Braves 5 Nats 4
Smoltz wasn't at his best today, but got the win when the Braves and Nats switched scripts and the good guys scored a late-inning comeback victory. The bottom of the lineup was the story today, as Estrada continued his good work of late with a single and HR (up to .276 now), Langerhans doubled twice, and Betemit reached base four times, including a game-tying, two-run HR in the eighth. Julio followed with a walk and was pinch-hit for by Pete Orr, who proceeded to run like a banshee on a steal of second and scoring from there on a shallow single by Giles. Reitsma then notched his second two-inning save in a week.
Betemit started when Furcal was scratched due to an ailing shoulder. The cognoscenti over at Braves Journal are supposing that Wilson might have been showcased for a potential trade to the Twins in exchange for an outfielder.
From a St. Paul Pioneer Press columnist today:
"The Atlanta Braves need an outfielder, and Braves superscout Jim Fregosi was at the Metrodome for Tuesday night's Twins-Indians game. Twins general manager Terry Ryan declined comment on the possibility of a deal."
Betemit for Ford? Furcal for Hunter or Jones? Hmmm....thoughts, anybody?
Betemit started when Furcal was scratched due to an ailing shoulder. The cognoscenti over at Braves Journal are supposing that Wilson might have been showcased for a potential trade to the Twins in exchange for an outfielder.
From a St. Paul Pioneer Press columnist today:
"The Atlanta Braves need an outfielder, and Braves superscout Jim Fregosi was at the Metrodome for Tuesday night's Twins-Indians game. Twins general manager Terry Ryan declined comment on the possibility of a deal."
Betemit for Ford? Furcal for Hunter or Jones? Hmmm....thoughts, anybody?
posted by Sam Bass | 10:49 PM
1 Comments:
ARRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!! I concede that it is difficult to come up with words to describe last nights game. I have gone from sympathetic/empathetic (i can never remember which one is more appropriate) for Mr. Kolb to angry and now to an eye watering stunned. When a team breaks through, albeit with a couple of borderline calls at the plate (jones) and a gimme from the National's bench (Baerga's muffed play at first) and then witnesses a bullpen collapses in that fashion...You can't let him pitch anymore,period.
Cox left him in a little long. I can only imagine it was a sink or swim situation. When Leo got done with the mouth to mouth (scary mental picture) and Bobby finally cleared the water from his lungs, the die surely had already been cast. The only alternative left is to release Kolb or send him down. At this point, I don't care if you bring your AA bullpen up in its entirety. These guys are shellshocked and the entire season is on the line. Can you believe Kolb has allowed 14 of the first 25 batters he has faced to start off an inning on base? How can you expect anyone to follow his act with any confidence? I truly felt sorry for Reitsma last night. Do you think other teams are foaming at the mouth as the starter's pitch count rises? I would venture that its difficult to pull the trigger and pinch hit for one of starters regardless of the situation.
Anyhow, its just a game, and the breaks are the breaks. It will be interesting to see what is next. With Furcal benched and the braintrust evaluating what the lineup looks like with him in another uniform, they are also preventing a trade devaluing 0-15 streak. He was warming up when they sat him, so he is positioned to bring value. I am comfortable with Giles in the leadoff spot. Although he is not a blazer on the basepaths, he runs smart. I am not sure what his OBP is but can't imagine he strikes out as much as Furcal. He just seems a little more confident in the batters box, rarely overswinging, and more likely to put the ball in play.
It seems that the Braves are perpetually in need of some bats and I feel it is imperative that another outfielder is brought in for Jordan. Did you see his at-bat in the 8th? The first 2 pitches were grooved and he was scared to take the bat off the shoulder. I recognize he has performed with some consistency with runners in scoring position but overall he just comes up a little short (i.e. the fantastic jump to glove a fly ball only to see it role out of the mitt.)
However, the overarching need is bullpen help. Did you notice Florida picked up Graves? (at least that was the rumor here in Tampa). Do they need him or just not want the Braves to take a flyer on him? And just to prove that the sky is really falling in my world, I think Chipper is looking very fragile these days. That is one cagey veteran who might want to put down the Budweisers and take up a pilates class if he wants to be healthy in October this year.
I enjoy your website. Go Braves!
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