Simmons' snag helps save game for Braves

ATLANTA -- Andrelton Simmons did what he does best in the Braves' 2-1 win over the Phillies on Saturday night.

The Braves were in a crunch-time situation. Andres Blanco stood on second base for the Phillies, representing the tying run. Arodys Vizcaino left a pitch over the plate for Darnell Sweeney to hit. Sweeney slammed the pitch up the middle, a smack that looked as if it could've scored the tying run from second.

But it didn't.

Simmons, the Gold Glove shortstop, dove into frame at the last possible second, snagging the ball out of the air near the middle of the infield, recording Vizcaino's second out of the inning and ostensibly saving the game for the Braves.

"Simmons saved the game there," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "If not we'd still be playing."

Despite the game-saving nature of the play, Simmons downplayed the importance of the catch, going as far as to shy away from being interviewed after the game despite factoring into the game's final score quite notably.

"I was just trying to help the team," Simmons said. "I got the opportunity to help and I'm glad I did."

Though Simmons merely saw that play as helping the cause, those in the opposing locker room recognized the importance of the play to the game's outcome.

"Sweeney hit that ball right on the button, that would have tied the game," Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin said. "There's not a whole lot to today. You don't score, you don't win."