AJC > Blog > Archives > 2006 > May > 02 > Entry
Viva Las Bravas
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Heads Up: I rearranged this for easier reading. Remember, I was updating live from the game Tuesday night. That’s why everything was bass-ackwards Wednesday morning, y’all. Mea culpa.
Shake, Rattle And Roll
Folks, I spent Tuesday night at El Ted watching Los Bravos take on the Rockies and… it was Elvis Night at the ole ballyard. Whenever the Tomahawks were shown on BravesVision (tm), their ginormous smiling mugs were glammed up, King-style, with pompadours, the big ’70s-era sideburns, the bejeweled white leisure suits that marked the “Fat Elvis” years - the works. The crowd loved it, along with the Elvis songs played as start-up music before each at-bat. What they didn’t love, however, was the lackadaisical way Adam LaRoche grounded one to Rocks first baseman Luis Gonzalez with men at first and second to end a primo scoring opp in the first. Tonight’s starter, Jorge Sosa, ditched that “Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo” look he had going early on and he breezed through the top of the first 1-2-3.
That’s When Your Heartaches Begin
Ummm… Yeah. Sosa’s whole 1-2-3 thing he had going in the first didn’t carry over to the second inning. Rockies RF Brad Hawpe hammered one to the guest field he’s patrolling tonight. Frenchy ran and ran and ran and… watched a Braves fan make a great catch in the stands. Showgirls 1, Elvises 0.
I Got Stung
FRENCHY TOOK A FIRST PITCH! Then he popped one up on the infield around second, ran like his britches were on fire down the line to first and was still out. Dude is up ‘n’ down. Where’s Annie Savoy when you really need her?
Rip It Up
The defense in the top of the third was spectacular. Chipper gloved a true hot corner scorcher, slinging to LaRoche (who made a stunning pick at first); Giles followed suit with literal armed robbery at second; and then Frenchy ran back to the wall to end things with a just-enough-room catch that gave the home crowd something to get happy over. How much are we loving Edgar Renteria? As much as he’s apparently loving his new warm-weather climate. Guy gets things happening, that’s for sure. So does Andruw, who brought in Giles and, oh by the by, ripped off second after that. Yawn. No big. LaRoche atoned for making the third out of the 1st inning by doubling Andruw home and FRENCHY singled to score Rochie from second. No, he didn’t wait around to see a second pitch. Francoeur ripped the first sucker that crossed the plate. Elvises 3, Priscillas 1.
Anyplace Is Possible
And there was much rejoicing. As well there should have been. Langy s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d for the diving catch in left to save a likely double and the crowd let out a roar, only to have Sosa give up a solid homer to the same field about one pitch later. Sosa wasn’t doing himself any favors, apparently feeling a need to toss extra BP to the Purple Palladins, since Andruw had to hoof it back to the 400 mark in CF to bounce off the wall to glove a long out. Rocks nabbed another run. Sheesh. Elvises 3, Memphis Mafia 2.
Ready Teddy
First-year leadoff hitter Marcus Giles told DOB that he’d find his stroke in the new spot in time and it looks like that’s the case. In the 4th, Popeye whipped a solid grounder for a single. Sosa walked and he was at second; Giles at first. Another case of Braves on base, table’s set and… and… Guess Chipper wasn’t hungry; he whiffed. Inning ooooooooover.
Burning Love
So after seeing the defensive-offensive combo platter that Renteria has to offer when he’s healthy, I’m buying my No. 11 t-shirt ASAP. Just felt like sharing. I really don’t miss… um… er… what was that other guy’s name again?
All Shook Up
Nice try in left again for Langy (guy’s not getting the easy cans ‘o’ corn) but no luck this time. Andruw had to grab the ball at the wall after No. 18’s valiant dive was just shy of where the ball actually fell, Rocks’ CF Cory Sullivan tripled, then scored on a long flyout to Andruw. Next, Matt Holliday had to show off and, you know, hit HIS long dinger out of the park to left. Sosa was just kind of giving hits away then, in case anyone had been wanting one. If you were in the market for your own MLB hit, The Ted was the place to be during the top of the sixth Tuesday night. Ann-Margrets 4, Elvises 3.
Don’t Be Cruel
Some fools tried to start The Wave. GOD, that is THE most annoying thing you can do at a ballgame. In fact, I’m of the opinion that anyone who attempts to start The Wave or goes along with doing The Wave at a baseball game must really HATE baseball. So from all of us who are true baseball fans to all of you who get bored watching the intricacies of what’s happening on the field of play and start trying to get The Wave going in the stands, here’s a message: Stop it.
In actual game-related news, in the top of the 7th, reliever Oscar Villarreal came in and Colorado’s Cory Sullivan swiped second on a nanoseconds-late throw from Braves backstop Brian McCann. Bang-bang play of the type we weren’t used to seeing when Javy Lopez handled plate duty. Ladies, I know he was handsome but good looks don’t help you on defense. I’m just saying. Your Braves Leadoff Hitter Marcus Giles has posted three hits against Purple pitching. That ain’t hay.
Dixieland Rock
Andruw doubled home that other Jones Boy, Chipper, and you could literally FEEL The Ted trembling as the fans did, in fact, follow the instructions on BravesVision (tm), taking it upon themselves to “Get Loud.” Rochie walked so the Rocks could pitch to Frenchy. Hey, if he can slap dingers to Denmark in order to get that kid fan an autographed ball then he should be able to score Andruw from second, right? Right? Wrong. No. 7’s luck ran out. Whifferoo. sigh Elvises 4, Colonel Parkers 4.
