April 25, 2011
Tim Hudson vs. Simon Castro (MLB debut)
Not as magical as yesterday, but Atlanta pulls off back-to-back shutouts as they roll 2-0. Again, the offense struggled, even lining into a triple play. So, yeah, after being no hit, they follow that up with a triple play being turned against them. Yet, they win both games. Fluky game, this baseball is.
Braves scored their first run in the third. Alex Gonzalez singled and after he was bunted to second, Martin Prado hit a two-out double. In the seventh, Chipper Jones drew a bases loaded walk to plate Freddie Freeman. Offense!
Meanwhile, Hudson was superb. He yielded four hits, walked a pair, and struck out seven over his seven frames. He added two sacrifice bunts and even beat out a bunt. After 97 pitches, the Braves went to the pen. Jonny Venters tossed a perfect 8th and while Craig Kimbrel gave up a two-out triple, he worked a scoreless ninth for his sixth save.
2-0 WIN (14-10)
W - T. Hudson (3-1)
L - S. Castro (0-1)
SV - C. Kimbrel (6)
April 26, 2011
Derek Lowe vs. Mat Latos
Frustrating loss as Derek Lowe lacked any ability to get through an inning without putting on at least 743 runners. Surprisingly, that's not a winning formula. After Atlanta gave him an early run with a Jason Heyward triple and a two-out Chipper Jones single, Lowe gave up a single and a double. I guess on the bright side, putting two runners in scoring position with no outs and only allowing one run is awesome?
In the fifth, after a single by Nate McLouth gave him a lead, Lowe would have none of that. A single, a sacrifice bunt that ended up being a single, another single...two-run double, RBI single, and it was 4-2. Brad Hawpe added a two-run homer off Cristhian Martinez, who sucks by the way.
Atlanta stranded 11 runners.
6-2 LOSS (14-11)
W - M. Latos (1-1)
L - D. Lowe (1-3)
SV - H. Bell (7)
April 27, 2011
Tommy Hanson vs. Clayton Richard
Losing a series against the lowly Padres really put us in our place. After wasting a chance in the first when we had two runners on and one out, the game was scoreless until the fourth when, with no outs, Will Venable hit a two-run shot off Tommy Hanson. He missed the zone on his next four and after a sacbunt and needless stolen base, Aaron Cunningham picked up a RBI double. A two-out RBI made it 4-0 and ended Hanson's day.
Julio Teheran, who was getting skipped because of an off day tomorrow, got out of the inning. The Braves finally scored in the sixth, but it was bittersweet. With the bases loaded, Chipper Jones, whose double play killed the Braves in the first, grounded into another twin killing. With the bases loaded and no outs, the Braves got one run from the inning. The Padres would get that run back in the 8th off Scott Linebrink.
Teheran was pretty awesome, striking out five in 2.1 innings. He gave up a hit, walked a batter, and struck out five. But the offense was way too loaded at the top. Today's top three hitters - Martin Prado, Alex Gonzalez, and Nate McLouth, combined to go 7 for 12 with all three picking up multi-hit games. The rest of the lineup was 0 for 20 with a walk, five K's, and three double plays.
5-1 LOSS (14-12)
W - N. Figueroa (2-1)
L - T. Hanson (0-1)
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Series 7: at San Francisco
April 22
Before the game, Christhian Martinez was activated and Anthony Varvaro, who did not appear in any games, was demoted. Tomorrow, the Braves will make another move to call up a starter.
Tommy Hanson vs. Jonathan Sanchez
Frustrating game, but at least it's a win. Atlanta strands 16 runners in 12 innings, but escapes with the 2-1 win after rookie Freddie Freeman singled in Chipper Jones and George Sherrill worked a quiet 12th for the save. Jones had opened up the inning with a grounder that Mark DeRosa threw away.
Tommy Hanson worked into the 7th, leaving with two runners on and a lefty at the plate. Eric O'Flaherty gave up a single to Nate Shierholtz to score one of the runners and only Nate McLouth's brilliant throw home to gun down a second runner kept the game tied.
Atlanta had so many scoring chances, it was pretty sad that they scored all of two runs.
2nd, runners on the corners and two outs, stranded.
4th, runners on second-and-third and one out, stranded.
5th, bases loaded and two outs, one run scores on a BB and three stranded.
7th, runners on second-and-third and two outs, stranded.
9th, runners on first-and-second and two outs, stranded.
10th, bases loaded and one out, stranded.
But a win's a win? For the first time since taking their first series with the Nats 2 games to 1, the Braves are above .500.
2-1 WIN - 12 INNINGS (11-10)
W - C. Kimbrel (2-0)
L - J. Affeldt (1-1)
SV - G. Sherrill (1)
April 23, 2011
Due to a mishap, Mike Minor started a game in Gwinnett three days ago. Julio Teheran was called up to get the start today. How long he holds Jair Jurrjens spot will likely be answered by how well he performs. If he struggles, he likely will head back down and Minor will get the call.
Julio Teheran vs. Barry Zito
Welcome to Atlanta, Teheran. Keep pitching like that and you may stick around for awhile. Teheran worked five scoreless, walking three and striking out five. He gave up a pair of singles and was lifted after 82 pitches. Atlanta wasted a bases loaded, nobody out opportunity in the fourth, put made good on it in the fifth. With two outs and the bases juiced, Freddie Freeman pulled a double that cleared the bases and made it 3-0.
Alex Gonzalez, in the sixth, and David Ross, in the seventh, added solo bombs to up the lead to 5-0. It stayed that way until the Giants' third hit, a two-run shot by Buster Posey in the eighth off Cristhian Martinez, who was making his first appearance since he was activated off the DL. Martinez got the next hitter and Eric O'Flaherty finished off the eighth before giving way to Craig Kimbrel in the ninth. He hit a batter, but worked a quiet ninth for his fifth save.
Ross had a perfect day with the bat, finishing with three hits and a triple short of the cycle. He also walked twice. Brooks Conrad had his first hit of the year. At two games over .500, the Braves have set a new high for the season.
5-2 WIN (12-10)
W - J. Teheran (1-0)
L - B. Zito (2-1)
SV - C. Kimbrel (5)
April 24, 2011
Brandon Beachy vs. Tim Lincecum
*sorry Brandon...starting a j.v. lineup. Prado, Heyward, Gonzalez, Freeman, Conrad, Hinske, Ramirez, Boscan, Beachy.
You don't win many games in which you fail to get a hit.
However, Atlanta used a balk by Tim Lincecum to score the only run of a 1-0 game that sent the Braves to a season-best three games over .500.
The Braves seemed more focused on forcing Lincecum to throw a lot of pitches and they succeeded. Unfortunately, they couldn't bust threw against the right-hander. After 7.1 ING, Lincecum was lifted with no hits against him, two walks, and ten K's. An error forced the Giants bullpen to face one over the minimum, but no hits came out of it.
Brandon Beachy was close to Lincecum's equal, going six innings, yielding a single, a walk, and striking out six. Scott Linebrink and Peter Moylan tossed perfect innings and it looked like there would only be one hit throughout the entire game, but Jonny Venters gave up a single and walked the bases loaded before striking out the final two hitters.
The only score of the game came in the fourth. Jason Heyward led it off with a walk. With Alex Gonzalez at the plate and a fullcount, the Braves rolled the dice and sent Heyward. That proved to be very important as Gonzalez grounded right back to Lincecum and the Braves avoided a double play. Heyward would reach third on a Freddie Freeman grounder. With Brooks Conrad at the plate, the umpire came out of his crouch and called balk. Heyward scored. And thus, that's how you win a game without getting a hit.
1-0 WIN (13-10)
W - B. Beachy (1-3)
L - T. Lincecum (2-2)
SV - J. Venters (2)
Before the game, Christhian Martinez was activated and Anthony Varvaro, who did not appear in any games, was demoted. Tomorrow, the Braves will make another move to call up a starter.
Tommy Hanson vs. Jonathan Sanchez
Frustrating game, but at least it's a win. Atlanta strands 16 runners in 12 innings, but escapes with the 2-1 win after rookie Freddie Freeman singled in Chipper Jones and George Sherrill worked a quiet 12th for the save. Jones had opened up the inning with a grounder that Mark DeRosa threw away.
Tommy Hanson worked into the 7th, leaving with two runners on and a lefty at the plate. Eric O'Flaherty gave up a single to Nate Shierholtz to score one of the runners and only Nate McLouth's brilliant throw home to gun down a second runner kept the game tied.
Atlanta had so many scoring chances, it was pretty sad that they scored all of two runs.
2nd, runners on the corners and two outs, stranded.
4th, runners on second-and-third and one out, stranded.
5th, bases loaded and two outs, one run scores on a BB and three stranded.
7th, runners on second-and-third and two outs, stranded.
9th, runners on first-and-second and two outs, stranded.
10th, bases loaded and one out, stranded.
But a win's a win? For the first time since taking their first series with the Nats 2 games to 1, the Braves are above .500.
2-1 WIN - 12 INNINGS (11-10)
W - C. Kimbrel (2-0)
L - J. Affeldt (1-1)
SV - G. Sherrill (1)
April 23, 2011
Due to a mishap, Mike Minor started a game in Gwinnett three days ago. Julio Teheran was called up to get the start today. How long he holds Jair Jurrjens spot will likely be answered by how well he performs. If he struggles, he likely will head back down and Minor will get the call.
Julio Teheran vs. Barry Zito
Welcome to Atlanta, Teheran. Keep pitching like that and you may stick around for awhile. Teheran worked five scoreless, walking three and striking out five. He gave up a pair of singles and was lifted after 82 pitches. Atlanta wasted a bases loaded, nobody out opportunity in the fourth, put made good on it in the fifth. With two outs and the bases juiced, Freddie Freeman pulled a double that cleared the bases and made it 3-0.
