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Braves sweep flailing Phils

Jul 8, 2012 - 10:50 PM Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - For the first time since his rookie season, Brian McCann won't be headed to the All-Star Game.

Given his recent production, he probably wishes he could keep playing.

McCann homered for the fourth consecutive game, and this time it was a game- winner, helping the Atlanta Braves sweep the flailing Philadelphia Phillies, 4-3, at Citizens Bank Park.

The Braves catcher finished with two hits and drove in a pair, and Atlanta won its fourth straight and heads into the break in second place in the NL East behind the Washington Nationals. Dan Uggla added a two-run homer in the win.

"We definitely needed this week. We've been kind of hot and cold," Uggla said. "(McCann) had a huge series...I even chipped in today, how about that?"

Jair Jurrjens (3-2) allowed three runs on six hits in seven solid innings, and All-Star Craig Kimbrel nailed down his NL-best 25th save with a perfect ninth to help the Braves sweep the Phillies on the road for the first time since 2007.

Jason Pridie replaced Shane Victorino amidst some controversy on Sunday and hit a two-run homer and drove in three for the Phillies, who have their worst record at the All-Star break (37-50) since 1997, when they were 24-61.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said after the game that Victorino was slightly injured -- although he did not specify further -- and that he was disappointed in his recent performance. Victorino, a trade candidate, has seen his on-base percentage drop by more than 40 points this year and his slugging by over 100.

Although his replacement proved adequate, the team's bullpen once again was not.

Following Vance Worley's solid start of three runs, seven hits and four walks in six innings, Raul Valdes (2-2) allowed McCann's homer in the seventh.

"I was around the zone, and they put the bat on the ball," Worley said. "They fouled a lot of pitches off and made me grind today."

The Phillies head into the All-Star break having lost 10 of their last 11.

Philadelphia opened the scoring in the second on Pridie's two-run blast to right, but Atlanta answered in the fourth when Uggla drilled a two-run homer off the batter's eye in center to tie the game.

The Phillies went back ahead in the home half when Hunter Pence worked a one- out walk and scored on Pridie's double, but it was the last time the home team scored in the game.

Worley failed to hold the lead for an inning, allowing three consecutive singles in the fifth to Martin Prado, Jason Heyward and McCann, with the last plating the tying run in Prado.

In the last five innings, the Phillies had one baserunner -- Carlos Ruiz, whose single in the sixth was erased on a subsequent Pence double play groundout.

Meanwhile, Valdes took over for Worley in the seventh, and McCann followed Uggla in blasting a home run to the batter's eye. This one gave Atlanta the lead for good, and its vaunted bullpen was able to stymie Philadelphia down the stretch.

Game Notes

Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons fractured the fifth metacarpal bone of his right hand and will meet with a hand specialist on Monday. It is not known how long he will be out...McCann's longest home run streak is five games, from July 15-19, 2006...The Phillies are now 5-9 when tied after six innings and 0-37 when trailing after seven.