August 31st, 2009: Atlanta Braves @ Florida Marlins (131/162) WIN

[Chris_Moderato]

http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/.e1d/img/2.0/sect/baseball/mlb/teampages/toppers/braves.jpg
68-62
~AT~
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/.e1d/img/2.0/sect/baseball/mlb/teampages/toppers/marlins.jpg
68-62
Land Shark Stadium, 7:10PM

http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_499877.jpg
KENSHIN KAWAKAMI (6-10, 4.08)
.vs.
http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_435178.jpg
JOSH JOHNSON (13-3, 3.04)

[luvdembravos]

Land Shark stadium? That place has been through more name changes than Elizabeth Taylor.

But whether it’s called Joe Robbie, Pro Player, Dolphin, Land Shark or any other name, the place is still a dump.

[Lauren T.]

Well, we'll be watching the Miami Marlins in their very own stadium soon enough -- just one more year at Land Shark.

I've missed the last two games, so it'll be nice to see a live one tonight. Go Braves!

[-Dr. Brave-]

Infante actually makes a nice running catch in center, but it's a sac fly that scores the first run of the game. 1-0 Marlins.

[Lauren T.]

They put up a graphic that Rossy's hitting .375 against the Marlins this season, but I missed if they said how Mac performed. Anyone know?

[-Dr. Brave-]

They put up a graphic that Rossy's hitting .375 against the Marlins this season, but I missed if they said how Mac performed. Anyone know?

He's 6 for 29 (.207) with 2 doubles and 2 homers.

[-Dr. Brave-]

They put up a graphic that Rossy's hitting .375 against the Marlins this season, but I missed if they said how Mac performed. Anyone know?

And Ross is actually 4 for 15 (.267) with 1 homer.

[-Dr. Brave-]

Chipper has developed a Schafer-esque hole in his swing.

Joe Simpson suggested he use a lighter bat.

[-Dr. Brave-]

Braves hit into their second double play of the night. :thumbsdown:

No hits through 5. :thumbsdown:

Still 1-0 Marlins. :thumbsdown:

[Dreamscape]

Braves hit into their second double play of the night. :thumbsdown:

No hits through 5. :thumbsdown:

Still 1-0 Marlins. :thumbsdown:
Hey, you know how hard it is to hit into two double plays without having a hit?

It's hard work.

[-Dr. Brave-]

Did anyone see that look of disbelief on Chris Coghlan's face after Garret Anderson made a shoestring catch to end the 5th? :eek:

[-Dr. Brave-]

Matt Diaz gets the Braves' first hit with 2 outs in the 6th.

[Dreamscape]

Time for Chipper to, ya know, act like Chipper.

[-Dr. Brave-]

I'm ready for Chipper to hit right-handed the rest of the season.

[Dreamscape]

Um, next inning. Damn you gameday for not updating the out total quicker.

[Dreamscape]

Kawakami has done what he was expected to do as a fifth starter. Six solid innings.

Oh, of course, he may end up falling to 6-11, but another fine effort.

[Dreamscape]

Hey, look, Chipper's on. Professional Cleanup Hitter, Garret Anderson to the plate.

[-Dr. Brave-]

Kawakami has done what he was expected to do as a fifth starter. Six solid innings.

Oh, of course, he may end up falling to 6-11, but another fine effort.

Let's go with a 6-man rotation the rest of the season.

[-Dr. Brave-]

2-run triple by Infante gives the Braves the lead.

Let's get that third run in.

[Dreamscape]

Wow, great timing on your first triple of the year, Omar.

[Dreamscape]

David Ross makes it 3-1.

Yay, Greg Norton gets into the game.

[-Dr. Brave-]

Josh Johnson falls behind 2-0 to Ross with the pitcher on deck... instead of pitching around Ross, they give up a single up the middle to make it 3-1 and knock out Johnson.

[-Dr. Brave-]

Norton pinch-hits for KK and strikes out.

Kawakami's line: 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 5 K

Kawakami's control has been much better lately.

[-Dr. Brave-]

Moylan with his 73rd appearance of the season.

[Dreamscape]

Game 81 for Norton. He's needed a glove twice.

In 33 games since returning off the DL, all as a PH, Norton is 5 for 25 with 8 BB and 8 SO.

Man, I wish I had a job getting paid $800,000 to be completely awful at my job.

You ever think Norton takes infield grounders before the game and says to himself, "why am I even doing this??

[-Dr. Brave-]

Another intentional walk to Chipper. Fredi Gonzalez must know something we don't.

[Middle Man]

...and here comes JMU's contribution to MLB. I hate rooting against the former Brave, but I'm sure he understands. Sure would be nice to tack on a couple of runs here.

[-Dr. Brave-]

LaRoche finally puts a ball in play and drives in Diaz to make it 4-1.

[-Dr. Brave-]

Escobar drives in Chipper to make it 5-1.

Bottom of the 8th, Gonzalez in.

[-Dr. Brave-]

Gorecki in defensively for Anderson in left field. Infante stays in center. :confused:

[Lauren T.]

Let's go with a 6-man rotation the rest of the season.
I would be perfectly fine with this. :thumbsup: Everyone's tired - an extra day of rest wouldn't hurt anyone!

[Middle Man]

I LOLed at Adam there and his half-hearted slide into third - out by about 10 steps.

[Middle Man]

123 for Mikey G.

[-Dr. Brave-]

Three outs to go. Soriano time. :thumbsup:

[-Dr. Brave-]

Soriano must be a little chilly... he's wearing long purple sleeves under his jersey.

Must be a cultural thing.

[Lauren T.]

Sori always wears the long-sleeved Under Armour top. So does Gonzo, so does TP, so does Moylan.

[-Dr. Brave-]

So they're all crazy. Good to know.

RBI double makes it 5-2. C'mon Soriano... only one out to go.

[-Dr. Brave-]

Braves win a series opener!

[Hobbes]

Yay!

[-Dr. Brave-]

The Dragon Slayer improves to 7-10, and Braves reclaim sole possession of second place in the division.

And two minutes later, Fish Fry Stadium is completely empty.

[Chris_Moderato]

Brave SWIM!

[Yeah, that's right.]

[sdp]

yay!