Gamethread: Braves @ Rockies, July 11, 2009 (87/162) WIN

[sdp]

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/8112/asdfsop.png

Jair Jurrjens (6-7, 2.91) vs. Jason Marquis (11-5, 3.61)

[sdp]

STARTING LINEUP

Nate McLouth cf
Martin Prado 1b
Chipper Jones 3b
Brian McCann c
Garret Anderson lf
Ryan Church rf
Brooks Conrad 2b
Diory Hernandez ss
Jair Jurrjens p

[sdp]

Per DOB, Gonzo was sent back to Atlanta with elbow soreness for tests. Cox and company are downplaying it, but not really something you wanted to hear.

[Middle Man]

Per DOB, Gonzo was sent back to Atlanta with elbow soreness for tests. Cox and company are downplaying it, but not really something you wanted to hear.

Yikes. Prob best case scenario is they put him on the DL and rest it for a few weeks.

[slowride]

Comes off TJ, Cox runs him into the ground....his mechanics....anyone surprised? Darn Cox.

Is there a specific reason Esco isn't in the lineup? I didn't get to watch the game last night.

[Dreamscape]

Francoeur is hitting fifth in tonight's lineup for the Mets.

Which begs the question...is the Mets offense right now worse than the Braves?

[Dreamscape]

Johnny Cueto - Slump Breaker.

[RiknTN]

DOB just reported that exams revealed Gonzo has elbow tendonitis in his left elbow. They said he would be ok by Thursday after the All Star break. Seems awfully fast to me.

[slowride]

First AB as a Met for Francoeur comes with bases loaded with one out. He hits a 2 RBI single...

[Dreamscape]

Johnny Cueto couldn't get out of the first his last start. Now, he's trying not to get out of this one. Though, it looked like a blooper in Gameday so Failcoeur with a little luck in his first at-bat.

[slowride]

I actually watched it on TV....it was a good pitch and a good hit.

[RiknTN]

Wearing #12 there

[Hobbes]

My guide says this game will be on the MLB Network tonight. Hopefully it's accurate.

[RiknTN]

Francoeur up again now with 2 out runner on 2nd............and he didn't swing at 1st pitch....and he strikes out swinging to end the inning...........ok.......last time I do this.........back to the Braves

[Dreamscape]

What the hell happened to Johnny Cueto? He went from All-Star snub to "send this guy back to the minors" in two quick starts.

[Dreamscape]

Good news: Francoeur saw at least three pitches.

Of course, that meant he struck out.

[Dreamscape]

Remember when the Braves chose Shane Reynolds over Jason Marquis? Those were the days. Ya know, back when they could do no wrong.

Jair...throwing a strike isn't against the rules.

[RiknTN]

McCann has gone back to the normal catching mask and backward worn batting helmet....when did he do that?...........still wears the glasses

[Dreamscape]

Church makes his first put-out.

[Dreamscape]

On the farm...KJ has looked solid in his rehab stint. In four games, he is 5 for 14 with a 2B, 3B, HR, and 3 BB to 3 SO.

I'm a little surprised he's only played second.

[Hobbes]

BTW, this game is on the MLB Network for those who get that channel.

[Dreamscape]

Grounder advances the runners into scoring position for Tulowitzki.

[Dreamscape]

Jair not really in command of his best stuff, but he labors through a scoreless first.

[Hobbes]

Nice double to start the inning for McCann. He was huffing and puffing.

[Dreamscape]

It's that damn mile high oxygen. Gets McCann all light-headed.

[RiknTN]

Church wearing #25....already better than Francoeur...he TOOK the 1st 2 pitches...

[Dreamscape]

I am almost surprised Marquis pitched to Conrad after falling behind 3-0...and then I remembered he is, after all, Brooks Conrad. But I'll take it.

[Hobbes]

Jurrjens with the RBI!

[Dreamscape]

Jair...a complete baseball player.

[Dreamscape]

Very solid second from Jurrjens. Looked much better. That's how you should pitch the bottom half of the lineup.

