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echo: ml_baseball
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from: TERRY MAY
date: 1996-10-23 22:01:00
subject: Game 4

A great game, but this one was hard to take.  The Braves go up 6-0 and it 
looks like they can't be beat.  All of a sudden, we get a moron umpire in 
right field in the way (once again, why do we have these extra umpires?), 
then Neagle can't throw strikes and we can't play defense.
Then later Wohlers is blowing his fastball by everyone and, as he's wont to 
do keeps going back to his mediocre slider and gets burned for a three-run HR 
and the game is tied.  No way does he give up a three-run shot to a 
right-handed batter with his fastball.  WHY THE HELL DOES HE DO THAT???
Then still later, Avery can't find the strikezone, puts himself in a jam, Cox 
walks Williams with a runner on 1st and 2nd (the right move, IMO), but Avery 
can't get three over the plate against Boggs, and suddenly the game is 
basically lost.
Oh, the Braves had more chances to score, but as they did most of the night 
(after getting the 6 runs), they failed with runners on base.
The Braves' lack of depth was really exposed in this game.  Not much depth in 
the bullpen, and NO depth whatsoever on the bench.  Schuerholz really left 
Cox shorthanded this postseason, the acquisition of Denny Neagle 
notwithstanding.
Give the Yanks credit for coming back.  They deserved to win.  They outplayed 
the Braves in all phases of the game.  And their depth is so much better than 
the Braves.  It will be difficult for the Braves to win these kind of games 
(which is why their extra inning record is so poor).  The more players used, 
the less chance they have of winning.
It's fashionable to rip Cox, and I'm sure there will be plenty of people with 
20-20 hindsight nitpicking to death his decisions, but I have no problem with 
any of his moves.  About the only thing I questioned was putting Klesko on 
deck with Polonia up there, ensuring that they'd pitch to Polonia (though 
mediot McCarver had it completely backwards).  I would have left Perez out 
there (or shown Pendleton), hope they walk Polonia to get to Perez and THEN 
bring out Klesko.  But Torre probably wouldn't have walked Polonia anyway.
Tomorrow's a very big game for both starting pitchers.  Torre's already said 
Rivera is not available.  Bielecki and Wohlers can't be expected for too 
much.  If either starter is not on their game, that team will probably be in 
trouble.  I really like the Braves chances with Smoltz.  He's done well on 
three days rest before.  I'm sure Yankee fans are confident in Pettitte, too, 
though.
... Atlanta Braves - 1995 World Series Champions!
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