Gamethread: Braves @ Phillies, 05/09/10

[Dreamscape]

Rubber game after the Braves were hammered 7-0 in the opener and won 4-1 yesterday afternoon. Pitching matchup sees the struggling Kenshin Kawakami vs. Cole Hamels. It is our first matchup with the lefty who dominated hitters in 2008 and has struggled most of this year, but is coming off a great start against the Cards at home. He allowed eight hits, a run, and walked a pair while striking out eight in eight innings, though he received a no-decision.

Kawakami, on the other hand, has lost every start so far. In his last game, he allowed seven hits and three runs over five innings. On the year, he has received eight runs of support in his five starts and that includes twice not getting a run.

Chipper Jones is getting a day off today for the Braves. Brooks Conrad, who has had 12 AB on the season, gets his first start of the year. With him hitting .167, it means the final four hitters in the lineup are all under the Mendoza Line. Oh, and our number three hitter.

Horray...or something.

Atlanta (13-17)
Omar Infante, SS
Martin Prado, 2B
Melky Cabrera, RF
Troy Glaus, 1B
Brian McCann, C
Matt Diaz, LF
Brooks Conrad, 3B
Nate McLouth, CF
Kenshin Kawakami, P

Philadelphia (18-12)
Shane Victorino, CF
Placido Polanco, 3B
Chase Utley, 2B
Ryan Howard, 1B
Jayson Werth, RF
Raul Ibanez, LF
Carlos Ruiz, C
Wilson Valdez, SS
Cole Hamels, P

go braves

[Dreamscape]

It's Mother's Day so I must trek up to my mom's.

go braves

[KB 34]

Cabrera batting 3rd? I don't feel bad about not being able to catch the Braves in Milwaukee this week if that's what I'll be missing.

[Hobbes]

After getting the first out Kawakami loads the bases, then plunks Werth to force in a run.

Ibanez bloops a shallow fly to right and Melky grabs it on a hard charge in. But for some reason he doesn't throw home as Utley tags and scores.

[Hobbes]

After another walk he gets the third out and the Phils lead 2-0.

[luvdembravos]

We're so bad. Lead-off double by Infante and we don't score. Bottom of the inning, Infante misses a fairly easy line drive that somehow is scored a hit. KK hits Werth with the bases loaded. Melky catches a fly ball 130 feet from home and doesn't even attempt to throw out Utley tagging from third. It was as if he wasn't aware of the situation. Pathetic. This is the most unfundamentally sound Braves team I can remember in the past 2 decades.

I'm going out to wash the car.

[Hobbes]

And Polanco hits a homer to make it 3-0 Phillies.

[Hobbes]

Werth hits a solo shot and it's 4-0 Phillies in the third.

[-Dr. Brave-]

I think Kawakami is our bad luck charm.

[-Dr. Brave-]

If McLouth reaches here in the 4th, it appears the Braves will pinch-hit for Kawakami.

Chavez, the only reliever not to throw yesterday, is already warming up in the Braves bullpen.

[-Dr. Brave-]

Believe it or not, McLouth strikes out. Still 4-0 (Dr.) Phils.

[-Dr. Brave-]

With the bases empty and the Braves bullpen in need of a rest (not to mention the lack of pinch-hitters), Kawakami will lead off the top of the 5th.

And Kawakami actually draws a walk.

[-Dr. Brave-]

Infante walks, and Prado with his 2nd hit of the day loads the bases with nobody out.

Cabrera with an infield single to make it 4-1, still no outs.

[Hobbes]

Bases have the bases loaded with nobody out and the 3-spot up, who is Melky.

He hits a 1-hopper to second but Polanco can't snag it and a run scores.

[Hobbes]

Now would be a good time for Glaus to show that power he's supposed to have.

[argentina brave]

let's go glaus!

[Hobbes]

Glaus hits a seeing-eye single past third and two runs score!

[argentina brave]

hit em where they aint
-wee willie keeler

[Hobbes]

AB sighting! How's it going AB?

