Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox has been around baseball a long time. One thing he knows is not to be surprised when things don't go as originally planned. However, losing two of his five starters before they could make their first start was something I'm sure even he wasn't immediately prepared for.

John Smoltz started the season on the DL with shoulder stiffness but with Tuesday's off day it didn't affect the rotation that much as he is expected to make his start April 6th vs. Johan Santana of the Mets. But when Hampton was declared unable to start just minutes prior to first pitch and later deemed headed to the DL, Bobby Cox had to make one of those decisions no manager wants to make.

Braves reliever Jeff Bennett got the call to start the game. He was impressive in his impromptu start in the series finale against the Pirates allowing 4 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 2 walks and 3 strikeouts in 4 innings.

The Bullpen did another nice job, especially considering every member has worked at least 3 if not all 4 of the Braves games.

Blaine Boyer worked a solid 2 innings giving up no hits, no walks and a strikeout.

Ohman, Acosta, Soriano all had good outings.

Then in the 10th, Chris Resop came in to keep the game tied vs. Jason Bay. Hey got Bay out and Bobby Cox, not wanting to waste another pitcher brought Royce Ring in to face Laroche and sent Resop to play left field replacing a shocked Matt Diaz. As Ring took care of Laroche, Bobby Cox brought Resop BACK to pitch sending Prado to left field. However, that move didn't work as hoped when Braves basher Xavier Nady came through in the clutch again, with two outs, and drove the ball for a hit and also driving in what would become the winning run.

In the bottom of the 10th, with two quick outs, Mark Kotsay crushed the ball deep to center just missed a game-tying homerun by inches. He ended up with a standup triple and Brian McCann was sent in to pinch hit for starting catcher Corky Miller. Brian hit the ball hard to first but sure handed Adam Laroche handled the hard hit and beat McCann to the bag for the 3rd out and game winner.

Despite a good game with difficult odds (starting with Mike Hampton being sidelined) and another difficult 1-run ending, Chipper Jones went 3-5, Mark Kotsay 2-5 and Matt Diaz 2-4.

The Braves end their home opening series in last place in the NL East and with a sour record of 1-3.

Here are the standings:



Next Game: Friday 6:30pm Central Time vs. New York Mets
Tim Hudson (RHP; 0-0) vs. John Maine (RHP; 0-0)