Braves Beast (and least) of the Week

(Injured) Beast: Chipper Jones.  Chipper hit .478….yes…… .478 this week.  It’s almost mid-June and he’s hitting .420.  He had 6 RBIs but couldn’t stop the Braves from losing 3 in a row to the Phils.  Jones sat the last two games with a right quad strain.

Runners-Up: Mark Teixeira, John Anderson

Least: Kelly Johnson.  Well, Friday’s game was enough of a reason.  He dropped the game winning out in the 9th against the Phillies, leading to an eventual sweep.

Runners-Down: Jeff Francoeur, Brian McCann

-Greg Berlin

Braves Beast (and least) of the Week

Beast: Chipper Jones, 3B. Last week the Beast went to Brian McCann with apologies to Chipper. This week, the Beast is Chipper, with apologies to McCann. Chipper hit .474, upping his average for the year to .416. McCann hit .529, by the way. But Chipper gets it for his historic start to the season as a whole. Let’s not forget Kelly Johnson who hit .429 on the week and raised his average for the season to .297.

Runners Up: Kelly Johson, Brian McCann, Mark Teixiera

Least: Jo-Jo Reyes, LHP. Reyes is having trouble finding any sort of consistency in the bigs. 8 runs, 7 earned in only 5 innings is not going to cut it. Reyes has gotten progressively worse in virtually every start. Perhaps a little bit of scouting and film has given hitters the edge over the young lefty.

Runners Down: Tom Glavine, Mark Kotsay

Postgame: Braves 6-Mets 1 [BEAST-OFF]

It was clear that Tom Glavine would have to face his former team at some point this season. Glavine’s first start against the Mets ended in his second win of the year and an outing far better than the last time Tom Glavine pitched in a game that included the New York Mets.

Glavine was very effective, surrendering just one earned run in six innings of work on a home run to Luis Castillo, of all people, in the first inning. He walked one and struck out four on just 82 pitches. The Mets countered with John Maine, who did not pitch well. Maine was unable to keep his fastball down in the zone and paid dearly, surrendering four earned runs in just four innings of work on eight hits, walking three and striking out two on 99 pitches–hardly the dominant stuff he showed in his last few starts. Maine drops to 5-3 on the year.

Aaron Heilman continued his fascination with giving up the long ball, giving up his fifth of the year in just 22.2 innings of work, this one a three-run shot to Brian McCann in the 7th. Also driving in runs for the Braves were Mark Teixiera, Yunel Escobar, and Kelly Johnson.

David Wright and Jose Reyes combined to go 2-8 on the day. Once again, when Jose doesn’t get on base, the Mets don’t score runs. The Jekyll and Hyde season continues.

-Jonathan Kraft

Pregame: Mets at Braves [BEAST-OFF]

The Game: New York Mets (22-19) at Atlanta Braves (22-21)

The Matchup: John Maine (5-2, 2.81) vs. Tom Glavine (1-1, 4.41)

The Story: The Mets face Tom Glavine for the first time since the last game of last season, when Glavine pitched only a third of an inning but surrendered….okay there’s no need to repeat what happened, the words “monumental collapse” do it justice enough. If last year’s collapse hasn’t been talked about enough this year, just wait until the broadcast today; it’s going to be nonstop. The Mets roll into Atlanta having taken two-straight from the Yankees, after losing three of four to the Nationals. New York’s core players, Jose Reyes and David Wright, have finally started to turn a corner and hit consistently, which is necessary for the Mets to succeed.

Consistency has been hard to come by for the Mets but also for the Braves, who have seen flashes of brilliance from pitching (Jair Jurrjens, Tim Hudson) and hitting (Chipper Jones, Brian McCann, Mark Kotsay), but not from their bullpen, which has suffered greatly from the losses of Rafael Soriano and Peter Moylan.

