Jaret Wright wanted and got his wish to pitch Monday night at Turner Field.
After rallying to upend the Astros, 6-5, on Sunday afternoon, the Braves forced a decisive Game 5 in their Division Series.
Clearing one elimination hurdle on Sunday, the Braves are hopeful that Wright reverses his struggles from the other day. In Game 1, the right-hander gave up six runs, including three homers, over 4 1/3 innings in the Astros' 9-3 victory.
Wright, along with the rest of the team, is hungry to advance the Braves to the National League Championship Series.
Taking the ball for a decisive game is not new for the right-hander. In 1997 Wright drew a start against the Marlins in Game 7 of the World Series. He was in line to win that game, but was lifted late and Florida rallied to victory in extra innings. As thrilling as it was for Wright to pitch in the 1997 World Series, he says this postseason run is more enjoyable because of all he's been through.
Back then, Wright was an unpolished hard-throwing youngster with tremendous promise. But his career has been anything but smooth since then. Wright has had to battle back from shoulder injuries and surgeries to resurrect his career.
The Atlanta Braves' Record In Elimination Games
Year - Round - Opponent - Result
1991 NLCS Pittsburgh Won, 4-0
--- WS Minnesota Lost, 1-0
1992 NLCS Pittsburgh Won, 3-2
1996 NLCS St. Louis Won, 15-0
2002 NLDS San Francisco Lost, 3-1
2003 NLDS Chicago Cubs Lost, 5-1
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Wright went from being a fifth starter to the Braves' ace, compiling a 15-8 record with a 3.28 ERA. He goes against Houston's 20-game winner, Roy Oswalt.
Wright is one of three ailing Braves starters. He's playing through a twisted right ankle and sore left shin brought about by taking comeback liners off both legs in his last two starts.
He joins left-hander Mike Hampton, who is playing with torn cartilage in his left knee. John Thomson, who aggravated a left oblique muscle on Saturday, is out for the remainder of the postseason.
While not 100 percent, Wright insists he is healthy enough.
The Braves are desperately looking for their starters to pick it up. In the four games of the Division Series, Atlanta's starters are 0-1, giving up 13 runs in 14 innings, an 8.36 ERA.
The Braves are in danger of their third straight NLDS exit and fourth in five years. Since beating Houston in the playoffs in 2001, the Braves have been knocked out in Game 5 of the Division Series each of the last two years, falling to the Cubs in 2003 and the Giants in 2002.
Houston is trying to win a postseason series for the first time in its 43-year history after dropping its seven previous playoff sets.
The winner of Monday's game will play the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS, starting Wednesday night at Busch Stadium.
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Portions adapted from articles on the MLB.com website.
Jaret Wright becomes a free agent after the season ends. Atlanta will be trying to re-sign the right hander. Click to enlarge photo.
- Photo2 by Tim Evearitt