Braves Take First Interleague Set

Written by Smitty on May 18, 2008 – 9:57 pm

This is how we like to send off the opposing team; with two out of three games ending in a Braves victory. Taking two out of three interleague games against the Oakland A’s, the Braves demonstrated resolved and consistency.

During a beautiful Sunday, seemingly made for baseball, with the Braves wearing their crisp red alternate home jerseys, the team continued to show the kind of balance they need to win.

Sure, Jo-Jo Reyes seemed a touch inconsistent at the beginning of the game. But give him credit. Allowing two runs and 8 hits in 5 innings, he also had six strike-outs, and retired the order scoreless in the 2nd-5th innings.

Mi Hermano Cubano, Escobar, came through in a big way, going 3 for 4, with two RBI. But he got a bit greedy on one at-bat and tried to stretch a simple single into an impossible double, getting tagged at second.

Again, McCann with the doubles! He got another one today giving him three in as many days. But the man of the hour was Omar Infante, pinch-hitting in Kelley Johnson’s place. Bobby Cox obviously wanted an opposite-hitting batter against the pitcher, and, boy, did it pay off! On the first pitch, Infante smacks a two-RBI stand-up triple giving us a couple insurance runs in the eighth.

The bullpen, starting in the 6th inning was superb, no flawless, giving up no runs at all. Manny Acosta, again, slams the door. They have held the opposition scoreless in their last 16 innings of work.

Kelley Johnson contributed a bunt single and a triple, and Tex gave us a double, but his .247 average is really starting to bug me. Also on a negative note, Francoeur was hitless, leaving four on base.

In all, it was a superb day for ball, and a superb (yes, “balanced”) performance by your Atlanta Braves.


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Braves Look For Interleague Series Win

Written by Jonathan on May 18, 2008 – 1:37 pm

The Braves are 1-1 in their series against the Athletics thus far this weekend.  The offense, outside of the ninth inning, last night was putrid, not posting much to talk about for the rest of the evening.  Today, Jo-Jo Reyes takes the mound looking to continue to prove that he belongs back in Atlanta for a full-time job.

It’s a great afternoon for some Sunday baseball, let’s go Braves!


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Braves Victorious in First of Interleague Play

Written by Smitty on May 17, 2008 – 1:17 am

After falling behind in the 2nd inning, making it even in the 6th, and going ahead by one run in the eighth, the Braves provided a wild and weird victory over their American League visitors, the Oakland A’s.

And let’s just pause to say that we at BravesBlast.com do not necessarily have an opinion one way or the other on interleague play. It can be a welcome addition to a 162 game schedule. Especially if fans are treated to rivalries (Mets/Yankees) or to teams that “everyone” wants to see, i.e., the Cubs or Red Sox.

But Oakland?

Oakland in Atlanta?

All right. Back to the matter at hand.

This was a shaky start to the normally dependable and pleasantly surprising performance of one Jair Jurrjens. It could be argued which new player has made a greater impact; he or Escobar. But the Braves on Friday vividly illustrated the key to success, at least in my mind, to reaching October. And it can be summed up in one word: balance. I don’t care what kind of pitcher you are, you just aren’t going to be hot every time you are on the mound. So your offense needs to step up. And who cares if you are scoring 7 or 8 runs, if your bullpen is hemorrhaging runs like a sucking chest wound?

So Jair steps in, gives a shaky 2-3 innings, and finally gets his head right, pitching through 5 and (mercifully, for him) getting a no decision. Not trying to gripe, here, but he should be thrilled with a no decision. I know the box score only illustrates 2 runs on 8 hits from Jurrjens, but he also gave up 3 walks and got himself into trouble a couple times. Not to mention a botched throw to McCann at the plate.

And speaking of Brian McCann……(and if things keeps going like they did on Friday, Atlanta, as well as MLB enthusiasts the nation over will be speaking of McCann a lot), our stocky man-child behind the plate was extraordinary. Dude tags out a runner after receiving a rocket courtesy from Jeff Francoeur, hits two doubles and a single, with one RBI, and raises his average to .319.

What more can you ask from a backstop, eh?

And I’m with Rue. Andruw who? I mean, I liked the guy just fine. But would I trade him for Kotsay now? Nope.
So we bring in Kotsay to the plate twice on Friday. The first time, in a surreal twist of fate, he faces the pitcher we traded him for; Joey Devine, striking out. The second time, he hits the go-ahead run in with a double, bringing his own seasonal average to .304. Andruw Jones’s average right now? .176

And the bullpen? Outstanding.

And what a treat it was to observe Dr. Jekell and Mr. Hyde/Closer Manny Acosta absolutely slam the door on the A’s in the 9th.

So right now, the Braves home success continues. Maybe we can show a little more “southern hospitality” to the A’s and send them packing.


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Posted in Game Analysis |

Oakland A’s Come To Town

Written by Colin on May 16, 2008 – 7:11 pm

Mark Kotsay gets an opportunity to face his old team tonight as Interleague play starts and the Oakland A’s come to town.  Jair Jurrjens (4-3, 3.10) takes the mound tonight for the Braves and faces Dana Eveland (3-3, 3.23).  Jurrjens looks to add to his team-high 41 strikeouts and Kotsay gets to prove to his old team that he’s worth more than Joey Devine as he looks to continue his solid start.

The Braves have been rocking it at home recently and need to continue that streak until their road woes subside.  We need to take this series to start the 11 game home stand.  Join us as we watch the game for thoughts and commentary on the first Interleague game of the season.

Let’s go Braves!


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Posted in Game Threads |

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