Gamethread: Mets @ Braves, July 19, 2009 (92/162) WIN

[sdp]

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/5703/mets.png
----------------------------------------------------------------------
New York Mets (43-47) vs. Atlanta Braves (45-46)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Series Matchups (Braves lead, 2-1)
> Thursday: Braves 5, Mets 3 (W: Acosta; L: Feliciano; S: Soriano) - Recap (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=5582331&c_id=atl) | Box Score (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2009_07_16_nynmlb_atlmlb_1) | Gamethread (http://www.chopnation.com/boards/showthread.php?t=200)
> Friday: Braves 11, Mets 0 (W: Jurrjens; L: Pelfrey) - Recap (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=5602821&c_id=atl) | Box Score (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2009_07_17_nynmlb_atlmlb_1) | Gamethread (http://www.chopnation.com/boards/showthread.php?t=204)
> Saturday: Mets 5, Braves 1 (W: Santana; L: Kawakami) - Recap (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=5615449&c_id=atl) | Box Score (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2009_07_18_nynmlb_atlmlb_1) | Gamethread (http://www.chopnation.com/boards/showthread.php?t=205)
> TONIGHT: Fernando Nieve vs. Javier Vazquez, 6:05 PM EDT on ESPN

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Projected Lineup
Nate McLouth, CF
Martin Prado, 2B
Chipper Jones, 3B
Brian McCann, C
Garret Anderson, LF
Yunel Escobar, SS
Casey Kotchman, 1B
Ryan Church, RF
Javier Vazquez, P

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Link Roundup


----------------------------------------------------------------------
Upcoming vs. San Fransisco
Monday, July 20th: Jonathan Sanchez vs. Tommy Hanson, 7:05 PM EDT on SPSO
Tuesday, July 21st: Ryan Sadowski vs. Derek Lowe, 7:05 PM EDT on PTV
Wednesday, July 22nd: Tim Lincecum vs. Jair Jurrjens, 7:05 PM EDT on PTV
Thursday, July 23rd: Barry Zito vs. Kenshin Kawakami, 1:05 PM EDT on SPSO

----------------------------------------------------------------------
July 24th-26th: Braves @ Brewers; July 28th-29th: Braves @ Marlins
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Go Braves!

[BraveFan]

NY Mets
Pagon CF
Castillo 2B
Murphy 1B
Wright 3B
Francoeur RF
Reed LF
Cora SS
Schneider C
Nieve P

Atlanta Braves
McLouth CF
Prado 2B
Chipper 3B
McCann C
Anderson LF
Escobar SS
Kotchman 1B
Church RF
Vazquez P

lineups courtesy of yahoo sports


I'm really glad and suprised that Escobar is starting.

[slowride]

Esco and Ander....scratch that. Anderson should be scratched altogether in favor of Diaz. His only value is that of a pinch hitter. His defense would be laughable if he played for any other team, but since it's with the Braves it's just sad and pathetic.

Oh yeah...he's arrogant and won't put forth the effort to throw anyone out...yada yada

[Dreamscape]

Joe Morgan said "let's look at stats."

My head exploded.

[hoosjon]

I miss TBS ... I always seem to get excited initially when the Braves game is on "real TV" that I can watch ... then Fox pre-empts it for the BAL-CHW game. What's worse is tonight when I have to listen to Jon Miller and Joe Morgan. My mood fell sharply the second I saw those losers. and a little further when I heard Jon Miller start to talk.

[Hobbes]

I miss TBS ... I always seem to get excited initially when the Braves game is on "real TV" that I can watch ... then Fox pre-empts it for the BAL-CHW game. What's worse is tonight when I have to listen to Jon Miller and Joe Morgan. My mood fell sharply the second I saw those losers. and a little further when I heard Jon Miller start to talk.
Don't forget Steve Phillips. With his addition an already cringe-worthy announcing team gets even worse.

[Dreamscape]

Yes, Joe, obviously Murphy was thinking "I'm not going to try to drive in a run and line right at the pitcher. Success!"

[Dreamscape]

Oh, wow, Phillips outdumbs Morgan by saying the Braves should put Wright on.

In the first inning.

[Dreamscape]

God, I love seeing the bunt not work.

