Stranded

Cardinals 3, Braves 2

With the bases loaded and the Cardinals holding onto a slim one run lead, Casey Kotchman marched to the plate. Kotchman, who was 3-for-3 at that point with a double, was the Braves best hope to either tie the game or take the lead, instead he skied a pop fly that ended the inning. And with that, another solid start by Jair Jurrjens was wasted.

After giving up a single to Skip Schumacher to open the game, Jurrjens struck out Rick Ankiel and Albert Pujols before allowing consecutive singles to Ryan Ludwick and Chris Duncan which scored Schumacher and gave the Cards an early 1-0 advantage. St. Louis tacked on a run in the second but the Braves pushed back, collecting a run off of a David Ross double which scored Kotchman. But St. Louis put the game out of reach in the seventh inning, when reliever Peter Moylan gave up a single to Ankiel which scored pitcher Joel Pinero to make the score 3-1. Jeff Francoeur’s RBI sacrifice fly a half inning later was too little too late as Atlanta fell to the Cards, 3-2.

The Braves look to even up the series tonight with Jo-Jo Reyes taking on the Card’s Kyle Lohse.

News&Notes: Brian McCann will test his vision when he heads to a two game rehab start with Class A Myrtle Beach on Tuesday. Mac has been fitted with a new set of contact lenses...Tom Glavine's return to the Braves rotation is not a 100% done deal but neither is his chances of retiring before the end of the season.

(Photo: AP)

Reds halt Braves hot streak

Reds 8, Braves 2

The good news, Atlanta was on a three game win streak. The bad news, it ended on Sunday with the Reds 8-2 blow out victory. Cincinnati avoided the sweep with a killer fifth inning in which they scored six runs, including Jay Bruce’s second two run blast of the day. Bruce also went deep in the fourth inning to give Cincinnati an early 2-0 lead.

Atlanta attempted a late game comeback led by back-up catcher David Ross, who hit a solo shot in the seventh inning, but it was too little too late. Brandon Jones – getting the start in place of the injured Garrett Anderson - drove in the Braves’ other run an inning later.

I knew it was going to take Kenshin Kawakami some time to acclimate himself in the US, but it would be nice if he would stop being horrible and just move onto mediocre. Mediocre gets you 10 wins a season right?

News&Notes: Yunel Escobar remained hot, driving in four runs on Saturday in the Braves, 10-2 rout of the Reds…The Braves placed Garrett Anderson on the DL with a strained left thigh. The move was made retroactive to April 20. To fill his spot, Atlanta called up Brandon Jones from Triple-A Gwinnett…Jeff Locke, a pitcher on the Braves single-A affiliate Myrtle Beach Pelicans, took a no-hitter into the seventh. The Pelicans, unfortunately, gave up a two run lead, falling to the Salem Red Sox, 3-2. Yup that seems about right…Note: tonight’s game against the Cardinals will be on ESPN. (subject to blackouts)
(Photo: AP)

Mac on the DL

No matter how hard he tried, Brian McCann could not avoid going on the DL. The all-star catcher will be out of service for at least 15 days as he recovers from an infection in his left eye. Yeah, a new contact won’t fix that problem. The move was made retroactive to last Thursday meaning, Mac will be eligible to play on May 8th, just in time for Atlanta’s series with the Phillies.

McCann has been troubled by blurred vision since Opening Day.
(Photo: AP ; Source)

UPDATE: As pointed out by commenter Lauren T. , it’s more of a vision issue than say an eye infection. As I type, Brian is wearing glasses in the dugout and may try to play with them beginning as early as Friday, if SNY can be trusted.

Finally, A Walk to Remember

Nationals 0, Braves 1

Oh the irony, the Braves, who have been the givers of bases loaded walks in two games this season become the receivers in the ninth inning of their 1-0 win over the Nationals. With two outs in the final frame, second baseman Kelly Johnson drew a walk, scoring Matt Diaz, who reached earlier in the inning with a single. The run scored was done too late for Jair Jurrjens to benefit with a win, but it meant his 7 2/3 scoreless innings did not go wasted.

