Cox Out, Morton On The Mound

Written by Colin on July 22, 2008 – 6:14 pm

Coming off a strong win last night against the Marlins, the Braves send Charlie Morton (2-2, 5.93 ERA) to the mound against Rick VandenHurk (0-1, 11.81 ERA).  Morton won’t have Bobby Cox in the dugout to turn to – Bobby is serving a one game suspension for his actions a couple nights ago that led to his 141st career ejection.

Game starts at 7:10 PM.  This is a must-win series, and VandenHurk doesn’t seem like a very intimidating pitcher with his sky-high ERA.


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Posted in Game Threads | 68 Comments »


68 Responses to “Cox Out, Morton On The Mound”

  1. By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    VandenHurk Vs. Atlanta:
    No starts this year; three starts, four appearances last season. He allowed nine earned runs in 14.1 innings pitched, two home runs, but 16 strikeouts in those 14 innings.
    Individual: Chipper is 0-3, 2 BB, 2 K
    Tex: 1-3
    McCann: 3-6, HR, K
    Escobar (is in the lineup): 2-4, 2 2B, 1 BB
    Johnson: 0-7, 2 BB, 2K

    Decent, not super, but decent. McCann needs to be the force tonight. Escobar may or may not do well, he's coming back for the first time in a while so it might be a couple of at-bats before his timing comes back.

  2. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Another game thread for me . . . . let's see if we can put another win together. The time is now if we want to have any hope.

  3. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Top 1st:

    - Gregor Blanco strikes out looking. 1 out.
    - Yunel Escobar flies out to left. 2 out.
    - Chipper Jones grounds out to short. 3 out.

    I love Gregor to death, everyone knows that, but he really does whine a lot when he strikes out. I find myself thinking this every game.

  4. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Bottom 1st:

    - Hanley Ramirez grounds out to second. 1 out.
    - Jeremy Hermida walks.
    - Hermida down to second on a Charlie Morton wild pitch.
    - Jorge Cantu flies out to center. 2 out.
    - Josh Willingham strikes out swinging. 3 out.

    Morton still looks pretty shaky in the early innings. Hopefully he can settle in.

  5. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Top 2nd:

    - Mark Teixeira flies out to left. 1 out.
    - Brian McCann walks.
    - Jeff Francoeur strikes out swinging. 2 out.
    - Kelly Johnson strikes out looking. 3 out.

    That was . . . uneventful.

  6. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Bottom 2nd:

    - Dan Uggla strikes out swinging. 1 out.
    - Mike Jacobs strikes out swinging. 2 out.
    - Cody Ross lines out to right. 3 out.

    Good inning for the Braves.

  7. By colin_ake60861 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Now is the time if we want to hold out hope. C'mon Bravos.

  8. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Top 3rd:

    - Mark Kotsay lines out to center. 1 out.
    - Charlie Morton grounds out to third. 2 out.
    - Blanco walks.
    - Escobar pops out to second. 3 out.

  9. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    At what point is holding out hope a lost cause however? Hopefully neither the Phils or Mets get a sweep in their series.

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

    hey gentlemen.

  11. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Hey Rue . . . go make an account, fool! http://www.intensedebate.com/signup

    How are you?

  12. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Bottom 3rd:

    - John Baker grounds out to second. 1 out.
    - Rick VandenHurk flies out to center. 2 out.
    - Ramirez grounds out to second. 3 out.

    Morton's calming down nicely it seems.

  13. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Wow, Tex crushed that ball. 400+ easily. Too bad it was foul.

  14. By RueGrant on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    I'm good. and Julio loves me.

  15. By RueGrant on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    actually i'm not good. i hate my computer. and i hate the fact that my power has been knocked out 4 times in the last 24 hours

  16. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    And now put a lovely picture of yourself on your profile :)

    And yes, yes he does . . . just don't tell that homeless guitar player.

  17. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Wait . . . Jeff Francoeur . . . strikes out on a high fastball . . . for the second time tonight . . . with the bases loaded this time . . . that never happens . . . wait . . . . .

