7/31/2002

ajc.com | Braves | Braves drub Brewers 9-1

Kevin Millwood had another strong outing, striking out seven in 6 2/3 innings. He also had two hits. The offensive stars were Matt Franco, with three doubles, and Keith Lockhart, with three hits, including a double and a triple. As you can see, Bobby still doesn't have any consistent group playing first and second; I don't know if we're back to the strict platoon or not. Chipper had two hits, one of them a home run, and perhaps he's found his power stroke. All in all, it was a pretty successful game, even though it was against the Brewers. Vinny Castilla was 0-4 with a strikeout and is now hitting .233.

But he's not leaving the lineup anytime soon, as the Braves didn't make a move before the trading deadline. I just don't get it, myself, unless they're convinced there will be a strike. John Scheurholz said in an interview that he didn't think that the Braves had any holes; this story shows him with a particularly clueless obsession with "chemistry" and all those other things that don't actually help the team win. The Braves are in the middle of the pack in the NL in runs scored. (Currently ninth, but there are a number of teams packed between about eighth and twelfth.) Does that sound like a team with no holes?

Albie Lopez didn't pitch today, because the Braves only led by eight runs and he only pitches when they're up by ten or more. Why is he on the roster?

(UPDATE: Here is the ESPN/AP story, for consistency's sake. I couldn't get into it earlier.)

7/30/2002

ESPN.com - MLB - Recap - Brewers at Braves - 07/30/2002

The Braves (finally out of the godawful bowling shirt throwback jerseys) won, in a game that was kind of a reversal of pattern. They fell behind early in the game, 1-0 -- rather than jumping to an early lead. But the Brewers couldn't add to the lead, and the Braves came back to score three runs in the sixth -- when in most games the Braves' offense has usually taken the rest of the night off. Damian Moss allowed only two hits, Remlinger pitched the eighth, and Smoltz got the save to tie Mark Wohlers' team record. Smoltz did allow a walk and a couple of hits, but the hits weren't really hit very hard.

Vinny Castilla was 0-4, the only Brave starter to not reach base. I mention this because I plan to harp on all of his failings from now on. He's hitting only .235 now, lowest mark in the lineup except the Immortal Lockhart, and hasn't hit a home run since early June. And Bobby refuses to put him on the bench. It's extremely frustrating. There's no amount of defense to make up for his offensive failings.

Julio Franco got the start at first base against a righty, former Braves prospect Ruben Quevedo. Mark DeRosa also started at second base. I have no idea why Bobby did this, but it seems like a pretty good idea to me. Julio had three hits and scored a run.

7/29/2002

Site notes on an off day

I want to allow myself a certain amount of sillyness here, so bear with me. Skip over this post if you don't want to deal with it.

I don't really have any general Braves stuff to talk about, so a couple of notes on the site. One is that about two hours ago I got a hit from someone searching for spooneybarger+gay. I'm just noting it, without any comment.

Second, I used Babelfish to translate yesterday's recap into German, then back into English. This is what I got:

Sunday, July 28, 2002 informing 3:40 P.M. by Mac Thomason ESPN.com - MLB - recapitulation - Phillies with good - 07/28/2002 Sigh. Straight one those plays. That good lost 7-1. They fell behind 2-1 early and had a ton of probabilities to bind or take the line in the middle Innings, but could not success simple keep. Then fatigued Tom Glavine and quite soon was it 5-1, and the strip good ' the not Schlussen row came to an end. Gary Sheffield could reach the lower surface not and terminated its strip. If it had reached in any of its first two attempts, could that have taken good a line, and then knows who, what happens? Oh well cannot win you it all. Glavine did something boneheaded atypically, and reminding of somewhat David cone happened against that good back in the eighties. After it had more baserunner missed at first a change on, it regarded the Umpire, which permitted a runner to count from second on an individual belly completely. Stupid baseball really however it did not lose the play. Good one day away, then three with the brauern have that. They do not see the department again for one month. If it still constitutes, the Mets is 12 1/2-plays, out after he, to which today collected to strike red tones.


"Collected to strike red tones"? This means something!

7/28/2002

ESPN.com - MLB - Recap - Phillies at Braves - 07/28/2002

Sigh. Just one of those games. The Braves lost 7-1. They fell behind 2-1 early and had a ton of chances to tie or take the lead in the middle innings, but simply couldn't get the hit. Then Tom Glavine tired and pretty soon it was 5-1, and the Braves' streak of non-losing series came to an end. Gary Sheffield failed to reach base, ending his streak. If he had reached in either of his first two tries, the Braves might have taken a lead, and then who knows what happens? Oh, well, you can't win them all.

Glavine did something atypically boneheaded, and reminiscent of something that happened to David Cone against the Braves back in the eighties. After missing a tag on a baserunner at first, he looked at the umpire, which allowed a runner to score all the way from second on a bunt single. Stupid baseball, really, but it didn't lose the game.

The Braves have a day off, then three with the Brewers. They won't see the division again for a month. If it still matters, the Mets are 12 1/2 games out after rallying to beat the Reds today.

7/27/2002

ESPN.com - MLB - Recap - Phillies at Braves - 07/27/2002

Well, back to normal, except for the uniforms. The Braves won 5-3, getting four early runs (two on a Chipper homer, giving him a mere 11 on the season) and holding on from there. Greg Maddux got the win, and lowered his ERA to 2.56. Given that, he was probably sharper in his last start, when he got a loss. He threw a season-high 100 pitches, 65 strikes, and had to leave with two out in the sixth. The Phillies got two runs in that inning; it should have been one, but Wes Helms made another error on a line drive at him. And yet, the Braves consider Helms the "defensive" first baseman. I just don't get it.

The Braves left 12 runners on base, which seems to be happening a lot recently. Most of those were late in the game, when the Braves left ten in the last four innings, while getting only one run across. My feeling is that as long as we're getting baserunners, it will work out in the end.

John Smoltz got save number 38, pitching a lights-out ninth inning -- a flyout and two strikeouts. He was throwing 97-mph fastballs and 88-mph sliders, which is a pretty devastating combination... Gary Sheffield doubled in a run in the first, and the streak rolls on. Andruw left in the fifth, apparently with dizzy spells due to the heat. The homeplate umpire also had dizzy spells.

Kevin Gryboski went on the DL with a "sore elbow", replaced by Darren Holmes. I'm not convinced of the injury. He hasn't been pitching well lately, and that might be evidence of an injury, but it seems just as likely that he was simply disabled to get some rest and figure out what the problem is. And it's also likely he won't return -- barring someone else's injury or someone taking Albie off our hands -- until roster expansion.

7/26/2002

ESPN.com - MLB - Recap - Phillies at Braves - 07/26/2002

The Braves lost, 3-2. Kevin Millwood had what I call a "Bad Maddux" start, seven innings, three early runs, eight hits, one walk, and a loss. It's a good start, but when the team doesn't get any runs no one notices. Unless the pitcher has been going well, like Millwood, in which case people act as if he had a terrible outing. Or he's Maddux, in which case they ask what's wrong with him.

The Braves had fourteen baserunners, eight on walks, but couldn't get the runs in. The game ended with the bases loaded, when Gary Sheffield (who did keep his streak alive) grounded weakly to second. The team simply couldn't come up with the hits, and couldn't even make so-called "productive" outs.

Wes Helms started again against a lefty, getting one hit. It appears that Julio Franco has lost the platoon first base job for now, but that situation has been in flux for two years. In a week, the situation will surely have changed... Mark DeRosa played second and hit second, and apparently the platoon there is continuing. And Javy Lopez is still hurt, but the Braves still haven't made a move.

7/24/2002

I got sick of the Albie Poll, so I went to a Vinny poll. I don't know if these are as creative as the reader-suggested ones of the last poll, but they're probably meaner.

ESPN.com - MLB - Recap - Braves at Marlins - 07/24/2002

If Wes Helms (starting against a lefty) has four hits, and comes up just the triple short of the cycle, you know the Braves are having a good day. They had a great day, actually, arguably their best of the season, scoring six runs in the first en route to a 10-0 win. In addition to Helms' best game as a major leaguer, Damian Moss had perhaps his best, going seven innings and giving up only one hit. Perhaps more impressively, he had only three walks and needed only 96 pitches (58 strikes) to do it. He might have been able to go at least one more inning, but the Braves were so comfortable they let Albie Lopez go two innings with a ten-run lead rather than his customary one. He walked two, but kept the one-hitter intact.

Every Brave starter reached base; all but Chipper and Vinny had hits. Andruw had two, including a homer, and really does seem to be recovering his batting eye and stroke, even with two more strikeouts. Henry Blanco also homered, the big blow in the first inning; he's hitting .194 for the season now, which is hardly what you want from your backup catcher, much less a starter. Javy Lopez might be back Friday, but if he isn't the Braves will probably disable him and call up Steve Torrealba, who is on call in Richmond.

Seven of the Braves' runs were scored with two out, by the way, including five in the six-run first. Gary Sheffield's streak continues, with two hits today before giving way to Darren Bragg, probably just to get some rest... If anyone still cares, the Mets play the Expos tonight. New York is 13 out and Montreal 16 out, and under .500 after a five-game losing streak. The Mets' best play of the year has done them little good. They've won eight of ten, and made up no ground, though the collapses in Montreal and Florida have at least gotten them into second, and nobody in the West is playing well so they've also gotten into the wildcard race -- they're fourth, four and a half behind the Dodgers.

Weird Search Requests

Somehow, this page is the fourth hit for al leiter homepage.

ESPN.com - MLB - Recap - Braves at Marlins - 07/23/2002

The Braves got back to their winning ways, 5-3, in a game that to me shows some of the problems in the way pitchers are evaluated. In the first game of the series, the recap talked about how Greg Maddux lost for the first time since April; in this game, it talks about Tom Glavine passing Whitey Ford for 50th in all time wins. (Congratulations to Tommy, by the way.) But Maddux actually pitched better than Glavine. Greg went six innings, gave up only two runs (one of them questionable) and was generally sharp. Tom only went 5 1/3, leaving with two on and a run in in the sixth, both of the two runners on eventually scoring. Before the series, Glavine and Maddux were 1-2 in the league in ERA. Now they're 2-1. But the Braves only scored one run on Monday and scored five on Tuesday, and so Glavine is the story.

The bullpen did its job, mostly. Kevin Gryboski didn't, allowing a run to score, loading the bases, then getting ejected before recording an out. Honestly, it's criminal that Tim Spooneybarger is going to be sent down and the increasingly Jose Cabreraesque Gryboski is staying. Hammond and Remlinger came on and were strong, and Smoltz was perfect in the ninth... Gary Sheffield's streak of reaching base continued with a couple of singles; he drove in one and scored one. Chipper's resurgence, in batting average and OBP anyway, continued with a hit and two walks, and every Braves starting position player reached base, though Lockhart only did on an intentional walk. Javy Lopez is still out with a shoulder injury (expected back Friday) but Henry Blanco had two hits and an RBI.

The Braves have a day game today, then a day off before hosting the Phillies. That three game series will be the last against the division for awhile, with the Braves playing against the Central and West until the end of August. It's a pretty rough stretch, actually, with a trip to Arizona and Houston early in the month and a 12-game trip starting in Southern California then crossing over to Pittsburgh and Montreal at the end. But the Braves have a 12 1/2 game lead over the Mets, who will be playing essentially the same teams, so there shouldn't be too much to worry about.

7/23/2002

Guest Column: An Open Letter To Mark Bradley

Alex Ramati, a longtime contributor on the old version of the site, also has some things to say to Mr. Bradley. Alex has a much lower opinion of Bobby than I do.


Mark,

I have emailed you in the past, mostly to applaud your columns but I was bewildered and dismayed over your "plea" to John Schuerholz to not budge at the Trade deadline.

Do we have the best record in Baseball? Yes. Do we have the best bullpen ERA? Yes. Do we have the best Closer in Baseball? Yes. (With all apologies to Rivera, Nen, Hoffman, Eric Gagne, and Sasaki). Do we have the Best Center Fielder in Baseball? Yes. (Ok, a tie with Torii Hunter). Are we an experienced team that has played many, many playoff games? Yes again.

Those are all good things. I even started with the record, Mark, because it's something to be proud of considering how slow are April was. But you are very very wrong when you 'encourage' a belt tightening AOL/Time Warner run team to not make a move. It would be a huge mistake and would all but guarantee another Playoff or World Series heartbreak.

The fact is, you are lauding us winning all games 2-1. Do you even read your own writing? Do you honestly believe this will hold up not only for the rest of the regular season, but in a let's say, Playoff re-match with Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson? Last night was a red herring that your column is not to be trusted. Maddux pitched an average game for him and lost to AJ Burnett 2-1. Now it's very likely AJ Burnett will not make it to the post season, nor will his Marlins, but Schilling and Johnson will be there, Matt Morris will be there, and let me re-emphasize Schilling and Johnson. Head to head, they get the slight edge over Maddux and Glavine. Where we do have an advantage is the pen. Where we are basically even with them is that both teams have terrible lineups.

