Home Opener 2008!

Written by Jonathan on March 31, 2008 – 4:06 pm

Well the time has finally come for the 2008 Braves home opener.  After falling to the Nationals in the bottom of the ninth last night, I know we’re all ready to see the offense come alive and put some runs on the board early and often.  The offense seemed a little stifled last night, so it’ll be nice to see them break out and settled into the season.

Tonight, the Braves (0-1) kick off a three-game series against the Pirates (0-0).  Tom Glavine makes his first regular season start since returning to the Braves against Ian Snell for Pittsburgh.  Snell is coming off of a 9-12 season in 2007 with a 3.76 ERA.  It looks to be a great night for baseball with temperatures slated to be in the mid to high 50s and the rain should hold off until the overnight hours.

We’ll be heading down  to enjoy the Turner Field atmosphere since it has been a good while since we’ve been around there for a regular season game.  The game starts at 7:10 ET and I’ll be doing my best to keep up with the comments and game updates on this thread from at the game.  Baseball’s back in Atlanta for the season.  Go Braves!


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69 Responses to “Home Opener 2008!”

  1. By Colin on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    I can’t wait to get out of here and down to the stadium for some baseball. Anyone who’s going to the game should drop by and say hi – we’ll be sitting in section 437 in the front row (left of the aisle). Look for the black BravesBlast hats.

  2. By Colin on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    Heading out to the game. Can’t wait to see Glavine back on the mound.

  3. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    10 minutes til gametime! I hope everyone’s settled into their seats like we have or found their way in front of a TV to watch the home opener.

  4. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    National anthem done and we’re about to get underway. Glav’s stepping to the mound for the first official pitch back in a Braves uniform. The crowd’s glad to have him back.

  5. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    Glavine through the first, walking the first batter but getting through unscathed with no further damage.

    Time for the Braves to get those bats in gear.

  6. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    Laroche with a leadoff double for the Pirates. A little work for Glavine to do to get out of this one. Either way, it’s a beautiful night for baseball. Something about seeing Glav back in a Braves jersey brings back a lot of memories.

    Ryan Doumit moves Laroche to third on a single.

  7. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    Should’ve been out of the inning, but KJ couldn’t handle the easy ground ball and Laroche scored on the E4. Unearned runs are something we need to stop giving up to be succesful this season. We saw a number of losses from them in preseason, but now it actually counts.

  8. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    Glavine fights his was out of a two-on situation by striking out Nady. Still only one hit on the night…..the bats still appear to be in Florida.

    Glavine walks. Maybe he can help himself out.

  9. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    Yunel knocks Glavine and KJ in on a triple….good to see the Braves getting a little bit of offense going.

    Chipper knocks in Yunel on a groundout. Braves lead 3-1 through 3.

  10. By Brandon on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    Andrew couldn’t have done that!!!

  11. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    Brian McCann leads off the bottom of the fourth with a solo shot out towards the Braves bullpen. The rain’s starting to fall a little here at Turner.

  12. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    I definitely agree Brandon, that was pretty much the consensus among us in the stands as well. Great throw to the plate by Kotsay to save a run and get the Braves out of the fourth without further damage.

  13. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    Glavine’s pitch count’s getting a little high as we get into the top of the 5th. He has just crossed the 90 pitch mark. Hopefully we can get another inning out of him.

    The rain has tapered off for now but it’s cooling down now.

  14. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    Yunel turns the 6-3 double play to bail Glavine out of the 5th. I think we might see one more out of Glavine before we head to the bullpen.

    Prado just hit one to the track in dead away center. Looks like the wind kept that one in the park.

  15. By Brandon on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    That was an amazing double play!!!

  16. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    That was definitely an amazing double play for the Pirates by Wilson. Look for that one on Sportcenter.

    Resop’s in for the Braves throwing high 90s. Decent line for Glavine tonight giving up 1 ER, 2 R, 3 Ks, 8 H, 2 BB.

  17. By Colin on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    Braves are looking good so far. I hope we can finish this one out.

  18. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    Hopefully we can get a couple on insurance runs for Glavine to get a W. The Pirates are slowly hacking away at the lead. 4-3 now in the bottom of 6.

    Mark Kotsay with a two-out single.

  19. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    Ohman in the game for the Braves to start the 7th. Resop gave up one run on one hit in his one inning of work.

    Nyjer Morgan starts the 7th for the Pirates with a double an Mclouth gets him to third. Ohman’s done for the night and Moylan’s coming in. Hopefully he can recover from last night’s home run to Zimmerman.

