AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2008 > June > 22 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBraves need an R.E.M.-like resurgence
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gregg Allman’s “I’m No Angel” is playing on the stadium loudspeakers and Mark Kotsay is taking full-on cuts in the batting cage. That’s a pretty good start to a Sunday morning for me and for the Braves.
But Kotsay’s still at least a few days from returning. And I know you’re more interested in a couple others among the Braves’ walking wounded.
First, Chipper Jones is status quo. Day-to-day after his surprising pinch-hit appearance (and huge single) last night. Quad’s still messed up, and no word when he might be back in the lineup. But they obviously aren’t thinking DL, or he wouldn’t have hit last night.
Yunel Escobar’s is also unchanged. He’s got a strained hip flexor, injured Friday night. He ran well in his pinch-hit appearance last night, but he’s still sore and “not ready to play,” he said. He took BP and infield today, though, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s back in the lineup as soon as tomorrow.
Bobby Cox said the trainers have told him it’s a touchy injury, though, in that if he injures it any worse, if he tears it, he’d be out a couple months. So they’re testing him daily, doing strength tests, and also stressing to him the importance of being honest about how much discomfort there is in the hip.
Ruben Gotay is at third base and Omar Infante is back at shortstop after his uncharacteristic first-inning defensive gaffes last night. “Infante is a very good shortstop,” Cox said today, surely aware of what folks are thinking after watching those mistakes the veteran utility man made last night.
(Personally, I think Infante is strong defensively at every position he’s played. Just had an awful night. It happens.)
Why no Brent Lillibridge in the lineup? I think the Braves are trying to be careful and not throw him in there and have him go 0-for-4 again like he did in each of his two games when thrust into the lineup earlier this season at N.Y.
The Lil’ Bridge had a couple of three-hit games before he was called up, but he was still hitting .207 with 55 strikeouts in 208 at-bats at Richmond. He’s insurance right now because he can play three infield positions and even some outfield in a pinch.
Oh, and what’s this? No Jeff Francoeur in right field? Yes, it’s true.
Francouer is out of the lineup and Greg Norton is in RF. I asked Bobby and he said he told Francoeur in Texas last week that he was going to rest him in this Sunday day game. “He needs a breather,” Cox said.
Francoeur’s got some black-and-blue marks on his left arm where he was hit by pitches the last two nights, near the elbow and hand. He’s also got bruises on his shin from fouling a couple balls off.
Regardless of all that, most observers (including this one) would suggest he needs a day or two off because he’s struggling. Mightily.
Since May 27, Francoeur has hit .214 (21-for-98) with three homers, nine RBI and a .287 OBP in 25 games. The Braves are 9-16 in those games, and while there are many reasons for the losses, his lack of production is among those reasons.
He’s 4-for-32 with one walk and seven strikeouts in his past eight games, and in his past eight home games Francoeur is 6-for-33 with more double plays grounded into (two) than extra-base hits (one).
Brandon Jones is in right field today.
From frosty to sizzling: That’s what the Braves will see in the range of starting pitchers they’ll face today and tomorrow — the skidding Carlos Silva (3-5, 5.79 ERA) today and the streaking Ben Sheets (8-1, 2.74) in tomorrow’s series opener against the Brew Crew.
Silva’s overall numbers don’t reflect just how terrible he’s been lately. The man is 0-8 with an 8.49 ERA in his past nine starts, including losses in his past five starts. He is the coldest starting pitcher in baseball right now.
Sheets, on the other hand, is having a career season (he hasn’t been hurt, which is almost amazing). He’s given up more than three earn runs only twice in 14 starts, which is really, really good. He’s 4-0 with a 2.11 ERA in his past five starts, and he hasn’t lost on the road (5-0, 2.62 ERA in nine starts, with 48 strikeouts and 15 walks).
Then there are his numbers against the Braves. Oh, my.
Sheets is 8-3 in 11 starts against the Braves, including 6-1 with a 3.20 ERA in his past seven. In those seven starts he’s piled up a stunning 62 strikeouts with only six walks in 50-2/3 innings. Yes, 62 K’s, 6 walks in 50-2/3 innings.
He’s won all of his past five starts against the Braves, getting more than seven support runs per nine innings in that stretch.
R.E.M. is truly “back”: If their most recent album, the very strong Accelerate, wasn’t enough to completely convince me that R.E.M. had reclaimed its status as one of top rock bands in the world, last night was.
The boys from Athens, Ga., put on a phenomenal show at Lakewood here in Atlanta last night. Seriously, this was a great rock concert.
