AJC > Blog > Archives > 2008 > May > 28 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBraves still snake-bitten on the road
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Snakes on a plane! ** snakes on a ** plane!
These Braves get snake-bitten whenever they step on an airplane. Last night is yet another perfect example. Granted, the bats were comparatively quiet, but Tim Hudson cruised through six innings and there were some outstanding defensive plays that gave the feeling the Bravos had this one in hand. Then came the seventh .. and the eighth … and the ninth.
You just know that if this game had been played at the Ted, the Braves would have added an insurance run or two in the late innings and the bullpen would have been up to the task. Unfortunately, it was at Miller Park, and apparently there’s no such thing as an insurance run on the road for this team.
To add injury to insult, thanks to what Joe Simpson referred to as an “almost irresponsible” concrete section of the outfield wall, Matt Diaz is headed to the disabled list with a bad left knee. (The silver lining is, this makes room for Rafael Soriano, who’s due to come off the DL.)
But I have to point out that Diaz is such a gamer that he not only stayed in the game after the injury but he also tried to BUNT his way on in the top of the next inning! It didn’t work, but the Brewers’ infield definitely wasn’t expecting that.
As for why this team is snake-bitten on the road, I have no insight to offer; heck, I don’t even have any more questions. Just feel free to unload if you need to.
Upcoming TV Schedule
Wednesday: at Brewers, 8:05, FSN South
Thursday: at Brewers, 1:05, SportSouth
Friday: at Reds, 7:10, SportSouth
Saturday: at Reds, 3:55, FOX
Sunday: at Reds, 1:15, SportSouth
Permalink | Comments (27) | Post your comment | Categories: Chop Chick
Comments
By ChampDawg
May 28, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
First!!!
The game was lost when Bennett failed to hold the runner and let him steal third base.
It’s this kind of mental fart and lack of just plain ‘ol Little League fundamentals that just infuriates me.
By Supes
May 28, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
The Braves need to add another OF to help out with the Diaz situation. We need someone you can pencil in day in and day out, this platooning business isn’t working this year like last year’s pairing of Matt and Willie Harris.
If the Reds or Pirates are willing to trade sometime in June, the Braves should at least look for deals, or try to make something happen.
Frank Wren needs to realize this team isn’t going to win in it’s current state.
It needs Soriano, Smoltz and Gonzo back in the pen, and needs to have consistant starting pitching outside of Hudson and JJJ.
Tex really hurt the Braves last night, esp. in the 9th, where they looked like something may happen and re-take the lead. Instead he grounds into a DP. Tex has been useless most of the season at the plate, thankfully he’s still playing stellar defense as advertised.
Tex needs to pick it up, so does Francouer.
Kotsay’s been good lately, so has Mac, Yunel has cooled off, Chipper has hit and so has KJ since moved from the leadoff spot. It’s the 4 and 5 holes that don’t produce (when Frency is 5) and it kills the team on the road.
By peter
May 28, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
Heck No not snake bitten, there is no doubt in my mind the Braves do NOT play the game “Correctly” on the road.
Last night late in the game we saw Tim Hudson have a very difficult 7th inning, so instead of being patience at the plate, and letting Hudson have a rest on the bench. Both Francoeur, and Diaz make outs on first pitches. Only Blanco the rookie, actually looked like he had a clue in that inning’s at bat.
As we all saw Hudson then came in and gave up the tying run in the 8th.
It seems our hitters get so impatient at the plate, they don’t work the count, or make the pitcher throw deep into the count. Then our pitchers get very little rest between innings.
We also saw the stolen base at the end of the game, that was a total mental error, on both the fielders and the pitcher. That single play set up Milwaukee with the win.
I can also see why Francoeur needed to be sat down on the bench. He is a young guy, but he probably needs to sit more, and learn how to play the game correctly.
I believe he is a fantastic talent, but he seems to be trying too hard, and pressing again.
All those mistakes are mental mistakes, and that is why they are losing on the road.
Snake bitten is silly, when the Braves grind out games, stay mentally focused, and grind out at bats the way Boston, or other high percentage teams do, then they will win more games on the road.
By ChampDawg
May 28, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
I now firmly believe that Francoeur is just an average talent. The majors is full of .270 hitting outfielders.
McCann is the one that looks like he has matured at the plate— I think he’s actually a below average defensive catcher, but he has a good bat.
Francoeur has been a real dissappointment so far this season.
And, I was a big Tex fan last season. But every week that passes now proves he too is a big dissappointment. His lack of performance at the plate has cost us a lot of games this season thus far.
By Lee
May 28, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this
Snake bitten or not, the Braves have to start beating these mediocre teams to have any chance of winning the division. All of a sudden the Phillies’ and their hitting have caught on fire. I agree that these close games have gotten into the heads of the Braves’ players and it is almost as if they expect to lose these type of games. There were mental mistakes by both the players and the manager last night.
By mikey
May 28, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
champdog said it best….bennett pretty much blew that game by letting a man steal 3rd base on a 3-0 count! biggest blunder of the year.
By mike
May 28, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this
I like bobby, but he has a tendency to leave the vet pitchers in 1 inning too long….”Huddy” should have come out after 7…..
By TURTSNAP
May 28, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
More than snakebit now, it is a mental thing. Hopefully they took their white jerseys on the road to hang in their lockers. Braves played scared last night, they were playing “not to lose” instead of playing to win.
