Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Pete Orr Leads Braves to Win Over Yanks

A solid 8 innings from Horacio Ramirez helped the Braves beat the New York Yankees, and former Brave Jaret Wright. Wright has not panned out to be the pitcher the Yankees thought they had signed prior to the 2005 season. After going 15-8 with a 3.28 with Atlanta in 2004, Wright has posted a record of 9-10 and an ERA over 5.

Pete Orr went 1-4 thanks to his lead off single in the first. The win brings the Braves season record to 33-45 --- a tie for the basement in the NL East with the Nats.

Saturday, June 24, 2006

What Bullpen Problems?

Wow...the Braves bullpen threw 9.1 innings last night allowing 6 hits, 1 run (earned), and striking out three. OK, the combination of Villarreal, Yates, McBride, Stockman, and Sosa walked 6, but Braves fans will take it.

Smoltz went down in the 2nd with a groin strain, but all reports say that he'll be OK and probably won't miss his next start. Pete Orr pinch ran for Brian McCann in the 9th, but didn't score.

The ballsy double steal (Francoeur & Betemit) might be the adrenaline shot that the Bravos need. We'll see when they take on Tampa Bay again tonight at 7:00 - Lance Cormier on the hill for Atlanta and Tim Corcoran throwing for the Rays.. The fact is, if the Braves can regain the form of a quality team, the Devil Rays are a team that they need to beat. The Rays are weak.

Thursday, June 22, 2006

When Bad Gets Worse

Losing streak up to 9 for the Bravos. Things are not getting better. When the bats get going, the pitching falls apart; when the pitching does OK, the bats fall asleep. Huddy through 7 laborious innings, but kept the game close. The lineup just couldn't get it done. Pete Orr Ked when he pinch hit for Hudson in the 7th. The bullpen was a little more respectable...only giving up 1 run in the 2 innings of work that three fellas put together.

I still have faith. Tonight the Braves will try to prevent a sweep - Ramirez vs. Burnett. Half past seven on TBS.

Friday, June 16, 2006

One time...@ Band Camp...

There was this team....ok...really, it's not that bad. The bravos still are a major league team...mostly (Eric Cartman).

Pete Orr lined out to center field on a 3-0 pitch (feel free correct me on the count, but I think I'm right).

Offense wins games; defense wins championships. At least that's what Tim Carver tells me. Man, if the offense can't get going, then the denfense ain't gona win anything for our Bravos.

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Killing Me Softly

17 1-run losses this season for the Bravos. Man, that hurts.

RHP Russ Ortiz got released by the D-backs today. In 6 starts this season, he was 0-5 with a 7.54. Wow. The crazy thing is he will be getting paid for sitting around for the next 2 years, or whatever, of his like $22m contract.

Pete Orr had a terrible AB in the 7th. He needs a couple starts to get things rolling.

The Red Sox will be at Turner Field this weekent - Sunday looks like a good one...Schilling vs. Smoltz.

Honeymoon Over?

The lovable Ken Ray recorded a blown save last night. His second of the season - we'll see if the honeymoon is over or not for Ray. You can't beat around independent leagues for 4 years and then come out and dominate in MLB. I don't see Ken's success from the past 2 months continuing for a full season - and last night was a glimpse of what is to come. I hope I'm wrong.

Oscar Villarreal was charged with his first loss of the season last night. Despite the fact that he has an ERA near 5 and 4 blown saves the guy had a record of 7-0 prior to yesterday. You gotta love it when a guy gets a W for giving up a lead/tie.

Pete Orr laid down a beautiful sacrifice bunt in the 10th last night. I ask myself, would it not be better to sacrifice the bullpen though? Remlinger better watch his mouth (and his ERA, errant throws, etc.) See the AJC for what Mike said regarding his throw to, or should I say towards, Chipper.

Monday, June 12, 2006

Don't call 911

So Reitsma's ERA climbed to 9.11 after allowing 5 runs (all earned) on 7 hits in 2/3 of an inning worth of work. Can he really be this bad?

It's crazy. He's a great waiter...just keeps serving it up. According to the TV announcers yesterday, Reitsma thought he was tipping off pitches over his past few outings, so he made some adjustments. Apparently those adjustments were not enought - or he really has lost his stuff.

No hardhat needed for Horacio yesterday. A linedrive off the bat of Lance Berkman found it's way to right field via the left side of Horacio's head. The fact that he walked off the field and there was no (visible) injury is a miracle.

Pete Orr pinch hit in the 4th inning and drew a walk to bring his OBP up to .238.

Monday, June 05, 2006

2.75 for a 7.20

Chris Reitsma's 2006 salary is $2,750,000. His ERA is 7.20.

Man, was the 9th inning painful yesterday.

Pete Orr pinch hit in the 7th, but grounded out.

Saturday, June 03, 2006

Thomson + Bullpen = Loss

Sure Thomson had a few good outings early in the year, but of course now he is back to his true form and completely worthless as trade bait for a decent closer. The bullpen is as scary as ever. The lone brightspot in the pen has been Ken Ray and he gave up a three run ya-ya to suck the air out of the Bravos comeback. It was a nice effort, but apparently an 8-0 hole was too much to comeback from...go figure. Offense scores 9 runs and can't win. Pete Orr went 1-4. Should be an 0-4. I can't believe they gave him a hit for a popup that nobody caught.