By the end of their approximate two-hour performance, I had forgotten (and no longer really cared) that I’d missed The National’s opening set (even though I do love that band, too). Rock shows should not start when the sun is still blazing overhead, unless it’s an all-day festival show, the kind that most middle-aged working dudes like me no longer attend.
Anyway, Modest Mouse’s middle set was fine, about as good as you can expect from a band that has to fill an opening slot for the huge headliner, and thus usually must play with lesser equipment and without all the bells-and-wistles visual effects, etc.
But R.E.M. would’ve blown away most bands on this night, which I’m assuming was pretty indicative of how they’ve played on this entire tour. They rocked hard, folks. Forget that mostly bland period between the excellent New Adventures in Hi-Fi album and the “comeback” blast of “Accelerate.”
If they were in danger of slipping from relevance for many younger rock fans (and I admit, they had), then they have certainly stepped forward with this album and this tour and answered any skeptics and critics, at least any who are actually paying attention and listening to the music.
Not only did they play every solid song from the new album, but I was pleasantly surprised - make that thrilled - that they played so many of the older gems, including “Fall On Me,” (with the greant former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr joining on guitar), “Pretty Persuasion,” “Rockville” “Driver 8,” “Orange Crush,” “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?,” “Electrolite,” and a slightly speeded up, muscular version of “Harborcoat.” Sublime, it was.
I’ve seen R.E.M. 10 or 12 times since 1983, the year I saw them play at old Hoch Auditorium on campus at the University of Kansas, just after Murmur was released and was the hottest thing going on college radio.
Stipe had long, curly hair then, and kept his back to the audience for most of the show. Saw them every year for the next five or six years after that, as they’d release a new album annually - Murmur, Reckoning, Fables of the Reconstruction, Life’s Rich Pageant, Document, Green and tour annually.
While I have only vague memories of those shows, for some reason (ahem), I’ve got to say, I can’t recall the band ever being much better, much tighter, much more entertaining than they were last night. Honestly.
They had a truly remarkable run of high-integrity, high-grade and original rock and roll during the 1980s, no dud among those early albums. Other than Monster, they really didn’t have even a mediocre album until after drummer Bill Berry left the band for health reasons more than a decade later.
Now, after figuring I’d be one of the R.E.M. completists who buys every album they put out, regardless of critical reviews, on the day it’s released, for as long as they hung on, it’s been a really uplifting thing to see one of my very favorite all-time bands come back so strong.
These are musicians who are all older than me playing new songs so good that most younger, trendier, “edgier” bands with members half their age can only dream of ever producing if they stay together half as long as the boys from R.E.M. have. Not to mention the classics most of those bands will never produce.
More than 25 years later, R.E.M. is back kicking tail. For us of a certain age, who went to college in the early 1980s, that’s great stuff. Seeing them on that stage last night, doing their thing, it doesn’t get much better.
”LIVING WELL IS THE BEST REVENGE” by R.E.M.
It’s only when your poison spins into the life you’d hoped to live
and suddenly you wake up in a shaken panic now
You had set me up like a lamb to slaughter
Garbo as a farmer’s daughter
Unbelievable, the gospel according to who?
I lay right down.
All your sad and lost apostles
hum my name and flare their nostrils
Choking on the bones you tossed to them
now I’m not one to sit and spin
because living well’s the best revenge
Baby, I am calling you on that
Don’t turn your talking points on me.
History will set me free
The future is ours and you don’t even rate a footnote now!
So who’s chasing you? Where did you go?
You disappear mid-sentence
In a judgment crisis I see my in and go for it
You weakened shill.
All your sad and lost apostles
hum my name and flare their nostrils
Choking on the bones you tossed to them
now I’m not one to sit and spin
because living well is the best revenge
and baby, I am calling you on that
You savour your dying breath
I forgive but I don’t forget
You work it out, let’s hear that argument again
Camera three… GO NOW!
All your sad and lost apostles
hum my name and flare their nostrils
Choking on the bones you tossed to them
now I’m not one to sit and spin
because living well is the best revenge
and baby, I am calling you on that
Baby, I am calling you on that
Baby, I am calling you on that
Comments
By All Hail the Cow
June 22, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
All bow to the new rally cow in left field. She really made her mark last night with that comeback win.
By flange1
June 22, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
DOB,
Thanks for the new blog! And thanks for the REM review. This is the first time I have missed them ever in Atlanta…
By snowball's chance
June 22, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
Checking in from the Great Northwest where the powers that be have decided I should be a Mariners fan. Sorry just can’t do it. One nice thing is that I get to watch this series on local TV. The bad thing is I have to listen to the Mariners announcers. These guys are just not good. The veteran announcer is being inducted to the Hall of Fame this year. Why? Just because he held his job so long?