It seriously makes me happy and I hope Bobby watched. "Hmmm...giving us an out with one of their better hitters didn't get the run home. But, gee, that's not how we did it during the deadball era."

[slowride]

Oh, wow, Phillips outdumbs Morgan by saying the Braves should put Wright on.

In the first inning.

lmao.

What got me was when steve phillips was talking about the Mets underachieving and how they can get back into the race. (The braves were not mentioned)

Also, in regards to hoosjan's statement; I have the same problem with FOX. Except since I'm in Dallas they will show any AL West team. And I think...well i'm only paying 160 bucks for the MLB package to ONLY watch the Braves....F U FOX

[hoosjon]

I DO like watchin' the game in Hi-Def ... but WOW it's quiet in the house with volume all the way down!

[Hobbes]

lmao.

What got me was when steve phillips was talking about the Mets underachieving and how they can get back into the race. (The braves were not mentioned)
Of course, Phillips drools over the Mets. At least Morgan sort of mentioned the Braves getting back into the race.

[Hobbes]

I feel bad for Miller, who tries to sneak in an occasional logical point only to be stymied by the obtuse Morgan.

[Hobbes]

Nieve has to leave the game after injuring himself running to first. Redding coming in to pitch.

[slowride]

Looked like a Quad injury? I've pulled my quad....but never "locked" it.

[hoosjon]

I feel bad for Miller, who tries to sneak in an occasional logical point only to be stymied by the obtuse Morgan.

I sometimes think that Miller just gets lucky with the good points ... he seems to try to talk CONSTANTLY, in order to avoid breathing, because then Morgan will say something. Though, that can't be it, because he's so obsequious as to be annoying about HOF Joe Morgan.

Maybe ESPN pays by the word.

[Hobbes]

Esco homer!

[Hobbes]

Uh...Bobby Cox is in touch with young players better than any other manager in the game today? Try again Steve.

[hoosjon]

Nieve has to leave the game after injuring himself running to first. Redding coming in to pitch.

ANOTHER Mets injury ... I used to say that putting on a Mets uni was bad luck, but I generally meant that they paid a lot and the player almost always seemed like they were on the downswing in their career, like Glavine, sorta. Now, I'm beginning to think that it's just plain unhealthy to play for them.

[slowride]

Did Yunel just come back off the trading block? lol...

This kid is an enigma.

[slowride]

Frenchy with the RBI single.....I was happy to see it.

[Dreamscape]

Some will talk that RBI single up, but you give a horrible player 10 times to do something, he will still do it twice.

[Hobbes]

Miller surmising that possibly down the road Maddux will be viewed as one of the best pitchers of all time.

Yeah Jon, just maybe. :rolleyes:

[slowride]

Some will talk that RBI single up, but you give a horrible player 10 times to do something, he will still do it twice.

3 out of 10 makes him great though, right? From horrible to great with nothing in between?

[Hobbes]

So Maddux had great movement, but not much "stuff". What are you talking about Steve? Stuff means more than velocity.

[Hobbes]

Grrr...another wasted opportunity.

[slowride]

I wish Prado would have been bunting there. I understand he has a hot bat, but it would have been in the best interest of the team to have two runners in scoring position with one out and chip at the plate.

Oh well...

[hoosjon]

3 out of 10 makes him great though, right? From horrible to great with nothing in between?

So ... if the Mets "turn Frenchy around", does that mean that we finally give TP the boot?

And I realize that it's those ESPN morons, but they mentioned that Maddux had mentioned interest in being a pitching coach. I don't HATE Roger, but I'd fire him in a heartbeat to get Greg in our 'pen.

[slowride]

So ... if the Mets "turn Frenchy around", does that mean that we finally give TP the boot?

If it were that cut and dry; he'd be gone already.

[Hobbes]

That triple just proves that Anderson still has enough speed that he doesn't need to be a slug in left field.

[hoosjon]

I thought GA was gonna DIE when he had to leg out a triple. He looked almost sad as he rounded 2nd.

I guess Frenchy's unfamiliar with the RF fence.

