Mark Teixeira hit another homerun on Wednesday, this time a two run shot in the fourth that put the Braves in striking distance. But in the end, they could not overcome an error in the same inning that lead to three unearned runs in their 5-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. With only four games left, a four game deficit in the Wild Card standings and three teams in front of them, you'd have to say their playoff hopes are a miracle and a Disney movie away. To point the finger at Chipper Jones' error, however, would be ludicrous. He owns the best fielding percentage of any National League third baseman at .973 and that error was only his ninth of the season. Take that David Wright with your 21 errors! The Braves play in late August/early September is what did them in. But they still have a chance to play spoiler to the Phillies tonight at Citzens Bank Park. The game starts at 7:05 PM/est on SS.
Games behind NY Mets in NL East: 4
Games above .500: 8
NL Wild Card Leader: San Diego Padres
Braves Notes: If by some fluke the Braves are still in it on Sunday, Tim Hudson will take the mound on short rest...There is still no word on Rafael Soriano's appeal...If Chipper Jones had a vote he'd say Matt Holliday or Prince Fielder should get the MVP this year. (Although I'd go with Jimmy Rollins)...The Braves pitching has been better over their latest hot streak, but their bats have been their bread and butter. Going into Wednesday's game they had four batters hitting over .330 including Chipper Jones, Matt Diaz, Edgar Renteria and Yunel Escobar.
Baseball Update:
AL Standings
NL Standings
(Standings: Foxsports.com)
Baseball Notes: There was a George Steinbrenner spotting at Tropicana Field on Wednesday. Good thing, he was able to witness his team clinch their 13th consecutive playoff appearance with the Yankees 12-4 win over the Devil Rays...Apparently if you were leading your respective Division on Wednesday you didn't find a need to win as the New York Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs all lost...But luckily for the Cubbies the Brewers also fell so their lead remains at 2...While the Phillies and San Diego Padres were able to gain ground with their wins...The Giants/Padres game was also Barry Bonds' final start in a Giants uni at AT&T Park after 15 seasons in San Francisco...After six months of waiting, the Indians and Mariners were finally able to finish off that April series that was postponed due to snow on Wednesday. If you were wondering, the teams split the twin bill...Don't count the Colorado Rockies out, they picked up their 10th straight win after beating the Dodgers 2-0...Umpire Mike Winters who was involved in that strange incident with Milton Bradley on Sunday has been suspended for the remainder of the regular season. No word yet on his post-season plans...Although, I'm guessing Winters won't be sending Milton a get well card after Bradley has surgery to fix his ACL on Thursday.
NASCAR Update:
The new tentative Cup schedule has been released. You can check it out here.
Apparently Greg Biffle cannont figure out what went wrong with 2007. Was it because it seemed so similiar to 2006 that confused you. Or maybe because it reminded you of 2004? Minus the wins of course.
Kyle Petty will not be assessed a penalty for his off the track actions on Sunday. Petty confronted Denny Hamlin in the garage area after Hamlin had dumped him on lap 203 taking out both cars and a little bit of Clint Bowyer's car as well.
Kenny Wallace will replace the injured Ricky Rudd in the #88 Ford for the fourth straight week at Kansas on Sunday.
The Hollywood Reporter is saying that Anheiser-Busch's decision to move away from being the title sponsor in the Grand National Series and serving as the official beer of NASCAR was done to reallocate funds. A-B will instead spend more money in the entertainment and digital world.
Popo in my crib News:
Michael Vick tested postive for marijuana. Luckily he had already been sentenced in that whole dog fighting thing. What, he hasn't already been sentenced? Oh yeah, not a good call buddy, not a good call. Watch out Mikey, becuase the popo are on your tail!
Michael Vick tested postive for marijuana. Luckily he had already been sentenced in that whole dog fighting thing. What, he hasn't already been sentenced? Oh yeah, not a good call buddy, not a good call. Watch out Mikey, becuase the popo are on your tail!
Former Arkansas starting guard Corey Beck was shot during an attempted robbery. Beck is listed in fair condition after two would be robbers approached Beck's car and shot him in the hand and face. Beck was able to drive his car to a local fire station before being brought to the hospital. The two men got away...for now. Watch out soon to be convicted felons, because the popo are on your tail!
News & Notes: Our get well wishes go out to Ted Beckham, father of soccer superstar David Beckham and his entire family. Ted is currently in a British hospital after suffering a heart attack...First comes word that Shaun Alexander will play with a broken wrist and now Rams QB Marc Bulger says he'll keep playing with two broken ribs. Now that's a real athlete...Meanhwile, DeAngelo Hall may have to start dining at the Waffle House after the Atlanta Falcons fined him $100,000 for his emotional outburst on Sunday. Now that's not a real athlete...Phoenix Suns Forward Shawn Marion told the team he would like to be traded. What's it called, when you don't have a contractional obligation to stay with a team and you can sign with any team you so choose. hmmm, oh wait isn't that free agency?...And finally, congratulations to the annymous bidder and his 10 year old son who won a walk on role in the next Will Ferrell movie. The bidder spent $47,000 for this once in a lifetime opportunity. Those kids on Sweet 16 better up their game!
Check this out: Click here to find out what players think is the most meaningful hitting statistic. Oh and don't forget TV watchers, an all new episode of "The Office" premieres tonight at 9 PM/est on NBC. It's all about the Fun Run!
It's been fun blogging with you,
Kate
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