I have been listening to Braves games over the internet lately (for free, but don’t let MLB know or I might end up in Baseball’s version of Gitmo) and I hope Atlanta citizens realize how lucky they are to have their announcing crew. It is great to hear Pete and Skip. A pleasant surprise is Mark Lemke. I have tried watching tv while listening to the Braves broadcast on the radio but there is a 10 or 15 second lag . Oh ,Well.
On a musical note Emmylou Harris has a new cd out and it is good. She is back working with her ex husband, Brian Ahern, who produced her first 12 albums. He knows how to record her.
By Coach (Put up, shut up, do or die)
June 22, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
The shock troops for sure ! It’s an ugly line up today. Never the less, today is once again, an absolute must win.
By Shamus Thacker
June 22, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
Great stuff DOB!
By Who cares what Greg Norton is hitting
June 22, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
IT’S TRUE. NO ONE CARES.
(Except Greg, maybe).
By Jeff321
June 22, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
Scheduled day off, eh? Frenchy needs a scheduled vacation to Richmond!
By Supes
June 22, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
NO Jeff Francouer…Hell must have frozen over! Finally we won’t have to suffer and watch him kill the braves with his lack of production and casual defense.
By David O'Brien
June 22, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
Tex goes yard. They’d best rough up Silva, since everyone else has….
Snowball’s Chance: I gotta get that Emmylou CD. heard great stuff about it. You should listen to the new Aimee Mann CD. Also outstanding.
Best new rockin’ CD I’ve purchased: The Black Angels’ Directions to See a Ghost. As Josh at Ella Guru aptly described it, it’s a psychedelic freakout.
(But don’t let that scare you away. It’s a great rock record.)
By rolltideface
June 22, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
Yeah, thanks for the review. I have seen REM play about 7 times, the best being at Chastain Park about 10 years ago. I wanted to try to get to Atlanta for this show but it just didn’t work out. REM is by far my favorite band- I love Accelerate. Awesome that they played Harbourcoat- they dusted off Camera and We Walk the last time I saw them. And- oh yeah- big win for the Braves last night.
By Coach (Put up, shut up, do or die)
June 22, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
BANG ! Tex goes deep, 1-0 Atlanta. Thats just what the doctor ordered !
By Jim
June 22, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
DOB, not playing gotcha but you have norton and b jones in right field on the blog. Who’s playing where?
By Coach (Put up, shut up, do or die)
June 22, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
Thats just good scouting. Bloomquist went first to third on the base hit by Ibanez because the Mariners know that Blanco’s throwing arm is weak at best.
By Rush
June 22, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
McCann continues to impress. Why has he not been given a shot at the three spot? Or if everyone is healthy, even the 2 hole.
By David O'Brien
June 22, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
Tomorrow’s the day Francoeur needs off. Or another day he needs off. Or whatever. My point: He’s 2-for-13 against Sheets.
By cabravesfan
June 22, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
is it too late to jump on the I Love Omar Infante bandwagon? I am just now realizing how valuable this guy is to the Braves…
By Bravosimos
June 22, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
does the cow have to be that big?
By cabravesfan
June 22, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
Tex goes deep AGAIN
By Run Heap Run!
June 22, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this
Everybody appears to have their heads in the game today. knock on something
blinks
Did Tex stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night?
By Coach (Put up, shut up, do or die)
June 22, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this
Yea baby ! Tex goes yard , AGAIN ! 2-0 Braves
By Overlord-D-Day
June 22, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
Is that really is MARK TEIXEIRA? you must be kidding me.
By cabravesfan
June 22, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
And Mac follows that up with a bomb…
By McFann©
June 22, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this
HAMER TIME!!
Back-to-back by Tex and Mac! (OK, sorry about the rhyme.)
By David O'Brien
June 22, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
Bravosimos, that cow is really big. Huge, in fact.
I like the too-slow chopping motion, when combined with its size and all the fireworks that go off from the nearby Coke bottle when Braves do something big like the walk-off last night.
To me, the imagery, it’s like something from a Yul Brenner movie, something the people of some ancient civilization might praise, or bow to, as someone suggested earlier. If it were painted gold, it’d be perfect.
OK, perhaps the heat’s getting to me.
By Fred Secunda
June 22, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
DOB, I flew to Charleston this weekend and had to stop in the Atlanta airport for the first time in about three years. Man, what a madhouse. Is it always that crazy?
By Coach (Put up, shut up, do or die)
June 22, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
Back to back Jacks from Tex and McCann here in the fourth. It’s amazing what happens when Cox put two big productive bats side by side in the line up ! 3-0 Braves !
By Heap for President!
June 22, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
The Mariners look like the Braves today.
