The Phillies were hoping to go into Atlanta and take at least two games from the Braves.
They got one so far and it was gift-wrapped by Braves reliever Johnny Venters in the 8th inning. Venters’ wild pitch on a swinging strike three by Placido Polanco enable John Mayberry to score from third, giving the Phils a 3-2 lead.
They would tack on one more run in the inning, going on to win 4-2 and climbing a game closer to the Nationals and Braves in the standings. With Washington’s fifth straight loss, the Phils are now 2.5 games back, sitting at .500 on the season.
Cole Hamels and Brandon Beachy each pitched beautifully for their respective teams, earning no-decisions on the night. Hamels went six innings, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks with six strike outs while Beachy went seven, allowing two runs on five hits, striking out two.
The Phils took a 2-0 lead in the 4th inning on a two-run single by Ty Wigginton. The Braves slowly tied the game back up with a solo homer by Brian McCann in the 4th and a sacrifice by Juan Francisco in the 6th.
But Venters gave the game away and the Phils held on for the win.
2B: Pence (4), Nix (5), Mayberry (3).
WP: Bastardo (1-1). LP: Venters (2-1). SV: Papelbon (9).
TTB 