Braves clinch series vs. Phils behind Teheran

PHILADELPHIA -- Julio Teheran helped the Braves accomplish something Wednesday night they had not done in nearly a month.

He helped them win a series with an 8-1 victory over the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Braves right-hander allowed four hits, one run, two walks and struck out four in seven innings, helping Atlanta win their first series since Aug. 14-16 against Arizona.

"We have been battling," Braves center fielder Michael Bourn said as he teammates celebrated their third win in their past 23 games. "We just haven't had any luck. Today, we were able to get a series win and that is a big thing. We'll try to carry it over."

Video: ATL@PHI: Bourn goes 4-for-5 with two RBIs in win

Bourn recorded four of the season-high 18 hits notched by the Braves. They picked up 10 against Philadelphia right-hander David Buchanan. They picked up the other eight against Phillies relievers Jerome Williams, Ken Roberts and Nefi Ogando. The Phillies have been officially eliminated from postseason contention, the first team in baseball to be eliminated.

"Everything starts with pitching," Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin said. "We're not pitching."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Julio's latest encouraging outing: Teheran ended his 102-pitch outing by striking out Andres Blanco with the bases loaded. Before surrendering a single and issuing a pair of walks in the seventh, Teheran had retired 19 of the first 22 batters he faced. He has distanced himself from his first-half frustrations by allowing two earned runs or less in five of his past eight starts.

"That was a big punchout, for me," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said of the Blanco strikeout. "You don't want the team to get back in the game there. But [Teheran] was in command of the game the whole time in my opinion."

Buchanan battered: Buchanan needed to show considerable improvement since his last start with the Phillies on Aug. 11, when he allowed 11 runs in 1 2/3 innings in Arizona. But his struggles continued against Atlanta. He allowed 10 hits, four runs, three walks and one home run in just 3 1/3 innings. He allowed 14 of 22 batters to reach base, with double plays in the first, third and fourth innings limiting the damage to just four runs. Afterward, Mackanin would not commit to Buchanan making his next start. More >

"Yeah," said Mackanin, asked if he is concerned the team might not have enough pitching to finish the season. "We're going to reassess everything and try to figure it out."

Three-hit nights : While Braves third baseman Hector Olivera notched a trio of singles to record his first career three-hit night, Christian Bethancourt highlighted his fifth career three-hit night with his second career homer -- a solo shot that began Atlanta's three-run fourth inning. Olivera's single in the fourth set the stage for Freddie Freeman to deliver an opposite-field, two-run single. More >

Video: ATL@PHI: Bethancourt connects for a solo home run

"I thought our offense was firing on all cylinders," Gonzalez said after the Braves recorded 18 hits for just the fifth time since the start of the 2009 season.

Video: ATL@PHI: Freeman singles in two with bases loaded

Can't break through: The Phillies could not touch Teheran. They had their best opportunity in the seventh, when they loaded the bases with two outs. But Teheran struck out Blanco on a 95-mph fastball to end the inning.

QUOTABLE
"We miss [Maikel] Franco's bat. Not that one guy is going to change everything, but it certainly helps." -- Mackanin, on Franco, who has been sidelined since last month with a broken left wrist.

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
The Braves have won just four of their past 31 road games. Three of those victories have been recorded in Philadelphia.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard went 0-for-4. He is hitless in his last 29 at-bats, which is the longest hitless streak of his career.

WHAT'S NEXT
Braves: Shelby Miller will take the mound when Atlanta opens a four-game series against the Mets on Thursday night at Turner Field. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET. Miller will be attempting to end his 20-game winless streak. The Braves have gone 5-1 at home against the Mets this season.

Phillies: The Phillies open a four-game series Thursday night against the Cubs at Citizens Bank Park. Phillies left-hander Adam Morgan (5-5, 4.42 ERA) faces Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta (18-6, 2.03 ERA) in the series opener at 7:05 p.m. ET..

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