The victory was also the Braves first one run win on the road this season. Well I asked when they’d finally do it, and we know, April 22, 2009 in Washington.

And thank goodness the Braves did not get swept by the Natinals, I mean that would be embarrassing!

News&Notes: Brian McCann is still getting used to wearing a contact in his left eye. But at least when you ask how many fingers am I holding up he doesn't see 10...Forbes has estimated the value of the Braves has declined by 10%. The Braves are one of ten organizations that the Magazine has figured has lost part of its value...Forbes also announced that the Braves are one of eight teams to be owned by a billionaire, John Malone whose company Liberty Media owns the team.

(Photo: AP)

Most Frightening Photo of Brian McCann Ever

But at least it appears his eyes are ok.
(Photo: AP)

Braves Officially say goodbye to Blaine Boyer

Instead of commenting on yet another Braves loss, as in losing yet another game - to the Nationals - I prefer to focus on the loss of the Blaine Boyer, something that actually makes me smile, because it seemed like everytime I was writing about the Braves blowing another leader or giving up another big inning, Boyer’s name was attached. Could this Brian Barton person that the Braves acquired from the Cards be all that bad?

And while I wish nothing but the best for Blaine and his endeavors in St. Louis with the Cardinals, I am glad your endeavors with Atlanta have come to close.
(Photo: Getty Images ; source)

Five Game Slide Comes to an End

Braves 11, Pirates 1

After being shut-out in their previous two losses to the Pirates, 3-0 and 10-0 respectively, you knew the Braves’s offense was on track for a break out game, and Sunday was their break out game. Jeff Francoeur, David Ross and Martin Prado all drove in three runs, Prado’s and Ross’s coming off of three run homers in the victory. But, the day really belonged to Javier Vazquez who went six scoreless innings, allowing five hits and striking out eight batters on the way to his first win as a Braves starter.

Chipper Jones, Yunel Escobar and Brian McCann were once again out of Sunday’s game, but their replacements Martin Prado (3d) and David Ross (c) did a pretty great job filling in for them.

Atlanta opens up a series with the Nationals on Monday with Derek Lowe taking the mound for the Bravos and Jordan Zimmerman throwing for the Nats.

News&Notes: Brian McCann will visit an eye doctor to figure out how to fix his double vision...A dream has come true; the Braves have placed reliever Blaine Boyer on waivers. No disrespect to Blaine, but whenever he takes the mound I have to pop a couple of tums and that can’t be good for my stomach...The Braves have called up Jo-Jo Reyes. My euphoria over Boyer has quickly dissipated.
Photo: AP)

Marlins mop up Braves

Braves, 2 Marlins 6

The Florida Marlins completed a three game sweep on Thursday. The Fish capitalized on a second inning error by second baseman Kelly Johnson that lead to a Cody Ross three run homer to give Florida an early 3-0 lead. The Braves closed in in the fifth inning when Jeff Francoeur rocketed a double which scored Garrett Anderson, his second RBI of the night, to make it 3-2 Florida. But the Marlins put it out of reach with two in the sixth on their way to a 6-2 victory.

In the end, Thursday night’s game could prove to be more costly than just a drop in the standings, shortstop Yunel Escobar left in the fifth inning with a strained oblique he says he sustained while warming up in the on deck circle. Escobar could miss three to four games, although he is hoping to be back in the lineup on Friday. Just in time for the series opener between the Bravos and Pirates.

News&Notes: The Braves have placed Jorge Campillo on the DL with shoulder fatigue. To fill his open roster spot, the Braves have called up James Parr from Triple-A Gwinnett...The Braves activated catcher David Ross from the 15 day DL and optioned Clint Sammons to Triple-A Gwinnett.

(Photo: AP)

Tom Glavine to hang up his spikes?

