Phillies Pulverize Braves To Win 1st Game of Series

In the first of a 3-game series with the Braves tonight, the Phillies were out to send a message to their division rival.  With a brutal 9-0 beating, the Braves definitely received the message.

Leading the assault was pitcher, Cliff Lee, who has now not allowed a run in 29.2 consecutive innings.  Tonight, he dominated the Braves in his 6th complete game shut-out of the year.  He basically took Atlanta's signature hatchet and turned it around against them.

 

After a lack of offense in Sunday's game against the Marlins, the Phillies finally found their bats again and seriously punished pitcher Derek Lowe.  Four starters had a multiple-hit game, including Ryan Howard with a homer and Chase Utley with a triple.  Hunter Pence led the team with three RBI; his one-out RBI-single in the first inning set the tone for the game.

The defense played well behind Lee as well.  Howard ran down a foul ball pop-up near the fence along the 1st base line.  In a sliding grab, the ball slid out of his glove and Howard caught it with his bare hand.  That was the sort of effort that was seen all night long by the Phillies.

But before the Phillies can officially send the Braves crying home to their mommies, there are still two games to go.  Vance Worley will face Tim Hudson on Tuesday night at 7:05pm.

 

Photos by Jenn Zambri Photography