Photo Credit: Andrew Gillen
After the pitching matchup we saw dominate last night, tonight's game looked to have a bit more scoring. Kyle Kendrick has been highly inconsistent in his last dozen starts, with most of them being of the disappointing variety. Alex Wood, having a competitive season from all perspectives, is not known for being the shut-down kind of pitcher. These elements seemed to be red flags for a not-so-pitchers duel.
The first score of the game came with the Atlanta Braves at the helm. Dan Uggla led the third inning off by getting drilled by a Kyle Kendrick pitch. Andrelton Simmons followed with a base hit into left field. In a sacrifice attempt turned awry, Alex Wood bunted a ball back to Kendrick that was thrown to third to catch the lead runner. Still with one away, B.J. Upton would be set down on strikes, but his brother Justin walked to load the bases. Freddie Freeman came up big in the clutch, singling into center field to score two and give the Braves a 2-0 lead.
In the home half of that same inning, the Phillies would answer back on the scoreboard. Kendrick would start things off with a strikeout, but Cesar Hernandez singled in the next plate appearance. Kevin Frandsen doubled next to put two runners in scoring position with one away and Chase Utley stepping to the plate. Unfortunately, a hard line drive into right field by Utley was caught, and didn't have enough on it to advance either runner. Carlos Ruiz, though, would save the day, singling to score Hernandez and Frandsen. The score stood at a tie, 2-2.
Phillies fans would get excited once more in the bottom of the fifth inning. After Frandsen was retired to begin the frame, Chase Utley doubled. Carlos Ruiz would be the savior once again, doubling himself to bring home Utley. After Darin Ruf walked and Cody Asche grounded into a fielder's choice, Freddy Galvis came up big with an RBI single that gave Philly a 4-2 advantage.
Atlanta would bring the score closer once more in the sixth. Freeman and Evan Gattis both reached base to start the frame, a single for Freeman and a walk for Gattis. However, a double play off the bat of Brian McCann seemed to put Kendrick in good shape. But one of the best hitters in the league this year, Chris Johnson, doubled to bring in Freeman and pull the team to within 1, at 4-3.
The Phillies would tack an extra run on in the eighth. Roger Bernadina struck out to lead things off, but Cesar Hernandez doubled with one away. Kevin Frandsen would follow with an RBI single to extend the Phily lead to 5-3 heading into the ninth.
For the second night in a row, Jonathan Papelbon would come on for the save. Having already allowed Chris Johnson to reach first, Papelbon would engage in a 2-out, eight-pitch battle with Andrelton Simmons. After numerous foul balls, Simmons got a hold of one and lifted it into the first few rows of seats in left field, socirng two and tying the game once more, this time at 5-5. Papelbon would receive another blown save for the season, and forced the game to continue on.
Former Phillie Freddy Garcia would come in to pitch the ninth. Cody Asche popped up to lead it off. But, making the most of his September callup, Freddy Galvis shot a ball into the right field grandstands for a solo homerun and a walkoff win. The 6-5 victory gives the Phillies an opportunity to sweep the first place team in the NL East. Cole Hamels will battle Paul Maholm tomorrow at 1:35.
