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April 30, 2006
Braves 8, Mets 5
Big Frank was huge, having a career day to help the Braves avoid a sweep.
Langy started the scoring with an RBI single in the second. Marcus added two more with a single. The Mets tied it in the third when Beltran hit a two-run home run and Floyd got an RBI single. Francoeur got his first RBI in the home half with a single. He drove in two more in the fourth. Chavez homered in the sixth, but Francoeur answered with a two-run bomb in the home half. The Mets tried to come back in the late innings but Reitsma closed them down.
Big offensive day for the Braves, which hopefully will be a slump buster. Marcus had two RBI's, Renny and McCann had two hits, Langy drove in one, and Frank was the hero. 4-5, home run, and five RBI's. Not to mention the game-saving diving catch to the end the game.
Davies went five, allowing three runs on four hits while walking four and striking out six. Cormier allowed a homer in the sixth. Ray pitched a scoreless inning. Villy struggled, walking in a run. But Reitsma got out of the eighth and pitched a scoreless ninth despite shaky control for his fifth save.
The Rockies come to town for a two-game series. Tomorrow's game starts at 7:05 on Turner South. Hudson vs. Jason Jennings.
Posted by David Lee at 04:35 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 29, 2006
Mets 1, Braves 0
When the best hitter of the night is Brian Jordan, you know it's time for a shakeup.
John Thomson made one bad pitch out of 116 and it cost him and his team the game. Paul Lo Duca hit a solo homer in the sixth for the only run of the game. Jordan had two hits. Renny, Chipper, and Diaz each had one.
Tom Glavine lasted seven innings, allowing four hits and no runs while walking two and striking out one. Thomson went six and two-thirds, allowing one run on three hits while walking four and striking out six. Villy walked one and allowed a hit but was able to get out of the seventh inning. Remmy was lights out in the eighth and Cormier pitched a scoreless ninth.
Tomorrow's game starts at 1:05 on TBS. Davies vs. Steve Trachsel.
Posted by David Lee at 10:39 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
April 28, 2006
Mets 5, Braves 2
Bobby Cox may be one of the best managers in the history of the game, but he was a moron tonight. You don't take Brian McCann out and replace him with Todd Pratt with the game on the line against Billy Wagner. That's just something you don't do.
David Wright continued his Brave bashing with two homers and three RBI's. With a 3-0 lead in the sixth, Chipper hit a two-run shot. But the Mets made it 5-2 with two runs in the ninth. The Braves tried to come back in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded, but Bobby decided to take the best hitter on the team out and put in freakin' Todd Pratt. Of course, Pratt struck out on three pitches.
Smoltz lasted seven innings, allowing eight hits and three runs while walking four and striking out ten. He was able to get out of many jams throughout the game. Remmy pitched a scoreless inning and Reitsma sucked.
Tomorrow's game starts at 7:05 on TBS. Glavine vs. Thomson.
Posted by David Lee at 10:17 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
April 24, 2006
Betimet 3, Nationals 1
Willy B is my hero.
Pitcher's duel between both staffs. Jose Guillen doubled home a run in the first and that was it for the Nats. The Braves were held scoreless until the eighth, when Betimet hit a pretty three-run home run to give them the lead and win.
Willy B was the only hitter with two hits and had all three RBI's. Martin Prado looked good at the plate in his debut, going 1-2 with two walks and scored on Betimet's homer. Please no more Tony Pena.
John Thomson pulled a Jorge, going six innings allowing one run on seven hits while walking five and striking out five. The Nats left 18 baserunners. Cormier pitched a scoreless inning and earned the win. Reitsma tried to give me a heart attack in one and two-thirds of work, but Remmy got him out of trouble in the ninth and got the well-earned save.
Today's game is in Milwaukee. 8:05 on Turner South. Davies vs. Chris Capuano.
Posted by David Lee at 08:29 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
April 19, 2006
Braves 2, Mets 1 (Owned)
The game of the year and I missed it thanks to school. I think I'll drop out.
