Philadelphia Phillies lose to Atlanta Braves in rough outing for David Buchanan
The Phillies lost the final game of a three game set in Atlanta, losing 7-4 but still winning the series at Turner Field against the struggling Braves.
It was the visiting Phillies who took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st when Ben Revere hit a lead-off double and was driven in by a Chase Utley sac fly, after Grady Sizemore had moved him across with a fly ball.
The Braves tied up the game in the bottom 2nd, when Ryan Doumit reached on an error and was bunted over, before Christian Bethancourt singled him home to make it 1-1. B.J. Upton then launched a two-run shot to left center to give Atlanta a 3-1 lead.
The game was level again in the top of the 3rd, as Grady Sizemore homered following Ben Revere picking up his second hit of the game, making it 3-3.
Atlanta regained the lead in the bottom of the same inning, Jason Heyward getting an RBI groundout to score Christian Bethancourt.
It was 4-4 when Chase Utley grounded out with the bases loaded and one out, but Ryan Howard flew out to ensure it remained a tie.
The Braves took the lead yet again when Bethancourt singled home Freddie Freeman who had previously hit a lead-off double on an overturned ruling resulting from a challenge.
Atlanta tagged on two more to seal the game in the bottom of the sixth when Tommy La Stella singled to score Freeman, and De Fratus’ wild pitch scored Doumit, meaning it was 7-4, which the score remained.
David Buchanan had a rough outing, giving up 4 runs on 3 hits through just 4 innings, with a pitch count hitting 90 as he exited.
Mario Hollands took the loss however, as he gave up what proved to be the game winning run, despite the fact Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez gave up 2 runs on 3 hits through his inning. Justin De Fratus and Cesar Jiminez provided scoreless relief, but De Fratus did score a runner on a wild pitch.
Ervin Santana also struggled but got the win to move to 14-7, his final line reading 6 innings, 7 hits and 4 earned runs. Chasen Shreve and David Carpenter got credited with a hold each, before Craig Kimbrel earned save 42 on the season.
Ben Revere had another multi-hit ball game, with 3 hits, but Grady Sizemore’s 2 run homer was the offensive highlight of the game. Chase Utley also had 2 RBIs.
The Phillies move to 64-75 on the year, 15 games back of first place Washington, whilst Atlanta is 6.5 back at 73-67, but moves to 1 game back of Milwaukee in the Wild Card.
Tomorrow the Phillies have a rest day before heading to D.C. to face the division-leading Nationals, with Jerome Williams scheduled to take the mound at 7:05ET.