By Crabby Bill
June 22, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
DOB… ”Monster” may be a tick below REM’s other early work but you mentioned ”What’s the frequency,Kenneth” from that cd was played last night.To me that is one of the rawest, garage band sound,high energy tunes they’ve done.”Strange Currencies” also from ”Monster” is one of their excellent ballads as well.
By Coach (Put up, shut up, do or die)
June 22, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
Yes Sir, the Braves are putting this game away early. The shock troops are getting it done today and Silva stinks !
By David O'Brien
June 22, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
Braves being very aggressive against Silva. For once, a very wise strategy.
By THB
June 22, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
Coach, are you blind or just really, really stupid? All season Cox has had Chipper in front of Tex…cmon now.
DOB-Could you post Tex’s stats when Chipper doesn’t start? I feel like he’s done really well when Chipper doesn’t play?
By j
June 22, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
Hello, Dave, you have the best musical taste of any Sports Columnist I have ever read. The National put on a really good show. I simply cannot eject Boxer from my CD changer. The Virginia E.P has got some good cuts as well. R.E.M were my absolute favorite band growing up and a big reason I choose to attend UGA. I own Accelerate, but have yet to “get it”. Have you checked out Fleet Foxes? Pretty good record as well. Cheers, J
By kirknga
June 22, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
Joe Simpson just mentioned that Tex had 8 rbi’s in both June and July of last season. Despite that he finished with 105 for the season.
So perhaps we’re in for a treat come August and September!
By David O'Brien
June 22, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
Crabby, yes. Monster not a bad record, just not as strong as their earlier ones, in my opinion. Had a couple of great tunes on it, as you pointed out.
By Coach (Put up, shut up, do or die)
June 22, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
Omar Infante is now 14 for 48 (.291 BA) in his last fifteen games. He has hit in ten of those fifteen contest’s.
By Heap for President!
June 22, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
Best 5 innings Huddy’s had in a while.
By ncscoots
June 22, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
Silva may stink, but many were the voices in this forum who wanted him to wear the tomahawk. Many.
And the blog continues to display such great baseball instincts even now. :-)
By Run Heap Run!
June 22, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
Look at him go! If he keeps it up they’re going to have to change his nickname to Speedy.
By Coach (Put up, shut up, do or die)
June 22, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
THB , I’m referring to Cox’s stupidity of having Francoeur batting fifth in front of McCann against left handed starters. Now YOU learned something, JACKAZZ !
By Coach Smith
June 22, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
6-0 without Chipper, Yunel,and Frenchy
and Huddy on the mound…NICE!!!!!
By Robin
June 22, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
Rats! Just when we’re finding our stroke, they throw a knuckler on us. Well whaddaya know …Gotay - 2-run single! Tuning-up for Sheets tomorrow.
By Coach (Put up, shut up, do or die)
June 22, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
Believe it or not, this is Mark Teixeira’s first multiple HR game of the season. First one of 2008 and it could not have come at a better time !
By MEB
June 22, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
DOB… when does the cow do the chop? Only after the Braves hit a homerun? Looking forward to seeing the big bovine on July 2 versus the Phillies. Hope they are still in a major funk!
GO BRAVES!!!
By Steve from OH
June 22, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
Coach, you could have simply informed THB of what you had intended to convey with your previous statement without the personal insults. I mean, I typically don’t disagree with you, but you could be less of a d!ck when someone disagrees with you. It’s an open forum, baseball discussion amongst fans. Lets keep it that way and keep the barbs to a minimum.
By kirknga
June 22, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
People here were calling for the Braves to sign Silva?
By Run Heap Run!
June 22, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
Angels 3 Phillies 1 in the top of the 6th. A sweep would be sweet!
By David O'Brien
June 22, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
MEB, I’m told that False Idol Cow only chops when they do the chant and chop in the stadium.
And yes, he does chop on Sundays (unlike his namesake restaurant).
By Coach (Put up, shut up, do or die)
June 22, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
Huddy is on the mound, 6-0 Braves, the Mariners are stinking it up and this game is in the bag ! BRAVES WIN ! BRAVES WIN ! BRAVES WIN!
And yea, it’s an easy call to make in the seventh inning.
By David O'Brien
June 22, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
J, i like that Fleet Foxes record. Mellow, but very good. Some of it reminded me of The Band, some reminds me of Iron and Wine, etc.
You’re right about The National: That (Boxer) was easily one of the best five records of last year. I put it on a couple times last week.
By David O'Brien
June 22, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
J, one other thing: Regarding your choosing UGA in part because of REM. I’d love to see someone do a survey of all UGA students the past quarter-century, to see how many of them would mention REM or the Athens music scene in general as significant reasons they chose the school. I’d bet it’s higher than some might think.