A true pitcher's duel. Nothing happened until the seventh, when Andruw lifted off on Glavine for a solo homer. The crucial run came in the eighth when David Wright committed an error, allowing Tony Pena to score. Chris Woodward drove in one in the ninth but that was it.
Francoeur was the only multi-hit hitter, but Andruw hit his seventh shot of the season.
Hudson outdueled Glavine, putting up the same exact line as Davies did yesterday. Nine innings, three hits, one earned run, one walk, and six strikeouts. The only difference is that Timmy had a perfect game through five. Glavine went eight, allowing one earned run on four hits while walking none and striking out five.
I wonder how long it will take ESPN to get back to that World Series talk. I guess a day. The Braves truly own the Mets.
After a well deserved day off, the Braves head to Washington to face the Natspos. Friday's game starts at 7:05 on Fox Sports Net. Smoltz vs. John Patterson.
Posted by David Lee at 04:10 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
April 18, 2006
Braves 7, Mets 1
Kyle Davies and Andruw Jones rule.
Adam Ant doubled home two in the first to start the show. Andruw hit a two-run bomb in the third and Ant followed with a solo shot of his own. Chris Woodward hit a solo home run in the third for the Mets, but it didn't matter. Andruw hit another two-run homer in the fifth to cap it.
LaRoche and Andruw each had three hits and were responsible for all seven of the RBI's. Ant with three and Andruw with four.
Davies went the distance, allowing one run on only three hits while walking one and striking out six. That lineup didn't look too hot tonight.
The rubber game in the ugliest stadium in baseball will be played at 1:05 on TBS. Hudson vs. Tom Glavine.
Posted by David Lee at 09:35 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
April 17, 2006
Mets 4, Braves 3
I will no longer defend Jorge. Chuck James is my new favorite. Jorge can't pitch.
Andruw started with a sac fly RBI in the first. Xavier Nady tied it with a home run in the second. Langy drove in a run in the third. Carlos Delgado took the lead with a two-run homer in the home half. Nady drove in another in the fourth. Andruw hit a blast in the sixth, but nothing else happened. Jorge can't pitch.
Langy was the only Brave with two hits. He also had an RBI. Andruw had the other two. Jorge went 0-2. Jorge can't pitch.
Jorge allowed all four Mets runs in four innings of work. He gave up eight hits while walking one striking out one. Chuck James (I love saying his name) and Lance Cormier each pitched two scoreless innings. Jorge can't pitch.
Tomorrow's game starts at 7:05 on Turner South. Davies vs. Victor Zambrano. Luckily, Jorge isn't pitching. Jorge can't pitch.
Posted by David Lee at 09:51 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 15, 2006
Braves 2, Padres 0
A true pitchers duel, as expected.
Adam LaRoche hit an opposite field home run in the second inning and Jeff Francoeur singled home a run in the seventh for the only two runs of the game. LaRoche was the only hitter with two hits. Edgar Renteria extended his hitting streak to twelve games but left the game with a strained ribcage. I believe he suffered the same thing in Spring Training.
John Smoltz pitched a complete game shutout, allowing four hits while walking two and striking out four. Opposing starter Jake Peavy went seven innings, allowing two runs on four hits while walking two and striking out eight.
Sunday afternoon game starting at 1:05 on TBS. John Thomson vs. Woody Williams.
Posted by David Lee at 11:02 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Braves 5, Padres 4
Big Frank is back...at least for the time being.
The Padres scored a run in the first, but Renny (I can't come up with anything else) hit a solo home run in the home half. Langy drove in one in the third and scored himself on a wild pitch. The Padres took the lead in the fourth with a three-run inning, but once again the Braves answered when Willy B got a run home on a groundout to tie it. The deciding run came in the eighth thanks to a cheap shot by Frank.
Jeff had a total of three hits along with his homer. Renny went 2-4 with an RBI. Langy and Betimet had the other RBI's.
Timmy lasted six and two-thirds, allowing four runs on nine hits while walking two and striking out three. Remmy got the last out in the seventh. Villy pitched a perfect eighth and Reitsma earned his fourth save with a scoreless ninth.
Big matchup for the second game of the series. Smoltz vs. Peavy. 7:05 on Turner South.