Alex Gonzalez, in the sixth, and David Ross, in the seventh, added solo bombs to up the lead to 5-0. It stayed that way until the Giants' third hit, a two-run shot by Buster Posey in the eighth off Cristhian Martinez, who was making his first appearance since he was activated off the DL. Martinez got the next hitter and Eric O'Flaherty finished off the eighth before giving way to Craig Kimbrel in the ninth. He hit a batter, but worked a quiet ninth for his fifth save.
Ross had a perfect day with the bat, finishing with three hits and a triple short of the cycle. He also walked twice. Brooks Conrad had his first hit of the year. At two games over .500, the Braves have set a new high for the season.
5-2 WIN (12-10)
W - J. Teheran (1-0)
L - B. Zito (2-1)
SV - C. Kimbrel (5)
April 24, 2011
Brandon Beachy vs. Tim Lincecum
*sorry Brandon...starting a j.v. lineup. Prado, Heyward, Gonzalez, Freeman, Conrad, Hinske, Ramirez, Boscan, Beachy.
You don't win many games in which you fail to get a hit.
However, Atlanta used a balk by Tim Lincecum to score the only run of a 1-0 game that sent the Braves to a season-best three games over .500.
The Braves seemed more focused on forcing Lincecum to throw a lot of pitches and they succeeded. Unfortunately, they couldn't bust threw against the right-hander. After 7.1 ING, Lincecum was lifted with no hits against him, two walks, and ten K's. An error forced the Giants bullpen to face one over the minimum, but no hits came out of it.
Brandon Beachy was close to Lincecum's equal, going six innings, yielding a single, a walk, and striking out six. Scott Linebrink and Peter Moylan tossed perfect innings and it looked like there would only be one hit throughout the entire game, but Jonny Venters gave up a single and walked the bases loaded before striking out the final two hitters.
The only score of the game came in the fourth. Jason Heyward led it off with a walk. With Alex Gonzalez at the plate and a fullcount, the Braves rolled the dice and sent Heyward. That proved to be very important as Gonzalez grounded right back to Lincecum and the Braves avoided a double play. Heyward would reach third on a Freddie Freeman grounder. With Brooks Conrad at the plate, the umpire came out of his crouch and called balk. Heyward scored. And thus, that's how you win a game without getting a hit.
1-0 WIN (13-10)
W - B. Beachy (1-3)
L - T. Lincecum (2-2)
SV - J. Venters (2)
Friday, August 26, 2011
Series 6: at Los Angeles Dodgers
April 18, 2011
Jair Jurrjens vs. Chad Billingsley
Despite losing Jair Jurrjens in the third, the Braves cruise to a 11-3 throttling of the Dodgers. Jairo Asencio gave up a homer that initially gave the Dodgers 3-2 lead in the fourth, but the Braves would erase that in the sixth and with a pair of three-run shots in the seventh and eighth, this game became a laugher.
Juan Uribe hit a two-run bomb off Jurrjens in the second to start the scoring. Nate McLouth matched that with a two-run shot in the third. After Asencio gave up Rod Barajas's fourth homer of the year in the fourth, David Ross doubled in Chipper Jones to tie it up in the sixth. After a walk, a flyout got Ross to third and he scored on a balk. The Braves used their muscle the rest of the way. Martin Prado reached to open the seventh. On a busted hit-and-run, Prado stole second. Possibly to put a double play in order, Blake Hawkesworth walked Jason Heyward intentionally to bring up McLouth. Bad idea. Three-run bomb, 7-3. In the 8th, Dan Uggla walked and Diory Hernandez sneaked a single through. Wilkin Ramirez, who entered during the previous inning during a double switch, launched a 1-0 pitch for his first hit in his first at-bat as a Brave. That homer made it 10-3. Jones added an RBI double to make it 11-3.
Asencio went 2-1 ING to pick up his first win. Scott Linebrink tossed a scoreless inning and Peter Moylan struck out two, but his two walks brought in former Dodger George Sherrill (and Ramirez), who got Moylan out of the 7th and worked a quiet 8th. Jonny Venters finished up. In addition to McLouth's five ribbies, Jones had a four hit game, Heyward scored three times, and Hernandez had his first two-hit game. Ramirez added a single in his second at-bat.
11-3 WIN (8-9)
W - J. Asencio (1-0)
L - C. Billingsley (2-2)
April 19
The story on Jurrjens is a strained shoulder. He will hit the DL and probably return in mid-May. Anthony Varvaro was promoted for the time being. When Jurrjens' spot comes up, Mike Minor will be called up.
April 19
Brandon Beachy vs. Hiroki Kuroda
Atlanta had absolutely no answer for Kuroda and Brandon Beachy, despite going seven innings, put the Braves in too big of a hole as they fall 4-0. Really, the solo shots to Rod Barajas in the second and Andre Ethier in the fourth are forgivable, but walking Kuroda to open the fifth, an inning that led to the other two runs? And on four pitches?
Atlanta managed all of two singles off Kuroda. They did get four walks and a hit-by-pitch, but simply could not come up with a big hit. They loaded the bases in the second on a single, a walk, and a HBP, but Beachy fouled off a squeeze bunt before grounding into a twin killing. Only Freddie Freeman reached base twice. He singled and walked.
Beachy's seven innings at least helped the bullpen. Scott Linebrink tossed a scoreless 8th in relief.
4-0 LOSS (8-10)
W - H. Kuroda (1-2)
L - B. Beachy (0-3)
SV - J. Broxton (5)
April 20, 2011
Alex Gonzalez was activated off the DL and Diory Hernandez, his replacement, will stick with the team since he was 6-of-19. Brandon Hicks, 3-of-30, will head to Gwinnett.
Tim Hudson vs. Jon Garland
Despite leaving eleven runners on base, the offense did just enough to get by the Dodgers today, 5-2. Tim Hudson gave up an early run as Xavier Paul doubled, reached third on a groundout, and scored on a sacrifice fly. In the third, the Braves responded. Dan Uggla doubled and after a wild pitch, scored on Alex Gonzalez's single. It was Gonzalez's first at-bat after being activated earlier that day. Hudson bunted and Garland went for the play at second, throwing wildly. Martin Prado beat out a grounder to load them and Jason Heyward walked in Gonzalez. After an out, David Ross singled in Hudson to make it 3-1. The Braves would load the bases again in the fourth, but failed to score after Nate McLouth K'd looking.
Paul homered off Hudson in the fifth to make it a one-run game, but Hudson kept the Dodgers at bay. In the seventh, he gave up a leadoff single and a wild pitch, but got a pop-up for the first out and with back-to-back lefties due up, Eric O'Flaherty finished off the inning with the tying run stranded at third.
Prado doubled to open the ninth. After an intentional pass to Heyward and an unintentional pass to McLouth, Chipper Jones grounded into a fielder's choice, eliminating Prado. But Ross singled and an error on the play helped a second runner to score. Craig Kimbrel gave up a single, but K'd the side in the ninth for his fourth save. Ross and Prado had three hits with Ross picking up three RBI's. Uggla had a two-hit game to get back over .200.
5-2 WIN (9-10)
W - T. Hudson (2-1)
L - J. Garland (0-1)
SV - C. Kimbrel (4)
April 21, 2011
Derek Lowe vs. Ted Lilly
He needed just 97 pitches to hurl nine solid innings and Derek Lowe breaks into the win column with a complete game eight-hitter. Lowe gave up two unearned runs via a Diory Hernandez error in the second, but the Braves gave him plenty of support. He walked one and struck out three and got 16 ground ball outs.
Braves took the early lead after Alex Gonzalez, getting a shot to hit second with the lefty starting in Ted Lilly, singled with one out and Nate McLouth continued his torrid start with a two-run homer, his seventh. He hit six last year. After Hernandez threw one away, leading to the Dodgers' two runs in the second, Gonzalez hit his first homer to give the Braves the lead they would not give up. Hernandez made up for his mistake with a two-out double in the fourth to plate Dan Uggla. Lowe followed with an RBI single. Jason Heyward belted a two-run bomb in the fifth for his first homer and the ultimate edge in the 7-2 win.
Gonzalez finished a triple short of the cycle, but did pick up four hits. Hernandez had three and McLouth added a double to his solid day. For the first time since April 4th, when they were 2-2, the Braves are again at .500. They look to continue the good times on this 10 day, 10 game road trip through California with three in San Francisco.
7-2 WIN (10-10)
W - D. Lowe (1-2)
L - T. Lilly (1-1)
Jair Jurrjens vs. Chad Billingsley
Despite losing Jair Jurrjens in the third, the Braves cruise to a 11-3 throttling of the Dodgers. Jairo Asencio gave up a homer that initially gave the Dodgers 3-2 lead in the fourth, but the Braves would erase that in the sixth and with a pair of three-run shots in the seventh and eighth, this game became a laugher.
Juan Uribe hit a two-run bomb off Jurrjens in the second to start the scoring. Nate McLouth matched that with a two-run shot in the third. After Asencio gave up Rod Barajas's fourth homer of the year in the fourth, David Ross doubled in Chipper Jones to tie it up in the sixth. After a walk, a flyout got Ross to third and he scored on a balk. The Braves used their muscle the rest of the way. Martin Prado reached to open the seventh. On a busted hit-and-run, Prado stole second. Possibly to put a double play in order, Blake Hawkesworth walked Jason Heyward intentionally to bring up McLouth. Bad idea. Three-run bomb, 7-3. In the 8th, Dan Uggla walked and Diory Hernandez sneaked a single through. Wilkin Ramirez, who entered during the previous inning during a double switch, launched a 1-0 pitch for his first hit in his first at-bat as a Brave. That homer made it 10-3. Jones added an RBI double to make it 11-3.
