Gamethread: Braves @ Red Sox, June 19, 2009 (66/162) WIN

[sdp]

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/6023/atlatbos.png
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Atlanta Braves (31-34) vs. Boston Red Sox (40-26)
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Series Matchups
> TONIGHT: Kenshin Kawakami vs. Daisuke Matsuzaka, 7:15 PM EDT on PTV
> Saturday: Derek Lowe vs. Josh Beckett, 7:15 PM EDT on PTV
> Sunday: Jair Jurrjens vs. Tim Wakefield, 1:40 PM EDT on FSS/TBS

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Projected Lineup
Nate McLouth, CF
Yunel Escobar, SS
Chipper Jones, 3B
Brian McCann, C
Garret Anderson, LF
Matt Diaz, DH
Casey Kotchman, 1B
Jeff Francoeur, RF
Kelly Johnson, 2B

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Link Roundup
Lipka: Braves-Red Sox Preview (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/preview?gid=290619102)
Bowman: Far East spotlight on Braves (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090618&content_id=5394528&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl)
Rogers: Tough schedule awaits Braves (http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2009/06/18/braves_tough_schedule.html)
Bowman: Jurrjens' father thrilled that he's in Atlanta (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090616&content_id=5364816&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl)
Morosi: Q&A with Braves slugger Chipper Jones (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9700054/Q-and-A-with-Braves-slugger-Chipper-Jones)
Collier: Coke replacing giant bottle at Turner Field (http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/coke/stories/2009/06/19/coke_bottle.html)
Bowman: Glavine doesn't plan to pitch in 2009 (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090619&content_id=5411228&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl)

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Upcoming vs. New York Yankees
Tuesday, June 22nd: Chein-Ming Wang vs. Tommy Hanson, 7:05 PM EDT on PTV
Wednesday, June 23rd: Andy Pettitte vs. Kenshin Kawakami, 7:05 PM EDT on PTV/ESPN2
Thursday, June 24th: A.J. Burnett vs. Derek Lowe, 7:05 PM EDT on PTV

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June 26th-28th: Red Sox @ Braves; June 30th-July 2nd: Phillies @ Braves
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Note: the Braves-Cubs makeup game from the rainout on 6/4/09 will be played on Monday, June 21st at 7:15 PM EDT on SPSO at Turner Field. The pitching matchup will be Ryan Dempster vs. Javier Vazquez.

Go Braves!

[sdp]

I find Chipper's comments from the Q&A a bit striking.

Jones: Yeah, anything can be fixed if players want to fix it. That's what we all still hold out hope for, that baseball becomes the No. 1 priority for these guys and they care about going out and executing day in and day out, doing the little things it takes to win a big-league ballgame.

FOXSports.com: Do you think that's not as much of a priority here as it used to be?

Jones: No, it's a priority. As long as it's a priority for the manager, it should be a priority for the rest of us. I don't know that it is. It still is for me. But I can't speak for the other guys.

Telling. Speaks for itself, if you ask me.

[wordslayer©]

Zing!!! Whew. I know it's only chipper's comments, but that is a pretty telling remark about some of his teammates.

Personally, I think Chipper is pretty done with some of the sloppiness of the team.

[Lauren T.]

The only way I could be more excited that we're playing the Red Sox this weekend is if I could be in Fenway. I LOVE THE RED SOX. (http://braveslove.blogspot.com/2009/06/bosoxbosoxbosox.html) :D :D :D

[BigWorm]

Chunchi Dragons vs. Yakamuro Giants

[BraveFan]

I know its only three games but its a very important series and I'd like the Braves to callup Sammons so the Braves can start both Ross and McCann.

[Chris_Moderato]

So, the Braves are up 2-0 in the first, in case anyone cares.

Kawakami Ks the first two Sox, too. He's come to pitch tonight, I guess.

[Andy G.]

So, the Braves are up 2-0 in the first, in case anyone cares.

Kawakami Ks the first two Sox, too. He's come to pitch tonight, I guess.
This is awesome. What a great start to an important series. Francoeur just took a freakin' walk for crying out loud. Where you at Braves fans!

[BraveFan]

don't want to be a debbie downer but the braves should have scored more than two in the first. the braves have some of the dumbest hitters in baseball if you ask me.

francoeur > johnson

[chicagobrave]

Can someone please do some play by play for me some nasty weather has taken out my satellite signal.