John Maine takes the mound for the Mets as the Amazin’s second most valuable starting pitcher. Maine hasn’t allowed more than two runs in his seven last starts. Glavine has had less success this year, and just picked up his first win of the season in his last start. He hasn’t been bad by any means, though, and looks to pick up his 305th win today against his old club.

The Lineups:

Mets: Reyes (SS), Castillo (2B), Wright (3B), Beltran (CF), Church (RF), Alou (LF), Delgado (1B), Schneider (C), Maine (P)

Braves: Escobar (SS), Kotsay (CF), Jones (3B), Teixiera (1B), McCann (C), Francoeur (RF), Johnson (2B), Blanco (LF), Glavine (P)

Braves Beast (and least) of the Week

The Braves Beast of the Week is…

Brian McCann, C (.345, .387, .655, 1 HR, 9 RBI on the week).  We award this honor to Brian with apologies to Chipper Jones, who also had a stellar week (.462, .548, .654, 1 HR, 3 RBI). But come on, Chipper, you can’t win every week. Chipper, who hits right in front of Brian in the Braves lineup, is a big part of McCann’s success, giving him plenty of RBI opportunities. Both players combine to make for a formidable middle of the Atlanta lineup.

Runners-Up: Chipper Jones, Kelly Johnson, Mark Kotsay

We bestow the least of the week distinction upon…

Chuck James, LHP. James optioned to Triple-A Richmond after a terrible start last Thursday against the Phillies, in which he surrendered 5 earned runs on 6 hits in 4 innings, walking 5 and striking out none. He’ll be replaced by Jorge Campillo in the rotation.

Runners-down: Royce Ring, Mark Teixiera

 

Around the Beast

Here are last night’s wrap-ups from the Phillies, Braves, and Marlins.

Braves 8-Phillies 6

Tom Glavine picked up his first Braves victory since 2002 as the Braves rolled over Brett Myers. The opening-day starter drops to 2-5 after surrendering home runs to Chipper Jones and Yunel Escobar in the first, just a couple of the 6 earned runs he would give up on the night (4.1 IP, 9 H, 6 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO, 3 HR, 75 P). For the Braves, Kelly Johnson added a home run, Gregor Blanco drove in two runs, and Brian McCann added another.

The Braves bullpen could barely contain the Philadelphia offense, allowing two earned runs in the last two innings, including a 2-out Ryan Howard home run in the 8th. Chase Utley also homered for the Phillies (2 runs in the 6th off of Glavine), Jimmy Rollins drove in two runs on the night and Shane Victorino drove in one. The bright spot for the Phillies was their bullpen, with Ryan Madson, Clay Condrey and Rudy Seanez combining for 4.2 scoreless innings in relief of Myers.

Reds 7-Marlins 6 (F/10)

Rookie shortstop Paul Janish hit a walk-off single in his Major League debut as the Reds defeated the Marlins in the 10th inning. That came after Cody Ross tied the game on a three-run longball off of Reds closer Francisco Cordero in the ninth. Cordero’s first blown save of the year was an ugly one–the Marlins scored all six of their runs in the top of the ninth. Reds pitcher Mike Lincoln was charged with four runs, Cordero with two. This after Bronson Arroyo shut the Marlins down, going 7 full innings allowing no runs on 5 hits, striking out 5 and walking 3 on 111 pitches.

The Marlins were plagued by ineffective pitching all night, first from starter Ricky Nolasco (4.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO, 97 P), then from relievers Logan Kensing, Justin Miller, and Renyel Pinto. NL Beast has said it over and over again, the Marlins are only as good as their pitching.

Ross, Luis Gonzalez and Matt Treanor drove in runs for the Marlins. Adam Dunn homered and Jerry Hairston Jr., Ken Griffey Jr., Brandon Phillips, Edwin Encarnacion and Janish plated runs for the Reds.

Postgame: Phillies 5-Braves 4 [BEAST-OFF]

The Phillies fell behind 3-0 to the Braves in the first inning after RBI hits by Chipper Jones and Jeff Francoeur.  But Kyle Kendrick quickly calmed down after the first inning.  He ended up going the next five innings without allowing a run.  That gave him his third 6 inning, 3 earned run outing in a row.  From a guy fifth in the rotation, the Phillies should be happy that he gives them a chance to win.