[Dreamscape]

Jurrjens with some of his best velocity all year.

[Dreamscape]

Quiet fourth, though Conrad got robbed on a liner.

[Hobbes]

Nice smart play by Jurrjens to let that grounder go by and get the DP.

[Dreamscape]

Two very intelligent things by Jurrjens there. First, he started Stewart with a changeup after the walk. He could have tried to throw a fastball, get ahead, etc., but he also probably thought that's what Stewart was thinking.

Second, he let the grounder go and the Gwinnett double-play combo did its job.

[Dreamscape]

Fakes a bunt and then a swinging bunt.

Go steal second, Jair.

[Dreamscape]

Bases loaded for McCann. Now would be a great time to see some power from our cleanup hitter.

[Dreamscape]

Church...time to become a cult hero.

[Hobbes]

Church just missed getting one out.

[Dreamscape]

Damn you, humidor!

[Dreamscape]

Jurrjens at 74 pitches through five. Six innings from your starter is an accomplishment in Coors.

[Dreamscape]

Thankfully, Conrad was covering second and not Hernandez or it's 1st and 3rd and nobody out.

[Dreamscape]

Prado acting like he's hungover out there. Just a little sluggish as Airplane might say.

At 94 pitches and a cool Colorado night, sending him out for the seventh wouldn't be an awful idea.

[Dreamscape]

Would have been a tough triple so thanks Hawpe.

[Dreamscape]

Wonder if the intentional walk means a lefty is coming in.

[Dreamscape]

Well, getting an extra run was important.

By the way, I'm not surprised Barmes has committed a high amount of errors for a 2B. He made that grounder a little harder than it should have been by waiting until it hit the outfield grass before fielding it. It can hit the grass and take a bad hop. It nearly ate him up.

[BraveFan]

Anyone know if KK can throw tomorrow at all since we have the long break coming up?

[Hobbes]

Might be time for the hook.

And it is...in comes Moylan.

[Dreamscape]

Hey, look, it's Peter Moylan. I didn't even know he was still in the bullpen.

[Hobbes]

Geico needs to just stop with these dumb commercials with the money that looks like a face.

[Andy G.]

Geico needs to just stop with these dumb commercials with the money that looks like a face.
I agree. They're embarrassing.

Moylan gets a three pitch strikeout!

[BigWorm]

Think I've seen enough of Peter Moylan Eh?

[Hobbes]

Think I've seen enough of Peter Moylan Eh?
Echoed. He's not fooling anybody tonight.

[Dreamscape]

Braves can never have anything easy.

[MSbravefan]

How do you not catch a fastball right down the middle?

[BigWorm]

Diory with a nice backhand put-out to end the inning and conserve JJ's lead.

What a nice backup SS to have on the roster.

[Dreamscape]

How do you not catch a fastball right down the middle?
Why are you asking? McCann showed you how.

[Dreamscape]

I really have this sinking feeling about this...

[JanShan12]

I'm so sleepy, but can't go to bed until I see how this one ends. An insurance run or two would really make me feel better here.

[RiknTN]

I really have this sinking feeling about this...

ye of little faith......:D

[Dreamscape]

Thanks, Mr. Tracy. Your Coxian move cost you a hitter.

[GeneGarberForPrez]

I hope nobody has Matt Capps on their fantasy baseball team. Phillies score 5 in the bottom of the 9th to beat the Pirates.

[JanShan12]

Ugh! Those Phillies need to stop winning!

[Andy G.]

That sucks that the Phillies were able to get that win.

Soriano looks dominant as usual. He's gotten ahead 0-2 on all four hitters he's faced, and as I type this he gets his third strikeout to end the game!

[Dreamscape]

Utter. And complete domination.

[Hobbes]

Nice job Soriano. Braves win!

[JanShan12]

BIG strikeout of Fowler. 2 outs. Tying run still on 1st.

[JanShan12]

Nice job Soriano. Braves win!

