Just like that, the Phillies found themselves in a virtual tie with the Florida Marlins for first place in the National League East. Not only did the Atlanta Braves sweep the Phillies in three games, but they found themselves two games back in the divisional race.
Happ was excellent, striking out five. In seven innings, he gave up two runs on seven hits and two walks. The only runs he allowed came on a Casey Kotchman home run. Happ was able to escape a big jam in the seventh inning by getting Chipper Jones to pop up for the final out of the inning, stranding two men on base in a tie game.
Jimmy Rollins had a decent night a the plate, going 2-for-4, breaking up an 0-for-28 hitless streak. But even Rollins couldn’t spark the Phillies offense that left seven runners on base.
The Phillies had a chance to take the lead in the eighth. Jayson Werth advanced to third on a stolen base and overthrow. Mike Gonzalez’s pitch sailed over the glove of Brian McCann, with Werth headed for home. McCann recovered quickly, firing to a covering Gonzalez, nailing Jayson Werth sliding into home plate.
After that, everything fell apart for Ryan Madson, who continues to struggle. Matt Diaz hit a RBI double, but Garrett Anderson gave the Braves insurance on a 2 run bomb.
The Braves 5-2 win finished off a three game sweep of the falling Phillies. It is the first time since 2005 that the Phillies were swept at Turner Field, where they were 9-0 last season.
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