Mets 5, Braves 1

If I've learned anything about this team it's that one game does not determine how the team is playing overall. The Braves threw away several chances and lost to the Mets, 5-1.

Yunel Escobar (AP - John Bazemore)

The game remained scoreless through five innings due to an intense duel between Johan Santana and Kenshin Kawakami. However, Kawakami hit a wall in the sixth and lost his control, allowing the bases loaded before walking in a run. Omir Santos grounded into a fielder's choice to score a second run.

The Braves scored their lone run in the eighth on a solo homer by Chipper Jones. The Braves put two on in the fifth and came away empty after Kawakami's bunt attempt caused an out at third. They loaded the bases in the seventh with one out and came away empty after Nate McLouth struck out and Martin Prado grounded out. After Jones' home run in the eighth, the Braves again loaded the bases despite a botched hit-and-run by Yunel Escobar. However, Greg Norton struck out to end the inning.

Kenshin Kawakami: L (5-7), 6.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 3 K

The four walks are no indication of Kawakami's outing. Two of them were intentional and two of them came in the sixth, when he allowed both of his earned runs. He kept up with Santana inning for inning and didn't deserve a loss. Peter Moylan pitched a scoreless eighth. Manny Acosta allowed three runs in the ninth. He's really not that good.

Chipper Jones: HR

The Braves had eight hits and left 11 on base, six alone in the seventh and eighth innings. Matt Diaz went 1-3 with a walk. McLouth is now hitless in his last 15 at bats.

Notable Mets:
Johan Santana: W (11-7), 7 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K
Angel Pagan: 3-4, RBI

Notable Stat:
1 extra base hit (other than Chipper's HR). This team does show a decent eye at the plate, but they are so weak.

Next Game:
7/19: Mets, 6:00 (Fernando Nieve vs. Javier Vazquez)

7/18: Mets @ Braves Game Preview

July 18, 2009 - 4:00 (FOX)

@


Johan Santana
(10-7, 3.09 ERA, 37 BB, 112 K, 1.20 WHIP)
Career vs. Braves: 0-4, 2.31 ERA in 6 starts
vs.

Kenshin Kawakami
(5-6, 4.26 ERA, 36 BB, 68 K, 1.35 WHIP)
Career vs. Mets: 0-1, 3.60 ERA in 1 start

Braves vs. Santana:
Garret Anderson: 28 PA, 6-25, HR, 4 RBI
Matt Diaz: 18 PA, 10-18, HR, 3 RBI
Brian McCann: 16 PA, 5-16, HR
Yunel Escobar: 13 PA, 5-12, RBI
Chipper Jones: 13 PA, 5-11, RBI
Nate McLouth: 10 PA, 2-9, HR, 2 RBI

Mets vs. Kawakami:
David Wright: 3 PA, 1-3, RBI

Season Series: 4-3 (Last Game: 7/17, W 11-0)

What to Look For:
Any time Johan Santana takes the mound he is the focus of the game. Santana has never recorded a win against the Braves but has had solid starts against them in his career. A perfect example is his one start against them this season, in which he allowed two unearned runs in 6.1 innings and was tagged with a loss. Matt Diaz is one of the few in baseball that has owned Santana in his career, and that is a matchup to watch today. A Braves win today guarantees a series win in the four-game set.

MLB.com Gameday
STATS Preview
Brian McCann says speech to Braves 'not big at all'

Final Roundup (7/17)

The Braves evened with the Marlins in the East, but the Phillies remained ahead by six. On the farm, Rome and Danville edged out close wins.

NL East Notables:
The Phillies scored two in the 12th to beat the Marlins, 6-5. Chase Utley picked up a homer and three RBIs. Jayson Werth added two RBIs, and Pedro Feliz knocked in one. Cole Hamels allowed one run on four hits in five innings. Ricky Nolasco allowed four runs in six innings for the Marlins, who have lost two straight to the Phillies and dropped six of their last nine.

