Braves Report

Well, this was depressing. We get up by two. Then down by two. Then we tie it only to lose in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Morton pitched fairly well for the first four innings, but he started having control problems in the fifth and sixth innings. Bobby came out and took Morton out. Then, he brought in Ridgway, who promptly allowed a three run homer. Ridgway then got the others out until Bobby went out again and brought in Acosta, who got a couple outs. Then, he went back out and brought in Ring, who got an out. Then, he went out and got Boyer, who got four outs and the loss because he gave up the lead-off double to Kinsler in the 9th. Then, Bobby came out again to bring in Ohman, who got an out immediately. Then, Bobby came out to bring in Bennett who prompty gave up the game-winning single. Bobby was a little busy by bringing in six pitchers out of the bullpen

The bats were a little slow today, but they came alive when they needed to to core a couple runs. Chipper went 0 for 4 today to lower his average to .394. Only Johnson had multiple hits today. Other than that, Feldman held us hostage for the entire day. Wilson and Wright were the ones we got to.

Another tough loss on the road.

Braves lose 5-4.

Tomorrow’s game 7:30 PM. Not nationally televised.

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A lot of good things happened tonight. Gonzo gave us a 1-2-3 inning. The bats got the runs in when we needed them. Jojo gave us a great outing. Chipper with the long ball. In fact, the only thing that would have made this game better, Jojo should have gotten the win, he deserved it.

Jojo was outstanding tonight, just great. Our young pitchers are starting to get deeper into games, which is a good thing. Jojo gave us seven innings, limiting Texas to only 5 hits and no (OK, one, but it shouldn’t have been) earned runs. He did walk four, but seemed to get stronger as the night moved on. Bennett pitched the eighth, a walk and a hit, but no runs. But, the biggest new of tonight was the RETURN OF MIKE GONZALEZ! With all the struggles the Braves have had with closers, Soriano (DL), Moylan (DL), Acosta (good, then not), Smoltz (DL), Acosta again (bad), Soriano again (DL again) and finally Gonzo. We can only hope he fairs better than the rest. Tonight he was great, three up, three down and the game was over, save number one.

It really looked like the Braves had snatched defeat out of the jaws of victory. After a bad throw by McCann, then an error (ahem!) by Infante, and the rangers had tied it. But the Braves came back with three in the ninth for the win. Escobar had two hits, one a double and scored. Chipper held his average even going two for five.

Braves win 5 - 2.

Tomorrow’s game 2:05 PM. Not nationally televised.

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I’m beginning to wonder if Huddy really is a bonafide ace. He seems to be either on or off, and when he is off, he is WAY off. A wise (don’t remember who) man once said, its easy to pitch well when you have your best stuff, but a great pitcher keeps his team in the game even without his best stuff. Over the past several years, Huddy hasn’t show he can do that consistently.

Huddy just plain didn’t have it, not at all. He only managed 4.1 innings, poor innings. The big blow came in came in the third where he gave up four runs. He gave up six hits and three walks, which lead to six runs. Ridgway, who should be back in Richmond when Gonzo gets activated (tomorrow?) went 1.2, giving up two hits and a walk. Finally the pitchers settled down and held the Rangers scoreless. Boyer and Ring each threw a scoreless inning.

Until late in the game the bats were largely quiet. The top four in the order was a combined 0 - 13. Yikes! Not going to win many games that way. McCann had two hits, one being a late inning three run shot. Brandon Jones also had two hit (is he good enough to get us a starter yet?).

Braves lose, 5 - 7.

Tomorrow’s game, 8:05 PM. Not nationally televised.

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My schedule has been tough as of late, I didn’t even make it to the end of this game. But, the Braves breezed to an easy victory. Jurrjens was great. The bats were great. It was a fun game to watch. Hopefully, soon we can get some players back off the DL or fill some holes by other means. Then, we will be right back in the hunt!

Jurrjens was back pitching great. This season he is on pace to pitch FAR more innings than he ever has before. His last two starts were sub par, maybe the extra rest did him some good. He was in total control for seven innings. Jair threw 103 pitches, allowed eight hits, and the only stat that matters, ZERO runs. Ohman pitched to one batter to end the eighth, got him out. Bennett wasn’t great, but with the score at that point it didn’t matter. He gave up two walks, a hit and a run.

Braves pounded eleven hits and seven runs, always good. The middle of the order (except Tex) got it done. Chipper had two hit to keep his average over .400 (just barely). He also drove in two and scored one. McCann had two base knocks and scored. Frenchy had two hits of his own one was a double. He also drove in two and scored one. Brandon Jones also had two hits (his trade value should be high now?), driving in two. Closing out the batters, Blanco had two hits, including a bunt single.

Braves in 7 - 1.

Today’s game, 8:05 PM. Not nationally televised.

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These are the type of games where having Kostay and Diaz on the DL really hurt. We just never could generate any offense, which generally leads to a loss. I can’t even complain about the number of runners we left on base, since very few got on in the first place.

Campy gave us, by far, the longest outing of his career and deserved better than a loss. He pitched 8 innings, threw only 100 pitches, allowed seven hits and two runs. The runs came on a two run homer, where Kotchman hit a pitchers pitch. Nothing Campy could do about it. On the bright side, the pen got a little rest, since none of them needed to be used.

What to say about the bats? That about covers it.

I got to believe Chipper is hurting, either his leg or his eye, more than he is letting on. Since the small tear in his quad was announced, I think he only has one hit and is 0 for his last 10. He realizes with the number of people on the DL, he just cannot afford to sit for a long period of time.

Braves lose 0 - 2.

Tomorrow’s game, 8:05 PM not nationally televised.

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