Sep 02 2008
26, 27, 28, 29 … Braves extend one-run road losing streak
By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com
Marlins 4, Braves 3
Top of the Order: The beat goes on in historically mind-numbing fashion for the Braves, who opened the final month of this season from hell by losing their 29th consecutive one-run road game, extending their major-league record in that category and falling 20 games under .500.
The Good: What, other than we’ve finally reached the last month of this journey straight down? Oh yeah, the game. Some highlights, indeed. Mike Hampton provided another solid start, Hammy giving up just three runs on six hits in six solid innings, throwing a season-high 106 pitches (62 for strikes). Offensively, Josh Anderson went 3-for-5 with a stolen base and an RBI. Jeff Francoeur and Brandon Jones each had two-hit days. Jeff Bennett fired two scoreless innings of relief. Off the field, Casey Kotchman was removed from the restricted list. His mother has improved enough for Kotchman to return to the team, and we’re very thankful and happy to hear that news.
The Bad: Finally, Mike Gonzalez got bit by the bug of garbage that’s circulated around the Atlanta bullpen all season. Gonzo allowed the game-winning run to score without allowing a hit, walking three in the bottom of the ninth and then a sacrifice fly. The Braves left eight runners on base. Francoeur and Anderson each struck out twice, as did Martin Prado, who left five guys on base. A rare off day at the plate for Martin. Chipper Jones lost more ground to Albert Pujols in the NL batting race. Hoss went 1-for-4, his average now at .358, five points behind Phat Albert.
The Callups: In case you don’t realize it, September is here, and major-league rosters have expanded. The Braves are calling up several players as soon as today, including shortstop Brent Lillibridge, former major-league closer Jorge Julio (where the heck has he been?) and right-handed pitcher James Parr (please, cut Elmer Dessens, even though there is plenty of room on the roster). Also coming up are two scourges of this season, Jeff Ridgway (remember him plunking a batter with the bases loaded in extra innings in Chicago? Yeah, that loser) and Corky Miller, who just may be the worst player in the major leagues this season NOT named Jeff Francoeur or Andruw Jones.
View from the Sports Garage: Hey, you longtime Braves fans will remember this. In 1982, the Braves opened the season with 11 straight victories to tie the then-record for most wins at the start of a season. Atlanta came home to face the Reds in a mid-week set at old Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. Going into the 12th game, fans were given signs that said “I was there,” with a big bold “12” printed on it. Atlanta won to go 12-0. The next night, the signs had a “13” on them. Braves won again, so the next night, fans were given signs that said “14.” Alas, the Reds won to snap the streak. I have an idea: maybe the teams who play host to the Braves the rest of the season should print out some signs that read, “I was there when the worst one-run road team in baseball history finally lucked up and stumbled across a victory.” OK, maybe not. After all, there only are 11 more chances for the Braves to actually WIN one of these one-run road decisions before the putrid 2008 season ends. It’d be nice for it to happen so we don’t have to hear about it throughout the offseason. Speaking of offseason, what do you do with Mike Hampton if his final four starts are like his last four? You gotta figure right now it’s Jair Jurrjens, Jorge Campillo and a bunch of hope surrounding Charlie Morton and Jo-Jo Reyes for next April. Like I’ve said countless times, it’s going to be a very interesting offseason for this franchise. And, like I’ve said countless times, it can’t get here soon enough. Soon enough, it will be official: the tragic number – the number of Mets’ wins and Braves’ losses needed to officially eliminate Atlanta from the NL East title – is seven.
On deck
Braves at Marlins
7:10 p.m. today, Dolphin Stadium
The Skinny: Charlie Morton (4-8, 6.10 ERA) certainly would take a carbon copy of his last outing against the Marlins. His last time out on the hill, the lanky right-hander gave up just two runs and four hits over six innings, earning just his second victory since July 12. With Young Charlie, it’s all about confidence, and he had it Thursday. In that game, the Braves beat Annibal Sanchez (2-3, 4.46 ERA), who toes the slab for the Fish in a rematch with Morton. Sanchez allowed five hits and four runs with five walks in five innings.
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