Final
Phillies overcome slow start, down Braves
May 2, 2007 - 5:22 AM ATLANTA (Ticker) -- After the way the Philadelphia Phillies have been losing games late to the Atlanta Braves, it was just a matter of time before they would get a chance to make them pay.Cole Hamels pitched well after a slow start and Aaron Rowand had two RBI as the Phillies downed the Braves, 6-4, on Tuesday to take the second game of a three-game set.
The Phillies, who had lost five in a row to the Braves, including three in the final at-bat, got off to an auspicious start as Chipper Jones crushed a two-run home run in the first off Hamels (3-1). However, after allowing seven hits through two frames, the lefthander gave up just two hits over the last 5 1/3 innings to get his first career win against Atlanta.
"That first inning it's tough to play against 10 people: nine of them and one of yourself," Hamels said. "I just had to bear down and let that first inning pass."
"Once they took the lead, (Hamels) started throwing a ton of changeups and he's got a really good one," Chipper Jones said. "Hamels really settled down after the first inning. We had seven hits after the first two innings and three the rest of the game."
Hamels yielded all four Braves runs and nine hits with three walks and six strikeouts. Brett Myers bridged the gap to closer Tom Gordon, who pitched a perfect ninth to notch his fifth save in eight chances.
"At this point last year, I probably would have pitched 2 1/3 innings and given up six or seven runs, just because I didn't know how to calm myself down," Hamels said. "I think having (pitching coach) Rich Dubee for a year, being in the big leagues for a year, having (Rod) Barajas, they are able to calm me down. If you want to be a great pitcher you have to know how to get out of that situation."
Despite falling behind 3-0 after one inning, the Phillies did not waste any time responding to the Braves' offense, as they rallied for four runs in the second inning off Atlanta starter Mark Redman (0-4). Following a run on a passed ball and RBI groundout from Jimmy Rollins to narrow the Braves' lead to 3-2, Rowand singled to center and Pat Burrell drew a bases-loaded walk to leave Philadelphia with a 4-3 advantage.
"It deflated us tonight (losing the lead)," Jones said. "Realistically, you look at the pitching matchup and if Vegas were doing the line, it would probably favor the Phillies. To get three off the bat, we were feeling pretty good about that. Sometimes when you give a guy three runs and they're able to relax. He couldn't get into a groove and before we knew, we were down 4-3 and 5-3."
With the Phillies holding onto the same 4-3 lead in the third inning, Rowand hit a run-scoring single to left to stake Philadelphia to a 5-3 advantage. He has tallied at least one hit in 17 of his last 18 contests, registering two or more hits in 10 of those contests.
Barajas capped the Phillies' scoring with a solo shot off Atlanta reliever Steve Colyer in the eighth.
"I was feeling good," Barajas said. "All it takes is a couple of 0-for- games and it can put you back in a tailspin. It's nice to be able to put two good games together back-to-back."
Redman lasted only 1 2/3 innings, surrendering four runs - three earned - and five hits with three walks and one strikeout. Over his two starts, the lefthander has allowed 10 runs - nine earned - and 12 hits, lasting just 4 2/3 innings.
"I was 0-4 last year to start the season," Redman said. "I won six straight right after that. Typically and unfortunately, I start the season off slow. I'm just trying to get into the groove. I look forward to getting out there. I didn't put myself in a position to pitch every five days. Unfortunately, it's something I have to work through."
"I don't know (whether he'll make his next start)," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "Redman just couldn't get it going again tonight. We'll see what's going on."
Jones homered twice for the 35th time in his career and had three RBI for the Braves, who were denied their chance to record their longest winning streak against the Phillies since taking six straight games from Philadelphia from July 31, 1999 - May 5, 2000. Jones leads the National League with 10 homers.
"I'm calming things down at the plate," Jones said. "I kept things simple. The last couple of days, I got results."
Brian McCann left the game in the second inning with a bruised left ring finger after being hit in the back of the hand with the bat of Barajas as he was attempting to catch a pitch from Mark Redman. He was removed from the game six pitches later but X-rays conducted during the game were negative and he is being listed day-to-day.
