean he’s debilitated or unable to function. It just means he’s unusual and can come off as off-putting.
This Joe Posnanski piece is the best I’ve ever read at explaining that side of him: http://joeposnanski.blogspot.com/2010/12/being-there-with-greinke.html
July 20th, 2012 at 2:26 pm@54
A lot of people don’t recognize this as a “win now” season, for reasons I’m having difficulty comprehending.
July 20th, 2012 at 2:26 pmAlso, the Nationals have clearly been the best team in the NL so far. That was probably the best series the Giants played all year, and they lost one game and probably should’ve lost two. Their lineup has not been good, for the most part. It’s cornerstones are Melky Cabrera and a catcher. They should win the West, but I wouldn’t get too worked up over them just yet.
July 20th, 2012 at 2:31 pmI want Zack Greinke. I just want Dempster more. I want to pay for a rental, and if we extend that rental, that shouldn’t mean his old team should get more for it.
If Greinke can be had for the cost of half a season of Greinke, I’ll take Greinke. But it seems like the Brewers want you to pay them for the right to pay him. With Dempster, that isn’t the case.
July 20th, 2012 at 2:31 pmWe are definitely in a “win now” situation. Im just not sure how much more value Greinke adds for 1/2 a season over a different acquisition like Dempster.
Either way, I want Greinke. Just dont want a $20m price tag to come along with him also.
July 20th, 2012 at 2:38 pmGreat read, AAR. Thanks.
July 20th, 2012 at 3:05 pmI wonder if we could pull off Dempster and Greinke
Dempster, Greinke, Husdon, Hanson, Sheets
Who beats us then?
July 20th, 2012 at 3:14 pmI definitely think Greinke is worth 5 years/ 100 million. He’s one of the 10 best SP in baseball. If the Braves were signing him long-term, I think Minor/Delgado, Pastornicky, and JR Graham would be fair.
July 20th, 2012 at 3:16 pmLet’s go all in and load up! Do it for Chipper! Send him out a winner!
Get it done Wren!
July 20th, 2012 at 3:18 pmSean Gilmartin, Cody Martin and Nick Ahmed for Greinke + 6years/118 million.
July 20th, 2012 at 3:33 pmIn the Washington Post this morning, Tom Boswell said that the Braves and Nats will be fighting for the division title for years to come because they are both “farm oriented” teams that are set up to be competitive for years. I know that many on this site think this is a win now situation for the Braves. Boswell isn’t necessarily the most accurate prognosticator-to say the least, I always say, see what team Boswell thinks will win and bet the opposite-but it was an interesting take. What do people think? Are the Braves set up for an extended run?
July 20th, 2012 at 3:37 pmSo you mean that Kimbrel is, like, good?
July 20th, 2012 at 3:59 pmhttp://mlb.sbnation.com/2012/7/20/3171189/craig-kimbrel-stats-atlanta-braves
Any deal I think for Grienke involves Gilmartin + one of Minor/Delgado and probably a young bat or two. There’s no way the Braves deal Teheran, and I’m not sure what the alternatives are. I guess one option would be to get a bullpen guy as well and include Medlen in the deal. FWIW, I doubt Pastornicky’s involved, just because I don’t see why Milwaukee would want him. >_<
July 20th, 2012 at 4:03 pmOn paper at least, the Braves will be in contention for the next three or four years. No team in the division has more cost-controlled ML-ready pitching, starting with Beachy, Vizcaino, Delgado, Teheran, Minor, Kimbrel and Gilmartin. Plus at least two or three more arms that are likely to be ML ready by the end of next year. Uggla, Simmons, Freeman and Heyward are half of a better than average lineup. We only need one or two lucky breaks to be really good for an extended period. I’ll hope for Prado signing a reasonable extension and Bethancourt turning into a league average hitting catcher.
July 20th, 2012 at 4:07 pm@67, I think we tried to build this team to have it both ways for as long as we possibly could, which is why it feels so tough to answer the question. And I think it’ll be a gametime decision if we really, genuinely try to sacrifice the future in order to make certain that we win now.
I mean, we really could sell the whole farm and probably add on enough (that we couldn’t keep) to win this year. But nobody thinks that’ll happen.
As things stand, there’s no question that the Nats are the better team, for now and the near future.