The Braves destroyed the Mets, 11-0. Brian McCann hit a homer and drove in four. Yunel Escobar added three hits and three RBIs. Jair Jurrjens pitched six shutout innings, giving up just two hits. Mike Pelfrey was pounded for nine runs in 4.1 innings. The Braves are tied with the Marlins for second at six games back, both sitting at .500.

Braves MiL Notables:
A- Rome (7-15) defeated West Virginia, 5-3. Shayne Moody and Yoel Campusano each had two hits and an RBI. Adam Milligan went 2-4 with two doubles. Dimaster Delgado allowed three runs in 6.2 innings, striking out seven.

Rk Danville (16-8) inched by Elizabethton, 5-4. Mycal Jones picked up two hits and two RBIs, and Travis Adair added two hits and an RBI. Ty Stovall walked six in three innings but allowed just one run on two hits. He struck out five.

NL East Top Performer:

Brian McCann
C - Braves
(3-4, 3 R, HR, 4 RBI) vs. Mets

Braves MiL Top Performer:
Dimaster Delgado
SP - A- Rome
(6.2 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, BB, 7 K) vs. West Virginia

Braves 11, Mets 0

Jair Jurrjens wanted to pitch like Greg Maddux tonight and he did just that, pitching six shutout innings in route to a 11-1 drubbing of the Mets.

Jair Jurrjens (AP - John Bazemore)

Brian McCann: 3-4, HR, 4 RBI
Yunel Escobar: 3-4, 3 RBI
Casey Kotchman: 2-4, 2 RBI
Martin Prado: 2-5, HR

The Braves made up for a lack of run support over the past few weeks by giving Jurrjens 10 runs to play with over his six innings. McCann led the way with three hits, a homer, and four RBIs, coming up a triple shy of the cycle. Along with the above mentioned, Chipper Jones added two hits and Garret Anderson added an RBI as well. Nate McLouth was the lone hitter without a hit, and he is 0-10 in the series.

Jair Jurrjens: W (8-7), 6 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, K

Jurrjens allowed just two hits to the Mets in his six innings, both of which were doubles. He was able to avoid giving up a run despite the doubles. Jurrjens threw just 85 pitches but with the offense scoring 10 runs by then, it was good to get him out and let him rest. The mop up boys known as Boone Logan, Luis Valdez, and Kris Medlen each pitched a scoreless inning behind him.

Notable Stat:
Chipper Jones has yet to strike out this month.

Next Game:
7/18: Mets, 4:00 (Kenshin Kawakami vs. Johan Santana)

7/17: Mets @ Braves Game Preview

July 17, 2009 - 7:30 (Peachtree TV)
@


Mike Pelfrey
(7-4, 4.47 ERA, 36 BB, 51 K, 1.48 WHIP)
Career vs. Braves: 2-3, 5.08 ERA in 7 starts, 8 total games
vs.

Jair Jurrjens
(7-7, 2.91 ERA, 44 BB, 78 K, 1.27 WHIP)
Career vs. Mets: 2-1, 3.51 ERA in 4 starts

Braves vs. Pelfrey:
Brian McCann: 23 PA, 8-20, 3 RBI
Chipper Jones: 19 PA, 4-13, 2 HR, 3 RBI
Yunel Escobar: 9 PA, 2-7
Casey Kotchman: 9 PA, 1-9, RBI
Garret Anderson: 6 PA, 1-4, 2 RBI

Mets vs. Jurrjens:
David Wright: 12 PA, 4-11, HR, 3 RBI
Daniel Murphy: 6 PA, 1-6, 2 RBI
Jeremy Reed, Fernando Tatis: 6 PA each, RBI each

Season Series: 3-3 (Last Game: 7/16, W 5-3)

What to Look For:
The Braves have been able to hit Pelfrey in the past, especially McCann and Jones. Not to mention Pelfrey has been struggling as of late. If the Braves can take advantage of the matchup and take a second straight from the Mets, it could do wonders for the team to start the second half. Or, if the first half is any indication, it could mean they will lose four straight to the Giants in the next series.