Posted by David Lee at 12:03 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 14, 2006
Phillies 7, Braves 6
Sorry for the lack of recaps. Been pretty busy with the high school golf team lately.
Davies blew up in the first, giving up three home runs and five runs total. Andruw got a sac fly RBI in the home half. Big Frank hit his first solo shot in the second. McCann got a sac fly RBI in the fourth. Utley hit another homer in the fifth and sac flied somebody home in the seventh. The Braves came within one in the eighth when Andruw picked up an RBI on a groundout and Frank hit his second homer, a two-run shot. They got runners on first and second with one out in the ninth but failed to tie it.
Langy went 2-3 and added two walks. Francouer had a total of three RBI's with his two home runs. Andruw added two RBI's.
Davies went four and two-thirds, allowing six runs on nine hits while walking none and striking out five. Remmy walked one but got out of the fifth. Cormier allowed the Utley home run in two innings of work. Villy and Ray each pitched a scoreless inning.
The Paddies come to town for a three-game set. 7:35 on Turner South. Hudson vs. Chan Ho Park.
Posted by David Lee at 08:42 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 09, 2006
Giants 6, Braves 5
The ump didn't help, but Reitsma needs to go somewhere.
Adam Ant started the show with an RBI double in the second inning, but the Giants answered with four runs in the home half. Andruw tied it up in the sixth with a three-run homer off the foul pole. They took the lead in the seventh on a Renteria RBI double. But it wasn't to be. A Lance Niekro homer followed by a Randy Winn RBI single gave the Giants the lead and win.
Renteria, LaRoche, and Andruw each had two hits, and they were responsible for the RBI's as well. Andruw had three and the other two had one.
Smoltz struggled early but settled down and allowed four runs in seven innings. He walked two and struck out four. Ray struck out two in the eighth but walked Bonds and was taken out. Reitsma got the last out in the eighth but he never did in the ninth.
Chipper slid sideways charging on a grounder and twisted pretty much everything in his right leg. The injury is to his knee and expect him to be out for a long, long time. I doubt Chipper will ever have a complete season again.
Home opener tomorrow against the Phillies. 7:05 on ESPN and Turner South.
Posted by David Lee at 07:01 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
April 08, 2006
Giants 12, Braves 6
Ok, Timmy. It's not Opening Day anymore. You can start pitching good.
As usual, the Giants started early and poured it on. Moises hit a two-run homer in the first followed by five more runs in the second and another in the third. The Braves finally woke up in the sixth when Renteria singled home one and Chipper grounded out, scoring another. Chipper doubled home two in the eighth and for the moment a comeback was in mind. However, Mr. Lights Out Closer was brought in and those hopes were crushed. Devine allowed four runs with two on walks. Renteria drove in two in the ninth to make the score look a little better.
Marcus walked four times. Renteria went 2-5 with three RBI's. Chipper also added three RBI's. Frank got his second hit of the season, which is cause for celebration. At least Todd Pratt got a hit and walked once.
Hudson allowed six earned runs on eight hits in four innings of crappiness, while walking three and striking out a huge total of none. Chuck James pitched two scoreless innings and further proved that he's the only pitcher besides Villy and Thomson that's worth anything in the pen. (I need to see more of Ray) Remmy pitched a scoreless inning, but Devine surely did not. Ken Ray was able to get the last out in the eighth.
Tomorrow's game starts at 4:05 on TBS. Smoltz vs. Jason Schmidt.
Posted by David Lee at 07:02 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Braves 14, Giants 6
Well, they keep scoring double digits and we won't have to worry about a bullpen.
To make a long story short, the Braves were losing 6-4 until the seventh, when this happened:
Top 7th: Atlanta
- A. Jones singled to left, M. Giles and E. Renteria scored, C. Jones to second
- J. Francoeur hit by pitch, C. Jones scored, A. Jones to third, A. LaRoche to second
- B. McCann walked, A. Jones scored, A. LaRoche to third, J. Francoeur to second
- R. Langerhans singled to shallow left center, A. LaRoche and J. Francoeur scored, B. McCann to second
- W. Betemit reached on fielder's choice, B. McCann scored, R. Langerhans to second on first baseman L. Niekro's throwing error
- E. Renteria grounded out to second, R. Langerhans scored, W. Betemit to third
Langy was the star, going 3-5 with a home run and five RBI's. McCann went 2-3 with an RBI and two walks. Adam Ant went 2-4 with an RBI and two walks. Andruw added two RBI's, as did Renteria, who also hit a home run. Chipper and Marcus walked twice as well.
