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Heyward leads Braves past Phillies

Jul 19, 2014 - 3:18 AM Atlanta, GA (SportsNetwork.com) - Jason Heyward hit a solo homer and drove in two runs as the Atlanta Braves held on for a 6-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies to open a three-game series.

Andrelton Simmons also had two RBI, while B.J. Upton scored once and drove in one for the Braves, who went into the All-Star break having won three of four.

"It's a great win and a great way to start the second half and a great way to start a homestand," said Atlanta catcher Christian Bethancourt. "It was a good game. We came back and tried to do the best we can. I think things went well for us, and we got the win tonight."

Ervin Santana (8-6) pitched six innings and gave up four runs -- three earned -- on six hits with three walks and a strikeout. He also went 1-for-2 with a run scored at the plate.

Ryan Howard drove in two runs with Cody Asche and Cameron Rupp supplying an RBI each for the Phillies, who have dropped their past three games.

A.J. Burnett (6-9) was tagged for six runs on 10 hits in five innings to take the loss.

"I thought A.J. was having a hard time getting the third out," said Philadelphia manager Ryne Sandberg. "Nine of the 10 hits he gave up were with two outs. They clumped them together and put up a couple of strong innings. The bullpen was good for us tonight, though."

The Phillies jumped on top in the second inning, as the team put their first three batters on base and Asche's sacrifice fly scored Howard. Rupp followed with a single for a 2-0 lead, but Burnett hit into a double play to end the inning.

It was a short-lived lead, though, as the Braves answered with four runs in the home half.

Heyward led off with his ninth home run of the season. The next two batters recorded outs, but Bethancourt and Santana each singled and Upton followed with a double. Simmons then singled in two more for a 4-2 lead.

In the Atlanta fifth, RBI singles from Heyward and Tommy LaStella made it a 6-2 contest.

The Phillies got two back in the sixth as Jimmy Rollins reached base on a Freddie Freeman error, Chase Utley followed with a double and Howard scored both with a single to left. The next three batters then recorded outs to keep it a 6-4 game.

Philadelphia had just one baserunner the next two innings, and Craig Kimbrel pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 30th save of the season.

Game Notes

Upton's RBI was the 500th of his career ... The Braves have won seven of their 11 games against the Phillies this year ... Santana improved to 3-1 in five starts against the Phillies ... Burnett fell to 5-13 in his career against the Braves.