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Home > Terence Moore > Archives > 2008 > July > 03
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Phillies’ favorite patsies live at Turner Field
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Whether the Braves wish to admit it or not (and they don’t, by the way), they are absolutely spooked by their division rivals in the National League East from Philadelphia. If not spooked, they are intimidated, frightened, petrified, mortified, terrified or just plain scared when the Phillies are around.
Something is wrong here. Whatever it is, the Braves have slightly more than two months to figure it out. They’ll play six of their final 12 games of the season against these good but not necessarily overwhelming Phillies, who nevertheless have spent nearly two seasons chopping the Braves to death with bats, gloves, legs and arms instead of tomahawks.
This time, the Phillies managed a 4-1 victory at Turner Field with little resistance from their favorite patsies. In fact, there were more home runs for the Phillies (three) than hits for the Braves (two) through seven innings. It all led to the Phillies’ third sweep over the Braves during the past four series in Atlanta. Plus, the Phillies have won 16 of their past 21 games overall against the Braves and seven straight.
And get this: Prior to arriving in town, the Phillies had lost nine of 11. Their batting average was so tiny during those games that you needed a microscope to see it. Even so, they ignored the fact that they rank below the Braves in the NL in pitching and hitting and outscored their foes 19-7 in their latest Turner Field romp.
Did I say spooked?
“I don’t think it has to do with a psychological thing,” said Braves catcher Brian McCann, referring to how the Phillies have dominated his team at home and on the road since May — of 2007. After the Braves took five of the first six games to begin that season, they did much to help the Phillies catch the Mets down the stretch for the division title and lead the NL East right now. Added McCann, “I just think it has to do with the consistency of playing baseball, and we’re not doing that on a consistent basis right now.”
No question there, because this is ridiculous. Actually, this is inexcusable, but only if the Braves wish to make the playoffs this year by overcoming injuries, the Phillies, Marlins and Mets ahead of them in the division and themselves.
So, for the 40-46 Braves, suddenly seven games behind Philadelphia, they can spend the weekend rebounding at home by pounding mediocre Houston. They can continue with a little streak on the road at Dodger Stadium and in San Diego before getting a boost with the return of some of their considerable wounded healed after the All-Star Break. They can surge through August and into September to make what was supposed to be a cozy division race actually cozy.
It won’t matter. Well, not unless the Braves discover ways by then to conquer Philadelphia (and those Phillie demons) waiting for them at the end.
“Actually, it’s just one of those ironic things, you know, that happens from time to time in sports,” said Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino, trying to be kind. “I knew we’ve been doing well against them, but I haven’t even been paying attention enough to know it has been that well.”
Said McCann, from a mostly quiet and vacant home clubhouse afterward, “Now our goal is to get to .500 before the All-Star break. We can’t keep losing games [in the standings] to these guys.”
Too late.
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