News
Chipper working his way out of slump
Atlanta (67-61) at Philadelphia (74-52), 7:05 p.m. ET
By Mark Bowman / MLB.com
08/29/09 2:02 PM ET
PHILADELPHIA -- Chipper Jones has been fighting to regain his swing over the course of the past two months, and with the infield single that he produced during the first inning of Thursday night's victory over the Padres, the Braves third baseman gained some confidence that he could prove to be much more productive during the season's final weeks. Jones delivered a sharp single during Thursday's second inning and then was robbed of a third hit in three innings when Tony Gwynn made a sensational diving grab in left-center field. "When he caught that ball, I was thinking, 'As much as last year was my year, this isn't my year,'" Jones said. What started as another productive season for Jones has developed into a frustrating one. But with a two-hit performance Thursday night, he gained some of the confidence that he believes could prove fruitful during this weekend's three-game series against the Phillies.After battling through multiple rain delays, the Braves lost Friday's series opener and are eight games behind the Phillies in the National League East race. Now they find themselves with the challenge that Cliff Lee will provide during Saturday night's game.
Lee, whose only previous career start against the Braves occurred during the 2004 season, has gone 5-0 with a 0.68 ERA in the five starts that he's made since the Phillies acquired him from the Indians. Over the course of his past eight starts, the 31-year-old left-hander is 8-0 with a 0.97 ERA.
"He's a great pitcher," Braves catcher Brian McCann said. "We just have to hope he makes some mistakes and we take advantage of them." The Braves may want to stack their lineup with as many right-handed hitters as possible. Lee has limited left-handed hitters to a .226 batting average and a .248 on-base percentage. But right-handed batters have hit .271 and compiled a .314 on-base percentage against him this year. Jones, who has one hit in his three career at-bats against Lee, would currently rather face a southpaw. This month, he has hit .314 (11-for-35) against left-handed pitchers and .177 (8-for-45) against right-handers.Entering Saturday, Jones had recorded just three hits in his previous 39 at-bats. But more concerning was the fact that he had hit just .242 with a .370 on-base percentage and a .381 slugging percentage in the 64 games he'd played dating back to June 10.
Jones' .278 batting average is the lowest post-April mark that he's possessed since he ended a June 25, 2006 game in St. Petersburg with a .276 mark. One day later at Yankee Stadium, Jones recorded a three-hit game and found himself beginning a tear that would carry him through the end of that season. During the 423 games Jones played from June 26, 2006, through the end of the 2008 season, he hit .337 with a .436 on-base percentage and a .583 slugging percentage. While Jones might not be prepared to go on the same kind of tear, he was encouraged with the swings he produced during the three-game series against the Padres. "The ball coming off the sweet spot is happening more often," Jones said. Pitching matchupATL: RHP Derek Lowe (12-8, 4.48 ERA)
Lowe's only previous start at Citizens Bank Park occurred on Opening Night, when he allowed two hits over eight scoreless innings. Considering he's allowed 20 hits in the 8 2/3 innings he's completed in his past two starts, he'd certainly enjoy the opportunity to experience another similar outing. The veteran right-hander posted a 6.14 ERA during a rough eight-start stretch earlier this year and then had gone 5-0 with a 2.91 ERA in the seven starts that preceded these two rough outings. In his only other start against the Phillies this year, Lowe worked six innings and was charged with two runs and seven hits. PHI: LHP Cliff Lee (12-9, 2.63 ERA)
Lee improved to 5-0 with a 0.68 ERA in five starts with the Phillies after Monday's 6-2 victory over the Mets at Citi Field. In 40 innings, he has allowed 24 hits, six runs, three earned runs, six walks and zero home runs. He has struck out 39. Opponents have hit .175 against him. He allowed six hits and two unearned runs and struck out five in seven innings against the Mets as he continues to prove to be one of the game's biggest acquisitions before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline. Tidbits
Nate McLouth went hitless in two at-bats and scored a run while beginning his Minor League rehab assignment with Double-A Mississippi on Friday night. ... Garret Anderson has seven hits in 17 career at-bats against Lee. ... Entering Friday, Jones had hit .345 with eight homers and a 1.138 OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) in his past 25 games at Citizens Bank Park. ... Lee's only previous career start against the Braves occurred June 18, 2004. He worked seven innings and the only two runs he surrendered were driven in by Rafael Furcal and J.D. Drew. Tickets
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• 640 WGST, Project 9-6-1 Up next
• Sunday: Braves (Jair Jurrjens, 10-8, 2.91) at Phillies (Joe Blanton, 8-6, 3.88), 8:05 p.m. ET
• Monday: Braves ([Tim Hudson, 2009 debut) at Marlins (Josh Johnson, 13-3, 3.04), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Tuesday: Braves (TBD) at Marlins (Anibal Sanchez, 2-5, 4.96), 7:10 p.m. ET
Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
