Entries tagged as ‘Braves’
Not only the the Braves lose tonight 10-5 to the Cubs, but Tom Glavine is going back to the DL:
CHICAGO — Tom Glavine made his first career visit to the disabled list earlier this season. The Braves’ veteran southpaw is headed back to the DL with an injured left elbow.
Glavine was removed after three ineffective innings against the Cubs on Tuesday night. The Braves later announced that he has a strained left elbow.
During Tuesday’s start, Glavine allowed four earned runs and six hits. The 42-year-old hurler needed 30 pitches to escape a two-run second inning and another 25 pitches to end a two-run third inning.
This was Glavine’s first appearance at Wrigley Field mound since using it to gain his 300th career victory on Aug. 5 of last year.
That’s gotta stab the hearts of Braves fans. Smoltz last week, Glavine this week. Everyone knew Atlanta would be hit or miss this season. The roster has a lot of risk built into it. Unfortunately, it may not pay off for Cox and crew.
Categories: Braves · NL East
Tagged: Braves, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Atlanta, Cubs, Chicago
(Injured) Beast: Chipper Jones. Chipper hit .478….yes…… .478 this week. It’s almost mid-June and he’s hitting .420. He had 6 RBIs but couldn’t stop the Braves from losing 3 in a row to the Phils. Jones sat the last two games with a right quad strain.
Runners-Up: Mark Teixeira, John Anderson
Least: Kelly Johnson. Well, Friday’s game was enough of a reason. He dropped the game winning out in the 9th against the Phillies, leading to an eventual sweep.
Runners-Down: Jeff Francoeur, Brian McCann
-Greg Berlin
Categories: Braves · NL East
Tagged: Braves, Brian McCann, Chipper Jones, Jeff Francoeur, John Anderson, Kelly Johnson, Mark Teixiera
According to 790 The Zone sports radio in Atlanta via Sabernomics, John Smoltz will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery after attempting a comeback in the bullpen this year. Huge blow for Atlanta here. More to come…
Categories: Braves
Tagged: Braves, John Smoltz, NL East
Completely worthless to interpret anything from. But the Phils are #2, behind the Cubs. The Marlins are 7, the Braves 10, the Mets18 and the Nats 26.
-Greg Berlin
Categories: Braves · Marlins · Mets · NL East · Nationals · Phillies
Tagged: Braves, Marlins, Mets, Nationals, Phillies, Power Rankings
The Braves today placed CF Mark Kotsay on the disabled list. Kotsay has long suffered from back problems, and, according to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, the Braves felt it would be best to let Kotsay rest (his back has been sore for several days now). Called up in his place is Josh Anderson, who is hitting .282 for Triple-A Richmond.
Categories: Braves
Tagged: Braves, Josh Anderson, Mark Kotsay, NL East
Mark Teixiera had quite the game for himself today in Atlanta’s 8-1 win over Milwaukee, going 2-3 with 4 RBIs (including a 3-run HR) and 2 walks. And in his third start of the year, Jorge Campillo shut down the Brewers offense, going 5 innings surrendering just one run on 4 hits, striking out 6 and walking none on 73 pitches. He is 2-0 with a 0.99 ERA.
This was an important win for the Braves, preventing a Milwaukee sweep and improving the Braves’ abysmal road record to 7-18 (compared to 22-7 at home).
Categories: Braves
Tagged: Braves, Brewers, Jorge Campillo, Mark Teixiera, NL East
The Braves will place OF Matt Diaz on the disabled list with a ligament strain in his left knee. Diaz was injured while crashing into the wall while catching a Prince Fielder fly ball in last night’s 3-2 loss to Milwaukee. Atlanta is already suffering from a lack of outfield depth, as Mark Kotsay has missed games with a sore back. According to Braves.com, Omar Infante and Gregor Blanco will start seeing more time in the outfield.
The DL move will allow Atlanta to activate Rafael Soriano, who has been out since the second week of the season. The Braves’ closer will rejoin a depleted bullpen that is a combined 6-7 with a 3.42 ERA this year.
