Gamethread: Giants @ Braves, July 20, 2009 (93/162) WIN

[sdp]

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/4576/pngf.png
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San Francisco Giants (50-41) vs. Atlanta Braves (46-46)
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Series Matchups
> TONIGHT: Jonathan Sanchez vs. Tommy Hanson, 7:05 PM EDT on SPSO
> Tuesday: Ryan Sadowski vs. Derek Lowe, 7:05 PM EDT on PTV
> Wednesday: Tim Lincecum vs. Jair Jurrjens, 7:05 PM EDT on PTV
> Thursday: Barry Zito vs. Kenshin Kawakami, 1:05 PM EDT on SPSO

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Starting Lineup
Nate McLouth, CF
Martin Prado, 2B
Chipper Jones, 3B
Brian McCann, C
Garret Anderson, LF
Yunel Escobar, SS
Matt Diaz, RF
Casey Kotchman, 1B
Tommy Hanson, RHP

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Link Roundup
Rosenberg: Hanson kicks off series against Giants (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090720&content_id=5953188&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl)
Singer: Braves' Escobar named NL Player of the Week (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090720&content_id=5958296&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl) (Discussion (http://www.chopnation.com/boards/showthread.php?t=209))
Rosenberg: Hudson tosses two innings at Class A (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090719&content_id=5951634&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl)
Bradley: The top prospect? Baseball America says he’s a Brave (http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2009/07/20/the-top-prospect-baseball-america-says-hes-a-brave/)

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Upcoming @ Milwaukee
Friday, July 24th: Javier Vazquez vs. Manny Parra, 8:05 PM EDT on SPSO
Saturday, July 25th: Tommy Hanson vs. Mike Burns, 8:05 PM EDT on SPSO
Sunday, July 26th: Derek Lowe vs. Braden Looper, 2:05 PM EDT on FSS

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July 28th-29th: Braves @ Marlins; July 31st-August 2nd: Dodgers @ Braves
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Go Braves!

[Middle Man]

I'm glad we're getting Zito instead of Cain, although Zito is the kind of guy who can probably give the Braves a hard time even when he isn't that good.

It will interesting to see how Sanchez pitches. His numbers are pretty mediocre with the one obvious exception and he doesn't appear to have good control. Although he's a lefty, I'm thinking we'll knock him out in less than 5 innings.

Edit: OK, I see Sanchez beat us back in May. I don't remember seeing that game. box score (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore;_ylt=AhX0KjWOpcfXGgTPWIiXzdmFCLcF?gid=290525126)

So we owe him one.

Another edit: That was one of Schafer's infamous 4 K games. So if I did see it, I've blocked it from my mind. Also, Chipper and Escobar were out and we now have a new guy in RF. I predict a much different result. Prepare for a whippin', giants.

[JanShan12]

Yep, we should see different results tonight.

Happy 25th birthday to my little brother! A Braves win would make us both happy!

[bravos4evr]

I have missed the last 3 wins and watched the loss..... I'm not watching any more games on TV until the streak breaks!!!!

[Dreamscape]

Hanson hits Rowand and Winn singles, bu Hanson retires the Giants biggest threat by striking out Sandoval on a wicked slider. A flyball to Ganderson (it's just easier) follows.

[nuke_laloosh]

I don't know about the rest of the people on the board, but I'm loving this new camera angle from CF. A lot better angle on the strike zone, and the better judge of the break/movement of the pitches as they're thrown by the pitcher.

[Dreamscape]

And he K's the poor man's Schuerholtz to end the first.

Nice comeback for Hanson.

[Middle Man]

Jeez, where's the hair?

[Dreamscape]

The slump continues as McLouth is caught looking.

[Dreamscape]

Story of Sanchez's career in two batters. Long at-bats, one strikeout and one walk.

[Dreamscape]

Rarely will Chipper and McCann K back-to-back swinging.

Oh, boy, he woke up on the right side of the bed.

[Andy G.]

I don't know about the rest of the people on the board, but I'm loving this new camera angle from CF. A lot better angle on the strike zone, and the better judge of the break/movement of the pitches as they're thrown by the pitcher.
Agreed.

[nuke_laloosh]

Diaz, "over-dove" for the ball. It hit him in his left wrist/lower arm on his diving attempt.

[Dreamscape]

Well, that's not a good development.

[sdp]

Some hot new camera angles on SportSouth...

[nuke_laloosh]

Some hot new camera angles on SportSouth...


The last two curves thrown by Hanson, were wicked and watching them with this new angle is GREAT.

[nuke_laloosh]

Walking the pitcher, cost the Braves at least two runs this inning.

[Dreamscape]

Can't play with fire at this level, Hanson.

[Dreamscape]

Another K, but you can't give them runs like Hanson did that inning.

Hopefully, Sanchez running the bases will hurt that rhythem he had in the first.