Davies struggled early, allowing three runs in the first. He settled down and was able to last five innings, allowing those three runs on five hits while walking three and striking out three. Mr. Lights Out Closer was bombed, allowing three runs while getting one out. Remmy bailed Devine out. Villy pitched two scoreless innings and Cormier shut them down in the ninth.
Today's game starts at 4:05 on TBS. Hudson vs. Jamey Wright.
Posted by David Lee at 10:15 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 06, 2006
Giants 6, Braves 4
Jorge...you make me look bad.
The Braves started strong yet again when McCann and Jorge hit back-to-back jacks in the third. It was Jorge's first career home run. But the third inning was also the killer. The Giants scored all six of their runs when Jorge was unable to find the strike zone and was demolished. Durham, Alou, and Feliz picked up the RBI's. The Braves were able to add two more runs; one in the sixth on an RBI single by Chipper and a Jordan homer with two outs in the ninth. For what it's worth, Bonds was intentionally walked twice but both were in correct situations; runners in scoring position and one out. He also grounded out to first and Ken Ray made him look like an idiot with a four pitch strikeout.
Renteria and Jordan each had two hits and the latter added a homer. McCann and Jorge also had homers and Chipper had the other RBI.
Jorge only lasted two and a third, allowing all six runs on seven hits while walking three and striking out one. The lone bright spot in the game was the bullpen. Cormier walked two but didn't allow a run. Chuck James pitched two scoreless innings, further proving that he should be in the rotation. Ken Ray was awesome in the two innings, allowing nothing and striking out one. I have a feeling he might be here to stay.
Another game that ends at 1:15 tomorrow. Davies vs. Matt Cain. 10:15 on TBS.
Posted by David Lee at 07:59 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Devine Called Up
Didn't take long. Definitely good to see Joey Devine get the callup. Ken Ray was also placed on the Atlanta roster. Horacio has been put on the 15-day DL and Boyer was sent to Richmond. Don't expect him to stay there long. He just doesn't have all his strength back.
Posted by David Lee at 03:44 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Braves 9, Dodgers 8
Ended at 1:15 again...at least they won this one. Heart attack #2.
The Dodgers exploded for five early runs, proving yet again that Horacio doesn't belong on this roster. But the Braves made another comeback. Renteria, Diaz, and Andruw each added an RBI in the third before Betimet hit a two-run homer to tie it at five. They kept it going in the fourth when Renteria, Andruw, and Frank each brought home a run for a 8-5 lead. It lasted until the seventh. Renteria booted an inning-ending double play, resulting in a run scoring. Before the inning was over, two more runs came across to tie it at eight. But the Braves certainly weren't done. With a couple on in the eighth, Langy smashed a game-winning ground rule double. Atta baby, Langy.
Marcus had yet another solid game, reaching base three times on two walks and a hit and scoring all three times. Except for the crucial error, Renteria had a solid game, going 2-4 with two RBI's. Diaz added an RBI, Andruw had two, Frank got one, Betimet put two across with his homer, and Langy smacked the game-winning RBI double. Another solid performance by the offense.
Horacio was killed in three innings, allowing five runs on eight hits while walking one and striking out three. He tweaked his hamstring and relieved us of any more heartaches. Thomson pitched three good innings but struggled in the seventh, allowing two baserunners. Remmy came in and never got an out, but it was Renteria's fault. Villy pitched another heck of an inning, getting out of the seventh without any trouble and eventually earning his second win. Boyer walked one and got one out in the eighth, but Bobby went to Reitsma who pitched 1.2 perfect innings for his save. Ya never know.