By Ralph
May 28, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
Bobby with all the year he has in baseball haven’t learn much about his team. Leaving his pitchers in to long. When the Braves take the field, playing outside of Atlanta, they look like a team with no confidents at all. They are the worse in protecting the plate, they lack the ability to put the ball in play and move running’s. they lack consistency, and disciple, and most of all they lack motivation. No matter how good they are or think they are, they are a spared team, so there is no indication which Braves team is going to show up, at game time.
By Kashi
May 28, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
Braves took easyness with last night pitcher. I agree he has the losing record but that doesn’t mean our hitter take it easy and expect to win game just cuz Tim was on mound. Don’t blame anyone except our hitters not scoring runs. You can not win game with just 2 runs. What we going to do now….either pitchers on DL or position players on DL/Injured. These things will be always there in a game and we can not avoid it. If got to have a PLAN to execute better. Get on base, steal, bunt, lopping fly balls, holding runners, going after lead base runners, making work hard oppt. pitchers. Even by taking some strick will fool pitchers when you come up to plate next time. Learning pitcher’s ball path will also give hitters a better sense of ball and strick when you face him at first. Don’t swing it hard + everything for home runs. Jeezzz where is Terry Pendalton?
By Josh
May 28, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
“Your starting left fielder for the Atlanta Braves: Ken Griffey Jr.!”
It’d be fun, at least.
By Ralph
May 28, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this
We don’t need another pre-Madonna, like Ken Griffin Jr., The Braves have enough aging players. What the Brave need to decide is if they want to win bad enough or just go through easy game, and play like a bunch of Zombies. The blame fall on the Manager, as well as the players. So, start playing like winners, and earn your money, play like the millionaires, that you are and give the Brave fan a winner.
By LivininAL
May 28, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
We thought Arizona’s Webb was going to be tough, so we focused and tried to get a run or two early by playing good fundamental baseball. We scored several. So we now we go on the road and forget all about How to win. Looked like a bunch of slow-pitched softball players at the local bar swinging for the fences. Snake-bitten and poor fundamentals go together.
By ben
May 28, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
Another road game and another loss. Same ole story.
By sad
May 28, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
Its to sad to comment on.
By sad
May 28, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
Its to sad to comment on.
By flee Hound
May 28, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
It don’t matter if you win at home and can’t win on the road.Good teams win on the road and at home.By now you should have the picture.
By Arkie Fan
May 28, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this
Brave needs - Two more quality starters. Hudson is a gamer and will win as long as he can spot his pitches. When he makes a mistake he is hit hard. Glavine - when the umpire will give him the corners, he is effective for 5, 6, or 7 innings. J.J. - is a work in progress. He has a lot to learn. Good pitchers adjust to the game (Umpires) and their stuff. He is good and will get better. Consider moving our catcher to first base. This could add years to his legs. His defense is very average. I like Mark, but, he should bring two good younger pitchers. We need younger pitching and speed. Please get Bobby’s glasses changed. Can he tell when to change pitchers?
By joe from central ca
May 28, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this
Bobby Cox blew this game plain and simple. There is no reason to have your starting pitcher who barely made it through the 7th come back out in the 8th. Not only that but your only up by one run and that same pitcher is due to lead off the 8th. You have GOT to play for another run in this situation. Use your bench thats what it there for and trust your bullpen for 2 freakin innings. Its BASIC baseball come on! This is YET another example of Bobby costing us a game just like the last game in Philly where he starts two bench guys when Chipper was down on a day with Chuck James on the hill. These games will add up and seriously cost the Braves at the end. Maybe the bullpen collapses maybe the bench guy pops out, whatever, its still the way to play it. Tim was done everyone could see it, even the announcers were baffled. I like Bobby and respect what he’s accomplished but I just think he’s slipping and needs to go to pasture.
By scott boras
May 28, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this
please no more 1 run losses
By Nelson
May 28, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this
ChampDawg who ever you are and whatever you do, start a carrer as baseball journallist , Man you are really good in this.
By soxman
May 28, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this
Same ol’ Bobby-ball. He is a genius when he has great players and he does not have to manage- blow out or shut out games- but give him a one-run game, he’ll lose most of ‘em. Never had any idea when to change pitchers, and his teams have never known how to bunt, run, or defense the run. It is all on Cox.
By OldTimer
May 28, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
How many Braves have been bitten by snakes? Do do do do do da do, do da do da do do do. Answer is… Zero! Stop your whining and go out and play. This is ridiculous. It’s not the NBA. In baseball, homecourt does not matter. The Atlanta fans are pathetic. Only outdone by the journalists.
By DWG
May 28, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this
Home plate ump tonight sucks. How does MLB allow umps like this to exist in the majors? He needs to do something else for a living. Hate to see this game of 18 MEN on the field decided by the ego of one little p!ss ant behind the catcher.
By Paul J
May 28, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this
Maybe I missed this on an earlier blog, but am I the only one who thinks the new road uniforms are not only ugly but bad luck? Go back to the old-school gray with a real Braves cap and banish the curse.
By Big Dawg
May 28, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this
Oh, Bobby don’t walk on water.
By Yehuda Hamer
May 29, 2008 7:57 AM | Link to this
Home or road doesn’t really make a difference. Everytime a player steps to the plate, he isn’t thinking which city he is in.
Unless the batter does not have selective hearing when the fans go wild for the other team.