Phillies-Braves: Philadelphia Starters Key Series Win Over Atlanta

The Atlanta Braves media, team, and fans were absolutely giddy over Tuesday’s dramatic come-from-behind 4-3 win in the opener of the three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

An Atlanta Journal-Constitution story during the series compared the arrival of rookie sensation Jason Heyward to that of when Earvin “Magic” Johnson joined the Lakers.

Whatever.

Atlanta writers were singing a different song following Roy Halladay’s 2-0 shutout of the Braves on Wednesday, show courtesy of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

One writer pointed out that the Braves’ pitching will keep them afloat, but the holes in the batting order could sink the vessel.

He also said that counting starting pitcher Derek Lowe, the Braves started five men Thursday hitting .200 or less. They entered the game batting .227 as a team, second-worst in the National League.

The Braves are a good team. They are most likely to challenge the Phillies this season for the National League East division title.

But let’s get real: The Phillies took two out of three from the Braves and got good starting pitching in the process.

Kyle Kendrick went eight shutout innings on Tuesday, Halladay pitched a complete game, and ageless Jamie Moyer pitched six innings, giving up two unearned runs.

The injury bug continued to bite the Phillies, as they placed starter J.A. Happ on the 15-day disabled list.

Reliever J.C. Romero was activated for Thursday’s game, and Joe Blanton should make it back, hopefully for the San Francisco series or at month’s end at home against the Mets.

It was a good start to an important road trip that will take the Phillies to Arizona and San Francisco before heading home to face the Mets. The first game of the Mets series closes out April.

At 10-5 with a 1.5-game lead over Florida and a two-game lead over Atlanta, if the Phillies continue to win series at a 2-of-3 clip, that is .667 ball.

The Phillies pounded out 12 hits in Thursday’s win.

Tonight’s opener pits Cole Hamels (2-1, 3.86 ERA) and Kris Benson (0-1, 3.00) at 9:40 p.m. EST.

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