One Night
Betemit singled to first and frankly, it was about time someone (preferably us) breaks the scoring juggernaut. Oh, this just in: ABC is axing “Commander In Chief.” Geena Davis and TV just don’t mix. I wish her all the best. Maybe Bill Paxton will need a 4th wife to put Nicki in her place next season on HBO’s mega-hit “Big Love.” Giles, The Leadoff Hitter Who Couldn’t Hit Leadoff, drove in Betemit. Look for his multi-hit heroic epic exploits from tonight’s game on the 2006 version of “Fans Gone Wild.” Elvises 5, Backup Singers 4.
It’s Now Or Never
When Reitsma ran in, people went nuts and they reacted to calls that didn’t go his way like the old days when Smoltz was saving every Braves game known to man. Go crazy, Hotlantans. Reitsma just notched another save: no. 6. What happens in Vegas stays in ATL traffic: Elvises 5, Backup Singers 4.
Permalink | Comments (15) | Post your comment | Categories: Chop Chick
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By Tomahawk
May 2, 2006 09:28 PM | Link to this
When is Bobby going to realize that Sosa does not belong in the starting rotation. Last year was nice, but come on already!
By SC DAWG
May 2, 2006 10:38 PM | Link to this
You can blame Ted Turner for the corporate cancer that is killing the Braves. As much good as Ted did while owning the Braves, his selling the Braves to Time Warner is like a corporate black hole that they can’t escape from. Its very sad to watch.
By Matt
May 3, 2006 07:33 AM | Link to this
Quick knocking Laroche. He hit the ball hard except for 1 time. He is starting to come around. Easy on Reitsma, 6 out of 7 isn’t bad. What is everybody expecting Gagne/Riveria numbers. Don’t, theres only 2 guys that are that good, named above. Quit whining about corporate ownership, there is nothing we can do about it. Though it would be nice to do the fan-owned thing. I would definitely drop some money into some stock for that, even if it lost money, just to say I was a part owner of the Braves. Team is starting to hit again, we just have 1 pitcher who is struggling. Hopefully Ramirez comes back. I love our rotation then: Hudson, Smoltz, Ramirez, Davie, Thomson and hopefully we can get Chuck James as our spot starter. Put Sosa as our long reliever, along with Ray, Remi, Villereal and then have Reitsma close it while letting Devine learn pro ball in Richmond. He will take over after the AllStar break. I love this team. Now if we could only get Diaz to start hitting. Frenchy and Diaz are both struggling, hopefully they will come out of it. We need them to. Isn’t it great having a switch hitter as your #1 pinch-hitter and utility infielder. It puts a bigger burden on the other team than most people realize. Here we come Mets, get ready for 3rd place, you bunch of Yankee wanna-be’s.
By Dave
May 3, 2006 08:15 AM | Link to this
Braves down by 5 games on May 5. Yeah, Mets fans, it’s over. LOL!!!!
By Dave
May 3, 2006 08:16 AM | Link to this
Oops! It’s only May 3. That makes it only worse.
By JOHN M
May 3, 2006 08:21 AM | Link to this
love your articles..Your perspective on the players are great not too much bash, good praise and yet the knowledge the BRAVES WILL PREVAIL..
By Matt T
May 3, 2006 08:46 AM | Link to this
I’m glad you brought that up about the wave. I wholeheartedly agree, its annoying and people there for the game don’t do it
By braves fan
May 3, 2006 11:14 AM | Link to this
I think it’s time for a rotation change. It’s Chuck James b*tch!!! Soso has gotten fat and is no longer effective. When is Horacio coming back? What have we come to that I’m asking when HoRam is coming back?
By Burnese Dishner
May 3, 2006 11:21 AM | Link to this
Someone give BC a gift certificate to learn the “Construction Business”… Maybe then he will know what “manufacturing runs” means.
By Jill
May 3, 2006 02:57 PM | Link to this
Tru dat about the wave, it just gets in the way for short people who can’t see over the taller people standing up.
By Pasttime
May 4, 2006 09:10 AM | Link to this
Man this is getting old watching Braves BULL pen or chicken pen loses games…..
By gotigers72
May 4, 2006 10:52 PM | Link to this
I want to know why the Braves brought up Peter Moylan [ERA 7.27] from Richmond, when they have a guy named Phil Stockman who is pitching lights out there. He has pitched 19 innings, has an ERA below 1.50, 26 Ks, and given up only 6 hits. Those are absolutely dominating statistics. I am also wondering why they kept Matt Diaz. I know he had a great spring, but now is below .200 and looks overmatched most of the time. Also is 0 for 9 pinch hitting. It looks like we should have someone in the minors that could be better as a fourth outfielder.
Scott Thorman has a .315 average which leads the R-Braves, and he also supposedly has a lot of pop. If LaRoche doesn’t show some improvement soon, maybe Thorman should be brought up, seeing as we need some offense in a serious way. Don’t know how good a fielder he is, but LaRoche is slick around the bag. Maybe that’s why Thorman hasn’t been brought up. I know Bobby likes his defense, and it is very important.
By Fat lady
May 5, 2006 12:21 AM | Link to this
Time to close this Blog.
By Mr. Met
May 5, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this
“Braves down by 5 games on May 5. Yeah, Mets fans, it’s over. LOL!!!!”
I’m sorry Dave, what were you saying? Oh, right. Plenty of time. You can climb back over the Phillies and the Mets. You’re not going to finish closer to the Expos, uh, Nationals than the head of the division. Just keep repeating that. We do it every year…
By TheSouthernJackAss
May 5, 2006 11:13 AM | Link to this
I believe the Bravewwws are 7 games out…GO METS!!!…The CURSE of TheSouthernJACKASS lives FOREVER!!!…