Game Thread: SF at ATL, 10-11-10 NLDS

[quick]

Here is the game 4 lineup:

Infante - 4
Diaz - 7
Lee - 3
McCann - 2
Gonzalez - 6
Heyward - 9
Glaus - 5
Ankiel - 8
Lowe - 1

No Conrad, Glaus at third, Infante at second. This isn't as good a defensive lineup as Diory at 3d, but has more pop. Conrad got the "Be ready to pinch hit" lecture of comfort. Check out the Heyward move down the lineup, too, as he has been struggling. I like it all.

Go get 'em, Bravos!!

[luvdembravos]

I expect a lot of bunts from SF tonight.

[quick]

I expect a lot of bunts from SF tonight.

Understood, but Glaus has had lots of time to heal, and he was a perfectly serviceable third sacker on a World Series' championship team. Hopefully he has a few rides left in him.

[warefreak]

I hope so... cause if there is a lot of bunts there won't be any hits. Glaus will be more than up to the challenge as he has free agency coming and he needs to prove he can man the hot corner unless he wants to end his career as a DH.

[-Dr. Brave-]

I'd even be willing to try Matt Diaz at 3rd. Can't be any worse than what we saw yesterday at 2nd.

Go Braves

[AhbBrave]

I'd even be willing to try Matt Diaz at 3rd. Can't be any worse than what we saw yesterday at 2nd.

Go Braves

Id be willing to try diaz at manager for a game. Can't be any worse than what we saw yesterday at manager.

Go Braves!

[HomerTheBrave]

Let's just hope that this shake up creates a momentum where they can score 6-8 runs and not have to worry about bad defense....

In a perfect world ,though...I would love to see Brooksy come in with a close game and get some redemption with a 3 run double and break the game open.

[MississippiBrave91]

Sinkers working so far

[IkeWagner]

An easy first inning for Lowe.

[chicagobrave]

Lowe had a good first inning. It would be nice if our offense would have a good first inning.

[IkeWagner]

I'm not sure how much of a strike-thrower Bumgarner is, but I'd like to see us try to work the count more in the early innings tonight.

[MississippiBrave91]

Damn. Diaz hit that right on the button.

[MississippiBrave91]

Easy 10 pitch inning for Bumgarner... The boys got some good wood on the ball though.

[Hobbes]

Lowe pitching like a big-game pitcher thus far.

[MississippiBrave91]

Whew!! That slider/sinker combo is just plain NASTY!!!

[IkeWagner]

Gonzalez is usually overmatched by a good heater.

[Hobbes]

Heyward with his first hit!

[IkeWagner]

Heyward off the schnide with his first hit of the series.

[chicagobrave]

Good to see Heyward get a hit his first at bat tonight.

[MississippiBrave91]

You can't turn a double play with 2 out, bob brenly

[Hobbes]

Fontenot should have went to first to get the lumbering Glaus, even though the announcer thought he needed a double-play with 2 outs.

[chicagobrave]

Now would be a good time for another HR Rick.

[Hobbes]

Ankiel swings like a pitcher.

[Hobbes]

Bases loaded, unfortunately only for Lowe.

[chicagobrave]

At least the guys managed to get some hits. Also they made him work harder that inning. Maybe the run scoring will start next inning.

[IkeWagner]

Lowe is on fire.

[Dreamscape]

And I'm here. Yay.

[MississippiBrave91]

We got something cookin' guys!

[Hobbes]

Braves have something cooking.

[IkeWagner]

We're cooking now...first and second with none out for the heart of the order.

[chicagobrave]

Some early runs would be nice to see. Come on guys give Lowe some run support tonight.

Come on Mac!

[Dreamscape]

Let's get this run!

[IkeWagner]

At least a sac fly, Mac.

[Hobbes]

Nice job Mac!

[MississippiBrave91]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111111111

[Dreamscape]

BRAVES HAVE THE LEAD!!!

[chicagobrave]

Good job Mac. Gonzo please do something useful here.

