Phreephallin…

On Sunday night, it felt like a funeral at Citizens Bank Park. No, someone didn’t die literally, but the Phillies season sure has. The floundering Phillies were swept out of there own ballpark as the Atlanta Braves won 4-1. How bad was this game? The highlight was the introduction of the 1993 team that won the NL pennant. Yes, it is that bad in South Philadelphia.

Atlanta struck early in the top of the 1st inning. Jason Heyward led off with a walk. After Justin Upton struck out looking, Freddie Freeman hit a single to center. Then, Heyward and Freeman advanced as Phillies starter, Cliff Lee, crossed up catcher Carlos Ruiz, and Ruiz was charged with a fastball. Then, with two outs third baseman Chris Johnson hit a two strike single to right. The hit scored both Heyward and Freeman, and that made the score, 2-0.

Philadelphia cut the deficit to 2-1, as Carlos Ruiz led off with a double to left, which was disputed as they first called it a home run, but the umpires made the correct call. Then, after a Lee sacrifice, Michael Young knocked in Ruiz with a slow ground out to the third baseman.

The Braves, however got the run back, as B.J. Upton led off with a double to right center field, which was also ruled a home run, but the umpires reversed the call, although the replay looked like the ball cleared the fence. Then, with two outs, Heyward launched a hard hit ball over Delmon Young in right field for a long single, which scored Upton, and made the score 3-1. Next, Justin Upton hit a deep drive over center John Mayberry Jr.’s head for a double, and Heyward scored easily from first, and making the score 4-1.

Lee only went five innings, who just was coming off of a neck injury. Lee, gave up eight hits and four runs (three earned), and eight strikeouts.

Things have gotten so bad for the Phillies, that Mayberry was in scoring position in the bottom of the fifth inning, but got picked off at second base. In other words, ugly baseball running.

But, the story of the game was rookie, Alex Wood. Wood, the rookie out of Georgia, allowed only two hits in six innings. Wood threw 98 pitches-59 strikes.

Then, the Braves bullpen, consisting of Luis Ayala, Scott Downs and Craig Kimbrel, came in to shut the door on the free falling Phillies, who now have lost 13 of 14.

The Phillies are off on Monday, and then will face the Chicago Cubs in a three game series at CB Park. Kyle Kendrick will try for his 10th win on the season, while Edwin Jackson will go for Chicago. First pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm.