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Smoltz Looks To Stay Undefeated
April 12, 2008 – 1:02 pmJohn Smoltz (1-0, 0.00) and the Braves (4-6) face off against John Lannan (0-0, 2.70) and the Nationals (3-8) in a Saturday afternoon matchup. Smoltz made his first start of the season last Sunday against Johan Santana of the Mets. He threw 5 innings of scoreless baseball to make a good first start off of the disabled list. with 6 strikeouts However, he left after 5 innings with the continued soreness in his shoulder and neck. Hopefully that won’t continue to be a problem for him today.
It’s raining at the stadium right now, so it looks like the game’ll be delayed a little bit, but it sounds like the rain is lightening up now. Hopefully when we get started here, the Braves can continue what Hudson started last night, throwing 8 innings of scoreless, 3-hit baseball. Is it time for the Braves to make it two in a row and get one step closer to a .500 record?
Tags: John Lannan, John Smoltz, Washington Nationals
Posted in Game Threads |
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
According to the broadcasters, we’re looking at a 15-20 minute rain delay right now…….hopefully not much longer.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
So they say they lied . . . now they’re shooting for 1:35 and that’s doubtful.
By Rue Grant on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
but aren’t you enjoying the david justice “in my own words?” what a wuss: couldn’t run three miles. psht.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
I’d much rather be watching the Braves game . . . but yeah.
By Travis on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
we arent gonna see baseball there today are we
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
I’m still hopeful, Travis. It might be a little bit still, but there’s still some time left today. Hopefully that new Nationals field drains water well.
By Travis on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
well if they start to play i hope they get to play the full game id hate to see john smoltz get cut short in todays game
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
That’s one nice thing about afternoon games, there’s a lot of time for things to get pushed back. Hopefully we’ll get underway sometime soon here.
By Travis on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
any news yet
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Pregame warmups under way . . . we should be getting started here pretty soon.
By Travis on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
good
By Travis on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
hey is chipper in the lineup i was reading an article on the braves website said he me miss todays game
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
In the pregame listing, he was still in the lineup though they said he most likely won’t play the whole game because of his quad. We’ll see if they make a change due to the weather, but as of now, he’s still listed.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Lannan’s on the mound doing warmups now and they’re listing the lineups for the teams….looks like we’re just about to get going here.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
1st pitch is a strike to KJ and it’s baseball time.
Kelly Johnson hits one over the head of Lastings Milledge and a leadoff double for the Braves.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Yunel with a fly to short right field moving Kelly over to third.
Chipper at the plate. We’ll see how long he makes it in the game today.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Lannan walks Chipper to put runners on first and third. Double play threat with Chipper unable to run well.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Tex with a single to right, it gets by Kearns and the run scores. Chipper on second, Tex on first. Early offense is good, guys!
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Frenchie absolutely rips one into the left field seats. 3-run home run! Maybe JB was right in his prediction of a 5-run first.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
McCann laces one back up the middle, through Lannan’s legs. Another base runner. 4-0 Braves, 1 out.
By JBinAtl on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Still need one more, JT
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Diaz slaps one down the third base line. McCann stops at second, Diaz at first.
Kotsay at the plate . . . might as well bat around in the first.
By JBinAtl on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
I’m feeling inspired now. How’s y’all ?
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
There’s still time, JB. This is the offensive we’ve been waiting to see!
By JBinAtl on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Came up a run short. Oh well.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Kotsay walks and loads the bases for Smoltz.
We’re doing alright, JB. Rue’s laying on the couch saying it’s too early in the game to comment . . . and yelling at our dogs for eating bees and bringing their remains in house
Smoltz grounds into the double play to end the inning. 4-0 Braves.
By JBinAtl on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Can you say “Nine in a row”, Nationals?
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Well, if we could bat around once or twice a game, I’d take it
By JBinAtl on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
How about 6 k’s in 6IP’s for Smoltz?
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Zimmerman dribbles one down the third base line. Smoltz flings it into right field trying to make the play….probably not the best choice with his shoulder condition.
Zimmerman over to second on the throwing error.
In other news, Johan Santana just gave up his second homer of the day and the Mets trail 3-2.
By JBinAtl on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Rue! Too early! Ah come on. Not if you’ve got nothing better to do like go to your office and paint windows….
speaking of which.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Wild pitch from Smoltz moves runners to second and third.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Smoltz blows a 96 mph pitch past Austin Kearns for the K and to get out of the inning. 4-0 Braves after 1.