  18. By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Is there any mystery as to what happens when Francoeur's at the plate anymore?

  19. By Bud on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Unfortunately, this is the type of performance I expected after the great effort Monday night. Time and time again, when you think the Braves might have something from which to build momentum, they revert back to the same maddeningly frustrating team that's drove us crazy all season. I'm stating the obvious, but they've got to win the final four games on the road trip, and I don't think there's a snowball's chance in you-know-where of that happening.

    Bud.
    http://braves.today.com

  20. By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Well, at least Hampton's ready to get back into the rotation sometime next week (laughs hysterically). If they send Morton down, they might want to keep him in Atlanta just in case Hampton needs to go on the DL mid-game.

  21. By josh on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    I wonder if i could get Hampton to sign my First-Aid kit?

  22. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    You could probably get good money for that on eBay.

  23. By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Tru that, Hampton is the most recognizable member of the best team in Atlanta: The Disabled Lists

  24. By Josh on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Well I might as well try it. He might not think its funny. If I do get punched I will sue his ass off and recoup some of the money he owes the franchise.
    Season tickets are on me if the plan works.

  25. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    I'm not picky, but I'll take Suntrust Club seats if you have them :)

  26. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Francoeur and Kelly Johnson . . . 4 strikeouts in 4 at-bats tonight . . . awesome.

  27. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Top 4th:

    - Chipper walks.
    - Tex walks. Chipper to second.
    - McCann walks. Bases loaded.
    - Francoeur strikes out swinging. 1 out.
    - KJ strikes out swinging. 2 out.
    - Kotsay pops out to short. 3 out.

    Bases loaded, no out, and we don't score?! No wonder we're hanging out with the Nats.

  28. By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Just an awful showing, one flyout to the outfield gets a run in, one ground ball to the middle gets a run in. Even a double play with no one out may have gotten one in, and two hitters couldn't make contact and the third pops up? Just ridiculous, the Braves make mediocre pitchers look so good.

  29. By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Lol, I think last weekend showed us we couldn't even hang with the Nats

  30. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    That was a painful series to watch . . . at home of all places. Maybe it's because they were all former Braves that were killing us.

  31. By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Seriously, Willy Harris, Ryan Langerhans, Odalis Perez, and Pat Corrales (for defensive set up) all made a HUGE impact in that series.

  32. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    That's what the Braves get for getting rid of Willie . . . that's all I have to say about that. But I'm over it now.

  33. By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    I think their mindset was that they had young talent and Willie barely hit .200 after his six hit game last year, so there was an obvious tail off in offense. Defensively, the guy was a stud and played superb, but just couldn't keep up offensively.

  34. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Bottom 4th:

    - Hermida grounds out to second. 1 out.
    - Cantu walks.
    - Willingham pops out to McCann in foul territory. 2 out.
    - Cantu steals second.
    - Uggla walks.
    - Jacobs homers to right.

    3-0 Marlins.

    Sigh.

  35. By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    And there's the run….so many times, even the commentators noted it, when a team gets a bases loaded situation with zero or one out, the other team will often score.

  36. By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    3 runs, one hit for the Marlins, walks may KILL the Braves in this game.

  37. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Bottom 4th, cont:
    - Ross grounds out to short. 3 out.
    That's where walks come back to haunt you.

  38. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Top 5th:

    - Morton strikes out swinging. 1 out.
    - Blanco grounds out to second. 2 out.
    - Escobar strikes out looking. 3 out.

  39. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Bottom 5th:

    - Baker singles to center.
    - Baker to second on a pass ball.
    - VandenHurk bunts Baker over to third. 1 out.
    - Ramirez strikes out swinging. 2 out.
    - Hermida strikes out swinging. 3 out.

    Soooo…..we still don't have a hit.

  40. By colin_ake60861 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Oh I think we're at the lost cause point, most likely. I think it's time to throw in the towel. But that's just me.

  41. By colin_ake60861 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    I'm over Francoeur. And KJ is just an average ballplayer – at best.

  42. By colin_ake60861 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Isn't he better than Greg Norton overall, though??

