5. We manufactured runs in the 8th and 9th innings (insurance runs). We took advantage of Braves mistakes in the 8th, and Uggla hit a CLUTCH 2 out double in the 9th. No HR's, but we score some big runs. Nice to see, finally.

 

Did we have TWO homeruns in the first? Or are you just talking about after the 1st?

 

 

I think what he is tryna say is that we didnt need the long ball to get runs in, which has been our main source of runs thus far.

 

 

Oh and Erick, Im pretty sure it was an Uggla TRIPPLE though I wasnt paying full attention because I was writing my english paper.

don't look now but we've gotten wins the last two games from Nolasco and Miller!

 

:o

 

still a lot of work to do but it's encouraging. Can Hopper make it 3 in a row tomorrow?

 

Did I miss something? Nolasco got the loss.

 

That's the problem with just looking at the W/L record. You don't see what actually happens. Ricky cruised through 5 2/3s innings. Looks like he tired and got into trouble in the 6th. He's building his stamina up right now. I would rather he do that someplace else, but we don't have the luxury of that. We also had plenty of chances to tie or take the lead in this game to at the very least give him a no-decision.

Another step forward in the maturation process for Miller but he needs to get his pitch count down his next time out. In his first five starts, he's thrown 21 pitches per inning.

There was good and bad with Miller tonight IMO.

 

Good: He found his way out of jams, found the plate when he needed to, and didn't get rattled when he could have easily thrown in the towel and gotten knocked around.

 

 

There it is..he didnt have his best stuff at all tonight, even compared to his last start but unlike alot of extrememly young pitchers he never got rattled. He also seems to be a natural for getting himself out of jams. This is a very good sign considering his age and experience level.

 

I am in agreement with most people here that if Miller dosent show some improvement soon that he should deffinitly work on his pitches and command in the minors a bit. Especially given our postion in the standings. But I am very happy to see that the kid has the mental game down. I see a great future for him with this team if he works on his command and stays healthy.

Tommy mentioned it and showed a replay but I would love to see a Marlins pitcher tonight let Matt Diaz know going six feet out of the basepath to try and take Hanley out of a play he had already made better not happen again.

2. The bullpen...did I, or did I not say, this bullpen was going to be really good before the year started?

I'm all for tooting your own horn, but did anyone not say that before the season?

 

As for everything else, I also agree 100%.

 

You are why I don't post a "Good vs Bad" thing anymore. I can't compete!

 

I just wait for you to do it and then respond with any agreements or disagreements.

 

 

haha, no problem, and yeah...our bullpen was an expected strength. I kinda went out on a limb though, and said we'd have the best pen in the division. We currently are 2nd best in the NL...somewhat surprising though, the Phillies are 1st.

5. We manufactured runs in the 8th and 9th innings (insurance runs). We took advantage of Braves mistakes in the 8th, and Uggla hit a CLUTCH 2 out double in the 9th. No HR's, but we score some big runs. Nice to see, finally.

 

Did we have TWO homeruns in the first? Or are you just talking about after the 1st?

 

 

I meant AFTER the 1st inning. We got some insurance runs for breathing room, and we did it in a different way (not just hitting HR's).

5. We manufactured runs in the 8th and 9th innings (insurance runs). We took advantage of Braves mistakes in the 8th, and Uggla hit a CLUTCH 2 out double in the 9th. No HR's, but we score some big runs. Nice to see, finally.

 

Did we have TWO homeruns in the first? Or are you just talking about after the 1st?

 

 

I think what he is tryna say is that we didnt need the long ball to get runs in, which has been our main source of runs thus far.

 

 

Oh and Erick, Im pretty sure it was an Uggla TRIPPLE though I wasnt paying full attention because I was writing my english paper.

 

 

Yeah, it was ruled a triple. My bad. :thumbup

Another step forward in the maturation process for Miller but he needs to get his pitch count down his next time out. In his first five starts, he's thrown 21 pitches per inning.

To focus on the pitch count is ridiculous. The reason his pitch counts are high is because he allows too many hits and walks too many people. Last night for example he faced 24 hitters (excluding the pitcher) and 11 of them reached base on a hit or a walk. I don't know how allowing almost half the hitters you face to reach base can somehow be spinned into it being a good thing.

Another step forward in the maturation process for Miller but he needs to get his pitch count down his next time out. In his first five starts, he's thrown 21 pitches per inning.

To focus on the pitch count is ridiculous. The reason his pitch counts are high is because he allows too many hits and walks too many people. Last night for example he faced 24 hitters (excluding the pitcher) and 11 of them reached base on a hit or a walk. I don't know how allowing almost half the hitters you face to reach base can somehow be spinned into it being a good thing.

And what rookie doesn't allow a lot of baserunners? Part of maturing is knowing how to pitch out of trouble and he showed last night that he knows how. To allow 11 baserunners and only give up one earned run on a homer is a good sign as far as I'm concerned. He's 23.

A lot of baserunners is maybe 1.50 or so per inning. Miller allows 2.21 per inning. There's a difference there. To allow 11 baserunners and allow only one earned run means he did an excellent job of spreading out the baserunners over the 5 innings. Awesome. He still belongs in AA.

A lot of baserunners is maybe 1.50 or so per inning. Miller allows 2.21 per inning. There's a difference there. To allow 11 baserunners and allow only one earned run means he did an excellent job of spreading out the baserunners over the 5 innings. Awesome. He still belongs in AA.

And who do you suggest take his place in the rotation that is as ML ready?

A lot of baserunners is maybe 1.50 or so per inning. Miller allows 2.21 per inning. There's a difference there. To allow 11 baserunners and allow only one earned run means he did an excellent job of spreading out the baserunners over the 5 innings. Awesome. He still belongs in AA.

And who do you suggest take his place in the rotation that is as ML ready?

 

Why don't you give Waechter a spot start - he has starting experience and you never know what may come of it. He last started in Tampa with a dead shoulder. Who knows what he can do with a healthy one? You then send Miller down to get some innings or send him to the Pen to work through some stuff.

A lot of baserunners is maybe 1.50 or so per inning. Miller allows 2.21 per inning. There's a difference there. To allow 11 baserunners and allow only one earned run means he did an excellent job of spreading out the baserunners over the 5 innings. Awesome. He still belongs in AA.

And who do you suggest take his place in the rotation that is as ML ready?

 

Why don't you give Waechter a spot start - he has starting experience and you never know what may come of it. He last started in Tampa with a dead shoulder. Who knows what he can do with a healthy one? You then send Miller down to get some innings or send him to the Pen to work through some stuff.

Wek is much more serviceable as an MR as apposed to a starter. Plus Miller is building stamina and learning how to get deeper into his outings. I expect 6+ out of him his next time out. As long as he's making progress (slowly but surely) and as long as there isn't a better option, he stays with the team and continues to pitch to big league hitting.

i like to look at it this way

 

miller vs a strong braves team

 

5 innings, 1 earned run, WIN

 

i will take that every time

I think in the long run, even if he is the best option right now sending him down may be best.

 

Miller reaching his full potential is much more important than getting an extra two/three wins this season. Just my opinion of course.