ESPN.com – MLB – Recap – Astros at Braves
John Smoltz threw five innings of one-run, two-hit ball, but left the game having thrown only 46 pitches with a sore back. The injury isn’t considered serious. The Braves already led 6-1 and pushed it to 9-1 in the bottom of the fifth, so there wasn’t a lot of pressure. Don Sutton talked a lot about Smoltz’s mechanics being off, and bad mechanics can mess up your arm if you’re not careful.
The Braves jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first on a homer by Estrada, which picked up Chipper and LaRoche after they couldn’t get runs home with runners first and third. The game went more or less similarly to last night’s, with Furcal going 2-4, scoring twice, and driving in one, and Marcus going 3-4 with two doubles, and with the same runs scored and RBI. Andruw also had two hits (one of the infield variety) and the Andruwometer stands at .257. Jordan and Mondesi were the only position starters to not get hits, and Jordan was one of seven Braves to drive in a run.
Jorge Sosa allowed a walk and two hits to give up a run in the sixth, and Colon gave up a two-run homer in the ninth. The latter’s ERA is 8.00 and he really needs to be sent to Richmond for his own long-term good. Gryboski was perfect in the seventh; Bernero allowed one hit in the eighth.
The Braves, surprisingly, scored nine runs on eleven hits and no walks. Not normal… The Marlins are going to win, it looks like, to stay a half game back… Tomorrow’s game is also on TBS, Pettitte versus Ramirez. I hope to recap it, but there will be site maintenance over the weekend. I think you’ll like the result but there will be some downtime.
any1 explain why ramirez is pitching tomorrow?
My guess would be that because he was skipped, he hasn’t pitched in almost two weeks. I think Bobby sat him to start better pitchers against St. Louis and because there were a couple days off in one week, but he could have also been tired. Ramirez needs to get back into the rotation and what better team to start him against than the worst road team.
Very good to see both Giles and Furcal hitting. They are definitely the keys to this offense.
I agree, they are part of the offensive core. I think Chipper is the key, though. His absence really made me appreciate the quality of protection he provides for the Braves lineup.