The Derek Jeter Retirement Celebration All-Star Break has finally come to an end, and for Phillies fans, it was fairly exciting. On Sunday, prospects Maikel Franco and J.P. Crawford each made appearances in the Futures Game. Days later, Crawford was ranked number fifteen on Keith Law's Top 50 ranking of MLB prospects, just months after sitting at number 46. Meanwhile, Chase Utley got the start in the All-Star Game batting seventh. He collected an RBI double in the second inning off of the Red Sox Jon Lester. In the fourth inning, he'd get hit by a Chris Sale pitch before being pinch-run for by the Dodgers Dee Gordon. Overall, the quick break from regular baseball action was positive for Philadelphians. Tonight, their team would return to action against the Atlanta Braves, as A.J. Burnett and Ervin Santana prepared to battle.
The Game: The Phillies came off of the four-day break swinging, and made the first strike of the contest in the second inning. With the top of the order being set down in secession in the first, Ryan Howard led off this one. Between he and the following batter, Marlon Byrd, thirteen pitches and two walks were dealt by Santana, putting two on with nobody out. Grady Sizemore then singled to load the bases, a prime opportunity for the Phillies lineup. Cody Asche nearly missed a grand slam on some first-pitch swinging, but had to settle instead for a sacrifice fly. Cameron Rupp collected an RBI of his own with a single, but a double play ball off Burnett's bat ended the frame. The Phillies left with a 2-0 lead.
Unfortunately, though, those runs would be given right back to Atlanta, and then some. Jason Heyward immediately cut the lead in half with a leadoff home run. A.J. Burnett would retire the next two batters, but surrendered two straight singles to Christian Bethancourt and Ervin Santana. B.J. Upton batted next, and hit a milestone with an RBI double. The 500th RBI of his career tied the game at two a side. Andrelton Simmonds wanted in as well, and his base knock into left field scored two. The Braves now held a 4-2 lead.
Atlanta would tack on an extra pair of runs in the home half of the fifth. It started similarly to the second, with Burnett setting down the first two batters. This time, Justin Upton doubled to extend the inning. It would take three hits, but consecutive singles by Jason Heyward, Chris Johnson, and Tommy La Stella would bring in those extra two runs to bring the score to 6-2.
Philadelphia would match those two runs the following half inning, with Jimmy Rollins reaching first base on Freddie Freeman's botched play. Chase Utley recorded double number 25 on the season next, placing two runners in scoring position. Ryan Howard collected each of the RBIs with a single, closing the gap to 6-4. However, it would not be enough. The lethal back end of the Braves bullpen held the Phillies without another run, and the score held in that same spot.
Impact: After their second five-game winning streak of the season, the Phillies have now lost three straight. It's likely headed down a dark path for the rest of this season, with a lack of enough talent to contend in any format. From here, we can only hope that trade-eligible players put on respectable performances and continue to garner interest from other organizations.
Up Next: Cole Hamels will take on the Atlanta Braves and Aaron Harang in the second game of the three game set. The scheduled start time is set for 7:10 PM Eastern.
Andrew Gillen, Managing Editor of Philliedelphia.com
