ESPN.com – MLB – Recap – Braves at Astros – 08/11/2002

That’s more like it. The Astros this time jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first, then the Braves came back to make it 3-2 in the second. And 8-2 in the third. And 10-2 in the fourth. They coasted from there, as you might expect. Every Braves starter had at least one hit and reached base at least twice, including Kevin Millwood who was 2-3 with three RBI and a run scored. The final score was 13-3 and the Braves won yet another series.

Millwood only went the minimum five innings to get his win, pitching okay but not brilliantly after giving the two first-inning runs; the back of the bullpen (minus Albie Lopez) filled in from there, with John Foster going two innings. Offensively, the Braves had 20 hits, led by Chipper Jones, who was 5-5 with a walk and two doubles, coming back from his hamstring injury. Gary Sheffield and Rafael Furcal each hit two-run homers.

It wasn’t all great, though. Andruw Jones left the game in the fifth after fouling a ball off his leg. There’s no word yet on the severity of the injury. Henry Blanco later left the game as well. I’ve no idea what the Braves will do for a catcher if he has to go on the DL. (Steve Torrealba, by the way, has in his appearances this year looked no more like a hitter than he does a ballerina, perhaps slightly less.)

After Monday off to hopefully recuperate, the Braves will host the Giants for three, followed by the Rockies for four. After that will come the last extended roadtrip of the season… The Braves’ magic number is 28, pending a Mets night game.