How can you possibly defend our batting order? How can you possibly defend not playing DeRosa or Giles everyday with Mr. Mendoza, Keith Lockhart apparently offering sexual favors to Bobby to keep his job. I am still utterly amazed that Keith Lockhart has a job. I refuse to defend that he has a few game winning hits. Whoopety Doo as Adam Sandler would say. He has no range, no speed, a below average glove and he doesn't get on base--and he's our starting second baseman! Or how about Javy Lopez and Vinny Castilla, two more starters who can't even reach .250? You are all excited about the two-headed Franco at first base, and yeah, I would be excited also when comparing Julio and Matt to Lockhart, Javy Lopez, and Vinny. There are 4 no-hit spots in the batting order and these days, Chipper is making it five.

The Braves desperately need another bat. It's painfully obvious. Derrek Lee would be a nice addition and though we have multiple holes, placing Lee at first and letting either DeRosa or Giles play everyday at second solves two issues. I would go as far as saying I would rather see the scrappy Darren Bragg start in the outfield and Chipper replacing Vinny's weak bat at third. It's the more reasonable alternative.

Bobby Cox has been the Braves Manager far too long and he cannot see that his batting order choices are horrendous and the Braves would win 95 games or so this year with the good hitters or maybe even keeping the bad hitters. We would win most games 6-1 instead of 2-1. That may mean nothing to you, Mark, but come Post Season, those extra bats give us extra hope against the Diamondback aces. Hell, even if we survive the Diamondbacks and make the 2002 World Series (assuming a labor dispute doesn't end that dream) do you honestly see us beating the Yankees with Keith Lockhart, Matt Franco, Julio Franco, Vinny Castilla, and Javy Lopez all playing significant roles? You're crazy if you do.

Well, it's moot anyway because I suspect Schuerholz will not do anything major (and we certainly don't need pitching like a Paul Byrd--why???) and even if he did, Bobby "Old Man River" Cox would play his favorite .230 hitters anyway. I am sure Randy Johnson is looking forward to lowering his Postseason ERA anyway.

Alex Ramati

Guest Entry

Creg Stephenson writes on the latest from Mark Bradley. I, personally, don't like Bradley, largely because of his repeated gratuitous potshots at my hometown and home state. I guess that if the alternatives are the senile rantings of Furman Bisher and the racist claptrap of Terrance Moore, Bradley is the best of the AJC columnists. -- MT


Memo to Braves GM: Don't mess with a good thing

I generally like Bradley the most among the AJC columnists, but this column makes no sense. He thinks the team should not try to improve itself? In essence, what he's saying is that this team is a cinch to win it all and there's no point in trying to make itself better. Have 10 of the last 11 postseasons taught this guy nothing?

If there's one team that cannot afford to rest on its laurels, it's the Braves. Another postseason meltdown from a team that is the best in baseball this season would be a catastrophic embarassment. There is no guarantee the Braves will be able to re-sign Glavine or Maddux, so they had best throw it all on the table now. Not to mention the fact that a work stoppage may wipe out the postseason completely.

I'm not saying that Atlanta should revamp its entire starting lineup in the next week (although I wouldn't be opposed to it, I just don't think it would ever happen), but getting a few bench players -- like a backup catcher who could hit and a pinch-hitter with power -- wouldn't hurt. If they're not going to get a first baseman, they should at least swing a few deals to keep key players away from other teams (the Yankees' acquisition of Jose Canseco in 2000 comes to mind).

The record speaks for itself -- the Braves stood pat (more or less) in 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2001, and they fell flat in the postseason. In the years they made significant deals -- 1991 (Alejandro Pena), 1992 (Jeff Reardon -- who will always be remembered for the homer he allowed to Ed Sprague in the World Series, but who had a 1.15 ERA, three wins and three saves in the regular season for Atlanta), 1993 (Fred McGriff), 1995 (Mike Devereaux and Luis Polonia), 1996 (Denny Neagle) and 1999 (Jose Hernandez and Terry Mulholland), the Braves have either overcome a huge deficit or made the World Series, or both.

Chemistry is bunk. It's not going to win the pennant or the World Series. I can guarantee you the Yankees, Cardinals and Diamondbacks won't be worried about upsetting their "chemistry" at the trading deadline.

Creg Stephenson

ESPN.com - MLB - Recap - Braves at Marlins - 07/22/2002

Well, the Braves lost a game of the type they'd been winning, 2-1 to the Marlins. Greg Maddux pitched well, but the Braves simply couldn't drive in any of 11 baserunners; the one run came on an Andruw homer. Maddux looked pretty good, in general, but had some bad luck. He had six strikeouts in six innings, one of the rare times this year he's seemed to have his strikeout pitch going. Tim Spooneybarger went two perfect innings.

The first Marlin to score reached base on a hit by pitch with two out in the fourth, followed by consecutive singles. Now, the Braves didn't lose because of that HBP; they lost because the Marlins bunched their hits and the Braves couldn't. Still, the HBP should not have counted, because the pitch was a strike. Replays showed that the batter clearly swung at the pitch; the bat was pointing at the outfield. Most of the time the plate umpire wouldn't even ask for help before calling that a strike, but in this case he let the batter reach.

This is me as a baseball fan, not a Braves fan, talking here... Umpires are letting batters get away with murder in terms of hit-by-pitch calls. I don't know if it's just trying to simplify their job by removing a judgment call, or if it's pure laziness, or if they're trying to avoid beanball wars, but they have decided that anytime a batter is hit he's awarded first base, contrary to the rulebook. The end result is that batters are leaning over the plate, diving into the plate, and not trying at all to get out of the way of pitches. And umpires are giving them first base anyway. It drives me nuts, and the pitchers have enough trouble getting outs as it is.

Gary Sheffield reached base on an infield single in the fourth, tying Dale Murphy for the Atlanta record for consecutive games on base, until they find another record anyway. Andruw, in addition to his homer, had two walks, both of them on long counts. Hopefully he's finding the strike zone again. Rafael Furcal, who needs to draw walks even more, also had two.

7/21/2002

ESPN.com - MLB - Recap - Braves at Phillies - 07/21/2002

The Braves swept the Phillies, winning today's game 2-1 behind the officially rejuvenated Kevin Millwood and more good hitting from Gary Sheffield. Millwood went eight innings, giving up only one run, and took a no hitter into the sixth. Sheffield homered in the first, and scored after reaching on an infield single in the seventh. Javy Lopez had that RBI, and Chipper had a hit and two walks. John Smoltz was unavailable, and Tim Spooneybarger got the save.

