Gamethread: Pirates @ Braves, June 9, 2009 (57/162) WIN

[sdp]

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/7545/71239534.png
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Pittsburgh Pirates (26-31) vs. Atlanta Braves (28-28)
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Series Matchups (Braves lead, 1-0)
> Monday: Braves 7, Pirates 6 (W: Medlen; L: Karstens) - Recap (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=4947565&c_id=atl) | Box Score (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2009_06_08_pitmlb_atlmlb_1) | Gamethread (http://www.chopnation.com/boards/showthread.php?t=14)
> TONIGHT: Ross Ohlendorf vs. Derek Lowe, 7:05 PM EDT on PTV
> Wednesday: Charlie Morton vs. Jair Jurrjens, 7:05 PM EDT on PTV
> Thursday: Paul Maholm vs. Javier Vazquez, 1:05 PM EDT on SPSO

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Projected Lineup
Nate McLouth, CF
Yunel Escobar, SS
Chipper Jones, 3B
Brian McCann, C
Garret Anderson, LF
Kelly Johnson, 2B
Jeff Francoeur, RF
Martin Prado, 1B
Derek Lowe, RHP

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Link Roundup
Pirates-Braves Preview (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/preview?gid=290609115) (Becker, STATS)
Emotions come into play for Gonzalez (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090608&content_id=5212328&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl) (Rosenberg, MLB.com)
McCann making case for All-Star nod (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090607&content_id=5202004&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl) (Bowman, MLB.com)
Cox notches 2,000th win with Braves (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090608&content_id=5212238&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl) (Bowman, MLB.com)
Braves look to make most of early draft pick (http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2009/06/08/braves_baseball_draft.html) (Rogers, AJC)
Clark doesn't want to tip Braves' hand (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090608&content_id=5212246&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl) (Bowman, MLB.com)
East Paulding’s Wheeler on major league baseball’s radar (http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/highschool/stories/2009/06/08/wheeler_baseball_draft.html) (Carvell, AJC)
McLouth draws former teammates’ praise (http://www.ajc.com/braves/content/sports/braves/stories/2009/06/08/braves_nate_mclouth.html) (O'Brien, AJC)

"When you get that kind of lead and then lose it, it's nice to win." - David Ross

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Upcoming @ Baltimore
> Friday, June 12th: Tommy Hanson vs. Jason Berken, 7:05 PM EDT on SPSO
> Saturday, June 13th: Kenshin Kawakami vs. Rich Hill, 7:05 PM EDT on SPSO
> Sunday, June 14th: Derek Lowe vs. Brad Bergensen, 1:35 PM EDT on FSS
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June 16th-18th: Braves @ Reds; June 19th-21st: Braves @ Red Sox
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Go Braves!

[sdp]

I'll be working on a new graphic to put up top that compliments the new theme.

[Lauren T.]

Go Braves!

I'm leaving work soon and going to tonight's game, and if I'm counting correctly, I will have a seat immediately behind the Braves dugout. I'll be sitting next to my ex-step-cousin's ex-husband, who doesn't like sports and might look a little awkward. WOO!

[sdp]

Go Braves!

Not to steal SDP's thunder, but I'm leaving work soon and going to tonight's game, and if I'm counting correctly, I will have a seat immediately behind the Braves dugout. I'll be sitting next to my ex-step-cousin's ex-husband, who doesn't like sports and might look a little awkward. WOO!Hey, I moved your post to this thread! Nice feature.

[sdp]

lol

[Lauren T.]

Awse. :)

[bravos4evr]

I am gonna try and make it to a 3 game series come July. I have an ex GF who lives there so I can stay for free and such...ahem.... anyway, cough cough, Go braves!

[luvdembravos]

A win tonight and the Braves tie their season high winning streak - 3 games! Pathetic :rolleyes:

When is this team ever going to go on a roll?

[Lauren T.]

Also, I'll be tweeting (ugh, still hate that word) from batting practice and during the game. You can follow here (http://twitter.com/BravesLove) if you'd like. :)

[slowride]

I'll miss probably all of this game as Tuesday and Wednesday nights I have volleyball double headers. And yet I still have to pay full price for the extra innings package! No volleyball discounts....anyways. I'll be cheering on in spirit.

[BraveFan]

Lineup:

Mclouth CF
Escobar SS
Jones 3B
McCann C
Anderson LF
Norton 1B
Diaz RF
Johnson 2B
Lowe P

[bravos4evr]

No frenchy!!! Maybe he is gonna be traded!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dawg]

Norton at first? Prado is hitting too good right now. At least Diaz is in right.

