Jul 28 2008
Welcome to Sell City: another big lead wasted as Braves slide 7 1/2 back
By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com
Phillies 12, Braves 10
Top of the Order: Following a two-hour rain delay, the Braves realized the inevitable – they’ll be sellers at the trade deadline and looking ahead to 2009 – by blowing a five-run lead and losing Brian McCann to a concussion in the process, then rallying from seven runs down to fall just short, losing in excruciating fashion for the second consecutive day.
The Good: Can’t blame this one on the offense. Kelly Johnson and Omar Infante hit back-to-back homers in helping Atlanta build a 5-0 lead. Mark Kotsay stayed hot – don’t think the scouts are noticing – going 3-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI. Johnson finished with two runs scored and two RBIs, and Infante went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and a pair of RBIs. Martin Prado came off the bench and fueled the late rally with a three-run, pinch-hit double in the eighth. Mark Teixeira, undoubtedly now finishing his stay in Atlanta this week, went 2-for-2 with two walks. Will Ohman, who also will be packing his bags in the coming days, pitched a scoreless inning of relief, striking out one. The only other Atlanta pitcher who didn’t allow a run – starter Jorge Campillo, who pitched 1 2/3 innings before the rains came. Campillo couldn’t come back after the delay.
The Bad: Jo-Jo Reyes, Julian Tavaraz, Royce Ring and Blaine Boyer, step right up. The end of the Braves’ hopes falls squarely on your shoulders. Following the rain delay, the Braves turned the game and their faint hopes of remaining relevant in the NL East to Reyes, who proceeded to allow four hits and five runs with four walks in 2 2/3 innings. Tavarez, who had pitched well since being signed, took the loss, coughing up a hit and a run in 2/3 of an inning as Philly grabbed the lead. Ring and Boyer then teamed up to let it get out of control – wait? Didn’t those two do that Saturday, as well. Yeah they did. Ring allowed four hits and four runs in 1/3 of an inning. Boyer tossed in a hit and a run for good measure, as the Phillies scored 11 runs off Reyes, Tavaraz, Ring and Boyer in a three-inning span. McCann was flattened at home plate by Shane Victorino in the sixth and left with a concussion. Mac will be re-evaluated today, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he misses substantial time. Joining him on the shelf could be Chipper Jones, who believes his hamstring injury will require time on the disabled list. Get your 2009 calendars now!
View from the Sports Garage: Speechless. Simply speechless. It’s like watching a horror movie and you get to the climax, and you’re wondering just what in the heck the director has left to throw at you because certainly you’ve seen it all. Well well well, be careful what you ask for because the finale is a doozey. What the Braves had unfold during the past 14 innings is as twisted and wicked as anything we’ve seen in the unbearable litany of knife-twisting defeats this season. One day after blowing a six-run lead and losing, the Braves jumped ahead 5-0 and let it slip away. Two games the Braves had to win. Two games the Braves had in control. Two games the Braves let slip away. A 5-1 road trip morphed into a 3-3 showing that simply confirms this team isn’t going anywhere in 2008. With the Mets winning, Atlanta ends the road trip 7 ½ games out of first. Frank Wren, the Angels are on line 1, the Red Sox are on line 2 and the Diamondbacks are on line 3. It’ll be an interesting week to watch who leaves this franchise and who arrives. But this much is certain: As this week dawns, the Braves – who have hung on the edge of the cliff longer than they probably should have – have now dropped into the crashing waves below. There’s plenty of baseball to be played, but for this franchise, it’s all over now but the trading.
On deck
Braves vs. Cardinals
7:10 p.m. today, Turner Field
The Skinny: As of early this morning, the Braves were undecided on a starter for tonight’s homestand opener against the Cardinals, since Reyes was scheduled to pitch before being pressed into duty Sunday. Charlie Morton (2-3, 6.00 ERA) likely will be promoted back from Triple-A Richmond – since he was sent down Saturday, somebody will have to go on the disabled. Morton only gave up two hits in 5 2/3 innings Tuesday against Florida, but four walks hurt him in a loss. For the Cardinals, Braden Looper (9-8, 4.49 ERA) hasn’t won since June 24, but the converted reliever has helped hold the St. Louis rotation together while Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright heal from injuries. Looper allowed seven hits and one earned run in five innings his last time out, a loss to CC Sabathia and the Brewers. Needless to say, the Braves have to win tonight. Even if the dye already has been cast considering what Atlanta will do at the trade deadline, it’d still be nice to open the homestand with a W.
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