ESPN.com – MLB – Recap – Braves at Cubs – 07/16/2002

I’ve been resisting writing this, but here goes:

Kevin Millwood is Back.

Kevin went seven innings today (105 pitches), struck out eleven, allowed one walk, two hits, and no runs. The bullpen dynamic duo of Remlinger and Smoltz were perfect, striking out five between them (the only Cub to get a bat on the ball was Angel Echevarria, who popped up off Remlinger), and the Braves salvaged a split, 2-0. The Cubs aren’t a good offensive team, but 16 strikeouts and three baserunners allowed is impressive against anyone.

Millwood is now 8-5 with a 3.68 ERA. Those are good but not great numbers, but after giving up seven runs in a loss at Colorado May 18th, he was 2-5 with a 4.92 ERA. The Braves’ big run to take control of the division pretty much started the next day, and Kevin’s been a big part of that. Today’s strikeouts are a terrific sign; at times this year he’s struggled to find those, even if he’s basically pitching well. He’s had a strikeout an inning or better in his last four starts, and that more than anything convinces me he’s got his mojo back. Now if he can only stay healthy…

Gary Sheffield had three hits, two of them doubles, to continue his streak. He’s now hitting .284, second on the team (at least among players with more or less regular duty) and has the best OPS on the team. With the Joneses struggling (they each had hits today; they aren’t doing great but at least they aren’t killing the team anymore) he’s been the best player on the team the last month, with the possible exception of Matt Franco, or maybe Remlinger.

ESPN.com – MLB – Recap – Braves at Cubs – 07/15/2002

The Braves lost to the Cubs, 3-2. Jason Marquis allowed only four hits, but three were solo homers. He left in the fifth inning after allowing two of them. That’s a little inexplicable after Bobby hung Damian Moss out to dry yesterday, but I guess he decided to get the pen in there in a close game. They did very well, but the Braves couldn’t score any more runs.

Gary Sheffield continued to be the bright spot, singling and walking twice, and stretching his streak of games on base to 41. However, he didn’t score any runs despite reaching base three times, largely because the 4-6 hitters were 1-11.

The Braves have a game this afternoon to try to salvage a split in the series. The Braves then have a micro-homestand, two games with the Marlins, then travel to Philly… The Expos lost, and are still 9 1/2 back. The Mets are in third place now, 11 1/2 out… The Braves, despite three straight losses, are still tied with Seattle for the best record in baseball.