Atlanta Braves Losing Streak Continues; Buried In Philly Slugfest 12-2

The day after a somewhat expected, yet too quiet trade deadline, the Atlanta Braves again were in Philadelphia. Trying to snap a 5-game losing streak, it didn’t take long for the Braves to get it going on offense.

Nick Markakis tallied his 2nd home run of the year leading off the game, giving Atlanta an early 1-0 lead. Nick jumped all over Phillies starter Aaron Nola. His homer sailed over the right-centerfield wall, landing in the Phillies bullpen.

Freddie Freeman almost made it 2-0. Freddie launched a booming double that bounced of the wall, just missing a home run. A.J. Pierzynski made sure not to waste that runner at second either.

Pierzynski reached out and placed a base hit where no one could get it. Freeman scored easily from second to make it 2-0 Braves. The only out being Cameron Maybin‘s ground out to third.

A strikeout of Adonis Garcia and ground out by Jace Peterson ended the top of the 1st. An early offensive display by the Braves was a nice, welcomed site. Hopefully, Atlanta can add to its solid start on offense. Braves starter Matt Wisler just needed a good, quality outing.

The Phillies would get one back on a SAC fly from Maikel Franco, scoring Cesar Hernandez from third. After one, Wisler looked OK, allowing 2 hits and a run.

Wisler was moving along nicely until the bottom of the 4th. After a double that barely missed being a home run from Maikel Franco, Ryan Howard singled him in after Maybin’s throw to home was up the third base line. That knotted things up at 2. It didn’t get any better after that.

Now with two out in the inning, and Howard on first, Wisler walked Cody Asche. The next batter was Cameron Rupp. Wisler hung a breaking ball to Rupp and he deposited a laser into the centerfield bleachers. Rupp’s blast gave the Phillies a 5-2 advantage. Wisler got opposing pitcher Aaron Nola to strikeout, but the damage was done heading to the top of the 5th.

The bottom of the 5th started out much like the bottom of the 4th did. After a lineout to Andrelton Simmons by Cesar Hernandez, Odubel Herrera made it a 6-2 game with a moon shot into the second deck of Citizens Bank Park. Wisler’s second home run allowed.

A bloop into no-man’s land to left field from Dominic Brown, scored Ryan Howard from second after his double, pushing the Phillie lead to 7-2. The Braves challenged the call at the plate. After replay reviews showed Pierzynski drop the ball, the Braves thought Howard never touched the plate. The replays the Braves broadcast played, at least to me, showed no conclusive evidence that Howard did or did not touch home.

Wisler’s night was over after that. David Aardsma came on to try and put the fire out. He then surrendered a hit to Freddy Galvis and then wild pitched the runners to 2nd and 3rd. He then walked Cody Asche to load the bases. Aardsma was able to get out of his and Wisler’s mess by striking out Cameron Rupp.

The Phillies kept piling it on in the 6th as well. Aardsma gave up singles to Blanco and Herrera and then served up a double to Franco, scoring Blanco. The Braves put Howard on intentionally to load up the bases again with only one out. Aardsma got his ground ball, but it was hit too softly. Garcia probably should have gone to the plate to cut off the run, but he chose second instead. They recorded the out at second, but Dominic Brown beat the throw to first. Runner from third scored to make it 9-2.

With Freddy Galvis hitting, he would add insult to injury. A towering 3-run home run broke the game open (if it hadn’t been already) 12-2. It was only the 6th inning.