By JBinAtl on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
well I gotta split. I’ll be back tonight. Goin to the Hawks game. See ya later.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Alright, have fun, JB.
Kelly Johnson flares one out to short. 1 down.
Yunel grounds out to short. 2 out.
Santana gave up another homer. 2 run shot and left the game down 5-2……that’s right, he’s human, folks.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Chipper walks again . . . maybe the Nats feel bad for him and don’t want to make him run….
Tex grounds out to short. Nothing on the board for the Braves in the second.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Paul Lo Duca grounds out to Kelly Johnson. 1 out.
Felipe Lopez grounds out to Mark Teixeira. 2 out.
Willie Harris strikes out, Smoltz’s second K of the day. 3 outs.
1-2-3 inning for Smoltz. 4-0 Braves after 2.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Full count to Francoeur to lead off the inning. Pop out to 1st base. 1 out.
Brian McCann with a double. Only about two feet from a homer for McCann.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Diaz grounds out. As does Kotsay. 3 down.
By Smitty on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Seems like Smoltz is calming down a bit.
Smitty
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Smoltz strikes out Lannan. 3 Ks on the day.
Guzman hits one to second. KJ makes the catch but falls and can’t get the ball out of his glove. Runner on first.
Zimmerman walks on four straight pitches. Roger McDowell out for a quick visit to the mound, probably to check on how he’s feeling.
By Smitty on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Yeah. And he just walked someone. Maybe I’m wrong. He may be in a bit of pain today.
Smitty
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Hey Smitty . . . how’s it going today?
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Full count to Nick Johnson; fly out to Matt Diaz. Inning over. 4-0 Braves after 3.
By Smitty on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Awesome at the Smith House, Jonathan. The kids are napping and it is strangely quiet.
Smitty
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Smoltz strikes out on a check swing. 1 away.
KJ hits one to short. Guzman can’t make the play. Single for Kelly.
Yunel grounds one to short. The Nats get the lead runner but Yunel beats the throw. Runner on first, 2 out.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
That’s good to hear. We’re on the verge of napping around here as well, but there’s baseball on TV so we’re good to go.
Chipper on first with a single. Yunel moves to second. Good at-bat for Tex, drawing a walk to load the bases for Jeff Francoeur.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Francoeur with a single to left. 2 runs are in. Frenchie with 5 RBIs on the dady. Tex is on third, Francoeur on second.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
McCann strikes out on a nice pitch from Lannan to end the inning. Braves 6, Nationals 0.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Kearns singles to lead off the inning. Lo Duca flies out to center for out number 1.
Felipe Lopez grounds to KJ, flips to Yunel to get the lead runner, but Lopez makes it to first.
Lopez steals second.
Willie Harris hits one over Kotsay’s head to the deepest part of the park for a triple. 6-1 Braves.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Mackowiak in to pinch hit for Lannan and flies out to Kotsay to end the inning.
Lannan’s line on the day:
4 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 4 BB, 2 K
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Jason Bergmann in to pitch for the Nationals.
Matt Diaz hits one to short center and makes it to second on Lastings Milledge’s casual throw back in.
Kotsay flies out to right, Diaz down to third. One out.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Smoltz grounds out to third. Diaz with some heads up baserunning all the way around scores. Braves 7, Nationals 1.
By Smitty on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Wow! Talk about Diaz using his head and being aggressive.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Definitely. Great job on the bases for Diaz.
Guzman strikes out. Smoltz’s 4th K of the day.
Milledge strikes out. 2 down. 5 Ks on the day.
By Smitty on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Getting closer and closer to his 3000th K.
By Travis on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
has chipper left the game yet
By Smitty on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Pretty smart. Escobar knew the 0-2 pitch was going to be crappy, but it was also SLOW. He lunged for it and made solid contact.
By Smitty on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Looks like Chipper is coming out if the game?
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Johnson grounds out to Tex. 7-1 through 5.
Yunel leads off the 6th with a single.
Martin Prado in to bat for Chipper. Looks like Chipper’s done for the day. Lines out to right. 1 out.
Teixeira flies out to left. 2 out.
By Smitty on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
“of”
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Smoltz with 2986 career strikeouts now.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Jeff Francoeur just cranks another one over the left field wall. 2-run home run (his second of the day) . . . 7 RBI day for Jeff so far.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
McCann goes to right field for back-to-back home runs. 10-1 Braves.