Categories: Braves
Tagged: Braves, Gregor Blanco, Mark Kotsay, Matt Diaz, NL East, Omar Infante, Prince Fielder, Rafael Soriano
Ryan Zimmerman was held out of the lineup tonight as the Nationals take on San Diego. Here’s what Zim said about his apparent shoulder injury, courtesy of Chico Harlan’s Nationals Journal:
“It’s just soreness. It’s been checked out, and they said there’s nothing structurally wrong with it. Basically just wait for [the soreness] to go away. I mean if I had to play today I probably could, but we’ve got the hottest guy playing. (A reference to Aaron Boone.) But no, it’s good. I think it just makes sense. There’s no reason to rush it. If it was August or September and we had made a move and were competing for something, there’s no doubt I would have played. But it’s kind of a risk-reward kind of thing. Do I really want to play now and risk hurting it more, or take two or three days and get it better and then have four months to play? So it just makes sense.”
Mark Kotsay missed a start tonight for the Braves with back pain and, according to Braves.com, might be placed on the DL. Kotsay, of course, has suffered from back pain many times in the past.
The Mets placed RHP Matt Wise on the DL today with right rotator cuff tendonitis, according to Mets.com. Taking his roster spot will be Carlos Muniz, the young closer for Triple-A New Orleans.
And, as reported earlier on NL Beast, Pat Burrell missed tonight’s start with apparent neck stifness.
Categories: Braves · Mets · NL East · Nationals · Phillies
Tagged: Mets, Nationals, Phillies, Braves, Pat Burrell, Ryan Zimmerman, Matt Wise, Mark Kotsay, NL East
Another week has passed and the Florida Marlins are still in first place. We’ve talked again and again about how surprised we are here at NL Beast that the Marlins have continued to overachieve as much as they have so far this season. We’ve said that the Marlins have the pieces to achieve and that they should be a real contender as soon as next year. We’ve said it can’t last this season, and that it’s a nice story until the Phillies, Braves, or Mets step up and regain the top spot in the division.
But every week proves us wrong as the Marlins keep winning. They’ve been criticized for beating up on the bottom of the barrel. Then they sweep the Diamondbacks. Their pitching has been criticized as young and inexperienced. Then Andrew Miller outpitches Brandon Webb. Their offense has been described as resting on Hanley Ramirez. But it is Dan Uggla who is setting the pace not just for Marlins hitters but for Major League Baseball. Make no mistake about it, the Marlins are a dangerous team.
(more…)
Categories: Braves · Marlins · Mets · NL East · Nationals · Phillies
Tagged: Andrew Miller, Brandon Webb, Braves, Dan Uggla, Hanley Ramirez, Marlins, Mets, Nationals, NL East, Phillies
Beast: Chipper Jones, 3B. Last week the Beast went to Brian McCann with apologies to Chipper. This week, the Beast is Chipper, with apologies to McCann. Chipper hit .474, upping his average for the year to .416. McCann hit .529, by the way. But Chipper gets it for his historic start to the season as a whole. Let’s not forget Kelly Johnson who hit .429 on the week and raised his average for the season to .297.
Runners Up: Kelly Johson, Brian McCann, Mark Teixiera
Least: Jo-Jo Reyes, LHP. Reyes is having trouble finding any sort of consistency in the bigs. 8 runs, 7 earned in only 5 innings is not going to cut it. Reyes has gotten progressively worse in virtually every start. Perhaps a little bit of scouting and film has given hitters the edge over the young lefty.
Runners Down: Tom Glavine, Mark Kotsay
Categories: Braves · NL East
Tagged: Beast of the week, Braves, Brian McCann, Chipper Jones, Jo-Jo Reyes, Kelly Johnson, Least of the week, Mark Kotsay, Mark Teixiera, Tom Glavine
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that Braves closer Rafael Soriano might return today. Soriano has been out since the second week of the season with elbow tendonitis. Joining him in the bullpen soon could be John Smoltz, who has indicated that “he doesn’t believe that his shoulder will withstand the rigors of pitching five or six innings as a starter without more trips to the DL.” Smoltz will join the Braves on their upcoming roadtrip to Milwaukee and Cincinnati.
