Braves Report

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.

The Braves showed some signs of life in the first game, only to be totally shut down in the second. Who would have thought we’d beat the great Johan Santana, but get blanked by a pitcher with an ERA of 15? But, I guess that is the way it goes sometimes.

In the first game, Hampton pitched well. He gave us yet another quality start, six innings, two runs. I wouldn’t mind seeing him in a Braves uniform next season, provided the price is right (cheap) and we have a good backup. The pen actually held yesterday too. Ridgway, Ohman, Bennett, and Gonzo combined for three scoreless innings.

The bats did just enough and that is all you can hope for against Santana. KJ, who has really heated up (too late) had two hits, as did McCann, who drove in a run as well. Kotchman had three.

Braves win, 3 - 2.

In game two, it was ugly, both the pitching and the hitting. Reyes managed only two innings, giving up four runs on two home runs. Carlyle had to come in in relief and did, giving us two innings of scoreless ball. Nunez gave us two great innings as well. Ridgway gave up a home run. Dessens threw the last inning scoreless.

The bats failed to push a single run across the plate, despite getting eight hits. KJ had two more hits, if only he could have been doing this all season. Kotchman had two more as well. Frenchy had two, too.

Braves lose, 5 - 0.

Sure, not that I all but give up on this team, I comment to a friend that we are rapidly catching the Nats for the cellar, that management has given up, we go on a winning streak. If only this could have happened back before we gutted this team for a bunch of mediocre players.

Jurrjens had another good outing. He may be tiring, since he has pitched more than he has pitched in all his career. He had a few rough outings, but seems to be back on track, for the most part. Last night he gave us six innings, only allowing four runs, but striking out ten. The pen actually held! Julio, Tavarez, and Gonzo each pitched a scoreless inning.

The bats poured it on once again. We banged out nine hits and drove in eight runs. The big bat of the night belonged to Escobar. He had three hits, a home run, drove in three, and scored twice.

Braves win again, 8 - 4.