Braves Blow It Against Brewers

I was excited about watching last night's game in Milwaukee. Not for the sausage races or to see Billy Brewer slide into the beer, but because the Braves were heading away from Turner Field after an excellent homestand to hopefully bash their road bugaboos.

It started well with a run in the first and another shortly thereafter on the Gregor Blanco homerun (his 1st career dinger), but fell apart late in the game. Tim Hudson was brilliant, but could not hold his lead late and the bullpen gave up the go-ahead run in the 9th for a deflating 3-2 loss to Milwaukee.

You just knew it would be Bill Hall in the end, didn't you? After being benched and making public comments about it, the demoted infielder got a less-than-impressive broken bat hit, moved to second base on a fielder's choice, stole third when Jeff Bennett inexplicably forgot about him and then scored on a sacrifice fly to end it.

There is an old adage in baseball that you win 60, you lose 60, and whatever you do in-between determines your season. Last night was a game that should have been a W, but became another road loss (the Braves are now 6-17 away from Turner Field).

What is especially frustrating are the multiple mental and strategic mistakes that led to the loss. For example:

* Bennett forgetting about Bill Hall on 2nd base - he stole 3rd and scored on a sac fly because of the uncontested swipe.

* Swinging at first and bad pitches - the announcers, who are almost always spot on with their commentary these days, pointed out that Yunel Escobar made three outs on first pitches...from the leadoff spot! He had never faced Dave Bush before - take a pitch or two! Mark Teixeira grounded into a double play when he reached for a bad first pitch in the 8th. The Braves too often show no plate patience.

* Not understanding situations - after Tim Hudson gutted his way through a tough 6th inning, Jeff Francoeur led off the 7th with an out on the first pitch. Matt Diaz followed that with an inexplicable bunt (after hurting his knee in the outfield the previous inning) on the first pitch to make the second out. Two pitches, two outs. Gregor Blanco did his job and battled a few pitches to give Hudson a rest, but Frenchy and Diaz ought to know better than to hack after a long defensive inning.

* The Diaz bunt - huh? Even with good wheels, he shouldn't be bunting. Like many Atlanta fans, I've soured on Diaz as of late. I cannot remember the last time I saw him hit the ball hard. Joe Simpson alluded to Diaz's poor play when he called for Omar Infante to get ready to play some left field which now looks like a reality because Diaz is heading to the D.L. with a posterior cruciate ligament strain.

These types of mistakes get you beat on the road. Last night was one for the taking as Tim Hudson was working the Brewers' hitters, but a series of mistakes cost Atlanta.

Lots of news:

Rafael Soriano will be activated today off the D.L. The already-solid bullpen just got its closer back.

Matt Diaz is on the D.L. I like Gregor Blanco, but I really like Omar Infante because he can bat leadoff.

Mark Kotsay was scratched again yesterday and will likely head to the D.L. if things don't improve. This is bad news as this injury kept him out much of last year as well.

Jo-Jo works tonight against the right-handed hitting Brew Crew. Bad news...