Luckily [?], I had to miss most of this game to stain a fence. The good news is the fence looks great and it was such a pleasant evening tonight. The bad news is that it wasn’t such a pleasant day for the Braves. For whatever reason, this team consistently gets beaten up by the seemingly inferior Giants. Tim Lincecum put the hurt on Atlanta, again, and recorded his 13th win of the season.
Charlie Morton faced him, and unfortunately, earned the loss, because he had a pretty solid outing. The Hunterdon County native has been a bit inconsistent in his past few starts, but today, he proved to be more Dr. Jekyll than Mr. Hyde. 6 innings pitched (111 pitches, 69 strikes), 7 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks, and 6 strikeouts. That’s a pretty decent line, but he simply didn’t receive enough run support.
[Pictured: Not actually Charlie Morton]
Tavarez relieved him and went 2 innings, giving up 2 hits and striking out 2. Our Buddy in the bullpen threw the 9th, he walked two batters, but didn’t allow any to score.
As has been the case in so many games this year, the offense simply didn’t get it done.
Blanco: Not getting it done
They struck out 12 times and recorded a paltry 4 hits. Leading this offensive charge was Mark Kotsay, who singled in the team’s only run. Escobar had a double, and Chipper and KJ each had a single. The team tried their late-inning comeback, but that failed, as it usually does. Weak.
Although, to be honest, this game could’ve been worse. The Braves could’ve been perfect game’d by a Little Leaguer named Jesus Sauceda, who struck out every batter he faced, went three for three, hit a grand slam, and got 6 RBIs. Oh, wait, that’s on schedule for tomorrow.
Braves lose in the manner how I hope this series won’t turn out, 3 - 1.
Tomorrow’s game, at 4:30 PM EST, not nationally televised.
Hey Ben, I missed part of the game, too, but I was playing golf … probably more fun than staining a fence.
I had a feeling the Bravos would struggle on offense. Sixteen hits the night before? Yeah, no way they follow that up Sunday, especially facing Lincecum. He’s a little guy but man, he’s got a heck of a fastball and really knows what he’s doing out there. The Giants stink offensively, but they’ve got a good core group of pitchers (Cain, Sanchez — who was scratched Saturday — and Lincecum).
Time to try and get a split today, then hit the road for a tough stretch through New York and St. Louis. Need to get this one today and build some sort of momentum. It’s been a brutal homestand … then again, it’s been a brutal season.
Bud.
http://braves.today.com
Comment by Bud — August 18, 2008 @ 8:35 am
Honestly, I’m not too worried about the Mets. Usually, no matter how bad they’re playing, they push them around. What doesn’t make sense to me is how all of these other teams, with really bad records, manhandle the Braves.
Comment by BenMurphy — August 18, 2008 @ 10:08 am
Yeah, but those nine games against the Mets earlier this year might as well have been five years ago, with the Braves going in the tank and with the Mets taking off after Willie was shown the door.
But you are right: the Braves always seem to play well against the Mets. Hate being relegated to a spoiler in mid-August, but it is what it is. Maybe Chipper will break out with another big showing at Shea.
Bud.
http://braves.today.com
Comment by Bud — August 19, 2008 @ 8:14 am