Game 47 - the recap of what was almost an entire game

“It’s like hitting in a carwash”-Chip Caray

The perpetual King of Colloquialisms, the above quote was Chip's attempt to encapsulate what turned out to be a dreadful bottom of the eighth for the Braves.  Surprisingly, Chip’s comment was misguided, because as hard as it must be to hit in a carwash, it’s even harder to pitch in a carwash, a fact that Anthony Varvaro can testify to with utmost confidence.

Kris Medlen was the beneficiary of an early lead, thanks to a Freddie Freeman two-run BOMB off of Jeremy Hefner in the first inning.  Medlen didn’t have his best stuff tonight; a lot of his two-seam fastballs were left over the plate, and his command of his offspeed stuff was below what we’ve grown accustomed to seeing from him.  Yes, he struck out nine hitters, but eight of those came against Rick Ankiel, Marlon Byrd, Ike Davis, and Mike Baxter, and while these gentlemen are technically under contract with a Major League team, no one is going to mistake them for the Murderer's Row.  Medlen’s command is something to keep an eye on as the season progresses, and with Brandon Beachy expected to return to the rotation in the next few weeks, Medlen is becoming an increasingly stronger candidate to move back to the bullpen.

Other highlights from tonight’s abbreviated version of a baseball game include McCann’s blatant disregard for infield shifts, a positive sign for him, and something that has been sorely missed in his offensive game the past couple seasons.  The only damper on his evening was his mishandling of the Varvaro pitch that allowed the tying run to score in the bottom of the eighth.  It should be noted that a few pitches before in the sequence, he made an excellent play to keep a ball in front of him.  That's baseball, folks.  Hell, that's life.

It was another rough night for BJ Upton, with some poor plate appearances and an error in the field.  Joe Simpson referenced some suggestions Greg Walker had for BJ's approach at the plate, and I'm sure they're not the first that he has made, nor will they be the last.  Upton is a work in progress, but he's got the talent to turn this around and still have a productive season.  I’m attempting to find some images of BJ’s stance from his golden years with the Rays that I can compare to what he’s doing now.  I will share, obviously, when and if I come across them.

Finally, it’s getting to the point where it would be strange if El Oso Blanco didn’t get a clutch in the late innings.  There is no stopping El Oso Blanco.  He is a bear, and he can do whatever he wants.  If you, or anyone else, try to stop him he will eat you without showing the slightest hint of remorse.

As it stands right now, the game is suspended heading into the top of the ninth inning, and will be finished tomorrow at 6:10 ET before the start of game two in the series.