=== Atlanta Braves Team Report - July 18 === (My Sportsbook) - The Atlanta Braves go for their sixth straight series win, as they play the Montreal Expos in the finale of a four-game set at Turner Field. The Braves grabbed a two games to one lead in the series with Saturday's victory. Russ Ortiz allowed just one hit over 7 2/3 innings to win his fifth straight start, and Marcus Giles' two-run homer in the seventh inning lifted Atlanta to a 6-2 victory over Montreal. Ortiz (11-6) walked five and fanned six en route to the victory. He improved to 5-0 with a 1.54 ERA over his last five outings. Atlanta has won four of five, seven of nine, and 11 of its last 14 games. The Braves also remained one game behind Philadelphia for first place in the National League East. John Smoltz notched the final four outs for his 17th save. Smoltz allowed a ninth-inning single by Tony Batista before completing the combined two-hitter. The Braves hand the ball to John Thomson today and hope the righthander can get back on the winning track. Thomson was 5-2 through his first 11 starts of the season, but has been 1-5 with a 6.94 ERA in his last seven outings. He posted a no decision last Friday in Philadelphia, surrendering two runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings. The 30-year-old righthander is 4-5 with a 4.21 ERA in 10 career starts against the Expos. Atlanta owns a 27-15 mark against the NL East this season. That includes a 9-3 record versus the Expos. Last week the Braves swept the Expos in a three- game series in Puerto Rico, outscoring Montreal 26-6. The Braves have won 12 of the last 15 matchups. |
