Kratz, Mayberry Stun Braves Bullpen Late; Phillies Win, 8-5.

Final: Phillies 8, Braves 5.

WP: Josh Lindblom (3-3, 3.58 ERA) LP: Cristhian Martinez (5-4, 4.39 ERA) SV: Jonathan Papelbon (31)

Ryan Howard didn't receive the nickname "Big Piece" for no good reason.  He jump-started this crucial series down in Atlanta in the Phillies favor, with a home run in the top of the second to give the Phillies the early lead.

In the bottom of the fourth, Erik Kratz made a stellar play at the plate when he ended the inning holding on to a ball thrown to him by John Mayberry, despite Chipper Jones coming full-force.  The 1-0 score would remain the same until the bottom of the fifth, when Martin Prado gave the Braves a 2-1 lead with a two-run home run to left field.  Later that same inning, Freddie Freeman hit a two-run home run off of Halladay, giving the Braves a 4-1 lead.

Howard came through again with none out and the bases-loaded in the top of the sixth inning. He hit a bloop two-RBI single to center fielder Michael Bourn, cutting the deficit to just one run.  He now has 10 home runs and 34 RBIs in just 46 games played this season.  Ryan is four home runs shy of having 300 in his career, and two RBIs away from 900.  Ty Wigginton followed by tying the game with a sacrifice fly RBI to left fielder Martin Prado, scoring Utley on third.  The Braves retook the lead in the bottom half, with Dan Uggla hitting his 17th home run of the season.

With the Phillies trailing 5-4 in the top of the ninth, Erik Kratz delivered with a clutch game-tying home run to left field off of Craig Kimbrel.  That was just his third blown save of the season for the Braves closer, as Kratz took him deep on a 99 mph fastball.

Via @magelb:

Opposing hitters were career 8 for 98 with 75 strikeouts in an 0-2 count against Craig Kimbrel before Erik Kratz's home run.

John Mayberry hasn't had many memorable at-bats this season, let alone in his career. But, boy did he have one right.  With runners on the corners and two outs in the top of the 10th, Mayberry took Braves reliever, Martinez, deep over the left field fence to give the Phillies the 8-5 lead in the extra innings.  That three-run advantage would prove to be enough, as Jonathan Papelbon shut the door to secure his 31st save of the season, 250th of his career.

Roy Halladay has had a history of throwing poorly in the heat, and tonight was one of those nights. Doc was never truly himself, as he walked four batters, tying a season-high.  He allowed seven hits and four runs on two home runs, both coming in the fifth.  51 of his 81 pitches were thrown for strikes.  He would receive the no-decision.

The month of August has closed with the Phillies posting an (17-12) overall record.  It is the second month so far this season that they have scored more runs (112) than allowed (108). May was the other, scoring (145) and allowing (133).

LHP Cliff Lee (3-7) takes the mound in the second game of the series against RHP Tim Hudson (13-4).  The Phillies last faced Hudson on August 8th, and probably was the cause for Hudson having one of the worst starts of his stellar 2012 season.  He lasted just four and a third innings, allowing six runs on six hits and three walks.  Lee last faced Atlanta on September 26, 2011 in which he picked up his 17th victory of the season.  He went six innings, allowing two runs on five hits.

The game, starting at 4:05 pm EST, can be seen on FOX and heard on 1210 WPHT AM & 94 WIP FM.

Attendance: 31,203.

Starting Pitching Summary:

• Roy Halladay: 4.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO, 2 HR, 4.02 ERA
• Mike Minor*: 5.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO, 1 HR, 4.79 ERA

* Mike Minor failed to retire a batter in the sixth inning.

In the 'Pen:

Philadelphia

• Jeremy Horst (5th, 6th): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO, 1 HR, 1.29 ERA
• Antonio Bastardo (7th): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR, 5.01 ERA
• Phillippe Aumont (8th): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR, 0.00 ERA
• Josh Lindblom (9th): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR, 3.58 ERA
• Jonathan Papelbon (10th): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR, 2.56 ERA

Atlanta

• Chad Durbin (6th): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR, 3.19 ERA
• Jonny Venters (7th): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR, 3.47 ERA
• Eric O'Flaherty (8th): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR, 2.12 ERA
• Craig Kimbrel (9th): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 1 HR, 1.29 ERA
• Cristhian Martinez (10th): 1.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO, 1 HR, 4.39 ERA

Scoring Summary:

• Top of the 2nd (Phillies 1, Braves 0): Ryan Howard homers (10) on a fly ball to right center field.
• Bottom of the 5th (Phillies 1, Braves 2): Martin Prado homers (8) on a fly ball to left field. Mike Minor scores.
• Bottom of the 5th (Phillies 1, Braves 4): Freddie Freeman homers (19) on a fly ball to center field. Chipper Jones scores.
• Top of the 6th (Phillies 3, Braves 4): Ryan Howard singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Michael Bourn. Jimmy Rollins, Kevin Frandsen score.
• Top of the 6th (Phillies 4, Braves 4): Ty Wigginton out of a sacrifice fly to left fielder Martin Prado. Chase Utley scores.
• Bottom of the 6th (Phillies 4, Braves 5): Dan Uggla homers (17) on a fly ball to center field.
• Top of the 9th (Phillies 5, Braves 5): Erik Kratz homers (8) on a fly ball to left field.
• Top of the 10th (Phillies 8, Braves 5): John Mayberry homers (13) on a fly ball to left field. Kevin Frandsen, Ryan Howard score.

What's Next:

• Saturday, September 1, 2012; 4:05 pm EST
• Philadelphia Phillies (63-69) at Atlanta Braves (74-58)
• Cliff Lee (3-7, 3.67 ERA) vs. Tim Hudson (13-4, 3.57 ERA)
• TV: FOX
• Radio: 1210 WPHT, 94 WIP

Matt Rappa is a contributor for Buzz on Broad. You can find him on Twitter at @mattrappa.

Comments

[woolrich outlet]

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