Braves Report

After working so hard, getting swept by the Phils, keeping the Mets out of first place. Now we had a chance to keep the Mets out of first, by WINNING, and we couldn’t do it.

I watched the game for a bit yesterday, the part where Jo-Jo started to melt down. Apparently, Bobby made a comment something along the lines of, “If these young pitchers expected to be invited to spring training next year, they need to start pitching like they deserve it.” I cannot think of a time, EVER, where Bobby has publicly been critical of his players, much less say they don’t deserve to be on the team. I’m not sure what that means for next year.

Jo-Jo, I’m sure, was one of the pitchers Bobby was referring to. He was horrible last night. Only 3.1 innings, seven hits, five run, two walks. Once he starts to lose it during a game, it just gets worse and worse. Buddy came in to calm things down, allowed one of Jo-Jo’s runs to cross, but other than that, was great. 1.2 innings of scoreless ball. Julio went two scoreless innings. Tavarez blew the game wide open allowing four runs. Nunez and Acosta (he’s still on the team?) neither allowed a run to cross.

We scored five run, which is good. But they were scattered. Prado, in the lead off spot, had two hits. Infante did as well, driving in two runs.

Braves lose 5 – 9.

Another day, another loss at home to the Phils. The Phils beat the braves every game they played at Turner Field. No one has swept the Braves at home in as many games since 1909. But, that is just the way this season has been going.

Another good outing for Hammy. If it weren’t for a couple errors, Hampton (and the Braves) would have won. He went seven innings, allowing only six hits and only gave up two earned runs. The pen was solid today, Tavarez and Bennett each went a scoreless inning.

The Braves managed eight hits, which is good, but only pushed two runs across. Not as good. The hits were spread out, every starter (except Hampton) had one hit. No one had more than one hit.

Braves lose, 3 – 4.

Pretty disappointing game all around. Jurrjens wasn’t so good. The pen didn’t do well. The bats were absent. Well, once again, we can take solace in the fact we kept the Mets out of first place!

Jurrjens gave up four runs in the first, but then did settle down. Pitch count kept him from going any deeper than five innings. Nunez went 2.1 innings allowing a run and Blaine Boyer continues to blow badly, blowing games for the Braves. He gave up a run in 1.2 innings.

Seven hits, and only one run to show for it. Kotchman and Frenchy each had two hits. Kotchman had the only extra base hit, a double.

Braves lose, 1 – 6.

This was kind of a good news / bad news game. On the “bad news” we lost, our pen failed to hold the lead, twice, and Parr gave up his first runs. On the good news side, at least we lost to the team who is in the process of catching the Mets (again).

The bats did well last night, at least we drove quite a few runs across. McCann swung the hot bat, with three hits, two RBI. KJ and Kotcham each drove in two. What really made a big difference was the eight walks, got to love the patience.

Parr wasn’t quite as good as his last few outings, but after two perfect outings… well, you know. He only went 4.1 innings, allowing 10 hits and four runs. The pen wasn’t great, overall. Carlyle was solid, 1.2 scoreless innings. Ohman was not, only getting one person out, allowing two run. Bennett got two outs, only allowing one hit. Tavarez and Gonzo each gave up a run, Gonzo charged with the loss. Julio pitched the last inning, striking out the side.

Braves lose 7 – 8.

If only we had played this well when we were in the hunt, this season may have gone differently. But, hopefully, we will play a small role in spoiling the Mets.

Campy was not on his game today, but you have to admit, he has been a hell of a find. He gave us only 3.2 innings, allowing eight hits and three runs. Not his best outing. Lucky for us, the pen was solid, in 5.1 innings, they didn’t give up a run. Bennett, Ohman, Tavarez, Julio, and Gonzo got the job done and Gonzo got the save.

The hits were really spread out today. In fact, the only Brave to manage more than on was Chipper with three, despite the Braves getting 11 hits. The big blow was by Greg Norton, a three run shot in the ninth.

Braves win, 7 – 4.