[MississippiBrave91]

anything but a k would be a victory for gonzo at this point

[Dreamscape]

Gonzalez takes some ugly swings/looks.

[chicagobrave]

I think I am going to fall over Gonzo got a hit.

[Hobbes]

Gonzo with a hit. A bases-clearing double would be nice right now.

[Dreamscape]

Heyward...you got your base hit...now it's time to come up big.

[MississippiBrave91]

way to make me eat my words! lets go JHey!

[Dreamscape]

Sighness.

[Hobbes]

That Glaus range is impressive. :rolleyes:

[chicagobrave]

Gonzo remember you have to also play defense.

[Dreamscape]

Damn, I thought Conrad wasn't out there.

[chicagobrave]

Come on Lowe you can get some strike outs and get out of this.

[Hobbes]

Great throw and great tag by Gonzo!

[MississippiBrave91]

What a throw and an even better tag by gonzo

[Hobbes]

Our second baseman fielded a ball!

[MississippiBrave91]

I'm not scared when the ball is hit to second anymore!

[Dreamscape]

Nice turn of events here.

[chicagobrave]

Way to erase that base runner guys.

[Hobbes]

Huff had the green light on 3-0.

[Hobbes]

Nice job Lowe!!!

[Dreamscape]

I'm not all that inclined to deal Lowe right now. Weird.

[HomerTheBrave]

I'm not all that inclined to deal Lowe right now. Weird.

We could definitely sell high right now, though.

[MississippiBrave91]

Where the hell has this guy been all season?

[JanShan12]

Lowe is pitching one hell of a game so far! Hopefully the offense can give him a little cushion.

[Dreamscape]

Come on, Braves. We need some more support. Stop putting the pitching and defense in such a pressure situation.

[Hobbes]

That's twice that Lee has just missed getting a hold of one.

[warefreak]

Lowe is freaking awesome right now.

Me thinks we need to convince him it's the playoffs everyday in the regular season.

Where's that brain washer when I need it...

[Hobbes]

Craptacular.

[MississippiBrave91]

talk about a hanger...jesus

[Dreamscape]

Well, that wasn't all that surprising.

[JanShan12]

Ugh! That was the opposite of what I wanted to happen.

[warefreak]

... dab nab it!!!

[Hobbes]

McCann!!!

[Hobbes]

Good thing they didn't pull Bumgarner.

[warefreak]

Who Can???

McCann!

[MississippiBrave91]

Back on top!

meanwhile gonzo strikes out....again

[chicagobrave]

HR Mac to get the lead back. Heyward with his 2nd hit tonight now.

[CanadaBravesFan]

Heyward is coming around perhaps?

[IkeWagner]

Heywood with another hit.

[warefreak]

Glaus grounds out, but not into a double play

Ankiel makes it matter not as he strikes out to end the inning.

2-1 Barves, Braves, whatever nick name lets them win the game

[IkeWagner]

Huff walks. I have a bad feeling about this.

[MississippiBrave91]

posey with a swinging bunt to ole ''no knees''

[Hobbes]

Lowe convinces Bobby to stay in. That doesn't happen often.

[IkeWagner]

You gotta make a move here.

[Hobbes]

Say what you will about Lowe, but you have to like that fire.

[MississippiBrave91]

Whatever happens Lowe pitched one hell of a ballgame. Lets get a ground ball to anybody but glaus.

[MississippiBrave91]

Time for a circle of prayer, guys

[MississippiBrave91]

Time to empty the bullpen again

[HomerTheBrave]

Why can't anything go our way?????

[warefreak]

omfg

we are cursed. seriously. somebody out there has a pin cushion and is poking the hell out of our players whenever they get a ball hit at them. They just put the Gonzalez jersey on after taking the Conrad one off.

[MississippiBrave91]

:help:

[chicagobrave]

Come on Venters 2 quick strike-outs here please.

[MississippiBrave91]

There goes the neighborhood...nice play though.

[chicagobrave]

Great play by Matty and Mac to keep the 2nd run from scoring.

[Hobbes]

Nice play by McCann to keep this inning from being much worse.

