PHOENIX - GAME RECAPS

April 26th - Arizona 13 Atlanta 6 - Attendance 27, 362.

Greg Maddux of the Braves against Robert Ellis of the D'backs. A clear Atlanta victory, right? Well, that's why they play the games. Although Ellis was shaky early on, giving up 3 runs on 3 walks and 2 hits in the first, Maddux could not hold the lead. Luis Gonzalez nailed a solo shot in the bottom of the first setting a new NL record for most home runs in April with his 12th. In the second, Maddux gave up 3 singles and then Steve Finley hit a 2-run triple, his first extra-base hit of the season. Suddenly it was 4-3 Arizona and Atlanta's seemingly safe lead was no more. 

In the top of the 5th the Braves again took the lead on two hits and two sac flies, and they added another run in the 6th after a single, balk, ground out and another sacrifice fly. The score was 6-4 Atlanta and Maddux looked strong entering the bottom of the 6th. But two singles and a walk (Maddux's first walk of the season) were enough for Braves manager Bobby Cox and he replaced Maddux with Mike Remlinger. Steve Finley was the batter and he took the first three pitches for balls. Remlinger figured he wouldn't swing on the 3-0 pitch and grooved a fastball - Finley crushed it to right center and it landed over the fence and into the swimming pool. A 3-run homer and Arizona led 8-6.

Andruw Jones waits for a pitch

In the bottom of the eighth, Damian Miller and Erubial Durazo both hit dingers (it was Durazo's 4th pinch hit homer of the season) to make it 10-6. After two more runners reached base, Luis Gonzalez came up and delivered his second home run of the game, tying the Ken Griffey Jr's major league record for home runs in April. Final score: 13-6 Arizona. It was only the 3rd time in 111 games where the Braves had given Maddux 5 or more runs in support and Maddux lost the game. Definitely a great game with comebacks, homers galore, new records, and a happy home crowd - 9/10 on the rating scale. 

April 28th - Atlanta 3 Arizona 1 - Attendance 45, 264.

Randy Johnson - the Big Unit, 2000 Cy Young Winner. Tom Glavine - 2000 Cy Young Runner Up. Tough to find a better pitching match-up in the National League. And the game lived up to its billing. After two scoreless innings, Andruw Jones came up with two out in the top of the third. On an 0-2 pitch, he crushed a 97-mph fastball to straightaway center - one of the most amazing home runs that I have ever seen. Johnson was rattled too, giving up a single to Chipper Jones and a run-scoring double to Brian Jordan before striking out Javy Lopez.

It was still 2-0 in the bottom of the 4th when Glavine gave up a lead-off single to Finley. Jay Bell singled him in and Gonzalez walked. It looked like trouble, but Glavine settled down getting Matt Williams to ground into a double play on the first pitch and striking out Reggie Sanders.

Randy Johnson continued to mow down the Braves, striking out 12 through 6 1/3 innings. With 1 out in the 7th, Quilvio Veras surprised everyone in the ballpark by knocking Johnson's first pitch out making it 3-1 Atlanta. Glavine completed 7 innings before yielding to Remlinger who only got one out before a double and an error brought John Rocker into the game. The crowd was rather vocal as Rocker warmed up but he induced Gonzalez into an inning-ending double play. The ninth was quick and Atlanta walked away with the 3-1 victory. 

Chipper Jones fouls off a Johnson pitch

A great pitching duel, a memorable home run, and a great crowd - another 9/10 game. I wish they could all be this good!

Crazy Arizona fans went home disappointed

April 29th - Arizona 7 Atlanta 5 - Attendance 34, 356.

Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN - we bought $1 tickets and watched as Arizona's Luis Gonzalez hit a double and triple to lead his team to a 7-5 victory. Miguel Batista made the start against Odalis Perez, but neither pitcher lasted long, with Perez being removed after 3.1 innings and Batista leaving after 4. By the end of the game, 11 pitchers had taken the mound. It wasn't a very good game, but it was still interesting enough to get a 6/10.