[JanShan12]

My computer was having some trouble after Chipper's single in the 1st, but it's back now. GO BRAVES!!!

[JanShan12]

Top 3...

Chipper pops out to 3B... 1 out
McCann grounds out to 2B... 2 outs
Anderson singles to CF after Pedroia deflected it
Diaz grounds out to the P... 3 outs

[chicagobrave]

Thanks a lot Jan. We are under a severe weather warning until 10pm so it may be a while before I can see the game.

[JanShan12]

Thanks a lot Jan. We are under a severe weather warning until 10pm so it may be a while before I can see the game.

No problem. I'm on a bit of a delay watching on MLB.tv, but it works.

Varitek leads off the 3rd by grounding out to Kelly.
Green flied out to deep left center.

Ugh. Pedroia hit a weak grounder to Escobar, but he makes a terrible throw and he's safe. E6. Pedroia seems to be hurt though...

Nevermind... he's up and running now. They thought he might have hurt himself stumbling over the 1st base bag.

3 outs. Drew flies out to right center.

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

Thanks a lot Jan. We are under a severe weather warning until 10pm so it may be a while before I can see the game.

http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=290619102

Can u not use gamecast?

[chicagobrave]

I could use gamecast if it is free. I just hate how slow some of those sites are/

[JanShan12]

Wow! Kotchman almost had extra bases. Nice catch, JD Drew!

[JanShan12]

I could use gamecast if it is free. I just hate how slow some of those sites are/

It is free.

[Dreamscape]

KJ draws a two-out walk...I know, Dice-K is fairly wild...but dammit, KJ never walks anymore and it gives me at least some hope that he might still possess the qualities that made him one of the top 2B's in the majors.

[JanShan12]

Good walk by Johnson!

[Dreamscape]

Two out walks will kill you.

McLouth drives in KJ with his 11th double on the year.

3-zip.

[JanShan12]

That worked out well. I really like McLouth.

[Dreamscape]

Mr. Dynamic makes it 4-0 with an RBI single before Chipper finally ends the inning. Nice two out rally.

[JanShan12]

It's a nice change! :)

[randyb]

Middle of the 4th 4-0 Braves

[chicagobrave]

Thanks again for your help my signal is back now.

[Dreamscape]

Awww, there goes Dice-K. McCann doubles and then shock of shocks, Garret Anderson doubles. 5-0.

Justin Masterson takes over to face Diaz.

[BigWorm]

That worked out well. I really like McLouth.

He's a baller. Nice swing, great defense, and has good power. One thing we can't expect from him though is to bat .300 He's going to hit around .250-.280 but be very productive.

[Dreamscape]

Make it 6-0 on a Krotchy McKrotchyton sacfly.

[Middle Man]

mlb.com not working for me tonight. Very aggravating. Is it working for the others of you who subscribe?

[Dreamscape]

When KJ works a walk, my heart flutters.

[Hobbes]

mlb.com not working for me tonight. Very aggravating. Is it working for the others of you who subscribe?

Not working for me right now either.

[ATL2123]

Garret Anderson's best game as a Brave, seems to be comfortable in an AL park...

[argentina brave]

yep, working for me.....we're winning this damn game...what a refreshing change of events!!!

that bobby sure can manage!!

[Hobbes]

I could use gamecast if it is free. I just hate how slow some of those sites are/
Actually CB, the Gameday from MLB.com is free and is a very nice app. It also has very little delay.

[Dreamscape]

It's so hard to be a Braves fan. I want Anderson gone, but I can't root for him to suck, but when he doesn't, it just helps keep him around.

Just not fair.

[Hobbes]

I got MLB.TV working now. I couldn't get it to work on Firefox, so I switched to IE and it's working.

[Hobbes]

Nice catch by Jeff there.

[argentina brave]

i hear you dreamscape...it's like pulling for your mother-in-law to act nice, so your wife will invite her over more often....lose-lose, no matter how you slice it!

[Hobbes]

I'm sure Boston is bummed that Dice-K got knocked around by the punchless Braves.


BTW, am I a bad person for kind of hoping that Smoltz doesn't pitch well upon his return? I was so bummed by his leaving that I'd hate for him to pitch great and burn us for the decision to let him go.

