ATLANTA BATSMEN SWINGING AT AIR.

Byline: Carlton Thompson Houston Chronicle

Two hits in 14 innings.

That's all the Atlanta Braves have been able to muster against the New York Yankees' starting pitchers in the first two games of this World Series, and that is why the Braves are a Texas two-step from elimination.

Step one could come tonight when Andy Pettitte tries to extend the Yankees' trend of throwing goose eggs at the Braves with the synchronicity of a line dance. And the pace will be even faster in Game 4 when Roger Clemens takes the mound in what could be the Braves' last dance if they don't find a way to wake their dormant offense.

It does not bode well for the Braves that the Yankees' fourth starter, Clemens, stood side by side with Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax, Nolan Ryan and Warren Spahn during a ceremony to announce the All-Century team prior to Game 2.

``Our fourth starter is one of the best pitchers of the century,'' Yankees left-hander Allen Watson said. ``What do you think that says about our rotation?''

It says the Braves are in trouble.

It also says the Yankees' rotation might have been unfairly overlooked in this Series, which is the case for the opponent any time the Braves and their Fab Four starters - Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz and Kevin Millwood - are involved.

After Orlando ``El Duque'' Hernandez and David Cone outpitched Maddux and Millwood in the first two games of the Series, it appears the Yankees' rotation doesn't have to take a back seat to any in baseball.

``If our starting pitching isn't as good as someone else's, I want to find that team,'' Yankees designated hitter Chili Davis said.

Pitching is the main reason the Yankees have won nine of 10 games this postseason. They have compiled a 2.33 ERA in the playoffs and have held opponents to an average of just 1.3 runs a game if you exclude the 13-run aberration against the Red Sox in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.

The Braves were 0 for 22 with men on base before scoring two runs off the Yankees' bullpen in the ninth inning Sunday. Atlanta has scored three runs total in the first two games of the World Series; it's no wonder the Yankees are threatening to sweep the Series for the second year in a row.

``We won two games and we're halfway there, but we have a ways to go,'' Yankees right fielder Paul O'Neill said. ``Our pitching is setting it up. It's fun to play behind our guys when they throw the ball that well.''

The Braves used to know that feeling. But that was before their offense abandoned the pitching at the most inopportune time. Atlanta is hitting .238 in this postseason, averaging 3.3 runs since the end of the Division Series and just 2.4 if you exclude the 10 runs they scored against the Mets in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series.

Braves manager Bobby Cox put his team through extra batting practice Monday at Yankee Stadium and there was even talk of a special hitters meeting. But hitting instructor Don Baylor indicated now was the time for action, not talk.

``You can have all the rah-rah in the world, but it's not going to happen if you don't do it on the field and have the right approach,'' Baylor said. ``I think our guys are pressing and being impatient.''

Perhaps it's time to consider the possibility that the Braves lineup isn't that good.

Leadoff hitter Gerald Williams was projected as a fourth outfielder when the season began. Second baseman Bret Boone has been inconsistent offensively for most of his career. Shortstop Walt Weiss was so inept at the plate he hardly saw the field during the second half of the season.

Add to that the fact that Andres Galarraga and Javy Lopez are watching helplessly because of illness or injury, and there are a lot of relatively easy outs in the lineup.

The only dangerous hitters are Brian Jordan and Chipper Jones, whom teams have refused to let beat them during the postseason. Jones has walked 17 times in 12 playoff games.

``We've said it before,'' Baylor said. ``If they're not going to pitch to Chipper, someone else is going to have to step up and make them pay.''

One could argue the Braves' best chance of winning will be in the next two days, simply because Pettitte and Clemens didn't pitch up to their standards this season. But both can be dominant, particularly Clemens, whose five Cy Young Awards make him the most decorated pitcher in this series. Although Clemens hasn't been himself this season, facing him in a possible elimination game is hardly a pleasant thought for the Braves.

Pettitte won't be a pushover, either. He is 2-0 with a 1.84 ERA this postseason, surrendering just one walk in 15 innings. Glavine, who was scheduled to start Game 1 for the Braves, will make his 1999 World Series debut tonight after battling flu symptoms the past few days.

On Monday, Glavine estimated his readiness at about 85 percent. If the first two games of the Series are any indication, nothing less than his best will be enough to match the Yankees' mound men.

Atlanta Braves vs. New York Yankees 

Best-of-seven series

Yankees lead series 2-0

Gm 1: Yankees 4, Braves 1

Gm 2: Yankees 7, Braves 2

Gm 3: Today at New York, 5:20 p.m.

ATL. - Glavine (14-11) vs. N.Y. - Pettitte (14-11)

Gm 4: Wednesday at New York, 5:20 p.m.

ATL. - Smoltz (11-8) vs. N.Y. - Clemens (14-10)

Gm 5: Thursday at New York, 5:20 p.m. -if necessary

Gm 6: Saturday at Atlanta, 5:05 p.m. -if necessary

Gm 7: Sunday at Atlanta, 5:05 p.m. -if necessary

All games on Ch. 4

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

PHOTO (1 -- color) Walking away from the plate after a fruitless at-bat is becoming a common sight for Ryan Klesko and Atlanta.

Eric Draper/Associated Press

(2) same caption

Eric Draper/Associated Press

BOX: Atlanta Braves vs. New York Yankees (see text)