Intervention

Game 157 - Phillies

Phillies 6, Braves 2

Record: 89 wins, 68 losses - 1st place, 2.5 games ahead of NYM.

Every addict needs an enabler.

The Atlanta Braves fill that role for the herky-jerky Phillies who spend each day jonesing for their next fix. It will no doubt piss Mr. Lester off considerably that Bobby Cox rested Larry Jones and Brian McCann until the Phillies vaulted ahead 6 to 2 on the strength of Pat Burrell's 3 run shot in the 8th. Enter Jones in the 9th in a pinch hit role. Ol' Chipper slapped a single. Next Cox sends up Brian McCann to pinch hit for Julian Tavarez who had just served up the homer to Burrel. McCann doubles.

Its important to point out two things.

First, Jones and McCann own the Phillies this year. I think they own them every year. Thus far this season, Jones sports a .424. BA with 5 doubles, 3 homers and a 1.444 OPS against Phillies pitchers. McCann, has been even more cruel. He's battered Phils pitching for 6 doubles, 3 home runs, 16 RBI and a 1.108 OPS.

Second, by virtue of the Phillies 6 - 2 lead (as opposed to a 2-2 tie or worse,) the damage done by Jones and McCann was easily weathered by Phils closer for the evening Ryan Madson who was spelling the fatigued Brad Lidge.

Thank you Bobby Cox. We really needed this one baaaaaaaaddddddddd!

You want a spin on the NL East Race? The Mets went 7 and 11 vs. the Braves. The Phillies are now inexplicably 14 and 2. There's your story. Print it.