ESPN.com – MLB – Recap – Rockies at Braves – 08/16/2002

In case you missed it, Kevin Millwood is Back. He gave up a run in the first then pitched seven shutout innings. The Braves tied the game in the bottom of the inning, then got a run on a Furcal single in the fifth and a two-run homer by Chipper in the sixth. John Smoltz loaded the bases with two out in the ninth but then got out of it with a strikeout, and the Braves won 4-1. I would have let Millwood (who threw 97 pitches, 66 strikes) try to get the complete game, but Bobby decided to hit for him and then go with his closer. It worked out in the end, so I can’t argue.

Javy Lopez started the game coming off the DL; Henry Blanco went on the DL. Javy did his best Steve Torrealba impression, going 0-4 and not coming close to getting a hit. He was the only Brave position player to not reach base. Vinny was 0-3 and was hit on the wrist by a pitch in the eighth. Unfortunately, it looks like he wasn’t seriously hurt.

Jason Marquis will start tomorrow, a night game. He’ll be on six days’ rest; he isn’t starting on regular rest very often. I don’t think irregular work is good for young arms. His only good start in recent games was on four days’ rest… Wes Helms will be out for 4-6 weeks, but won’t need surgery. I don’t know that it matters, but maybe there won’t be a prolonged strike.