Phillies @ Braves Preview

The 22-19 Braves host the 25-13 Phillies tonight in the second game of two between these sides this weekend. Atlanta added a one in Philadelphia’s loss column last night, with a 5-3 win at Turner Field.

Jair Jurrjens picked up where he left off last time out against the Phillies, allowing only three hits in 7.1 innings pitched Saturday. The Braves came out firing with two homers in the first inning of the game as both Prado and McLouth hit the ball out of the park. With Jurrjens dominating, the Phillies didn’t get on base until the sixth, and whilst the Braves did get men on through 2-5, they were unable to convert.

In the top of the sixth, Michael Martinez singled for the Phillies and this allowed Jimmy Rollins to get Martinez home with a double, cutting the lead to just one. But the Braves put together the perfect response with a well executed sixth, that ultimately saw off any Philadelphia fightback.  A three run inning was set-up by Romero walking Dan Uggla. Rookie Freddie Freeman was next at-bat and he singled off Romero and the pitcher was withdrawn. Kendrick was on the mound for the Phillies, and the punishment was to continue. Gonzalez sacrificed one to get Uggla to third, and it was all too easy as Ross singled to let in Uggla with Kendrick then walking Jurrjens to move Freeman to third. Buoyed by the inning’s events, the Braves exposed the Phillie’s bullpen further as Prado singled to get both Freeman and Ross over home plate and a 5-1 lead.

The Phillies did pull two back in the eighth, but were unable to turn things around on the Brave’s bullpen and they go in to tonight’s matchup 0-1 for this short series.

Tonight’s game in Atlanta is this years’ Civil Right’s game in the MLB, as the Atlanta Black Crackers host the Philadelphia Stars. The teams wore throwback uniforms last night, and they are currently being auctioned off for charity. Tonight sees Halladay on the mound for the Stars, looking to add to his 5-2 record, whilst the Black Crackers start with Tim Hudson who also has a winning record in seven starts. Their season ERAs are 2-05 and 3.09 respectively.

Shane Victorino misses tonight’s game after an early finish last night with a sore hamstring. The injury brought to an end Victorino’s second longest career hitting-streak at 15 games. John Mayberry Jnr. replaced Victorino last night and could be lined-up, but Mayberry hasn’t started a game at Center Field for Philadelphia. It is more likely that the Phillies will turn to Michael Martinez who started in place of Victorino last time he was absent, and singled in his one at-bat as a pinch hitter last night.

Live commentary of tonight’s game will be hosted by Nat Coombs on Radio 5 Live Sports Extra. Nat will be joined by Josh Chetwynd and 1136 Facebook group members (and counting), who you can join here.