McCann Homers Against the Phillies Again; Braves Win 6-1

Braves 6, Phillies 1
WP – Ben Sheets (3-0, 0.50)
LP – Cole Hamels (10-5, 3.31)

ATLANTA — Brian McCann has played in six games against the Phillies. McCann has also homered in all six games against the Phillies.

A three-run blast in the 5th inning gave the Braves a commanding 5-1 lead, enabling starter Ben Sheets to cruise to his third win of the season. The Braves won, 6-1, snapping the Phillies’ four-game winning streak.

Cole Hamels was horrible in his first start since being extended by the Phillies. He gave up a career-high six walks as well as threw more balls (56) than strikes (53).

His accuracy was an issue early, and it wasn’t until McCann smacked a three-run shot that the control issues became a big problem. Hamels was done after five, allowing five runs, three earned, on four hits and six walks while striking out seven.

2B: Victorino (17), Ruiz (27), Rollins (23).

Boxscore.

Game 100: Finding Starts For Nix

Phillies 1B/OF Laynce Nix. (Brian Garfinkel/Getty Images North America)

ATLANTA — The Phillies are fortunate enough to have Ryan Howard and Chase Utley back in their lineup every day.

But unfortunately it squashes out guys like Laynce Nix who can provide offense every day.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said that he wants to get Nix in the lineup more often, be it at first base or in left field.

Nix, who recently returned from a DL stint that kept him out of the lineup with a calf strain since May 10, has been crushing the ball when he is healthy. Nix is hitting .320 (16-for-50) with six doubles, two home runs and 11 RBIs in 26 games.

“Nix is a good piece to put up there in a big situation in the game,” Manuel said. “But he also has to play enough to stay sharp.”

Phillies Have Interest In SP Sheets

SP Ben Sheets pitching with the A’s in 2010. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Of all the problems the Phillies have been having this season, starting pitching (or pitching in general) has thrown itself to the top of the list.

With Roy Halladay out for at least two more months and the rest of the staff struggling (even Cole Hamels), the Phillies are looking for a temporary fix in the rotation.

According to MLB Trade Rumors, free agent Ben Sheets is on their radar.

Yesterday, Sheets threw a bullpen session for scouts in Monroe, Louisiana. The teams represented by scouts were the Phillies, Braves, Yankees and Angels.

More from MLBTR, who said that the 33-year-old Sheets had three surgeries on his elbow since 2009:

Word is that Sheets didn’t want to return to baseball unless he felt 100%, and he’d like to help a team down the stretch.  Assuming he flashes his old form in throwing sessions, Sheets will be a popular free agent this summer.

 In 241 career starts, Sheets is 90-92 with a 3.79 ERA. He hasn’t pitched in the Majors since 2010.