Sep 06 2008
Win streak, woo-hoo! Braves win consecutive games for first time since early August
By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com
Braves 10, Nationals 5
Top of the Order: Be still my beating heart, but we have a winning streak: a seven-run third inning gave Jair Jurrjens all the support he needed as the Braves won consecutive games for the first time since Aug. 8-9.
The Good: For the second time in four days, the Braves cracked double-digits offensively. Yet again, it was the Kelly Johnson Show (staring Kelly Johnson! Yeah, real original, I know). KJ went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Think Kelly be lovin’ him some September? Dude is 12-for-21 with six runs scored, eight RBIs and 21 total bases in five games. And to think, some folks in Braves Nation want to deal KJ? No, I don’t think you do that. Brandon Jones drove in three runs. Casey Kotchman and Josh Anderson each had two hits, Anderson scoring twice. Jurrjens didn’t have his best stuff, but the rookie grinded through five innings, allowing one run on six hits with three walks and six strikeouts to pick up his 12th victory, his first at home since June 5. Jeff Ridgway (who still sucks) and Jorge Julio each fired a scoreless inning of relief.
The Bad: It wouldn’t be the Braves of ’08 without another injury, and this time it’s Charlie Morton. Young Charlie is having back issues, and it’s possible the promising yet-inconsistent rookie is finished for the season. On the field, why in the hell is Elmer Dessens still here? I don’t care if the Braves are 70 games out of first place, Elmer F. Dessens (the F. stands for Fudd, but you can substitute another F-word if you’d like) shouldn’t be here. Case in point, his Friday line: one inning, three hits, three runs, one walk. Yes, folks, Elmer F. Dessens has an ERA of 30.00 since joining your Atlanta Braves. Now, if your football team allows 30.00 rushing yards per game, that’s good. When your baseball team has a pitcher who sports a 30.00 ERA, that’s bad. Cut the cord already! Jeff Francoeur left the game after being hit in the leg with a pitch in the fifth. Buddy Carlyle gave up a run in one inning. Chipper Jones went 0-for-3 with a walk, his average dropping to .357.
View from the Sports Garage: Well what do ya know … a winning streak! An honest-to-goodness winning streak. Two whole games, wow! OK, it’s been a while, so pardon the (sarcastic) enthusiasm. This team hadn’t won consecutive games since winning three in a row at Arizona on Aug. 7-9. Ah, you remember that, don’t you? Those three victories in a row pulled the Braves to 55-62 on the season and 8 ½ games out in the NL East. Since then, Atlanta is 7-17 and has dropped nine games in the standings. Oh well, it is what it is, denizens of Braves Nation. Great to see the bats break out again. I’m telling you guys, it’s so important for the Braves to finish this season with something, anything positive. It’s been such a long grind, such a bad stretch, so many injuries and one-run losses and disappointment and outrage – not to mention Elmer F. Dessens – anything that closely resembles sunshine is sorely needed as this sorry season draws to a close. The Braves are out of it; this we know. This season is over. Time to build momentum for 2009, and there is no better way to do that than by playing good baseball during the final 20 games. The past two nights are a good start toward that.
On deck
Braves vs. Nationals
7:05 p.m. today, Turner Field
The Skinny: If you need evidence that Mike Hampton (2-2, 5.67 ERA) can pitch in the majors, allow me to present his past two starts. Against the Marlins on Aug. 27, Hampton pitched eight solid innings. Monday at Florida, Hampton went six innings, allowing three runs and threw a season-high 106 pitches. Face it, Braves Nation, Hammy could be here next year. I still think somebody’s going to throw some mad jack at him, since he’s a veteran lefty and – knock on wood – has been healthy for nearly two months. But I’m finding myself hoping Hampton will say, “This organization stuck by me through two arm surgeries and all the frustration during my comeback attempt. My Roth is pretty sweet-looking right now. I’ll take a low-ball deal and go to Lake Buena Vista in February.” We’ll see. For the mighty Nats, Tim Redding (10-8, 4.55 ERA) carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning Monday against Philly, before leaving after allowing two hits and three runs in the sixth.
—30—
Bud, what is the saddest point is this is a high point.