If you’re reading this, you probably already know that the Braves got beaten again, badly, in the season finale against the Cubs. But, you know what? It doesn’t even really matter. As a fan, I’m going to keep watching this team until the end of the season. But realistically, this game ended what little hope I had for this team of making the postseason. It sucks, but maybe once this team realizes it has no chance, they’ll start playing for shits and giggles, and maybe they’ll actually win a few ballgames. Right now, they seem like they’re trying too hard. There’s been a ton of stupid errors (e.g. Kotsay letting the ball drop in center today, McCann’s throw to center field yesterday), everybody seems like they’re playing angry. I mean, Escobar almost charged the mound after getting hit by Lilly today. Bueno threw at Soriano’s head yesterday. What the hell is going on?
As far as today was concerned, however, it was a day of records. The Cubs completed their first season sweep against the Braves. Ever. But more importantly, Mark Kotsay hit for the second cycle in Atlanta Braves’ history, the first since Albert Hall did it in 1987.
This is a stupid title.
However, the series itself, as already mentioned, did not turn out so well. The Braves got outscored 29-9, and looked pretty pathetic while doing so. The crowd at the Ted seemed to cheer more for the Cubs than the Braves, which makes this non-Atlantan fan sad. And the pitching, well, the pitching was downright horrible.
Glavine, who apparently still plays for the Braves, started this game for the first time since early June. He didn’t prove to be so great, only lasting 4 innings. He let up 7 hits, 7 runs (1:1 hit:run [!]), 4 walks, and struck out 3. My favorite bullpen pitcher, Carlyle, followed with an mediocre inning of work: 4 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk. Tavarez pitched the 6th and was perfect with a strikeout. Boyer went next, and was ineffective while allowing 2 runs. Nunez and Ohman each pitched an inning, neither let up a run. Overall, not a great day for the pitching staff.
Offensively, this game seemed to be a bit like a roller coaster. They were unable to capitalize with the bases loaded early on in the game, but tried to make a comeback late in the game. Leading the offensive charge, of course, was Mark Kotsay. He went 5 for 5, with a cycle and a single, and two RBIs.
[Image: Yahoo! Sports]
Francoeur followed his example, with a pair of singles and a three-run shot in the 7th. Every other position player, except Clint Sammons, had a hit, and Prado had two. All told, they scored 7 runs on 14 hits, but it simply wasn’t enough.
Braves drop my dreams and the finale, 11 - 7.
Tomorrow’s game, at 7:30 PM EST against the Giants, is not nationally televised.
I was there tonight and mostly disappointed that our “fans” can’t show up in any kind of force or drown out those obnoxious chants that the visiting Cub faithful like to pummel us with… the entire game.
I’ve had better night’s at the park but I’m always just glad to be at the park and I’m certainly glad your loyalty is unshaken by games like tonight’s.
And yes… Kotsay hit for the cycle!! The only true bright moment in a rather dreary evening.
~JB@TheLaunchingPad
Comment by JB — August 15, 2008 @ 2:14 am
Way back in the dark days of 1987, Albert Hall hit for the cycle against Houston. What was interesting to me in researching that feat last night was what happened two nights later: Tom Glavine made the eighth start of his rookie season.
Fast forward 21 years. Mark Kotsay hits for the cycle, on the night Glavine returns from the disabled list. My point … heck, I don’t really have one; just thought it was interesting.
Frenchy swing the stick well. Maybe, just maybe he’s finding his stroke and can finish strong. Otherwise, what a dreadful series. The Cubs flat-out destroyed the Bravos, the Cubs’ faithful rocked Turner Field and heck, it feels like 1987 all over again.
Bud.
http://braves.today.com
Comment by Bud — August 15, 2008 @ 9:43 am
I couldn’t even imagine being in the stands at last night’s game. It would’ve driven me nuts.
As for Kotsay, something I forgot to mention, I’m glad he got that single in the 9th, because I’m not too sure that his single in the 6th wasn’t an error. Either way, very solid effort, and nobody can complain about it.
Comment by BenMurphy — August 15, 2008 @ 5:49 pm