Atlanta @ Philadelphia preview
Citizens Bank Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 6, 2010 ) Atlanta 6, Philadelphia 3
Like Dylan Thomas, the Atlanta Braves did not go gently into that good night.
The National League East-leading Braves could've folded their tents after the Philadelphia Phillies rallied to tie Tuesday's game at 3-3 in the seventh inning. With Ryan Howard standing at third base and no one out, the Phillies seemed poised to take control of both the contest and the three-game series.
Guess again.
Three up, three down and a potential big inning was thwarted. Such was life for Philadelphia, which managed just three hits on Charlie Manuel Louisville Slugger Bat giveaway night.
The Braves made use of their bats as Matt Diaz's RBI double and Eric Hinske's two-run homer in the top of the 11th inning powered them to a 6-3 triumph at Citizens Bank Park.
All-Star Martin Prado blasted a solo home run and David Ross had an RBI single for Atlanta (49-35), which snapped a modest two-game losing skid and regained their five-game lead over three-time defending NL East champion Philadelphia.
Kris Medlen (5-1, 3.01 ERA) will look to extend that lead on Wednesday when he takes the hill in the rubber match of the series.
Medlen has earned his keep as the Braves' fifth starter, forcing a struggling Kenshin Kawakami to the bullpen. To boot, this was in addition to the return of established star Jair Jurrjens from the disabled list.
Medlen has permitted just two runs in his last two outings, striking out 10 in the process.
Taking a closer look, he pitched near-identical lines in both contests. Medlen permitted one run and six hits while walking one and striking out five against both the Detroit Tigers (June 25) and Florida Marlins (last Friday). An extra third of an inning against the Tigers (6 2/3 innings) was the only difference.
Philadelphia will counter with ageless wonder Jamie Moyer (9-7, 4.13 ERA). The 47-year-old veteran has pitched well in his last four outings, winning three of them.
In his last start, the left-hander allowed just two runs and five hits while striking out a season-high eight batters. The Phillies' offense, however, let Moyer down as the Pittsburgh Pirates recorded a 2-0 triumph on Friday.
Raul Ibanez is swinging a hot bat for the Phillies. The veteran outfielder belted a two-run homer and slugger Howard had an RBI triple in Tuesday's contest.
Also of note, the Phillies activated J.A. Happ from the disabled list and optioned the 27-year-old left-hander to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. By all accounts, Happ needs more seasoning in the minors before returning to Philadelphia's starting rotation.
Happ (1-0, 0.00 ERA), who was a 12-game winner last season, has only made two starts this season.