MLB.com Gameday
STATS Preview
Maddux inducted into Braves Hall
Francoeur welcomed back in enemy colors
New Coke bottle unveiled at Turner Field
Vazquez ready; Gonzalez needs a few days
DOB Blog (7/17)
More to Maddux than meets the eye

Final Roundup (7/16)

The Phillies shut out the Marlins in the first game of a key series that begins the second half. The Braves knocked the Mets down another game in the lower half of the division. On the farm, Mississippi recorded a walkoff win in extra innings.

NL East Notables:
Jamie Moyer pitched seven innings of one-hit ball in route to a 4-0 win over the Marlins. Raul Ibanez hit two homers and drove in three, and Ryan Howard added a solo homer. Moyer shut out the Marlins over seven innings, allowing just one hit while walking one and striking out four. The win vaulted the Phillies to five games ahead in the East.

The Braves started the second half on a good note with a 5-3 win over the Mets. Garret Anderson had three hits and a homer, and Chipper Jones produced the go-ahead RBI single in the seventh. Derek Lowe and Oliver Perez each allowed three runs on five hits in six innings. The Braves continue to sit six games back, while the Mets were bumped down to 7.5 out.

Braves MiL Notables:
AA Mississippi (9-13) won in the 11th inning over Huntsville, 5-4. The Braves got solid performances from Jason Heyward and Ryne Reynoso. Heyward went 4-6 with two doubles and a home run. Reynoso pitched 6.2 scoreless innings, giving up just three hits while walking three and striking out three. Brett Butts struck out four in a scoreless ninth and 10th innings to earn the win.

A+ Myrtle Beach (11-10) lost to Wilmington, 2-1. Richard Sullivan allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits in seven innings, walking one and striking out two. It was Sullivan's sixth loss despite having a 3.88 ERA for the Pelicans.

NL East Top Performer:

Jamie Moyer
SP - Phillies
(W, 7 IP, H, BB, 4 K) vs. Marlins

Braves MiL Top Performer:

Jason Heyward
RF - AA Mississippi
(4-6, 2 R, 2 2B, HR, RBI) vs. Huntsville

Braves 5, Mets 3

Good win for the Braves. Derek Lowe pitched around trouble and the offense battled back to take the lead late, giving them a 5-3 win over the Mets to start the second half.

David Wright & Jeff Francoeur (AP - John Bazemore)

The Braves started the scoring in the second with back-to-back homers by Yunel Escobar and Garret Anderson. The Mets took the lead in the fourth with three runs on an RBI single by Gary Sheffield, an RBI groundout by Jeff Francoeur, and an RBI double by Daniel Murphy.

Matt Diaz doubled in a run in the home half of the fourth to tie it at three. The game remained tied until the seventh, when the Braves took the lead on an RBI single by Chipper Jones. Greg Norton singled in a run in the eighth for insurance.

Derek Lowe: 6 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Manny Acosta: W (1-0), 1 IP, H
Peter Moylan: H (15), 1 IP, K
Rafael Soriano: S (13), 1 IP, 2 K

Lowe had a bit of trouble with walks but didn't let it affect his run total, meaning he didn't give up any walks in the three-run fourth inning for the Mets. He allowed baserunners in every inning but the first, but he pitched well despite the five hits and three walks. Acosta rebounded from a rough outing in Colorado to pitch a scoreless seventh and earn the win. Moylan set up Soriano with a perfect eighth, and Soriano breezed through the ninth with two strikeouts. Soriano hasn't allowed a run since July 3rd. Mike Gonzalez remained out with elbow tendinitis and will continue to sit for the next few days before a decision is made. Eric O' Flaherty suffered from back problems and wasn't able to pitch, but there shouldn't be anything to look into there.

Garret Anderson: 3-4, HR
Yunel Escobar: HR

Along with the RBIs from the two above, Diaz, Norton, and Jones each recorded an RBI as well. Every hitter had a hit with the exception of Nate McLouth, who made a great diving catch in center. Norton's RBI single was his first hit since May 31st and his first RBI since May 24th.