I say that because my ex-wife, who’s from Miami, chose UGA in part because of REM (and in part because of football Saturdays). And she’s actually quite intelligent, notwithstanding the obvious stain of our relationship on her otherwise sparkling resume.
By Chop Chop
June 22, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
Turner Field has become a blasphemous den of pagan idolatry.
Braves fans, get your sacrificial calves at the “Holy Cow” booths conveniently located on the upper and lower concourses.
By Run Heap Run!
June 22, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
lmao @ the comments about the magic forrest bat
By Coach (Put up, shut up, do or die)
June 22, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
Steve, the man calls me blind and stupid, I retort with the Donkey comment you take sides? Go Figure.
By THB
June 22, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
Coach, I love you too.
By cabravesfan
June 22, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
3rd for TEX!!
By David O'Brien
June 22, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
Yeah, that Teixeira … crowd here at Turner Field seems to think a little more highly of him than some on the blog do.
He just got a curtain call, which is — unbelievably, I might add — half as many curtain calls as Chipper Jones has ever gotten in Atlanta.
By Overlord-D-Day
June 22, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
I just have to moan……..
WTH arent we sweeping this series????
Sorry just had to do that.
Looks like by the curtain call TEX got that people still are in love with TEX. Good to see… Way to go TEX.
By JEB
June 22, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
Something tells me TEX has been reading these blogs and has gotten fired up!!
3 HR’s in one game!! His presence is GREATLT needed! Way to go TEX! Keep it up - this team NEEDS you!
By Dutchie
June 22, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
Looks like a good outing today, with the Phillies loosing 3-1 in the 7’th. And as I type, there’s no. 3 for Tex. What did he have for breakfast??
In all the mayhem about the errors, bad line up and just generall discontent with Bobby, Frenchy, Norton, did a great game by JJ get snowed over? The guy came back with two highly mature outings after three dodgy ones. Must make the future look a bit brighter!
Let’s get into the off-season!
Go Braves!
By kirknga
June 22, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
Where’s this version of Tex been all season? Wow it’s great to see. Perhaps he’ll have much better June and July than last season.
By All Hail the Cow
June 22, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
Teixeira hits three homeruns during the third Braves’ game at Turner Field since the rally cow was installed. Coincidence? I think not.
By David O'Brien
June 22, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
Teixeira is 13th Atlanta Brave to hit three homers in a game, first since Chipper in 2006.
He’s the fifth player to hit three homers in a game at Turner Field, and the first Brave to do it.
By THB
June 22, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
Coach-It was a pretty dumb statement..I mean, you deserved to be called at least blind…
By Robin
June 22, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
TEX!!!! #3! OMGBBQ! …and he leveled off on that one, no extreme uppercut.
Run Heap Run!: Yeah, and those bats can’t go in the rack with the rest of the lumber - fear of “catching” something. LOLZ!
By Tex for President!
June 22, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
Is Tex using Chipper’s .422 era bat today?
By Goodoleboy58
June 22, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
Who is this guy playing 1B for us today? Hope we can keep him for the rest of the year
By David O'Brien
June 22, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
Fourth time Tex has hit homers from both side in same game, 10th time a Brave has done it (Chipper six times)
By Tex for President!
June 22, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
Everybody in the lineup has a basehit today. When’s the last time THAT happened?
By Steve from OH
June 22, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
Not taking sides, merely making an observation, sir. No hard feelings. Just saying, I enjoy your posts more when you keep the subject matter only to baseall.
By Coach (Put up, shut up, do or die)
June 22, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
At any rate, here is something to really rattle around in your brains.
The Braves are going to put Chipper Jones on the D.L. It will happen. Look at the upcoming schedule and tell me when it will happen because I can tell you when it’s the right time.
By keylargo
June 22, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
Tex will be fourth in the bottom of the ninth. Maybe he can join Bob Horner with four Hr’s. Now there was somebody the blog could get into a frenzy over.
By SteelCav
June 22, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
Phils losing again. If things hold up, we’re only four out with Tex heating up.
Wow, just think if we had lost that game last night. May have come out flat today. Instead, we’re hitting lasers and Huddy looked strong. Chin up fellas!
By Quack Quack
June 22, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
Gee look how few posts there are during this game. So many bloggers just hate it when the Braves cruise to an easy win, gives then nothing to rant about. Poor guys. C’mon Mariners get back into this thing so the haters can have some input.
By kirknga
June 22, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
Is there some kind of law that says either Ohman, Boyer or Acosta have to pitch everyday, even if the team has an 8-run lead with 6 outs to go?