[Dreamscape]

Sigh...

[HomerTheBrave]

perfect throw by Matty......


but still.......DAMN IT!!!

[Dreamscape]

On the bright side...no more staying up late.

[MississippiBrave91]

Chins up, fellas. We're in their pen now.

[Dreamscape]

Way to battle, explorer.

[HomerTheBrave]

On the bright side...no more staying up late.


whoa,whoa,whoa.......you givin up already?

Don't do that!!!

And Dioris strikes out on ball 4:no:....ok,now you can.......

[Hobbes]

Great. Melky Cabrera in to save us.

[MississippiBrave91]

I'm going to thoroughly enjoy watching Philly embarrass the Giants.

[Hobbes]

I'm going to thoroughly enjoy watching Philly embarrass the Giants.
I'd be rooting for the Giants. Of course, I'm hoping for some magic here for the Barves.

[BigWorm]

This game ain't over folks. Get ur heads out of yer buttocks. LET'S GO BRAVOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
exclamation

[MississippiBrave91]

How many times can to hit the ball in the same spot?... poor gonzo

[HomerTheBrave]

I'm done with Gonzo...

[Hobbes]

I'm done with Gonzo...
It's strange that our playoff-level team contains so many players I want to be gone next year.

[Hobbes]

Gonzo finally makes a good play.

[IkeWagner]

It's strange that our playoff-level team contains so many players I want to be gone next year.

Indeed. A whole year of Gonzo, in particular, would be very depressing.

[Hobbes]

McCann continues to do everything in his power to give us chances to win.

[Chris_Moderato]

Well, hell of an effort by Brian McCann. Not sure what else he could've done tonight. It's up to the rest of the team now, if we're going to extend Bobby and Billy's respective careers.

[Chris_Moderato]

Recognizing, of course, that Wags is finished.

[chicagobrave]

Come on Gonzo it is time you hit a HR.

[Chris_Moderato]

Damn, Gonzo must have immediately stop running on that one, because he had time to at least make that close.

[HomerTheBrave]

It's strange that our playoff-level team contains so many players I want to be gone next year.

no kidding...
but when you think about it, this team is merely a mirage of what we opened the season with...

mclouth for ankiel=much less walks

gonzo for escobar=little more pop but much less walks

chipper for lee=less of everything

prado for conrad=a lot less of everything

we became a team that strikes out a lot more and walks a lot less......bad combo

[Chris_Moderato]

Now would be a good time to add to the legend, Jason.

[Chris_Moderato]

Well...Heyward has been pretty useless this series.

[chicagobrave]

The 8th inning of a must win game is not the time to leave a base runner stranded in scoring position guys.

[Hobbes]

no kidding...
but when you think about it, this team is merely a mirage of what we opened the season with...

mclouth for ankiel=much less walks

gonzo for escobar=little more pop but much less walks

chipper for lee=less of everything

prado for conrad=a lot less of everything

we became a team that strikes out a lot more and walks a lot less......bad combo
Yes, our offense as currently constituted has no business being in the postseason. It's a shame the team couldn't have arrived at the postseason nice and healthy (like the Phillies) for Bobby's last season.

[BigWorm]

I almost expected magic there. Been spoiled with it I guess. I was shocked he struck out. Now we get the bearded lady and his pathetic scowl in the ninth. I really don't want to watch him scream in victory.

[MississippiBrave91]

Winter meetings can't come quick enough.

[KB 34]

Kimbrel is in, better get Dunn, Martinez, Farnsworth, Hudson, Hanson, Beachy, and everyone else up in the bullpen. Have some fans help with catching:confused:

[Chris_Moderato]

Well...here we go. Do or die time.

[IkeWagner]

Kimbrel owns Posey.

[KB 34]

Yep, chance for redemption for Conrad. And there's 1 out.

[chicagobrave]

Please launch another one Hinskie.

[chicagobrave]

Come on Infante your turn to get the winning hit.

[KB 34]

Melky is up. Congrats to the Giants ahead of time!

[chicagobrave]

Melky please do something useful here.

