As frustrating as it is to watch an inconsistent, often non-existent, offense, that is what Atlanta and baseball fans across the country need to get used to.  I am not suggesting that fans accept bad baseball, but we all need to examine the cause(s).  In my opinion they are two fold, excellent pitching and lack of steroids.  If you are looking for the home run races of the late 90s- early 2000s, you need to find something else to watch.

Did we not just go through Congressional hearings to eliminate the very thing that put that excitement into baseball?  Although Bud Selig and baseball will not take responsibility for the steroid era, we all know, or should know, that baseball turned a blind eye to bring fans back to the game.  It worked, but guess what, now that we are back to the days of 2-1 pitching duals, most fan bases are looking for heads to roll.  Fredi Gonzalez went so far as to use Jason Heyward in the lead off spot, making him the biggest lead off man of all time.  The skipper has even said to have considered Tony Larussa’s line up of batting the pitcher 8th just to shake things up. » Continue reading “Pitching, Pitching, Pitching…..Did I Mention Pitching?”

Jair Jurrgens is the first NL pitcher to 10 wins in 2011.

Those were Jair Jurrgens sentiments after notching his 10th win of the season in just 14 starts.  The luck Jurrgens received Saturday was two fold.  First of all, in multiple innings, he had two runners on base, no outs, but still escaped unscathed.  The only run surrendered came of a first pitch home run to Alberto Gonzalez in the third inning.  Jair’s second stroke of luck came from Atlanta’s offense.  In a day that saw the Brave’s fan base calling for Larry Parrish’s job (and Dan Uggla’s head) after an 11-2 loss, Atlanta responded with 10 runs off 12 hits.  This offensive charge was lead by none other than Dan Uggla. » Continue reading “Sometimes It’s Better to be Lucky Than Good”

“1,600 strikeouts.  I’m chasing Nolan…..I’m pretty proud of it.”

Tim Hudson after recording strikeout 1,600

“He needs to work on his trot….It’s a little slow for my taste.”

David Ross on Tim Hudson home run trot after accounted for the only offense in the game.

“What Jason needs to realize is that Jason at 80 percent is a force, and Jason at 80 percent is better than a lot of people in this league. And that there are a bunch of his teammates that are out there playing with discomfort and not healthy, and still going at it.”

Chipper Jones

“They is just pleasing some people.  They would bitch if they were hung with a new rope.”

George Tencleve

“Chipper is good ball player, but it takes two doubles to score him.”

Sparky Anderson

What started as a dismal home stand with two losses each to the Mets and Rangers, end on a high note by sweeping the Blue Jays.  Brandon Beachy came back from the DL with a vengeance, tallying 11 strikeouts in six innings of work.  He was greeted warmly with run support.  including home runs by Brian McCann, Brooks Conrad, and Dan Uggla (yes, I said Dan Uggla).  Julio Lugo made his debut by going 1-3.

Beachy’s comeback performance may be enough to make Mike Minor trade bait.  Although, it is hard to let an arm like Minor’s go, but he could be key to getting another bat.  Atlanta has come alive offensively in the last few games, but as streaky as they have been, insurance bats would not be a bad investment.  Especially, with arms like Teheran and Delgado on the farm.  Speaking of arms, Johnny Venters continues to impress, but in a different way today.  He masterfully worked his way out of a rare bases loaded jam inspiring even more confidence in the O’Ventrel (OFlaherty, Venters, Kimbrel) bullpen.

Braves 5, Blue Jays 1

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
TOR	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0		1	6	0
ATL	0	2	2	0	0	0	1	0	x		5	7	0

W: Beachy (2-1)

L: Reyes (3-6)

(43-33)

Talk about being a leader on the field.  Tim Hudson not only pitched in the manner Braves fans have become accustomed, he also took responsibility for the offense with a two run homer.  Hudson has struggled in recent outings, but came out in game 1 versus the Blue Jays on fire.  He hit a strikeout milestone of 1600.  As an All-Sec performer at pitcher and center field, Hudson had been known as a good hitting pitcher until this season.  In his mind the home run is probably well overdue, but according to David Ross, needs to work on that home run trot.

The Brave’s DL seems becoming shorter by the day.  Jason Heyward returned to the lineup last week against the Mets, when just the week before, baseball activity was nowhere in sight. (Thank you Chipper.)  Nate McLouth made his debut in left field for his first game back, and Chipper Jones is hopeful for game 2 of the Blue Jays series Tuesday.  Making predictions night to night regarding this Atlanta team has proven futile so far this season, but theoretically, getting back key players, manufacturing runs courtesy of Jordan Schafer’s speed, and Dan Uggla showing signs of life, the Braves may be on track.

Atlanta has started a trend of dropping the first two games of the series before salvaging game three.  The Braves hope to change this and spoil Yunel Escobar’s first trip to Turner Field since being traded for Alex Gonzalez.  Game 1 kicks off with Tim Hudson facing Ricky Romero Monday night.

Derek Lowe’s win-less continued with another rain delayed, extra innings loss to the Texas Rangers.  The game saw Dan Uggla have a multiple extra base hits for the first time this year, and Freddie Freeman with a four strike out game.  Defensively, the same team that turned three double plays, also had three errors for the second game in a row.  Long story short, Saturday was a summary of the roller coaster season for the Braves.

Lowe gave insight just how the injuries and misfortunes have taken a toll on the clubhouse.

“It seems like this locker room is just rotating,” Atlanta starter Derek Lowe said. “It seems like every couple of days you’re getting a new pitcher or new position player. I think it tests you.”

 

 

Matt Harrison takes the mound for his Rangers/former Braves in game 2 of interleague play.  Texas took game 1 Friday, 6-2.  Harrison was acquired from the Braves in 2007 in the often debated Mark Texeria deal, so let the rehashing begin.  The deal sent Texeria and minor leaguer Ron Mahay to the Braves for Harrison, Elvis Andrus, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Neftali Feliz, and Beau Jones.

Does it look like the Braves got the short end of the deal?  Yes, but you are assuming that the players are not benefiting from the Rangers organization and would have the same opportunity to make an impact with Atlanta.  You are also overlooking the fact that the ultra conservation Atlanta Braves actually went out on a limb, and took a shot at a playoff run.  In hindsight, the gamble did not pay off with a championship, but I for one see the risks taken far too rarely to be critical of the ones they do take.

You cannot criticize a club for not making moves or spending money, if you criticize every move they do make.  Atlanta gambled on Texeria as the final piece to the puzzle to bring them back to their winning ways.  The gamble did not pay off.  I would rather a team attempt to make something great happen, than be happy with mediocre.

Last night there was a last minute scratch for the Braves, tonight it is a last minute add.  Jason Heyward has found his way back to the lineup just in time for his bobblehead to be distributed to the first 20,000 fans.  Atlanta hopes Heyward boosts the team after a 4-3 loss in game 1 of the series.  Tim Hudson takes on the undefeated Dillion Gee in game 2.

Atlanta was run out of Houston last night after dropping game four 8-3 to the Astros.  Derek Lowe was the first out the door, bypassing the media and heading straight to the team bus.  Lowe was obviously upset giving up 5 earned runs and taking the loss.  As bad as the last game of this 10 game road trip was, the Braves have much to look forward to getting back Jason Heyward and Nate McLouth by weeks end.  » Continue reading “Time to go home!”