Recap: Philadelphia vs. Atlanta
Sports Network | September 22, 2008
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Greg Golson's speed led to the go-ahead run and Pat Burrell added a three-run home run for insurance later in the eighth, as Philadelphia moved one step closer to postseason play with a 6-2 victory over Atlanta to kick off a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park.
Greg Dobbs did what he has done all season, lead off the bottom of the eighth with a pinch-hit single. Golson pinch-ran for Dobbs and an errant pick-off throw sailed down foul territory, allowing the fleet-footed Golson to move to third.
On Jayson Werth's one-out chopper to third, Golson charged home under the tag for a 3-2 lead. Chase Utley was intentionally walked a batter earlier, and Burrell cleared the bases with a deep three-run shot into the left-field stands.
Scott Eyre (5-0) retired one batter to pick up the win. J.A. Happ continued to frustrate Atlanta in his second start against the club in a week, allowing two runs on five hits with five strikeouts and two walks in 6 2/3 frames.
Shane Victorino finished 3-for-4, improving his hitting streak to 11 games. Philadelphia has won three straight and 10 out of its last 11, improving to 14-6 in September. The division lead sits at 2 1/2 games over the New York Mets, who lost to the Chicago Cubs, 9-5, and stand a game ahead idle Milwaukee Brewers in the wild-card race.
"We are determined. We don't quit," said Phillies manager Charlie Manuel. "We have a game tomorrow and we are concentrated on winning that."
Jeff Bennett (3-7) was hit with the loss, allowing three unearned runs on just one hit. Jair Jurrjens pitched effectively over seven frames, giving up two runs on five hits with one walk and one strikeout.
Kelly Johnson extended his hitting streak to a career-best and National League-high 20 games this season, hitting a two-run home run and a triple in defeat. Atlanta's two-game win streak came to an end.
The Phillies quickly took a 1-0 lead thanks to the top of the order. Jimmy Rollins belted a pitch off the very top of the out-of-town scoreboard in right-center field for a double then Utley drove him home with a double hooked tight to the line in right.
Philly added another run in the second inning. Victorino chopped a single back through the middle, took second on Pedro Feliz's groundout, raced to third on an errant pitch by Jurrjens and ran on contact to cross the plate on Carlos Ruiz's groundout to a drawn-in Johnson.
Johnson, riding a high with his long hitting streak, clubbed a two-run home run in the sixth to square the contest at 2-2. He clubbed a high slider just short of the second deck in right for the game-tying hit.
It looked like Atlanta was set to take a late lead in the eighth after Johnson's smash clipped Werth's glove on a diving attempt for a stand-up triple. After a line out, Jeff Francoeur's chopper to short was handled by Rollins, who fired home to nab Johnson for the second out.
The Phillies have won all four of Happ's starts this season...Victorino is 21- of-43 during his hitting streak...The Phillies improved to 14-2 this season against the Braves and 16-2 in the last 18 contests, winning six in a row...Philadelphia improved to 41-15 when Rollins scores at least one run...36,796 fans waved white towels at Citizens Bank Park...Philly's magic number to clinch a playoff spot is three.
New FanShot
