These recaps are far more fun to write when the Braves are on the winning side. But then, those games are more fun to watch as well. I’ve said it before, I think we are going to see more of this until either, Tex hits or our batters stop swinging at everything. They need to work the count, choose the pitches they swing at. Not just decide to swing. If they do that, the opposing pitcher may tire out, and we might get an opportunity to score some runs.
Jurrjens was effective. He went 6 strong innings giving up only 4 hits. That’s a good outing by anyone’s standards. The pen was not so good. The “bases loaded walk” bug bit us again. We walked 2 runs in. Resop pitched .2 inning, giving up a single hit. Ring was ineffective as was Ohman. Carlyle got one out.
The top of the order did their job getting on base, but the big bats failed to drive them in. KJ reached twice, Escobar once and Chipper twice. Of course, Tex, Frenchy and McCann were a combined 0 for 11. Can’t drive many runs in doing that.
Tomorrow’s game, 7:10 PM. Not nationally televised.
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Tex will come around. I don’t know how much you have followed his career before Atlanta, but it is well documented that he is a slow starter. In fact, I saw a stat the other day, and I wish I could find it again, that his numbers basically keep improving month-to-month throughout the season.
As for working the count, that could be. But like Fred McGriff used to say. In every at-bat, you’re most likely going to just see one pitch that is a pitch you want to hit and a lot of times that will be the first pitch, so why should I always take it. I’m not saying the Braves are doing a great job of hitting right now, but I don’t mind aggressiveness either. If they were coming away with hits by swinging, there would only be praise for how great the offense is doing.
Comment by Tanner — April 16, 2008 @ 10:25 am
Tex may come around, but as it has been pointed out in the forum, these games count every bit as much as the ones later in the season. We’re digging ourselves into a hole, early.
I have no problem with aggressiveness, as long as it is selective. Our batter seem to walk up to the plate hell bent on swinging at ANYTHING. Which causes them to make outs early, rather than focusing on what is in the zone and waiting for that one pitch to hit. Doing this may (will) cause them not to even see the one pitch to hit in a lot of cases.
Comment by rlgv — April 16, 2008 @ 2:13 pm
I think Tex will come around. Nobody can be that bad forever…
I remember he sucked during the WBC.
Comment by BenMurphy — April 16, 2008 @ 6:27 pm