July 20th, 2012 at 4:14 pmBill James has a great line about Rickey Henderson: if you took him and split him into two players, they’d each be a Hall of Famer. If you took Kimbrel and split him into two pitchers, they’d each be better than anyone else we’ve got.
July 20th, 2012 at 4:38 pmIt was just brought to my attention that Lefties are 3-61 against Craig Kimbrel in 2012, good for a .049 average.
July 20th, 2012 at 4:43 pmBetween 2011-2012, Craig Kimbrel has 190 strikeouts in 114 innings. Between 2010-2012, Jair Jurrjens has 195 strikeouts in 313 1/3 innings.
July 20th, 2012 at 4:54 pmStark says we are not going hard after Dempster. We want a guy we control for a few years.
I sure hope that’s not Garza
July 20th, 2012 at 4:58 pmDempster makes no sense. Free agent draft compensation is gone; the Braves are going to be looking for someone with years left on their contract or they think they can sign long term (and want to.) No one wants Dempster long term.
July 20th, 2012 at 5:37 pmWalk, double, home run: good start, Tommy.
July 20th, 2012 at 6:24 pmMy God that was a bomb.
July 20th, 2012 at 6:24 pmLoved Simpson telling that story about how the Braves were “fired up” and ready to make a statement.
Nope, they’re still the Nationals’ b**ches. Were when they were a terrible team; even more so now that they’re good.
July 20th, 2012 at 6:26 pmI hate Tommy Hanson. I hate that we play like fools against the Nats.
July 20th, 2012 at 6:27 pmThis is even more fun since I’m stuck in Nats territory…
Thanks Tommy.
July 20th, 2012 at 6:29 pmGood thing we spotted Strasburg with 3 runs to work with. Pretty hard winning a 4 game series losing the first one. Its never too early to say ballgame
July 20th, 2012 at 6:30 pmThe early 3 run shot at least ends what I hate most about Braves games, which watching Tommy Hanson pitch.
July 20th, 2012 at 6:32 pmThis inning doesn’t look like it will ever end.
I think I will go do something else with my Friday night, and maybe I’ll come back pleasantly surprised.
July 20th, 2012 at 6:32 pmIf there’s still any room left in the “I hate Tommy Hanson” bandwagon, someone please save me a seat.
July 20th, 2012 at 6:34 pmBad timing for the pen with a DH’r tomorrow.
July 20th, 2012 at 6:37 pmWe’re trading in the wagon for a fleet of buses. There’s plenty of room
July 20th, 2012 at 6:39 pmI say it is time Tommy takes one for the team if need be. If (I mean when) he gets shelled, they should save the bullpen and let him take the beating
July 20th, 2012 at 6:39 pmHow many “statement series” against the Nationals is this now that the Braves came up flat?
July 20th, 2012 at 6:39 pmOh, they’re making a statement…
July 20th, 2012 at 6:41 pmBest pitcher in the NL vs. the worst hitter?
July 20th, 2012 at 6:45 pmWell, at least they made him throw 20+ pitches that inning
July 20th, 2012 at 6:45 pmThat leadoff double was wasted the moment Janish and Hanson were coming up.
Really miss Simmons.
July 20th, 2012 at 6:47 pmThe Braves basically stopped messing their collective pants every time they played the Phillies and started doing it against the Nats.
Seriously, how big a disappointment is Hanson turning out to be? Two years ago I thought he had ace stuff. Now I’m wondering if he’s worth the next round of arbitration.
July 20th, 2012 at 6:49 pmThey’re all “statement series” if the statement includes the words ‘cap’ and ‘tip’.
July 20th, 2012 at 6:54 pm94- I think we have to; it’s not like any of our dazzling prospects are ready to go yet.
July 20th, 2012 at 6:58 pmGreetings from Denver…
Everytime we play these guys, it’s like Groundhog Day.
Surprise me, fellas.
July 20th, 2012 at 6:58 pmIf the Nationals played the Braves 162 games a year, what would their season record be at the end? 125-37?
July 20th, 2012 at 7:08 pmChipper’s channeling Brooks Conrad defensively right now.
