Good Luck D-Lowe!

As a Dodger fan, I knew this day was coming... it wasn't a matter of if, it was when and where. Most of us knew that when he pitched on October 13, 2008 against the eventual World Champion Philadelphia Philles that the guy known as "D-Lowe" had likely made his last pitch as a member of the Blue Crew. As happened so often in his career as a Dodger, Lowe left that game leading only to see the bullpen give it up. In this game (divisional playoff game 4) he left after five innings leading 3-2. The Dodgers would eventually lose that game 7-5.

In four years as a Dodger he was only 54-48 in the won-loss column. To look at his record alone would be very misleading. Twice in those four years, D-Lowe received the worst run support of any NL pitcher. With a better offense behind him, you're talking about a guy who would have won 16-20 games every year rather than only once. Over his four years as a Dodger he posted ERA's of 3.61, 3.63, 3.88 and 3.24. Yes, D-Lowe was a model of consistency - the one steady and reliable force the Dodgers had on their staff. Not as flashy as Chad Billingsley, not as hyped by the media as much as the perhaps more talented Brad Penny, D-Lowe just did his job. He took the mound every fifth day and gave the Dodgers a chance to win just about every time.

After his requisite thrashing at Busch Stadium on August 6th - he just never has pitched well there for some reason (fantasy leaguers take that as a note for the 2009 season), he was almost perfect... In his final 10 regular season starts as a Dodger, Lowe gave up EIGHT runs... yes, EIGHT earned runs allowed ih his final 64 regular season innings - a stellar 1.13 ERA to go with a 6-1 record over that time. The Manny may have gotten all of the credit for the Dodgers championship run last year, but reality is that Derek Lowe played a pretty big role himself.

Today, Derek Lowe signed with the Atlanta Braves - 4 years, $60 million dollars... Yes, that is a whole lot of cash and I must say it's well-deserved. Braves fans, you can rest assured you're getting a good one, ok almost a GREAT one if you want the truth... a money pitcher (he gave up all of two earned runs in each of his three playoff games this year). Our loss is your gain. Good luck, Derek... you'll be missed here, though rest assured, there will ALWAYS be a spot on my fantasy teams for you! Without you, I would have been a pretender and not a contender in a lot of leagues these past few years!

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Braves Make a Memory!

Thanks to the Atlanta Superstation, WTBS, I got to witness one of the most incredibly compelling games of the past several years this afternoon. It certainly didn't start out that way though, as it was a game that appeared to be over almost from the moment it started for the Braves. Tim Hudson was lit up five runs in the first two innings against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies and starter Kyle Kendrick. Hudson would settle down to pitch three scoreless innings, and Kendrick would put up zeroes for five innings before giving up a solo home run to Willie Harris to lead off the 6th. A single by Kelly Johnson would end Kendrick's day. J.C. Romero came in and promptly gave up a double to Chipper Jones score Harris. Romero and Kane Davis would hold the Braves in check the rest of the inning.

In the top of the seventh inning, the Phillies scored three more times to take an 8-2 lead. With that, it looked like the Braves were doomed to lose again and fall to .500 for the first time since opening day. But the Braves would not give up so fast... Tom Gordon came in to pitch for the Phillies and gave up another double to Chipper. After Mark Teixeira flew out to right, Brian McCann singled to center. Jeff Francoeur then blooped a single to right to score Chipper. Scott Thorman then gave up a single to Scott Thorman. Closer Brett Myers was then summoned to pick up a five out save, and promptly uncorked a wild pitch to make it an 8-4 game. Yunel Escobar then walked. Matt Diaz then hit a dribbler to shortstop for an infield single to score "Frenchy." Willie Harris then walked to force in another run. Suddenly, it was now just a two run lead and the Braves had life! Myers was somehow able to regroup and got Kelly Johnson to pop out to third and Chipper to hit a harmless fly to left...

Rafael Soriano came in to pitch a scoreless ninth for the Braves despite hitting Chase Utley and giving out a single to Carlos Ruiz with two outs. In the bottom of the frame, Mark Teixiera struck out and pinch-hitter Brayan Pena grounded out to get the Phillies within one out of the win. The Braves though would fight to the end. Francoeur would hit a grounder deep into the hole at shortstop. Jimmy Rollins could only stop the ball and make a weak throw to first, not nearly in time to get "Frenchy." Martin Prado then hit a ball high off of home plate for an infield single... Escobar walked again to load the bases... Diaz then crushed a ball deep to right... Phillie right fielder went back on the ball, but it was over his head and all he could do was tip the ball with his glove. Francoeur and Prado scored easily to tie the game and Escobar was waved home. The relay throw was high and wide and Escobar slid in safely to give the Braves a remarkable 9-8 come from behind win!

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