Atlanta Braves Fall to Phillies 6-1 After Late Innings Falter

The Atlanta Braves’ offense continued to slump as they failed to provide enough support behind Lucas Sims

The Atlanta Braves had, prior to Monday, a 2-11 record against the Phillies,and have yet to win a series against them. They have been swept 3 times and managed to get just 1 series split in that span. It continued on Monday night as they still couldn’t find an answer for the Phillies, eventually falling 3-0.

In the 3rd inning, Lucas Sims gave up a lead-off triple to Pedro Florimon. Next, Cameron Rupp grounded one to 3rd which kept Florimon from coming home. Up next was pitcher Aaron Nola, a potential easy 2nd out. However, with a 2-2 count, Nola bounced one past Dansby Swanson, giving the Phillies their first run of the game.

Sims then allowed a double to Cesar Hernandez putting runners at 2nd and 3rd. Luckily Sims struck out Freddy Galvis and got Nick Williams to ground out to end the threat.

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The Braves had gotten their 1st hit in the very first inning from Ender Inciarte but wouldn’t get their first run until the 6th.

Starting with a lead-off double from Swanson, Sims then moved him to 3rd on a sacrifice bunt.  Inciarte struck out just before Mr. Clutch Brandon Phillips singled to left to tie the game.

The Phillies retaliated in the bottom 6th with back-to-back doubles from Nick Williams and Rhys Hoskins. That would score another run for the Phils but they weren’t done there. After Daniel Nava popped to short, Maikel Franco singled home Hoskins.

Sims final inning was in the 7th but he did not go out smoothly. Rupp lead off the inning with a huge homer to the left field corner. He got Hyun Soo Kim to line out but then walked Cesar Hernandez.

Sims would leave after 6 1/3 innings with 7 strike-outs and only 1 walk. Dan Winkler took over and struck out the next 2 to end the inning.

Here We Go Again

For the bottom of the 8th, the Braves sent out Jim Johnson again to pitch. Immediately Johnson was in trouble. He gave up a lead-off single to Rhys Hoskins followed by another by Nava. To make it worse, he walked Franco to load the bases. Florimon lined out for Johnson’s 1st – and only – out.

Rupp drew a 5-pitch walk to bring home the easy run and that was when Manager Brian Snitker decided to pull Johnson.

At least Johnson kept Hoskins in the park.

Matt Wisler came in and allowed a sac fly to Andres Blanco to score Nava. Phillies up 6-1.

Close It Up

In the 9th, Freddie Freeman grounded one for the 1st out and ended his night 0-4. Matt Kemp singled to left center to show the Braves won’t go down easy. Sadly Nick Markakis struck out, followed by grounder from Tyler Flowers to end the game.

The Braves have lost a lot lately and their offense seemed to have gone down with the losses.

Lucas Sims pitched a good game, throwing 71 of his 99 total pitches as strikes. Also again, he struck out 7 and walking only 1. Nola went 7 innings for Philadelphia striking out only 6 but walking non.

Also with his 2-hit night, Brandon Phillips is now just 1 away from joining the 2000 Hit club.

Next: What Other Steps Do The Braves Need To Take

Next the Braves will send out R.A. Dickey at 7:05 against Phillies’ Mark Leiter Jr.. Hopefully the Braves can at least win this one to avoid another sweep.