July 20th, 2012 at 7:12 pmSeems like Chipper gets a lot of “funny” hops. One ought not make excuses for a HOFer,
July 20th, 2012 at 7:12 pmChipper isnt helping the pitch count
July 20th, 2012 at 7:15 pmPrepare to be stranded, BMac.
July 20th, 2012 at 7:19 pmCome on, Dan.
July 20th, 2012 at 7:19 pmWay to make something of that, BMac.
July 20th, 2012 at 7:20 pmWhy does Janish always end up in this situation? Dan sucks btw
July 20th, 2012 at 7:21 pmpathetic
July 20th, 2012 at 7:22 pmAt least Hanson got his bat on the ball. Oh, who am I kidding? The bottom end of this lineup is rubbish.
July 20th, 2012 at 7:24 pmIs Pastornicky really that bad? That’s three big spots in the past couple of days where Janish only needed to make contact, and didn’t even come close.
July 20th, 2012 at 7:28 pmCan’t pitch out of the stretch. Can’t hold runners. Can’t field his position. Can’t hit. Can’t bunt.
I have a feeling that Hanson only plays baseball because he was told years ago he might have a Major League-caliber arm, and doesn’t truly love it, thus he was unwilling to put in much work at any other aspects of the sport.
July 20th, 2012 at 7:36 pmHanson getting squeezed at this point doenst help anything either.
July 20th, 2012 at 7:37 pmGO TO HELL TOMMY.
July 20th, 2012 at 7:39 pmHow thoughtful of Tommy to destroy whatever hope we had left with four innings to go.
July 20th, 2012 at 7:39 pmSorry, five inning.
July 20th, 2012 at 7:39 pmGiving up another HR…
screw it. Im done
July 20th, 2012 at 7:40 pmGive him his due, Hanson can give up some long home runs.
July 20th, 2012 at 7:40 pmLast year we got rid of the hitting coach….may be time for Roger to go also.
July 20th, 2012 at 7:40 pmTommy Hanson is awful.
July 20th, 2012 at 7:40 pmHR allowed, National League:
1. Guthrie COL 21
July 20th, 2012 at 7:41 pm2. Minor ATL 20
Blanton PHI 20
4. Hanson ATL 19
The pythagorean sure is taking a beating with all these lopsided losses. Such a stupid stat.
July 20th, 2012 at 7:41 pmI wish Hanson would get traded to the Mets. A fitting punishment for him and it would make it easier for me to hate them af thd same time
July 20th, 2012 at 7:42 pm@120
Or imagine Hanson in Cincinnati or Colorado.
July 20th, 2012 at 7:44 pmHanson with the Yankees. The media and fan reaction to his pitching would be deserved.
July 20th, 2012 at 7:45 pmI know it’s stating the obvious, but he sure does write well. Thanks for the link, AAR.
July 20th, 2012 at 7:52 pmHeckuva start, Tommy.
July 20th, 2012 at 7:52 pmAnd that’s it for Hanson. Give him a robust round of indifference.
July 20th, 2012 at 7:55 pmI wonder if he’s hurt.
July 20th, 2012 at 7:56 pmAny chance the Brewers are, ahem, smart enough to know that Tommy’s FIP and xFIP say he doesn’t suck?
Three years of Hanson for 3 months of Greinke?
July 20th, 2012 at 7:59 pmThat’s it, Luis. Get all the suckage out. Just let it flow.
July 20th, 2012 at 8:03 pmThis series isn’t going to be pretty, I’m afraid. The Nats are just better by every measure.
July 20th, 2012 at 8:07 pmMcCann is finally hitting. Silver lining.
July 20th, 2012 at 8:08 pmUbbuba, if you make it down to Fort Collins while you’re in the area I’d be happy to have a beer or several with you at some of our many local microbreweries.
July 20th, 2012 at 8:09 pm“Any chance the Brewers are, ahem, smart enough to know that Tommy’s FIP and xFIP say he doesn’t suck?”
Who are you going to believe about Hanson and Lowe last year: these newfangled stats or your lying eyes?
July 20th, 2012 at 8:11 pmI don’t want to sound like I am venting, but I think that the front office should consider firing Fredi.
For the most part, this is a very young team that seems to prone to streaks. A few things go wrong, tehy fall a part and it takes 3-4 days to pull out of it. A good manager doesn’t let this happen.