The Braves head to bleeping San Francisco to face the bleeping Giants for four bleeping games. Fortunately, all but one are day games. Today it's 4:35 on TBS. Jorge vs. Noah Lowry.
Posted by David Lee at 12:26 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 05, 2006
Dodgers 5, Braves 4
Too late to write a recap. Too grumpy, too. When you play until 1:20, you better win. That didn't happen and now I'm grumpy.
Horacio vs. Odalis. 10:00 on TBS.
Posted by David Lee at 05:32 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 03, 2006
Braves 11, Dodgers 10
Let's see if I remember how to do this.
The Braves won the Opening Day game, which hasn't happened since 1902. But the bullpen did everything in their power to lose it, which is probably something we better get used to.
The offense, however, was explosive. The Braves started quickly with four runs in the first, thanks in large part to an Adam Ant three-run home run. Andruw added the other RBI with a single. Chipper drove in another in the fifth and Andruw followed up with a big three-run shot. The Dodgers answered with four in the home half when Timmy ran out of gas, but the huge lead returned when Renteria doubled home two in the sixth. Langy smacked a homer in the eighth before the Dodger attack started. Five runs crossed home in the eighth and ninth innings, but Reitsma finally shut the door with one run between the two teams. Heart attacks here we come.
Going down the lineup, Gilly got two hits and a walk. Renteria also added two hits and two RBI's. Chipper walked twice along with his RBI single. Andruw had two big hits; a three-run shot and an RBI single for a total of four RBI's. LaRoche had three RBI's thanks to the homer. Frank was the only one not to get a hit. McCann went 1-4, as did Langy, but his hit was a big one. Even Timmy slapped a single and scored.
Hudson did what he did way too much last season, which is giving up a ton of hits and trying to pitch out of trouble every inning. He only lasted four innings, allowing five runs on six hits while walking three and striking out three. Cormier worked out of trouble, as did Remmy. Villy earned the win with a scoreless inning. Boyer did awful, as did Thomson and Reitsma, but they somehow held the Dodgers off long enough to get the win.
I'm predicting less runs tomorrow. Smoltz vs. Penny. 10:10 on Turner South.
Posted by David Lee at 08:10 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 02, 2006
25 Man Roster
SP - Hudson, Smoltz, Sosa, Ramirez, Davies
RP - Reitsma, Remlinger, Boyer, Cormier, Thomson, James, Villarreal
C - McCann
1B - LaRoche
2B - Giles
SS - Renteria
3B - C. Jones
LF - Langerhans
CF - A. Jones
RF - Francoeur
C - Pratt
INF - Orr, Betimet
1B - Jordan
OF - Diaz
Rotation: Horacio in the rotation and Chuck James in the bullpen is rediculous. Horacio should not be on the Atlanta roster. JS should take whatever is offered for him. James is much better and with Horacio blocking his way into the rotation, it's hurting the team. It's good to see Davies earn a spot. I'm expecting big things from him this season and especially in the future.
Bullpen: Time to start predicting the date of the collapse for Reitsma. I say late June. Having Reitsma closing games and Devine not even on the roster is just as rediculous as Horacio in the rotation. Once Reitsma fails, it's Devine's job for good. Remlinger probably won't last long, but hopefully he can hold the spot until McBride is healed. It's definitely good to see Boyer in there. I'm looking for great things from him as well.
Infield: James Jurries should be on this roster instead of Jordan, but I'm guessing the Braves will keep holding back much more talented young players just so Jordan can keep dribbling grounders to the shortstop and blow out his knees over and over. Once he hits the D.L., Jurries should be the callup. Hopefully LaRoche can finally put up some numbers playing full time, but I wouldn't count on it.
Outfield: Langerhans earned the left field job, so I'm glad to see him starting. When Kelly returns, they should be a great combination. Diaz looked good in Spring Training and will be a solid backup.
Andy won't be able to do game recaps this season, so it's up to me. I still have school until late May, so recaps during the week in April and May might be a little late. I'm working on being able to do it at school in the mornings, but we'll see how it goes.
Good luck to the Braves in '06!
Posted by David Lee at 11:33 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack