The pesky Braves just can't lose, can they? Other than last night's gem of a game from Hamels, the Braves have dominated the Phillies all season. Tonight, they showed great patience at the plate and got Kyle Kendrick to exit the game early, just to tear up the Phils' bullpen. In the rubber match of this series, Phillies fans were caught with their hands shielding their eyes.
The first pitch Tim Hudson tossed tonight ended up in the first row out in right field. Jimmy Rollins launched his 40th career leadoff home run, putting the Phillies up on the board.
In the top of the second inning, Kyle Kendrick threw 50 pitches. In a short span of time, the Braves scored six runs. Here's how it all went down:
- David Ross grounded out to shortstop to score Freddie Freeman
- Dan Uggla and Paul Janish scored on a double from Tim Hudson
- Tim Hudson scored on a single from Martin Prado
- Paul Janish scored on a two-run homer from Michael Bourn (this was in the fourth inning).
After 3 & 1/3 innings pitched and 77 pitches (48 for strikes) Kyle got the boot. He allowed six runs to score on seven hits, walking three and striking out one. Raul Valdes would pitch an inning and two thirds of relief, striking out two.
In the bottom of the fifth, there was a glimpse of hope as the Phillies tied it all up. First, Jimmy Rollins doubled to bring home Kevin Frandsen. Next, Dom Brown doubled in Rollins. With Chase Utley and Dom on base, Ryan Howard destroyed a baseball, sending it the opposite way for a three-run shot, tying the game up at six.
Michael Schwimer struck out two in an inning of relief. Antonio Bastardo wouldn't be so lucky. In the top of the seventh, Tony allowed three runs on a walk and a hit, some of the runs he would be held accountable for despite having Josh Lindblom in. Anyway, Chipper Jones and Freddie Freeman scored on a double from Dan Uggla, giving the Braves the lead. Uggla later scored on an error which allowed David Ross to make it to first safely. 10-6 Braves.
With Lindblom still in, Tyler Pastornicky walked and was later sent home on a double from the hot-hitting Michael Bourn. After walking Martin Prado, Jeremy Horst came into the ballgame.
Bourn scored on a groundout from Freeman, pushing the Braves' lead to 12-6. Yikes.
In the home half of the ninth against Craig Kimbrel, the Phillies went down in order. 12-6 loss tonight.
The Braves take a series away from the Phils once again. Friday night, the Phillies and Cardinals will open up a three-game series at home. Kyle Lohse will start for the Cards against Roy Halladay.