Offensively, the Phillies came to play tonight.  Facing Jo-Jo Reyes, the Phillies started their attack in the 4th, when Jason Werth singled to center, driving in Chase Utley and big-man Ryan Howard.  Howard, who was part of the action all night long, notched an RBI of his own in the fifth, knocking in Shane Victorino.  Later in the inning, Werth continued his barrage, hitting in Howard.  And, in the 7th, Werth would grab yet another RBI to give the Phillies their fifth run.  Werth ended the night with 4 RBIs.

In the 9th, things got a little bit shaky as Brad Lidge faced adversity for one of the only times this season.  With one out, Mark Kotsay walked and then advanced to 2nd base after fielder interference.  At this point, Chipper Jones, who already had 3 hits on the night, hit a bomb just short of the fence in left.  Eric Bruntlett, who pinch-ran for Burrell in the 7th, caught the ball right in front of the wall, saving Phillies fans and Brad Lidge a lot of grief.  But the fight wasn’t over from the Braves.  Brian McCann came up next and doubled, driving in Kotsay and making it a 1 run game.  It should be noted that Jason Werth misplayed the ball, first breaking in and then running backwards as the ball flew well over his head.  He probably should have made the play.

Lidge was having trouble finding the plate at this point and walked Greg Norton, bringing up Francoeur, who was 0-4 lifetime against Lidge.  Falling behind quickly in the count, Francoeur finally lifted a ball between Werth and right fielder Shane Victorino.  Victorino called Werth off at the last second and caught the ball to end the game.  Not a moment too soon for Lidge, who let up his first earned run of the year in 18 innings of work.

The Phillies started their homestand with a thorough game all around, while the Braves continue to struggle on the road.  They are now 5-15 away from Turner Field.  Also, the Phillies have to be outright elated that Ryan Howard finally looks to be coming out of his slump.  He was 2-4 with a long double to center field and now has an RBI in each of his last three games, as well as in 4 out of his last 5 games.  He’s upped his average to .181 for the season.

-Greg Berlin

Braves Beast (and least) of the Week

And for the second week in a row, the Braves Beast of the Week is 3B Chipper Jones. Chipper was great again this week, hitting .304 with 7 RBIs and 2 long balls for a team-leading OPS of 1.060. You can’t say anything bad about this guy–he just does everything right.

Runners-Up: Mark Kotsay, Brian McCann, Jair Jurrjens

The Braves’ least of the week is RF Jeff Francoeur. Jeff didn’t hit well this week, going just 3-22 (.136, .296, .182), walking 4 times and striking out 7. He still did manage to drive in 2 runs, amazingly, and remains a threat in the bottom of the Atlanta lineup despite the bad stretch.

Runners-Up: Jo-Jo Reyes, Tom Glavine

Braves Beast (and least) of the Week

The Braves Beast of the Week is…

Chipper Jones, 3B. Chipper has easily been the Braves MVP of the season, leading the team in Batting Average (.425), Home Runs (9), RBIs (27), and OBP (.472). This week alone, he went .353, .421, .588. This year, Chipper can really take advantage of a lineup that includes players like Yunel Escobar above him and Mark Teixiera, Brian McCann, and Jeff Francoeur after him.

Runners-Up: Mark Teixiera (OPS of 1.033), Jair Jurjjens (WHIP of 0.29), Tim Hudson (10 SO in 9 innings)

The least of the week is Kelly Johnson. Kelly did not hit well this week (.176, .222, .294) and only walked once, which is not acceptable for a leadoff hitter (see: Jose Reyes).