No way the Braves do it. And there is a chance that it could blow up in their face, but I don’t see this team getting any better. No matter who we trade for.
July 20th, 2012 at 8:12 pmIs Nitram wasted on this team?
July 20th, 2012 at 8:25 pmWilson really is an improvement offensively over Janish
July 20th, 2012 at 8:42 pm7 HRs in 10 games for BMac. Wow.
July 20th, 2012 at 8:57 pmFredi goes ahead and lets Francisco hit against the lefty with Diaz on the bench … he is a genius I tell ya …
July 20th, 2012 at 9:11 pmGive me some hope, Jason.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:11 pmFredi .. worst game manager in BASEBALL .. bar NONE !!!!!!!
July 20th, 2012 at 9:11 pmBobby … Bobby Bobby Bobby !!!!!!!!!!!!
July 20th, 2012 at 9:12 pmTake ‘em deep, Chipper.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:14 pmHere we go…
July 20th, 2012 at 9:15 pmNice hitting, Chipper!!
July 20th, 2012 at 9:17 pmCHIPPER!
July 20th, 2012 at 9:17 pmOh yeah. 2 run game. And now the RBI king, too. Glad I saw that.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:18 pmWell served, Freddie! One more hit, please, McCann…
July 20th, 2012 at 9:18 pmFINISH THEM BRIAN
July 20th, 2012 at 9:18 pmNow a 1 run game! Whoo!!!
July 20th, 2012 at 9:19 pmBah, terrible AB by McCann.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:20 pmThere is a less than zero percent chance we score next inning.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:22 pmDamn. How big does Janish’s inability to hit look now? He’s due up too.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:22 pm“There is a less than zero percent chance we score next inning.”
Yeah. Another rally coming up short. Kind of like those runners on third with less than two outs that don’t score, but on a larger scale.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:24 pmIt sort of embodies this team this year. You can’t be excited about a 4 run inning because you needed 5.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:26 pmMeds is so good.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:30 pmNo Janish, please.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:32 pmAt least Clippard has lost those d-baggy white glasses. Here’s hoping for his failure.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:33 pmJanish!
July 20th, 2012 at 9:36 pmI’m not a pitching coach but his motion is all kinds of screwed up. Let’s hope they leave him in.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:36 pmOh, what is this?
July 20th, 2012 at 9:36 pmThis looks very familiar… as in we saw it less than 48 hours ago.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:37 pmNo double plays, please.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:38 pmWith the tying run on second and nobody out, I’d actually prefer someone up to bunt…
July 20th, 2012 at 9:38 pmNo bunt from Ross. I’m shocked.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:39 pmThe ghost of Eric Gregg possessed the ump on strike 2.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:40 pmDangit.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:41 pmCrap.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:41 pmHorseshit strike call.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:41 pmSwung at ball 4.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:41 pmUmp gave him strike two, Ross swung at ball 4
July 20th, 2012 at 9:42 pmGIVE HIM ALL THE MONEY
July 20th, 2012 at 9:42 pmBOURN SUPREMACY!!!
July 20th, 2012 at 9:42 pmYes!!!!!!
July 20th, 2012 at 9:42 pmyes!
July 20th, 2012 at 9:43 pmWooooo!!!
July 20th, 2012 at 9:43 pmWhoooooooooo!!!!!!
July 20th, 2012 at 9:43 pmGotta score Bourn also
July 20th, 2012 at 9:43 pmOh my god.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:43 pmHoly Toledo! Go Braves! (But Hanson still sucks.)
July 20th, 2012 at 9:43 pmGotta get this run in. GOTTA.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:44 pmHmph. That was unexpected.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:44 pmJanish runs the bases about as well as he hits. How in the world do you hold up on that?!
July 20th, 2012 at 9:44 pmyou gotta have pastornicky bunt there ……. ross ????
July 20th, 2012 at 9:44 pmUNBELIEVABALE!
July 20th, 2012 at 9:45 pmNo Way!
July 20th, 2012 at 9:45 pmJeez Prado.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:45 pmI love Martin Prado. But he seems to fail in that ‘runner at 3rd less than 2 out’ spot a lot.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:46 pmWe’ve gotten swing happy. Take some pitches, fools.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:46 pmPlease have a shut down 9th
July 20th, 2012 at 9:47 pmA spoonful of Kimbrel should make the Nationals go down, in the most delightful way.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:47 pmCome on Kimbrel!
