Apr 23 2008
Little help for Smoltz in loss to Nats
By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com
Nationals 6, Braves 0
Top of the Order: John Smoltz notched career strikeout No. 3,000 and was sharp through seven innings, but the Nats blew it open in the ninth against the Braves’ bullpen, ending Atlanta’s five-game winning streak.
The Good: Not much on the field, other than Smoltz becoming the 16th pitcher to reach 3,000 Ks (he struck out 10). Yunel Escobar (star-in-the-making; write it down!) and Matt Diaz each had two hits, and Blaine Boyer and Royce Ring combined to shut down the Nationals in the eighth before all you-know-what broke loose in the ninth. On the injury front, Mike Hampton pronounced himself ready for a minor-league rehab stint after a good bullpen session, and Tom Glavine believes he’ll be ready to come off the DL and start Tuesday at Washington. Very, very good signs.
The Bad: The Braves were impatient against Washington starter John Lannan and three relievers, only getting five hits. Maybe the Braves were pressing, trying to win for Smoltz on his historic night. The ninth inning was a train wreck. Jorge Campillo allowed five runs, but only one earned – although he committed the throwing error that opened the floodgates. He also walked two, and Chris Resop allowed a hit and a walk in his 1/3 of an inning. Ugh.
View from the Sports Garage: Winning for Smoltz would’ve been fantastic, but it’s hard to really be down on the bullpen even though things got rough in the ninth. Losing your closer for two weeks and your set-up guy for maybe 12 months is going to upset the apple cart somewhat, but the Braves still have the depth to still lock down a game late. Happened throughout the five-game streak. Didn’t happen last night. Campillo – who hadn’t allowed a run in seven innings before last night – didn’t pitch well. It happens.
On deck
Braves vs. Marlins
7:10 p.m. today, Turner Field
The skinny: I watched Jeff Bennett shut down the Dodgers last Friday night at Turner Field. He’ll toe the slab tonight against the Flying Fish, who come in with a 1 ½-game lead in the NL East and the – I can’t believe I’m saying this – third-best record in the NL. Wow. The Braves are two games behind Florida; a sweep of this two-game set would put the Braves on the cusp of first place heading into this weekend’s three-game tilt with the Mets at Shea Stadium, aka the Crappiest Dump for Major League Baseball this side of South Florida.
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