Gamethread: Braves @ Reds 7/30/10

[Dreamscape]

Braves had a 1-0 lead because, really, one run should win every game. But that darn Medlen did the Medlenese thing of looking unhittable through nine and then the hitters adjust. A single, a balk, RBI single, RBI double, RBI single...all with two outs.

3-1 Reds.

[Dreamscape]

Some fun numbers heading into this game for Medlen. sOPS+ is a gauge on how the player does in this split, relative to the league, in the same way adjusted OPS is used. However, since Medlen is a pitcher, the reverse is true. While a hitter with a 120 OPS+ is 20% better than the league average, the pitcher who gives up a 120 OPS+ is 20% worse than the league average.

All of these numbers come as a starter and reflect how hitters adjust to Medlen and how Medlen adjusts (or simply doesn't).
PA BA OBP SLG K BB sOPS+
1st .212 .268 .365 26 5 78
2nd .276 .311 .490 17 5 111
3rd .351 .375 .541 11 4 138
While no splits are definitive, I do think this backs up a theory that Medlen still needs to develop a third pitch to be an effective starter and also why I am quite open to dealing him.

[luvdembravos]

I'm watching the Nats-Phillies game and Oswalt is getting roughed up in his debut...Nats up 5-0 and still batting in the 5th.

[Dreamscape]

McCann ties it up with one of those...ya know...things where the batter hits the ball and it goes over the outfield wall...jeez, it happens so infrequently for the Braves, I forgot the name for it.

[Dreamscape]

Brandon Phillips would like everyone to know that he is the best all-around 2B in baseball.

[Dreamscape]

After a single by Infante, Melky bloops one to right and hustles a double out of it.

[Dreamscape]

Medlen hits hit on his right wrist and a bit of fanboys all across of Atlanta dies. Cueto went to him and made sure he knew it wasn't intentional of anything.

[Dreamscape]

Fielder's choice, 4-3...Mr. SuperWonderful2ndBasemen couldn't get the ball to Cabrera sooner and Prado beats out the double play attempt. 4-3 Braves and Cueto is out. Runners on the corners, 1 out.

[Dreamscape]

Heyward K's...and Braves in danger of stranding even more runners in scoring position.

[007]

Heyward K's...and Braves in danger of stranding even more runners in scoring position.


aaargh

[Dreamscape]

Bases re-loaded and McCann up.

[007]

C'mon BMAC!!!

[Hobbes]

D'oh!

[Dreamscape]

Sigh.

One run despite loading the bases twice in the inning.

Luke Scott, where are you?

[007]

Dang it

[luvdembravos]

Nats up 7-1 over Phillies now.

[Hobbes]

I'm watching the Nats-Phillies game and Oswalt is getting roughed up in his debut...Nats up 5-0 and still batting in the 5th.
Yay. Now 7-1 Nats.

[Hobbes]

When did McCann start doing these flash signs, as opposed to putting down fingers to call pitches?

[Dreamscape]

This is one long inning for Saito.

[Hobbes]

This is one long inning for Saito.
But luckily a successful one.

[Hobbes]

It's so annoying that the MLB Network breaks in for every ARod at-bat.

Dude took steroids. Let's not celebrate his miscellaneous milestone.

[Hobbes]

Votto ties the game with one swing.

[Hobbes]

Rolen follows with a double. Grrrr.

[Hobbes]

Shallow fly to RF and Rolen tags up. Heyward's throw is way off line, or Rolen would have been out easily.

[Hobbes]

Venters settles down and gets out of further trouble, but the game is tied at 4-4.

[Dreamscape]

Wow...Conrad almost got that one out, but a great play robs him of another go-ahead, pinch-hit homer.

[Garydee]

Chavez is pitching. This isn't going to be pretty.

[Dreamscape]

Jason Heyward - We Are All Witnesses

[Garydee]

Let's hope Prado's hand is ok. We don't need him on the DL.

[-Dr. Brave-]

Wagner's been shaky lately.

[Gman]

Any reports on Medlen or Prado yet? This could be an expensive game.

[Hobbes]

I didn't see the Medlen situation, but Prado certainly looked like he was in some serious pain.

[Gman]

I didn't see the Medlen situation, but Prado certainly looked like he was in some serious pain.

CBSsports.com says Prado went for x-rays on a finger after the game. Medlen was hit by a pitch below his right wrist. Cox said it's bruised but he expects he'll make his next start.

[-Dr. Brave-]

Medlen had a nice bruise on his right forearm but a little rest and he should be fine.

Hopefully Prado will wake up tomorrow and he can still move his wrist.

[KB 34]

I think it's safe to say Heyward is a completely different player when he's healthy. He's putting up All Star stats again. Venters could use a decrease in innings in my opinion. Wins are always good and especially with the Phillies making things interesting.

[luvdembravos]

Anybody heard anything more about Prado's pinkie? We absolutely can't afford to lose him for an extended period of time.

[Lauren T.]

Info from Twitter...
mlbbowman (http://twitter.com/mlbbowman/status/20002410406) Still no update on Prado. He arrived at the stadium about 30 minutes ago. #Braves (http://twitter.com/#search?q=%23Braves)ajcbraves (http://twitter.com/ajcbraves/status/20003241067) #Braves (http://twitter.com/#search?q=%23Braves)' Prado only arrived at ballpark 45 min. ago to see doc. Don't know if that means it wasn't so urgent,or what. Just letting u know

[Garydee]

Prado is going to miss at least a week with fractured pinky. http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/

[luvdembravos]

That's going to hurt but thankfully we have Infante (and HR Conrad in a pinch).

[Wahoo]

They just said on Fox that Prado will miss 7 to 10 days but right now he won't go on the DL an made it sound like Bobby felt like he may be back in the lineup sooner.