October 06, 2005
Braves Even the Series
A big win for the Braves tonight as they trounce the Astros 7-1. It always seems that Clemens and Pettitte have bad games in the playoffs, and this was Roger's poor one.
On the other hand, Smoltz found himself in the second inning. After throwing 25 pitches in the first, he threw just 68 over the next six. He was in control, getting strikes on 67 of his 93 pitches.
The Astros offense was weak tonight. If you told me at the start of the game that Taveras would get three hits and Berkman two, I'd think the Astros would be in great shape. But the rest of the order managed just two hits all night. It was another poor outing in a game Clemens started. We'll have baseball Sunday.
Based on the weather forecast for the New York area, I think we're going to have more than one game on Sunday. Rain is likely for 8:19 pm Friday night. Conveniently, that's what the game is supposed to start.
Actually, Cox didn't order the LaRoche sac bunt in the second inning. Rochey did that on his own, as he's done a lot this season. He bunted for a couple of base hits this year, actually. Adam LaRoche, in only platoon action, hit 20 homers and drove in 78 runs this season--how is that considered "weak hitting"?
He had a .320 OBA and a .455 slugging percentage. That's pretty weak for a first baseman. If he did that on his own, someone should talk to him, that's the wrong strategy for a #5 hitter.
well, the offense WAS terrible.
but the truth is that roger pitched terrible, too. and i hate saying it, mind you...
