03 September 2006

The Braves dropped a barnburner in the first game, and won one in the 2nd game. In Game 1, Tim Hudson had a rough start and the Braves fell into a 6-1 hole. Hudson did pitch 7 innings to help out the bullpen a bit. Atlanta scored 6 runs in the last 2 innings, including a 3 run homer by Matt Diaz in the 9th to take a 7-6 lead into the bottom of the 9th. But Bob Wickman had his first bad outing, blowing the save then losing the game. Game 2 shaped up as a pitching duel between Lance Cormier and Brett Myers, and it is a shame that it wasn't televised. Cormier had his best start of the season for Atlanta, going 7 innings and allowing 3 hits, 3 walks, and struck out 4. Each team scored 1 run early then were shut down. The game ended up going to extra innings, but the Braves scored 2 runs in the 11th with some bad Philly defense and Wickman shut the door in the bottom of the inning. News on Marcus Giles:

After team trainer Jeff Porter sent him to Philadelphia Methodist Hospital on Saturday morning, Giles underwent a number of tests. He said he was told that he a valve in his heart may not be operating properly. When he returned to the clubhouse after Saturday night's game, Giles explained that this specific valve is used to prevent blood clots and other foreign substances from entering the heart. He was told that his may not have closed, as it usually does shortly after birth. "It's a great thing to discover it," Giles said. "The main thing is getting it taken care of right away." After leaving the hospital, Giles came away with the understanding that not treating the condition would increase his chances of having a heart attack or stroke. Giles will be evaluated by team physician Dr. John Cantwell on Monday in Atlanta. He understands there's a chance he'll need to undergo a procedure in which a staple is used to close the valve. The staple would be inserted through an artery in his groin area. From what he's been told, it's a common procedure that may keep him out of action for a week.

There sure have been a lot of serious sounding issues going on with baseball players lately. David Ortiz with heart palpitations, Jon Lester with lymphoma, Tom Glavine with a possible blood clot, and now Giles with this. The Braves now go to New York to play the Mets. Chuck James will pitch against Steve Trachsel.

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