July 20th, 2012 at 9:48 pmTime to lock it down, Kimbrel.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:48 pmHanson just knows how not to take a loss.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:48 pmOh please don’t let Kimbrel make it interesting.
I hope he was up warming in time. Probably didn’t expect to pitch in this game.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:48 pmI come back to check the score to see if the game was over yet and this has happened. I don’t effing believe this.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:48 pmFirst battr is big
July 20th, 2012 at 9:50 pmNasty
July 20th, 2012 at 9:50 pmThere’s “good morning”…
July 20th, 2012 at 9:51 pmclown game.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:51 pmOK, I’m surprised.
Un-freakin-believable.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:51 pmYou’ve just got to be kidding me.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:51 pmof course
July 20th, 2012 at 9:51 pmUgh
July 20th, 2012 at 9:51 pm……..
July 20th, 2012 at 9:52 pmWell shit.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:52 pmAAARRRGGGHHH!
July 20th, 2012 at 9:52 pmSon of a bitch sucking a titty.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:52 pmWell fuck.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:52 pmlol
July 20th, 2012 at 9:52 pmOh Kimbrell, don’t go all Hanson on us.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:52 pmF-off Prado….you piece of crap. Nice job scoring the run from 3rd with one out. You just knew that would cost them
July 20th, 2012 at 9:53 pmNot getting Bourn in is huge
July 20th, 2012 at 9:53 pmPrado could have won this game.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:53 pmDon’t nibble now.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:54 pmOh Prado, not getting that run in.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:54 pmWhat the hell is wrong with Tom Hallion?
July 20th, 2012 at 9:55 pmLet’s get some runs!
July 20th, 2012 at 9:57 pmAlso on the ump for blowing the strike call to Ross. And then on Ross for swinging at ball 5.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:57 pmDo you send Kimbrel back out if we score this inning?
July 20th, 2012 at 9:58 pmLet’s go, Braves!
July 20th, 2012 at 9:58 pm@218
No
July 20th, 2012 at 9:58 pmDidnt Janish and Bourn both leave runners at 3rd with less than 2 outs also?
July 20th, 2012 at 9:58 pmWay to go, Chipper, swing at the first pitch.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:59 pm@222
He was looking for a pitch. Got it, but popped it up
July 20th, 2012 at 10:01 pmSo this went from being a momentum building win to a most likely season blowing loss. I fully expect a four game sweep after this debacle
July 20th, 2012 at 10:01 pmA soft-tossing lefty. The Braves achilles heel.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:02 pmWell, that was anticlimatic. And it sucked too,
July 20th, 2012 at 10:02 pmWell that was the sorriest half inning I’ve ever seen.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:02 pmPutter, you do know there’s 162 games, right?
July 20th, 2012 at 10:02 pmIf we lose this game. It will be okay. Calm down
July 20th, 2012 at 10:02 pmWell that half inning took about 58 seconds.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:03 pmTom Gorzelanny just owned the middle of our order.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:03 pmSo who are we sending in to walk it off?
July 20th, 2012 at 10:04 pmCome on, Eric.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:05 pmO’Flaherty, so there’s at least one more competent inning. So we can lose in the 11th. Again.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:05 pmI blinked and the Braves’ top of the 10th inning was over.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:07 pmThat’s one. Now get the kid.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:07 pmMan, you guys jump ship quick
July 20th, 2012 at 10:07 pmCareful here, Eric.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:09 pmIm guessing we call up a reliever for the DH’rs and send Avilan back down tonight.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:09 pmGah, he looked out.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:09 pmOut
July 20th, 2012 at 10:10 pmMissed call
July 20th, 2012 at 10:10 pmGet Adam and score some runs.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:10 pmTie goes to the runner, I guess.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:10 pmand that was strike 3 to Laroche
July 20th, 2012 at 10:11 pmWhew.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:11 pmA kick save, and a beaut!
July 20th, 2012 at 10:11 pmPastornicky and Diaz left on the bench, right? I might rather have O’Flaherty hit.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:13 pmDAN!
