If Chipper Jones wasn't batting .424, everyone and their mother would be talking about Brian McCann. The Braves catcher not only puts on the gear nearly everyday, not only does he call a great game behind the plate (Smoltz called him one of the best he has ever thrown to, and that was McCann's rookie year), but he can flat out HIT. The catcher is hitting at a .319 clip and last night against the Oakland A's, McCann was at it again, going 3-4 with two doubles and an RBI, and if he had any speed at all he would have scored two runs and the Braves would have won 5-2 instead of 3-2.
But it took a gritty performance by Jair Jurrjens going 101 in 5 innings, leaving it all out there after allowing only one earned run (two total) and pitching on 3.5 days rest. (Now I won't get in to the fact that I think that should be the norm, but in "Today's baseball" that is pretty good.) Jurrjens is 3-0 at home (a no decision Friday) and his 2.06 ERA is lowest among rookie starting pitchers. NICE.
The Braves also returned home last night for the longest home stretch of the season, 11 games in 11 days. One day off Monday, but Tuesday is a day/night doubleheader. Interleague play was not kind to the Braves last season 4-11, but the team is 1-0 in 2008, and maybe this is the kickstart the team needs. Huddy goes to the hill today against his former club and will face the oft-injured Rich Harden, if Harden can make it from the team hotel sans injury.
Harden was supposed to lead the NEXT Big 3 of the Oakland pitching staff, but his injury status has that up in the air. Joe Blanton is healthy, but luckily the Braves will miss him in this three game set, but it would be nice if he could STAY in Atlanta via a trade after the A's leave town. (We got into this a little last night on EVHEI, if you listened in. Our next show has been pushed to Tuesday, thanks to GA Force and golf coverage.)
But Mark Kotsay, after striking out in his first at-bat against his former club (interestingly enough against the guy he was traded for Joey Devine), but he came back in the bottom of the 8th with a big RBI double to give the Braves the 3-2 lead and complete the turnaround. (The Braves in the 6th got an RBI single from Frenchy and an RBI-game-tying double from BMac)
Manny Acosta got the win as he pitched the 8th and the 9th.
For all of my ragging, the bullpen hasn't been as bad as advertised. only really two guys have been terrible and Royce Ring and Will Ohman give up the hits, but not many runs (knock on wood) When Smotlzie and Soriano and Gonzo return and IF the Braves make a move for starting pitching, the Braves, who are now just 2 back of Fla and Philly and tied with NYM, should be sitting pretty as these one-run games will soon start favoring the Braves.
Come on Huddy, let's get number 7 tonight, and while the Cy Young may be going to Brandon Webb in the desert, you wanted an NL East Championship anyways. Settle for a run in the playoffs. Just keep pitching your butt off and, like Napoleon, once we show up, we'll see what happens!
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