Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) – Andrelton Simmons highlighted a three-
run seventh inning with a solo home run and the Atlanta Braves evened this
three-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies with a 5-2 decision on
Saturday.
Phillies starter David Buchanan (0-4) looked to match Aaron Harang’s success
from Friday, and he was well on his way after holding Atlanta without a hit
through four innings.
Jonny Gomes broke up the no-hitter in the fifth inning and Simmons broke up
Buchanan’s shutout bid with a leadoff homer in the top of the seventh to pull
the Braves within 2-1. After retiring the next two batters he faced, Buchanan
issued consecutive walks to Gomes and Kelly Johnson and manager Ryne Sandberg
pulled him for lefty Jake Diekman.
Diekman, who entered the game with a 9.00 ERA, couldn’t hold the lead. Chris
Johnson smacked a pinch-hit RBI single to tie the game, and Eric Young Jr.
plated Kelly Johnson with a double to the wall.
A.J. Pierzynski and Kelly Johnson padded the lead with RBI singles in the
eighth inning, and Jason Grilli tossed a 1-2-3 ninth for his seventh save.
Atlanta snapped a four-game losing streak and improved to 9-3 in its last 12
games in Philadelphia.
Atlanta starter Shelby Miller (3-0) went six strong innings, allowing just two
runs on three hits.
Ryan Howard’s second homer of the season — a two-run shot to center in the
fourth inning — was all Philly could muster off the former Cardinal.
Game Notes
The Phillies fell to 1-8 in games in which Diekman has pitched this season …
Philadelphia has only scored five runs in its last four games (1-3) …
Atlanta’s Trevor Cahill will be opposed by Jerome Williams in Sunday’s rubber
match.
