Loading ...
Defense Spoils Morton’s Home Debut
Written by Smitty on June 25, 2008 – 10:41 amSometimes the final score doesn’t reflect the pitcher’s performance at all.Such was the case last night at Turner Field. Despite perfect baseball weather last night, the Braves early defensive errors (resulting in at least 2 unearned runs), doomed the home team.
You know you have sloppy fielding when the pitcher loses the game, and his ERA drops.
Raise your hand if you had a fielding error last night?
(Yunnel Escobar raises hand)
(Omar Infante raises hand)
(Jeff Francoeur raises both hands)
Hey, Brandon Jones, I’m looking at you! What’s up with running in on a fly ball and letting it go over your head—for the second time this year? How that wasn’t called an error, I do not know.
And Escobar, we love your passion, but we need you in the line-up more than we need you in the clubhouse taking a shower.
Then in the 9th, for a short moment in time, 30,000+ fans were unified as the Braves started to rally. Quickly, runners were on. Then Francoeur, hitting .243, gets out. Not to pile on Jeffrey like much of the Atlanta media, but this was really the nail in the coffin for the game.
But, with the tying runner on third, with two outs, to a screaming, raucous crowd, a lone batter walked to the plate. It was…….Corky Miller. With my hands over my eyes, I peeked through my fingers at the scoreboard and noted his .103 batting average. Would the last position player on the bench be hero or goat? Let’s just say that, upon leaving the field, he would have felt just fine in a barnyard.
However, there were some bright spots. Out of the lineup for several days due to an aggravated quad, Chipper Jones took to the plate, looking as if he owned it. On the second pitch, with the grace of a black belt, punched an easy single into left centerfield. He goes to first, a pinch runner comes in, and he strolls back to the dugout. Honestly, he makes it look easy.
And it’s always fun to see Tex get hot. With a homer and a double, he seems to be finding a groove.
It’s official; I’m on the Charlie Morton bandwagon. I like what I see in this kid. This should have been another “X” in the “W” column for him.
Sorry, Charlie.
Tags: Charlie Morton, Defense, Milwaukee Brewers
Posted in Game Analysis | 4 Comments »
By JB on Jun 25, 2008 | Reply
Great post. Very clever. I love Morton so far too. For a kid just called up I’d say he’s given us three decent starts. Last night was only 2 ER’s.
But guys at Braves Blast, …. please oh please let us know whose posts these are. There’s never an author’s name anywhere on the post. Just a suggestion. I’d like to know who’s work I’m commending.
Other than that, you know how much I love this site.
JB
By Colin on Jun 25, 2008 | Reply
This one was Smitty’s handiwork.
Morton has definitely impressed me as well. Very impressive stuff from the guy.
By JB on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Great post. Very clever. I love Morton so far too. For a kid just called up I'd say he's given us three decent starts. Last night was only 2 ER's.
But guys at Braves Blast, …. please oh please let us know whose posts these are. There's never an author's name anywhere on the post. Just a suggestion. I'd like to know who's work I'm commending.
Other than that, you know how much I love this site.
JB
By Colin on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
This one was Smitty's handiwork.
Morton has definitely impressed me as well. Very impressive stuff from the guy.