Vance Worley, in his second start in the majors, faced down Tommy Hanson, going five strong innings and giving up just one hit. OK, the Braves are not looking like offensive giants but they are fighting for their play-off lives. The Phillies on the other hand are pretty much playing loosey-goosey--and it shows.
Both starters were lifted after five. The Phillies, who littered the bases each inning, finally broke through in the 7th, again aided by a Brooks Conrad error. (Poor guy, he has definitely been the goat so far.) Chase Utley had two hits, scored two runs, and stole two bases--a good, good afternoon. What starting regulars there were again started to give way to the bench after the 5th. Bastardo, Baez, Madson, and Contreras each threw an inning of scoreless ball. It was the 21st shutout thrown by Phillies' pitchers this year.
So far the Phillies have, almost without trying, put the kibosh on Bobby Cox's retirement weekend. The Padres, meanwhile, again silenced AT&T park. Depending on what happens tomorrow in Atlanta and San Francisco, the Phillies could face the Reds, the Giants, or the Padres on Wednesday. It's even crazier for the Braves, Giants, and Padres.
It was the day the Braves and their fans honored Bobby Cox, who would, if the roles were reversed, probably play things pretty much as Charlie Manuel is doing this weekend. At the end of his speech, Cox saluted Manuel and the Phillies for winning the NL East. Pretty classy. The entire Phillies' team stood throughout the 35-minute ceremony. That, too, was classy.
