Phillies End April on Losing Note, Braves Win on Walkoff Homer
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The Phillies ended April on a losing note in a game where they battled the Atlanta Braves to a 2-2 tie into the bottom of 9th inning before centerfielder Andruw Jones took reliever Antonio Alfonseca downtown, blasting a one out 3 run walkoff homer to settle the issue for Atlanta by a 5-2 score.
For the 5th time in 6 seasons, the Phillies started April slowly, finishing below .500 for the month. They overted a duplication of their 2005 and 2006 records of 10-14 for April with Sunday’s win over Florida.
In the meantime, the Marlins put it to the New York Mets by a 9-6 score jumping all over Japanese pitcher Chan Ho Park, who was subbing in the rotation for the injured Orlando Hernandez, for 7 runs in 4 innings while the bullpen allowed Florida an additional 2 runs as a cushion. Hernandez was assigned to the 15 day DL with bursitis in his right shoulder.
But back to the Phillies game with Atlanta. Atlanta starter Tim Hudson was superb for 8 innings, as he’s been throughout the young season, giving the Phillies a continuous stream of ground balls and barely anything to hit in the air.
And Phils starter Jon Lieber was effective through 7 innings holding the Braves to 2 runs despite giving up 7 hits and walking 6.
In the 5th inning, Hudson, who tried to help his cause in the 3rd with a single, drove in a run with a ground out. The Phils came on to take the lead with 2 runs in the 6th as 2nd baseman Chase Utley drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, a rare fly ball hit by the Phils off of Hudson. 1st baseman Ryan Howard followed by ripping an RBI single to leftfield. That was it for the Phils scoring as they went 3 up, 3 down in the 7th, 8th and 9th innings against Hudson and winning pitcher reliever Mike Gonzalez.
The Braves tied the game in the 6th inning as 3rd baseman Chipper Jones ripped a solo shot to centerfield off of Lieber.
Phils reliever Brett Myers, who seems to thrive on getting himself in and out of jams unscathed, held the Braves scoreless in the 8th inning despite 2 one out basehits and a wild pitch. The Braves had runners on 2nd and 3rd but Myers punched-out leftfielder Willie Harris and pinch-hitter Brayan Pena grounded out to the pitcher to end the threat.
But in the 9th inning, Alfonseca gave up a lead-off single to leftfield by 2nd baseman Kelly Johnson, got Edgar Renteria to ground into a fielder’s choice wih Johnson out at 2nd base. Chipper Jones walked, putting Renteria on 2nd. Then Andruw Jones settled the issue.
Hot-hitting enterfielder Aaron Rowand left the game in the 7th inning with a stiff lower back and young outfielder Michael Bourne replaced him for the remainder of the game.
AP reports on both the Sports illustrated and Yahoo sports sites that Braves closer Bob Wickman went on the disabled list with an upper back injury on Monday. He had just blown a 2nd save in the Colorado series.
AP reports;
Wickman was unable to hold a two-run, ninth-inning lead in a 9-7, 11-inning loss to Colorado. He walked three and was charged with two runs.
Wickman also blew a save that cost Tim Hudson a win Wednesday at Florida. He also gave up two hits and walked two in a non-save situation on Friday.
Braves manager Bobby Cox said Wickman’s control problems were based on his inability to extend his arm and follow through with his pitches.
Atlanta activated reliever Chad Paronto, who had been on DL since April 14 with a muscle near his groin.
For all of the scores, boxscores and recaps on this and all Monday games, click here.
A battle of lefthanders scheduled for Tuesday as Cole Hamels opposes Mark Redman as the Phils look to knot the series at a game a piece.
For all of the scores, boxscores and recaps on this and all Tuesday games, click here.
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