Braves split 2-game series with Nationals
The Good: Not much. The Braves should have lost both games. Cristian Guzman threw away a ground ball with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to allow in the tying and winning runs on Thursday. … You won’t believe it but the starting pitchers were exceptional! 
Yet again John Smoltz (7 IP, 1 ER, 9 K, no-decision) and Horacio Ramirez (6 2/3 IP, 2 ER, loss) turned in quality starts and yet again they had nothing to show for it at the end of the game. Only the Marlins’ starting staff has a better cumulative ERA than that of the Braves. … The bullpen didn’t blow any games which is a miracle!
The Bad: The Braves seem bent on giving the Pirates a run for their money for least runs scored. … The search for a clean-up hitter continues as Johnny Estrada (the latest candidate for the slot) went 1-for-8 in the series, dragging his batting average down to .217. … Raul Mondesi was hitless in 7 at-bats in the series and is now batting .218. I say we play Mike Hampton in right field between his starts. 
The Ugly: Bobby Cox finally started Ryan Langerhans in place of Andruw Jones, who is mired in the worst slump of his career (and that’s saying something!) – 0-for-27.
