Bye Braves, See Ya’ Next Year

Game 140: Durham Bulls 4; Gwinnett Braves 6
Season: 86-54; Home Games Remaining: 3
Wrap, Box

To be specific, on April 7, 2011. The first game of the 2011 season is at Gwinnett.

Over the years the Bulls have had a very competitive relationship with Gwinnett (née Richmond) Braves. This year has been no exception as the Bulls/Braves matchup ended very much in favor of the Braves at 9 games to 12. Here at WDBB we haven’t followed the Braves closely enough to make a guess as to why the rest of the season was not more successful for them. Certainly when they’ve been in Durham they have been a very good team (much like the Louisville Bats). Maybe it’s the Blue Monster.

Last night the numbers tell most of the story.

Bulls pitching gave up 15 hits (including 2 doubles and one home run), 4 walks, and only managed 6 Ks.

Braves pitching gave up 11 hits (all singles), no walks, and had 11 Ks.

Hard to win games with those kinds of differences. The Bulls did stay close, however, until the law of averages caught up with Jake McGee. (But for his first ever Triple-A run to be walked in? And for that run to be the difference in the game? That’s gotta hurt.) And then, of course, Brian Shouse gave up the insurance run.

Adam Sobsey's lengthy essay has some interesting thoughts on the season, with comparisons to 2009, and a look at AAA management, near the end of his piece. Also, he reports that Angel Chavez is OK. Very good news.