After leaving during the second inning of his minor league start with shoulder tightness, Tom Glavine’s return to the majors is very much up in the air. Glavine received good news from Dr. James Andrews, his recently repaired shoulder was only experiencing inflammation, but at age 42 how much longer can Glavine go? Especially while feeling the pain.

"For me now, the glass is probably half-empty simply because I'm frustrated and tired with this whole rehab thing," Glavine said. "But at the same time, being as close as I was, I'm not willing to just say, 'OK, that's it.' I'm willing to put in a little more time. But I'm not willing to put in another six weeks to eight weeks, because by then I'm going to have to start all over again, and I'm not interested in doing that."

So does this mean Glavine will be hanging up his spikes before the season is out?

"This [shoulder] has logged a lot of innings," Glavine said. "Sooner or later, it's going to tell me I can't do this anymore. I hope this is not what it's trying to tell me. But I'm prepared if it is."

So basically, his retirement status is still up in the air.

A few months ago this news would have hit me hard. Another member of the Braves of my youth calling it quits. Sometime after Greg Maddux retired and John Smoltz left I realized it’s time to move on. A new crop of stars will populate the Braves universe and hopefully bring home a World Series title and I’ll be totally ok with that. And frankly, from a not selfish stand point, there is no reason for Tommy to put himself through this much work only to see him have another set back a month or two down the road. He’s 42, he’s had a Hall of Fame worthy career, just coming back for a month or two will not change that fact.
(Photo: AP; source)

Braves look to avoid Sweep

After dropping the first two games of their series with the Marlins, the Braves look to avoid the sweep with Kenshin Kawakami on the mound. But it won’t be easy. Not only will they be without Brian McCann and Chipper Jones, but they are stuck with a below average bullpen, a glaring weakness the Marlins took advantage of on Wednesday.

After tying the game at four a piece in the fifth inning, Braves reliever Peter Moylan struck Cody Ross, forcing in the tie-breaking run. Two innings later, the Marlins opened the flood gates scoring five to put the game out of reach for the Bravos.

Derek Lowe, making the shortest outing of his brief Braves career, allowed four runs in his five innings of work for a no decision.

News&Notes: Chipper Jones will miss two games with his injured thumb…Bobby Cox rested Garrett Anderson on Wednesday. I admit I was way wrong about the whole Ken Griffrey, Jr. thing. While he's out slamming homeruns for the Mariners, Anderson has been sitting in the dugout...Javier Vazquez struck out 12 batters in the Braves 5-1 loss to the Marlins on Tuesday.
(Photo: AP)

Braves sweep up Nats

The Braves completed a three game sweep of the hapless Nationals on Sunday with an 8-5 victory. Chipper Jones drove in two runs including the tie-breaker in the seventh, while Jair Jurrjens went five and third innings, allowing four runs, three earned on his way to his second win of the season. Rafael Soriano wrapped up the win with a perfect ninth inning to earn his first save of the season.

The Braves will have Monday off before opening up a series against the Florida Marlins, a team that is tied with the Braves for the NL East.

The Nationals meanwhile, will try to regroup and pick up their first win of the season against the Phillies on Monday. Good luck on that one.

News&Notes: Tom Glavine left his minor league start early due to should discomfort. Not a good sign for a guy who is trying to come back from shoulder surgery...Kelly Johnson and Casey Kotchman both got a day off on Sunday despite Johnson's hit streak. Everyone's got to rest someday, why not against the Nats?
(Photo: ; source)

Braves bullpen does them in

Brian McCann, Jordan Schafer and Matt Diaz all went deep, but a leaky bullpen could not contain a seven run lead as they fell to the Phillies, 12-11. Atlanta gave up eight runs in the seventh inning including four that came off of bases loaded walks destroying what was a 10-3 lead. The Phillies tacked on an additional run in the eighth before the Braves mounted a comeback attempt in the ninth that fell short.

The game marked the debut of off season acquistion Javier Vazquez who went six innings, allowing three runs, five hits, four walks while striking out five. The three homeruns gave the Braves eight on the season.