One player who didn't contribute was Wes Helms, who inexplicably got a start at first base. Helms was 0-3, struck out looking at a pitch with the bases loaded, one out, and the pitcher on deck in the seventh, and committed a two-base error in the bottom of the ninth that allowed the tying run to reach and get into scoring position. He's just an atrocious player who has no business on a major league roster.

Andruw Jones is back into his strikeout phase, with three of them today. I don't know what to think anymore. He looks like he's coming out of it, then follows up with a day like this... Javy left the game in the ninth with an apparent shoulder injury. The Braves have won with Henry Blanco catching, but that's just a coincidence and because Maddux is usually the pitcher. Blanco is hitting .179 and really isn't any better than that.

Spooneybarger's save might not save his job. Darren Holmes is expected off the disabled list and someone will have to be demoted to make room. They should demote Albie Lopez, but they don't want to look stupid for signing him. So one of the actually effective pitchers will get sent to AAA. Really fair... The Braves will travel to Florida for three games starting tomorrow, then return home. The Mets lost, and the Braves' lead is now thirteen and a half.

7/20/2002

ESPN.com - MLB - Recap - Braves at Phillies - 07/20/2002

Ho-hum, another win. 4-3 this time, the Braves (falling back into an old pattern) scoring four early runs and then holding on for dear life. Jason Marquis started, and was "effectively wild" again. He didn't give up a hit until a fifth-inning solo homer, and allowed only one other before being pulled with one out in the sixth, striking out four and walking two. Like Damian Moss, he's throwing a lot of pitches to be effective, 94 in this instance with only 53 strikes.

Bobby seems to have a tighter leash on Jason than he does on the other starters. That's only natural, given his youth and his early season arm problems. I'm generally in favor of managers having a quick hook, but it really looked like Bobby jumped the gun today. He pulled Jason after he got an out (albeit a long fly ball) with only one runner on and the tying run still only on deck. Kevin Gryboski, who replaced Jason, didn't have anything and got only one out while allowing three baserunners; Chris Hammond had to bail him out.

John Smoltz, meanwhile, saved the game; he's perfect in his last 22 opportunities. Well, not perfect; today he allowed a hit and a walk, but he hasn't blown a save. He has 36 so far this year, and the team record is only 39. I added the Smoltzometer over on the left to reflect this. He's already eighth in franchise history for career saves, which only shows how nobody but Gene Garber and Mark Wohlers could ever last more than a couple of years in the role.

ESPN.com - MLB - Recap - Braves at Phillies - 07/19/2002

The Braves had a pretty typical win last night, scoring four runs, giving up only one, getting decent starting pitching for six innings then turning it over to the Hammonds/Remlinger/Smoltz group for an inning apiece. It even rained for a couple of hours before the game could get underway like it seems to a lot in the last couple of months. Damian Moss recovered from his two recent poor starts to have a good one, walking one, giving up five hits and one run, striking out four. He's still using a lot of pitches (101 last night, 58 of them strikes) to get outs, and the Braves don't have anyone who can go deep into games. Still, seven relievers; I really don't think they're overusing anyone.

Andruw homered and walked twice; actually, the latter is a better sign than the former. Throw in Chipper's two hits, walk, and two runs scored, and for one of the few times all year the Braves got production from all three of the outfielders, because Sheffield of course had another double to extend his on-base streak. (He's already singled in a run today to extend it again.) Mark DeRosa started at second base, and got a hit, a walk, and an RBI. Javy Lopez and his groin returned to the lineup, and Javy drove in a run with a walk of all things.

The Braves are wearing throwback uniforms as part of some promotion. I don't have any problem with throwback uniforms, but do they have to be from the 1974 season? It was actually the Braves' best of the seventies, but 88-74 and a third place finish isn't particularly impressive. Plus, they're ugly. Why not from the 1969 division winners or one of the great Milwaukee teams? I'm just saying.

Oddly, three regulars (Johnny Oates, Davey Johnson, and Dusty Baker) from that 1974 team later became longtime, and successful, managers... The Braves are winning 1-0 early against the Phillies. I'll post later on the result, if nothing happens like a heart attack or a really depressing outcome.

7/19/2002

ESPN.com - News Wire

JR points out this story about Javy missing his third straight game. The first was a day game after a night game, so okay, you rest him. Then Maddux pitched. But yesterday, another day game after Blanco has caught the previous night, Javy was still on the bench, much to his surprise. Bobby says Javy has a sore groin, which also seemed to surprise Javy. Who knows what's really going on.

Hey, whoever's reading this at the Sara Lee Corporation, I'd be open to free samples.

7/18/2002

ESPN.com - Recap - Marlins at Braves - 07/18/2002

Today's game started out the same way as yesterday's, more or less, with the first four Braves reaching base (yesterday it was the first five) and three runs scoring in the first. But the Braves didn't score the other runs they did yesterday and had to make that lead hold up. The Marlins only got one run off Tom Glavine before he left with two out in the sixth, Gryboski allowing that on an inherited basis before getting out of a jam. Chris Hammond pitched the seventh, and the tag team of Remlinger and Smoltz finished it off. Two games isn't much of a sweep, but it will do for now. The Marlins haven't won since they traded Cliff Floyd.

Gary Sheffield was hitless but reached on a HBP in the first, continuing his string. The Braves got only four hits total, three of them in that first inning. Chipper had one of those and added two walks, and maybe he's at least found his batting eye. I'd like to know what happened to his power stroke, though... Keith Lockhart is hitless since Marcus Giles' banishment. Free Marcus!

The Braves now go to Philly. The Expos beat the Mets and are back in sole possession of a distant second.

7/17/2002

ESPN.com - MLB - Recap - Marlins at Braves - 07/17/2002

Now, this is more like it. The Braves beat up on the Marlins, scoring ten runs, while three pitchers combined on a shutout. Greg Maddux was strong (and apparently didn't hurt his leg, for once), Kevin Gryboski pitched the eighth for some reason, and Albie Lopez returned to his role as the guy who pitches the ninth with an enormous lead.

Offensively, the Braves had sixteen hits, and every starter reached base, all but Lockhart with at least one hit. Gary Sheffield (surprise!) was the star, with three hits, one a double, a walk, two RBI and two runs scored. They've decided now that his games on base streak isn't the team record, but right now I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him get it anyway. He's up to .290 for the season. Matt Franco also had three hits and a walk, and is up to .390. He still got hit for in the seventh with a lefty pitching.