[nuke_laloosh]

Just how bad are the Nats'? They've given up 5 runs to the Mets, through 2 innings.

[nuke_laloosh]

A bomb by Ganderson (yes I stole it), cuts the lead in half.

[Dreamscape]

Ganderson!

[Dreamscape]

94-96 on four straight fastballs.

Nothing Renty could do during that at-bat except hope they missed the target.

[Dreamscape]

He really knocked the snot out of that one.

[Dreamscape]

McLouth got a superb pitch to run on there.

[nuke_laloosh]

94-96 on four straight fastballs.

Nothing Renty could do during that at-bat except hope they missed the target.

A lot of movement to his fastball, too. Diving down and in to the right-handed hitters.

[nuke_laloosh]

I've been telling myself for the past week or two that Chipper is due to get hot. I hope it happeneds soon.

[Hobbes]

CHIPPER!

[Dreamscape]

JUST got it out!

[nuke_laloosh]

I hope that that hit is the beginning of the hot streak that I've been hoping for.

[Dreamscape]

Wow...Hanson is going to win a Cy Young one year.

Maybe next.

[nuke_laloosh]

9 K's through 4 IP for Hanson

[Hobbes]

Esco started his slide too early.

[IkeWagner]

Wow...Hanson is going to win a Cy Young one year.

Maybe next.

Better hope he gets run support and good bullpen work...without those, you're just another pitcher with a WHIP around 1.

[Hobbes]

That strike 3 pitch from Hanson was wicked.

[Middle Man]

That strike 3 pitch from Hanson was wicked.

Which one? ;) By the way, I'm still favor of keeping him on the opening day roster.

[Dreamscape]

Gotta love it when Hanson is in the zone as he is tonight.

Hopefully, the offense can get him a little more support.

[Hobbes]

Which one? ;) By the way, I'm still favor of keeping him on the opening day roster.

I was speaking specifically of that second out (I think it was a slider, I don't have the sound on).

[Dreamscape]

We have turned Sanchez into an economical pitcher.

How sad.

[Hobbes]

It's exciting to have one of those future stud pitchers on our team instead of just coveting the young pitching talent of other teams.

[Hobbes]

How the hell did McLouth miss that so badly?

[Dreamscape]

Hanson is getting Vazquez'd!

[Hobbes]

DIAZ BABY!

[Dreamscape]

MATTY!

God, Bobby, learn from that.

[Middle Man]

Diaz has really added some speed to his game. My hat's off to him for improving his game during the off-season through plain ol' hard work- something you don't see major leaguers do too often.

[Dreamscape]

RYAN!!!!!

[Hobbes]

HR CHURCH!

[Dreamscape]

Small ball just doesn't win.

But hitting extra base hits and working the pitcher...

Now, that's a winning formula and if you look at the Braves recently, it's played a big part in their offensive renewel. Of course, getting some of the deadweight out of the lineup certainly helps.

[IkeWagner]

Let's see if we can put about 5 more on the board so that Bobby isn't compelled to use Gonzalez and Soriano.

[Hobbes]

What a nice inning this has turned out to be.

[Dreamscape]

Always good to not waste a runner in scoring position and less than two outs. Awful call on Chipper, but McCann picks him up.

[sdp]

EXPLOSION!

[Dreamscape]

Very solid inning from the Braves. Way to pick up Hanson, too. This is the type of game you go to Medlen for a pair of innings.

[IkeWagner]

It's nice to see a pitcher who has recently battled elbow tendonitis pitching in a 6-run game.

[Dreamscape]

It's nice to see a pitcher who has recently battled elbow tendonitis pitching in a 6-run game.
And Bobby will say "well, he was already warming up." Of course, where as that reasoning Saturday when he went to Acosta over Soriano despite the latter warming up in a 2-1 game.

[IkeWagner]

And Bobby will say "well, he was already warming up." Of course, where as that reasoning Saturday when he went to Acosta over Soriano despite the latter warming up in a 2-1 game.

Yeah, I bet that's what he would say. But let's see if he uses Soriano in the 9th here.

[IkeWagner]

I wish the Braves could save some of these runs for the Lincecum game.

[Dreamscape]

Keep adding on, guys.

Good to see Church warming up, too. I love this acquisition.

[Hobbes]

Gotta like opening up a can of whupass.

[IkeWagner]

I love the lineup we have working right now. I like Esco hitting lower in the order.

[Hobbes]

Braves win baby!

[Dreamscape]

With Colorado winning, they will probably take over the Wild Card so the Braves don't gain a full game. Four out with 69 to go.

/no comment

[ChopTime]

4 weeks ago I probably would never have even considered that we might have a shot at the Wild Card, but it's starting to look like we might be in that race as well as our division.

[sdp]

We have to continue hitting the baseball and continue getting good pitching performances and we will eventually end up where we want to be.