Crap, if a seven run lead is not safe, I don’t even want to think about how the rest of this season is going to fall. And seriously, will the Braves ever win a one-run game on the road?

News&Notes: Chipper Jones and Garrett Anderson were out of the line-up on Wednesday. Jones missed the game with a bruised left thumb, but is expected to be ready for Friday’s home opener. Meanwhile Anderson could be out for much longer after re-injuring his right calf muscle. I take back everything I wrote in March about Anderson being a better pick-up than Ken Griffey, Jr., especially if Anderson is going to spend the rest of the season going on and off the DL. All hail Matt Diaz!...Derek Lowe will make his Braves debut at Turner Field on Friday...The Hall of Fame is unveiling a Hank Aaron exhibit called "Hank Aaron: Chasing a Dream"...Old news, I know, but I did want to mention the Braves will be retiring Greg Maddux #31 in a ceremony in July.
(Photo: AP/ Tom Mihalek)

Musings from Citizens Bank Park

Braves 4, Phillies 0

It was another cold one on Tuesday as I braved the sub-40 degree weather to watch the Braves blank the Phillies 4-0. I don’t know exactly why I believe that it will be warm by the time April opens up in the northeast, but I do and it leads me to the ballpark early in the season to catch the Braves for my birthday every year.

On Tuesday, Atlanta did not disappoint. Kelly Johnson started the game with a leadoff homerun and the Braves continued from there. Before the night was through, Chipper Jones had added a solo shot and the pitching staff was able to save off any threats from the defending World Champs. So much for a Braves line-up with a lack of thump; in their first two games this season, they’ve already knocked five out of the park.

Citizens Bank Park always impresses me. Between the knowledgeable fans, the excellent food and the intimate ballpark feel, the place is always a welcoming site as I drive down Citizens Bank Park Way until I see the “god-damn stadium.” On this night, I was able to get in very early, (the team had emailed that the Flyers, who play in the same complex, would be having a game at 7 PM and that the parking lot would be a disaster) and explore the place a little with my brand new t-shirt in hand (it was free t-shirt night). I stopped off at the Ashburn Alley store before enjoying a burger at Harry the Ks. I then meander over to the bigger Phillies store before heading to my seats in the upper deck (one row from the top). My seats happened to be great, right in line with home plate with a view of the entire field. That’s part of what is so nice about the place, every seat is a great seat unlike the New Yankee Stadium which has two sections in the bleachers that do not have a view or a very limited view of the field. (But I’ll get into that at another time) Later in the game I walked down to the lower level to get some crab fries, which were totally worth the wait. I figured that during a cold night like this one, the two best jobs to have were making crab fries and being the Philly Phanatic, because both kept you very warm.

As Mike Gonzalez recorded the final out and the Braves celebrated another win, I was a little sad to see the game end, but then again very relieved to be headed to the car where my hands could finally defrost. Another game had come to a close, but I am sure before the season is done, I’ll be back at CBP and in the seats to cheer on another Atlanta victory.

Braves dazzle in their Season Opener

The Braves rocketed three homeruns and were inches away from a fourth in their 4-1 victory over the Phillies to open up their season undefeated. Brian McCann got the ball rolling with a two run shot in the first, scoring Chipper Jones, to make it 2-0. Jeff Francoeur then took the first pitch of the second inning and watched in fall in the left field seats, followed by Jordan Schafer who hit a dinger in his first career at bat. Derek Lowe shined in his first start as a Brave, tossing shut-out ball over eight innings. It was not until the ninth inning, with Mike Gonzalez on the mound, that the Phillies were able to crawl back into the game with a run. But Gonzalez struck out Raul Ibanez to record the final out in Atlanta’s first win of the season.

The Braves have a day off before taking on the Phillies on Tuesday.

News&Notes: Chipper Jones started a club record 14th straight opening day for the Braves on Sunday.
(Photo: Getty Images; Source)