Mark DeRosa was activated from the DL, and later hit for Lockhart, staying in the game at second base. He's probably going to platoon there, taking over from Jesse Garcia. Garcia was designated for assignment. I'd be greatly surprised if he didn't wind up in Richmond, but someone could go nuts and claim him, or he could decide to become a free agent.

Day game tomorrow, then the Braves hit the road again, to Philly in this case. It's a stupid schedule; I blame interleague play... The Mets are leading the Expos by four runs going to the ninth. If that holds up, New York will tie Montreal for second, 11 1/2 out. I'm sure we're about to see a bunch of stories about the Mets making a run. The media haven't been able to admit that the Mets' season was pretty much over a month ago, and keep talking about "crucial stretches" for them, then forget it when they continue playing .500 baseball.

It appears that YACCS is having one of its days. Comments are off and on, mostly off, right now. If it keeps up, I'll disable them, but I'm hoping it clears up. For now, delays. Feel free to email me, I like getting email, and if you want and it's particularly interesting I'll post it.

Braves Notebook

Details on the Giles fiasco.

Unlike Giles, infielder Wes Helms (.232, four homers, 13 RBIs in 151 at-bats) doesn't have minor-league options left, so the Braves couldn't send him down without exposing him to waivers.


What they don't realize is that (a) he wouldn't be claimed, and (b) if he was, it wouldn't be any loss. The story does more or less confirm that when DeRosa returns Garcia will get demoted. He doesn't have any options either, but he also won't be claimed, and if he were it wouldn't be any loss. I don't know why the Braves can't see the parallel.

7/16/2002

I've been expecting this:

Marcus Giles is not coming back.

Reportedly, the Braves have activated him and assigned him to Richmond. All to keep twelve pitchers, even though there isn't enough work for all of them and one is Albie Lopez. And to keep their precious Wes Helms, when everyone in the world now knows he doesn't have the ability to be a major league regular. Marcus is apparently, and rightfully, upset.

I'm not surprised they did this (I've been predicting this in the comments the last couple of weeks). But while Marcus wasn't hitting that well, he's a far superior player to Helms or Castilla. The Braves will probably demote Jesse Garcia when Mark DeRosa comes back, and didn't want to be left without a reserve shortstop. But there's absolutely no need for two slow, righthanded, "power" hitting third baseman with sub-.300 OBPs. Heck, there's no need for one. Helms should have been designated for assignment.

My current prediction is that Marcus will never again wear an Atlanta Braves uniform. I expect him to be traded before September 1.

ESPN.com - MLB - Recap - Braves at Cubs - 07/16/2002

I've been resisting writing this, but here goes:

Kevin Millwood is Back.

Kevin went seven innings today (105 pitches), struck out eleven, allowed one walk, two hits, and no runs. The bullpen dynamic duo of Remlinger and Smoltz were perfect, striking out five between them (the only Cub to get a bat on the ball was Angel Echevarria, who popped up off Remlinger), and the Braves salvaged a split, 2-0. The Cubs aren't a good offensive team, but 16 strikeouts and three baserunners allowed is impressive against anyone.

Millwood is now 8-5 with a 3.68 ERA. Those are good but not great numbers, but after giving up seven runs in a loss at Colorado May 18th, he was 2-5 with a 4.92 ERA. The Braves' big run to take control of the division pretty much started the next day, and Kevin's been a big part of that. Today's strikeouts are a terrific sign; at times this year he's struggled to find those, even if he's basically pitching well. He's had a strikeout an inning or better in his last four starts, and that more than anything convinces me he's got his mojo back. Now if he can only stay healthy...

Gary Sheffield had three hits, two of them doubles, to continue his streak. He's now hitting .284, second on the team (at least among players with more or less regular duty) and has the best OPS on the team. With the Joneses struggling (they each had hits today; they aren't doing great but at least they aren't killing the team anymore) he's been the best player on the team the last month, with the possible exception of Matt Franco, or maybe Remlinger.

ESPN.com - MLB - Recap - Braves at Cubs - 07/15/2002

The Braves lost to the Cubs, 3-2. Jason Marquis allowed only four hits, but three were solo homers. He left in the fifth inning after allowing two of them. That's a little inexplicable after Bobby hung Damian Moss out to dry yesterday, but I guess he decided to get the pen in there in a close game. They did very well, but the Braves couldn't score any more runs.

Gary Sheffield continued to be the bright spot, singling and walking twice, and stretching his streak of games on base to 41. However, he didn't score any runs despite reaching base three times, largely because the 4-6 hitters were 1-11.

The Braves have a game this afternoon to try to salvage a split in the series. The Braves then have a micro-homestand, two games with the Marlins, then travel to Philly... The Expos lost, and are still 9 1/2 back. The Mets are in third place now, 11 1/2 out... The Braves, despite three straight losses, are still tied with Seattle for the best record in baseball.

7/15/2002

ajc.com | Braves | Braves notebook

Darren Holmes is on the DL after hurting his hand breaking a fall he suffered in Montreal. He "tripped over a curb", which is clumsy enough to be something I would do. For some bizarre reason Albie Lopez was activated.

ESPN.com - MLB - Recap - Braves at Expos - 07/14/2002

For one of the rare times this year, the Braves got blown out, 10-3. Damian Moss' control problems are catching up with him at last. About half his pitches were balls, he threw 123 pitches total, and didn't get out of the sixth. Suddenly, Moss looks like a problem, losing his last couple of outings and having his ERA rise 7/10s of a run in the process. Maybe he'll correct it, and he's been skipped a couple of times recently; let's see what he does in regular rotation.

Gary Sheffield has reached base in 40 consecutive games, a franchise record. He's the one Brave hitting consistently of late, but Andruw Jones did have three hits today, and Chipper Jones two; the outfield accounted for six of the Braves' ten hits. If the three of them all get going at the same time, we'll be okay. As it is, the Braves still lead Montreal by 9 1/2 games.

7/13/2002

ESPN.com - MLB - Recap - Braves at Expos - 07/13/2002

Oh, well. Can't win them all. Tom Glavine gave up two runs in the first, settled down, then fell apart in the fifth. He gave up three homers in the inning, the first time that's happened in his career. They were all solo shots, but it was enough. He's having some "feel" problems with the ball, I think; he doesn't seem to actually be throwing any worse, but the ball isn't going where he wants.