Categories: Braves
Tagged: Braves, John Smoltz, NL Beast, Rafael Soriano
Nationals 5-Brewers 1
Jeff Suppan pitched well for Milwaukee until the sixth, when the [long-absent] Washington offense came alive. After J.J. Hardy mishandled a double-play ball, the Nats broke through, scoring on doubles by Ryan Zimmerman and Jesus Flores and on a Lastings Milledge sacrifice ground ball. Wily Mo Peña his his first home run of the year earlier in the first inning, and Suppan drove in the Brewers’ only run of the game.
Odalis Perez pitched well for the Nationals (5.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO, 84 P) but left with a no-decision. Brian Sanches, just called up from Triple-A Columbus, struck out the side in the sixth and was credited with the win. Saul Rivera, Luis Ayala, and Jon Rauch closed the door for Washington.
Rockies 5-Mets 4 (F/13)
The Mets dropped their fifth straight game as Matt Holliday hit a walk-off single in the 13th off of Aaron Heilman after homering off of Billy Wagner in the ninth to tie the game (Wagner’s second blown save of the year). It was a back and forth game as neither team dominated on the mound.
Oliver Perez was all over the place for the Mets, going 5 innings allowing 6 hits for 4 earned runs, walking 8 and striking out only 2, and allowing a home run on 110 pitches (just 56 for strikes). Rookie starter Greg Reynolds never dominated for the Rockies, going 6 full innings allowing 4 earned runs on 4 hits, walking 3, striking out 5, and allowing 2 home runs on just 84 pitches thrown. He left the game after allowing back-to-back home runs to Carlos Delgado and Fernando Tatis (who replaced the injured Marlon Anderson) in the 6th.
Driving in runs for the Mets were Luis Castillo, Delgado, Tatis, and Jose Reyes, who got in the home plate umpire’s face after being called out on a very low strike three in the 13th. Garrett Atkins, Clint Barmes, and Holliday drove in runs for the Rockies.
Astros 5-Phillies 4
Brandon Backe was superb for the Astros, giving up just one run in 7.1 innings pitched, striking out 6 and walking one. Adam Eaton didn’t pitch terribly for the Phillies (7.0 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO,2 HR, 96 P), but couldn’t keep the ball in the park, giving up two home runs to Hunter Pence.
Also driving in runs for the Astros were former Phillie Michael Bourn (who also stranded three on base), and Carlos Lee (his 36th of the season). For the Phillies, Pat Burrell homered in his second-straight game and Pedro Feliz and Jimmy Rollins also drove runs in.
Diamondbacks 11-Braves 1
Doug Davis returned from cancer surgery in unbelievable fashion, shutting the hot-hitting Braves lineup down for 7 innings, allowing just one earned run on 5 hits, walking 2 and striking out 4 on 89 pitches. His team responded, taking batting practice off of Jo-Jo Reyes (5.0 IP, 6 H, 7 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO, 3 HR) and Chris Resop (2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 1 HR).
Homering for the D-Backs were Stephen Drew, Eric Byrnes, Conor Jackson, Chris Young, and Mark Reynolds. Whew. Kelly Johnson drove in the only Atlanta run of the night.
Giants 8-Marlins 2
Scott Olsen finally came back down to Earth, surrendering 5 earned runs off of 8 hits in just 3.1 innings pitched, walking 3, striking out 2, and allowing a home run on 81 pitches. Olsen drops to 4-2. He was relieved by Doug Waechter, Renyel Pinto, and Tyler Tankersley, who all pitched much more effectively. Dan Uggla homered for Florida (his 15th of the year) in the ninth, driving in both Marlins runs of the evening.
Barry Zito finally got his first win of the season, giving up just one earned run in 6.1 innings of work, walking 4 and striking out 5. Bengie Molina and Jose Castillo homered for the Giants. Aaron Rowand drove in three runs, and Rich Aurilia drove in two more for San Francisco.
Brett Carroll had to leave the game in the fourth inning after separating his right shoulder. He’ll be placed on the 15-day disabled list.
