Doc Halladay stymies Braves 3-1 in Series Opener
By Editorial Staff
The bad news: the Braves lost 3-1 and Roy Halladay pitched a complete game in the process. The good news: the Mets lost to the Reds so the Braves maintain their two game lead over the Mets. That is exactly the way I look at this game.
Halladay is one of if not the best pitcher in baseball and he gets paid to do what he did tonight. You knew going in that the odds were stacked against the Braves in this one. Halladay only allowed five hits through nine innings one of which was a first inning home run by Chipper Jones which temporarily gave the Braves a slim lead.
Phillies 3rd baseman Greg Dobbs did the Braves and Derek Lowe in with one swing of the bat during the sixth inning with a two run home run. The Phillies added one more run in the eighth on a Juan Castro single. Offensively the Braves couldn’t muster much against Halladay. Brian McCann and Chipper Jones each had two hits and Gregor Blanco added a bunt single.
Derek Lowe (9-7, 4.40) took the loss pitching seven innings and allowing two runs. This was his third attempt and win number ten on the season.
Jair Jurrjens will make his second start since returning from the disabled list. The Phillies will counter with lefty Cole Hamels.