Asencio went 2-1 ING to pick up his first win. Scott Linebrink tossed a scoreless inning and Peter Moylan struck out two, but his two walks brought in former Dodger George Sherrill (and Ramirez), who got Moylan out of the 7th and worked a quiet 8th. Jonny Venters finished up. In addition to McLouth's five ribbies, Jones had a four hit game, Heyward scored three times, and Hernandez had his first two-hit game. Ramirez added a single in his second at-bat.
11-3 WIN (8-9)
W - J. Asencio (1-0)
L - C. Billingsley (2-2)
April 19
The story on Jurrjens is a strained shoulder. He will hit the DL and probably return in mid-May. Anthony Varvaro was promoted for the time being. When Jurrjens' spot comes up, Mike Minor will be called up.
April 19
Brandon Beachy vs. Hiroki Kuroda
Atlanta had absolutely no answer for Kuroda and Brandon Beachy, despite going seven innings, put the Braves in too big of a hole as they fall 4-0. Really, the solo shots to Rod Barajas in the second and Andre Ethier in the fourth are forgivable, but walking Kuroda to open the fifth, an inning that led to the other two runs? And on four pitches?
Atlanta managed all of two singles off Kuroda. They did get four walks and a hit-by-pitch, but simply could not come up with a big hit. They loaded the bases in the second on a single, a walk, and a HBP, but Beachy fouled off a squeeze bunt before grounding into a twin killing. Only Freddie Freeman reached base twice. He singled and walked.
Beachy's seven innings at least helped the bullpen. Scott Linebrink tossed a scoreless 8th in relief.
4-0 LOSS (8-10)
W - H. Kuroda (1-2)
L - B. Beachy (0-3)
SV - J. Broxton (5)
April 20, 2011
Alex Gonzalez was activated off the DL and Diory Hernandez, his replacement, will stick with the team since he was 6-of-19. Brandon Hicks, 3-of-30, will head to Gwinnett.
Tim Hudson vs. Jon Garland
Despite leaving eleven runners on base, the offense did just enough to get by the Dodgers today, 5-2. Tim Hudson gave up an early run as Xavier Paul doubled, reached third on a groundout, and scored on a sacrifice fly. In the third, the Braves responded. Dan Uggla doubled and after a wild pitch, scored on Alex Gonzalez's single. It was Gonzalez's first at-bat after being activated earlier that day. Hudson bunted and Garland went for the play at second, throwing wildly. Martin Prado beat out a grounder to load them and Jason Heyward walked in Gonzalez. After an out, David Ross singled in Hudson to make it 3-1. The Braves would load the bases again in the fourth, but failed to score after Nate McLouth K'd looking.
Paul homered off Hudson in the fifth to make it a one-run game, but Hudson kept the Dodgers at bay. In the seventh, he gave up a leadoff single and a wild pitch, but got a pop-up for the first out and with back-to-back lefties due up, Eric O'Flaherty finished off the inning with the tying run stranded at third.
Prado doubled to open the ninth. After an intentional pass to Heyward and an unintentional pass to McLouth, Chipper Jones grounded into a fielder's choice, eliminating Prado. But Ross singled and an error on the play helped a second runner to score. Craig Kimbrel gave up a single, but K'd the side in the ninth for his fourth save. Ross and Prado had three hits with Ross picking up three RBI's. Uggla had a two-hit game to get back over .200.
5-2 WIN (9-10)
W - T. Hudson (2-1)
L - J. Garland (0-1)
SV - C. Kimbrel (4)
April 21, 2011
Derek Lowe vs. Ted Lilly
He needed just 97 pitches to hurl nine solid innings and Derek Lowe breaks into the win column with a complete game eight-hitter. Lowe gave up two unearned runs via a Diory Hernandez error in the second, but the Braves gave him plenty of support. He walked one and struck out three and got 16 ground ball outs.
Braves took the early lead after Alex Gonzalez, getting a shot to hit second with the lefty starting in Ted Lilly, singled with one out and Nate McLouth continued his torrid start with a two-run homer, his seventh. He hit six last year. After Hernandez threw one away, leading to the Dodgers' two runs in the second, Gonzalez hit his first homer to give the Braves the lead they would not give up. Hernandez made up for his mistake with a two-out double in the fourth to plate Dan Uggla. Lowe followed with an RBI single. Jason Heyward belted a two-run bomb in the fifth for his first homer and the ultimate edge in the 7-2 win.
Gonzalez finished a triple short of the cycle, but did pick up four hits. Hernandez had three and McLouth added a double to his solid day. For the first time since April 4th, when they were 2-2, the Braves are again at .500. They look to continue the good times on this 10 day, 10 game road trip through California with three in San Francisco.
7-2 WIN (10-10)
W - D. Lowe (1-2)
L - T. Lilly (1-1)
Series 5: vs. New York Mets
April 15, 2011
Chris Capuano vs. Tim Hudson
Atlanta led 2-0 after one. By the time they scored their third run, it made it 6-3 in the 7th. That about sums it up. Huddy struggled big time and though George Sherrill stranded two of the runners he inherited in the fifth, Hudson gave up six runs in just four innings. Jairo Ascencio gave up an additional run in the ninth.
Meanwhile, Atlanta never seemed able to break through against Capuano after the first. He struck out eight in six innings.
Nate McLouth hit his fourth homer after Martin Prado singled to open the bottom of the first. David Ross added a solo shot, his third, in the seventh and in the ninth, Freddie Freeman doubled in Dan Uggla to bring up the potential tying run, but the Braves couldn't get any closer in the 7-4 loss.
7-4 LOSS (6-8)
W - C. Capuano (2-0)
L - T. Hudson (1-1)
SV - T. Buchholz (1)
April 16
Brian McCann has a strained rib cage muscle. He was placed on the 15 day DL and isn't expected back until early May. Wilkin Ramirez, who has hit .297 through the first nine games for Gwinnett with three homers, was promoted.
Dillion Gee vs. Derek Lowe
Typical, typical, typical. Starting pitching gives the Braves a chance, but offense continues to not show up. And when it does, it's the moral victory of getting a runner in scoring position, which Atlanta did just once against Gee in his eight innings.
Lowe was not half as sharp as Gee, but contained the Mets over the first six innings. However, Lucas Duda hit a sinker that didn't sink much for a homer in the seventh. Josh Thole followed with a double and after Lowe got a sacrifice bunt attempt from Gee that he forced into an out at third, Lowe was lifted for Eric O'Flaherty. He walked the first batter he saw and than retired the five, three by strikeout. Johnny Venters gave up a double to Thole, but worked a scoreless ninth with two K's.
The offense was held without a runner until the fifth when Jason Heyward walked. He was wiped out on a double play. With an out in the sixth, Diory Hernandez singled. He was only playing because Brandon Hicks sucks. Lowe sacrificed him to second, but he was stranded there. Until the ninth, that was the Braves' only opportunity to score. With K-Rod in and two outs, Nate McLouth worked a walk. Chipper Jones followed with a single and Dan Uggla walked with a full count after fouling off three pitches after there were two strikes. But Heyward struck out to end the game.
1-0 LOSS (6-9)
W - D. Gee (2-1)
L - D. Lowe (0-2)
SV - F. Rodriguez (5)
April 17
With Chipper Jones getting a usual Sunday off, it's play with the lineup day. Prado, 3B; Heyward, RF; McLouth, CF; Ross, C; Freeman, 1B; Uggla, 2B; Hinske, LF; Hernandez, SS
R.A. Dickey vs. Tommy Hanson
This could be a big game. Or just another game. But after going 17.2 ING scoreless, the Braves will take it. Once again, the Mets starter looked like a worldbeater while the Braves hurler was navigating through damage before the bullpen kept it close. The same script from yesterday kept going with Francisco Rodriguez getting the call in the ninth to protect the 1-0 lead.
Martin Prado opened things with a walk. After Jason Heyward flew out, Nate McLouth walked. David Ross hit a long no-doubter, but it curved foul and two pitches later, he struck out. Down to their last out, rookie Freddie Freeman stepped in. After swinging through he pitch, he sent the next one up the middle and Prado scored from second without a throw. Tie game! Dan Uggla worked the count in his favor at 2-1 and ripped a single up the middle. His single was hit harder than Freeman's and Angel Pagan unloaded toward the plate, but McLouth slid under the tag and the Braves won 2-1.
That made up for a play at the plate in the first. After Heyward walked with one out, McLouth doubled and Heyward was thrown out by a relay began by LF Francisco Martinez. Hanson went six innings, giving up six hits and a run. He walked a batter and struck out six, but labored through long innings and was replaced after 97 pitches. George Sherrill, Peter Moylan, and Craig Kimbrel worked scoreless innings, though Kimbrel walked a pair. He picked up the win.
2-1 WIN (7-9)
W - C. Kimbrel (1-0)
L - F. Rodriguez (0-2)
Chris Capuano vs. Tim Hudson
Atlanta led 2-0 after one. By the time they scored their third run, it made it 6-3 in the 7th. That about sums it up. Huddy struggled big time and though George Sherrill stranded two of the runners he inherited in the fifth, Hudson gave up six runs in just four innings. Jairo Ascencio gave up an additional run in the ninth.
Meanwhile, Atlanta never seemed able to break through against Capuano after the first. He struck out eight in six innings.
Nate McLouth hit his fourth homer after Martin Prado singled to open the bottom of the first. David Ross added a solo shot, his third, in the seventh and in the ninth, Freddie Freeman doubled in Dan Uggla to bring up the potential tying run, but the Braves couldn't get any closer in the 7-4 loss.
7-4 LOSS (6-8)
W - C. Capuano (2-0)
L - T. Hudson (1-1)
SV - T. Buchholz (1)
April 16
Brian McCann has a strained rib cage muscle. He was placed on the 15 day DL and isn't expected back until early May. Wilkin Ramirez, who has hit .297 through the first nine games for Gwinnett with three homers, was promoted.
