May 15 2008
Big offensive boost carries Braves to victory at Philly
By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com
Braves 8, Phillies 6
Top of the Order: Boosted by three home runs and a clutch two-out double by Brian McCann, the Braves built an 8-0 lead then held on – as nothing on the road comes easy – to beat the Phillies for just their sixth victory in 21 road contests.
The Good: So this is what a road victory looks like, huh? Chipper Jones, Yunel Escobar and Kelly Johnson all homered as the Braves cashed in on chances early in the game. Jones went 2-for-4, raising his big-league best average to .418. Johnson, hitting seventh again, went 2-for-3. Escobar, hitting leadoff, smacked a homer. Mark Kotsay, hitting second, scored twice for the second consecutive game (yes, I love the new batting order). McCann ripped a two-out double in the third to open up the really big lead, a cushion the Braves eventually needed. Tom Glavine was sharp through five innings (one hit allowed), then allowed four runs in the sixth to let Philly back in the game. Still, it was good enough for his first win of the season. Will Ohman pitched a perfect inning. Blaine Boyer notched his first big-league save. Mark Teixiera returned to the lineup after missing two games (and most of a third) with back spasms. John Smoltz threw from 120 feet with no problems and will climb the mound Saturday for his first bullpen session since going on the DL. If everything goes well in sessions Saturday and Sunday for Smoltz, who turns 41 today, the bearded one will head to the minors next week for a rehab assignment, with an eye toward joining the bullpen by the end of the month.
The Bad: Glavine admitted to thinking about the big lead in the sixth, when he allowed four runs and three hits. It’s the second time in three starts Glavine has been given a big advantage, only to let the opposition get back in the game. Not good at all for a veteran starter who has to stabilize the rotation. Jeff Bennett gave up a hit and a walk in his one-third of an inning. Royce Ring, unstoppable so far this season, finally got touched up by somebody – Ryan Howard. Boyer’s ninth was interesting, and not in a good way. After two quick outs, he allowed three hits and one run, and the Phils were able to put the tying runs in scoring position. Again, it’s pitch location with Boyer. When he’s on, man, he’s tough. When he misses, he’s very vulnerable.
View from the Sports Garage: STOP THE PRESSES! The Braves have won two of their past three road games. OK, I’ll get excited if the Braves can find a way to actually win a series on the road, which they will have a chance to do tonight. The situational hitting was superb last night, a refreshing change of pace from the teeth-grinding frustration this team has put its fan base through so far this season. McCann’s hit was huge; gave the Braves a much bigger cushion. Gregor Blanco followed with a two-out two-run single that provided the two runs the Braves would need later in the game. Glavine’s location was awesome in the first five innings. He looked like he lost a little sharpness and focus in the sixth. Again, that’s not what you want to see from a guy who’s won 304 career games, but fortunately on this night, his mates gave him enough support. And I know I’ve said this over and over again, but for all their problems the Braves sit just 2 ½ games out this morning after all three teams ahead of them (the Fish, Phils and Mets) lost Tuesday. It’s amazing this team even is in the race when you consider all that’s happened through the first 39 games. If they can get healthy and start hitting like they did last night, they can grab control of this mediocre division.
On deck
Braves at Phillies
7:05 p.m. today, Citizens Bank Park
The Skinny: Texting a buddy of mine last night, I was bemoaning the enigma that is Chuck James. Awfully nice dude. Suburban Atlanta kid. But with only two pitches – fastball and change-up – he’s always playing with fire. I just don’t like his chances in that little bandbox of a ballyard tonight, especially against Cole Hamels, the Phils’ ace. But Hamels (4-3, 3.36 ERA) has struggled following a stellar start to his season, with an ERA near 5 in his past five starts. James (2-2, 7.58 ERA) has put together two pretty good starts and two horrible ones. He better have that two-pitch arsenal working tonight. A win tonight would be huge, and I mean huge, as the Braves would end the road swing at 3-4 and, more importantly, come home with momentum. This is the best team in baseball at home, and winning a series on the road would be a tremendous jumping-off point heading into a homestand that brings Oakland, the Mets and Arizona to Turner Field.
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