Yesterday, the Phillies took the series over the Braves with a second consecutive shutout. The first came with a combined no hitter, yesterday’s came on the hands of a great pitching performance by Kyle Kendrick (8-11 4.77 ERA). The two offensive stars of the game were Darrin Ruf (2-4 R RBI) and Carlos Ruiz (2-3 HR 2B, BB, R 2 RBI).
Today, the Phillies sent David Buchanan (6-7 3.95 ERA) to the hill looking for the sweep. Buchanan has lowered his ERA in every start since being recalled back to the Major Leagues. Should that continue he could play into the Phillies plans for next year. Buchanan faced Ervin Santana (14-7 3.61 ERA). Santana took the no decision in his last start versus the Marlins. In the start, he went six innings, striking out seven.
The Game:
Phillies didn’t wait long and started the game with a bang. Ben Revere led off with a double to right. Grady Sizemore flew out, but moved Revere to third. Chase Utley then hit a sacrifice fly to score Revere. 1-0 Phillies
In the second, the Braves scored their first runs of the series. Ryan Doumit reached to led off the inning on a fielding error by Chase Utley. Tommy La Stella then bunted him over to second. Christian Bethancourt then singled on a ground ball to short and moved to second on the throw home. B.J. Upton then smashed a ball to left center for his tenth home run of the season. 3-1 Braves
In the top of the third, the Phillies came right back. With one out, Ben Revere singled to right. Grady Sizemore followed this a blast to right for his fifth homer of the season. 3-3 TIE
Buchanan got into trouble in the fourth. Christian Bethancourt singled to lead off the inning. B.J. Upton then worked a walk. Ervin Santana moved of the base runners with sacrifice bunt. Jason Heyward then plated Bethancourt with a ground out to second. 4-3 Braves
Wil Nieves led off the fifth for the Phillies with a single to left. Then with one out, Ben Revere singled and Grady Sizemore followed by working a walk to load the bases. Chase Utley then hit his second sacrifice fly of the game to tie the game. 4-4 TIE
Mario Hollands replaced Buchanan in the fifth. Freddie Freeman led with a double to left after the call was overturned at second base. Hollands got the next two outs, before walking Chris Johnson. When walking Johnson Hollands injuried his forearm and was removed for Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez’s MLB debut. Gonzalez allowed a single to Bethancourt for the Braves to take the lead. B.J. Upton then worked a walk to load the bases. Gonzalez got the strike out to end the inning. 5-4 Braves
In the sixth, the Braves added on. After getting the first two outs, Gonzalez allowed a walk to Freddie Freeman. Ryan Doumit followed with a single to right. Tommy La Stella then singled to score Freeman, ending Gonzalez’s debut. Justin De Fratus replaced Gonzalez and allowed a walk to Chris Johnson. With Bethancourt batting, De Fratus threw a wild pitch allowing Doumit to score. 7-4 Braves Final
Significant Offensive Stats:
Ben Revere: 3-5 2B 2R
Grady Sizemore: 1-3 HR BB R 2RBI
Chase Utley: 0-2 2SF 2RBI
Impact: After two shutouts and only allowing three hits in two games, the Phillies took the loss. Like yesterday with Franco making his debut, Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez made his debut. Gonzalez didn’t have as good of day as Franco, but will have time to show he is worth the $12 million the Phillies signed him out of Cuba for.
Up Next: Tomorrow the Phillies will travel to DC to face the Washington Nationals. Phillies will send Jerome Williams (5-5 5.23 ERA) to the hill. Will Williams appears inflated he only has a 2.03 ERA over four games in a Phillies uniform. The Nationals have yet to announce their starter for tomorrow’s game.
Andrew Shipotofsky is a writer for Philliedelphia.
