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Monday, July 7, 2008
Will Braves’ marathon game spark a turnaround?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Show of hands: Who waited through the rain delay and watched all of yesterday’s marathon game? (If you want to prove you saw the whole thing, take this quiz about the game.)
We listened to the first half on the car radio on the way home from some weekend festivities and then watched the second half. (I’m glad we got to see the end, but there’s just something very cool about listening to Skip and Pete on the radio.)
There are so many positive things to take away from that game (Manny Acosta’s pulled hamstring and Omar Infante’s re-injured one notwithstanding), primarily that they finally managed to produce with the bases loaded and that the bullpen was simply spectacular. Buddy Carlyle pitched three shutout innings after throwing two on Saturday, and Mike Gonzalez has been lights-out since giving up two runs in a June 22 appearance.
You have to think that this might be the turning point the Braves have needed, like the game in late June 2004 against the Orioles when they stormed back with seven runs in the eighth inning to win 8-7 and sparked a comeback from 4 1/2 games out to win the division for the 14th consecutive year. Granted, they have further to go this time, but the way the rest of the NL East is playing, anything is possible.
If you saw the end of the game and the way the players reacted, even veterans like Mark Teixeira and Chipper Jones, you know there’s some fire left in this team. Let’s just hope they have the energy to keep it going after flying to L.A. in the wee hours of the morning — and that Jorge Campillo can regain his control and give the bullpen some rest tonight.
Speaking of starters, here are the pitching matchups for the Dodgers series:
Monday: Hiroki Kuroda vs. Campillo. Kuroda was out three weeks with tendinitis in his right shoulder before returning to throw seven shutout innings against the Astros. Meanwhile, Campillo is hoping to bounce back after being roughed up by the Phillies last week.
Tuesday: Chad Billingsley vs. Jair Jurrjens. Billingsley is in the midst of a four-game winning streak, while Jurrjens (who was snubbed for the All-Star Game, by the way) had his scoreless innings streak snapped at 21 2/3 in a loss to the Phillies.
Wednesday: Derek Lowe vs. Tim Hudson. Lowe gave up four earned runs on eight hits in five innings in his last start but was let off the hook when the Dodgers rallied against the Giants. Hudson earned his ninth of the win of the season Friday, when he threw seven strong innings against the Astros.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t note how well Jeff Francoeur is doing in Mississippi (check out Thomas Stinson’s story on his relationship with Double-A manager Phillip Wellman). He enjoyed a four-hit day yesterday and looks to be getting his swing and confidence back.
So do you agree this might be a turning point for the Braves? And how do you handle West Coast trips? Do you turn off the game at your usual bedtime or go dragging into work the next day? Or are you like me and just fall asleep with the TV on in the bedroom?
Upcoming TV Schedule
Monday: vs. Dodgers, 10:10, SportSouth
Tuesday: vs. Dodgers, 10:10, SportSouth
Wednesday: vs. Dodgers, 10:10, FSN South
Thursday: Off-day
Friday: vs. Padres, 10:05, SportSouth
Saturday: vs. Padres, 10:05, SportSouth
Sunday: vs. Padres, 4:05, SportSouth
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