Game 1--Houston Astros 9, Atlanta Braves 3

Jaret Wright gave up 6 runs (and 3 home runs) and didn't get out of the 5th, and the Braves stranded 9 runners in the first 4 innings. Roger Clemens walked 6 men, and none of them scored. A forgettable performance.

But today there's a new game, and Mike Hampton will take the mound against Roy Oswalt in what's pretty much a must-win for the Braves. Hampton was 4-0 with a 1.15 ERA in his last 5 starts for the Braves.

Game notes: Chipper Jones is questionable for Game 2 with a sore hand. If he plays with it causing him to go 0-4, I'd rather him not be in the lineup. The problem is, unless Nick Green can play 3rd base, Wilson Betemit is his backup. Betemit has virtually no experience and hasn't played well yet at the major league level.

Carlos Betran of the Astros also is questionable for Game 2 after getting hit in the ribs with a pitch from Juan Cruz.

If there was any good news from Game 1, it's that Roger Clemens threw 117 pitches and probably won't be able to come back on 3 days rest if there's a Game 4. That means that Pete Munro, who had pretty bad numbers, would start that game. If the Braves win today, they go to Houston to face inexperienced Brandon Backe and Munro. Backe has been pitching well lately though.