Jones and Kotsay return to the lineup...yet the Braves still lose

Fine, it wasn’t the night I was hoping for, when I read late yesterday afternoon that Chipper Jones would avoid the DL and play in Tuesday’s game against the Phillies. I had visions of Jones regaining his stride, possibly becoming the hero of the game by hitting a walk-off homerun to celebrate his return. Instead, it seemed more like the Phillies' Shane Victorino enjoyed a coming out party in their 8-3 defeat of the Braves. Victorino went 2-for-5, driving with a homerun and four RBIs in the game, while the Braves Charlie Morton left in a hurry, giving up five runs before being pulled in the third. The relief staff including Buddy Carlyle and Manny Acosta was able to hold the Phils scoreless until Blaine "major appliance" Boyer allowed three runs in the ninth. Oh, and Chipper...he went 1-for-3 with two walks and a double in his first game back.

But all was not lost for the Bravos who also got Mark Kotsay back from the DL on Tuesday. Greg Norton drove in two runs in the loss, but the Braves went 1-for-15 with men in scoring position basically nailing their own coffin. Atlanta will continue its series with the Phillies on Wednesday night with Jorge Campillo going up against Adam Eaton. Philadelphia has been right at home at Turner Field so far this season, but it’s Adam Eaton, if ever there was a game to take out the Phils, it would be when Adam Eaton is on the mound. Too bad they sent down Brett Myers, that would have been a win for sure.

News&Notes: Even with all of the injuries, somehow the Braves pitching staff has been able to stay on course. Maybe it has something to do with pitching coach Roger McDowell?
(Photo: Gregory Smith/AP)

It’s been fun blogging with you,
Kate