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It is among the most trite bloggy trite-isms to describe something as "full of win," but for a regular-season game technically devoid of meaning, this one fit the bill in ways that are deliciously and ripely myriad.
Where to begin? Do you like the first inning solo home run by Chase Utley, his first since the 10th of Whenever? Did you like the dominance of Roy Oswalt, who threw six shutout innings, scattered three hits, walked one, struck out four, and started throwing in the mid-90s? Do you like Jimmy Rollins' amazing Ready for the Red Light(TM) stretch run? Do you dig the other longballs by Rollins and Pence? Did you appreciate the fact that Antonio Bastardo threw a 1-2-3 eighth inning? Do you appreciate the odd and delightful story of Joe Savery, who also threw a shutout inning of relief? Do you love games where it truly doesn't matter if Kyle Kendrick gives up a home run, or John Bowker strikes out again? Jeez, buddy, if you don't, you have GOT to get whatever that is checked out. Pronto.
Perhaps this is not enough for you. You prefer your wins full of a certain amount of schadenfreude, as the Braves ended the game contemplating their very own trail of tears, and walked off the field at the end of the game tonight looking up at the scoreboard showing the Cardinals and Astros tied at 5, after the Astros started the game with a 5-0 lead that had, for a while, encouraged the fans to perform a kind of backwards-walking tomahawk chop dance. (At the time of this point-and-click posting, the Cardinals lead 9-6 in the bottom of the 7th). Maybe, instead of simple division-rival loathing, or ethnically indignant resentment, yours is a more personal distaste, and so you appreciated how the Phillies got after boozy Braves starter Derek Lowe for six hits and five runs in four innings, and how the Braves fans cheered lustily as manager Fredi Gonzalez came out of the dugout to get him?
Speaking of late-season flops, with tonight's win Charlie Manuel tied Gene Mauch for the all-time lead in managerial wins at 645 (the TGP Over/Under/Never Event extra credit question). You might note the discrepancy in the numbers, as baseball-reference disagrees, and Manuel may in fact need to win ONE more game to tie Mauch at 646. Top men are getting to the bottom of this.
(h/t schmenkman)
In any case: So what if he can't do a double-switch, ya dopes! Give it up for the man who has figured out how to win with this Talented Core(TM). Oh, and Top Shelf Free Agents.
Those guys too.
Tomorrow, Joe Blanton will start to end the season (natch), and, if all goes well, hear the lamentation of the Braves' wimminz.
Fangraph Chop-Full of Win
Oh, and grab your Honey Buns to celebrate!
101 pounds of fun (via MultiIlovemusic123)