When the Philadelphia Phillies came into town on Friday, the Atlanta Braves trailed the NL East leaders by three-and-a-half games. The Braves failed to capitalize on their chance to make up ground. Instead, it was the Phillies who, with a little bit of help from the Braves, completed the sweep just a few days after taking two of three from the Florida Marlins.
On Friday. Jamie Moyer faced off against Tim Hudson in a game that is best described as a pitchers duel. Tim Hudson went seven-and-two-thirds innings while striking out three, walking four, and having only one run cross the plate against him. Despite his performance though, the Braves were never able to put the game away.
Running mistakes by shortstop Yunel Escobar and relief pitcher Will Ohman were bad endings to good run-scoring opportunities, and when the game went into the top of the ninth, things got worse for the Braves. A dropped two-out fly ball by Kelly Johnson scored Eric Bruntlett to tie the game. Shane Victorino's triple scored the go-ahead run in the top of the tenth. Victorino later threw out what would have been the Brave's tying run at home plate, ending the game in a 4-3 win for the Phillies.
- B/R Ticket Guide
On Saturday and Sunday, the Phillies received solid pitching from their starters and relievers and never trailed the Braves in either game. Brad Lidge, the Phillies closer, pitched in all three games and garnered a save in both opportunities he received.
While Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Jimmy Rollins delivered solid performances, the MVP of the weekend was Shane Victorino. He went 5-12 at the plate and delivered two RBIs, and played consistent defense, including the highlight-reel throw he made to end Friday's game.
Because of Atlanta's inability to win Friday night, and their inability to shut down the Phillie's offense (who scored six runs in both Saturday's and Sunday's games), Atlanta now trails Philadelphia by six-and-a-half games, and they lost a crucial division series at home.
While there is still a lot of season left to be played, it will be interesting to see what kind of effect this weekend will have in the playoff race in September.
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7 months ago
The Atlanta Braves proved to everyone this weekend that they are not yet serious about contending for a division championship. It is one thing to have your opponent defeat you. It is another to beat yourself. I did not expect for Atlanta to sweep Philly, but I did expct them to take at least one game, two at the most- especially with them at home. They are such a better team at the Ted.
This did not happen and Atlanta fans saw why the Phils are in first and the Braves are not. Call it immaturity, fundamental weaknesses, the inability to manufacture runs or a failure to put a game away; whatever one's explanation, the Braves have shown themselves to be pretenders and not contenders if they think they can win the division playing as they did this past weekend. Bobby's work is not done yet and neither is that of pitching coach Roger McDowell; and to be fair about it, injuries have demanded some mental overtime from them.
These younger guys seem to need a fire lit underneath them to inspire focus and intensity. Some just need to stop thinking they've arrived and get hungry for winning- one game at a time. Chipper, Smoltz and Glavine need to help out Bobby and Roger in this department; these are proven winners who need to take a page from Pendleton and Bream's 1991 playbook to get these guys believing in a champioship or third place finishes will be Atlanta's new division finish streak.
6 months ago
Atlanta will be only as good as their pitching replacements take them. Replacing Smoltz with a #1 or #2 starter is imperitive - look for a deal before the trading deadline. Sabathia would look great doing the tomahawk chop!
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