Braves drop 3 of 4 to the Phillies
The Good: Another win for Jorge Sosa, his 12th of the season (and he didn’t start games for the first 2 1/2 months of the season!). Why he wasn’t a finalist for National League Comeback Player of the Year is beyond me! He gave up 2 earned runs, 7 hits, 2 walks and struck out 2 in 5 2/3 innings Thursday. … Kyle Farnsworth notched his 7th save in as many opportunities. What a steal he was! The Braves would likely be neck and neck with the Phillies without him. … Adam LaRoche 3-for-8 during the series with 2 runs scored and an RBI from a home run. Hopefully he’s finally snapping out of his prolonged slump. … The Braves’ magic number stands at 10.
The Bad: Marcus Giles was 2-for-13 in the series and threw in a couple errors for good measure. … Julio Franco was 1-for-9 in the set. … Ryan Langerhans had only 2 hits in 11 at-bats. … Jeff Francoeur mustered 3 singles in 15 at-bats. … The Braves’ bullpen problems from the left side continue as Macay McBride gave up 2 earned runs in less than 3 innings of work.
The Ugly: Horacio Ramirez was battered by the Phillies offense for 7 runs, 6 earned, in 3 innings Wednesday. He gave up 8 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2. It was the 5th straight start during which he has surrendered 3 or more runs. That better put to rest any last shred of doubt as to who the 3rd starter in the rotation will be this October (Sosa).
