Things quickly went sour once the Braves blew that 9-3 fourth-inning lead in Saturday's game in Philadelphia, ultimately losing yet another one-run game on the road. But the fact that Mike Hampton pitched into the fifth inning while getting on base and running the bases and fielding his position is something hopeful the Braves can point to as a relative success.
There's no point in worrying about which teams are in front of them and how many games out of first they are until the Braves are playing .500 ball, which doesn't look like it will happen in the coming week -- the Braves host the Cardinals for four games and the Brewers for three. And for all the pitching injuries the Braves had suffered this season, it is not, ultimately, the pitching that is to blame for Atlanta's record. Most of the Braves have been going about their business without comment on Hampton, but everyone was excited about his return. To spend three years trying to get back, when he could have taken his $15,975,185 salary and spent the season sipping martinis at home in Florida, was commendable on a professional level.
He endured surgeries, constant rehab and constant minor league assignments, touring nearly every hot spot in the Braves organization including Myrtle Beach.
Hampton never turned sour. Never hid from a question or ran from doubters. Never stopped supporting his teammates.
Although he didn't get Saturday's loss, he took responsibility for not getting out of a big inning.
PHILLIES 12, BRAVES 10: The Braves were up 2-0 after an inning and a half when a 1:57 rain delay wiped out Jorge Campillo's start. That left it up to Jo-Jo Reyes, who didn't help matters by giving up the long ball. A succession of Braves' relievers fared no better, but neither did the Phillies' pitchers, who were touched by the Braves for a five-run eighth.
