We should know soon whether the Atlanta Braves own the greatest starting rotation in captivity. If these pitchers can overcome the way the rest of the team is playing, their place in history should be secure.
When the Braves yielded five unearned runs during the opener of the National League Championship Series, it might have been deemed an aberration. But Friday night, they were at it again, bungling their way to defeat.
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The box score will show that Charles Johnson, a graduate of the Kane County Cougars, authored the big hit–a bases-clearing sixth-inning double to bring the Florida Marlins a 5-2 triumph and a 2-1 lead in this best-of-seven tournament.
What had to be seen to be believed were a number of other gaffes committed by the Braves, who must have pierced the cloud cover and been governed by a very full moon over Miami. Two batters before Johnson, Darren Daulton crushed a line drive to right field, where Atlanta’s best defensive outfielder, Andruw Jones, froze.
Double, tie game.
In their sixth, the Braves imploded on the bases. Chipper Jones got hung up between second and third and became the first out. In their seventh, Tony Graffanino ambled into second without a slide and was tagged out. All this on an evening when the defending league champions had their playoff ace, John Smoltz, on the mound.
Time out for a reality check. A year ago, the Braves were down 3-1 in this tournament, and the St. Louis Cardinals still haven’t clinched. And Saturday night, the Braves do have, waiting and rested, the league’s only 20-game winner in 1997. Good, old whatshisname. Neagle. Denny Neagle. He hasn’t merited a start yet this postseason, but he’s not a bad guy to have in a pinch. He’ll face Al Leiter, not Kevin Brown.
Jim Leyland, the Marlins’ manager, played this quirky game under protest after Eric Gregg, the second base umpire, showed he’s human. The Braves, paying homage to the national pastime, rendered the dispute meaningless.
October is no time to impersonate the Cubs, not if you want to advance.
The Marlins, not exactly airtight, were still in shock over the revelation that Alex Fernandez, their Game 2 starter and loser, pitched with a torn rotator cuff. The former White Sox right-hander, a local hero from the “Little Havana” section of Miami, was cheered with gusto during pregame introductions. He was in uniform, which is how he plans to dress until the Marlins are finished.
“I want to stay around the club, and then worry about the arm,” said Fernandez. “I guarantee you, my career is not over. I will pitch again.”
The Marlins certainly hope so, for they committed $35 million to hire Fernandez from the White Sox. His misfortune is just the type of injury cited by his former boss, Jerry Reinsdorf, as a reason why the Sox are hesitant to sign pitchers to long-term contracts.
Of course, for the Sox to make a statement, it wouldn’t cost $35 million. Or $55 million, as was paid to Albert Belle. For a relatively modest sum, the Sox could lure manager Jim Leyland, if he chooses to leave Florida when owner Wayne Huizenga sells the team. He would not only be less expensive than a player, but more dependable.
“Haven’t even given it a thought,” Leyland said. “There are all these stories about how the new owners here will cut the payroll. But I’m not so sure it’s going to be all that drastic. Now is not the time to worry about it, anyway.”
Indeed, the Marlins had a game to play, to protest and to win.