[Hobbes]

No frenchy!!! Maybe he is gonna be traded!!!!!!!!!!!
More likely that even Bobby has realized he sucks too much to be an automatic start every game.

[Dreamscape]

I just blogged that it was the right move to get Norton in there. Beyond the injury Prado is suffering from, this is the first time all year Norton has needed a glove. That's insane and really a terrible misuse.

Glad to see Francoeur out. Another part of my blog was to demote him.

Course, Anderson needs to be DFA'd...

[Dawg]

Shows what I know. Didn't realize Prado had an injury unless I forgot.

[bravos4evr]

Prado has a roin strain and was visibly hobbling last night

[Dawg]

Prado has a roin strain and was visibly hobbling last night

Thanks. Didn't realize that. I never get to watch a game either so I'm sure it's not the only thing I've missed.

[KB 34]

Greg Norton starting at 1B? Did he covertly acquire the pictures from Bobby's office?
Seeing it's the same night Francoeur isn't starting he must have hired some former Navy Seals and KGB members to raid Francoeur's house and carry them away in semis.

Now I'm excited about the game, the black hole in the lineup is not starting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BigWorm]

Lineup:

Mclouth CF
Escobar SS
Jones 3B
McCann C
Anderson LF
Norton 1B
Diaz RF
Johnson 2B
Lowe P

I'd like to see that Barbaric fellow from AAA come up to play first base for the next few days, while Krotchity is on the DL. Norton/Prado is just not going to cut it.

[Dawg]

Anybody see the called strike on Yunel? Heard on the radio that he's arguing.

[Dreamscape]

So, um, we're down 1-0 after two.

Just fyi.

[Dreamscape]

Hey, look, Chipper rocks.

RBI single ties it up.

[-Dr. Brave-]

I've seen dead lice move faster than Garret Anderson.

[Dreamscape]

Well, it didn't stay tied very long. Two run doube by Robinzon Diaz.

Weird spelling on that name, too. I think they just wanted two z's.

[Agent-X-]

We have some totally bi-polar game threads. Yesterday's had a lot more activity. Today, it seems pretty dead. :confused:

[Dreamscape]

A trio of singles brings home Esco, but a double play and a groundout quickly end that rally.

We are as bipolar as the Braves, methinks. One day, they're up. The next, they're down. Remember when that near no-hitter turned five-run rally turned extra inning win was going to be the game that got us moving toward a bit of a run?

Yeah.

[Agent-X-]

We desperately need some bats hitting 5th-8th. It's like we have a plethora of black holes... any one of those guys can kill an inning fast.

[Dreamscape]

Braves really finding out how hard it is to single your way to victory tonight.

[Agent-X-]

Braves really finding out how hard it is to single your way to victory tonight.

Wouldn't be so hard if the guys batting after McCann knew how to get on base.

[Dreamscape]

Ninth hit...a bunt single by KJ...Braves got something going in the 7th.

[Dreamscape]

Cox kills me. Your pitcher is due up...and he goes to a bench player...to bunt.

Because pitchers never practice sacrifice bunting.

Oh, wait, that's right...IT'S THEIR JOB!

...my inner child cries because of Bobby Cox.

[Dreamscape]

A walk by McLouth loads them for Mr. Dynamic.

I know, old nickname, but a dandy of one.

[Dreamscape]

He dynamically puts the Braves on top with a two-run single!

[Dreamscape]

Sigh...wasted opportunity for more.

[Andy G.]

Escobar has an amazing arm. That guy was safe, though.

[Dreamscape]

I don't care if he's gone 0 for 4. I'd start Norton again tomorrow.

But then, I think it's been rather unfair the way he's been used.

Headed to the ninth.

[JanShan12]

Just got home from work an hour ago and have been watching since. I hate Tuesdays and Thursdays... my late nights. Anyway, I made it in time to see the Braves take the lead and Escobar's strong throw to 1st, even though like Gilley said, he was safe.

[JanShan12]

Prado in at 1st? I guess he isn't hurt too bad.

[Dreamscape]

Remember last year when Chipper looked good at third?

Yeah, that was nice.

[JanShan12]

Pirates down to their final out... Chipper's 9th error of the year puts the tying run on base.

[Chris_Moderato]

But Soriano says, "Not this time, sucka."

Braves win!

[IkeWagner]

Braves win!

