Philadelphia @ Atlanta preview
Turner Field
Last Meeting ( Apr 20, 2010 ) Philadelphia 3, Atlanta 4
The legend of Jason Heyward continues. And the Atlanta Braves’ rookie phenom is barely getting started.
The 20-year-old Heyward added another chapter to his burgeoning reputation as a can’t-miss stud with a two-out solo home run against Philadelphia Phillies closer Ryan Madson in the bottom of the ninth inning Tuesday.
Heyward’s team-leading fourth homer of the season sent the game into extra innings, where the Braves won it on Nate McLouth’s leadoff homer in the bottom of the 10th.
It was a brutal start to a three-city, nine-game road trip for the Phillies, who seemed well on their way to victory when they took a 3-0 lead into the ninth.
Perhaps the only solace Philadelphia can take from the loss is the fact that ace Roy Halladay takes the mound on Wednesday for Game 2 of the series against Atlanta.
Troy Glaus ignited Tuesday’s ninth-inning rally with a two-run home off Madson before Heyward and McLouth put the finishing touches on the Braves’ sixth come-from-behind victory of the young season.
It was the second clutch hit in as many games for Heyward, who delivered a two-run, walk-off single with two out in the ninth inning Sunday to wrap up a 4-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies.
Heyward has a team-high 16 RBIs and his penchant for delivering in a big spot has moved the Braves into a tie atop the National League East with the Phillies, who suddenly find themselves mired in a three-game losing streak.
Enter Halladay, who is off to a sensational start, winning each of his three starts and sporting a microscopic 1.12 ERA while striking out 21 batters and walking two.
Those were the type of numbers that led Philadelphia to pull off the blockbuster trade to acquire Halladay from the Toronto Blue Jays in the offseason.
And while a World Series title remains the Phillies’ ultimate goal, the reason Halladay was brought to Philadelphia is for moments like Wednesday: to stem the bleeding from the three straight losses and wipe away the bitter taste that comes when your closer coughs up a three-run lead.
Opposing Halladay will be Braves right-hander Tim Hudson (1-0), who makes his third start of the season and first at home.
Hudson has turned in two solid performances, yielding two runs in each of his starts, although he struggled with his control last time out, walking five batters.
He allowed just two runs and three hits and his season debut and looks to be completely recovered from Tommy John surgery that limited him to seven starts at the end of last year.