Aug 31 2008
Another notch of frustration as Braves lose in extras
By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com
Nationals 9, Braves 8, 10 innings
Top of the Order: The nature in which the Braves lose continues to spur frustration and agony, and this one was no different: Atlanta blowing leads of 4-0 and 6-2, losing in extra innings on a bases-loaded walk by Vladimir Nunez for the team’s 15th defeat in its past 19 games.
The Good: The Braves swung the sticks early and often, finishing with 14 hits. Martin Prado continues to make his case for a roster spot in 2009, going 3-for-5 with a homer and two RBIs. Chipper Jones raised his average to .359 with two hits, including his 20th homer, the 14th consecutive season Hoss has went yard 20-plus times. Chipper scored twice and drove in two. Brian McCann went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Kelly Johnson went 2-for-5. Josh Anderson continues to show he belongs in the majors, going 2-for-4 with two walks. Greg Norton had a pinch-hit single and scored the game-tying run in the eighth. Julian Tavarez pitched around a hit and a walk in 1 2/3 innings of scoreless ball. Ah … if Tavaraz could’ve only pitched the only eight innings.
The Bad: Atlanta’s pitching was abysmal; flat out sorry. Jo-Jo Reyes couldn’t hold two separate four-run leads, giving up eight hits and four runs in four innings. Buddy Carlyle had a miserable inning: three hits, three runs, one walk and two inherited runners scoring as the Nats scored five times in the fifth. Jeff Bennett gave up a run and two hits in two innings. Nunez walked three and allowed a hit in 2/3 inning, a wretched showing that put a bow on another wretched defeat. Yunel Escobar did not play; Bobby Cox gave him the day off despite the fact Esco’s hit .307 in his past 20 games. Maybe those three double plays Escobar hit into played a role in it, but still … come on, Bobby. Play the dude.
View from the Sports Garage: I know the Braves are totally focused on 2009 and the pursuit of a playoff spot is over, but still … losses like this will make you throw your bottle of Coke Zero across the room and scream at the top of your lungs. Frustrating beyond description, good people. It is so vital for this team to win games like this, games where you have not one, but TWO four-run leads, games where you battle back from a two-run deficit to tie the contest, games against the team with the worst record in the majors. The Nats are 9-4 against Atlanta this season, so maybe that whole worst-record-in-baseball-thing doesn’t matter. Frankly, nothing matters when you’re dealing with the Braves. Even on a night where the offense pounded out plenty of runs and battled back from an 8-6 deficit to force extra innings, it didn’t matter. Oh well, at least the Dogs won today, D.J. Shockley made the Falcons’ roster, and a simple glance at The Weather Channel reminds us that the pursuits of a baseball team pale in comparison to a major U.S. city facing mandatory evacuation orders this morning. Thoughts and prayers to all of you down on the central Gulf Coast and to those of you in New Orleans, one of the most eclectic sites on the planet and one of my favorite cities. We’re with you in prayer and hoping for the best as Hurricane Gustav approaches.
On deck
Braves at Nationals
1:35 p.m. today, Nationals Park
The Skinny: Jair Jurrjens (11-9, 3.56 ERA) hits the end of August looking to get over the recent struggles that’s caused his loss total and ERA to rise. Jurrjens has won just once since the All-Star break, and the rookie only went three innings – his shortest start of the season – on Tuesday against Florida, allowing six earned runs. For the Nats, right-hander Collin Balester (3-6, 4.70 ERA) topped the Dodgers Tuesday, just his second victory since July 1. Balester held Los Angeles to five hits and one earned run.
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The only thing that I can say is that I am glad that football season is here.