By Robin
June 22, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
We could be only 4 games out if the Philly score holds up. Still 2 1/2 weeks to go before our patented 2nd half surge … I’m feeling a little better now.
By Tex for President!
June 22, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
If CJ going on the dl was a possibility I doubt he would have pinch hit last night…
By A Brave Prayer
June 22, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
O’ Great and mighty COW who presides over Turner Field!
Wave your mighty Tomahawk Choppin’ hoof over us and bless these Braves. Bless this field on which we play, cause our errors to be few and the runs we score to be many! Bless us with health and cause our injuries to cease! May our pitchers arms be strong, and our bats productive. We will look to you for inspiration as you tower over us and view our games. We lift our eyes to you, who stand so tall over us. In the awesome name of Chik-Fil-A we pray, amen.
By A Realistic Fan
June 22, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
Poor Bobby Cox. He tried to get Jeff an at bat in a spot where he could do some damage and get some confidence. Instead, he strikes out and looks awful doing it.
By Chop Chop
June 22, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
kirknga,
I’m hoping we’ll see a 1-2-3 inning from three pitchers in the ninth. That would make this day perfect.
By Overlord-D-Day
June 22, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
Got to wonder, why is Ohman in the game? and 8-0 game? Your best 8th inning guy? Thats why bobby has many “fans” on this blog.
Cnat he just use carlyle, acosta, ring?
Wouldnt be shocked to see gonzalez in the 9th, or maybe bennett for his 160th appearance of the season.
By Tex for President!
June 22, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
Oh hey we’ll get to see Gonzo again.
By JEB
June 22, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
False Idol cow DOB
Now that is funny!!
That cow is definetly one of the funniest sights I have ever seen at a stadium!! Hilariously funny!!
By McFann©
June 22, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
Not a bad day for Tex…
This will be Tinny’s first Inter-league win with the Braves!
By Jeff321
June 22, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
I’ll bet the much lauded season ticket holders just loved it when Frenchy made a surprise appearance only to whiff once again.
By ncscoots
June 22, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
Well, kirk, who is your choice to pitch a couple of innings? Carlyle? Bennett? Ring? Seriously, make a choice there as to who should be pitching, and explain why. That might be fun to read.
By Tex for President!
June 22, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
I LOVE to watch this kid. That prize fighter swagger. What a stud.
By David O'Brien
June 22, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
Well, now that’s not quite the way Gonzo’s first post-surgery appearance at Turner Field was scripted, was it?
By Strange...
June 22, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
Remember Johan Santana?
Santana: 7-5, 3.04 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 100.2 IP
Hudson (including today): 8-5, 2.96 ERA, 1.17ish WHIP, 109.1 IP
Not bad, huh.
You know we lost the five previous starts of Hudson? About time he got a win.
By Overlord-D-Day
June 22, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
Way to go bobby..get gonzo into the game just to watch him get hammered over the CF wall…… What a HOFer manager. LOL. YOU ARE A JOKE BOBBY COX.
By InCognito
June 22, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
Why bring in a guy coming of tj surgery who is to serve as your closer with an 8 run lead?
By Rush
June 22, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
Reason for Tex’s power surge?
By Tex for President!
June 22, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
Angels holding on 3-2 middle of the 8th.
By N8
June 22, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
Quack Quack
“Gee look how few posts there are during this game. So many bloggers just hate it when the Braves cruise to an easy win, gives then nothing to rant about.”
Or some of us have been spending a beautiful Sunday outside, NOT in front of the TV watching the game.
Nice to see that Tex decided to step up in Chipper’s absence.
By kirknga
June 22, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
I believe Caryle and Ring can hold an 8-run lead for two innings.
Seriously,are you saying that an 8-run lead going into the 8th inning is a situation where we should bring in our 3 overused relievers?
I know another thing too. I’d rather have Carlye and/or Ring out there pitching with Gonzalez in reserve for just in case than the reverse!
By Tex for President!
June 22, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
This is maddening.
By Overlord-D-Day
June 22, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
Funny… Bennett up in the bullpen.
By Tex for President!
June 22, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
Braves win! Woot!
By JEB
June 22, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
I wonder??
Will we need a closer for Mondays game?? It might be a close one with Sheets pitching.
Just a thought, under the impression Gonzo was our closer. Bring him in at 8 - 0 when Carlyle has not pitched in a while.
By Coach (Put up, shut up, do or die)
June 22, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
Yea, I’m blind to the fact that Chipper is batting .366 in the 151 games since Teixeira joined the Braves. Coincidence? I think not.
That said, I can only hope and pray that Bobby Cox will see the light of day in that the Braves desperately need some speed and base running ability at the top of the order.
The evidence is indisputable. Atlanta is 4-19 in one run games and 12-16 versus left handed pitching.
And furthermore, anyone who would argue against my last statement, really doesn’t know nearly as much about this game as they should.
8-2 Braves is the final. Angels 3, Phillies 2 in the eighth.
By kirknga
June 22, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
Good win today. A win is good at any time of course.
By Chop Chop
June 22, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this
I wonder if the 27 pitches Gonzo threw today will keep him from being available tomorrow.
Sheets vs. Reyes on the mound Monday…
Two guys pitching well…
Seems like you might have a close game…
Hmm.
By Tex for President!
June 22, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
Rush: French Fry said #4 is NOT true.
By steve_97060
June 22, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
maybe because he wanted Gonzo to get a little work? I swear, some of you guys would whine over anything…
By ncscoots
June 22, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
Why bring in a guy coming of tj surgery who is to serve as your closer with an 8 run lead?
Uh, because he hasn’t faced ML hitters in a year and MIGHT NEED THE WORK? Uh, because they might not want him working off the rust in a 2-1 game? Things like that, maybe?
By Coach (Put up, shut up, do or die)
June 22, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
Kill the Cow, bring back Chief Nocahoma !
By Overlord-D-Day
June 22, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
nscoots carlyle, ring and acosta would have been better choices. You want boyer, ohman and bennett to get some rest.
No reason to expose gonzalez to anything in a 8-0 ballgame. Anything could happen, not to mention his arm, he could get hit by ball, twist ankle, etc. But, if that would be going over the board, letting his arm rest should be enough. I know he has not seen tons of action lately, but take in account that he is coming from the surgery room. He is ahead of schedule. If you dont have to…….just dont put him in.
Could you explain why in the world was Bennett warming up in the 9th? totally insane if you ask me.
By Coach (Put up, shut up, do or die)
June 22, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
Braves win 8-3.
I’m watching the Phillies and Angels, top of the ninth. The Angels just left the bases loaded. 3-2 Halos going to the bottom of the ninth.
By THB
June 22, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
So, Coach, you’re not blind to the fact that Chipper is producing because Tex is behind him, but you were blind to the fact that they are 2 big bats hitting back to back? Give it a rest, I was just pointing out you messed up your point. Chill.
By flange1
June 22, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
Scoots, My thoughts exactly on Gonzo.
Can’t we even be happy with a win and a series win?
By snowball's chance
June 22, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
A good day for ex American league players for the Braves. Too bad Tex didn’t get another at bat. Anybody remember the day Horner hit 4 - and the Braves lost. And, Ichiro goes 0 for 4
By InCognito
June 22, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
ncscoots…yeah, like maybe he is supposed to be your closer and might not be available in a close game tomorrow…
uh, he has already pitched in a close game and got a save…
uh, like it is harder on him to pitch back-to-back days and uh he might be more important in a save situation…
uh, like that is why you have bullpen sessions, rehab assignments, etc…
uh, things like that?
By Tex for President!
June 22, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
Angels SWEEEEPPP the Phils. 4 games out. Woot!
By Coach (Put up, shut up, do or die)
June 22, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
Two outs, bottom of the ninth, 3-2 Halo’s, runner on first. Jimmy Rollins batting and Francisco Rodriguez is trying to nail it down.
Bruntlett steals second base. Rollins is intentionally walked. Two on, two out. Tuguchi in the box. It’s getting tense ! And Taguchi pops it up. Game over.
Angels 3 Phillies 2, Braves are four back.
By Steve from OH
June 22, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
Phillies lose, Braves 4 back.
By InCognito
June 22, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
and of course i am happy with the win. i am happy with any win. but, why risk an injury to your closer in an 8-0 game and potentially not have him available tomorrow? that’s all…
By Rick
June 22, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
The Gonzo question may be answered tomorrow night . If Gonzo is not able to pitch tomorrow or pitches badly , then Cox messed up .
I would say that Cox wanted Gonzo to get a little work ( not a bad idea ) but did not mean that much work ( it ended up being a bad idea ) .
By Tex for President!
June 22, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
this is great:
http://www.atlantamagazine.com/blogs/blog_post.aspx?id=23796&blogid=256
By kirknga
June 22, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
4 back! You gotta love that, we’re staying afloat at the very least.
By ncscoots
June 22, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
Good grief. Ohman has pitched on consecutive days once since June 4. Once. In that time, he’s had two full days off between appearances twice. In that time, he’s gone less than an inning five times and more than an inning twice. He didn’t pitch yesterday.
Ohman is the primary LH in the pen and he needs work to remain sharp, as well as rest. His load this month has been about right to secure those two objectives.
I wouldn’t have cared if Carlyle or Ring had pitched late, but I got no problem with Ohman getting work in, either. While he may have been overworked early in the season, that’s not currently the case.
By Quack Quack
June 22, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
ncscoots…yeah, like maybe he is supposed to be your closer and might not be available in a close game tomorrow…Incog
I am so glad that the Mariners scored a few runs so all you haters had your chance to get onto the blog with at least some of your venom. Hate to think y’all would have to carry it around all night without an opportunity to vent some of it off, might stroke out or something…we can all hope. pathetic bunch of idiots. Y’all think you actually know something about the game. Hey Robert where have you been? Come on man, you can get on here and rant at the end too.
By McFann©
June 22, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this
The Braves are now 7-5 in inter-league play this year, as opposed to 4-11 last year.
Tex said he loves going back-to-back to Mac. “For one thing, it sounds so good: ‘Back-to-back with Mac’.”
GREAT GAME, and thank you, Angels!
Now, c’mon, Rockies! Show some fire!
By Steve from OH
June 22, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this
Tex for President!
Hilarious.
By ncscoots
June 22, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
ncscoots…yeah, like maybe he is supposed to be your closer and might not be available in a close game tomorrow
uh, like it is harder on him to pitch back-to-back days and uh he might be more important in a save situation
27 pitches probably just got him good and loose. If he can’t go back-to-back days, best to find out sooner than later. But I doubt that’s the case.
uh, he has already pitched in a close game and got a save
Totally amped on his return, and if you think he’s totally at game speed yet, I’d disagree.
uh, like that is why you have bullpen sessions, rehab assignments, etc
See above.
uh, things like that?
“Uh” is right. Exactly.
By A-ville Ranger
June 22, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
I’ve got mixed feelings about Tex’s bash fest today.Thing is, one dinger would have been enough today.I’d just prefer he was a more regular force in the batting order than these occasional big gushers.I never cared for using the closer in a mop-up situation either.
By ncscoots
June 22, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
Incognito, one thing, though…I could have made the original point without being snarky about it. My bad, man. The recent tenor of the blog got to me, I guess.
By StingerSplash
June 22, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this
“Pretty Persuasion”? “Don’t Go Back to Rockville”? “Driver 8”? They NEVER play those live anymore. Dammit. Dammit. Dammit. Saw the “Monster” tour, complete with Mike Mills’ suit, and they kicked mucho backside. But to reach back for the 97 mph heaters they used to bring back in the day when I first started listening to them, man, makes me wish I had gone now.
By BravesFanChris23
June 22, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
Lets go A’s & Rockies!
Good win today. I missed two of Tex’s three home runs due to storm knocking power out, but I have saw video footage of it, so I am happy.
Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come. This was definitely a good sign.
By InCognito
June 22, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this
scoots, no worries dude. i like the back and forth regarding a topic. no hard feelings here. always enjoy your posts. i was simply thinking out loud wondering if using gonzo was the best move. i certainly didn’t think my post was “venomous” or “attacking” in any way.
By kirknga
June 22, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
I really fail to see what is so controversial, or even hateful as some have said, about saying that it might be a good idea to use your second-tier relievers to finish a game with an 8-run lead!
Everyone is happy about the win. There is no problem.
It is a shame that people cannot tell the difference between a suggestion and a complaint, while others go even further and start calling people names.
By A-ville Ranger
June 22, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
I’d like to do a rollcall of all the UGA folks on board today.Tomorrow of course the CWS finals start,can I get a GO DAWGS from you fans ? Speaking of my favorite canines,time to walk my dogs,later all.
By TennesseePaul
June 22, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
Great win today. Good to see some production without Chipper and Yunel in the lineup.
By bravos2249
June 22, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this
Strange
and those IP for Huddy include 2 3 inning games and an 4.1 inning game and he still has pitched more innings than Santana…LOL
By David O'Brien
June 22, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this
Actually, I was wrong about Teixeira’s curtain call. It was his second at Turner Field; I’d forgotten the one he got in his first game for the Braves.
That means he’s had as many as Chipper’s gotten in his entire career in Atlanta. That’s ridiculous.
By David O'Brien
June 22, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this
Four games out of first place with 85 games to play.
It is what it is, folks. Might as well stop talking about trading away pieces. In this division, Braves are almost certainly going to be in the thick of it in late July.
By flange1
June 22, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this
HBTD!!!!
By Coach (Put up, shut up, do or die)
June 22, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this
Crazy stat of the day. Between Richmond and Atlanta, Charlie Morton has made 14 starts, pitched 90 innings and are you ready for this?
He has given up exactly ZERO HR’s.
That’s keeping the ball in the park.