The Phillies (6-11) were 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position tonight, but they took advantage of the Braves (8-8) fourth error of the night in the ninth. A fielding error by Freddie Freeman, his second of the night, allowed the winning run to score, giving the Phillies a 1-0 win. Aaron Harang dominated the Braves over eight shutout innings.
How They Scored:
The lone run of the game came in the ninth inning. Freddy Galvis led the inning off with a single up the middle. Cesar Hernandez bunted Galvis over to second. With Ben Revere batting, a passed ball by A.J. Pierzynski allowed Galvis to move to third base. Revere hit a bouncer right to Freddie Freeman with the infield in, but Freeman couldn't corral the ball and allowed Freddy Galvis to cross the plate to give the Phillies the 1-0 walk-off win.
At the Plate:
Quiet night for both offenses, but Freddy Galvis continued his hot start, going 3-for-4 and scoring the game winning run, raising his average to .345 on the season. Tonight was his fifth multi-hit game of the year. Chase Utley went 1-for-2 with two walks. Cody Asche, Jeff Francoeur, Odubel Herrera and Carlos Ruiz also had hits for the Phillies.
The Braves could only manage two hits, both off of Aaron Harang. A.J. Pierzynski and Chris Johnson got the Braves only hits.
Starter's Report:
Aaron Harang lowered his ERA to 1.37 on the season after spinning eight shutout innings, allowing just two hits and striking out six. Unfortunately, Harang didn't factor into the decision due the Phillies lack of offense.
Alex Wood left the game in the sixth with the bases loaded and fortunately Cody Martin bailed him out. Wood finished the game with 5.2 innings worked. He gave up five hits and walked two. Wood only struck out one.
Out of the Pen:
Ken Giles relieved Harang and pitched the ninth. He had some command issues, but after a leadoff walk, he got two quick outs via the double-play and then Eric Young Jr. grounded out. Giles got his first win of the year, thanks to the Phillies walk-off in the ninth.
Cody Martin was the first guy out of the bullpen for the Braves in the sixth. He escaped Alex Wood's bases loaded jam. Martin pitched two-thirds of an inning and gave one hit. Luis Avilan followed Martin out of the pen and got Ben Revere and Odubel Herrera to fly out and ground out respectively to end the seventh frame. Avilan tossed 1.1 innings and gave up one hit. Jim Johnson got the loss after allowing the game-winning run to cross in the ninth on an error by Freddie Freeman.
Post-Game Thoughts:
Got to feel for Aaron Harang here. The 36-year-old journeyman tossed a gem for the Phillies tonight, but the offense gave him no support, even though they threatened multiple times. Though the offense was extremely frustrating yet again, Freddy Galvis went 3-for-4, raising his average to .345 on the year. The Phillies went 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position. That says it all. Ugly win tonight, but a 'W' is a 'W'. Braves did their best impression of the Phillies defense tonight, committing four errors, with the costly one coming on the final play of the game. I am still very concerned about Ken Giles lack of command and fastball velocity. Hopefully he regains the pop on that pitch, because otherwise, he won't be nearly effective as he was in 2014.
Up Next:
The Phillies and Braves continue their weekend series on Saturday night at 7:05pm. David Buchanan (0-3, 9.22) will take the hill for the Phils and will be opposed by the Braves' Shelby Miller (2-0, 1.69).
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
