Phillies fall six games behind NL East leaders
Missing piece dooms Phils again vs. Braves – Todd Zolecki, MLB.com
Critical series leads to critical condition for Phils – Jim Salisbury, CSNPhilly.com
Braves pound Moyer – Carroll Rogers, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
McCann, Prado powers Braves over Phillies – Rob Maaddi, AP via Yahoo! Sports
Ryan Howard lifted the spirits of a sold out Citizens Bank Park and gave Jamie Moyer a two run lead heading in to the sixth inning, but the Braves showed once again just why they may be the real team to beat in the National League East division this season. The Braves torched Moyer for six runs in the sixth inning to finish off a statement series for Atlanta, who will leave Philadelphia with a six game lead on the three time defending division champions and a three game lead on the New York Mets.
Jamie Moyer was pitching well until the sixth inning rolled around. (AP Photo/H. Rumph Jr)
Jimmy Rollins got things off to a good start for the Phillies, hitting a lead-off double that just barely stayed in the park in the bottom of the first. The spark was needed as the Phillies were already down after a lead-off home run to Martin Prado gave the Braves a fast 1-0 lead. Rollins though was stranded as Shane Victorino put down a poor bunt on the first pitch he saw, leaving Rollins at second on the play. Raul Ibanez followed with a walk and after Ryan Howard struck out on a fooled-ya pitch from Braves starter Kris Medlen, Jayson Werth was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Despite the early opportunity Greg Dobbs grounded out to kill the rally and keep the Phillies off the scoreboard.
The Phillies did tie the game in the next inning, when Wilson Valdez scored on Rollins’ second double of the game. Rollins’ bat would go silent for the rest of the game though as he finished the game going 2-for-5. Howard also had a two-hit game, with his home run giving the Phillies a 3-1 lead in the fifth inning. But Moyer was quick to hand the lead back to Atlanta.
A second home run by Prado sparked the Braves, who would bat around in the sixth inning. A couple of lucky hits for Atlanta and some not-so-lucky ones brought home six runs in the inning, sending Moyer to the showers and handing him his second straight loss.
What’s next?
The struggling Phillies will get no time to rest or sulk as the Cincinnati Reds are coming to town for a four game series to wrap up the first half of the season. The Reds are n first place in the NL Central and just took two-of-three from the Phillies last week in Cincinnati. This will be no easy task for the Phillies, who must find a way to take three games from the Reds to stay in the conversation in the division at the break. Kyle Kendrick gets the first start against Johnny Cueto.
Original Story:
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