Dillion Gee vs. Derek Lowe
Typical, typical, typical. Starting pitching gives the Braves a chance, but offense continues to not show up. And when it does, it's the moral victory of getting a runner in scoring position, which Atlanta did just once against Gee in his eight innings.
Lowe was not half as sharp as Gee, but contained the Mets over the first six innings. However, Lucas Duda hit a sinker that didn't sink much for a homer in the seventh. Josh Thole followed with a double and after Lowe got a sacrifice bunt attempt from Gee that he forced into an out at third, Lowe was lifted for Eric O'Flaherty. He walked the first batter he saw and than retired the five, three by strikeout. Johnny Venters gave up a double to Thole, but worked a scoreless ninth with two K's.
The offense was held without a runner until the fifth when Jason Heyward walked. He was wiped out on a double play. With an out in the sixth, Diory Hernandez singled. He was only playing because Brandon Hicks sucks. Lowe sacrificed him to second, but he was stranded there. Until the ninth, that was the Braves' only opportunity to score. With K-Rod in and two outs, Nate McLouth worked a walk. Chipper Jones followed with a single and Dan Uggla walked with a full count after fouling off three pitches after there were two strikes. But Heyward struck out to end the game.
1-0 LOSS (6-9)
W - D. Gee (2-1)
L - D. Lowe (0-2)
SV - F. Rodriguez (5)
April 17
With Chipper Jones getting a usual Sunday off, it's play with the lineup day. Prado, 3B; Heyward, RF; McLouth, CF; Ross, C; Freeman, 1B; Uggla, 2B; Hinske, LF; Hernandez, SS
R.A. Dickey vs. Tommy Hanson
This could be a big game. Or just another game. But after going 17.2 ING scoreless, the Braves will take it. Once again, the Mets starter looked like a worldbeater while the Braves hurler was navigating through damage before the bullpen kept it close. The same script from yesterday kept going with Francisco Rodriguez getting the call in the ninth to protect the 1-0 lead.
Martin Prado opened things with a walk. After Jason Heyward flew out, Nate McLouth walked. David Ross hit a long no-doubter, but it curved foul and two pitches later, he struck out. Down to their last out, rookie Freddie Freeman stepped in. After swinging through he pitch, he sent the next one up the middle and Prado scored from second without a throw. Tie game! Dan Uggla worked the count in his favor at 2-1 and ripped a single up the middle. His single was hit harder than Freeman's and Angel Pagan unloaded toward the plate, but McLouth slid under the tag and the Braves won 2-1.
That made up for a play at the plate in the first. After Heyward walked with one out, McLouth doubled and Heyward was thrown out by a relay began by LF Francisco Martinez. Hanson went six innings, giving up six hits and a run. He walked a batter and struck out six, but labored through long innings and was replaced after 97 pitches. George Sherrill, Peter Moylan, and Craig Kimbrel worked scoreless innings, though Kimbrel walked a pair. He picked up the win.
2-1 WIN (7-9)
W - C. Kimbrel (1-0)
L - F. Rodriguez (0-2)
Friday, August 19, 2011
Series 4: vs. Florida
April 12, 2011
Josh Johnson vs. Tommy Hanson
On paper, this looked like a good pitcher's match-up. A pair of inept offenses, pitchers with incredible stuff, chance for a 2-1 game very high. Instead, Johnson was rocked for five runs and exited after 3.1 ING. Hanson did only somewhat better, lasting 5.2 ING, but also giving up five runs. Peter Moylan stranded a sixth potential run and watched as Freddie Freeman opened the bottom of the sixth with his first homer of the season and the Braves would roll to a 11-5 win.
David Ross, entering after Brian McCann hurt himself on a double in the first, homered twice and drove in five. After Freeman's homer, Ross smacked one over the left-field wall with a pair of runners on to give the Braves a four-run lead. His moonshot to deep center added a pair. Chipper Jones reached base five times, including four times via the walk, and scored three runs. Dan Uggla had a two hit game and Freeman finished a triple short of the cycle.
Sparsley used Diory Hernandez, Matt Young, and Jairo Ascencio all got into action with Hernandez entering on a double switch and going 1-3. Young grounded out and Ascencio worked around a leadoff double in the ninth for a scoreless inning, striking out Hanley Ramirez to end it.
11-5 WIN (5-6)
W - P. Moylan (2-1)
L - B. Badenhop (0-1)
April 13, 2011
As we await Brian McCann's diagnosis, Matt Young was demoted and J.C. Boscan was promoted.
Anibal Sanchez vs. Jair Jurrjens
Walks are awesome. Marlins were so generous that they gave us eleven of them, which helped since our offense is typically so bad at scoring runs. We did add nine hits and set a new season high with 12 runs in the 12-5 rout. It was a close game with both starters working around tough situations for the first five innings. With both starters out, it was 3-1 Braves with a big boost from Nate McLouth's two run-shot in the third. Jurrjens opened the sixth by hitting a batter, giving up a hit, and hitting a third batter. With two lefties due up, George Sherrill got the call. A shallow fly-out and a K followed. Scott Linebrink got John Buck on strikes to end the threat.
While two walks led to a run in the seventh, charged to Peter Moylan, the Braves would use an awesome display of pretty much letting the Marlins hand them nine runs to cruise. Base hit, walk (1), two-run double, double, intentional walk (2), HBP, DP (scores a run), walk (3), RBI single, walk (4), RBI single, RBI walk (5), RBI single, RBI walk (6). Jason Heyward was intentionally walk and walked to score a run. He pulled his best Chipper Jones with four walks.
The game would have looked worse had Jairo Ascenio not giving up three solo homers in the ninth. Big offensive days from Nate McLouth (3-3, 2B, HR, 3 RS, 3 HR, 2 BB) and Chipper Jones (1-3, 2B, 3 RBI, RS, 2 BB). Dan Uggla reached .200 with two hits and drove in two.
12-5 WIN (6-6)
W - J. Jurrjens (1-0)
L - A. Sanchez (1-2)
April 14
Chris Volstad vs. Brandon Beachy
You simply can't keep putting runners on base. Bad things happen. Brandon Beachy allowed nine hits and walked three so in that sense, he was lucky to give up just four runs. But that was enough as the Braves offense managed very little against Chris Volstad in a 6-2 loss. The game was much closer and had much more hope before Craig Kimbrel gave up two in the ninth.
The offense did not have a single extra base hit, though the top two guys combined for five hits. But the rest of the lineup finished with three hits. Martin Prado neared .300 with his three hit game.
Eric O'Flaherty and Jonny Venters were the only bright spots. The former struck out the side, though he allowed a single, while Venters needed just ten pitches to induce a trio of grounders.
6-2 LOSS (6-7)
W - C. Volstad (1-1)
L - B. Beachy (0-2)
Josh Johnson vs. Tommy Hanson
On paper, this looked like a good pitcher's match-up. A pair of inept offenses, pitchers with incredible stuff, chance for a 2-1 game very high. Instead, Johnson was rocked for five runs and exited after 3.1 ING. Hanson did only somewhat better, lasting 5.2 ING, but also giving up five runs. Peter Moylan stranded a sixth potential run and watched as Freddie Freeman opened the bottom of the sixth with his first homer of the season and the Braves would roll to a 11-5 win.
David Ross, entering after Brian McCann hurt himself on a double in the first, homered twice and drove in five. After Freeman's homer, Ross smacked one over the left-field wall with a pair of runners on to give the Braves a four-run lead. His moonshot to deep center added a pair. Chipper Jones reached base five times, including four times via the walk, and scored three runs. Dan Uggla had a two hit game and Freeman finished a triple short of the cycle.
Sparsley used Diory Hernandez, Matt Young, and Jairo Ascencio all got into action with Hernandez entering on a double switch and going 1-3. Young grounded out and Ascencio worked around a leadoff double in the ninth for a scoreless inning, striking out Hanley Ramirez to end it.
11-5 WIN (5-6)
W - P. Moylan (2-1)
L - B. Badenhop (0-1)
April 13, 2011
As we await Brian McCann's diagnosis, Matt Young was demoted and J.C. Boscan was promoted.
Anibal Sanchez vs. Jair Jurrjens
Walks are awesome. Marlins were so generous that they gave us eleven of them, which helped since our offense is typically so bad at scoring runs. We did add nine hits and set a new season high with 12 runs in the 12-5 rout. It was a close game with both starters working around tough situations for the first five innings. With both starters out, it was 3-1 Braves with a big boost from Nate McLouth's two run-shot in the third. Jurrjens opened the sixth by hitting a batter, giving up a hit, and hitting a third batter. With two lefties due up, George Sherrill got the call. A shallow fly-out and a K followed. Scott Linebrink got John Buck on strikes to end the threat.
While two walks led to a run in the seventh, charged to Peter Moylan, the Braves would use an awesome display of pretty much letting the Marlins hand them nine runs to cruise. Base hit, walk (1), two-run double, double, intentional walk (2), HBP, DP (scores a run), walk (3), RBI single, walk (4), RBI single, RBI walk (5), RBI single, RBI walk (6). Jason Heyward was intentionally walk and walked to score a run. He pulled his best Chipper Jones with four walks.
The game would have looked worse had Jairo Ascenio not giving up three solo homers in the ninth. Big offensive days from Nate McLouth (3-3, 2B, HR, 3 RS, 3 HR, 2 BB) and Chipper Jones (1-3, 2B, 3 RBI, RS, 2 BB). Dan Uggla reached .200 with two hits and drove in two.
12-5 WIN (6-6)
W - J. Jurrjens (1-0)
L - A. Sanchez (1-2)
April 14
Chris Volstad vs. Brandon Beachy
You simply can't keep putting runners on base. Bad things happen. Brandon Beachy allowed nine hits and walked three so in that sense, he was lucky to give up just four runs. But that was enough as the Braves offense managed very little against Chris Volstad in a 6-2 loss. The game was much closer and had much more hope before Craig Kimbrel gave up two in the ninth.
