Ugly games all around

The Braves lost to the Phillies yesterday 4-2 in a game that included a 2-hour rain delay. Tommy Hanson started for the Braves and gave up 4 runs in 5 innings. Hanson is now 10-4 with a 2.85 ERA and has a decent shot at the NL Rookie of the Year. The bullpen was very good as Kris Medlen, Boone Logan, and Eric O'Flaherty scattered 3 hits over 4 shutout innings to give the Braves a chance. The offense, however, was not productive. The team had 7 hits and left 8 men on base. Matt Diaz gave the Braves a 1-0 lead with a RBI single in the first inning while Brian McCann had a pinch-hit single in the ninth inning to keep Atlanta's hopes alive. However, Nate McLouth struck out as the tying run at the plate to end the game. The Braves travel to New York to face the Mets at 710p tonight. Derek Lowe will pitch for the Braves.

Atlanta is 8.5 games behind the Phillies in the NL East and 5.5 games behind the Rockies with 13 games left to play. It does not look good.....

The Redskins combined their great defense with some poor offense in defeating the Rams 9-7. Shaun Suisham kicked three field goals and the Skins defense held off the Rams last-ditch effort to get into field goal range with under two minutes to go, but those were the only bright spots. The offense was held to 3.8 yards per rush, in addition to not getting the 1 or 2 yards needed when trying to get a first down. When you have 20 more plays than you opponent and hold the ball for 10 more minutes, you should win the game by more than 2 points. The Skins play the Lions next week as the "easy" part of the schedule continues.