  43. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Top 6th:

    - Chipper singles up the middle.
    - Tex flies out to left. 1 out.
    - McCann flies out to left. 2 out.
    - Francoeur strikes out swinging flies out to right center. 3 out

    I guess I got a little ahead of myself there.

  44. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Willie always seems to struggle in the last two months of the season . . . just look at his track record in the past. Oh well, it opened the door for Gregor I guess.

  45. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    You cry a lot that they sent Lillibridge down today?

  46. By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Yeah, easily, but Norton's much better off the bench, plus Norton's a switch hitter and has power, it was just an unfortunate situation that he had to play right field regularly.

  47. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    I believe that would be left field ;)

  48. By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Left field, my mistake. Although not much of a downgrade over what we have in right field offensively. Heck even defensively Francoeur just hasn't been the same player.

  49. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Decent night for Morton . . . not sure why they didn't let him finish the inning and get a pinch hitter to the plate. Ring's coming in to pitch to one batter I guess.

  50. By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Looks like another game where we're excited and the boys just fall flat on their face. Maybe we can get something going against their bullpen.

  51. By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    I'm still OK with KJ, this year is just his second full season on the infield. I think once he comes around defensively and finds a solid spot in the lineup (without getting jumped around all over the place) he'll be a solid .300 hitter, 20 home runs, 60-80 RBI, which is good for a second baseman.

  52. By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Isn't that the third bases loaded walk since Sunday?

  53. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Bottom 6th:

    - Cantu lines out to left. 1 out.
    - Willingham walks.
    - Uggla flies out to center. 2 out.
    Royce Ring in to pitch for Morton
    - Jacobs singles to short and advances to second on a throwing error by Escobar. Willingham to third.
    - Ross walked intentionally. Bases loaded.
    - Baker walks.

    4-0 Marlins.

  54. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Bottom 6th, cont:
    - Helms strikes out swinging. 3 out.

  55. By colin_ake60861 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Bleh. Can't take it much longer.

  56. By colin_ake60861 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Nah, I was fine with that. Lillibridge will be hot stuff in 4 years.

  57. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Top 7th:

    - KJ grounds out to first. 1 out.
    - Kotsay strikes out swinging. 2 out.
    - Prado grounds out back to Pinto. 3 out.

  58. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Soriano back on the mound . . . let's hope he doesn't head back to the DL after this one.

  59. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Bottom 7th:
    - Ramirez singles up the middle.
    - Hermida strikes out looking. 1 out.
    - Ramirez thrown out stealing second. 2 out.
    - Cantu strikes out swinging. 3 out.

  60. By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Very nice, Soriano with a scoreless seventh. looked comfortable out there, he struggled in his outings between DL stints, so while it's not safe to say he's back for good, he did look pretty comfortable.

  61. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Yes, yes it is. Jo-Jo gets the other two.

  62. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Top 8th:

    - Blanco strikes out swinging. 1 out.
    - Escobar strikes out swinging. 2 out.
    - Chipper flies out to right. 3 out.

  63. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Bottom 8th:

    - Willingham grounds out to third. 1 out.
    - Uggla strikes out swinging. 2 out.
    - Gonzalez grounds out to first. 3 out.

  64. By colin_ake60861 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    A bright spot in the midst of the carnage.

    Soriano needs to be healthy if the rest of the Braves are going to be making a run of any sort.

  65. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Top 9th:

    - Tex grounds out to second. 1 out.
    - McCann flies out to center. 2 out.
    - Francoeur pops out to first in foul territory. 3 out.

  66. By colin_ake60861 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Well there we go… 1-1 on the road trip. It's a wash from here on out.

    Where do we go? Are we sellers for sure?

  67. By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Another crap-tastic offensive showing. Francoeur and Johnson struck out with the bases loaded and less than two outs in what was the turning point in the game. Marlins needed just one hit in the bottom half to score three times and added another on a bases loaded walk. Great showing by a team that obviously, from the outside, looks like a team that has little to no desire to be better than they are.

  68. By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Carlyle was responsible for one, if I remember right that was when Cox came out to argue balls and strikes and got thrown out.

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