Last night’s game of the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies was a much needed win for the Braves. They were clinging to a one game lead over St. Louis and the only certainty of getting into the playoffs was winning. The Braves turned to their veteran “big-game” pitcher: Derek Lowe. They were facing the one pitcher that was that seemed beatable.
Yet, when the Braves needed Lowe the most, he failed on the biggest night of their season. Lowe pitched 4+ innings and gave up 5 earned runs. Hit after hit came off the Phillies’ bats. What was most telling about this loss came in the 3rd inning. He gave up a leadoff double to Carlos Ruiz. Roy Oswalt sacrificed and the ball came off the bat hard right to Lowe. With the Braves down by one run, due to a Chase Utley homer in the 1st, it seemed like the Braves needed to keep it close. When the bunt was laid down, Brian McCann could be heard screaming “third”. Lowe fielded the ball and threw to third. Ruiz was safe by a lot. Ruiz and Oswalt scored eventually and the Braves were down 3-0.
After that inning, you could almost see the air go out of the Braves. They got two on in the bottom of the third and had Chipper ground into a double play. The game was over.
They needed Lowe and he couldn’t deliver. He was playing in the biggest game of 2011. He just couldn’t get it done. The loss couPled with the Cardinals come from behind win over Houston takes the Braves’ fate out of their own hands for the first time. They now need a win and a loss by the Cardinals to avoid a one game playoff tomorrow in St. Louis. They still control their own fate, but now it is harder than it was.
One interesting thing about Lowe for your thoughts: Lowe has not had an ERA under 4.41 in any month since his DUI on April 29th. I am not saying this is the cause, but it is interesting the connection.
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