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Phillies-Braves Preview

Aug 14, 2009 - 2:41 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Philadelphia (63-48) at Atlanta (60-54), 7:35 p.m. EDT

Shane Victorino and the Philadelphia Phillies certainly don't need any distractions as they try to hold on to the NL East lead. The Atlanta Braves don't seem to have to worry about Adam LaRoche being fazed down the stretch.

As Victorino continues to deal with the aftermath of a bizarre on-field incident, the visiting Phillies look to slow down LaRoche and the surging Braves on Friday night.

Philadelphia (64-48) swept a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs, winning the finale 6-1 on Thursday. In the series' middle game at Wrigley Field, Victorino was doused with beer while catching a fly ball, prompting the center fielder to file a police report.

A 21-year-old man connected with the incident turned himself in Thursday night and was charged with one count of battery and one count of illegal conduct within a sports facility, according to police.

The Phillies, though, haven't flinched, increasing their division lead to five games over the Braves (60-54), who were idle Thursday. Philadelphia is trying to hold off a run by Atlanta, which has won five straight and seven of eight, and second-place Florida (4 1/2 games out).

The Braves' 17-9 record since the All-Star break is the best in the NL, and they're six games over .500 for the first time since finishing 84-78 two years ago.

LaRoche, acquired from Boston on July 31, has played a large role in Atlanta's recent success. He has a reputation for picking up his play after the All-Star break, and he's living up to it in his second stint with the Braves.

The veteran first baseman hit two homers, including one that gave the Braves the lead in the seventh inning of a 6-2 win over Washington on Wednesday night.

In 10 games with Atlanta, LaRoche is batting .371 with three homers and seven RBIs. He has a career .295 average after the All-Star break compared to .252 before the break.

"It feels like I haven't left," said LaRoche, who played for the Braves from 2004-06. "Stepping back on the field, there's no pressure to impress ... I can go out and play my game."

Nate McLouth, also acquired by Atlanta via trade this year and once LaRoche's teammate in Pittsburgh, hopes to play in the opener of this three-game series after missing two straight contests due to a strained left hamstring. The center fielder is batting .130 in his last six games against the Phillies.

The Braves will next face Joe Blanton (7-6, 4.02 ERA), set to take his turn in Philadelphia's rotation. He has not received a run to work with over his last two starts, losing both despite posting a 3.29 ERA. Blanton is 3-3 with a 2.28 ERA over his last eight outings.

The veteran right-hander gave up three runs in 6 2-3 innings of a 3-2 loss to Florida last Friday.

Blanton is 0-1 with an 8.53 ERA in four starts versus the Braves.

Atlanta will counter with Jair Jurrjens (9-8, 3.01), who is 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA in his last two starts - both against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The right-hander surrendered five runs and seven hits in 4 1-3 innings as Atlanta won 9-5 in 12 innings last Friday.

Jurrjens has not allowed an earned run in winning two starts against the Phillies this season, helping the Braves take seven of nine meetings.