  20. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    Morgan scores on a throwing error by Yunel. Once again, unearned runs are killing us. 4-4 ballgame. Moylan’s done for the night.

    Royce Ring in and strikes out LaRoche to end the inning.

    7th inning stretch….

  21. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    Recently former Brave, Tyler Yates is in to pitch the 7th for the Pirates. Two-out walk to Yunel.

  22. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    Acosta comes in for the Braves and gives up a solo home run to right field to Nady. Pirates lead 5-4. Doumit follows with a single and a strikeout to Bautista. The fans don’t appear to be too happy with Acosta.

  23. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    Acosta’s done. 3-run home run to Mclouth. Jeff Bennett’s in to try to close out the inning. The Pirates lead 8-4. In the words of Rue, we’re calling this a “Should’ve kept Buddy” moment.

  24. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    Attendance is 45,269.

    Braves go down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 8th. Jeff Bennett’s staying in the game for the Braves.

  25. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    Pirates pen has walked the bases loaded. Yunel at the plate and the crowd’s in the game…

    2-0 count to Yunel.

  26. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    The walk to Yunel brings in a run.

    Chipper with a 2 RBI single.

    9-7, two on, Tex at the plate.

  27. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    Tex flies out to short center. 2 out with McCann coming to the plate. Still two on.

  28. By Brandon on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    AMAZING!!!

  29. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    The Pirates forgot how play fundamental baseball and let a routine fly ball drop in. 2 runs score and the game’s tied, 9-9!

    Free baseball, folks! Soriano’s in to pitch for the Braves.

  30. By Brandon on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    Y’all are getting to see a amazing game tonight!!!

  31. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    Most definitely, Brandon. We’re coming up on the 4 hour mark in the game.

    Bottom 10, one on, no outs, Matt Diaz at the plate. I don’t really understand the call to have Diaz bunting. Boyer’s warming up in the pen so we’ll see Pena pinch hit.

  32. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    Double play to end the Braves hopes in the 10th.

    Boyer’s on to pitch the 11th. We’ve decided that Jurrjens is the next pitcher should we need more. Boyer is our last pen pitcher. Boyer made quick work of the Pirates in 11 however so he should be good for 1 more at least. 4:07 into the game so far.

  33. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    Top of the lineup goes down 1-2-3, we’re headed to the 12th with Boyer still on the hill.

    Rue’s trying to figure out how to fit all of this baseball onto a 9 inning scorecard but the nice lady in the merchandise shop gave her a free addendum.

    4:15 into the game now.

  34. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    Blaine gives up a three run homer to Nady who’s having an amazing night. He has a single, a double, two homers and has scored 4 runs.

    Doumit strikes out, but the damage is done. 12-9 into the bottom of 12 with the heart of the lineup coming up.

  35. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    Frenchie hits a solo shot, 12-10 Pirates…..but there’re two outs with Kotsay at the plate.

  36. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    Kotsay doubles…Diaz at the plate and Jurrjens is up in the pen.

  37. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    RBI single for Diaz…Corky Miller’s pinch hitting in the pitcher spot.

  38. By Jonathan on Mar 31, 2008 | Reply

    Game over…4:35 game time. Braves fall 12-11.

  39. By Matt on Apr 1, 2008 | Reply

    Mets fan here major props no sarcasm tough loss i watched and was very impressed by the 9th inning heroics.

  40. By Colin on Apr 1, 2008 | Reply

    Man, that was a rough game to watch. So hard to see it end the way it did.

  41. By Jonathan on Apr 1, 2008 | Reply

    So the game time was 4:28 according to the big screen….

    Anyways, in hindsight, this is definitely a game that we can attribute to losing via unearned runs. Either way though, it was a great home opener to be at. The energy in the stands during the ninth inning rally was pretty incredible.

  42. By Rue Grant on Apr 1, 2008 | Reply

    i need a new score book. i’m going to write to them and bitch.

    just kidding, not bad for five bucks.

  43. By Jonathan on Apr 1, 2008 | Reply

    Heh, that’s the first time I’ve ever seen a scorebook that didn’t at least have a 10th inning in it . . . I’m surprised noone’s complained since 1981 ;)

  44. By Colin on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    I can't wait to get out of here and down to the stadium for some baseball. Anyone who's going to the game should drop by and say hi – we'll be sitting in section 437 in the front row (left of the aisle). Look for the black BravesBlast hats.

  45. By Colin on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Heading out to the game. Can't wait to see Glavine back on the mound.

  46. By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    10 minutes til gametime! I hope everyone's settled into their seats like we have or found their way in front of a TV to watch the home opener.

