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Monday, July 24, 2006
Showing vital signs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sunday night’s game in Philadelphia was just what the Braves needed. They were able to win even without the Jones boys and Bob Wickman pitched a perfect ninth inning to close out the 5-1 victory.
Not normally a strikeout pitcher, Wickman fanned his first batter. Then he got two easy groundouts. How nice was that?
Wickman wasn’t eligible for a save after Jeff Francoeur’s three-run homer capped a four-run top of the ninth inning for the Braves. But he showed that the Braves now have someone who isn’t intimidated by the task of finishing games.
Although the Braves had just five hits, two were home runs and the other three were doubles.
Still, the Braves need Chipper and Andruw Jones back in the lineup as soon as possible. Chipper won’t play in Monday night’s series finale at Philadelphia, but Andruw was scheduled to be in the starting lineup.
Chipper Jones has shown during his power-laden 20-game hitting streak that he can still be one of the best hitters in the National League. But the third baseman has to stay healthy and he hasn’t been able to the past few seasons.
Now it’s an oblique strain in his left side. Chipper turned 34 this year, but his body is acting older.