[GeneGarberForPrez]

Can somebody post the phone number of the guy I have to call to get Soriano named closer?

[argentina brave]

don't worry hobbes...i'll actually be there with a friggin' nats hat on, as my 5 yr. old has the putrid sawks hat....i promised that we'd go see smoltzie, and i'm fascinated by the whole affair, to be honest.

it'll feel weird if adam dunn hits one 400 feet off my erstwhile hero

[Dreamscape]

I'd just like to have the number of the guy who can find out what Kris Medlen is up to.

[sdp]

I'm sure Boston is bummed that Dice-K got knocked around by the punchless Braves.


BTW, am I a bad person for kind of hoping that Smoltz doesn't pitch well upon his return? I was so bummed by his leaving that I'd hate for him to pitch great and burn us for the decision to let him go.
Personally, I'd be shocked if he "burns" us. Going at major league hitters with 100% adrenaline and intensity, I don't think his shoulder will make it through the season.

[Hobbes]

Big surprise that Chip is talking about the Cubs. :rolleyes:

I hate him so much.

[argentina brave]

kris medlen for the 9th? answer for you dreamscape....

[sdp]

Big surprise that Chip is talking about the Cubs. :rolleyes:

I hate him so much.He sounded like he was passing a kidney stone when McLouth hit that leadoff homer.

[ATL2123]

Yet again, Moylan-Soriano-Gonzalez in a non-save situation:confused:

[sdp]

Looks like Bobby is conspiring with Dr. James Andrews.

[Hobbes]

Yet again, Moylan-Soriano-Gonzalez in a non-save situation:confused:

I think Chipper's at-bat song has finally gotten to Bobby after hearing it 4 million times. He's going off the rails on the crazy train.

[argentina brave]

ouch! at least we'll win!!!!

[sdp]

Check your private messages, argentina.

[IkeWagner]

Bobby Cox is an idiot. My God. Pitch Soriano and Gonzales back to back days when we've had a big lead in both games??? Does he ever think that maybe, perhaps, upcoming games could be decided in the 8th or 9th inning? Is he...retarded? Seriously.

This is it. This tub needs to be replaced.

[Hobbes]

Bobby notwithstanding...Braves win!

[bravestud]

I love beating the Fail Sox. :)

[BarveFanHawaii]

Nice offensive outburst the last two days. Unfortunately it was against a no-name and a struggling pitcher. Wins all the same, though. Hopefully they carry the momentum into tomorrow and rough up Beckett.

[argentina brave]

we bitch when we win, we bitch when we lose.....chopnation tradition!!!

[IkeWagner]

Wins all the same, though.

True, but one nice thing about that is that, typically in games like this, the struggling yet good-stuff-having pitcher rights himself against the Braves. It's nice to have that not happen this time.

[Chris_Moderato]

we bitch when we win, we bitch when we lose.....chopnation tradition!!!

That ain't gonna change until we win and win and win.

[BarveFanHawaii]

That ain't gonna change until we win and win and win.Exactly...I was an optimist several years ago. Then the winning stopped....

[IkeWagner]

we bitch when we win, we bitch when we lose.....chopnation tradition!!!

Gotta be a law of nature....Braves baseball = we bitch.

[sdp]

Anyways, it's good to see Soriano "on." He's damn near unhittable when he's working right.

[Middle Man]

I got MLB.TV working now. I couldn't get it to work on Firefox, so I switched to IE and it's working.

I use firefox too. I turned off Adblock and it worked. I've never had that issue before. Weird. Great win for the Braves.

[Hobbes]

I use firefox too. I turned off Adblock and it worked. I've never had that issue before. Weird. Great win for the Braves.
I noticed MLB.TV added some inning-break commercials into their feed again. Perhaps these commercials trigger the Ad-block somehow? I'll have to try switching it off next time I have trouble and see if it works.

[Johndeerebrave]

I guess we just get up for the good teams. Great win! Let's hope they can get the next two games in.

Quote of the night came from the Red Sox announcers right after Nate's first-pitch HR..."Who's to think you would swing at the first pitch.":eek: Obviously they didn't know anything about the Braves!

[Lauren T.]

I'd just like to have the number of the guy who can find out what Kris Medlen is up to.
He's busy braiding My Little Pony (http://braveslove.blogspot.com/2009/06/my-little-pony.html)'s tail on the bag of treats in the bullpen.