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McCann, Thorman expose Phillies bullpen again

Apr 5, 2007 - 4:17 AM PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- The only question for the Philadelphia Phillies coming into the season was the bullpen. Brian McCann and Scott Thorman answered that question.

McCann tied the game with a two-run homer in the ninth inning and Thorman hit a solo shot in the 11th as the Atlanta Braves beat the Phillies, 3-2, in 11 innings.

Jeff Francoeur led off the ninth inning with a double for Atlanta before McCann drove the first pitch from Phillies closer Tom Gordon over the right field wall to tie the game at 2-2.

"(McCann's) just a good hitter," Gordon said. "I thought the pitch was down. He hit a good pitch. Today, I actually felt really good, but at the same time, I left too many pitches over the plate."

"He hit the ball that way all spring training and he hit the ball that way all last year," said Atlanta manager Bobby Cox on McCann. "He hits nothing but line drives and thank goodness he was the guy again tonight." After Atlanta reliever Macay McBride (1-0) escaped a jam in the bottom of the 10th, Thorman took a hanging changeup from Ryan Madsen (0-2) over the right field wall to provide the winning margin.

"It is great to help our pitchers out," Thorman said. "Our pitchers pitched unbelievably today."

Madsen surrendered a two-run shot to Edgar Renteria in the 10th inning Monday to take the loss in the season opener.

Philadelphia did little to address the bullpen in the offseason, despite the fact that the team had a 4.41 ERA from the seventh inning on.

"We didn't hold them," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said on the bullpen woes. "We didn't play good enough to win the last two nights. We got tremendous starting pitching both days. If we get that kind of (starting) pitching, we could definitely win some games. We should win a lot of games."

Braves starter Tim Hudson carried a no-hitter into the fifth before allowing a solo homer to Carlos Ruiz. The veteran righthander surrendered just two hits and walked four while striking out five in seven frames.

"I am happy with how I threw the ball today," Hudson said. "I went out there and I was aggressive the whole game. I did not give in. I walked some guys but when I am at my best that is what is going to happen. I am able to go out there and make pitches and not give in."

Cole Hamels scattered four hits in seven shutout innings for Philadelphia, which wasted a strong performance by Brett Myers on Monday. Hamels walked one and struck out eight. The second-year starter allowed nothing harder than a single and induced a ground-ball fielder's choice from Francouer to work out of a first-inning jam.

"I don't think I had my 'A' game," Hamels said. "I definitely think I was able to go out there and compete. As the game goes on for me, I get a better feeling and I'm able to execute a lot more pitches."

The Phillies had a chance to add to their lead in the eighth inning, but Shane Victorino was thrown out trying to steal third for the second out and Ryan Howard was gunned down at the plate from deep right field by Francoeur on a single by Chase Utley.

"(Francouer) made a great play throwing the runner out at home saved our bacon probably," Cox said. "It was just a great ball game."

Bob Wickman allowed one hit and struck out one to earn the save with a scoreless 11th inning.