Phillies Beat Braves Taking 2 of 3 Games
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Phillies ace lefthander Cliff Lee gave up a first inning run and 5 hits in four innings on Sunday but was replaced by reliever Tyler Walker after a 1 hour, 40 minute rain delay. The Phils got to Atlanta’s impressive rookie Tommy Hanson for 4 runs scoring in the third, fourth and fifth innings. The Phillies beat the Braves by a 4-2 score to take 2 of the 3 game series.
With the win, the Phils extended their NL East division lead to 8 games over 2nd place Florida, who lost to Cincinnati, and to 8 1/2 games over the Braves. Their magic number to clinch the division title is now 6 games.
The Phillies once again played small-ball after falling behind the Braves by 1-0 in the first but scoring 1 run in the third as shortstop Jimmy Rollins walked and scored on a 2 out RBI double to center by centerfielder Ben Francisco. Francisco replaced starting centerfielder Shane Victorino when the Flyin’ Hawaiian was ejected from the game over a disputed stolen base call. The Phils added 2 in the fourth and another in the fifth. But then the rains came. After a 1 hour, 40 minute rain delay, when play resumed Manuel opted to replace Lee with reliever Tyler Walker who threw a total of 24 pitches while giving a hit and walking 1 while striking out 3 in two innings of work to earn the win.
The Phils could have had more as they had a runner on 2nd in the sixth as 3rd baseman Pedro Feliz singled and advanced to 2nd on Tyler Walker’s 1 out sacrifice bunt to 3rd base. But Jimmy Rollins grounded out to the pitcher to end the inning. They had 1st and 2nd base with 2 outs in the seventh on 1st baseman Ryan Howard’s 1 out double and an intentional walk to rightfielder Jayson Werth. But leftfielder Raul Ibanez grounded out to end that threat. In the eighth, pinch hitter John Mayberry Jr. doubled with 2 outs but was stranded when Rollins grounded out to shortstop. For the game, the Phillies stranded 9 runners.
AP sports writer Charles Odum recaps the game for Yahoo sports:
The Phillies ended rookie Tommy Hanson’s streak of 19 consecutive scoreless innings…
Lee allowed a first-inning run when Martin Prado doubled and scored on a single by Matt Diaz.
The Phillies took a 3-1 lead with two runs in the fourth. Jayson Werth walked, Raul Ibanez hit an RBI double and Pedro Feliz singled home a run.
Jimmy Rollins led off the fifth with a double and scored on Chase Utley’s triple to the soggy right-field corner.
Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino, who returned after missing one start with flu-like symptoms, was ejected in the first inning after he was thrown out trying to steal second base. Second base umpire Chad Fairchild called Victorino out on the throw from catcher David Ross to shortstop Omar Infante.
Victorino threw his helmet down and was ejected for continuing to argue as Fairchild began to walk away.
Ryan Madson struck out the side in the eighth and [Brad] Lidge took over with a 4-1 lead to begin the ninth.
With two outs, Lidge walked Brooks Conrad and gave up Brian McCann’s RBI single. Lidge struck out Nate McLouth to end the game.
Losing pitcher Hanson, who threw 97 pitches in 5 innings, was tagged for all 4 runs on 7 hits while walking 4 and striking out 7. Lidge gave up a run but struck out 2 in earning his 31st save.
For the scores of all of Sunday’s games, click here.
The Phils have Monday off before opening a 3 game in 2 days series in Florida on Tuesday and Wednesday, beginning with a doubleheader on Tuesday. The Phils then head to Milwaukee.
For the scores of all of Monday’s and Tuesday’s games, click here and here.
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