Morning Chop: Braves’ NLDS Edition 10/4
Oct 3, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher
Kris Medlen(54) reacts reacts in the dugout after he was taken out of the game in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game one of the National League divisional series playoff baseball game at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
Morning Chop: NLDS Edition – Summary of Atlanta Braves News
Or as we like to call it.. Morning Chop: The Mostly Depressing Headline Edition 🙁
Jeff Schultz: Braves in typical October mode
ATLANTA — It was 2-0 after the second inning. It was 4-0 after the third, 5-0 after the fourth and really, after that, there wasn’t much reason to pay attention. It was like watching a punch-drunk boxer just standing in the corner, getting clubbed, waiting for the round to end.
Ding. Must be October.
It felt familiar, looked familiar and when the groans and boos escalated, certainly sounded familiar.
The Braves lost their division-series opener to the Los Angeles Dodgers, 6-1, at Turner Field on Thursday night. This is a best-of-five series, even if it already has a one-and-done wild-card feel to it.
They could still win Game 2 on Friday night. They could make a series of it. But they will have to pitch better, hit better and defend better because they pretty much stunk in all three. They did not look like a 96-win team. They looked like another October migraine.
Kershaw leads Dodgers over Braves 6-1
ATLANTA — Clayton Kershaw, who hadn’t faced Atlanta since 2011, showed the Braves exactly why he led the National League in ERA for three consecutive seasons and is potentially headed to his second Cy Young Award.
Kershaw struck out 12 over seven innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers jumped on Braves starter Kris Medlen early en route to a 6-1 win in the opener of the National League Division Series before a less-than-capacity crowd of 43,021 at Turner Field on Thursday night.
Kershaw, who allowed three singles, struck out nine of the last 11 batters he faced, including a streak of six in a row during one stretch. He walked three and departed after 124 pitches, allowing just a walk in his final three innings.
Adrian Gonzalez hit a two-run homer as part of the Dodgers’ early assault on Medlen and was joined by Mark Ellis, Yasiel Puig and A.J. Ellis with two hits.
It was the first postseason victory for Kershaw, who came in 0-1 with a 5.87 ERA over five appearances — two starts — in 2008 and 2009. That was when his career was just starting, though.
Dodgers, Kershaw mow down Braves
ATLANTA – In these parts they call this time of the year Choptober.
The Turner Field faithful brought out the red rubber tomahawks and took part in the by-now lame Indian chant prior to the first pitch being thrown by retired Braves hero Chipper Jones.
Atlanta starting pitcher Kris Medlen then went out and struck out the side.
What better start could the Braves have asked for?
Unfortunately for the home team that would be the night’s high point as after that it was all Los Angeles all the time as the Dodgers rolled to a 6-1 victory Thursday night.
Fredi not a fan of start times for NLDS
[Editorial Note: I’m not a fan either Fredi! I went to game 1, and had to work this morning, so as you can imagine, I didn’t get into bed until the weeee hours of the morning! I’m too old to do that stuff anymore!]
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez provided a comical response when he was asked about the 8:37 p.m. ET start time for Game 1 of the National League Division Series.
“This is being recorded, so I can’t tell you exactly,” Gonzalez said. “You know, it is what it is. You can’t make everybody happy with the starts and that kind of stuff.”
The Braves and Dodgers will actually start a little earlier than normal in Game 2, which is scheduled to begin at 6:07 p.m. on Friday. Sunday’s Game 3 at Dodger Stadium will begin at 8:07 p.m., which is a 5:07 p.m. PT local start.
“If it was up to me, we’d play at 1 [p.m.] and nobody in the stands and my team against your team, and we’ll keep score, and we’ll call balls and strikes and just play baseball,” Gonzalez said. “But that’s not going to happen.”
Chipper, Magic add to Game 1’s festive atmosphere
Braves legend throws out first pitch; Dodgers co-owner revels in playoffs
ATLANTA — Chipper Jones vowed when he retired that he was committed to becoming a bad golfer and remaining a good dad, and that no matter who came calling, he was most definitely not going to be tempted make a Major League comeback.
After one full season out of the game, it’s clear that Jones, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Thursday night at Turner Field, is now, and will remain, happily retired.
"I’ve come to grips with it. I think my time has come and gone. It’s these guys’ time. I left my mark here and that’s all you can ask for."