"A year ago, the struggling Braves turned to Derek Lowe in September and marveled at how the veteran pitcher turned up his performance and helped lift them into the postseason.

They've turned to him this September and rarely seen anything resembling the pitcher who carved a reputation for big performances when they mattered most. Not that he's getting much help either.

Lowe wasn't bad Wednesday, but wasn't nearly good enough on a night when Florida's Javier Vazquez dominated Braves hitters in a 4-0 Marlins win that cut more from Atlanta's now scant wild-card lead."