You beat me! :D

GO BRAVES!!!

Goodnight, all!

[RiknTN]

Does Soriano EVER smile? Didn't crack a grin even after last pitch and high-5's............

[Dreamscape]

After sex, Mrs. Soriano says "That was great, Raffy.

To which Mr. Soriano replies, "I don't have to impress you."

/lifted from Family Guy.

[Andy G.]

Alright. The Braves are on a roll here. They're 9-4 since the last game of the Red Sox series. Let's keep it going and win the series tomorrow! Then we can take care of the Mets in Atlanta after the All Star break.

[Dreamscape]

To be honest, the Francoeur trade changed a lot of how I am looking at this team. For once, I have a little hope. I'm probably naturally pessimistic (chopnation: "probably?") and I do see several holes, but the Braves front office did something I didn't think they had the stones for. Now I can believe in this team.

Dammit, last time I did that, Chris Burke made me want to go on a killing spree.

[Andy G.]

Does Soriano EVER smile? Didn't crack a grin even after last pitch and high-5's............
Good question. A few days ago I saw him with what might have been a grin on his face at the end of the game. I couldn't tell for sure, but he was giving McCann a hug at the time.

[hoosjon]

Now I can believe in this team.

Call it pessimistic optimism? Maybe a questionable belief in the improvement of our chances? Sort of a glass is half full, yet knowing deep down that it's half empty?

[hoosjon]

I forgot. :confused:

Hell yeah, Braves! Way to give Jair another win! Going into this and seeing Marquis with 11 ... ELEVEN wins to nearly double JJ's win total made me sad. :(

This ... does not. :)

[BigWorm]

To be honest, the Francoeur trade changed a lot of how I am looking at this team. For once, I have a little hope. I'm probably naturally pessimistic (chopnation: "probably?") and I do see several holes, but the Braves front office did something I didn't think they had the stones for. Now I can believe in this team.

Dammit, last time I did that, Chris Burke made me want to go on a killing spree.

It's ok lil dreamer. Burke now wears a tomahawk across his chest. He'll never hurt you again.

[Andy G.]

Unless he somehow makes it to Atlanta.

[Dreamscape]

Unless he somehow makes it to Atlanta.
Do not mention those words around me again.

Truth is...we are a Brooks Conrad injury away from it becoming a reality.

Godspeed Brooks.

[Wahoo]

Completely off-topic, but I watched Smoltz pitch some tonight...whomever saw him pitch (aside from those jackasses on ESPN), he is CLEARLY not the same Smoltz. He not once hit above 95 on the gun. I hate to say, but he is obviously not the same pitcher as last year. His velocity is clearly down, and his command is just a tick off from last year. He benefitted from the fact that he was facing a shoddy offense.

Side note: More evidence that ESPN blows, that feel that Francoeur just needed a change in scenery. Yes, because Atlanta fans are the harshest in the country. What a load of crap. The fact is he had to play like a pile of monkey dung for over 2 years before anyone started to boo his ass. Clueless journalism, gotta love it.

[luvdembravos]

Call it pessimistic optimism? Maybe a questionable belief in the improvement of our chances? Sort of a glass is half full, yet knowing deep down that it's half empty?

We've definitely improved by getting rid of some pieces that weren't contributing. But from a macro sense, we still lack speed and power. I really like our pitching which is going to keep us in the race until the end, but man I wish we had some more pop and speed in our offense.

[Hobbes]

We've definitely improved by getting rid of some pieces that weren't contributing. But from a macro sense, we still lack speed and power. I really like our pitching which is going to keep us in the race until the end, but man I wish we had some more pop and speed in our offense.

Plenty of teams get by without speed, but very few do without power. We could really use some additional pop.

[Dreamscape]

As it is, we really have to maximize what we do have. Doubles and walks. It's harder to score runs consistently without power, but I don't think the Braves have the funds to get a basher to add to the outfield or first base.

Hopefully, they don't overreact and call up Heyward...