ESPN.com - MLB - Recap - Red Sox at Braves - 06/15/2002

I think Interleague Play is stupid, but it's sure been good for the Braves, now 7-1 against the AL. Greg Maddux pitched six shutout innings, but fell apart in the seventh, leaving the game with a 3-2 lead and runners at first and third, no one out. Then the Amazing Chris Hammond stepped up, and pulled another of his escape acts, getting out of it with no damage. Smoltz gave up a couple of hits but got the save anyway, and the Braves continue to roll. The Mets and Marlins also won, and the Expos are winning; the Braves look to be 6 1/2 up on the latter two, 7 1/2 up on New York.

Maddux complained of a sore calf muscle after leaving the game, and is listed as day-to-day. I'm worried about his conditioning; this sort of thing seems to happen to him a lot. Vinny Castilla also left the game, after suffering a strained hamstring running out a double. The Braves won't really miss him except on defense, as Wes Helms is equally incompetent.

John Burkett got the loss for the Red Sox but pitched pretty well, and is my new hero.