The Braves had tied it in the top of the inning, and I do want to talk about the two key plays that allowed that. First, they tried to get Lockhart at second on a Glavine sac bunt with nobody out. Then, Lockhart scored when Andres Galarraga tried to cut him down at the plate on a Matt Franco roller. The first was a mistake, and shows one of the hidden values of the sacrifice. Sometimes, a team gets greedy and tries to get the runner rather than the batter, and you get a baserunner as well as the advancement. Galarraga came into criticism for his play, but in that instance it was the right play. He was about 20 feet from first base and going in the other direction, and neither the second baseman or the pitcher was really in position to beat Franco. His best chance was at the plate and he made a throw that could have gotten the runner; it was high, but the catcher could have handled it. He didn't, and Andres got the error.

Bartolo Colon, who has quickly become a Braves Killer, got out of that, getting the Joneses with the bases loaded, and pitched a complete game to bring the Expos a win. It would be easy to say that he's been a godsend to Montreal, but they're still ten and a half back. Without him, it might be fourteen and a half... Chipper did double earlier and homered later, and may be coming out of it. Andruw singled and walked, but really doesn't seem to be.

7/12/2002

ESPN.com - MLB - Recap - Braves at Expos - 07/12/2002

Eleven and a half. The Braves fell behind 3-1 but rallied to tie it on Gary Sheffield's homer in the seventh, and then scored five in the ninth thanks largely to some sloppy Montreal defense. That pushed the first couple of runs across, then the Braves piled on. John Smoltz warmed up but didn't have to pitch, as Kerry Ligtenberg pitched the ninth. Mike Remlinger got the win, his seventh against no losses.

Greg Maddux went five innings, giving up one run (another Vlad Guerrero homer) but hurt himself on the bases scoring a run to tie it at one. Greg reached on a bloop in the fourth and actually stole second, but reinjured his calf muscle scoring on Rafael Furcal's double. We'll see how this works out, but you have to be concerned about the continuing injuries. He's been awfully effective when he's been able to pitch.

The Marlins and Mets both lost, and the Braves lead the former by 12 1/2 and the latter by 13 1/2. The race isn't quite over, but right now it appears that the Braves will win the NL East or no one will... Two games left in the series, then two with the Cubs.

7/11/2002

ESPN.com - MLB - Recap - Braves at Expos - 07/11/2002

The Braves opened up a double-digit lead by beating the Expos 8-5 in a weird day game to open a series. Kevin Millwood got eight runs to play with and overcame a battle with the gopher ball, giving up two homers to Vlad Guerrero and one to Brian Schneider. The Braves answered with three-run shots by Andruw Jones and Gary Sheffield. Sheffield drove home another run and Andruw drew a walk. While Chipper is still in a slump, if Andruw gets hot again the Braves can ride that out.

Millwood really didn't pitch that badly, other than the home runs, which is kind of like saying that Richard Nixon's presidency went okay except for Watergate and Vietnam. Anyway, Millwood gave up four runs, his most since June 3. He's had several games this year in which he pitched better and got a no-decision, and a couple in which he got losses. But hey, that happens, and he'll take the win I'm sure... The Braves wound up using three relievers again, which is pretty much standard this year. John Smoltz got an easy save opportunity, holding a three run lead for one inning. And he struck out the side. Ho-hum.

The Expos traded for Cliff Floyd after the game. That's good for them, but they're ten and a half games back now and have gone backwards since their last trade. They need to win two of three in the remainder of this series or it's probably over for them, in the division anyway. Forever?

7/08/2002

ESPN.com: MLB - Big Unit, Glavine, Morris out of All-Star Game; Sosa in

Mike Remlinger replaced Randy Johnson. I'm taking full credit.

7/07/2002

ESPN.com - MLB - Recap - Cubs at Braves - 07/07/2002

This three days rest thing seems to have been just what Greg Maddux needed. He went seven scoreless innings, walked one (and that semi-intentionally) and struck out four, needing only 82 pitches. It was Damian Moss' turn in the rotation, but he'd moved to the bullpen as insurance in case Glavine couldn't go far. If Greg starts being Greg Maddux in the second half, watch out. The Braves got only two runs, but Hammond and Smoltz each threw a scoreless inning. Final score, 2-0 Braves, winning a series yet again.

The HBP yesterday did affect Chipper Jones, who missed the game with a bruised knee. He gets three days off to heal, of course. Andruw struck out two more times and hopefully he'll pick up some pointers at the All-Star Game. Tom Glavine won't be there, as his blister problem continues. Bob Brenly should have picked Mike Remlinger to replace him, but chose Vicente Padilla instead. The last-place Phillies now have three All-Stars, and their best player (Bobby Abreu) isn't one of them.

7/06/2002

ESPN.com - MLB - Recap - Cubs at Braves - 07/06/2002

Well, the other way to keep from using your top relievers (the one I didn't mention) is to get blown out. 7-3 isn't exactly a blowout, but it's not the sort of game your relief ace and top setup man have to pitch in. Tom Glavine (who clearly isn't right, and I assume the blister is to blame) gave up five runs and the Braves were down 5-0 in the fourth.

Gary Sheffield is heating up and homered today, but Andruw Jones was hitless and struck out swinging three times. (He did draw a walk.) I think it's time to be concerned. About this time last year he entered a profound slump... Chipper Jones was hit by a pitch in the third. He later left the game for Darren Bragg, but I'm guessing it wasn't any injury but just getting rest in a game that looked a lost cause -- he did hit again after the HBP.

One more game with the Cubs, then the All-Star Break. Which I hate; two days with no baseball and one with just an exhibition game. I'll try to find something to write early next week, but... The Expos won today and are eight and a half back. Everyone else still trails by double digits. The Braves will travel to Montreal when actual baseball resumes.

7/05/2002

ESPN.com - MLB - Recap - Cubs at Braves - 07/05/2002

(YAWN.) Another day, another win, another save for John Smoltz. The Braves took it 4-3 even with Smoltz giving up a run, and are guaranteed at least a split in the series (with two games to go). The most remarkable thing about this game was that a starting pitcher, Kevin Millwood, actually got a win. The Braves got a two-run double from Sheffield and a two-run homer from (who else?) Keith Lockhart. Lockhart is up to .227 for the season now. I know it won't last, but right now he's really hitting. Andruw Jones, on the other hand, heads to the All-Star Game in a deep slump. For the first time in a long time, he looked lost at the plate today, swinging at several of those low-outside sliders he falls victim to when he's struggling.