Categories: Braves · Marlins · Mets · NL East · Nationals · Phillies
Tagged: Mets, Nationals, Phillies, Marlins, Braves, Carlos Delgado, Pat Burrell, Adam Eaton, Pedro Feliz, Diamondbacks, Ryan Zimmerman, Aaron Heilman, Billy Wagner, Jimmy Rollins, Lastings Milledge, Kelly Johnson, Saul Rivera, Luis Ayala, Jon Rauch, Jose Reyes, Oliver Perez, Chris Young, Jo-Jo Reyes, Odalis Perez, Stephen Drew, Eric Byrnes, Giants, Aaron Rowand, Luis Castillo, Dan Uggla, Bengie Molina, Doug Waechter, Marlon Anderson, Wily Mo Peña, NL East, Doug Davis, Brewers, Jeff Suppan, Scott Olsen, Conor Jackson, Astros, Jesus Flores, Carlos Lee, Fernando Tatis, Renyel Pinto, Rockies, JJ Hardy, Brian Sanches, Matt Holliday, Greg Reynolds, Garrett Atkins, Clint Barmes, Brandon Backe, Hunter Pence, Michael Bourn, Chris Resop, Mark Reynolds, Tyler Tankersley, Barry Zito, Jose Castillo, Brett Carroll
Braves 4-Mets 2
Atlanta starter Tim Hudson pitched masterfully, surrendering just 2 earned runs in 8 innings, striking out 4 and walking none on 100 pitches. Hudson got the win and is now 7-3 on the year. His only mistakes came in the second inning, when he served up home runs to Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado.
The Mets needed Johan Santana to pitch a gem, but their ace didn’t come through, allowing 3 earned runs on 12 hits in 7 innings on just 90 pitches, walking none and striking out only one. He drops to 5-3 on the season.
The damage came in the 7th, when Beltran misplayed a ball hit by Kelly Johnson, leading to RBIs by Omar Infante (who had been 0-19 against Santana), Chipper Jones, and Mark Teixiera. Willie Randolph didn’t take Santana out of the game, and the inning was only finished by a beautifully executed 1-6-3 double play.
Talk about teams headed in different directions; the hot-hitting Braves have won four in a row and are crusing while the mediocre Mets have lost 7 of 10 and are reeling.
Phillies 7-Astros 5
The Phillies scored early but almost blew it in their first game of the year at Minute Maid Park. Starter Kyle Kendrick did not pitch a great game, giving up 5 earned runs on 8 hits in just 5 innings of work on 91 pitches, walking one and striking out 2. But Astros ace Roy Oswalt was not much better, also giving up 5 earned runs on 11 hits in 6 innings of work, walking 2 and striking out 4 on 95 pitches.
Ryan Howard had a very good night, going 3-5 with a home run (his 14th) and 2 RBIs (and 2 strikeouts, as well). After the Astros had tied the game in the 6th, Pat Burrell hit a go-ahead pinch-hit home run in the 8th off of rookie Wesley Wright. Also driving in runs for the Phillies were Carlos Ruiz, Pedro Feliz, Geoff Jenkins, and Chase Utley (his 33rd of the year). Chad Durbin picked up his first win of the year, and Brad Lidge notched his 12th save of the year, this one against his former team.
Driving in runs for the Astros were Berkman, Brad Ausmus, Ty Wigginton, and Geoff Blum. Wright took his second loss on the year.
Marlins 4-Diamondbacks 0
The red-hot Marlins completed their sweep of the Diamondbacks in an outstanding performance by young Andrew Miller, who shut Arizona out in 7 innings, allowing 5 hits, striking out 9 and walking just one batter on 107 pitches. Miller, who picked up his 4th win, was opposed by Dan Haren, who allowed 4 runs on 8 hits, striking out 8 and walking none on 94 pitches.
Wes Helms drove in two on a pinch-hit double in the 7th to drive Haren from the game. Jorge Cantu also drove in two runs for the Marlins.