[JanShan12]

Another win! Maybe we are going to be on a roll when we take on the tough AL East!

[Hobbes]

Soriano for closer.

[Dreamscape]

Wow. Wins.

This is kinda nice. I could get used to this. Maybe.

[BigWorm]

With this win the Braves battle back to .500 at home. We've come a long way already...... hopefully we're not done rising.

[Devil Wears Prado]

Anyone know why Soriano closed today? I was thinking it's probably because of the favorable matchups in the ninth... but does anyone think he'll be the regular closer now?

[Murphys#1Fan]

Soriano for closer.

Agree 100%.

[Dreamscape]

I prefer the "matchups" set up. Seems to make the most sense to me when you consider the situation.

[IkeWagner]

I prefer the "matchups" set up. Seems to make the most sense to me when you consider the situation.

In obvious cases, sure. But right now Gonzo is the default, and that needs to change.

[Dreamscape]

You're right, there should be no default.

[Hobbes]

Gonzo is just too Jekyll and Hyde to be the default closer. I'd say unless there is a compelling matchup reason to flip them that Soriano should be the named closer.

[Dreamscape]

To me, we saw what using Soriano in every game did to him in the summer of 2007. His fastball got very straight and left up in the zone. Homers galore. I'd rather take my chances with Gonzo and Soriano sharing the default closer label, keeping both arms fresher because this team is obviously going to play a lot of close ones.

[Chris_Moderato]

Gonzo is just too Jekyll and Hyde to be the default closer. I'd say unless there is a compelling matchup reason to flip them that Soriano should be the named closer.

Agreed.

[slowride]

Matchups was exactly the reason Soriano was closing.

In the 8th inning, the Pirates were sending Nyjer Morgan, Delwyn Young and Adan LaRoche to the plate; two lefties with a switch hitter sandwiched between them. If the Pirates had managed a base runner, Eric Hinske was due up behind them. Gonzalez was used to neutralize the heart of the Buccos order.


Aren't left handers much more effective against Gonzo then right handers? I though lefties were batting around .300 against him compared to around .180 for righties. Doesn't surprise me with where he sets up .....

[sdp]

Hey, we won! I had to work tonight.

Oh, and Charlie Morton is pitching tomorrow.

[KB 34]

I'm really glad to see Soriano getting the respect that he deserves. After his crazy injury the doctors couldn't find last season he got a lot of grief for something that was completely out of his control. This is why he's making $6.1 million. I wish there were another year on his contract at $6.1 million because with this kind of production he's going to get a nice deal on the free agent market.

[Lauren T.]

Anybody see the called strike on Yunel? Heard on the radio that he's arguing.
According to the TV broadcast and replays, he stopped his swing but the ump called it a foul tip. It looks like it never hit his bat.

Ninth hit...a bunt single by KJ...Braves got something going in the 7th.
He FLEW down the line, too. I was six rows up from the field at first base and he barely beat the throw.

Escobar has an amazing arm. That guy was safe, though.
Yes he was. We caught a break there.

Oh, and Charlie Morton is pitching tomorrow.
And *sniff*, I can't be there. I've been teaching a family history / genealogy class at church and this is the last one -- no way I can reschedule / get out of it this late. :(

I uploaded six videos (http://s224.photobucket.com/albums/dd105/Braves_Love/Braves%20vs%20Pirates%206-9-09/) from the park last night but haven't gotten to the pictures yet. I started the game in the top row of 401 with vailfiregirl while I waited for my friend with the good tickets to get to the park. ;)

[Johndeerebrave]

It's johndeerebrave!!! Braves win their third in a row! Let's hope we can actually win our 4th in a row tonight. We just can't seem to win more than 3 in a row. I love the McLouth trade and think he fits in the leadoff spot. He seems to be able to change our offense. I would love to now trade for a right handed bat. DeRosa would be good. Maybe we were distracted by all the hoopla from last Wednesday while losing the second game to the Cubs and the first two to Milwaukee. We need to win this series and then handle Baltimore and Cincinnati because murderer's row begins after that. 3 in Boston, then home for a makeup against the Cubs, 3 against Boston, 3 against the Yankees, and 3 vs. the Phillies.

[IkeWagner]

I uploaded six videos (http://s224.photobucket.com/albums/dd105/Braves_Love/Braves%20vs%20Pirates%206-9-09/) from the park last night

Thanks...I enjoyed watching Cox being honored, and also Gonzo jogging along being Mr. Cool.

[JanShan12]

Welcome, JDB! It's nice to have you around.