Howard Smith-USATodaySports
Atlanta Braves, the best team in the National League. Excuse me… maybe, the best team in baseball. Just don’t say that to Cliff Lee and Cody Asche. Asche and Lee were all the Philadelphia Phillies needed. Lee looked the CY Young pitcher that the Phils’ fans fell in love with. The dude only faced four batters in one inning once. Well, damn… that’s even with giving up a run. Lee went eight innings with ten strike outs, zero free passes and just two hits.
Saw this quick note on Lee after the game: Since the start of 2000 season, the most pitchers with games of 10 strike outs with zero walks are Randy Johnson (23), Curt Schilling (19), Javier Vazquez/Pedro Martinez (11), Lee and Johan Santana with (9).
You remember that 1-17 start for Asche? Yeah, I barely remember it. Since then he is 28 for 84 (.333) with four homers and 18 RBIs. Overall Asche is hitting .287 with four bombs and 19 RBI. Oh yeah, his “D” is not too shabby either.
I don’t want leave out Cesar Hernandez. I know the kid went 0-4 from the dish, but he has been playing outfield for what? Around two months? The boy has some natural ability out there.
On the hill for the Braves will be Alex Wood (3-3, 3.15 ERA). Wood was knocked around in his last outing. The right-hander surrendered seven runs on eight hits and dished out two free passes, while striking out two over 2.1 innings. Mr. “Non-Tender” Kyle Kendrick (10-12 4.51 ERA), takes the ball for the Phils. Remember that time when we thought that Kendrick could maybe make this year’s All-Star team? Good times… I keep thinking if I continue to refer to Kendrick as Mr. “Non-Tender”, it will actually happen.
Joseph Hickman is a Philadelphia Eagles writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @phillytugger, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+