By Smitty on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Jeffrey’s having a nice day, huh?
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Diaz strikes out to end the top of the 6th.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Great day for Jeff. That smile on his while he’s sitting in the dugout says it all.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
And we lost video on sportsouth . . . so it’s like listening to the game on the radio . . .
Kearns grounds out. 1 down.
Lo Duca flies out to center. 2 down.
Felipe Lopez grounds out to second. 3 down.
1-2-3 inning in the 6th. Smoltz has thrown 90 pitches on the day. With his spot coming up in the order, I think that might be the end of the day for John. We shall see.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Kotsay strikes out to lead off the 7th.
Corky Miller flies out to right. 2 down.
Smoltz’s day is done. His line on the day:
6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
KJ grounds out to first. Quick 1-2-3 inning for the Braves.
7th inning stretch.
By Smitty on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
I’ll take six innings with one earned run from a 40-year old, eh?
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Will Ohman in to pitch for the Braves. Great season for Ohman so far. 6 appearances, no earned runs.
Blanco in to play center. Corky Miller catching.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Definitely, Smitty. I’m happy with what I’ve seen out of Smoltz so far this season.
I wish Sportsouth could get all of their technical issues worked out.
Ohman issues a lead off walk to Willie Harris on 4 pitches.
By Smitty on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Brewers beat the Mets!
By Smitty on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
I guess when you are up nine runs, Bobby wants to give the other guys some game-time.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
The Brewers beat up on Santana today, hitting 3 home runs off of him. Sooooo, the Mets’ golden boy is 1-2 on the season now.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Runners on first and second for the Nationals with one out.
By Smitty on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
d’oh. Bases loaded on a single and two walks.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Ohman walks Milledge to load the bases. Still one out.
Ohman’s done for the day.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Jeff Bennett in to pitch for the Braves. The three runners are charged to Ohman.
By Smitty on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
CRAP!
Ohman’s out. And I was really pulling that he could find his stride here in Atlanta, but so far, he’s not impressing.
Wren and co were really criticized for bringing him on board in the first place…
By Smitty on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Interesting choice for Ohman’s replacement. I thought Bennett was up for a start in a couple days from now.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Zimmerman flies out to Blanco, 1 run scores. 2 out, runners on first and second.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Bennett won’t have to make a start until the next time through the rotation because of the snow out in Colorado. That pushed back the rotation enough that we won’t need him yet. I’m sure he’ll be in for Hampton’s next spot however.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Bennett walks former-Brave Johnny Estrada to reload the bases. Austin Kearns at the plate.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Kearns grounds out back to Bennett to end the inning. 10-2 Braves after 7.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Jesus Colome in to pitch for the Nationals. Colome’s got a great arm, but he’s struggled finding the strike zone so far this season.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Yunel flies out to Kearns in right. 1 out.
Prado flies out to center. 2 out.
Teixeira strikes out. 1-2-3 inning.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Blaine Boyer in to pitch the 8th for the Braves. Let’s see if he can get through it without giving up a homer.
By Smitty on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Wonder why Bobby didn’t keep Bennett in? Guess he just wants to get Boyer some more innings?
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Boyer walks Lo Duca to start off the inning.
Felipe Lopez grounds into a force out at second. 1 out.
Willie Harris strikes out. 2 down.
Aaron Boone grounds to Yunel for a force out at second. 10-2 headed to the 9th.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Frenchie flies out to left. 1 down.
Blanco walks after running the count full.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Diaz strikes out swinging. 2 out.
Gotay in to hit for Boyer. Strike out. Into the bottom of the 9th. 10-2 Braves.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Manny Acosta in to close for the Braves.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Guzman singles past Kelly Johnson. KJ should have made that play, it just snaked under his glove.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
That’s only Acosta’s second hit given up since his rough outing in the home opener.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Ground ball back to Acosta 1-6-3 double play. Great dig by Teixeira. 2 out.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Ryan Zimmerman hits on to Tex. Quick flip to Acosta and that’s a ball game. 10-2 Braves.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Great day all around for the Braves.
Great to see Smoltz have a solid outing and get his record to 2-0 for the season.
Great to see Francoeur with his two home runs and 7 RBIs
Great to see Francoeur and McCann hit back to back homers.
Great to see the offense come alive in general.
…….and great to see Santana give up three homers.
By Jonathan on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
One more thing, today was another demonstration of what we’ve seen all season. Without pressure, the Braves can get the offense going. It’s the clutch situations where we struggle.