ESPN.com – MLB – Recap – Braves at Mets
The Braves finally got some runs for John Smoltz, and managed to build a big enough lead that Dan Kolb wasn’t quite able to blow it before Bobby could get him out of the game. Jordan and Estrada’s back-to-back doubles in the first scored three runs, and Estrada drove in another run in the third. The Braves wound up with seven hits, all against Pedro, and two walks. Orr started the game at third base, hitting second, and scored the game’s first run. LaRoche scored twice.
Smoltz wasn’t maybe as blistering as he was in his last outing against the Mets, striking out but four, but was more than effective enough, limiting them to one run in 6 2/3 innings. The Mets got ten baserunners — seven hits and three walks — but he kept it in the park.
Reitsma came in with two on in the seventh, and got a fly ball to end it. Then he got them in order in the eighth. Arguably, having thrown but fourteen pitches, he should have stayed in, but Kolb is the Closer™, so he had to come in.
Kolb gave up five hits, got a double play, and left the 4-1 game he inherited with the score 4-3 and two runners on base. John Foster cleaned up his mess, getting Cliff Floyd to pop up. Why is the worst reliever the closer? Is Bobby trying to manage with a degree of difficulty now?
Day game tomorrow, Hampton the ex-Met versus Glavine the ex-Brave. It’s on TBS, which does those of us with jobs a whole lot of good.
Whatever dude Kolb Rulz!!!!!!11111
Leave him in!1!!!!11 LOL!!!!!111
Sincerely,
The rest of the league
I was fearing an 0-4 start for Smoltz all day, but the boys (except Kolb) came through. Getting some runs off Pedro at Shea is a really good thing for our team. Orr continues to justify his spot in the majors, he’s been great.
“Closer?, so he had to come in.” Really awesome baseball poetry. Thanks Mac.
We have found our own Pedro killer…Johnny Estrada! He was the one who hit the double to drive in Chipper against Pedro the last time, and he hit two more doubles off Pedro today. Good stuff.
“The Braves finally got some runs for John Smoltz, and managed to build a big enough lead that Dan Kolb wasn’t quite able to blow it before Bobby could get him out of the game.”
Well put. Maybe this will be Kolb’s niche–games with three run leads, and he gives up a run per out, then someone else actually finishes it.
Ah, foster, my man. I have nothing but love for foster right now. Nothing but love. When he first pitched a couple of days ago, I thought he could be very good. I say make him the closer, gradually, so as not to piss off too many people, but in the end, have him closing them out.
Any more word on Chipper’s foot?
— Any more word on Chipper’s foot?
Friday.