Final: Braves 5, Phillies 2
WP: Shelby Miller (3-0, 2.05 ERA) LP: David Buchanan (0-4, 7.52 ERA) SV: Jason Grilli (7)
Philadelphia, P.A. – David Buchanan had not won a game in 12 starts, his last win coming August 6, 2014 against the Houston Astros. Coming in tonight facing the Atlanta Braves, he hoped to put that ugly streak behind him. New Atlanta Brave Shelby Miller would face the Phillies for the first time in an Atlanta Braves uniform with an undefeated record in the early going.
Buchanan looked like he might get his first win as he cruised through the first six innings, only allowing his first hit of the night in the fifth inning. But, all would go south as Buchanan took the mound in the seventh inning. From the first batter, even.
The Phillies offense seemed like they were going to get going, too. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Jeff Francoeur belted a double. Batting fifth tonight was first baseman Ryan Howard. He did not disappoint. Howard smashed a ball to almost dead center and into the ivy over the fence for his second home run of the year.
Andrelton Simmons came to the plate to lead off the seventh and belted a line drive home run to left-center to bring the score within one. Freddie Freeman and A.J. Pierzynski would each fly out, but Buchanan struggled to get the third out. After walking two batters, Buchanan left the game.
Enter Jake Diekman. Almost immediately, Diekman surrendered a single and then a double, giving the Braves a 3-2 lead. Diekman finally got the third out. However, Diekman came out once again in the eighth inning and failed to keep the Braves off of the board. Nick Markakis singled to open the inning. Simmons flied out, and Freeman grounded out, advancing Markakis to second base. Pierzynski singled, scoring Markakis giving the Braves a 4-2 lead.
The Phillies turned to Luis Garcia to get the final out in the eighth with Pierzynski aboard. Garcia surrendered a single to Johnny Gomes to put runners at first and second. Kelly Johnson followed Gomes with a single to score Pierzynski to put the Braves up 5-2. Garcia struck out Chris Johnson to finally end the eighth.
Down 5-2 the Phillies gave it one last shot in the ninth inning against Braves closer and former Phillies farmhand Jason Grilli. Ryan Howard struck out, Cody Asche lined out, and Carlos Ruiz lined to shortstop for the final out of the game.
The good news tonight came in the form of defense. Freddy Galvis made a highlight-reel play in which he dove and threw to first almost as he was half-up off of the ground to get the out. Chase Utley also made a couple astute defensive plays, faking out Eric Young Jr. to almost force a double play, and sneaking behind Nick Markakis who rounded first base to nail him in the top of the ninth inning.
Starting Pitchers
| IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelby Miller | 6.0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2.05 |
| David Buchanan | 6.2 | 3 |
3 |
3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 7.52 |
- Miller: W; 71 pitches, 47 strikes; 9 groundouts, 2 flyouts; 23 faced batters
- Buchanan: L; 87 pitches, 56 strikes; 7 groundouts, 4 flyouts; 24 faced batters
Out of the 'Pen
Braves
-
Cody Martin (8th): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR, 1.54 ERA
- Jim Johnson (s9th): 1.o IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR, 4.66 ERA
- Jason Grilli (9th): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR, 1.29 ERA
Phillies
-
Jake Diekman (entered two out in 6th): 1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR, 10.29 ERA
- Luis Garcia (entered two out in 7th): 0.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO, 1 HR, 1.08 ERA
- Hector Neris (9th): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR, 0.00 ERA
What's Next
Sunday, April 26 2015: vs. Atlanta Braves, 1:35 pm
- RHP Trevor Cahill (0-2, 9.95 ERA) vs. RHP Jerome Williams (1-1, 3.71 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, SBP 1480 (Sp.)