July 20th, 2012 at 10:14 pmhey, that helps…get him over Yanish
July 20th, 2012 at 10:14 pmThe double header is going to be interesting tomorrow.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:15 pmWell, well, Nats can stink it up too.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:15 pmHey Yanish, make contact
July 20th, 2012 at 10:15 pmREDEEM YOURSELF JANISH
July 20th, 2012 at 10:15 pmGood news, Dan! Now you get to stand there while Janish and our other hitters flail around!
July 20th, 2012 at 10:15 pmGot to Uggla in.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:15 pmBUNT JANISH
July 20th, 2012 at 10:16 pmOKAY DON’T
July 20th, 2012 at 10:16 pm@249, Are you watching on MLB.TV or regular TV? Dan got on base WAY after I saw that comment, haha.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:16 pmAnd Janish gets a hit in the only way Janish can!!!!
July 20th, 2012 at 10:17 pmBe a hero, Yanish. Woo hoo!
July 20th, 2012 at 10:17 pmnice! probably the furthest ball he’s ever hit
July 20th, 2012 at 10:17 pmJanish!
July 20th, 2012 at 10:17 pmBloop!
July 20th, 2012 at 10:17 pm@259 mlb.tv
We need some more runs.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:17 pm“Singles on a pop-up”? Oh well, I’ll take it. And a few more runs.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:18 pmNO NOT DURBIN
July 20th, 2012 at 10:18 pmDurbin’ s next. Better score some more, Braves.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:18 pmSure would be nice to get some extra runs. Durbin is up and throwing
July 20th, 2012 at 10:18 pm@237 – Well, my walk-it-off comment was assuming Fredi would save O’Flaherty to get the “save” while Durbin blew the game.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:18 pmOh dear Lord…Varvaro or Durbin. Geez, we need a reliever.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:18 pm@265, Sheesh, I’m 30 seconds behind or so.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:18 pm#271 – or two
July 20th, 2012 at 10:19 pmCome on Prado!
July 20th, 2012 at 10:20 pmOk Prado..let’s be clutch like normal this time
July 20th, 2012 at 10:20 pmGorzelanny looks like the buzzard from Bugs Bunny cartoon and Gary Busey had a buzzard baby hybrid child.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:20 pmOr not
July 20th, 2012 at 10:20 pmcmon Jhey
July 20th, 2012 at 10:20 pmPradofail.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:20 pmOkay, Jason. We need a hit.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:21 pmBy the way, The Dark Knight Rises was outstanding.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:21 pmSomeone needs to look around Turner Field for Prado’s clutchness; it missed the flight to Washington.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:21 pmOkay, so wait — what’s this “singles on a pop-up” business? How did Janish drive Uggla in?
July 20th, 2012 at 10:21 pm@283 He blooped a hit over the shortstop.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:22 pmInfield was in and Janish hit one just over Espinosa. He probably shouldve caught it.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:23 pmMorse might hit one into the Atlantic off Durbin
July 20th, 2012 at 10:23 pmDo you believe in miracles, Chad Durbin?
July 20th, 2012 at 10:23 pmUgh.
I’ve got a bad feeling about this.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:23 pmWell, I have to admit, when the Braves were down 9-0, I certainly did not expect them to be leading 11-10 going into the bottom of the 11th. So there’s that.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:23 pmInfield was playing in with Uggla at 3rd, or else it’s an easy out.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:23 pmIts fitting that Durbin finishes this game one way or another.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:24 pmFredi really doesn’t have anyone he can use besides Durbin?
July 20th, 2012 at 10:24 pmJanish’s ball went over Desmond’s head.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:25 pmSo now we’re supposed to hope Durbin can down the good part of their lineup?
Eesh…
July 20th, 2012 at 10:25 pmDurbin? Who’s ready for the heartbreak?
July 20th, 2012 at 10:25 pm1 pitch one out
July 20th, 2012 at 10:26 pmOne pitch. One out.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:26 pmBreath held, Fingers crossed.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:26 pm296- Oh good, we don’t have a monopoly on dumb hitting.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:26 pm@AJC – Trade kimbrel, we have Durbin!
Huge win…
July 20th, 2012 at 10:28 pmAHHHHHHH!!!!!!
YESSSSSSSS!!!!!
