Aug 17 2008
Glavine done for the season as Braves batter Giants
By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com
Braves 11, Giants 5
Top of the Order: On the day the Braves lost Tom Glavine to season-ending elbow surgery, Mike Hampton beat the Giants for the second time in 11 days as the Braves snapped a five-game losing streak with an impressive offensive performance.
The Good: For the second time in three games, Jeff Francoeur provided some hope he’s busting out of his season-long slump. Frenchy finished 4-for-5, two nights after a three-hit game, and raised his average to .233. Greg Norton, starting at first base for the sick Casey Kotchman, hit a two-run homer, scored twice and walked twice. Brian McCann, Yunel Escobar and Omar Infante finished with two hits each. Chipper Jones walked twice, scored twice and had a hit, his major-league leading average at .365. All of this was plenty enough for Hampton, who won for the second time in his comeback, both coming against San Fran. Hampton went six innings, allowing seven hits, two runs, two walks and four strikeouts. He also went 1-for-2, his average at .333. Buddy Carlyle pitched a scoreless inning. Ruben Gotay drove in a run with a pinch-hit double and later scored.
The Bad: More bad news for this team on the injury front, as Glavine appears to be lost for the season. The only question is will Glavine need just surgery to repair the torn flexor tendon, which would put Tommy out for four months, or the more dreaded Tommy John ligament replacement surgery. If it’s Tommy John, we’ve seen Glavine’s final game, as the left-hander said he won’t undergo the procedure and endure the one-year-plus rehab time. Matt DeSalvo, promoted from Triple-A Richmond when Glavine returned to the disabled list Friday, gave up a run on three hits and walk in one inning of work. Vladimir Nunez allowed two runs in the ninth.
View from the Sports Garage: Hey Frenchy, nice to see you. A little later in arriving to the party, like FOUR MONTHS late, but you’re here now. Hopefully, to stay for the final six weeks, too. In his past three games, Francoeur is 7-for-14 with four runs scored and five RBIs. Want to measure progress? Frenchy had seven hits in his previous 13 games prior to Thursday. He just looks more comfortable at the plate. As for Hampton, something about the Giants must bring out his best. Hampton had his breaking ball working great – 10 of his 14 non-strikeout outs were on the ground, a sure sign that sinker was spot-on. Great for this team to get a win. It’s been a rotten homestand and a bad week in the midst of a bad season, but games like this do provide you some hope. Hope Hampton can actually compete the final six weeks. Hope Francoeur can actually build some momentum toward 2009. Hope the Braves actually can start working toward something positive during these final 39 games. They will do so without Glavine, who may have thrown his final pitch. Sad to think about it in those terms, but it is what it is. Glavine’s done for 2008, maybe for good. If it’s just surgery on the flexor tendon, it’s my belief we’ll see Tommy at Lake Buena Vista next spring, trying to give it a go and trying to end his career on a better note. But if he requires Tommy John surgery, you can begin the countdown clock for induction to Cooperstown.
On deck
Braves vs. Giants
1:35 p.m. today, Turner Field
The Skinny: Time for Charlie Morton (3-6, 6.11 ERA) to not let one bad start evolve into two. The rookie right-hander had stepped forward with two great outings in a row, but he needed 70 pitches to get just seven outs in a 2 1/3-inning effort Wednesday against the Cubs. When Morton’s struggling, he can’t spot his fastball, and that was the case Wednesday as he allowed four runs on four hits while walking three. For the Giants, All-Star right-hander Tim Lincecum (12-3, 2.67 ERA) only lasted 4 1/3 innings in his last start, against Houston, giving up one hit and one run while walking two and striking out seven. Lincecum beat the Braves on Aug. 6, striking out eight in eight innings while allowing five hits and two runs.
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Ben: You are so, so right. As the Braves continue to muddle through night after night of inept offensive performances, maybe they could let Hampton hit once a game to try and bolster the offense … and get a little more return on all that cash they’ve paid him the past three years.
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