Notable Mets:
Jeff Francoeur: 0-4, RBI
Oliver Perez: 6 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 6 K

Notable Stat:
Rafael Soriano: BB/K Ratio: 15/60

Next Game:
7/17: Mets, 7:30 (Mike Pelfrey vs. Jair Jurrjens)

7/16-7/19: Mets @ Braves Series Preview

New York Mets (42-45, 4th NL East)
@
Atlanta Braves (43-45, 3rd NL East)

The second half begins in Atlanta with a four-game series with the Mets.

The Braves are 2-3 against the Mets this season. The Mets swept a two-game series in early May and the Braves answered by taking two of three from the Mets a week later. Neither team is in the same situation as when they last met. The Braves are farther down in the standings, to the point where a trade may not be worthwhile. The Mets have seen themselves drop tremendously after several injuries have decimated the roster.

(2009 stats followed by career stats vs. opposing team)
7/16 - 7:00
Oliver Perez (2-2, 8.78 ERA...6-4, 3.46 ERA in 14 starts)
vs.
Derek Lowe (8-7, 4.39 ERA...2-2, 6.75 ERA in 3 starts, 9 total games)

You could say Oliver Perez has been the Jeff Francoeur of the Mets...well, now they have both. He was placed on the DL back in May when his ERA reached 9.97, and he recently returned to the team and allowed two runs over five innings against the Dodgers on July 8th. Perez has solid numbers against the Braves but that was back before he was so terribly terrible. Lowe got back on the right track on July 10th by allowing one run in six innings against the Rockies.

7/17 - 7:30
Mike Pelfrey (7-4, 4.47 ERA...2-3, 5.08 ERA in 7 starts, 8 total games)
vs.
Jair Jurrjens (7-7, 2.91 ERA...2-1, 3.51 ERA in 4 starts)

Pelfrey has been riding the mediocre train all season. After dipping below four on the ERA in late May, Pelfrey's ERA climbed back over four and has remained there since. He allowed two runs in seven innings against the Braves back in May, though he hasn't fared well against them in the past. Jurrjens earned his seventh win in Colorado by allowing two runs in six innings.

7/18 - 4:00
Johan Santana (10-7, 3.09 ERA...0-4, 2.31 ERA in 6 starts)
vs.
Kenshin Kawakami (5-6, 4.26 ERA...0-1, 3.60 ERA in 1 start)

Santana hit a snag in June that saw his ERA rise to 3.34 at one point. He ended the first half with seven shutout innings against the Reds. Santana allowed two unearned runs in 6.1 innings against the Braves in May, and he has yet to win a game against them in his career. Kawakami rebounded from a rough start against the Nationals to allow just one run over six innings in a win against the Cubs in his last start.

7/19 - 6:00
Fernando Nieve (3-3, 3.03 ERA...1-0, 3.60 ERA in 1 start, 4 total games)
vs.
Javier Vazquez (6-7, 2.95 ERA...8-8, 3.47 ERA in 22 starts)

Nieve has been a solid starter since getting the opportunity in early June. He has yet to go past six innings but has maintained a solid ERA and records strikeouts. Nieve allowed three runs in six innings against the Reds in his last start. Vazquez is expected to make his scheduled start despite battling a strained abdomen that kept him out of his last start before the break.

Key Mets Relievers:
CL - Francisco Rodriguez (42.2 IP, 1.90 ERA, 23 SV...8 IP, 0.00 ERA, 4 SV)
SU - Pedro Feliciano (35.2 IP, 2.52 ERA, 16 HLD...34.1 IP, 2.62 ERA, 6 HLD)
MR - Bobby Parnell (35 IP, 4.37 ERA, 14 HLD...3.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 2 HLD)

Key Mets Hitters:
3B - David Wright (.324, 5 HR, 44 RBI....298, 23 HR, 54 RBI in 90 games)
RF - Gary Sheffield (.283, 10 HR, 35 RBI....274, 20 HR, 51 RBI in 107 games)
1B - Daniel Murphy (.248, 5 HR, 28 RBI....167, 0 HR, 4 RBI in 12 games)

