Georgia sports for Friday, September 28th

The door has closed on the Braves' chances for the postseason. Atlanta was officially eliminated from contention last night, by virtue of their 6-4 loss to the Phillies in Philidelphia Thursday night. The loss means the Braves are missing the playoffs for a 2nd straight season. Pitcher John Smoltz was roughed-up in his final start of the 2007 season. He allowed 6 runs--5 earned--and 7 hits with 8 strikeouts in 4 innings of work. It was the shortest outing for Smoltz since late May. The Braves' offense included home runs from Chipper Jones and Mark Teixeira. Chipper is still very much in contention for the National League batting title. The Braves open a 3-game series in Houston tonight, which will close-out the season.

From college football, big games for Georgia and Georgia Tech on their respective home fields Saturday. The 15th ranked Bulldogs are home in Athens to meet Ole Miss at 1pm. Georgia enters play with the 3-1 record. For Tech's Yellow Jackets, now looking to snap a 2-game losing streak which has dropped their record to 2-2. A tough assignment in meeting 13th ranked Clemson in Atlanta at 3:30 tomorrow. For Georgia Southern, the Eagles are home in Statesboro to face Western Carolina at 3:30. The Eagles are 2-1 on the young season.

High school football is tonight across the state with another full schedule of games.

Georgia sports for Thursday, September 27th

The lights are nearly out for the Braves' postseason hopes, in the wake of their 5-2 loss to the Phillies in Philidelphia last night. Tim Hudson suffered the pitching loss to drop his season record to 16-10. A key Chipper Jones throwing error paved the way for 3 Phillies' un-earned runs off Hudson. With 4 games left in the season, the Braves stand 4 games out of 1st in the NL-East, and 4 off the top for the wild card. Concerning the Phillies, their recent surge combined with the Mets' faltering play has drawn Philidelphia to within 1 game of New York in the division.

Atlanta Falcons defensive back DeAngelo Hall says he's been fined 100-thousand dollars by the team for his outburst during the Falcons' loss at home to Carolina last Sunday. Hall also might be suspended for some length of the team's upcoming game against the Houston Texans. Last Sunday, Hall was whistled for 3 penalties on the same Falcon defensive series. His outburst included 2 personal fouls and a heated exchange with coaches on the sidelines. Hall says he plans to appeal the team sanctions through the NFL Players Association.

From preseason hockey, the Atlanta Thrashers last night beat the Florida Panthers 4-1 in exhibition action. The team is coming down the stretch toward their season opener, a week from Friday.

Georgia sports for Thursday, Sept. 6th

The Braves came back from a 6-run deficit after 7 innings yesterday, stunning the Phillies at Turner Field 9-8. The Braves scored 4 times in the 8th inning, then a final 3 runs for the victory in their half of the 9th. With 2 outs, Matt Diaz delivered a bases-clearing double to right field. The Braves are hoping somehow this might spur a big comeback in the playoff race, where they are 5-and-a-half games back of a wild card spot. They remain 7-and-a-half back of the Mets for the NL-East division lead.

The football weekend approaching adds Georgia Southern, and the NFL's Atlanta Falcons to the schedule. On the college gridiron, both Georgia and Georgia Tech look to go 2-0 to open their seasons. The Bulldogs are in Athens hosting neighbor South Carolina on Saturday for a 5:45 kickoff. Tech's Yellow Jackets stage their home-opener in Atlanta Saturday afternoon, a 1:30 start facing Samford. Georgia Southern's Eagles open their schedule at home in Statesboro against West Georgia--a 6pm kickoff for Saturday evening. On the pro level, its the opening of the NFL season this weekend: the Falcons begin life without Michael Vick, on the road at Minnesota Sunday.

Georgia sports for Wednesday, September 5th

The Braves' modest 1-game winning streak--is over. Last night, the Phillies bounced back to end their 3-game skid in the 5-2 final from Turner Field in Atlanta. Ryan Howard hit his 37th home run of the season for the visitors. The Braves offensively were handcuffed by Philidelphia-starter Kyle Lohse, but Chipper Jones did connect for his 23rd homer of the season. The Braves and Phillies wrap the series this afternoon, as Tim Hudson gets the starting pitching assignment for Atlanta.

Georgia sports for Tuesday, September 4th

The Braves snapped a 3-game losing skid with a 5-1 win over the Phillies Monday afternoon, opening a series at Turner Field in Atlanta. The Braves' offense included a 2-RBI double from Brian McCann, one of 11 Atlanta hits in the game. On the pitching side, stater Lance Cormier threw 5-and-two-thirds innings, allowing only 4 hits and a run to go along with 5 strikeouts. 4 relievers followed out of the bullpen to wrap things up--Atlanta pitching allowed only 4 hits for the contest. With under a month of action to go, the Braves still face an uphill climb if they are to return to the postseason: they trail the NL-East leading Mets by 7-and-a-half games. In the wild-card chase, the Braves stand 5-and-a-half back. Game 2 of 3 against the Phillies goes tonight with Buddy Carlyle getting the pitching start.

From the NFL, the Atlanta Falcons are getting ready for their season opener, Sunday on the road at Minnesota. The Falcons fine-tuned their roster with a few moves, including the release of two players. Linebacker Jordan Beck and running back Jason Snelling were cut from the roster.

Georgia sports for Monday, August 13th

The Braves were 5-3 losers to the Phillies last night in Philidelphia, wrapping the series and road trip. Ryan Howard drilled a 3-run homer against the Braves’ Buddy Carlyle in the 5th inning to turn the game. The Braves-offense included a Chipper Jones 2-RBI single, and a Martin Prado run-scoring double.

The Braves lost 2-of-3 in the series against the Phillies, and recorded a 3-3 record overall for the road trip, that including wins in 2-of-3 against the Mets. The Braves now return home to open a series against the Giants tomorrow night. Atlanta is 3-and-a-half games back of the Mets for 1st in the NL-East.


From the weekend, the Atlanta Falcons suffered a loss in their exhibition opener Friday night, falling to the Jets up in New Jersey’s Meadowlands. It was the NFL coaching debut of Bobby Petrino for the Falcons.