Back in the Braves heyday it was said the Braves had “great pitching and just enough offense.” Now, I think it should be said the Braves have “good pitching and almost enough offense.” Today the Braves fell to 3 and 5, with all five of their losses by one run. I’m afraid that’s just not getting it done.
Jurrjens was good, but not great. The vast dimensions of Coors didn’t do him any favors. There were several fly balls that in any other park would have been easy outs, but here they fell for hits. He was also victimized by poor defense. Even though no errors were charged, a miscue by Frenchy plated one run and extended the inning. Jurrjens pitched 7 innings giving up 4 earned runs, walking 2 and striking out 3. Acosta pitched the eighth one hit and one walk. If we get 7 innings / 4 runs out of Jurrjens every time, that will make him a pretty effective #5 starter.
Many of you who visit the Forum know my feelings about Roger McDowell, but Terry Pendleton isn’t getting the job done either. The batters seem to be walking to the plate without a plan without even a thought. Just go up there and hack, no matter what the pitcher throws. When a pitcher is known for having control problems, it might be a good idea to take a few pitches. It’s almost like they forget you can get on base with a walk. To me, the offensive highlight of the night was Jurrjens. He reached base 2 out of 3 times, and didn’t need to even swing the bat. Kotsay had a great night at the plate, 2 for 4 with 2 RBI and a home run. That about wraps it up for the hitters.
Tomorrow’s game, 8:35 PM not nationally televised.
Feel free to leave a comment or join the discussion in the Forum. Check back often to see all of our blogs.
This offense just isn’t getting it done in Coors.
Comment by BenMurphy — April 8, 2008 @ 11:23 pm
I blame Judy
Comment by LSU31always — April 9, 2008 @ 12:57 am
I don’t know about your argument - look at the at bats by the offense.
1.Kelly - 2 pitches (ground out)
2.Escobar - 6 pitches (walk)
3.Chipper - 3 pitches (single)
4.Tex - 3 pitches lineout
5.McCaan - 4 pitches (walk)
6.Francoeur - 5 pitches (ground out)
So in the 1st inning only 3 players took less than 4 pitches and one was the single that scored the run and the other was a smash that just happened to be right at a player - can’t say that they aren’t being patient there.
7. Kotsay - 4 (strikeout)
8. Diaz - 5 (strikeout)
9. Jurrjens - 4 (walk)
10. Kelly - 4 (groundout).
Again - no one less than 4 pitches.
11. Yunel - 5 (ground out)
12. Chipper - 2 (ground out)
13. Tex - 4 (strikeout)
14. McCaan - 5 (fly)
15. Francoeur - 2 (fly)
16. Kotsay - 6 (ground)
17. Diaz - 1 (fly)
18. Jurjjens - 6 (walk)
19. Johnson - 6 (ground)
20. Escobar - 1 (single)
21. Chipper - 2 (lineout)
22. Tex - 2 (ground)
23. McCaan - 3 (single)
24. Francoeur - 3 (fly)
25. Kotsay - 2 (homer)
26. Diaz - 1 (single)
27. Jurrjens - 2 (ground)
28. Johnson - 2 (ground)
29. Escobar - 5 (ground)
30. Chipper - 2 (ground)
31. Tex - 5 (walk)
32. McCaan - 1 (pop)
33. Francoeur - 5 (ground)
34. Kotsay - 6 (strikeout looking)
35. Diaz - 5 (strikeout)
36. Blanco - 3 (strikeout)
37. Johnson - 2 (groundout)
Overall if you look at the numbers Kelly and Chipper might be guilty of not being patient. (kelly had 5 at bats seeing 16 pitches (6 in one at bat)) - Chipper had a 3-2-2-2 night as far as how many pitches he saw per at bat). Other than that a lot of the batters were very patient - Diaz would swing and make contact on strike one as usual, but he worked the count in other at bats (2 - 5 pitch at bats).
I really don’t blame the offense. If Francoeur cleanly handles that ball we have at least 1 less run against us, and the inning continued allowing a 2nd run and several more pitches for Jurrjens. Take out that one defensive play and we have a different ball game.
For me our defense is the most dissapointing facet thus far this year.
Comment by redchip — April 9, 2008 @ 4:12 pm
Being patient is more than just seeing a number pitches. A batter can have a 15 pitch at bat, hacking away, if he fouls all of them off. Being patient is about working the count into you favor, waiting for that pitch you can drive, and laying off if it is out of the zone. Especially, if a pitcher is known to be wild.
Comment by rlgv — April 10, 2008 @ 12:07 am