The Cubs fired their manager after yesterday's game, firing Don Baylor, the former Braves hitting coach. Bruce Kimm will take his place but wasn't available and Rene Lachemann filled in. Everything I heard said that Baylor would make it to the Break, but apparently last night's game (where the Cubs, other than pitcher Mark Prior, looked nothing like a major league team) was the last straw. It won't help Kimm any being without Sammy Sosa, who is back in Chicago with a family problem and probably won't play the rest of the series.

Tom Glavine hopes to start tomorrow, after leaving his last two outings with that blister problem. The Braves probably hope that he can go a long way to preserve the bullpen, but really they're overstating the problem. With seven relievers, three innings a night won't overwork a bullpen. What I hope is that the offense can come through with enough runs off of Carlos Zambrano that Smoltz and Remlinger can get some rest. Nobody else has really been used that hard, but both have pitched in each of the last two games and John has pitched in six of the last eight (getting a win and five saves). If Tommy can give the Braves six innings and they have enough of a lead to rely upon Hammond, Ligtenberg, and Spooneybarger to finish it, that should be enough.

AstrosDaily website to shut down July 12

Hey, MLB, my whole family is lawyers. You want to send me a letter? Bring it on.

7/04/2002

ESPN.com - MLB - Recap - Cubs at Braves - 07/04/2002

You know, the Braves' bullpen is getting a lot of wins. I'm starting to think they're in a plot with the hitters, who keep scoring only late in the game. Tonight, Jason Marquis gave up only one run through six innings, but his control was way off (55 strikes, 47 balls) and he gave way in the seventh with the score tied. Mike Remlinger -- who really should be on the All-Star team, and who needs five closers? -- got out of a bases-loaded jam by striking out Sammy Sosa. So, with Marquis safely out of the way, the Braves felt free to score a run in the seventh and three (thanks largely to some awful defense) in the eighth. Tim Spooneybarger made it interesting by walking two in the ninth, then Smoltz came on and walked Sosa. But he got a strikeout and a DP to get out of it and pick up save number 29.

Javy Lopez drove in the game winner with a double, his second game winning RBI in the last two nights. He's coming up big while the outfielders who are supposed to carry the offense are struggling and Vinny is being Vinny. In all seriousness, right now the Braves' top weapons are Furcal, Lopez, and Lockhart, plus Bragg off the bench.

If it still matters, the Expos beat the Phillies and the Marlins beat the Mets. The Mets are now in fourth, 12 1/2 out, and probably about ready to start trading off players.

7/03/2002

ESPN.com - MLB - Recap - Expos at Braves - 07/03/2002

Whew. The Braves looked like they'd let one slip away, but the bottom of the order came through. After the Expos held an early 1-0 lead (on an unearned run off of Greg Maddux) the Braves erupted for three runs in the fifth. Lockhart (again) sparked the rally, but Matt Franco was the key, hitting a two-run homer. Then the Expos closed it to 3-2, then the Braves made it 4-2, then it was 4-3 after Bobby waited too long (again) to go to the pen with Maddux clearly tiring. I will reiterate something I said this morning about yesterday's game; when you try to nurse your starter through the opposing team's rally to save your bullpen, you wind up using more relievers most of the time and you lose the game.

Then Chris Hammond finally let them get to him in the eighth, allowing two runs, one unearned (after a terrible Furcal throw) and looked like the loser. And then Julio Franco (in earlier to hit for Matt) doubled in Darren Bragg to tie it. Smoltz mowed them down in the ninth. And with two out, no one on in the ninth, Castilla and Lockhart (again!) singled to bring Javy Lopez to the plate with runners at the corner. Javy hit a scorcher to third which Fernando Tatis knocked down, but he couldn't come up with the ball in time to throw Javy out. Braves win, 6-5.

If this recap seems a little breathless, it was that kind of game.

The Braves lead the Expos by 9 1/2; everyone else is more than ten back. In July 1998, the Braves swept the Mets heading into the break, taking their lead to 12 1/2, and I said the Braves should begin printing playoff tickets. (Actually, I serenaded the Mets with "Kiss Him Goodbye". Good times.) It's probably not time for that just yet, but if the Braves play at their current level much longer... The Braves were 10 1/2 up on July 3, 1998, but there really was only one other decent team in the division. There are three this year.

ESPN.com - MLB - Recap - Expos at Braves - 07/02/2002

You win by the slam, you lose by the slam. Fernando Tatis changed a 2-1 Braves lead to a 5-2 Expo lead with one swing of the bat in the sixth inning last night, and that was the final score. The Braves got two early runs but were pretty much stifled by Bartolo Colon last night. Bobby was apparently trying to nurse Damian Moss through trouble in that fifth inning, but it backfired, and all the Expos' runs scored in that frame. Moss was clearly laboring, and most of the time if you try to get your pitcher through something like that with a lead to save the pen, what you usually wind up with is no lead and having to go to the pen anyway. Bobby did manage to get another inning out of Damian, but at what cost?

I should probably mention that Andruw Jones won the fan balloting for the 30th and last spot on the All-Star team, joining Tom Glavine and John Smoltz. I probably should have mentioned them making the team, too, I guess. I just wasn't that interested. Sorry. Frankly, all of them, Andruw in particular, could use the rest. Yes, it's an honor, but Andruw gets tired in the second half already. I don't have career splits, but from 1999-2001, he hit .286/.359/.516 before the break, .267/.334/.472 after.

The Braves have one more game with the Expos, then host the Cubs for four leading into the break. This last game is big because it's a two-game swing either way against the second-place team. But if you're one of those who believes the psychological aspects of the pennant race are big, you don't want to give the Expos hope.

7/02/2002

While comments were down, Bamadan and I exchanged some emails. I thought they were worth reposting here, so they follow...

Bamadan: It seems that the 'blog feature on bravesjournal is down. I had a few comments already typed for the 7/2 posting so what the heck ...

1. Giles, if physically and mentally healthy, should be the full time 2B. While I've always had a soft spot for players like Lockhart, no one should confuse a few timely hits for a good hitter.

2. I disagree that the Braves can't go back to an 11 man pitching staff, even with the fragility of Maddux and Glavine. What is wrong with using a reliever for 3 innings once a week? 50-60 appearances with 90-110 IP seems much more valuable to me than the 80 appearances / 80 IP that has become the norm.

