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Phils Edged By Braves 2-1 In Series Opener

ATLANTA (AP) — Adam Morgan couldn't beat his hometown team even while winning more respect from his new manager.

Morgan allowed only five hits in seven innings but gave up two homers, including Juan Uribe's tie-breaking shot in the seventh inning, and the Philadelphia Phillies lost to the Atlanta Braves 2-1 on Friday night.

Morgan (1-1) matched Atlanta's Julio Teheran before Uribe's homer to lead off the seventh. Even then, Morgan impressed interim manager Pete Mackanin by recovering to complete the inning.

"I thought about taking him out, but this is the kind of guy we're looking for," Mackanin said. "We need guys that, at 100 pitches, they can go seven or eight innings. That's what we want."

Morgan, who grew up in the Atlanta area, gave up two runs and five hits in seven innings. He said it was strange hearing the familiar Tomahawk Chop chanted by fans against him.

"I knew it was coming," Morgan said. "I kind of prepared myself for it. It was kind of cool. I kind of hummed along with it."

In his debut on June 21, Morgan became the Phillies' 11th starting pitcher of the season when he allowed one run in a 9-2 win over St. Louis. The victory snapped the Phillies' franchise record of 25 consecutive games without a win by a starting pitcher.

His next scheduled start against Washington was rained out, setting up his return to Turner Field, where in the past he tailgated and bought cheap tickets in the outfield.

"He's got family here and you'd think he would be nervous," Mackanin said. "He's got no fear, which is huge."

The left-hander also gave up a second-inning homer to Jonny Gomes.

The Phillies have lost five straight and eight of nine.

Teheran (6-4) allowed one unearned run and seven hits in seven innings. He improved to 5-0 with a 2.04 ERA in eight starts at Turner Field. He is 1-4 with a 7.40 ERA in nine road starts.

Jim Johnson gave up a leadoff single to Freddy Galvis in the ninth before Cameron Rupp hit into a double play. Ben Revere singled up the middle before Odubel Herrera ended the game with a fly ball to left field as Johnson earned his fifth save. Closer Jason Grilli was unavailable after pitching in the previous two games,

The Phillies' run came in the second, when Morgan reached on second baseman Jace Peterson's throwing error and scored on Cesar Hernandez's single to right field. Morgan initially was rewarded a hit — which would have been the first of his career — before a scoring change made the run unearned.

OVERTURNED

A video review — and hustle by Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons — helped Teheran in the seventh. Rupp singled past Uribe at third base. The ball bounced into foul territory as Rupp ran for second. Simmons beat Gomes, the left fielder, to the ball and threw to Peterson, who made the tag as Rupp slid into second.

Rupp was called safe before the call was overturned following the review which lasted 2 minutes, 22 seconds.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Phillies: RHP Jerome Williams (left hamstring strain) and RHP Aaron Harang (left foot plantar fasciitis) are with the team in Atlanta but won't join the West Coast trip next week. Williams could start a rehab assignment while Harang is expected to have treatment in Philadelphia.

Braves: The cramping and dehydration that forced LHP Manny Banuelos to leave Thursday night's start after 5 2-3 strong innings against the Nationals are not new problems for pitchers in Atlanta's heat and humidity. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said former Braves starter Tim Hudson had to make adjustments, including extra fluids the night before a start. Banuelos had cramping in his calf and hand in his major league debut but should be fine for his next start.

UP NEXT

Phillies: RHP Kevin Correia will try again for his first win in 2015. He is 0-2 with a 3.60 ERA in four starts this year and 5-8 with a 4.90 ERA in 25 career games, including 16 starts, against Atlanta.

Braves: LHP Alex Wood, who won 2-1 at Pittsburgh in his last start, will look to improve his 5-5 mark. He is 2-2 with a 2.61 ERA in his career against the Phillies.

BOX SCORE

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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