The offense did not have a single extra base hit, though the top two guys combined for five hits. But the rest of the lineup finished with three hits. Martin Prado neared .300 with his three hit game.
Eric O'Flaherty and Jonny Venters were the only bright spots. The former struck out the side, though he allowed a single, while Venters needed just ten pitches to induce a trio of grounders.
6-2 LOSS (6-7)
W - C. Volstad (1-1)
L - B. Beachy (0-2)
Series 3: vs. Philadelphia
April 8, 2011
Joe Blanton vs. Jair Jurrjens
Maybe if the pen hadn't been an abysmal failure, tonight would have turned out differently. But just the same, Atlanta falls 6-5. Jurrjens tossed seven quality innings and left with a 2-2 tie, but Eric O'Flaherty gave up three, two earned, and Craig Kimbrel surrendered what turned out to be an important solo homer in the ninth.
Down by four in the ninth, the Braves loaded the bases with a single and two walks. But pinch-hitter Eric Hinske grounded into a twin killing, scoring a run but leaving the rally with no margin for error. Brian McCann, pinch-hitting, doubled in another run and Martin Prado followed with a double of his own. That finally brought Ryan Madson in and he retired Nate McLouth.
Jason Heyward, McLouth, and Chipper Jones each had two hits with David Ross, Jones, and McLouth joining McCann and Prado with doubles throughout the night.
6-5 LOSS (2-6)
W - J. Blanton (1-0)
L - E. O'Flaherty (0-1)
SV - R. Madson (3)
April 9, 2011
Cole Hamels vs. Derek Lowe
Our long national nightmare is over. Atlanta wins another game. While a negative person can play up the awful defense that led to three errors and three more hits and a missed double play...oh, and leaving the bases loaded in the 8th...a win is a win.
Lowe gave up seven hits, but really, he pitched better than that. In his five innings, he walked none, struck out four, and gave up four runs, three earned. Another run scored ahead of the Ryan Howard two-run homer in the fifth after Lowe had gotten a double play ball that the Braves didn't turn.
Atlanta scored early, even taking a 2-1 lead after two. In the fifth, down 4-2, Chipper Jones hit a homer. In the sixth, Brandon Hicks hit his first extra base hit, a double, to drive in his first run. Nate McLouth ended the brief tie with a solo homer in the next inning. The bullpen was solid. Scott Linebrink tossed a hitless inning with a walk and a K, Peter Moylan worked around a leadoff baserunner, Johnny Venters was unhittable with a K, and Craig Kimbrel picked up his third save. McLouth, Jones, and Jason Heyward all had two hits. Jones upped his RBI total from one to three.
5-4 WIN (3-6)
W - P. Moylan (1-1)
L - C. Hamels (0-1)
SV - C. Kimbrel (3)
April 10, 2011
Roy Oswalt vs. Tim Hudson
Nate McLouth's offensive statistics last year were comparable to a pitcher that somehow played in 82 games. He batted .190 and generally look lost. Only a decent, not great, but decent finish got him that close to the Mendoza line. Knowing he needs to rebuild his value if he ever hopes to touch his current salary again, McLouth has been the Braves early MVP. A day after breaking up a 4-4 tie with a 7th inning moonshot, McLouth added a three-run bomb that gave the Braves the lead in the third and they never trailed as they squeak by the Phillies 5-4, taking a series that include a trio of one-run affairs.
After Tim Hudson gave up two in the second, the Braves got some two out damage going in the third. Freddie Freeman singled and after a Huddy sacrifice, reached third on a Martin Prado single. Freeman got a late red late, but probably would have been dead meat on Shane Victorino's throw from center. Regardless, it didn't matter as McLouth pulled one over the right field wall.
While Hudson gave up four and definitely lacked his best stuff, he got through six innings before the pen took over. With Craig Kimbrel in need of a day off, the Braves used their trio of left-handed relievers and George Sherrill, Eric O'Flaherty, and Jonny Venters all pitched perfect innings.
Jason Heyward and Brandon Hicks added RBIs in the fourth that ended up being the difference.
5-4 WIN (4-6)
W - T. Hudson (1-0)
L - R. Oswalt (0-2)
SV - J. Venters (1)
Joe Blanton vs. Jair Jurrjens
Maybe if the pen hadn't been an abysmal failure, tonight would have turned out differently. But just the same, Atlanta falls 6-5. Jurrjens tossed seven quality innings and left with a 2-2 tie, but Eric O'Flaherty gave up three, two earned, and Craig Kimbrel surrendered what turned out to be an important solo homer in the ninth.
Down by four in the ninth, the Braves loaded the bases with a single and two walks. But pinch-hitter Eric Hinske grounded into a twin killing, scoring a run but leaving the rally with no margin for error. Brian McCann, pinch-hitting, doubled in another run and Martin Prado followed with a double of his own. That finally brought Ryan Madson in and he retired Nate McLouth.
Jason Heyward, McLouth, and Chipper Jones each had two hits with David Ross, Jones, and McLouth joining McCann and Prado with doubles throughout the night.
6-5 LOSS (2-6)
W - J. Blanton (1-0)
L - E. O'Flaherty (0-1)
SV - R. Madson (3)
April 9, 2011
Cole Hamels vs. Derek Lowe
Our long national nightmare is over. Atlanta wins another game. While a negative person can play up the awful defense that led to three errors and three more hits and a missed double play...oh, and leaving the bases loaded in the 8th...a win is a win.
Lowe gave up seven hits, but really, he pitched better than that. In his five innings, he walked none, struck out four, and gave up four runs, three earned. Another run scored ahead of the Ryan Howard two-run homer in the fifth after Lowe had gotten a double play ball that the Braves didn't turn.
Atlanta scored early, even taking a 2-1 lead after two. In the fifth, down 4-2, Chipper Jones hit a homer. In the sixth, Brandon Hicks hit his first extra base hit, a double, to drive in his first run. Nate McLouth ended the brief tie with a solo homer in the next inning. The bullpen was solid. Scott Linebrink tossed a hitless inning with a walk and a K, Peter Moylan worked around a leadoff baserunner, Johnny Venters was unhittable with a K, and Craig Kimbrel picked up his third save. McLouth, Jones, and Jason Heyward all had two hits. Jones upped his RBI total from one to three.
5-4 WIN (3-6)
W - P. Moylan (1-1)
L - C. Hamels (0-1)
SV - C. Kimbrel (3)
April 10, 2011
Roy Oswalt vs. Tim Hudson
Nate McLouth's offensive statistics last year were comparable to a pitcher that somehow played in 82 games. He batted .190 and generally look lost. Only a decent, not great, but decent finish got him that close to the Mendoza line. Knowing he needs to rebuild his value if he ever hopes to touch his current salary again, McLouth has been the Braves early MVP. A day after breaking up a 4-4 tie with a 7th inning moonshot, McLouth added a three-run bomb that gave the Braves the lead in the third and they never trailed as they squeak by the Phillies 5-4, taking a series that include a trio of one-run affairs.
After Tim Hudson gave up two in the second, the Braves got some two out damage going in the third. Freddie Freeman singled and after a Huddy sacrifice, reached third on a Martin Prado single. Freeman got a late red late, but probably would have been dead meat on Shane Victorino's throw from center. Regardless, it didn't matter as McLouth pulled one over the right field wall.
While Hudson gave up four and definitely lacked his best stuff, he got through six innings before the pen took over. With Craig Kimbrel in need of a day off, the Braves used their trio of left-handed relievers and George Sherrill, Eric O'Flaherty, and Jonny Venters all pitched perfect innings.
Jason Heyward and Brandon Hicks added RBIs in the fourth that ended up being the difference.
5-4 WIN (4-6)
W - T. Hudson (1-0)
L - R. Oswalt (0-2)
SV - J. Venters (1)
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Series 2: at Milwaukee
April 4, 2011
Derek Lowe vs. Chris Narveson
D-Lowe sucked oh, so badly. In his five innings, he allowed ten hits, walked a batter, threw a ball passed Freddie Freeman on a pick-off, and sweated a lot even though the roof was closed. I hate him so much.
Atlanta did its usual score-early-and-never-again with a Martin Prado single, a Nate McLouth walk, a double steal, and a Brian McCann sacrifice fly. McCann has driven in runs in four straight. Unfortunately, his other two partners in the heart-of-the-order, Chipper Jones and Dan Uggla, have combined for zero RBIs. After that base hit and walk to open the game, the Braves managed just five more hits and two walks off Narveson, who went eight. Alex Gonzalez got his first hit, a double, and than was squashed during a double play in the fourth by Prince Fielder and was replaced. Cristhian Martinez also left with pain in his elbow.
The bullpen scrubs were solid. George Sherrill, Martinez, and Scott Linebrink all tossed hitless innings. Jones had two seeing-eye singles to lead the offense. Freeman and McCann added doubles.
4-1 LOSS (2-2)
W - C. Narveson (1-0)
L - D. Lowe (0-1)
SV - J. Axford (1)
April 5, 2011
Some good news, mostly bad news. Tommy Hanson is fine and will be able to make his next start on the 7th. However, both Alex Gonzalez (sprained finger) and Cristhian Martinez (forearm) will hit the DL. Each will probably miss two-to-three weeks. Jairo Asencio and Diory Hernandez were recalled from Gwinnett.
Tim Hudson vs. Mark Rogers
Peter Moylan completely fucked us and the offense couldn't do enough to overcome his epic failures. Moylan, who already blew one lead this season, retired none of the four batters he faced, allowing three runs before George Sherrill got the call to complete the fuck-up by allowing a fourth run to score (also charged to Moylan). That would prove important because the Braves unveiled their other secret weapon (to go with the sacrifice fly). Two bases loaded walks made it a one-run game and got John Axford the boot. Mark DiFelice retired Freddie Freeman on a fly to center to end it.
