Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves Series Recap

This wasn't the way Braves fans pictured this team going out. Large wild card leads in late August and early September seemed at one point too large to lose, but they weren't. Atlanta's season ended with a whimper, a sweep at the hands of the Phillies that kept the Braves out of the playoffs.

The last game was especially gut-wrenching, with a win three outs away in the ninth inning and 90 feet away in the twelfth inning. Injuries, inconsistency at the plate, and a taxed bullpen were too much for Atlanta to overcome. Some notes from the season ending series.

What more can your say about Kris Medlen? He made his second appearance since coming back from Tommy John surgery in the ninth inning of the season finale and was phenomenal. He escaped a bases loaded jam to keep the game tied, and allowed one hit but nothing else in the tenth inning. Glad you're back Kris.

Dan Uggla crushed his 36th home run of the year in Thursday's finale, the most he has had in a single season so far in his career. Just an incredible finish to his season after a rough, rough beginning. 

Derek Lowe struggled again in the second game of the series, lasting only four innings while giving up five earned runs. 

Cliff Lee was fantastic in game one, scattering five hits and two runs while striking out six in six innings of work. 

The Braves went 5-26 with RISP during the series, which makes it really tough to win ballgames.

Freddie Freeman went a combined 1-13 at the plate during the series, while Martin Prado went 3-14.

Less than 200 days until MLB 2012 opening day. Can't wait for it to get here.