The Sports Xchange
Aug 30, 2017
PHILADELPHIA -- Brandon Phillips collected his 2,000th hit as the Atlanta Braves jumped on the Philadelphia Phillies early, running away to a 9-1 win in the opening game of a doubleheader on Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park.
R.A. Dickey (9-8) handled the Phillies (49-82) for the third time this season, cruising through six innings of shutout ball before finally giving up a run in the seventh. He made it through eight innings for the first time since May 13, 2016, surrendering seven hits and one earned run while striking out nine against one walk.
In Dickey's three starts against Philadelphia this year, the veteran knuckleballer has given up just two earned runs (three total) in 22 innings. He threw 81 of his 121 pitches for strikes.
Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte tied his career high with five hits, achieving the feat for the third time this season. He went 5-for-5 with a walk, four RBIs and a run scored, singling in each of his first four at-bats before tripling in the seventh inning.
Phillips became the 12th active member of the 2,000-hit club with an RBI single in the first inning, following up a two-hit performance in the series opener Monday night. He's the second player on the Braves to reach the mark this month, joining Nick Markakis, who collected hit No. 2,000 on Aug. 4.
Phillips' milestone hit scored Inciarte, who had singled to lead off the game before stealing his 18th base of the season.
That opened up an offensive deluge for Atlanta, as the Braves unleashed some frustration on a division rival that had beaten them in 12 of their first 14 meetings this season.
The Braves (58-72) collected eight runs and eight hits in the first three innings alone, finishing with 15 hits in the win.
Atlanta plated three in the first before Phillies starter Jerad Eickoff could even get an out, thanks to Phillips' hit and a two-run blast by first baseman Freddie Freeman, his 23rd homer of the year.
Eickhoff (4-8) departed in the third inning without recording an out due to a tingling sensation in his arm, according to Phillies manager Pete Mackanin. He gave up six runs on six hits as his ERA rose to 4.71.
Atlanta added four more runs in the third inning, including a two-RBI single by Inciarte to extend the lead to 8-0. Inciarte added one more RBI in the fifth inning, knocking in Ozzie Albies as part of four straight singles.
The Phillies' only run came off the bat off catcher Jorge Alfaro, whose second hit of the day scored Rhys Hoskins in the seventh inning.
NOTES: The second game of the doubleheader and series finale pits Phillies RHP Mark Leiter Jr. (2-3, 3.86 ERA) against Braves RHP Julio Teheran (8-11, 4.90). It's the third doubleheader of the season for the Phillies and second of the homestand (Aug. 22 vs. Miami). It's the second doubleheader of the season for the Braves. ... Atlanta placed C Tyler Flowers on the 10-day disabled list (left wrist contusion) and selected the contract of C David Freitas from Triple-A Gwinnett. RHP Enrique Burgos was designated for assignment from Triple-A Gwinnett and removed from the 40-man roster. ... Phillies LF Rhys Hoskins extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a single in the seventh inning.