ESPN.com – MLB – Recap – Braves at Mets – 07/08/2003

The recap makes a big point about how Shane Reynolds was almost a Met. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Reynolds gave up two runs in six innings, but don’t let that fool you; he was lucky. He did manage to hold to only one walk, but he allowed eight hits and should have given up more runs. But the Mets were determined to give up outs, and hard-hit balls were right at the infielders. Plus it was the Mets, after all.

John Smoltz got the save, but it was Jung Bong who saved the game. Bobby foolishly let Boom-Boom Bobby Hernandez almost give away the game in the eighth, and Bong came on with the bases loaded, one out, and a run already in. But he got a grounder right to him and turned a 1-2-3 DP to get out of it. For Boom-Boom, the line: 1/3 of an inning, one run, one hit, two walks, an error (he committed on a terrible throw to first), 21 pitches, 11 balls.

The Braves left 13 men on base and against a real team would certainly have lost. Vinny drove in three, including two on a homer, and Marcus had three hits. Everybody joined in on the runners left on base festival. When everyone hits five times in a nine-inning game, it’s hard to score only five runs, but the Braves managed it.

Tom Glavine pitches against Russ Ortiz in a day game today. The Phillies managed to beat the Expos to stay 8 1/2 out.