[Hobbes]

Bleah.

[Dreamscape]

Good season, guys.

Beat the Phillies!

[KB 34]

Well, at least I knew what was going to happen when Melky went to the plate. Congrats on your career Bobby, and let a new era of baseball begin in Atlanta and start with some wonderful house cleaning.

[chicagobrave]

This stinks!!!

[bravos4evr]

when I saw Melky on deck I knew we were toast.... but honestly, and I'm not pulling sour grapes here, I have never seen one team get so many awful calls against them in one series.......

The good thing is that Bobby's bizarre in game decisions are now a thing of the past!

[chicagobrave]

Good night. It was nice chatting with everyone. See you all next season.

[Freddy_Ballgame]

I guess we should be glad they went so far with sooooo little. I've never seen a less imposing lineup. Goodbye and thanks for coming - Cox, Diaz, Cabrera, Glaus, Ankiel and probably Lee, for starters. Why do I feel like the whole season was a bust?

[Hobbes]

Good night. It was nice chatting with everyone. See you all next season.
Stop by during the offseason. There is plenty to discuss once the trading season rolls around.

[HomerTheBrave]

I don't feel this year was a bust...our young pitchers grew one year older,Heyward got a lil taste of the playoffs...

Heck,all in all we can't complain.......It was painful,but not as painful as previous years where we were supposed to win and ended with the same
result.

I'm ok with it.....

[Hobbes]

I don't feel this year was a bust...our young pitchers grew one year older,Heyward got a lil taste of the playoffs...

Heck,all in all we can't complain.......It was painful,but not as painful as previous years where we were supposed to win and ended with the same
result.

I'm ok with it.....

It hurts a little less since it feels like we over-achieved this year instead of all those times we blatantly under-achieved.

[quick]

This team way overachieved. And Cox managed well tonight, unlike last night. I am okay with the season. No team could play this deck the Braves have been dealt. We were watching a AAA team in the playoffs and we did not embarass ourselves, except for a certain defensive effort.

Of course, why worry? The Phils will crush SF and whatever sad-sack they get from the AL. This is the Phils' year, I'm afraid. They have all bases covered.

I would say, "Just wait 'till next year", but then I'd sound like a Cubs' fan, so I'll just say it has been a great season. Next year will come when it comes.

[AhbBrave]

This team way overachieved. And Cox managed well tonight, unlike last night.

i agree, though i still question putting melky in for diaz since diaz was hammering the ball and had just made a great play.

[Middle Man]

Hats off to the Braves for their effort tonight. As hard as yesterday's loss was for fans, I can't imagine how hard it is to bounce back emotionally for the players. We've all seen teams pretty much pack it in under those circumstances.

How quickly will the Braves make their decision on manager? I'm guessing they'll be deliberate but quick. :D My hope is that they'll pretty much clean house and the new manager will bring in a whole new staff of coaches, or at least the more significant positions.

The future is extremely bright for Braves pitching. With some help in the field, I think there's a pretty good chance we'll be back next year - hopefully with the first string this time.

[MississippiBrave91]

And guess what? We'll have (more or less) the same pitching staff and an even better bullpen next year. Not to mention what our lineup will look like once Wren works his magic. I'm already excited about this team next year.

[-Dr. Brave-]

http://www.roanokevalleyweather.com/archive/9.jpg

[Agent-X-]

It hurts a little less since it feels like we overcame a ton of set backs to get to the playoffs this year instead of all those times we blatantly under-achieved.

Fixed your typo for you.

Feel free to thanks me. :cool:

[Lauren T.]

The impromptu ovation in left field during batting practice for Brooks Conrad was super-awesome. I got a little video of it, and will include it in my blog post for the game.

[Lauren T.]

Finally got my blog post up of the last game of 2010 (http://braveslove.blogspot.com/2010/10/game-day-pictures-2010-nlds-game-4.html), if anyone is interested. :)

[-Dr. Brave-]

I figured I'd share some of my photos (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=89436&id=1439197327&ref=mf) of this game too. :)