Aug 28 2008
Hampton strong, but Braves handcuffed in loss to Fish
By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com
Marlins 4, Braves 1
Top of the Order: One night after scoring four times in the bottom of the ninth for a thrilling victory, the Braves wasted Mike Hampton’s stellar performance, mustering just four hits in losing for the 13th time in 16 games.
The Good: For the most part Hampton was sharp, going eight innings and allowing eight hits and three runs with two walks and five strikeouts. Jeff Francoeur recorded two of the four Atlanta hits. Kelly Johnson tripled and scored the Braves’ lone run. Martin Prado drove home Johnson, and also backed up an errant throw to cut down a runner at second base. Gregor Blanco drew two walks from the leadoff spot. Before the game, the long-rumored Mark Kotsay deal to Boston was announced, the Braves acquiring 20-year-old Class A outfielder Luis Sumoza. Kotsay played well during his time with Atlanta; it’s not a coincidence when Kotsay was out of the lineup for all of June, the Braves really began struggling. Kotsay goes to Boston and joins a pennant race. We wish him all the best.
The Bad: Josh Johnson was really good for the Marlins, keeping the Braves off stride all night. The Braves didn’t get a hit until Johnson’s triple in the fifth. Atlanta wasted a second-and-third, one-out situation in the eighth, failing to score. Blaine Boyer gave up an absolute bomb in the ninth to Dan Uggla, a ball that landed in the terrace level in left field. Hampton, as mentioned above, got a few pitches up and the Marlins took advantage. Chipper Jones went 1-for-4, his average dropping to .356. Only 19,755 showed up at Turner Field – hey, at least the sparse crowd made the Fish feel at home. We probably won’t see Casey Kotchman anytime soon; the Braves placed the first baseman on the restricted list as he remains with his mother, who is hospitalized with an undisclosed medical condition in Florida. Before the game, the Braves signed 37-year-old Elmer Dessens, a veteran of 11 major-league seasons who spent this season pitching in Mexico … this is bad because it shows how far the vaunted Braves’ stable of pitching has fallen this season, picking up Dessens from south of the border just to make some starts during the final month. Personally, I’d rather see guys who will have a chance to impact this roster in 2009 get a chance during September, but Frank Wren’s number hasn’t showed up as a missed call on my cell today.
View from the Sports Garage: Tuesday’s come-from-behind victory, just the second time this season the Braves won after trailing entering the ninth, quickly evaporated against Johnson. Dude pitched really well; just one of those games where you tip your cap and move on to the next game. But Hampton really battled and put together a good outing. He constantly allowed the leadoff hitter to get on base, but more often than not was able to wiggle out of trouble. When that sinker is biting down in the zone, Hampton definitely is tough on opposing hitters. Dude can still pitch in the bigs, and pitch well. It’s truly a shame he missed so much time with injuries. People forget he was 32-20 for the Braves from 2003 until the first arm injury ended his 2005 season in August. Ah, what might have been … a phrase we’ll utter about the 2008 edition of the Braves for years to come.
On deck
Braves vs. Marlins
7:10 p.m. today, Turner Field
The Skinny: The good news for Charlie Morton (3-8, 6.39 ERA) is he’s not facing the Cardinals anymore. Now, maybe young Charlie can begin rebuilding his confidence after St. Louis knocked Morton out in the second inning Friday. Control continues to be the bugaboo for the rookie; he walked five hitters in 1 1/3 innings his last time out, allowing five hits and four earned runs. For the Marlins, Annibal Sanchez (2-2, 3.99) makes his sixth start of the season since coming off the disabled list. He gave up eight hits and four runs in 6 1/3 innings his last time out against Arizona. The Braves go for a series win in wrapping up this quick three-game homestand.
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