[argentina brave]

hey hobbes....it's going well. i work a bunch now at the embassy. the time zone deal keeps me away from here i suppose. the braves are trying their best to make me wish for football season.

[argentina brave]

i can catch the early games, as the 7pm est ones are in the middle of the night here. c'mon conrad!

[argentina brave]

let's go mcclouth:thumbsup:

[Hobbes]

Braves bat around and score three, but they also strand the bases loaded. 4-3 Phillies.

[Hobbes]

hey hobbes....it's going well. i work a bunch now at the embassy. the time zone deal keeps me away from here i suppose. the braves are trying their best to make me wish for football season.
Cool. How's the new country treating you?

[Hobbes]

Another nice 1-2-3 inning for KK.

[argentina brave]

Cool. How's the new country treating you?

bulgaria is europe...but is rough around the edges. people are nice, pro-american, but life is a struggle for many. mafia, corruption is rife, brain drain, with free eu travel.

we live on the side of a mountain, near skiing. the kids are happy here. our lives are good. everything is relatively easy for us. my wife and i work a lot but we are thankful to be gainfully employed the ways things have been going lately!

i got boxee running my mlb.tv on my flat screen, and i'm loving it! (just wish the braves could win every once and awhile).

[Hobbes]

bulgaria is europe...but is rough around the edges. people are nice, pro-american, but life is a struggle for many. mafia, corruption is rife, brain drain, with free eu travel.

we live on the side of a mountain, near skiing. the kids are happy here. our lives are good. everything is relatively easy for us. my wife and i work a lot but we are thankful to be gainfully employed the ways things have been going lately!

i got boxee running my mlb.tv on my flat screen, and i'm loving it! (just wish the braves could win every once and awhile).
Nice. I'm glad it's working out for you in your new home.

[argentina brave]

Nice. I'm glad it's working out for you in your new home.

thanks hobbes. how are things on the east coast...looks like your yellow jackets should be tough this fall...

[Hobbes]

thanks hobbes. how are things on the east coast...looks like your yellow jackets should be tough this fall...
Things are good here. And yes, Georgia Tech is doing quite well in football (basketball, not so much).

Victorino hits a solo shot. :(

[argentina brave]

time to rally....or, :banghead:

[Hobbes]

Hinske just misses a homer to straight-away center, but the wind keeps it in the park.

Infante follows up with the same exact thing to left.

Braves down to their last out.

[Hobbes]

Braves lose...again.

How depressing. Braves now 5-15 on the road this season.

[The Rap]

Great to hear you guys are doing great Jamie. I missed you and was wondering where you went and if we would ever hear from you again. You're not missing much when you miss the Braves games. I saw the starting lineups and saw that Melky Cabrera was batting 3rd in the order. So I went into the bathroom and threw up. :rolleyes:

[KB 34]

Great to see you check in AB. How high is your optimism for the Braves right now?

[luvdembravos]

I saw the starting lineups and saw that Melky Cabrera was batting 3rd in the order. So I went into the bathroom and threw up. :rolleyes:

Rap, that may be your funniest post ever. Good one!

[luvdembravos]

Any chance the Braves can get a waiver from MLB and use those pink bats for the rest of the season. It would make sense since they play like girls.

And yes, I should be ashamed of myself for writing this on Mothers' Day. Women deserve better than to be compared to the way the Braves play baseball. ;)

[Freddy_Ballgame]

Great to see you back with us, AB. I was afraid you may have stayed in a Hostel, or something! Maybe you can get this mob going. One can hardly call them a team at this point.

[KB 34]

How about the Braves get some 2x4's from Home Depot and bat with them instead of Louisville Sluggers? They could take the money they save and buy extra dog food to serve in the clubhouse after the game.

[Freddy_Ballgame]

Sheeeeit...why buy 2x4's? They can do about as much damage going to the plate bare-handed! Especially with men in scoring position! Forget the dog food, whatta ya feed gerbils? Anybody got Richard Gere's number?

(I'm kidding Rap, I'm kidding!)