Bethancourt, Braves break out offense to win finale against Phillies

After scoring just one run in their previous four contests (and being no-hit on Monday), the Braves were hoping to salvage the finale of a three-game series against the Phillies on Wednesday. Spirits were low late-Tuesday.

Atlanta sent starter Ervin Santana to the mound, and with some help from his offense, would be looking to chip into the team's 1 1/2-game deficit for the second NL Wild Card spot. Meanwhile, Phils hurler David Buchanan would try to echo his team's dominant pitching performances during the first two games of the series.  

The Highlights

With the score tied 1-1 in the second, B.J. Upton gave the Braves a two-run lead with his 10th homer of the season.

Not to be outdone, Grady Sizemore struck back with his very own two-run homer in the third. Tie ballgame.

The teams traded runs in back-to-back innings to knot the score at four, but then Christian Bethancourt came up to bat in the bottom of the fifth and gave his his team the lead for good.

Spirits were high.

Atlanta would add on two more runs in the sixth to make it 7-4. That was more than enough for Craig Kimbrel to get his 42nd save of the year.

The Game Changer

Bethancourt's go-ahead single was obviously the game-deciding play, but only possible because of an overturned out right before it.

 

Other Key Players, Plays

Chase Utley delivered a classic Utley glove flip in the fourth inning. Only this time, it came at the expense of a Braves' run. 

Along with hitting a home run, Sizemore made a dazzling play on defense in the eighth.

Kimbrel closed out the win in style, donning golden cleats in support of childhood cancer research. 

With the victory, the Braves move within one game of the second Wild Card-leading Brewers and will visit Miami for a three-game series starting Friday. Milwaukee will take on the Cubs on Wednesday night. The Phillies are also off on Thursday and will travel to Washington this weekend.