Braves win rubber game against Phillies
ATLANTA -- The Braves salvaged a 10-game homestand Wednesday night with a 7-5 victory over the Phillies at Turner Field.
Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons led the way offensively with a single, double and home run and Freddie Freeman added three hits and three RBIs. The Braves won the series to split the homestand at 5-5. They have won four of their last six games.
"We hadn't won a series in a few," said Freeman, referring to the Braves 0-3-1 mark over the last four series. "Just ending the homestand, it was definitely a nice way to go. Going into Washington you wanted to feel good with a couple of wins back-to-back and we did that."
The Phillies, meanwhile, limped home following a 3-7 road trip as Jerome Williams and the bullpen could not hold down Atlanta's offense. Williams allowed eight hits and six runs in just 4 1/3 innings.
"The only thing you can do is just continue to play," Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard said. "This game is over. Go into the off day, just rest, relax and try to forget about this road trip and start fresh on Friday."
Video: PHI@ATL: Grilli strikes out Herrera, saves 7-5 win
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Sizzling Simmons: Simmons continued to wield a hot bat on Wednesday night. Hitting .429 in the series coming into Wednesday, he contributed to the Braves first three rallies, homering in the first inning, doubling and scoring in the fourth then singling and scoring in the four-run fifth. More >
Video: PHI@ATL: Simmons finishes a triple short of cycle
Revere's Ride: Phillies right fielder Ben Revere tried his best to counter Simmons' big night with four hits, the 13th four-hit game of his career. He doubled in the third, fifth and sixth innings for a career-high three doubles. It was Revere's first game with three extra-base hits. More >
Video: PHI@ATL: Revere tallies three doubles, four hits
Freddie On Fire: Freeman may not want to go out on the road. He came into Wednesday night hitting .316 at home then sprayed three hits all over Turner Field, finishing the homestand hitting a scalding .462, while driving in nine runs. More >
Video: PHI@ATL: Freeman brings in Simmons with a double
Pen Can't Hold 'Em: Phillies relievers have had a well-documented problem walking batters this season. They entered the night with 54 to lead Major League Baseball. But inherited runners have been a problem, too. The Phillies have allowed 13 of 28 inherited runners to score, including two in the fifth inning. More >
Video: PHI@ATL: Freeman breaks game open with two-run double
QUOTABLE
"It just unraveled a little bit for me." -- Williams, on the Braves' four-run fifth inning
"I was trying to do my best Shelby Miller impression tonight but I got a little high pitch count. You got to feel the competition, too, with these guys. You want to go out there and try to one-up someone." -- winning pitcher Mike Foltynewicz, on his motivation heading into Wednesday night's start.
Video: PHI@ATL: Foltynewicz fans seven to earn second win
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Howard hit a solo home run to left-center field in the sixth inning. It was the 50th home run of his career against the Braves, making him one of just 12 players to hit 50 homers against the franchise. The list includes Willie Mays (83), Mel Ott (73), Ernie Banks (71), Willie McCovey (71) and Stan Musial (60).
Howard is hitting .255 (13-for-51) with two doubles, one triple, five home runs, 11 RBIs and a .949 OPS in his last 14 games.
INSTANT REPLAY
The Braves lost a challenge in the sixth inning when Odubel Herrera reached base on an infield single. Replay officials in New York could not definitively determine if the ball touched the interior of Freeman's glove prior to Herrera reaching base. The play stood as called.
Video: PHI@ATL: Force play stands after review in 6th
WHAT'S NEXT
Phillies: Cole Hamels struggled through his first six starts last season, but he will need to get things going Friday night against the Mets at Citizens Bank Park. The Mets have Matt Harvey on the mound. He is 5-0 with a 2.41 ERA and he is facing a team last in baseball in runs per game average.
Braves: Following an off-day on Thursday, Atlanta sends Eric Stults (1-2, 4.91) to the hill in the first of a nine-game, 11-day road trip that begins in Washington. Stults beat the Nationals on April 27 at Turner Field, going 6 1/3 innings. Fellow southpaw Gio Gonzalez (2-2, 3.86), who is 2-8 lifetime against Atlanta, 0-3 against them at Nationals Park, gets the ball for red-hot Washington.
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