I will admit I chalked up yesterday’s game versus the Phillies as another loss. Seriously, five runs in the first given up by Paul Maholm, and Cole Hamels dealing? I had about all I could take. I had no explanation other than the Braves look out of gas. Let’s not forget that Fredi Gonzalez choose to bench Brian McCann and Dan Uggla due to their lack of production. A move that Uggla had no problem voicing his displeasure about. Being strongly against leaving early, I decided to seek shelter from the heat and humidity in the 755 Club with friends old and new.

As we attempted to solve the Braves problems to no avail, the crowd got smaller and smaller. All the sudden there seemed to be a bright spot, Peter Moylan had made his way back to Turner Field. 11 months removed from shoulder surgery, many fans did not realize the Aussie had been called up. Seeing Moylan on the mound seemed to be our reward for having waited it out, but not so fast my friend!

Let’s fast forward to the bottom of the ninth, two outs, bases loaded, and Martin Prado up to bat. (Well, maybe I should mention Dan Uggla was to pinch hit, but was pulled when Jonathan Pappelbon entered the game in favor of Lyle Overbay. Overbay was called out on strikes, but I digress.) As he has done all year Prado delivered with a bases loaded double that set the table for none other the @RealCJ10 Chipper Jones to get the GW #mammo. For those of you who do not follow him on Twitter, Chipper hit a game winning three run homer.

There are very few times I am able to show emotion at the ballpark, but last night standing in left field in a spot honoring the achievement of the great Hank Aaron, I jumped up and down like a little kid. It was something I a cannot adequately describe, but it was one of those times that I just felt something special was about to happen, and it did. As @RealCJ10 put it, Shame on fans that left game-kudos to those that stayed! Never kno when somethin cool gonna happen, like GW #mammo!Yessir!

Thursday night I was fortunate enough to be the guest of Dan Schlossberg and Chris Mascaro on Braves Banter.  This episode is a bit longer than as I served as the opening act for Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez.  Listen to our thoughts on the upcoming Atlanta Braves season. You can catch Braves Banter every Thursday at 7:00 PM ET.

Wrapping up players with one year deals to avoid arbitration may not be exciting news in some cities, but in Atlanta, well, we are starving for the slightest twitch of movement.  It is a combination of frustration, anger, and anxiety.  This time last year, it was also quite, but that was after trading for and signing Dan Uggla to an extension, as well as, shoring up a bench which was the ultimate cause of an early exit in 2010.  These moves, coupled with what many considered overachievement in 2010 had Braves fans salivating for 2011.

Fast forward to August.  Atlanta’s lead in the Wild Card had some ringing bells and paying more attention to races in other divisions.   » Continue reading “The Natives Are Restless…I Hope It Counts”

Peter Moylan, Kris Medlin, and Tommy Hanson doing their version of Kimbreling.

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the things we are grateful for, and perhaps in Atlanta’s case, remind them that even with a colossal collapse,  it could be worse. So let’s get to appreciating what we have (in no particular order).

1.  Jair Jurrjens and Martin Prado are still Braves.  Although it was rumored that the duo was being shopped by the organization, no moves have been made, and it appears the rumors stemmed from other teams calling the Braves with interest.

2.  The Braves have enough pitching to consider dealing Jair. » Continue reading “Giving Thanks in Braves Country”

Yes, it is the play on words is a bit overdone since Michael Bourn has arrived in Atlanta, but considering he showed off his talent in a way way on Bruce Springsteen’s birthday, I will buy in.  Atlanta scored seven runs with out a single home run, which means the Braves were actually manufacturing runs.  Bourn, with the help of Chipper Jones, helped turn a run down into a spectacular scoring play.

The play by reads as this:  Chipper Jones reaches on a fielder’s choice out, pitcher Henry Rodriguez to shortstop Ian Desmond to third baseman Ryan Zimmerman to first baseman Chris Marrero to second baseman Danny Espinosa.  Michael Bourn scores on the throw. Chipper Jones out at 2nd.   » Continue reading “Bourn to Run!”

Last week I was privileged to be a guest on Braves Banter for the second time.  This week’s hosts were Chris Mascaro and Angelo Crane.  Listen to here our take on the Braves’ post season outlook.

Everybody needs a little religion in their lives no matter what form you choose, and after Fredi Gonzalez held a closed door “Come to Jesus” meeting, the Braves found theirs Tuesday night.  While Fredi declined to comment, many others did.  Team leaders including Chipper Jones stepped up and gave pep talks, and whatever was said worked.  Brian McCann came back from one of the worst performances in his career and longest slumps with a two hit night including a go ahead three run homer.  Dan Uggla also got in on the action with his career best 34th home tun of the season.  Martin Prado also made strides in climbing out of his slump, and Alex Gonzalez has found a bat with three hits on the night.

