ESPN.com – MLB – Recap – Phillies at Braves – 09/17/2002

Maybe Greg Maddux should start on three days’ rest more often. (Keep it in mind for postseason.) After a disaster against the Marlins, he came back against the Phillies to throw seven innings of four-hit ball, allowing one run, and getting his 14th win of the season, the 271st of his career. He’s one win away from winning 15 in 15 consecutive seasons, something only Cy Young has done before him.

The Braves only scored two runs of their own, on a Sheffield infield single and a Blanco sac fly. But they had ten hits and four walks, and that’s a good offensive output. Do that every night and you’ll score runs. Vinny Castilla had three hits! In only four AB! That will not happen every night. Or most nights. Or ever again.

52nd save for John Smoltz, one short of the NL record. And career win 1,799 for Bobby Cox. If he manages next year, and I expect he will, a good year could put him into as high as ninth on the all-time list. For you Bobby-bashers, he’s also one loss away from 1400. And all 1400 are obviously his fault, while all 1800 wins are entirely due to the players. Right?