ESPN.com – MLB – Recap – Braves at Expos – 07/12/2002

Eleven and a half. The Braves fell behind 3-1 but rallied to tie it on Gary Sheffield’s homer in the seventh, and then scored five in the ninth thanks largely to some sloppy Montreal defense. That pushed the first couple of runs across, then the Braves piled on. John Smoltz warmed up but didn’t have to pitch, as Kerry Ligtenberg pitched the ninth. Mike Remlinger got the win, his seventh against no losses.

Greg Maddux went five innings, giving up one run (another Vlad Guerrero homer) but hurt himself on the bases scoring a run to tie it at one. Greg reached on a bloop in the fourth and actually stole second, but reinjured his calf muscle scoring on Rafael Furcal’s double. We’ll see how this works out, but you have to be concerned about the continuing injuries. He’s been awfully effective when he’s been able to pitch.

The Marlins and Mets both lost, and the Braves lead the former by 12 1/2 and the latter by 13 1/2. The race isn’t quite over, but right now it appears that the Braves will win the NL East or no one will… Two games left in the series, then two with the Cubs.