3. Not that I'm a supporter of Vinny Castilla - far from it. But for all the wailing and gnashing of teeth among statheads over the corner infield spots, looking at the positions, I think that it is clear that catcher is the club's biggest weakness. FYI, here is the Braves NL ranking in OPS by position:

C 16th
1B 7th
2B 14th
SS 2nd
3B 11th
LF 7th
CF 3rd
RF 7th

Second can be helped by Giles return. At third Castilla at least provides solid - if overrated - defense, plus with Helms, DeRosa, possibly Jones, Franco the younger and maybe down the stretch uber prospect Betemit there are options at the hot corner. But behind the plate, Javy is an aging, hitless player who was rewarded with a two year deal for grossly more than he's worth and for whom there is no available relief within the system.


Mac: 1. Giles SHOULD get the 2B job. But I'm not convinced that Bobby will do it.

2. I don't disagree with you here, either. I've stated several times in past years that the Braves could easily have gotten by with ten pitchers, and at times nine. But they've been awfully successful with using their relievers as mostly one-inning pitchers, and it's hard to ask them to change things. It's not like anyone's getting a lot of off days at the moment. After the Break, it might be a different story, but right now they aren't going to change. If Ligtenberg or Spooneybarger starts going ten days without pitching again, that's a different story.

3. I could say that Javy has been hitting better lately while Castilla has struggled. But the real problem is that you mentioned, that the Braves can't easily find a replacement. Don't you wish they'd picked up Bobby Estalella when he was available, or even Doug Mirabelli? Also, Javy's contract makes him harder to shift or drop.

Thanks for reading, and hopefully YACCS will be up soon. EVENTUALLY, I will be off Blogger and on Moveable Type, where the comments function is built-in.

Bamadan: I agree about Giles. He was being jerked around before the injury (as well as last year) and the team is winning without him. But I'd stick him in the lineup for the next 5 years and live with the occasional slumps figuring that we'd also get a lot of streaks from a hitter with his excellent track record.

12 pitchers means the team had to use Marquis to pinch hit last night and can't hit for Lopez & Castilla, pinch run for the slower starters, or use defensive replacements for Sheffield & Chipper nearly as often as they should. Perhaps the 8 man staffs of Earl Weaver were too few. 12, though, is at least 1, if not 2, too many. Especially during the post season, when there are extra days off and less worry about tired pitchers, the Braves have completely lacked a quality tactical bench.

I don't know about Estalella. He's clearly a better hitter than Blanco and probably at this point Javy as well, but there has to be a BIG backstory for him to have gotten cut by San Fran and NY and Philly. Pure harmful speculation, but could he be the closet homosexual that folks have been referring too? And if so, should that really matter? If not him, players like Greg Zaun or Ramon Castro are always undervalued and should be available.


Mac: I don't know what the deal was with Estalella. As I've said a couple of times, there's certainly more than one gay baseball player -- anywhere from 6 to 70 depending upon what studies you believe. At any rate, would the Giants of all teams have cut him? Have you read the New Historical Abstract? Estalella's grandfather, also called Bobby, had basically the same problem; he'd hit, but just couldn't stick in the majors. In his case, that was probably racially motivated, as he was just a bit dark-skinned for the majors at that time... One part of it is that a lot of Estalella's value is in walks, which traditional baseball men really don't pay enough attention to.

Bobby has at least gone down to ten pitchers (from eleven) in postseason. Of course, that's usually to add some catcher who doesn't hit... Lombard, whatever his problems, would have been a nice player to have on the bench in a tight game in postseason.

Bamadan: Yeah, gotta hate it when all a player can do is hit homers and walk while playing credible defense behind the plate!

For the post season, I would drop down to 9 pitchers. There is no need to use five starters, so the #5 guy becomes the long reliever, available for up 3 IP every third day. That gets the team the 5, 6, & 7th innings -- if the starter is blown out before 5 the team might as well give up. Then there are four more pitchers to get through two innings. Even considering strategic use of lefties and righties, that is still plenty.

That leaves room for 16 position players. 8 starters leaves 8 role players. 2 backup catchers, one defensive infielder, one defensive outfielder (both of whom should also be able to run) and four guys who simply can mash. The Yanks have done an excellent job during the last half dozen seasons of assembling a bench sorta like that. The D'backs did fairly well with the concept last year too. But the Braves have done a half-assed job of it, something that combined with Cox's overmanaging in the postseason, has really hurt.

Comments are down right now (that explains why the page is loading slowly). I never should have used a system from Georgia Tech! Anyway, Email me if you have something to get off your chest.

ESPN.com: MLB - Yankees get OF help, deal for Jays' Mondesi

I don't normally post about non-Braves matters here; I did it on my old site sporadically, but this is Braves Journal after all. I intend to eventually set up a subdomain for non-Braves writings but I haven't. But I wanted to comment on the Yankees' Mondesi acquisition.

This is great news. Mondesi won't actually hurt the Yankees -- at least, I don't think he will -- but he won't help them much either. And money is really no object in New York. They can have a $200 million roster if they needed. And he didn't cost much of anything in terms of talent, because the Jays were just happy to get rid of him.

It is still great news, because it is the strongest evidence yet that George Steinbrenner is once again interfering in the day-to-day operations of the club, and that the "throw money at the problem" mindset that dominated the organization in the eighties and early nineties has returned. The Yankees won a bunch of games in the eighties, more than any team, but they never won it all, and didn't even make postseason after 1981. In those years they signed a bunch of free agents but had no real plan. If those days are back, the Yankees are no threat.

ESPN.com - MLB - Recap - Expos at Braves - 07/01/2002

By the third inning of last night's game, the Braves trailed 4-1, Tom Glavine had had to leave the game after giving up those four runs because his blister was acting up, and normally you'd be thinking, "Well, let's get them tomorrow." But for the Braves right now, spotting the other team a three-run lead early is only another challenge, and they rallied to win 7-5. Matt Franco started at first base and had the big blow, a grand slam homer in the fifth. The middle relief was splendid, with four pitchers providing five shutout innings. John Smoltz had his first shaky outing in a while, giving up a solo homer and a walk, plus a batter reached on an error, but got the save.

These blisters are starting to get on my nerves, and I don't have any idea how to stop them. At any rate, the bullpen is going to keep getting worked. Maddux can't go a long ways right now, Moss is too wild -- causing high pitch counts -- to go deep into games, Millwood tires, and Marquis is a kid. I don't think there will be many complete games this year.

The Braves have stretched their lead in the division to nine and a half over Montreal. The Marlins won to stay ten back, while the Phillies (fourteen back) beat the Mets (eleven and a half back). The season is far from over, but few teams have blown a lead this large.