  47. By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    National anthem done and we're about to get underway. Glav's stepping to the mound for the first official pitch back in a Braves uniform. The crowd's glad to have him back.

  48. By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Laroche with a leadoff double for the Pirates. A little work for Glavine to do to get out of this one. Either way, it's a beautiful night for baseball. Something about seeing Glav back in a Braves jersey brings back a lot of memories.

    Ryan Doumit moves Laroche to third on a single.

  49. By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Should've been out of the inning, but KJ couldn't handle the easy ground ball and Laroche scored on the E4. Unearned runs are something we need to stop giving up to be succesful this season. We saw a number of losses from them in preseason, but now it actually counts.

  50. By Brandon on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Andrew couldn't have done that!!!

  51. By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Brian McCann leads off the bottom of the fourth with a solo shot out towards the Braves bullpen. The rain's starting to fall a little here at Turner.

  52. By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Glavine's pitch count's getting a little high as we get into the top of the 5th. He has just crossed the 90 pitch mark. Hopefully we can get another inning out of him.

    The rain has tapered off for now but it's cooling down now.

  53. By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    That was definitely an amazing double play for the Pirates by Wilson. Look for that one on Sportcenter.

    Resop's in for the Braves throwing high 90s. Decent line for Glavine tonight giving up 1 ER, 2 R, 3 Ks, 8 H, 2 BB.

  54. By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Ohman in the game for the Braves to start the 7th. Resop gave up one run on one hit in his one inning of work.

    Nyjer Morgan starts the 7th for the Pirates with a double an Mclouth gets him to third. Ohman's done for the night and Moylan's coming in. Hopefully he can recover from last night's home run to Zimmerman.

  55. By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Morgan scores on a throwing error by Yunel. Once again, unearned runs are killing us. 4-4 ballgame. Moylan's done for the night.

    Royce Ring in and strikes out LaRoche to end the inning.

    7th inning stretch….

  56. By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Acosta comes in for the Braves and gives up a solo home run to right field to Nady. Pirates lead 5-4. Doumit follows with a single and a strikeout to Bautista. The fans don't appear to be too happy with Acosta.

  57. By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Acosta's done. 3-run home run to Mclouth. Jeff Bennett's in to try to close out the inning. The Pirates lead 8-4. In the words of Rue, we're calling this a "Should've kept Buddy" moment.

  58. By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Attendance is 45,269.

    Braves go down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 8th. Jeff Bennett's staying in the game for the Braves.

  59. By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Pirates pen has walked the bases loaded. Yunel at the plate and the crowd's in the game…

    2-0 count to Yunel.

  60. By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    The Pirates forgot how play fundamental baseball and let a routine fly ball drop in. 2 runs score and the game's tied, 9-9!

    Free baseball, folks! Soriano's in to pitch for the Braves.

  61. By Brandon on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Y'all are getting to see a amazing game tonight!!!

  62. By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Most definitely, Brandon. We're coming up on the 4 hour mark in the game.

    Bottom 10, one on, no outs, Matt Diaz at the plate. I don't really understand the call to have Diaz bunting. Boyer's warming up in the pen so we'll see Pena pinch hit.

  63. By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Double play to end the Braves hopes in the 10th.

    Boyer's on to pitch the 11th. We've decided that Jurrjens is the next pitcher should we need more. Boyer is our last pen pitcher. Boyer made quick work of the Pirates in 11 however so he should be good for 1 more at least. 4:07 into the game so far.

  64. By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Top of the lineup goes down 1-2-3, we're headed to the 12th with Boyer still on the hill.

    Rue's trying to figure out how to fit all of this baseball onto a 9 inning scorecard but the nice lady in the merchandise shop gave her a free addendum.

    4:15 into the game now.

  65. By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Blaine gives up a three run homer to Nady who's having an amazing night. He has a single, a double, two homers and has scored 4 runs.

    Doumit strikes out, but the damage is done. 12-9 into the bottom of 12 with the heart of the lineup coming up.

  66. By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Frenchie hits a solo shot, 12-10 Pirates…..but there're two outs with Kotsay at the plate.

  67. By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    RBI single for Diaz…Corky Miller's pinch hitting in the pitcher spot.

  68. By Rue Grant on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    i need a new score book. i'm going to write to them and bitch.

    just kidding, not bad for five bucks.

  69. By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Heh, that's the first time I've ever seen a scorebook that didn't at least have a 10th inning in it . . . I'm surprised noone's complained since 1981 ;)

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