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was ejected in the sixth inning by home plate umpire Joe West for arguing a call on a stolen base attempt by Jimmy Rollins.
- NL
FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
PHILADELPHIA 0 4 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 6 12 0
ATLANTA 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 4 10 1 (FINAL)
BATTERIES: PHI - COLE HAMELS, BRETT MYERS (8TH), TOM GORDON (9TH) AND ROD
BARAJAS
ATL - MARK REDMAN, OSCAR VILLARREAL (2ND), PETER MOYLAN
(5TH), STEVE COLYER (8TH), CHAD PARO
May 1 10:55 PM - NL
AT ATLANTA - SCORING UPDATE
SOLO HOME RUN BY CHIPPER JONES (10) TO LEFT WITH 1 OUT IN
THE 8TH OFF COLE HAMELS.
CURRENT SCORE: PHILADELPHIA 6, ATLANTA 4
DUE UP FOR ATLANTA: A JONES (.267, 1-FOR-2, BB)
Phillies vs. BravesMay 1 10:24 PM - NL
AT ATLANTA - PITCHING CHANGE
ATL: STEVE COLYER (0-1, 6.75) STARTING THE 8TH
CURRENT SCORE: PHILADELPHIA 6, ATLANTA 3
DUE UP FOR PHILADELPH: J ROLLINS (.296, 1-FOR-4, RBI)
Phillies vs. BravesMay 1 10:10 PM - NL
AT ATLANTA - SCORING UPDATE
SOLO HOME RUN BY ROD BARAJAS (2) TO LEFT WITH 2 OUT IN THE
7TH OFF PETER MOYLAN.
CURRENT SCORE: PHILADELPHIA 1, ATLANTA 1
DUE UP FOR PHILADELPHIA: C HAMELS (.059, 0-FOR-6)
Phillies vs. BravesMay 1 10:06 PM - NL
AT ATLANTA - SCORING UPDATE
SINGLE BY AARON ROWAND SCORED JAYSON WERTH.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, 2 LEFT ON, 3 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: PHILADELPHIA 0
ATLANTA 1 END TOP, 3RD
Phillies vs. BravesMay 1 10:00 PM - NL
AT ATLANTA - SCORING UPDATE
SINGLE BY AARON ROWAND SCORED ROD BARAJAS.
SITUATION: 4 RUNS IN, 3 LEFT ON, 3 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: PHILADELPHIA 1
ATLANTA 1 END TOP, 2ND
Phillies vs. BravesMay 1 9:58 PM - NL
AT ATLANTA - SCORING UPDATE
WES HELMS SCORED ON PASSED BALL BY BRIAN MCCANN. GROUND OUT
BY JIMMY ROLLINS SCORED JAYSON WERTH.
SITUATION: 4 RUNS IN, 3 LEFT ON, 3 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: PHILADELPHIA 2
ATLANTA 1 END TOP, 2ND
Phillies vs. BravesMay 1 9:58 PM - NL
PHILADELPHIA AT ATLANTA
NOTE: ATLANTA CATCHER BRIAN MCCANN HAS LEFT THE GAME IN THE
TOP OF THE SECOND INNING WITH A BRUISED LEFT RING FINGER.
Phillies vs. BravesMay 1 9:58 PM - NL
AT ATLANTA - SCORING UPDATE
TWO-RUN HOME RUN BY CHIPPER JONES (10) TO CENTER WITH 1 OUT
IN THE 1ST OFF COLE HAMELS SCORED KELLY JOHNSON.
CURRENT SCORE: PHILADELPHIA 5, ATLANTA 2
DUE UP FOR ATLANTA: C WILSON (.184, 1-FOR-2)
Phillies vs. BravesMay 1 9:57 PM - NL
AT ATLANTA
STARTING BATS: PHI - COLE HAMELS AND ROD BARAJAS
ATL - MARK REDMAN AND BRIAN MCCANN
DUE UP FOR PHILADELPHIA: J ROLLINS (.296, 9 HR, 19 RBI)
A ROWAND (.387, 5 HR, 14 RBI)
C UTLEY (.304, 5 HR, 21 RBI)
Phillies vs. BravesMay 1 9:57 PM - NL
AT ATLANTA - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: C Woodward hit for O Villarreal.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, M DIAZ ON SECOND, 2 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: PHILADELPHIA 5
ATLANTA 3 BOTTOM, 4TH
DUE UP FOR ATLANTA: K Johnson (.330, 1-FOR-2)
Phillies vs. BravesMay 1 9:56 PM - NL
AT ATLANTA - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: B Pena catching.