Categories: Braves · Marlins · Mets · NL East · Phillies
Tagged: Mets, Phillies, Marlins, Braves, Andrew Miller, Chipper Jones, Tim Hudson, Carlos Delgado, Johan Santana, Kyle Kendrick, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Pat Burrell, Geoff Jenkins, Brad Lidge, Pedro Feliz, Diamondbacks, Dan Haren, Carlos Ruiz, Kelly Johnson, Carlos Beltran, Mark Teixiera, NL East, Willie Randolph, Astros, Jorge Cantu, Roy Oswalt, Omar Infante, Wes Helms, Wesley Wright, Chad Durbin, Brad Ausmus, Ty Wigginton, Geoff Blum
More to come on this in the morning, but the Mets lost their fourth straight tonight in Atlanta as Johan Santana couldn’t prevent the surging Braves lineup from overtaking the struggling New York club. The Mets have now lost seven of their last ten, have a losing record, and are 4.5 back of the Marlins (who beat Dan Haren tonight after beating Brandon Webb yesterday). It may not yet be time to panic, but it’s getting close. The fans are frustrated, the players are frustrated, the manager is frustrated, and one has to believe that the owners are frustrated, as well.
The Mets head to Colorado now to take on the struggling Rockies. The fate of Willie Randolph could very well rest on how the team performs in the next three games. Let’s not forget that the only reason why the Mets are still competative in the division is because of similarly mediocre play by the Braves and Phillies. Both of those teams seem to be turning a corner. The Mets are not following suit. A change has to be made, and the manager is the first one to go. Ultimately, the blame might rest on Willie, it might rest on Rick Peterson, it might rest on Howard Johnson, it might rest on Omar Minaya. But the manager is the one who is held accountable at the end of the day for the performance of his team on the field. Right now, that performance is unacceptable. As much as I like Willie, he’s a lame duck in my eyes. The blame might rest elsewhere, but it’s time for a change, and the first step has to be replacing Willie Randolph as manager.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Brandon Webb, Braves, Dan Haren, Howard Johnson, Johan Santana, Marlins, Mets, NL East, Omar Minaya, Phillies, Rick Peterson, Rockies, Willie Randolph
ESPN reports that Ryan Church and Yunel Escobar will sit out tonight’s game after a violent collision at second base last night. Omar Infante will start at short for the Braves, Endy Chavez will start in right field for the Mets.
Good news, though, as a CAT scan administered to Church came up normal today. It seems that Escobar, too, will not sit out for very long.
“I’d do it all over again,” Church said of his slide. “I was trying to break the double play up.”
Braves manager Bobby Cox said Escobar “is going to be fine.”
Categories: Braves · Mets
Tagged: Braves, Endy Chavez, Mets, NL East, Omar Infante, Ryan Church, Yunel Escobar
Mets RF Ryan Church was diagnosed with a concussion after this nasty collision with Braves SS Yunel Escobar in the last inning of last night’s Mets-Braves game, the second part of a doubleheader that the Mets lost 6-2. As the video says, this is Church’s second concussion this year, which is reason for concern. No word yet on how long either Church or Escobar will be out. Obviously, for the Mets, this is not good news, as Church has really been the team’s most valuable player so far this season.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Braves · Mets
Tagged: Braves, Mets, Ryan Church, Yunel Escobar
It was clear that Tom Glavine would have to face his former team at some point this season. Glavine’s first start against the Mets ended in his second win of the year and an outing far better than the last time Tom Glavine pitched in a game that included the New York Mets.
Glavine was very effective, surrendering just one earned run in six innings of work on a home run to Luis Castillo, of all people, in the first inning. He walked one and struck out four on just 82 pitches. The Mets countered with John Maine, who did not pitch well. Maine was unable to keep his fastball down in the zone and paid dearly, surrendering four earned runs in just four innings of work on eight hits, walking three and striking out two on 99 pitches–hardly the dominant stuff he showed in his last few starts. Maine drops to 5-3 on the year.
Aaron Heilman continued his fascination with giving up the long ball, giving up his fifth of the year in just 22.2 innings of work, this one a three-run shot to Brian McCann in the 7th. Also driving in runs for the Braves were Mark Teixiera, Yunel Escobar, and Kelly Johnson.
