Jurrjens Bests Hamels as Braves Take Series

The Phillies outhit the Braves twelve to eight and the Braves were 0-2 with men in scoring position. Hamels struck out nine Braves in his seven innings of work giving up five hits and walking one.   What I am doing here is giving you all of the positives from tonights game in a attempt to lessen the sting being beaten, not by Brian McCann or Chipper Jones, but by Alex Gonzalez and Freddy Freeman.  These two wangs were a combined 4-7 with two home runs, three RBsI and three runs scored.

This game was billed as a match up between two of the major’s hottest starting pitchers; Cole Hamels and Jair Jurrjens.  Jurrjens got the better of the match-up allowing only one earned run over six 1/3 innings of work.  The Phillies offense actually made some pretty solid contact against the 25 year old right hander, but managed to leave ten men on base helped greatly by hitting into two double plays.

With the offense disappointing and Hamels getting taken yard by two average major league players, there was nothing left to be done but let the young bullpen arms get called out by Bobby Valentine.  They may have had it coming.  Michael Stutes allowed his first two runs of the year when he allowed a moonshot to Eric Hinske (I like him better when he strikes out) and Scott Mathieson allowed two hits and two walks in his one inning of work, leaving the bases loaded in the process.  You know that there is a problem when Danys Baez is the pitcher you turn to when you need a double play to get out of the inning.  Remarkably, Baez got Martin Prado to ground into the inning ender and kept the score at 5-1.

The Phillies threatened in the eight and ninth innings off of the Braves young back end bullpen contingent, but could only manage one run off of Johnny Venters and couldn’t scratch anything across against Craig Kimbrel.  The Braves took the series as the Phillies scored a combined five runs in the three games.  Chase, Justin and I both know that you are an avid reader of TBOH, mostly to get updates concerning your talking knee.  Please come back.  Wilson Valdez and Pete Orr are playing second base for the Phillies and I can’t stop crying into my pillow.  I will adopt as many kittens as it will take to get you back in uniform.  Thank you.

Joe Blanton ambles to the hill to take on Javier Vasquez and the Florida Marlins tomorrow night.