In the past few years, there’s been two teams that the Braves should be readily able to beat, but somehow always seemingly find a way to lose. When these two teams, the Reds, and the last place Nationals, play the Braves, the game no longer becomes enjoyable. It becomes frustrating, aggravating, and all the things that a baseball game shouldn’t constantly be. Sunday afternoon’s game was one of those games, and the Braves subsequently lowered their record against the Nationals to 4-6. During a time where it seems like every single other team in the division is winning, the future is beginning to look a little bleak.
Pitching lost this game before it really started. The Braves got a lead in the first inning, and Jo-Jo immediately squandered it. He was less than perfect. Actually, he was terrible. 2 and 1/3, 7 hits, 6 runs, 4 BB’s (including walking in a run), and 1 K. Great. Buddy relieved him, and after one batter, walked in one of Reyes’ runners. After this, he stepped off the mound and started turning towards first base, slightly lifting up his hands as if to say, “What the hell?” This led to the ump, Chris Guccione, pulling off his mask, and start walking towards Carlyle, as if he was going to charge him or something. Bobby steps out of the dugout, and immediately gets career ejection 141. Now, the pitch probably wasn’t a strike, as seen below, but either from the frustration of constantly losing, or, more likely, the fact that this umpire was a jackass looking for a fight, Bobby was really yelling at the guy.
[Click for larger image]
(Probably not a strike, but this ump was inconsistent all day)
He stayed out there for a while, and I don’t think he’s been this animated all season.
(Image: Yahoo! Sports)
As a result from this incident, Carlyle got to stay in the game, but he was rather ineffective, too. 1 and 2/3 innings, 5 hits, 6 runs, and one walk. Nunenz followed with three innings of his own, 4 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, and a strikeout. Julian Tavarez came in for an inning and was perfect. Ring pitched the 9th and was perfect with a strikeout. All told, the pitching staff let up 17 hits and 15 runs. Not their greatest performance of the season. Reyes’ record also dropped to 3 - 9, and perhaps it’s time to find another starter (I still would like to see Buddy given a chance, despite the debacle today).
The bats weren’t too bad, but they certainly weren’t enough. Blanco had a single to start off the game, and later scored on a Teixeira single. He went 3 for 4, with two solo shots. Kelly Johnson had a single, and was doubled in by Chipper. Kotsay had a pair of singles, and Corky Miller, filling in for McCann, had a single of his own. Prado had a pinch-hit, two-run home run in the 4th. Francoeur also had a single. 11 hits, 6 runs. As I said, not enough.
Another thing to note is that this team had 4 errors. Half the infield (Johnson, Lillibridge, and Corky) committed them, and so did Francoeur. Disheartening, to say the least.
Braves lose big, 15 - 6.
Tonight’s game, at 7:10 PM EST, in Miami. Probably a ‘must-win’, at least to keep hope alive.