09-17-2003, 03:26 PM
MONTREAL -- John Smoltz could only feel helpless while watching his bullpen mates prevent Greg Maddux from establishing a historical mark that would forever prove his consistent greatness.
Six outs away from becoming the first pitcher to ever win at least 15 games for a 16th consecutive season, Maddux was forced to watch the Expos tally four runs against the Braves bullpen in their 5-4, 10-inning win on Tuesday night at Olympic Stadium.
However, the evening wasn't a total loss for the Braves. Soon after dourly dealing with Maddux's disappointment, they received official confirmation of the inevitable: Atlanta clinched a berth in the 2003 postseason, thanks to the Dodgers' loss in Los Angeles to Arizona.
But the NL East title, and Maddux's milestone win, remained on hold.
"We were trying to do something for (Maddux) and just couldn't come through," said Will Cunnane, who was charged with both of the ninth inning runs the Expos scored to force the fourth extra-inning affair between the Braves and Expos this year.
Orlando Cabrera's one-out, 10th-inning double off Roberto Hernandez scored Vladimir Guerrero with the game-winner that prevented the Braves from capitalizing on the Marlins loss to the Phillies on Tuesday. Atlanta's magic number now stands at two.
"Everybody is trying so hard, wanting Mad Dog (Maddux) to get this record and trying to win at the same time," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "You can over-try."
Cunnane, who had performed effectively in the closer's role since Smoltz went on the disabled list on Aug. 27, retired the final batter in the eighth after the Expos cut the Braves lead to 4-2 with the help of a Ray King two-out walk and a Vladimir Guerrero single against Jaret Wright.
With the record still within an eyelash of being accomplished, Cunnane allowed doubles to two of the first three batters he faced in the ninth and then exited in favor of Kent Mercker, who appeared to have struck out Brad Wilkerson one pitch before he tied the game with a sacrifice fly to right.
"For me to feel sorry for myself, I'd be the biggest (jerk) in the world," Maddux said. "I feel worse for Merck to be honest with you. I thought he came in, in a tough situation. He made a perfect pitch. When you go down and throw on the side that's what you work on, being able to make that pitch. Being able to do that under pressure is outstanding."
Outstanding could also be used to describe Maddux's effort on this disappointing evening. He limited the Expos to one earned run on four hits in seven innings, while not issuing a walk for the third time in his past four starts. Since the All-Star break, the 37-year-old right-hander is 7-3 with a 3.18 ERA.
"I think it's very disappointing," Marcus Giles said in reference to Maddux not setting the record. "Everybody knows what was at stake there, but it didn't happen."
Maddux will likely have two opportunities to achieve the record. But he still continues to downplay the significance of doing something not even the great Cy Young could accomplish.
"It ain't about me," Maddux said. "It's about getting ready for the postseason. It's not about me or any other guy here. It's about what we do over the next two weeks to get ready for the postseason, period."
Chipper Jones appears to be ready for a successful postseason. The Braves left fielder and Andruw Jones hit back-to-back homers on consecutive pitches off Tomo Ohka to provide the game's first runs in the seventh inning.
One inning later Chipper added a two-run single that enabled him to join Mel Ott, Willie Mays and Sammy Sosa as the only National League players to ever record eight consecutive seasons with at least 100 RBIs.
Cox inserted Javy Lopez into the starting lineup with Maddux pitching for the first time since Sept. 8, 1998, to prepare his long-time catcher for the postseaon, during which he'll be behind the plate each time the legendary hurler starts.
But Ohka, who had allowed 12 earned runs in his previous 16 1/3 innings against Atlanta, kept Lopez and most of the other Braves under wraps for much of the night. The right-hander was charged with just two earned runs on seven hits in seven innings.
Combined, the Braves and Expos managed to produce just seven baserunners through the first five innings. Each of Montreal's first three hits came via doubles with less than two outs. But Maddux was able to escape each jam, including one in the fifth, which ended with Brad Wilkerson looking at strike three while Ron Calloway led off third base.
Todd Zeile's seventh-inning sacrifice fly scored Orlando Cabrera with the only run managed off Maddux, who has allowed two earned runs or less in 12 of his last 15 starts. His 4.10 ERA would be more impressive had he not allowed a combined 18 earned runs in the other three starts over that period.
"You know Doggy (Maddux) is a gamer," Giles said. "I'd put my money on him the next game. Don't take that the wrong way, but you know what I mean. He's a gamer. He's a battler. He's not going to let this little outing ruin his focus. It'll be exciting to watch his next start."
Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Six outs away from becoming the first pitcher to ever win at least 15 games for a 16th consecutive season, Maddux was forced to watch the Expos tally four runs against the Braves bullpen in their 5-4, 10-inning win on Tuesday night at Olympic Stadium.
However, the evening wasn't a total loss for the Braves. Soon after dourly dealing with Maddux's disappointment, they received official confirmation of the inevitable: Atlanta clinched a berth in the 2003 postseason, thanks to the Dodgers' loss in Los Angeles to Arizona.
But the NL East title, and Maddux's milestone win, remained on hold.
"We were trying to do something for (Maddux) and just couldn't come through," said Will Cunnane, who was charged with both of the ninth inning runs the Expos scored to force the fourth extra-inning affair between the Braves and Expos this year.
Orlando Cabrera's one-out, 10th-inning double off Roberto Hernandez scored Vladimir Guerrero with the game-winner that prevented the Braves from capitalizing on the Marlins loss to the Phillies on Tuesday. Atlanta's magic number now stands at two.
"Everybody is trying so hard, wanting Mad Dog (Maddux) to get this record and trying to win at the same time," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "You can over-try."
Cunnane, who had performed effectively in the closer's role since Smoltz went on the disabled list on Aug. 27, retired the final batter in the eighth after the Expos cut the Braves lead to 4-2 with the help of a Ray King two-out walk and a Vladimir Guerrero single against Jaret Wright.
With the record still within an eyelash of being accomplished, Cunnane allowed doubles to two of the first three batters he faced in the ninth and then exited in favor of Kent Mercker, who appeared to have struck out Brad Wilkerson one pitch before he tied the game with a sacrifice fly to right.
"For me to feel sorry for myself, I'd be the biggest (jerk) in the world," Maddux said. "I feel worse for Merck to be honest with you. I thought he came in, in a tough situation. He made a perfect pitch. When you go down and throw on the side that's what you work on, being able to make that pitch. Being able to do that under pressure is outstanding."
Outstanding could also be used to describe Maddux's effort on this disappointing evening. He limited the Expos to one earned run on four hits in seven innings, while not issuing a walk for the third time in his past four starts. Since the All-Star break, the 37-year-old right-hander is 7-3 with a 3.18 ERA.
"I think it's very disappointing," Marcus Giles said in reference to Maddux not setting the record. "Everybody knows what was at stake there, but it didn't happen."
Maddux will likely have two opportunities to achieve the record. But he still continues to downplay the significance of doing something not even the great Cy Young could accomplish.
"It ain't about me," Maddux said. "It's about getting ready for the postseason. It's not about me or any other guy here. It's about what we do over the next two weeks to get ready for the postseason, period."
Chipper Jones appears to be ready for a successful postseason. The Braves left fielder and Andruw Jones hit back-to-back homers on consecutive pitches off Tomo Ohka to provide the game's first runs in the seventh inning.
One inning later Chipper added a two-run single that enabled him to join Mel Ott, Willie Mays and Sammy Sosa as the only National League players to ever record eight consecutive seasons with at least 100 RBIs.
Cox inserted Javy Lopez into the starting lineup with Maddux pitching for the first time since Sept. 8, 1998, to prepare his long-time catcher for the postseaon, during which he'll be behind the plate each time the legendary hurler starts.
But Ohka, who had allowed 12 earned runs in his previous 16 1/3 innings against Atlanta, kept Lopez and most of the other Braves under wraps for much of the night. The right-hander was charged with just two earned runs on seven hits in seven innings.
Combined, the Braves and Expos managed to produce just seven baserunners through the first five innings. Each of Montreal's first three hits came via doubles with less than two outs. But Maddux was able to escape each jam, including one in the fifth, which ended with Brad Wilkerson looking at strike three while Ron Calloway led off third base.
Todd Zeile's seventh-inning sacrifice fly scored Orlando Cabrera with the only run managed off Maddux, who has allowed two earned runs or less in 12 of his last 15 starts. His 4.10 ERA would be more impressive had he not allowed a combined 18 earned runs in the other three starts over that period.
"You know Doggy (Maddux) is a gamer," Giles said. "I'd put my money on him the next game. Don't take that the wrong way, but you know what I mean. He's a gamer. He's a battler. He's not going to let this little outing ruin his focus. It'll be exciting to watch his next start."
Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.