Runners-Up: Blaine Boyer, Manny Acosta, Gregor Blanco

Saturday Division Roundup

Diamondbacks 10-Mets 4

Mike Pelfrey did not pitch well for the Mets, throwing more than 100 pitches in 5 innings, allowing 5 earned runs, walking 4 and striking out 1. He was charged with the loss, and is 2-2 on the year Diamondbacks ace Brandon Webb pitched well enough, but was not dominant, giving up 5 runs, 4 earned, on 7 full innings of work with 2 walks and 3 strikeouts. Augie Ojeda, replacing the injured Orlando Hudson,  terrorized the Mets, driving in 6 runs. For the Mets, Carlos Delgado hit a 3-run shot, but was one of the only Mets whose bat showed up. Combined, Jose Reyes and David Wright were 0-7 with a walk on the day. Duaner Sanchez‘s line on the day: (0.1 innings, 4 H, 5 ER) Ouch.

Nationals 9-Pirates 8

The Nats barely squeaked one out against the Bucs, as mediocre pitching gave way to clutch offense from the Nats. Cristian Guzman was a triple away from hitting for the cycle, and totaled 6 RBIs on the day. Guzman and Felipe Lopez jumpstarted the Nats offense, combining to go 6-9 on the day in the 1 and 2 spots. Matt Chico might have bought himself some more time to try and fix his pitching woes, but was not all that good, going 4.1 and letting up 5 runs, 4 earned, with 3 walks and 4 strikeouts. Jesus Colome picked up the win and Jon Rauch notched his 7th save of the year.

Giants 3-Phillies 2

The Phillies lost a heartbreaker as Bengie Molina hit a go-ahead RBI double off of Rudy Seanez in the 10th. Brett Myers pitched very well, going 7 innings, allowing 6 hits, 2 earned runs, walking 3 and striking out 10. But he received almost no run support other than home runs by Chase Utley (again) and Geoff Jenkins and an RBI from Pat Burrell. Giants starter Matt Cain was very effective, shutting the Phils down on 7 innings of 3-hit ball, striking out 8 and walking 1.

Braves 9-Reds 1

Yunel Escobar led the Braves to a hit parade Saturday as he went 3-4 with 2 runs and an RBI. The Braves had 15 hits on the day compared to 4 for the Reds. Jo-Jo Reyes pitched well for Atlanta, allowing just 1 earned run on 5.1 innings, striking out 5 and walking 3. Brian McCann had 2 RBIs for the Braves, who now sit just a game below .500.

Padres 7-Marlins 2

Young Ricky Nolasco continues to struggle for the Marlins, giving up 10 hits over 4.2 innings of work yesterday as Padres ace Jake Peavy cruised. Peavy went 5.2 and struck out 8, allowing just 2 earned runs. Mike Jacobs‘ 2 run blast in the bottom of the first was all the offense the Marlins could muster. After a hot start, the Marlins are just 4-6 in their last 10.

The Rest of the East [Postgame Wrapup]

Pirates 11-Nationals 4: The lights went out on the Nats tonight–both literally and figuratively. This one started ugly for John Lannan, and ended ugly for the Nationals overworked bullpen. Lannan lasted only 3 innings, giving up 6 runs, 5 earned, on 6 hits, walking 2 and striking out none. For the record, NL Beast called the meltdown. Manny Acta decided to employ the starter by committee approach, as Mike O’Connor pitched 3.2 in relief for Lannan. For the Pirates, Jose Bautista homered twice on the night.

Braves 2-Reds 0: Nice pitchers dual in Atlanta tonight, as Tim Hudson squared off against young Edison Volquez. Any question of Tim Hudson’s health was resolved tonight as the sinkerballer pitched a complete game, striking out 10 and walking no one. Wow. Brian McCann‘s 2 run blast was all the offense the Braves needed to defeat the Reds.

Marlins 6-Padres 4: Dan Uggla homered twice, notching 4 RBIs on the night as the Marlins defeated San Diego. Mark Hendrickson got the win, going 7 innings, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits. Justin Germano got knocked around by the Fish, letting up 6 runs, 5 earned, including 3 home runs, in 5.2 innings of work.