Atlanta Braves Lose Series to Phillies

Apr 26, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Trevor Cahill (34) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Trevor Cahill started his third game for the Braves today and the Braves gave him a two run lead before hit took the mound. That was the last time the Braves would be in front today as they fell to the Phillies 5-3.

The first started well with Nick Markakis drawing a walk. Andrelton Simmons and Freddie Freeman both struck out but Kelly Johnson walked and Jonny Gomes singled loading the bases. Jace Peterson kept the line moving when he slapped a single into right scoring Markakis and Johnson and moving Gomes to third. They were left on as Christian Bethancourt struck out to end the inning.

Cahill was shaky early one giving up a leadoff single to Ben Revere and a line drive to left  that would have  meant two on with no one out had Gomes not fire the ball in to Simmons at second to cut down Revere. Chase Utley worked a walk from Cahill but it looked like the Braves might get out of the inning Jeff Francoeur struck out.  That hope was dashed when Cahill left a change out over the plate and Howard drove it deep into the right center field stands for a three run homer.

In the top of the third the Braves tied the game on back to back doubles by Freddie Freeman and Kelly Johnson. In the bottom half Odubel Herrera walked but was nailed trying to steal second thanks to a superb play by Simmons on a very bad throw.

The tie held until the bottom of the fifth when Freddy Galvis singled and went to second on a sac bunt by Jerome Williams. Ben Revere tripled into the right field corner to score Galvis and give the Phillies the lead.   The score remained the same until the bottom of the seventh when another single by Gavis and sac bunt by Andres Blanco move him into scoring position. The inning looked over when Herrera hit a sharp ground to Freeman wide of the first base bag but threw behind Ian Thomas covering and Galvis who was running on contact scored from second.

The Braves mounted a rally in the ninth when pinch hitter Alberto Callaspo hit his first homer sine August eighth of last year off Phillies closer Jonathon Papelbon to bring the Braves within one. With two out Simmons hit a line drive single into left field and Papelbon pitched around Freeman putting runners on first and second with two out. They died there as Revere hauled in Kelly Johnson’s deep drive to left.