ESPN.com – MLB – Recap – Marlins at Braves – 09/19/2003

Wow. If Russ Ortiz pitched more games like that, he really would be a Cy Young candidate. Ortiz pitched a complete game, allowed only four baserunners on three hits and a walk, none of the runners ever getting beyond first, struck out eight, and drove in the game’s only run with a two-out single in the second. Can’t do much better than that. He needed 129 pitches to do it, but I can’t blame Bobby for leaving him out there.

Josh Beckett almost matched Ortiz, allowing only six hits and two walks. Javy doubled in the second, Vinny couldn’t get him in from third with one out, but Ortiz picked him up. Marcus had two hits, including his 48th double.

The Phillies won to retake the wildcard lead. The Cubs are in position to sweep a double header, which would leave them a game behind the Phillies, half a game behind the Marlins.