Mets Injuries:
RF - Fernando Martinez (15-day, knee inflammation)
CF - Carlos Beltran (15-day, knee bone bruise)
SP - John Maine (15-day, shoulder fatigue)
RP - J.J. Putz (15-day, elbow surgery)
INF - Ramon Martinez (60-day, fractured pinkie)
SS - Jose Reyes (15-day, calf tendinitis)
1B - Carlos Delgado (60-day, hip impingement)
RP - Billy Wagner (60-day, elbow surgery)

Indeed, Call it Even

Mac at Braves Journal posted what is probably the greatest thing I've read in a while to begin the game thread today. I must share:

"Hi, this is Braves blogger Mac Thomason. So, what are we dealing with here? Well, our worst hitters play left field and first base, our biggest power threat hits leadoff, our shortstop is leading the team in RBI even though he got benched for a week for general douchiness, the offense of late has been carried by a man who started the year as the second-string utility infielder, our hotshot rookie CF spent two months on the team without ever revealing that he might have a broken wrist, our cleanup hitter found out a month into the season that he needs glasses, we have two pitchers in the top ten in ERA and both of them have losing records, our putative ace has the worst ERA in the rotation, three relievers are on pace to challenge a team record in appearances, and some people wonder if our Hall of Fame manager has Alzheimer’s. On the other hand, Francoeur is now a Met. Call it even.”

I'll bet everybody that read that at least cracked a smile if not crapped their pants from laughing. The best medicine for being a fan of a losing team is to make fun of it. If you don't, you become a Mets/Phillies/Yankees/Red Sox fan.

You won't be seeing me until the break is over. I'm giving my eyes a rest.

Rockies 8, Braves 7

I blame this entire loss on Bobby Cox for his inability to work a bullpen. It amazes me sometimes.

I'm not recapping the whole thing, but do know that Brooks Conrad hit a two-run home run in the fifth to give the Braves a 7-3 lead. The Rockies then came back starting in the seventh and winning in the ninth.

Kris Medlen: 4 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
Boone Logan: 2.1 IP, 2 BB, K
Manny Acosta: 0.1 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, BB
Peter Moylan: B (5), 1 IP, 2 H, ER, BB
Luis Valdez: L (0-1) 0.2 IP, 2 H, ER

Medlen pitched a solid four innings in a spot start, struggling with command again but able to pitch around it for the most part due to two of the three runs coming on solo homers. Medlen gave up a single to start the fifth and barely clipped Clint Barmes' shirt to put two on and no outs. This caused Bobby to freak out and yank Medlen after only 76 pitches, leaving the completely exhausted bullpen to go five whole innings. I really do not give a crap how many runs Medlen gives up, you don't pull the guy out after 76 pitches with the way the pen has been worked.

As expected, Bobby brought in the only fresh reliever (besides Valdez) to go several innings, and Logan did a perfect job of it, cruising through two innings and ready to complete a third inning until Bobby decided to pull Logan out for absolutely no reason after one out in the seventh. Not only that, he brought in Acosta, who had appeared in the past two games, which is something he is not used to. It is the honest truth that I shook my head and laughed from the moment Acosta stepped on the mound to the moment he was pulled out, three runs later.

O' Flaherty was called on for his fourth straight game and was able to get the last out in the seventh. Moylan appeared in his 1,000,000th straight game and, as expected from a completely worn out reliever, he gave up a run and the lead. Valdez never had a chance in the ninth. I wasn't expecting anything different.

Brooks Conrad: 3-5, HR, 3 RBI
Martin Prado: 2-4, RBI

Conrad really, really, really needs to stay on this roster when Kelly Johnson is able to return. The guy can hit. Ryan Church also recorded his first hit and RBI as a Brave.

The Braves are seriously going to pay for the way Bobby Cox works this bullpen. Doing this constant changing of relievers in the span of one inning can tax a reliever's arm a lot more than one thinks. Almost every pitcher in the pen is forced to warm up every game, whether they enter or not. This isn't a video game. Having over half your bullpen in the top five in appearances in the league is a joke. Signing and trading for these big arms in the rotation was supposed to relieve the pen of some pressure, but nothing has changed due to Cox.