David Wright and Jose Reyes combined to go 2-8 on the day. Once again, when Jose doesn’t get on base, the Mets don’t score runs. The Jekyll and Hyde season continues.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Braves · Mets
Tagged: Mets, Braves, Yunel Escobar, Tom Glavine, David Wright, Aaron Heilman, Kelly Johnson, Jose Reyes, John Maine, Luis Castillo, Brian McCann, Mark Teixiera
The Game: New York Mets (22-19) at Atlanta Braves (22-21)
The Matchup: John Maine (5-2, 2.81) vs. Tom Glavine (1-1, 4.41)
The Story: The Mets face Tom Glavine for the first time since the last game of last season, when Glavine pitched only a third of an inning but surrendered….okay there’s no need to repeat what happened, the words “monumental collapse” do it justice enough. If last year’s collapse hasn’t been talked about enough this year, just wait until the broadcast today; it’s going to be nonstop. The Mets roll into Atlanta having taken two-straight from the Yankees, after losing three of four to the Nationals. New York’s core players, Jose Reyes and David Wright, have finally started to turn a corner and hit consistently, which is necessary for the Mets to succeed.
Consistency has been hard to come by for the Mets but also for the Braves, who have seen flashes of brilliance from pitching (Jair Jurrjens, Tim Hudson) and hitting (Chipper Jones, Brian McCann, Mark Kotsay), but not from their bullpen, which has suffered greatly from the losses of Rafael Soriano and Peter Moylan.
John Maine takes the mound for the Mets as the Amazin’s second most valuable starting pitcher. Maine hasn’t allowed more than two runs in his seven last starts. Glavine has had less success this year, and just picked up his first win of the season in his last start. He hasn’t been bad by any means, though, and looks to pick up his 305th win today against his old club.
The Lineups:
Mets: Reyes (SS), Castillo (2B), Wright (3B), Beltran (CF), Church (RF), Alou (LF), Delgado (1B), Schneider (C), Maine (P)
Braves: Escobar (SS), Kotsay (CF), Jones (3B), Teixiera (1B), McCann (C), Francoeur (RF), Johnson (2B), Blanco (LF), Glavine (P)
Categories: Braves · Mets
Tagged: Braves, Brian McCann, Chipper Jones, David Wright, Jair Jurrjens, John Maine, Jose Reyes, Mark Kotsay, Mets, Peter Moylan, Rafael Soriano, Tim Hudson, Tom Glavine
The Braves Beast of the Week is…
Brian McCann, C (.345, .387, .655, 1 HR, 9 RBI on the week). We award this honor to Brian with apologies to Chipper Jones, who also had a stellar week (.462, .548, .654, 1 HR, 3 RBI). But come on, Chipper, you can’t win every week. Chipper, who hits right in front of Brian in the Braves lineup, is a big part of McCann’s success, giving him plenty of RBI opportunities. Both players combine to make for a formidable middle of the Atlanta lineup.
Runners-Up: Chipper Jones, Kelly Johnson, Mark Kotsay
We bestow the least of the week distinction upon…
Chuck James, LHP. James optioned to Triple-A Richmond after a terrible start last Thursday against the Phillies, in which he surrendered 5 earned runs on 6 hits in 4 innings, walking 5 and striking out none. He’ll be replaced by Jorge Campillo in the rotation.
Runners-down: Royce Ring, Mark Teixiera
Categories: Braves
Tagged: Beast of the week, Braves, Brian McCann, Chipper Jones, Chuck James, Jorge Campillo, Kelly Johnson, Least of the week, Mark Kotsay, Mark Teixiera, Royce Ring
According to ESPN.com, Braves RHP John Smoltz might not return this month, as was previously reported.
“It could be anywhere between the [late May] timetable I discussed and a lot longer,” Smoltz told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for Monday’s editions.
If Smoltz is delayed much more, expect the Braves to look for bullpen help, either within the organization or outside.
Categories: Braves
Tagged: Braves, John Smoltz
