Braves Waste Shutout Performance by Tommy Hanson; Phillies Complete Sweep

Tommy Hanson and Roy Oswalt dueled over six innings and one hit determined the outcome. Unfortunately, the Phillies got the hit. A late RBI double by Raul Ibanez provided the Phillies with the go-ahead run, capping the sweep with a 1-0 win.

Hanson pitched six strong innings, allowing just two hits and no runs, walking three and striking out four. He didn’t give up his first hit until a double in the fifth. That was followed by a walk and sac bunt that put both in scoring position with two outs, but Hanson buckled down and got Shane Victorino to strike out. He put two on base in the sixth but left both on as well, ending his outing at 106 pitches. Hanson continued to rely on groundouts, recording nine, and not strikeouts, but once again it got the job done. If only the Braves could support him.

Oswalt didn’t give up his first hit until a double by Martin Prado in the fourth. That was the only hit he allowed. The Braves had three baserunners all night. I wish I was making this stuff up. Oswalt walked one and struck out eight over seven shutout innings.

Peter Moylan and Craig Kimbrel combined for a scoreless seventh. Jonny Venters began the eighth by hitting Chase Utley, who was erased by a Ryan Howard double play. Jayson Werth walked and came all the way around to score the go-ahead run on a double by Ibanez. Nate McLouth felt the need to throw a rainbow and miss the cutoff man on the play, but I don’t know if it would have mattered.

Honestly, this means nothing to the Phillies except the fact that they beat down the Braves for three days. However, the Braves are trying to give the wild card away in the process. It’s time to scoreboard watch, as the Giants, Padres and Rockies are all currently playing. A win for the Padres ties them with the Braves.

The Braves get a much needed day off to head to Washington and face the Nationals this weekend. Tim Hudson faces Jordan Zimmermann in the series opener Friday.