Tim Hudson was wonderful except for the first few innings. In the fourth, Nate McLouth tripled and scored on Chipper Jones's first RBI, the predictable sacrifice fly. An out later, Dan Uggla added his first Atlanta hit and RBI with a homer. Mark Rodgers, a pitcher, doubled home Brandon Boggs in the fifth to make it 2-1 and Huddy pitched around a little trouble in the sixth before giving way to Eric O'Flaherty in the 7th. A 1-2-3 inning with two K's followed. With Jonny Venters tired, Moylan got the call. Bad things happened.
Jason Heyward and Brooks Conrad got bases-loaded walks in the ninth and McLouth finished with two hits. He is second behind McCann with a .389 AVG.
5-4 LOSS (2-3)
W - M. Rogers (1-0)
L - P. Moylan (0-1)
SV - M. DiFelice (1)
April 7, 2011
Brandon Beachy vs. Yovani Gallardo
The offense's goal to be completely horrible is working so well. The same formula brings upon another loss. Score a run or two early, watch the other team tie and ultimately pass you, rinse and repeat. Using two walks and two seeing-eye singles, the Braves scored twice in the first. Huge offensive explosions!
Brandon Beachy wasn't bad, though he gave up four runs in 6.1 ING. But his offense gave him three hits. Oh, guess that means just one hit after the first. In six games, the Braves have outscored the opposition 5-0. After the first, we are losing 22-13. I feel that might hinder our season if it continues. Unless...we score a gajillion runs in the first...
Anyway, Scott Linebrink tossed 1.2 innings of awesomeness.
4-2 LOSS (2-4)
W - Y. Gallardo (2-0)
L - B. Beachy (0-1)
SV - M. McClendon (1)
April 7
Tommy Hanson vs. Nate Robertson
Jonny Venters gave up a two-run shot to Mike Rivera of all people, sending the Braves to a sweep at the hands of the Brewers 4-2. After working a scoreless eighth, Venters was sent out with the hope that he could get them to extras. It, um, did not work so hot.
Atlanta never led this game. They tied it with a run in the sixth as Dan Uggla doubled in Brian McCann. In the eighth, Freddie Freeman brought Uggla home with a base hit.
Tommy Hanson, who left his last start and was pushed back a day, was solid. He scattered six hits, only one for extra bases, over seven innings. He walked no one and struck out eight. Martin Prado had the only two-hit game for Atlanta, doubling twice.
4-2 LOSS (2-5)
W - S. Green (1-0)
L - J. Venters (2-1)
Derek Lowe vs. Chris Narveson
D-Lowe sucked oh, so badly. In his five innings, he allowed ten hits, walked a batter, threw a ball passed Freddie Freeman on a pick-off, and sweated a lot even though the roof was closed. I hate him so much.
Atlanta did its usual score-early-and-never-again with a Martin Prado single, a Nate McLouth walk, a double steal, and a Brian McCann sacrifice fly. McCann has driven in runs in four straight. Unfortunately, his other two partners in the heart-of-the-order, Chipper Jones and Dan Uggla, have combined for zero RBIs. After that base hit and walk to open the game, the Braves managed just five more hits and two walks off Narveson, who went eight. Alex Gonzalez got his first hit, a double, and than was squashed during a double play in the fourth by Prince Fielder and was replaced. Cristhian Martinez also left with pain in his elbow.
The bullpen scrubs were solid. George Sherrill, Martinez, and Scott Linebrink all tossed hitless innings. Jones had two seeing-eye singles to lead the offense. Freeman and McCann added doubles.
4-1 LOSS (2-2)
W - C. Narveson (1-0)
L - D. Lowe (0-1)
SV - J. Axford (1)
April 5, 2011
Some good news, mostly bad news. Tommy Hanson is fine and will be able to make his next start on the 7th. However, both Alex Gonzalez (sprained finger) and Cristhian Martinez (forearm) will hit the DL. Each will probably miss two-to-three weeks. Jairo Asencio and Diory Hernandez were recalled from Gwinnett.
Tim Hudson vs. Mark Rogers
Peter Moylan completely fucked us and the offense couldn't do enough to overcome his epic failures. Moylan, who already blew one lead this season, retired none of the four batters he faced, allowing three runs before George Sherrill got the call to complete the fuck-up by allowing a fourth run to score (also charged to Moylan). That would prove important because the Braves unveiled their other secret weapon (to go with the sacrifice fly). Two bases loaded walks made it a one-run game and got John Axford the boot. Mark DiFelice retired Freddie Freeman on a fly to center to end it.
Tim Hudson was wonderful except for the first few innings. In the fourth, Nate McLouth tripled and scored on Chipper Jones's first RBI, the predictable sacrifice fly. An out later, Dan Uggla added his first Atlanta hit and RBI with a homer. Mark Rodgers, a pitcher, doubled home Brandon Boggs in the fifth to make it 2-1 and Huddy pitched around a little trouble in the sixth before giving way to Eric O'Flaherty in the 7th. A 1-2-3 inning with two K's followed. With Jonny Venters tired, Moylan got the call. Bad things happened.
Jason Heyward and Brooks Conrad got bases-loaded walks in the ninth and McLouth finished with two hits. He is second behind McCann with a .389 AVG.
5-4 LOSS (2-3)
W - M. Rogers (1-0)
L - P. Moylan (0-1)
SV - M. DiFelice (1)
April 7, 2011
Brandon Beachy vs. Yovani Gallardo
The offense's goal to be completely horrible is working so well. The same formula brings upon another loss. Score a run or two early, watch the other team tie and ultimately pass you, rinse and repeat. Using two walks and two seeing-eye singles, the Braves scored twice in the first. Huge offensive explosions!
Brandon Beachy wasn't bad, though he gave up four runs in 6.1 ING. But his offense gave him three hits. Oh, guess that means just one hit after the first. In six games, the Braves have outscored the opposition 5-0. After the first, we are losing 22-13. I feel that might hinder our season if it continues. Unless...we score a gajillion runs in the first...
Anyway, Scott Linebrink tossed 1.2 innings of awesomeness.
4-2 LOSS (2-4)
W - Y. Gallardo (2-0)
L - B. Beachy (0-1)
SV - M. McClendon (1)
April 7
Tommy Hanson vs. Nate Robertson
Jonny Venters gave up a two-run shot to Mike Rivera of all people, sending the Braves to a sweep at the hands of the Brewers 4-2. After working a scoreless eighth, Venters was sent out with the hope that he could get them to extras. It, um, did not work so hot.
Atlanta never led this game. They tied it with a run in the sixth as Dan Uggla doubled in Brian McCann. In the eighth, Freddie Freeman brought Uggla home with a base hit.
Tommy Hanson, who left his last start and was pushed back a day, was solid. He scattered six hits, only one for extra bases, over seven innings. He walked no one and struck out eight. Martin Prado had the only two-hit game for Atlanta, doubling twice.
4-2 LOSS (2-5)
W - S. Green (1-0)
L - J. Venters (2-1)
Series 1: at Washington
March 31, 2011
Tim Hudson vs. Jordan Zimmerman
This was a battle of which bullpen wanted to fail in the most fantastic fashion. Huddy was Godlike for five innings before opening the sixth with a pair of walks. Both runners would score, tying up the game in which his offense unleashed their secret weapon to scrape two runs across. Heyward's sacrifice fly made it 1-0 in the fourth and Prado brought Freeman home with one of his own (that followed a sacrifice bunt so...that's cool) to make it 2-0.
After Huddy struggled to get through the sixth, McCann brought home Prado to make it 3-2, but sadly, the bullpen was in. Peter Moylan walked Danny Espinosa and gave up a two-run shot to Roger Bertandearnie to make it 4-3. An inning later, on an 0-2 pitch to Adam LaRoche, Jonny Venters gave up an RBI double. Down 5-3, most mortals give up. And we probably did. But the Nats wanted to lose so badly. Doug Slaten, closer extraordinaire gave up back-to-back singles to Prado and McLouth. After Chipper tried to once again give the game to the Nats with a double play, Slaten gave up an RBI single to McCann. Uggla hit a flyball to end it...but the center fielder dropped it. With runners on second-and-third, Jason Fucking Heyward singled in both runners.
Craig Kimbrel worked a 1-2-3 ninth with two K's to show that relievers can throw good innings. Hudson picked up 8 strikeouts and Prado, McLouth, and McCann all had two hits with McCann, Prado, and Freeman picking up doubles.
6-5 WIN (1-0)
W - T. Hudson (1-0)
L - D. Slaten (0-1)
SV - C. Kimbrel (1/1)
April 2, 2011
Tommy Hanson vs. Livan Hernandez
George Sherrill blows and the offense's last hit was a Brian McCann single to open the sixth. Livan Hernandez and Doug Slaten were Cy Young and Rollie Fingers from there on. Braves took the early lead behind a Martin Prado single, advancing on a hit-and-run groundout, and scoring on a McCann single. In the fourth, Jesus Flores homered off Tommy Hanson. That was it until the tenth when Sherrill gave up back-to-back doubles to the awesome duo of Jerry Hairston Jr. and Adam LaRoche, each sure-fire Hall of Famers.
Oh, and on Hanson's 79th pitch, in which he gave up a base hit, he left with an undisclosed injury and his diagnosis is pending an MRI. He had tied Huddy's season-high mark of 8 K's before he left. The pen, before Sherrill, was great.
McCann, Prado, and Freddie Freeman had all the hits, two a piece. Sad.
