August 16-19 – Atlanta Braves (3) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (1)

August 16 - Opening Day @ Philadelphia

Phillies (0-0) 0 – Braves (0-0) 5

Roy Halladay vs. Greg Maddux

A potential epic pitching duel between two Cy Young winners was in the offering. Alas it was not to be. Greg Maddux held the Phillies to 3 hits in a complete game shutout. Halladay was touched for 4 runs on 10 hits over 7.1 innings. Terry Pendleton led the offense going 3 for 4 and 3 RBIs.

August 17 – Game 2

Phillies (0-1) 0 – Braves (1-0) 6

Cole Hamels vs. Tom Glavine

In another potential pitching classic, the Braves’ Tommy Glavine out-hurled is counterpart and matched Maddux’s 3 hit complete game shutout. Hamels didn’t have is ‘A’ game as attested to Mark Lemke (he must think it’s the playoffs already) solo shot in the Braves 4^th. Fred McGriff also hit a homer and TP led the way with 3 more hits.

August 18 - Game 3 – Home Opener in Atlanta

Braves (2-0) 2 – Phillies (0-2) 4

Steve Avery vs. Kyle Kendrick

Kendrick and 4 relievers kept the Brave’s hitters off balance to get the Phillies their first win of the young season. Jayson Werth had 3 hits and 3 RBIs to lead the offense. Brad Lidge got his 1^st save of the season.

August 19 - Game 4

Braves (2-1) 6 – Phillies (1-2) 3

John Smoltz vs. Joe Blanton

Early on Joe Blanton was channeling Cy Blanton as he held the Braves to 2 hits over the first 5 innings. Unfortunately one of those hits was a 2 run homer by David Justice. Meanwhile John Smoltz was still upset in getting passed over for the home opener start. Looks like it’s time for him to see his psychiatrist. The Phillies led 3-2 going into the bottom of the 6^th. Before Blanton realized he was just another Joe, the first 6 Braves batters reached base and four runs scored highlighted by yet another 2 run homer by Justice. Justice went 2-5 with 2 homeruns and 5 RBIs. Smoltz lasted 8 to get the win and McMichael pitched a 1-2-3 9^th for his 1^st save.  --submitted by Ron Burnette--