Phillies Top Braves in Rain-Delayed Slugfest
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Sunday’s final was supposed to be a matchup between newly-acquired Joe Blanton and Atlanta’s 30 year old rookie Jorge Campillo. But a near 2 hour rain delay left Jo-Jo Reyes facing Adam Eaton followed by a parade of relievers from both bullpens, 5 Phillies homers, 2 dingers by the Braves, 3 five run outbursts and the Phils on the long-end of a 12-10 score.
The Phillies remained in 2nd place, 1 game behind the NL East leading Mets while the Florida Marlins dropped to 2 games behind losing to the NL Central Division leading Chicago Cubs. The 4th place Braves dropped to 7 1/2 games behind.
The Braves took an first inning 2-0 lead against starter Joe Blanton on a 1 out RBI single to rightfield by catcher Brian McCann followed by an RBI double to left centerfield by centerfielder Mark Kotsay. The Phils tried to narrow the lead in the bottom of the first as 2nd baseman Chase Utley got the Phils’ 1st hit, a 2 out single to rightfield. 1st baseman Ryan Howard followed with a single to right centerfield with Utley being nailed at home on a close play, to end the inning, after trying to score from 1st base. Howard would have 2 hits and 2 RBIs in the game as the first 5 hitters in the Phillies order would account for 9 hits and 8 RBIs for the game.
After Blanton quickly went clean in the second inning and the first 2 Phils wentout in their half, the rains came. The game was 1 hour, 57 minute rain delay, afterwhich the Phils found themselves facing Jo-Jo Reyes who loaded the bases on 2 walks with a single in between before fanning shortstop Jimmy Rollins to end the threat.
But it seemed like the Braves were the best medicine which the Phils could have received to remedy their tailspin. With Sunday’s win, the Phils are 10-2 against the Braves in their seasonal series. Play-by-play on Sunday’s game can be found here.
AP sports writer Rob Maaddi describes the game and gives background for Yahoo sports;
Pat Burrell hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the fifth inning…
Chris Coste, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth and Jimmy Rollins also went deep for the Phillies, who overcame a 5-0 deficit a day after coming back from a 9-3 hole.
Since June 5, the Phillies are 8-1 against the Braves and 12-22 against everyone else.
“We play well against them, that’s for sure,” Werth said. “I can’t put a finger on it.”
Braves All-Star catcher Brian McCann left with a mild concussion after a collision with Victorino in the sixth inning. X-rays were negative and McCann will be re-evaluated Monday.
“I have a headache right now, but I’ll be OK,” McCann said. “I’m not too worried. I’ll probably be out a couple days.”
Kelly Johnson and Omar Infante hit consecutive homers in the fourth inning for Atlanta. The Braves scored five times off Rudy Seanez and Ryan Madson in the eighth to make it close, and had the tying run at the plate in the ninth.
“We lose a five-run lead today, a six-run lead yesterday,” manager Bobby Cox said. “With leads like that, you think you ought to be able to win.”
Clay Condrey (3-2) pitched two scoreless innings to earn the win, and Brad Lidge worked the ninth for his 24th save in as many chances.
Julian Tavarez (0-1) allowed the decisive homer to the first batter he faced [in the fifth].
Johnson ripped a two-run shot to right off Adam Eaton and Infante reached the seats in left to give the Braves a 5-0 lead in the fourth.
But the Phillies answered against Jo-Jo Reyes with two outs in the bottom half. Coste got the rally started with a two-run shot. After pinch-hitter So Taguchi reached on an infield single and Rollins walked, Victorino connected to tie it at 5.
Burrell put the Phillies ahead to stay in the fifth with his 26th homer—a drive into the left-field seats.
“We have a great offensive club,” Werth said. “We just haven’t been swinging well collectively.”
The Phillies tacked on five runs in the sixth. Victorino had an RBI single and Ryan Howard delivered a two-run single. On Howard’s hit to right field, Victorino jarred the ball loose when he ran over McCann.
McCann stayed down for a couple minutes, before walking off the field on his own.
“The only way I thought I can be safe was to jar the ball loose,” said Victorino, who spoke to McCann after the game. “I play the game hard. I hope he’s fine.”
Pinch-hitter Martin Prado’s bases-clearing double capped a five-run eighth and got the Braves within two.
Braves 3B Chipper Jones remained out of the lineup with a strained left hamstring. Jones, who leads the majors with a .369 batting average, could be headed for the disabled list.
For all of the scores, boxscores and recaps on Friday’s and Sunday’s games, click here.
The Phils have a day off on Monday before headed to Washington for a 3 game series with the Nationals beginning on Tuesday through Thursday.
Brett Myers, still looking to prove himself after his stint in the minors, opposes Nationals’ rookie Collin Balester in Tuesday night’s opener.
For all of the scores, boxscores and recaps on Monday’s and Tuesday’s games, click here and here.
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