Monday was no holiday as the Braves lost another tough one in extra innings. Atlanta once again can blame lack of run support for the loss. In 7 of the last 10 games, the Braves have scored two or fewer runs. Hopefully, they will support the young Mike Minor in his spot start tonight at Turner Field in game 2 versus the Padres.
Jair Jurrgens is surpassing the expectations of many with his 7 wins and 1.51 ERA. After an injury shortened 2010, Jurrgens was one of the few early injuries in 2011. This was reason enough it seemed to assume he would be the weakest link in the rotation. (The weakest link in the Braves rotation is still no knock with the arms they have, but I digress!)   Jair is showing everyone what you get for assuming. Not only are his numbers phenomenal, but he is also going deep into games giving the bullpen much need relief. » Continue reading “Good Times for JJ!”http://youtu.be/XwKvwD97cf8
Braves baseball is definitely a roller coaster, and a video featuring “Beavis and Butthead” seems appropriate. Often the ride game to game, but Saturday night versus the Reds it was inning to inning! It was obvious from the top of the first, with two walks, a hit, stolen base, and a wild pitch, Derek Lowe did not have it. Unlike many Lowe starts before, he never settled in and gave up a five run lead in his 3 1/3 innings of work. All this to a Reds team that came to town struggling, but won 5-1 in Friday’s contest. » Continue reading “Rollercoaster…hoo, hoo, hoo”
Not in the runs column, but Atlanta most likely will have double digit runners left on base! Against the Reds that number was 11. The week before they hit that number by the 4th inning. The Braves lack of speed is partially to blame, but also they just aren’t hitting when it counts. I don’t know want it is going to take to get Dan Uggla’s batting average above .179, but I do know that there are senseless base running errors that are responsible for losses. Outside of the disabled list, the main problem of the Atlanta Braves is between their ears! » Continue reading “Take the Over….”
You may be in a decent position in regards to pitchers when two starters are injured on the big club and you can trade away a veteran that is 6-1 with a 2.59 ERA in AAA. That is exactly what the Braves did with Rodrigo Lopez. The 35 year old was an off season pick up as insurance.
Police video was on Derek Lowe’s side today as they lead to his April 28th DUI and reckless driving charges being dropped. Cory Yager petitioned Atlanta Municipal Court to drop the charges due to lack of evidence. Yager based his argument on Lowe’s field sobriety performance. Lowe’s attorney went on to state that the charge of racing was unfounded. Solicitor Raines Carter granted the dismissal on this basis. Lowe did not dispute the charge of improper lane change.
It’s an early start in Pittsburgh today! After Jair Jurrgens pitched six shutout innings, and Alex Gonzalez went 3-4 with a double, the Braves are probably more than ready to hit the field before normal time. Martin Prado will enjoy the day off that Dan Uggla got in game 1, although for different reasons. Uggla’s time was to clear his head since dropping to a .185 batting average. Martin Prado has played every day this season, and he plays hurt many of those days. (There are players that would have removed themselves from the after the shot he took from fouling a ball off his leg yesterday.)
Nate McLouth and Jason Heyward were placed on the DL this week. Heyward, who had missed games intermittently and received cortisone shots in attempts to avoid a 15 day absence. We are finding out now that this injury has nagged him since Spring Training and is at least partially to blame for decreased production.
Dan Uggla is not in the lineup against the Pirates after an off day yesterday. Did he really need a day to clear his head after being off yesterday, or is he too headed to the Braves infirmary? It sounds better for a hitter of his caliber with a .185 average than he is just starting slow.
Only time will tell, but we do know Jordan Schaefer and Mike Minor will see action this week with the revolving injury door spinning.
I thought I didn’t need to post anything ever again because a true sign the world was coming to an end was that Tim Hudson gave up SIX runs in one inning. Apparently the world didn’t end, and I guess I should say something. Something- it’s the only word I have! » Continue reading “So I can’t lie….”
TOOTBLAN! Not familiar with the acronym? It means Thrown Out On The Basepaths Like A Nincompoop. It’s a stat created specifically for, or because of, Ryan Theriot. (Yes, really.) And now we know it’s a habit he did not leave behind when he left Chicago’s North Side, nor when he was traded from the Dodgers to the Cards.
If you have no idea why I began this post with an excerpt from Aaron Miles’ Fastball, you were not watching the Braves this week! TOOTBLANs are to blame for the first of two losses to, wait for it, the DiamondBacks. Yes, Atlanta was swept by a team below .500, and sadly, that sounds about right. At least that is what we are used to here, the most trouble with the worst teams. (Please forgive me for stealing a stat reserved for Ryan Theriot, but these were well earned!)
Dan Uggla and Joe Mather earned the TOOTBLANs in the 2-1 extra innings loss Wednesday. Are you cringing as much reading this as I am writing? Base running errors at third in a one run game, punch me in the stomach! The only thing that would make that worse would be your stud young closer blowing his fourth game. (Who will be fine, but that’s another story) Wait a minute, that just happened! I was really hoping I was asleep and had a nightmare. West coast games are rough on those of in the east. » Continue reading “What’s a TOOTBLAN?”
