Braves Complete Sweep; Remain 2.5 back

Braves 6, Nationals 3



With time running out, the Braves were able to pull off an extra innings victory over the Nationals to wrap up a sweep of the bumbling Nats. Brian McCann drove in the go ahead run in the 10th with a week grounder that scored Nate McLouth. Omar Infante followed with a two run single that padded their lead.

The Braves will now head home for a three game set against the Marlins followed by four against the Nationals. They’ll have to stay as close to perfect as possible to keep pace with the Rockies, but anything can happen!

Atlanta picked up a game in the Wild Card standings after Colorado fell to St. Louis, 6-3 on Saturday.

News&Notes: On Mike & Mike this morning, Buster Olney declared the Braves pitching rotation the best in the National League. I’d agree with that.
(Photo: AP)

Braves continue hot streak but is it too late?

The Braves wrapped up their sweep of the Mets with a 5-2 victory moving them just four games behind the Colorado Rockies in the NL Wild Card. The Braves are tied for second in the race but with just over a week left is it too little too late for Atlanta?

It seems for the past few seasons the Braves have moved into a seasonal pattern. For the first few months the Braves hover around .500 until the All-Star break descends and they move into high gear propelling them right into the thick of the playoff hunt until mid-August when they begin to stumble. Once their name has fallen from reporter’s tongues as a possible playoff team (somewhere around the second week of September) they start up a hot streak, getting close to a playoff spot but ultimately falling short.

Not one to give up before they are mathematically eliminated, it seems the Braves will fail to make the playoffs for the fourth straight year. But don’t fear Braves fans, there is some hope. In the next 10 games; the Braves will play the lowly Nationals seven times. They also will play the Marlins – who are also still mathematically alive – three times. In addition to the friendly opponents, Atlanta will end the season with a seven game homestand, a place where they are four games over .500.

Still the task at hand will not be easy. As red hot as the Braves have been over the last few weeks, the Rockies have been equally as hot and the Giants - who are tied with the Braves for second in the race - feature a stellar rotation with Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum at its helm. Over their final 10 games, the Rockies will have series against the Cardinals who should have their playoff ticket punched by the start of the series, three games against the Brewers and a final series against the Dodgers who should also have the division wrapped up. The Giants, meanwhile, will play against the Cubs, Diamondbacks and Padres – all teams who are closer to a spot on the golf course than in the post season.

One thing is for sure, even if the Braves miss out on the playoffs this season, they can take pride in their stellar record and what appears to be a very exciting future.

News&Notes: Poor Martin Prado, if it’s not unexplained headaches it’s a ball ramming into his knee during batting practice…Chipper Jones stands only three homeruns away from having his 15th straight season with 20 homeruns. If he can get the required dingers, he’ll be the only person to accomplish that feat…In addition to announcing the signing of Bobby Cox, the Braves have announced they will retain their current coaching staff.

(Photo: AP)

Cox to retire

The Braves have announced Bobby Cox will retire following the 2010 season after the manager and the team agreed to a one year contract extension. Cox will serve as a consultant for an additional five years.

Since returning to manage the Braves in 1990, Cox has lead his team to 14 consecutive division titles, five pennants and one World Series victory in 1995. The Braves last playoff appearance was in 2005.

I love that while I was searching for a photo to post of Bobby, about 85% of the photos featured Cox arguing with an umpire and/or being thrown out of a game. 10% showed him smiling in the dugout and the other 5% had him interacting with current and former players. I know those are some of the things I will remember most. Many others will remember his Major League leading penchant for being thrown out as P.T. Barnumesque, but for me it is just another example of how he always puts his players first. I remember a game a few years ago where Chipper Jones started arguing with the homeplate umpire about balls and strikes and Bobby came running out of the dugout and wound up being thrown out of the game. A few innings later, Chipper drove in the game winning run which would not have been possible had he been the one who got thrown out of the game.

It will be sad to see him go, but it may also be time for a new era in Atlanta.
(Photo: AP; source)

Chipper Jones to Retire?

(Like I wrote, yesterday, I have been a bit busy so I am a little behind on this story)

Former MVP Chipper Jones said he may retire after the 2010 season if next year is as frustrating as 2009. Jones is batting a paltry .269 with 16 homers and 64 RBIs this season, but has managed to stay off the DL. He has also accumulated 70 runs and four stolen bases in 126 games for the Braves so far this season.

The Third baseman signed a three year, $42 million extension in March that would take him through the 2012 season if he decides to keep playing.

I can understand Chipper’s feelings, but I think he means more to the Braves than just numbers. As a veteran player who is the last link to the Braves 90s-early 2000s dynasty, Jones has unprecedented influence on the team’s younger core. I also think, crazy as this sounds, he’s hurt his numbers by staying relatively healthy this season. Since 2004, Jones hadn’t played in more than 137 games and his body is not used to the wear and tear of playing this regularly. It almost behooves him to miss 10 – 15 games in a row on the DL so he can recharge and comeback stronger.

I understand a certain point, Jones will retire and a new guy will being playing third for the Braves, but hopefully that won’t be for a couple more years.
(Photo: Reuters; source)

Alright Alright Alright!

So I haven’t jumped off a cliff, but I have, unfortunately, neglected this site. Although I have a couple of really good reasons; one being work, which is absolutely crazy, and two being my impending move, but I figured after a weekend sweep of the first place Cardinals I had to give a shout out to the Bravos.

Braves 9, Cardinals 2

Atlanta roughed up contending Cy Young Award winner Chris Carpenter early, while Javier Vazquez shined for the Braves in their 9-2 romp. Atlanta jumped out to a six-nothing lead after an impressive third of an inning. Carpenter easily retired the first two hitters before giving up six runs on 22 pitches in the third. It was all Braves from there on out, as Javier Vazquez tossed a two run complete game for his thirteenth win of the season. (Imagine how many wins Javy could have had had the Braves offered more run support for him throughout the year.)

The win wrapped up a solid weekend sweep for the Braves which included a 1-0 win on Friday and a dramatic late game rally on Saturday.

Atlanta has now won five out of their last six games heading into their series with the Mets on Tuesday.

News&Notes: Chipper Jones was held out of Sunday’s game with a groin injury…Man I totally missed Tim Hudson’s homerun!...Congratulations to Jason Heyward on being named minor league player of the year…The Gwinnett Braves have been eliminated from the Governor’s Cup playoffs.
(Photo: AP)