The Braves managed to salvage the final game of the three game series against the suddenly explosive Reds, thanks to 6 innings of 3 hit ball from their rookie hurler, Tommy Hanson, who won his second straight start in impressive fashion, and made sure no one started second guessing Tom Glavine’s dismissal. Matt Diaz emerged from the shadows and hit his 3rd homer of the year batting in the clean up spot, while Nate McClouth had easily his best day as a Brave, driving in 4 runs. The road trip started less than auspiciously–the Braves would need to sweep the Red Sox to simply go back to Atlanta at .500, and then will have to play the Yankees, Red Sox again, and Phillies, respectively. Despite a week and a half of languor, the Braves haven’t lost any ground to the division leading Phillies, who themselves have been floundering against the American League East. The Braves can’t afford to do the same, if they are to have any realistic chance of making the playoffs for the first time in 4 years.
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