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Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Last wild-card hope: Davies’ return
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If the Braves have any hope of getting back into the National League wild-card race, they need a lift from Kyle Davies like he gave them early last season.
It’s asking a lot for the young right-hander to do it again, though.
Davies hasn’t pitched in the majors since May, when he tore his right groin. But he’ll start Saturday at Philadelphia after finishing his minor league rehab with three encouraging outings.
As a rookie, Davies pitched five scoreless innings at Boston in his debut last May and allowed just two runs in his first 23 1/3 innings over four starts.
If he could come close to a stretch like that this September, the Braves might not be dead after all.
Pitching at Philadelphia will be almost as tough as going against the Red Sox at Fenway Park was last year. The Phillies are hot and the four games this weekend could end any last glimmer of hope for the Braves.
The hitting has come around. The pitching, however, remains a concern. Davies could be a big help.
Davies pitched eight scoreless innings Sunday for Class AAA Richmond and was 2-0 with a 0.60 ERA for the R-Braves after winning his last start at AA Mississippi. But the Phillies aren’t minor leaguers.
