Braves 5 - 2 Phillies
Final
  for this game

Simmons, Braves down Phillies

Apr 26, 2015 - 5:25 AM Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Andrelton Simmons highlighted a three- run seventh inning with a solo home run and the Atlanta Braves evened this three-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies with a 5-2 decision on Saturday.

Phillies starter David Buchanan (0-4) looked to match Aaron Harang's success from Friday, and he was well on his way after holding Atlanta without a hit through four innings.

Jonny Gomes broke up the no-hitter in the fifth inning and Simmons broke up Buchanan's shutout bid with a leadoff homer in the top of the seventh to pull the Braves within 2-1. After retiring the next two batters he faced, Buchanan issued consecutive walks to Gomes and Kelly Johnson and manager Ryne Sandberg pulled him for lefty Jake Diekman.

Diekman, who entered the game with a 9.00 ERA, couldn't hold the lead. Chris Johnson smacked a pinch-hit RBI single to tie the game, and Eric Young Jr. plated Kelly Johnson with a double to the wall.

"I think he's missing over the plate and I think that's a control thing," Sandberg said of Diekman.

A.J. Pierzynski and Kelly Johnson padded the lead with RBI singles in the eighth inning, and Jason Grilli tossed a 1-2-3 ninth for his seventh save.

"I liked the way we battled," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "Our guys didn't mail it in."

Atlanta snapped a four-game losing streak and improved to 9-3 in its last 12 games in Philadelphia.

Atlanta starter Shelby Miller (3-0) went six strong innings, allowing just two runs on three hits.

Ryan Howard's second homer of the season -- a two-run shot to center in the fourth inning -- was all Philly could muster off the former Cardinal.

Game Notes

The Phillies fell to 1-8 in games in which Diekman has pitched this season ... Philadelphia has only scored five runs in its last four games (1-3) ... Atlanta's Trevor Cahill will be opposed by Jerome Williams in Sunday's rubber match.






Related News