2-1 LOSS - 10 ING (1-1)
W - D. Slaten (1-1)
L - G. Sherrill (0-1)
April 3, 2011
Jair Jurrjens vs. Chad Gaudin
Martin Prado picked up Jonny Venters with an RBI double and Craig Kimbrel gave up two hits, but faced the minimum as the Braves take the rubber game of their opening series with the Nats, 4-2. Up 2-1 in the eighth, Venters gave up a single to Jayson Werth and allowed a deep double to Jesus Flores. The latter was thrown out trying to advance on the throw, but the damage was done. However, in the ninth, Freddie Freeman singled with one out. Matt Young, who entered on a double switch that brought Venters in, bunted Freeman to second and he scored easily on Prado's double. Nate McLouth followed a wild pitch with an RBI single to provide the two-run difference.
In his first start, Jair Jurrjens was solid. He allowed four hits, including Adam LaRoche's first homer as a National. He walked three and struck out five and went an Atlanta-best seven innings before giving way to Venters.
McLouth finished with three hits and is off to a .455 start. McCann added his first, and the team's first, homer. That made it 2-1 in the sixth. McCann had driven in McLouth with a double in the first. Alex Gonzalez and Dan Uggla remain hitless. Eric Hinske got his first start and had a double. Chipper Jones will get Sundays off as a normal thing and today was the first Sunday for him.
Kimbrel gave up a base hit, got a 3-6 double play with Gonzalez slapping the tag down, and gave up another single, but Roger Bernadina was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double by Jason Heyward. Despite giving up two hits, he threw a three-pitch ninth and secured his second save.
4-2 WIN (2-1)
W - Jonny Venters (2-0)
L - Drew Storen (0-1)
SV - Craig Kimbrel (2)
Tim Hudson vs. Jordan Zimmerman
This was a battle of which bullpen wanted to fail in the most fantastic fashion. Huddy was Godlike for five innings before opening the sixth with a pair of walks. Both runners would score, tying up the game in which his offense unleashed their secret weapon to scrape two runs across. Heyward's sacrifice fly made it 1-0 in the fourth and Prado brought Freeman home with one of his own (that followed a sacrifice bunt so...that's cool) to make it 2-0.
After Huddy struggled to get through the sixth, McCann brought home Prado to make it 3-2, but sadly, the bullpen was in. Peter Moylan walked Danny Espinosa and gave up a two-run shot to Roger Bertandearnie to make it 4-3. An inning later, on an 0-2 pitch to Adam LaRoche, Jonny Venters gave up an RBI double. Down 5-3, most mortals give up. And we probably did. But the Nats wanted to lose so badly. Doug Slaten, closer extraordinaire gave up back-to-back singles to Prado and McLouth. After Chipper tried to once again give the game to the Nats with a double play, Slaten gave up an RBI single to McCann. Uggla hit a flyball to end it...but the center fielder dropped it. With runners on second-and-third, Jason Fucking Heyward singled in both runners.
Craig Kimbrel worked a 1-2-3 ninth with two K's to show that relievers can throw good innings. Hudson picked up 8 strikeouts and Prado, McLouth, and McCann all had two hits with McCann, Prado, and Freeman picking up doubles.
6-5 WIN (1-0)
W - T. Hudson (1-0)
L - D. Slaten (0-1)
SV - C. Kimbrel (1/1)
April 2, 2011
Tommy Hanson vs. Livan Hernandez
George Sherrill blows and the offense's last hit was a Brian McCann single to open the sixth. Livan Hernandez and Doug Slaten were Cy Young and Rollie Fingers from there on. Braves took the early lead behind a Martin Prado single, advancing on a hit-and-run groundout, and scoring on a McCann single. In the fourth, Jesus Flores homered off Tommy Hanson. That was it until the tenth when Sherrill gave up back-to-back doubles to the awesome duo of Jerry Hairston Jr. and Adam LaRoche, each sure-fire Hall of Famers.
Oh, and on Hanson's 79th pitch, in which he gave up a base hit, he left with an undisclosed injury and his diagnosis is pending an MRI. He had tied Huddy's season-high mark of 8 K's before he left. The pen, before Sherrill, was great.
McCann, Prado, and Freddie Freeman had all the hits, two a piece. Sad.
2-1 LOSS - 10 ING (1-1)
W - D. Slaten (1-1)
L - G. Sherrill (0-1)
April 3, 2011
Jair Jurrjens vs. Chad Gaudin
Martin Prado picked up Jonny Venters with an RBI double and Craig Kimbrel gave up two hits, but faced the minimum as the Braves take the rubber game of their opening series with the Nats, 4-2. Up 2-1 in the eighth, Venters gave up a single to Jayson Werth and allowed a deep double to Jesus Flores. The latter was thrown out trying to advance on the throw, but the damage was done. However, in the ninth, Freddie Freeman singled with one out. Matt Young, who entered on a double switch that brought Venters in, bunted Freeman to second and he scored easily on Prado's double. Nate McLouth followed a wild pitch with an RBI single to provide the two-run difference.
In his first start, Jair Jurrjens was solid. He allowed four hits, including Adam LaRoche's first homer as a National. He walked three and struck out five and went an Atlanta-best seven innings before giving way to Venters.
McLouth finished with three hits and is off to a .455 start. McCann added his first, and the team's first, homer. That made it 2-1 in the sixth. McCann had driven in McLouth with a double in the first. Alex Gonzalez and Dan Uggla remain hitless. Eric Hinske got his first start and had a double. Chipper Jones will get Sundays off as a normal thing and today was the first Sunday for him.
Kimbrel gave up a base hit, got a 3-6 double play with Gonzalez slapping the tag down, and gave up another single, but Roger Bernadina was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double by Jason Heyward. Despite giving up two hits, he threw a three-pitch ninth and secured his second save.
4-2 WIN (2-1)
W - Jonny Venters (2-0)
L - Drew Storen (0-1)
SV - Craig Kimbrel (2)
Monday, August 15, 2011
Season Preview: Part 3
Baseball America Top 20 Prospects
(likely level to start the year in parenthesis)
1. Freddie Freeman (MLB)
2. Julio Teheran (AAA)
3. Matt Lipka (A-)
4. Randall Delgado (AA)
5. Mike Minor (AAA)
6. Brandon Beachy (MLB)
7. Arodys Vizcaino (A+)
8. Christian Bethancourt (A-)
9. Tyler Pastornicky (AA)
10. Andrelton Simmons (A+)
11. Edward Salcedo (A-)
12. Mycal Jones (AA)
13. Todd Cunningham (A+)
14. Elmer Reyes (A-)
15. David Hale (A+)
16. Brett Oberholtzer (AA)
17. Joe Leonard (A+)
18. Carlos Perez (A-)
19. J.J. Hoover (AA)
20. Adam Milligan (A+)
(likely level to start the year in parenthesis)
1. Freddie Freeman (MLB)
2. Julio Teheran (AAA)
3. Matt Lipka (A-)
4. Randall Delgado (AA)
5. Mike Minor (AAA)
6. Brandon Beachy (MLB)
7. Arodys Vizcaino (A+)
8. Christian Bethancourt (A-)
9. Tyler Pastornicky (AA)
10. Andrelton Simmons (A+)
11. Edward Salcedo (A-)
12. Mycal Jones (AA)
13. Todd Cunningham (A+)
14. Elmer Reyes (A-)
15. David Hale (A+)
16. Brett Oberholtzer (AA)
17. Joe Leonard (A+)
18. Carlos Perez (A-)
19. J.J. Hoover (AA)
20. Adam Milligan (A+)
Season Preview: Part 2
Pitching staff looks like it could be...not horrible. Will they get any runs to work with? Let's find out.
Catchers
Brian McCann "The Franchise"
Just another ho-hum year as McCann continues to show that he is not rivaled as far as the best catchers in baseball go. The slugging took a bit of a dive, but the OBP was .375.
David Ross "Don't You Wish Your Backup Was Awesome Like Me"
Ross is a starter on about 15 other teams.
First Base
Freddie Freeman "Heyward's Whiter Half"
Freeman has the potential to be a contender for All-Star squads. Maybe not this year. Will bring along slowly, but fully expect him to handle the position well.
Eric Hinske "The Mythical Playoff Guy"
Looking for postseason for a sixth straight year. Posted a .793 OPS last year with 11 homers.
Second Base
Dan Uggla "His Name is...well, you get it"
Uggla has hit 30 or more homers for four consecutive years. I expect that trend to continue.
Brooks Conrad "He's a real nice guy...who doesn't take part in 'D' 'Fence' chants"
He's here to bat against left-hand relievers. Asking more would be a bad idea.
Third Base
Chipper Jones "The Past"
Expect frequent off days and kid gloves. Need him healthy in August and September more than I do in May and June.
Shortstop
Alex Gonzalez "The Guy You Always Think You Can Do Better Than"
Year 2 begins and I'm very interested in looking elsewhere. Good defense and not a completely awful option in the 8 hole.
Brandon Hicks "Giant Hole in His Swing"
Power, speed, solid defense. Only one...HUGE problem.
Outfield
Martin Prado "Sparkplug"
His reward for being Atlanta's MVP last year? A position-change. Thanks guy!
Nate McLouth "More like McLousy, amiright?"
He hit .190 last year and I am considering him for leadoff. Yikes.
Jason Heyward "The Future"
He walked 91 times and on-based nearly .400. I'm considering changing my faith to the church of Heyward.
Matt Young "The Guy Whose Only Value to the Team is I Don't Care About Him."
Seriously...picked his name out of the hat.
Catchers
Brian McCann "The Franchise"
Just another ho-hum year as McCann continues to show that he is not rivaled as far as the best catchers in baseball go. The slugging took a bit of a dive, but the OBP was .375.
David Ross "Don't You Wish Your Backup Was Awesome Like Me"
Ross is a starter on about 15 other teams.
First Base
Freddie Freeman "Heyward's Whiter Half"
Freeman has the potential to be a contender for All-Star squads. Maybe not this year. Will bring along slowly, but fully expect him to handle the position well.
Eric Hinske "The Mythical Playoff Guy"
Looking for postseason for a sixth straight year. Posted a .793 OPS last year with 11 homers.