SITUATION: 4 RUNS IN, P BURRELL ON FIRST, R HOWARD ON SECOND, C
UTLEY ON THIRD, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: PHILADELPHIA 4
ATLANTA 3 TOP, 2ND
DUE UP FOR PHILADELPHIA: J Werth (.286, 1-FOR-2)
Phillies vs. BravesMay 1 9:56 PM - NL
AT ATLANTA - SCORING UPDATE
SINGLE BY AARON ROWAND SCORED JAYSON WERTH.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, A ROWAND ON FIRST, R BARAJAS ON SECOND, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: PHILADELPHIA 5
ATLANTA 3 TOP, 3RD
DUE UP FOR PHILADELPHIA: C UTLEY (.300, 1-FOR-2)
Phillies vs. BravesMay 1 8:46 PM - NL
AT ATLANTA - SCORING UPDATE
BASES LOADED WALK TO PAT BURRELL SCORED AARON ROWAND.
SITUATION: 4 RUNS IN, P BURRELL ON FIRST, R HOWARD ON SECOND, C
UTLEY ON THIRD, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: PHILADELPHIA 4
ATLANTA 3 TOP, 2ND
DUE UP FOR PHILADELPHIA: W HELMS (.293, 1-FOR-1)
Phillies vs. BravesMay 1 8:19 PM - NL
AT ATLANTA - SCORING UPDATE
SINGLE BY AARON ROWAND SCORED ROD BARAJAS.
SITUATION: 3 RUNS IN, A ROWAND ON FIRST, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: PHILADELPHIA 3
ATLANTA 3 TOP, 2ND
DUE UP FOR PHILADELPHIA: C UTLEY (.293, 0-FOR-1)
Phillies vs. BravesMay 1 8:13 PM - NL
AT ATLANTA - SCORING UPDATE
GROUND OUT BY JIMMY ROLLINS SCORED JAYSON WERTH.
SITUATION: 2 RUNS IN, R BARAJAS ON SECOND, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: PHILADELPHIA 2
ATLANTA 3 TOP, 2ND
DUE UP FOR PHILADELPHIA: A ROWAND (.378, 0-FOR-0, BB)
Phillies vs. BravesMay 1 8:11 PM - NL
AT ATLANTA - SCORING UPDATE
PASSED BALL BY BRIAN MCCANN ALLOWED WES HELMS TO SCORE.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, R BARAJAS ON FIRST, J WERTH ON SECOND, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: PHILADELPHIA 1
ATLANTA 3 TOP, 2ND
DUE UP FOR PHILADELPHIA: J ROLLINS (.304, 1-FOR-1)
Phillies vs. BravesMay 1 8:08 PM - NL
AT ATLANTA - SCORING UPDATE
DOUBLE BY BRIAN MCCANN SCORED ANDRUW JONES.
SITUATION: 3 RUNS IN, B MCCANN ON SECOND, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: PHILADELPHIA 0
ATLANTA 3 BOTTOM, 1ST
DUE UP FOR ATLANTA: M DIAZ (.259, 2 HR, 3 RBI)
Phillies vs. BravesMay 1 7:55 PM - NL
AT ATLANTA - SCORING UPDATE
TWO-RUN HOME RUN BY CHIPPER JONES (9) TO CENTER WITH 1 OUT
IN THE 1ST OFF COLE HAMELS SCORED KELLY JOHNSON.
CURRENT SCORE: PHILADELPHIA 0, ATLANTA 2
DUE UP FOR ATLANTA: A JONES (.261, 5 HR, 19 RBI)
Phillies vs. BravesMay 1 7:50 PM
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