Tonight the Phillies started a series against divisional rival, Atlanta Braves. Phillies coming off a sweep of the Florida Marlins have looked very good as of late. Though pitching continues to be shaky, the offense has continued to impress this season. Going into the game, Chase Ultey was hitting .500 with six doubles and three homeruns.
Tonight, the Phillies gave the ball to fifth starter, Roberto Hernandez. Hernandez has not been terribly sharp of late. This has not allowed him to go deep into games. The Phillies really need him to become an innings eater. Going into the game Hernandez is 1-0 with a 4.35 ERA.
Hernandez was opposed by right-hander Ervin Santana. Santana signed late in the spring with the Braves as a free agent. In his only start of the season, Santana was stellar against the Mets pitching eight scoreless innings. Last season, Santana pitched with the Kansas City Royals and was 9-10 with a 3.24 ERA in 32 games.
The Game: After a quite first inning, Ryan Howard led off the bottom of the second inning with a solo blast into the bullpen to give the Phillies the early lead. That was Howard’s second homerun in as many days. 1-0 Phillies
The Braves struck back in the sixth. Roberto Hernandez allowed a lead off walk to Freddie Freeman. After striking out Justin Upton, Evan Gattis went opposite field for a two run shot to take the lead. 2-1 Braves
The crazy eighth inning started terribly for the Phillies. B.J. Rosenberg came in relief of Mario Hollands. Evan Gattis led off the inning with a solo shot for his second homerun of the night. Dan Uggla followed with his own solo shot to go back to back. Andrelton Simmons then hit another homer for the Braves to go back to back to back. The Phillies wouldn’t let that stand. Tony Gwynn led off with a walk. Jimmy Rollins followed with a single to left to move him up to second. Chase Utley then followed with a single of his own to load the bases. After a strike out of Ryan Howard, Marlon Byrd followed with a single to score Gwynn. Domonic Brown then joined the party with a home run of his own to give the Phillies the lead. 6-5 Phillies
In the top of the ninth, Jake Diekman came in to close the game with Papelbon unavailable, pitching in the last three games. Diekman was very shaky walking B.J. Upton. Then Chase Ultey failed to get an easy out on a ground ball to second. Justin Upton followed with a walk to load the bases. After striking out Evan Gattis, Dan Uggla hit a grand slam for the Braves to retake the lead. 9-6 Braves
Impact: The bullpen has continued to be a major issue for the Phillies. If they are looking to compete, they need to figure out this major hole in the team very quickly. Adding Mike Adams back to pen tomorrow will help, but wasn't soon enough to save the Phillies tonight.
Up Next: Tomorrow is game two of this four game series against the Braves. Phillies will send ace Cliff Lee to the hill to try and tie up the series. Lee is 2-1 with a 5.50 ERA. That ERA is still inflated from opening day. Right-hander David Hale will oppose Lee. Hale has pitched in two games getting the no decision in both. Hale has 2.89 ERA in 9.1 innings.
Andrew Shipotofsky is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him of Twitter @Ashipotofsky
