At the risk of getting too giddy watching the Bravos lay the wood on the Phillies, it was good to thump them – on opening night, in their park, with a packed house, when they hoist their banner and get their rings, on national television. It was almost as good as shutting up the ESPN announcers.
Joe Morgan: “The fact that Brian McCann has to bat cleanup for this club tells you just how little pow-” BAM! 460 feet into the second deck in right field.
Steve Phillips: “Francoeur had a poor season last year. The Braves are hoping-” Smoked 10 rows deep in the left field bleachers in about three seconds flat.
Jon Miller: “I don’t know why Myers is being careful with Schafer. He’s a rookie with little power. He ought to just throw strikes-” KAPOW! 430 feet into the deepest section behind the center field notch.
I thought Escobar’s shot – almost the exact same spot as Schafer’s – was gone, too, though my DVR was inconclusive.
Meanwhile, what about the sublime performance from Derek Lowe? Beating balls into the ground all night. I had my little guy watching the first few innings with me (he’s six) and I was pointing out how the sinker works, how it made the other team hit it on the ground, and we went through at bats where the highest pitch was at the knees. $15m and worth every penny, at least Sunday night. Seems like the kind of guy who should age well, too, in great shape at 36. Moyer still gets ‘em out (hopefully not tonight) at 46 and never had anything like that heavy, heavy sinker Lowe throws.
I called my Yankee buddy today. Said, “hey, I didn’t see how the Yanks did…Sabathia look good?” Couldn’t resist. Now, it’s funny, but when Burnett goes on the DL with shoulder stiffness in about June, and Sabathia is showing the wear of the 72 starts he made for the Brewers last September to will them to the playoffs, Yankee Bill is not going to be amused.
Back to the game. Escobar’s smoothness can’t be overlooked, either. He made all the plays he should and a couple he shouldn’t – great range, Furcal-like arm. Kotchman ranged to his right for a nice get and handled Chipper’s one-hopper, no problem. That was a very good infield defense.
I thought I saw Chipper ouching (oblique?) after he came out of his shoes on a lefthanded swing – second at bat, I believe – but he hung in. I hope his body doesn’t betray him. Just 140 games, Chip, that’s all I’m asking.
Looking forward to seeing Jurrjens tonight. Seems to me if I’m a gambler (I’m not) and I’m looking at the pitching matchups this series, I’m liking the Braves. What does it tell you that once Hamels is out of the mix, Brett Myers is your opening day starter? I did like the Myers quote I saw the other day. I guess he came into camp lighter, like 20 pounds, a writer noticed, asked him about it. Myers says, “I ate salad with my beer. You know, play for the tie.”
Beautiful. How’d we lose 14 of 18 to them last year? We’re better than these guys. Maybe our new rotation has something to do with it.