Second Base
Dan Uggla "His Name is...well, you get it"
Uggla has hit 30 or more homers for four consecutive years. I expect that trend to continue.
Brooks Conrad "He's a real nice guy...who doesn't take part in 'D' 'Fence' chants"
He's here to bat against left-hand relievers. Asking more would be a bad idea.
Third Base
Chipper Jones "The Past"
Expect frequent off days and kid gloves. Need him healthy in August and September more than I do in May and June.
Shortstop
Alex Gonzalez "The Guy You Always Think You Can Do Better Than"
Year 2 begins and I'm very interested in looking elsewhere. Good defense and not a completely awful option in the 8 hole.
Brandon Hicks "Giant Hole in His Swing"
Power, speed, solid defense. Only one...HUGE problem.
Outfield
Martin Prado "Sparkplug"
His reward for being Atlanta's MVP last year? A position-change. Thanks guy!
Nate McLouth "More like McLousy, amiright?"
He hit .190 last year and I am considering him for leadoff. Yikes.
Jason Heyward "The Future"
He walked 91 times and on-based nearly .400. I'm considering changing my faith to the church of Heyward.
Matt Young "The Guy Whose Only Value to the Team is I Don't Care About Him."
Seriously...picked his name out of the hat.
Season Preview: Part 1
Yay, it's baseball season. But what do we have?
Starting Rotation
Tim Hudson "Old Reliable"
Huddy set a new Atlanta-best with 17 wins and a 2.83 ERA in a bounce-back year after injuries kept him out of most of 2010. However, at 35, a little concerned about his ability to pitch effectively through the 2014 season.
Tommy Hanson "The guy whose untapped potential makes me quiver"
Yes, Hanson went 10-11 last year. He was very solid, though, with a WHIP of 1.17. And in a shade over 200 innings, he only allowed 14 long balls. Could be one of the early favorites for Cy Young votes.
Jair Jurrjens "The Tigers are the team that just keeps giving"
Sure, 7-6 and a 4.64 ERA is hardly a way to follow 14-10 and 2.60, but injuries played their part. Hoping for big things.
Derek Lowe "The Overpaid Veteran Presence"
Owed $30M over the next two years, my hope is that Lowe has a good enough year that a team will send a prospect or a plate of awesome nachos for him.
Brandon Beachy "The Guy Who Looks Kinda Stoned"
Beachy was a ho-hum prospect who exploded last year and looks to hold down the fifth spot, but has some stiff competition from young hurlers like Julio Teheran and Mike Minor.
The Bullpen
Scott Linebrink "Another Veteran Presence"
I hate guys who stick around cause they stick around so they stick around. Should log a lot of low-leverage innings, but if that becomes worrisome, will get kicked to the curb.
Cristhian Martinez "The Guy Whose Name Screws With My Sense of Grammar"
The long guy who will see blow out action mainly.
Peter Moylan "Goggles Galore"
The Aussie posted his worst ERA since his first taste of the majors back in '06. He will look to improve upon that disappointing 2.97 year.
Eric O'Flaherty "Damn Irish"
In two seasons, O'Flaherty has shown that he can handle lefties with relative ease. Will look to lock down the 7th with Moylan.
George Sherrill "The LOOGY"
Can't get any worse than he was last year. Can get fatter, though.
Jonny Venters "Being a failed prospect isn't all that bad"
Should continue his ascension to the elite relievers in baseball as long as he is healthy. Would be closing if not for...
Craig Kimbrel "The reason the word 'filthy' was invented"
Has one save. Needs just 153 more to break the Atlanta record. It is his destiny.
Starting Rotation
Tim Hudson "Old Reliable"
Huddy set a new Atlanta-best with 17 wins and a 2.83 ERA in a bounce-back year after injuries kept him out of most of 2010. However, at 35, a little concerned about his ability to pitch effectively through the 2014 season.
Tommy Hanson "The guy whose untapped potential makes me quiver"
Yes, Hanson went 10-11 last year. He was very solid, though, with a WHIP of 1.17. And in a shade over 200 innings, he only allowed 14 long balls. Could be one of the early favorites for Cy Young votes.
Jair Jurrjens "The Tigers are the team that just keeps giving"
Sure, 7-6 and a 4.64 ERA is hardly a way to follow 14-10 and 2.60, but injuries played their part. Hoping for big things.
Derek Lowe "The Overpaid Veteran Presence"
Owed $30M over the next two years, my hope is that Lowe has a good enough year that a team will send a prospect or a plate of awesome nachos for him.
Brandon Beachy "The Guy Who Looks Kinda Stoned"
Beachy was a ho-hum prospect who exploded last year and looks to hold down the fifth spot, but has some stiff competition from young hurlers like Julio Teheran and Mike Minor.
The Bullpen
Scott Linebrink "Another Veteran Presence"
I hate guys who stick around cause they stick around so they stick around. Should log a lot of low-leverage innings, but if that becomes worrisome, will get kicked to the curb.
Cristhian Martinez "The Guy Whose Name Screws With My Sense of Grammar"
The long guy who will see blow out action mainly.
Peter Moylan "Goggles Galore"
The Aussie posted his worst ERA since his first taste of the majors back in '06. He will look to improve upon that disappointing 2.97 year.
Eric O'Flaherty "Damn Irish"
In two seasons, O'Flaherty has shown that he can handle lefties with relative ease. Will look to lock down the 7th with Moylan.
George Sherrill "The LOOGY"
Can't get any worse than he was last year. Can get fatter, though.
Jonny Venters "Being a failed prospect isn't all that bad"
Should continue his ascension to the elite relievers in baseball as long as he is healthy. Would be closing if not for...
Craig Kimbrel "The reason the word 'filthy' was invented"
Has one save. Needs just 153 more to break the Atlanta record. It is his destiny.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Furthermore...
Just to add to things while I wait for the roster set to be released...This is a skippable post...it's more for me because I'm trying some new ways of handling the minors.
I have become more and more involved and will handle minor league promotions/demotions. I will also play up strategy. I am hoping that with a better roster set and my better handling of it, I will not get so frustrated to see Julio Teheran become a nothing-prospect within a few years. That hurts.
Rules of my minor league handling for year one...
Roster makeup
6 starting pitchers...will begin the year as a six person rotation. An injury will force them to five unless it's season-ending when I will make a promotion/signing. I will be using pitch counts based both on age, level, and stamina. The stamina is based on my scout's ratings. So, if 20-year old has a 15 stamina in AAA, I'd probably up his pitch count to 90, but if he was in A-ball, it might be just 75. If he's closer to 25 or a journeyman minor leaguer, he might be allowed to hit 110 or simply not have a pitch count. If he only has two pitches, he will likely not start in the high levels unless needed to.
7 relief pitchers...Ideally, there will be at least one long guy with maybe 8 or so stamina.
2 catchers
starting infield plus at least two capable of playing middle infield
5 outfielders
After every month, I will make decisions based on promotions/demotions. That decisions will likely increase as the season progresses. For instance, short of a huge first month, the promotions will likely only be for people repeating a level. Previous month stats are important for promotion as well. Maybe he's hitting .260 with 12 homers and 45 RBI, but over the last month, he's hitting .355 with five homers and 18 RBI. Maybe something clicked and he needs a new challenge. In general, these promotions will be handed to those who are above one-star potential. Short of a magical season or players moved up because of September, no more than one promotion per season.
Lynchburg will be the "high-A" and Danville will be the "advanced rookie" levels. If you hit 25 and haven't been waylay-ed my injuries, you must be at AA or higher. If you hit 22 and haven't made it to A ball and are not a recent draftee, you will be forced up or released.
Anyway...hopefully, I will develop players better and not see so many prospects fall to the wayside.
I have become more and more involved and will handle minor league promotions/demotions. I will also play up strategy. I am hoping that with a better roster set and my better handling of it, I will not get so frustrated to see Julio Teheran become a nothing-prospect within a few years. That hurts.
Rules of my minor league handling for year one...
Roster makeup
6 starting pitchers...will begin the year as a six person rotation. An injury will force them to five unless it's season-ending when I will make a promotion/signing. I will be using pitch counts based both on age, level, and stamina. The stamina is based on my scout's ratings. So, if 20-year old has a 15 stamina in AAA, I'd probably up his pitch count to 90, but if he was in A-ball, it might be just 75. If he's closer to 25 or a journeyman minor leaguer, he might be allowed to hit 110 or simply not have a pitch count. If he only has two pitches, he will likely not start in the high levels unless needed to.
7 relief pitchers...Ideally, there will be at least one long guy with maybe 8 or so stamina.
2 catchers
starting infield plus at least two capable of playing middle infield
5 outfielders
After every month, I will make decisions based on promotions/demotions. That decisions will likely increase as the season progresses. For instance, short of a huge first month, the promotions will likely only be for people repeating a level. Previous month stats are important for promotion as well. Maybe he's hitting .260 with 12 homers and 45 RBI, but over the last month, he's hitting .355 with five homers and 18 RBI. Maybe something clicked and he needs a new challenge. In general, these promotions will be handed to those who are above one-star potential. Short of a magical season or players moved up because of September, no more than one promotion per season.
Lynchburg will be the "high-A" and Danville will be the "advanced rookie" levels. If you hit 25 and haven't been waylay-ed my injuries, you must be at AA or higher. If you hit 22 and haven't made it to A ball and are not a recent draftee, you will be forced up or released.
Anyway...hopefully, I will develop players better and not see so many prospects fall to the wayside.
Purpose
I am bored and often have some free time. This blog will be used to document the Atlanta Braves in the fictional Out of the Park 2012 stats-based video game. I know, lame. But I will try to make it fun and maybe even funny. Very big ambition. I will begin with a roster set released by Cubbyfan very soon and will begin the season as the Braves did with the same players. No Michael Bourn.
So...I hope this doesn't suck.
So...I hope this doesn't suck.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)