[hoosjon]

All joking aside, my least favorite part of Garrett Anderson's play in the field is when he doesn't even MOVE for a ball or a possible error or something. He just sits there like he doesn't realize that the ball is in play, hands on his knees.

[Hobbes]

NICE running catch by McLouth.

[Hobbes]

I think that fans near home plate who wave at the camera while talking on the phone should be immediately escorted from the stadium.

[hoosjon]

Or they should give us the ability to give them a mild shock, slowly increasing as the waving continues.

[hoosjon]

GUNNED HIM DOWN! Deal with that, Morgan! (who constantly inserts "offensive" in front of the word "Catcher" every time he says B-Mac's a good catcher)

[Dreamscape]

Great throw, even better pitch to throw on.

[hoosjon]

Okay, seriously ... was that a catch or not? Officially. Did we just get a gift? Joe Morgan seems to think so.

[Dreamscape]

Thanks for taking off the bunt.

[Hobbes]

Okay, seriously ... was that a catch or not? Officially. Did we just get a gift? Joe Morgan seems to think so.
If you're talking about the DP play then I think it was the right call. It's a close call that another ump might have called differently, but he never laid his throwing hand on the ball, so the drop wasn't really on the transfer.

[Dreamscape]

Okay, seriously ... was that a catch or not? Officially. Did we just get a gift? Joe Morgan seems to think so.
Not in my book. The ball was never in the web of the glove before he dropped it. He kinda snowconed it and never had control.

[Hobbes]

Erin Andrews in that promo for the ESPYs. Have you heard that there is a nude video of her floating around taken through a surreptitious peep hole at a hotel?

[Hobbes]

Nice sac fly by Chipper. It's nice to get a few runs for Vazquez for a change.

[Dreamscape]

When you take pitches, work the pitcher, and get on base, runs score.

It really is that simple.

[hoosjon]

Anyone else watching the Espys? I seem to miss it every year and wouldn't have known it was on without this game being before it.

[slowride]

Erin Andrews in that promo for the ESPYs. Have you heard that there is a nude video of her floating around taken through a surreptitious peep hole at a hotel?

Go on...

[hoosjon]

Nice sac fly by Chipper. It's nice to get a few runs for Vazquez for a change.

It DID make me sad when they pointed out his "low ERA, yet has a losing record." Let's keep piling them on and not let this one get away from us!

[Dreamscape]

ESCO!!!!

[Hobbes]

We're finally on the receiving end of a Francoeur gun-down.

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

Go on...


5 full minutes of it. Really creepy.

[slowride]

I won't quote, but I remember saying one of the things I'll miss about Francoeur is those idiots who think thay can run on him...but since he's with the mets maybe we'll be that idiot and I'll still get to see it.

Well...I just saw it.

Nice throw Frenchy.

[Dreamscape]

Very nice, quick inning through the 4-5-6 in the Mets lineup. Sets him up perfectly for the 7th.

[Hobbes]

Erin Andrews in that promo for the ESPYs. Have you heard that there is a nude video of her floating around taken through a surreptitious peep hole at a hotel?
Go on...

Lawyer: Erin Andrews to sue over nude video (http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/9822996/Lawyer:-Erin-Andrews-to-sue-over-nude-video?GT1=39002)

5 full minutes of it. Really creepy.

Yes, it is.

[hoosjon]

I don't mind the constant barrage of commercials about the Espys ... I like it a little less when the hammer was holding an Espy sign in the Home Depot tool race, I like it even less when they talk about the Espys instead of what's going on in the ballpark, and least of all when they randomly decide we should watch a list of teams nominated for Best Team in the Espys, instead of an at bat.

[Devil Wears Prado]

I'm so glad when we face the Mets because all their games are televised here in Connecticut. I can't wait until I start working. I'm going to be watching MLB next year (and NFL, NBA) in HD channels in my room. lol

[Dreamscape]

Though it didn't result in another run, that is why I'm so happy to have Church over Francoeur. While Church certainly won't walk a hundred times, he's just a more complete hitter. His last at-bat, he saw a slow curve and tried to gulf it out of the stadium. Church worked the pitcher and reached. While, yes, one snapshot of seasons and careers of the two players, but to me, it's exactly the biggest difference between the two.

