Phillies Fall To The Braves 2-1
ATLANTA (AP) — Freddie Freeman hit a two-run double in the eighth inning and the Atlanta Braves rallied past the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 on Saturday night.
In a matchup of the two worst teams in the majors, the Braves have consecutive victories for the first time since winning three straight over Miami from Aug. 6-8.
The Phillies have dropped five straight and 13 of 16.
Arodys Vizcaino earned his sixth save in seven chances after facing four batters in the ninth.
With Andres Blanco of the Phillies on second base, Gold Glove shortstop Andrelton Simmons made the best defensive play of the game, diving hard to his left to catch Darnell Sweeney's liner for the second out. Blanco advanced to third on Vizcaino's wild pitch over Odubel Herrera's head, but Herrera took a called third strike.
Freeman's opposite-field double off former starter Jerome Williams (4-11) went off the wall in left field when Sweeney appeared to misjudge the trajectory of the ball, allowing Nick Markakis to score from second and pinch-runner Pedro Ciriaco from first.
Edwin Jackson (3-3) earned the win after striking out one and facing the minimum in the eighth.
Williams did not retire a batter, allowing two hits and one walk.
Braves starter Ryan Weber allowed two hits, one run and two walks in seven innings. He struck out five.
Phillies starter Jerad Eickhoff gave up five hits and two walks in seven innings. He struck out five.
Philadelphia made it 1-0 in the second. Brian Bogusevic singled, advanced to third on Carlos Ruiz's opposite-field single and scored when Cody Asche grounded into a double play.
NO HARM DONE
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez insists that OF-3B Adonis Garcia is part of the team's long-term plans, adding he's been forgiven for Friday's baserunning blunder. Garcia was taken out of the game for overrunning second base and getting tagged out after driving in a run.
"You can live with physical mistakes of young players," Gonzalez said, "but not mistakes made because we're not paying attention."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Phillies: OF Aaron Altherr wasn't in the lineup because of left wrist soreness. Interim manager Pete Mackanin described the injury as "no big deal, just wear and tear."... Mackanin said 3B Maikel Franco, on the DL since Aug. 18 with a broken left wrist, continues to take batting practice, but there's no immediate timetable for his return.
Braves: RHP Mike Foltynewicz, on the DL since Sept. 2 with a virus and rib injury, could return for the three-game series beginning Monday at the New York Mets. He will pitch out of the bullpen.
UP NEXT
Phillies: RHP Aaron Nola (6-2) is 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in two career starts against Atlanta. The team has yet to decide if Nola, the seventh overall draft pick last year, will pitch again this season.
Braves: RHP Julio Teheran (10-7) is 6-3 with a 2.43 ERA in 10 career games and one relief appearance against Philadelphia.
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