Benefiting from the flurry of run support were pitchers Mike Minor, Peter Moylan, and the entire Braves bullpen.  Minor got a no decision for his five innings of one run baseball, but most importantly, he did not get a loss.  Peter Moylan threw pitches that looked unhittable by even the best of hitters, and Arodys Viciano’s change ups looked like those of a seasoned veteran- not a 20 year old AAA call up.  Those performances paired with seen runs allowed Fredi to pitch Jonny Venters for one out, and use Scott Linebrink to close, while resting Craig Kimbrel.

If last night is any indication, they Braves may just be figuring out how to win ballgames without the luxury of shut down starting pitching going eight innings!  Stay tuned for more Braves baseball, starting with a 12:05 finale with the Marlins.  Youngster Randell Delgado looks for his first win against Ricky Nolasco.  We will see how Atlanta responds to such an early start after a night gaem, but as Alex Gonzalez says, “It is what is, we just go play baseball.”

Atlanta has no time to hand their heads after being swept for the first time this season with a double header in New York immediately followed by a trip to St Louis.  Maybe it is a good thing because the Phillies series was filled with a lot of coulda, shoulda, woulda.  The twin bill is courtesy of hurricane Irene, but after three games in rain soaked Philadelphia, the Braves probably feel as if they took a direct hit from hurricane Phil.

Wednesday’s finale saw the Braves bullpen give up two runs, while the Phillies held steady.  This was supposed to be how the Phillies are beaten- get to their bullpen.  That was not the case.

Atlanta did not play badly, but they, as in most of their losses, had missed opportunities with 8 runners left on base.  Martin Prado of all people popped up a bunt!  Alex Gonzalez on the other hand laid down two bunts to advance runners.  At this point, it is not realistic to catch the Phillies, but that does not make a sweep easier to take.  Although Peter Moylan took the loss, it is promising to him on the mound throwing as well as he did after back surgery.

Atlanta is also hopeful that Tommy Hanson will be back for the playoffs after his pain free throwing session.  Hanson is key for the Braves to have any chance in the post season.  If both he and Jair Jurrjens are not available, a three man rotation would be Tim Hudson, Derek Lowe, and Brandon Beachy.

In a roller coaster teams go through times like Atlanta is experiencing, but time is ticking for them to hit the upswing!

The Diamondbacks rolled into town on a hot streak, but were quickly cooled by Braves pitching.  Tim Hudson got more than a little help from his friends on defense in Sunday’s finale.  After giving up a one out triple to former Brave Kelly Johnson, a heads up pop foul/throw to home double play by Freddie Freeman kept the D-backs from scoring.

It goes without saying these days, if a starter has a lead going to the eighth inning, it is a safe bet pen can make sure they get the W.  Sunday was no different with Jonny Venters and his 1.11 ERA gave up a hit and no runs.  While closer Craig Kimbrel brought himself a save closer to the rookie record striking out three in the ninth.

The offense was much quieter, and eventhough Michael Bourn and Dan Uggla continue to hit, the lone Atlanta run came off the unlikely bat of Alex Gonzalez.  Gonzo has been the source of frustration for fans because of his lack of offense, but his homer in the third was enough for the win.  The sweep moves the Wild Card lead to eight games, and shaved the Phillies lead to six and 1/2.

Atlanta heads to Chicago to try to avenge two losses from just over a week ago.  Hopefully, Jair Jurrjens is sharper in his second start back from the DL, and the Braves look more like game one of the last Cubs vs Braves series- not the last two.  In other pitching news, Tommy Hanson is slated to throw a side session on the trip, and Peter Moylan is throwing in a rehab appearance at AAA Gwinnett.

The Atlanta Braves are in embarking on a new social media frontier this afternoon with #BravesBash. Fans have the opportunity to interact with their favorite players via Twitter, Skype, Facebook, and Braves.com. Although it’s too late to RSVP to get a call from the Braves, you can still watch the action on Braves.com approximately 40 minutes after today’s game. I’ll be giving live updates about the Peter Moylan talk show and all the breaking news coming from the Clubhouse at #BravesBash!

Be sure you follow @LK_Comm @Mattandchuck @680_the_fan @SportsSandra @aerysSports @Braves to get our perspective on #BravesBash!