Here were my thoughts as the Braves played the Giants this past Friday night:
Stockton and Brenly both rip Melky for "taking his time"...on TWO plays in the first two innings.
Mark Bowman points out that Hanson was overthrowing in the first inning. He's pumped, and needs to calm down. He does strike out four in the first 3.3 innings. Then five in 3-2/3.
Had Gonzo been correctly ruled safe at first, after Ankiel's single Hanson would've bunted them over with one out...putting two in scoring position for Infante. Surely Bobby pointed out that it was the umpire's second blown call in two games. Cox hadn't been thrown out of a postseason game since 1996.
Heyward pulls one down the first base line, barely foul. Catcher Posey and third-baseman Sandoval collide. Posey holds onto the ball. Had either been hurt, it would've changed the series.
I'm hearing fans say the Braves need to get their offense going. While true, I'm not sure what the expectations should be. The Giants led the NL with the lowest ERA. The Braves are without three All-Stars. Chipper and Prado on the DL, and May's player of the month Glaus a shadow of his former self. McCann seems to be pressing at the plate, as does Conrad. Like Hanson, they need to relax. Do these same fans ride the Reds for failing to tee off on Halladay? Was that Dusty's fault? Sometimes you gotta tip your cap to the team with the huge salaries.
Farnsworth was up in the pen, but now it appears Dunn will relieve Hanson. Would be nice for Ankiel to reach, so Hanson could bunt. Ankiel has now hit two balls hard tonight. Some will say "Bobby" needs to stick with his starters longer, but down four runs, they need all the offense they can get. McLouth pinch hits early, saving Hinske and Glaus and Diaz for later.
Heyward grounds into a DP. It happens...that's baseball. Bowman had just tweeted that it was the first ime the Braves had two runners on base in the series, obviously. But it came with two out. They'll need more opportunities / baserunners for someone to get a clutch hit. That will be tough against Matt Cain.
Pac Bell is a great place to watch a game, though it's freezing at night, even in the summer. Reliever Dunn appears short-sleeved. I was fortunate enough to see a game there a few years ago, just days after Bonds hit his 755th home run. We saw him hit 758, and received a commemorative pin.
Lee doubles and McCann drives him in, but Melky "drives his hitting coach crazy" by dutifully falling into Cain's trap, popping out to left for the second time. Conrad K's on a high pitch: "Conrad can't lay off." But one run is a start. Time for more late-inning heroics.
Another break for the Giants: The hit strikes the third base bag, and sails into left field. But Moylan holds SF scoreless.
Conrad makes a great play at second base. Actually it was much harder than it looked: As Brooks dove with his glove skimming the ground, the ball bounced high. Conrad had to make a last-second adjustment just to catch the ball. In the 7th Conrad knocks down a base hit up the middle. No error.
Again Heyward can't produce a clutch hit. Should the rookie be expected to carry the club? Repeating myself, people are quick to ask "What's wrong with the Braves?" quickly forgetting about the injury decimated lineup and pitching staff. Some say Bobby Cox did his best-ever job of managing this year, getting this rag-tag bunch into the playoffs. From here, isn't everything gravy?
Lee and McCann again collect back to back hits. Brenly correctly opines that the first baseman Huff comes off the back early, trying to sell the out to the umpire. Lee scores on Melky's dribbler, and Conrad sacrifices the runners up a base. Gonzo ties the game with a clutch double. Even though the fan interferred, both runs would've scored anyway. Even on the road, the Braves are in a good spot, with the Giants digging into their bullpen. Steal a win in SF, and it's a brand new series.
Stockton, Brenly, and Verducci are making all the right observations, giving both teams equal time. Though I'd like to hear Joe Simpson or even Ernie Johnson, these guys do just fine. They even discuss uniforms for the second straight night.
Thinking about the offense next year: No one will want McLouth's contract, the Braves will probably be stuck with him. Hopefully they'll GIVE Melky away. Lee and Glaus are free agents. Freddie Freeman will be the first baseman next year. That's a good thing. With Prado and Chipper back, Infante can play left or center. Don't know if Diaz will be back. He had a tough 2010 season, missing time and playing hurt. A friend who knows more than me thinks a White Sock can be signed to play left cheaply: a chubby slugger named Andruw.
Back to the action. Lee JUST misses a ground rule double, the ball landing less that a foot foul...then strikes out. With McCann ripping the ball tonight, that foot may be the difference in the game. Pitcher Brian Wilson: thick black beard, his hair not so much.
Lee makes another fine play at first. He's been hitting tonight, but contributing for two months with his glove. Once more Stockton says what I'm thinking. Kimbrel makes Lang nervous, working so quickly. That's better than working slow. Strike three...EXTRA INNINGS!
McCann gives it a ride, and Brooks rips it down the line...right to the first baseman, practically straddling the line. Smart play.
Tough time to try Glaus at third, but the double switch was almost required: the pitcher's spot is due up second next inning. Wagner got in Glaus's way on Renteria's bunt. NO! Wagner is hurt. One out, winning run on second. As Billy limps off, Verducci and Stockton pay tribute to the retiring veteran.
Farnesworth loads the bases with a HBP and 3-2 breaking ball, bringing Posey to the plate. GLAUS IS A GAMER! He takes a HUGE chance, not throwing to the plate. Troy's throw to second could've been better, but Infante stretches for the force, then turns the DP. Lee pumps his fist. Glaus may have just earned a Sunday start. On to the 11th!
HOME RUN! Ankiel hits it into McCovey Cove. He'd been ripping the ball all night. It was ten years ago that he couldn't throw a strike against the Braves. Does this make Venters the closer on Sunday?
NOW...can Farnsworth close the deal? Stockton makes me nervous, delivering the credits with only one out. Sure enough, base hit. Fly to right...TWO OUT. Two strikes, then Farnsworth almost throws it away. Popup...BRAVES WIN!
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