[hoosjon]

That Vasquez snag was a LOT more nonchalant than the first one!

[Dreamscape]

Way to end it strong, Javy.

[Hobbes]

Gonzo has a good inning in one of the few games where we could have lived with one of his bad ones.

[sdp]

It sucks that the video was so low quality.

I kid, I kid.

[slowride]

Gonzo has a good inning in one of the few games where we could have lived with one of his bad ones.

He's been on the DL so I don't mind that he got a bit of work in. But Soriano even warming up with a 6 run lead is a travesty.

I have no idea what Cox's problem is. If anything Logan or Medlen should have been warming up...

[Hobbes]

Braves win!

[Hobbes]

Since Escobar had 3 hits tonight I guess it is okay to interview him.

[slowride]

I'm glad we won, but throwing Soriano was beyond stupidity.

[sdp]

Enjoy the ride to the bottom, worthless Mets.

[wordslayer©]

So Maddux had great movement, but not much "stuff". What are you talking about Steve? Stuff means more than velocity.

From some of the things that I've read, there are lots of people out there that have some angst about Maddux due to his scuffing the ball as much as he did. I think, when you hear comments like this, I would imagine that's what they are, backhandedly, referring to.

[hoosjon]

Gonzo has a good inning in one of the few games where we could have lived with one of his bad ones.

I'd like for him to settle down and give us a whole bunch of run-less innings for a little while.

I finally got to see a game that I didn't have a minor heart attack over! Been a while (for me, anyway.)

[Hobbes]

From some of the things that I've read, there are lots of people out there that have some angst about Maddux due to his scuffing the ball as much as he did. I think, when you hear comments like this, I would imagine that's what they are, backhandedly, referring to.

I've not heard those grumblings, and I really don't think that's what Phillips was hinting at. However, Maddux didn't do anything that virtually every pitcher in the HOF didn't do. Mad Dog was one of the few pitchers who is essentially beyond reproach in this tainted era, so perhaps some folks are just looking for an angle to drag him down. Maybe they're Clemens fans.

[wordslayer©]

I've not heard those grumblings, and I really don't think that's what Phillips was hinting at. However, Maddux didn't do anything that virtually every pitcher in the HOF didn't do. Mad Dog was one of the few pitchers who is essentially beyond reproach in this tainted era, so perhaps some folks are just looking for an angle to drag him down. Maybe they're Clemens fans.

I didn't hear Phillip's comments, so you may very well be right. Because of his being the GM of the mets and our history together with them, it just seemed to be where the comment would come from.

I agree with you. The hall of fame of fame is chocked full of people who corked bats and scuffed balls. It's like Moyer. He'll be in the HOF and you know his history. Anyone that is right handed, and doesn't throw 95 mph, and can move the ball six inches in on a right handed hitter, is using a little more than some wrist action.

[sdp]

Soriano threw six pitches. Perhaps Bobby was affording Soriano the chance to pitch in front of a national audience.

[KB 34]

Francouer in the series
Sunday: 1-4, 1 RBI, batting 5th
Saturday: 2-5, 1 RBI, batting 5th
Friday: 0-3, batting 5th
Thursday: 0-4, 1 RBI, batting 5th

Overall he batted 3-16, good for a 0.188 BA and OBP. Thank you very much Jeff, you were a real contributing factor in the Braves series win. A big thanks also goes out to the Mets for being stupid enough to bat him 5th in the lineup and acquire him in the first place. Yesterday I went Braves shirts shipping and saw some on the clearance rack. There were a couple nice plain A ones and a million Francoeur shirts. It was quite an easy selection and I'm really happy with my $10 Braves shirt.

[BraveFan]

I have no problem with throwing Gonzo and Soriano today, it wasn't like Bobby's normal stupid overuse of them in blowouts. Both of them mainly Gonzo hadn't throw in several days and they need to get their work in. The truth about bullpen use is that it is one thing fans don't really have any inside info to operate on. We don't know who has thrown bullpens when, who is really tired and overused. The fans are given some info b/c the teams want to keep it in house. Maybe Soriano and Gonzo told Cox and McDowell that they needed to pitch. We don't know so it is to easy and stupid to speculate. We also must conclude that it isn't just Bobby with these decision on the pen, McDowell does advise Bobby on who can be used b/c McDowell probably spends more time with the relievers and starting pitchers than Bobby. Its the pitching coaches job to advise the manager and while its ultimately Bobby's decision he isn't going to override McDowell often.