July 20th, 2012 at 10:28 pmOH MY GOD WE WON
July 20th, 2012 at 10:28 pmYes!
July 20th, 2012 at 10:28 pmUGGLA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 20th, 2012 at 10:28 pmWOOT!
July 20th, 2012 at 10:28 pmUGGLA!
July 20th, 2012 at 10:29 pmJust think, Nationals. It’s one thing to blow a nine-run lead, but you let Chad Durbin get a 1-2-3 save against you! You’ll never live THAT down!
Oh, and great play, Dan!
July 20th, 2012 at 10:29 pmhelluva game from Uggla too
July 20th, 2012 at 10:29 pmHad ‘em all the way. Woo hoo! Go Braves!
July 20th, 2012 at 10:29 pmHoly Buckets..what a play by Uggla
July 20th, 2012 at 10:29 pmNothing about this game makes sense.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:29 pmGood job, Durbin.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:29 pmGreat game! I think I’m still too in shock from that Kimbrel homerun to truly appreciate this win right now.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:30 pmHell yes.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:30 pmWren, pay Michael Bourn what he wants. AND GET US SOME PITCHING!
July 20th, 2012 at 10:30 pmHA, I really dont think Freeman held the bag
July 20th, 2012 at 10:30 pmOh ye of little faith. Durbin has been one of our four best relievers this year
July 20th, 2012 at 10:30 pmKimbrel who?
July 20th, 2012 at 10:31 pmTo hell and back. Unbelievable.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:32 pmClown game, Nationals.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:33 pmExtra sweet, because we made the Nationals look like… the Braves in that last inning!
July 20th, 2012 at 10:35 pmESPN says our biggest comeback since 1987.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:35 pmYou guys are too hard on the Braves sometimes. This is one of the biggest wins in team history. That took some spunk
July 20th, 2012 at 10:36 pmMLB says it ties comebacks in 1987 and 1977 for the best in Atlanta Braves history. (The June 7, 1987 game was at home against San Diego; Gene Garber blew the save but then got the win. The offense was led by 4 RBI from Ken Griffey Sr.)
July 20th, 2012 at 10:37 pmOh, hell yeah!
July 20th, 2012 at 10:38 pmWas that 87 game the one with the big fight?
July 20th, 2012 at 10:38 pmNo, the big fight was a couple of years earlier.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:39 pmI know I was ragging on him earlier in the thread, but Fredi managed the pen very well. That won the game for us
July 20th, 2012 at 10:41 pmTypical Braves win where Chad Durbin is “bailing out” Craig Kimbrel. Just like any other game…
July 20th, 2012 at 10:41 pm#323
Smitty…AMEN.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:42 pmI put this game up there with the 1991 game in Cinncy where Justice put the Braves up late.
BRAVES LEAD! BRAVES LEAD! BRAVES LEAD!
July 20th, 2012 at 10:45 pmI seem to remember a game in the 70s when the Braves trailed the Cards 10-1 and won the game. I also seem to remember a game where the Braves led 9-0 with Smoltz on the mound and lost.
The Nats bullpen has become an achilles heel, at least this week.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:47 pm2010 Win vs Reds on Conrad HR big 9th inning comeback. Never 9 down though
July 20th, 2012 at 10:49 pmI hope we win the east by a game. Go get your shine box Natspos!!!
July 20th, 2012 at 10:49 pm332- The first was that 1977 game. (This was on May 15, four days after Ted Turner tried to manage the team.) Rick Camp got the win over future Brave/ free agent disaster Al Hrabosky.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:53 pmRe-ohmygod-capped.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:54 pmI just logged on and read the game thread. Kind of funny that 90% of the comments spoke of Alanta’s impending doom. I guess it’s really best to give up hope with this team. For all of the supposed genius of Davey Johnson, his bullpen management was horrible. Apparently he was trying to save bullpen arms for tomorrow. He was leading 9-0, I think he could have used other relievers!
A few notes from the radio. The reason Fredi let Francisco hit and not Diaz was that the lefty pitcher (whoever he was) was allowing lefties to hit .198 and Diaz was 1 for 8 with 3 Ks against him. Fredi still wants to keep a catcher in reserve. Since he pinch hit Ross, Diaz became the designated reserve catcher.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:54 pm