[ChopTime]

I have no problem with throwing Gonzo and Soriano today, it wasn't like Bobby's normal stupid overuse of them in blowouts. Both of them mainly Gonzo hadn't throw in several days and they need to get their work in. The truth about bullpen use is that it is one thing fans don't really have any inside info to operate on. We don't know who has thrown bullpens when, who is really tired and overused. The fans are given some info b/c the teams want to keep it in house. Maybe Soriano and Gonzo told Cox and McDowell that they needed to pitch. We don't know so it is to easy and stupid to speculate. We also must conclude that it isn't just Bobby with these decision on the pen, McDowell does advise Bobby on who can be used b/c McDowell probably spends more time with the relievers and starting pitchers than Bobby. Its the pitching coaches job to advise the manager and while its ultimately Bobby's decision he isn't going to override McDowell often.


Yeah I agree I don't have a problem with them getting work tonight at all. They haven't been out in a few days now... and we all know how our guys tend to be when they haven't pitched in several days. It's not like either one of them worked that hard.

[BraveFan]

Yeah I agree I don't have a problem with them getting work tonight at all. They haven't been out in a few days now... and we all know how our guys tend to be when they haven't pitched in several days. It's not like either one of them worked that hard.

Soriano was just throwing it up there and like just hit it and get out. He wasn't even looking for the Ks today but still had an easy one-two-three.

[Bad Blood]

Francouer in the series
Sunday: 1-4, 1 RBI, batting 5th
Saturday: 2-5, 1 RBI, batting 5th
Friday: 0-3, batting 5th
Thursday: 0-4, 1 RBI, batting 5th

Overall he batted 3-16, good for a 0.188 BA and OBP. Thank you very much Jeff, you were a real contributing factor in the Braves series win. A big thanks also goes out to the Mets for being stupid enough to bat him 5th in the lineup and acquire him in the first place. Yesterday I went Braves shirts shipping and saw some on the clearance rack. There were a couple nice plain A ones and a million Francoeur shirts. It was quite an easy selection and I'm really happy with my $10 Braves shirt.

I was at Friday night's game and went to to clubhouse store pretty much just to see the Francoeur shirts on the clearance rack... I was surprised to find they weren't there, however. Not many to be found, but they were full-price.

[luvdembravos]

Some quick observations from sunny California:

Keep Escobar.

Ryan Church knows how to draw a walk...something nice to see at the bottom of the line-up.

The Braves are 5-2 without Francoeur. Coincidence?

[Hobbes]

Some quick observations from sunny California:

Keep Escobar.
I agree. If he's got an attitude problem, find a way to get through to him. He's got too much talent on both sides of the ball to let him go just because he's difficult.

[Lauren T.]

I was at Friday night's game and went to to clubhouse store pretty much just to see the Francoeur shirts on the clearance rack... I was surprised to find they weren't there, however. Not many to be found, but they were full-price.
On Saturday there wasn't a sign marking them as clearance, but when I looked at the price tags, the jerseys that were usually $110 were marked down to $50.

[hoosjon]

I agree. If he's got an attitude problem, find a way to get through to him. He's got too much talent on both sides of the ball to let him go just because he's difficult.

And like wide receivers, NL East Shortstops seem to ALL have a prima donna problem. Hanley, Reyes, J-Roll ... yet no one talks about getting rid of THEM.

[Bad Blood]

On Saturday there wasn't a sign marking them as clearance, but when I looked at the price tags, the jerseys that were usually $110 were marked down to $50.

Hmmm... I just looked at jersey t-shirts. As they are out of my price range, I usually don't even bother with the real jerseys :)

[Dreamscape]

And like wide receivers, NL East Shortstops seem to ALL have a prima donna problem. Hanley, Reyes, J-Roll ... yet no one talks about getting rid of THEM.
Christian Guzman is the biggest prima donna of them all, actually. He's decided to rename himself Quince.

/isn't proud of that.