Altherr shines in return as Phils down Braves
Coming into this season, after an impressive end to his 2015 campaign, Aaron Altherr was slated to be the starting right fielder and bat 5th in Pete Mackanin’s everyday lineup. Many fans and media members were excited to see what he could do with a full season in the everyday lineup. Altherr, unfortunately, suffered a wrist injury in spring training that required surgery and sidelined him for the first half of the season. Altherr finally made his return to the Phillies’ lineup tonight and he did not disappoint. Altherr helped lead the Phillies (47-57) to a 7-5 victory over the Braves (35-67) in which the Phils scored 6 of their 7 runs via the long ball. Altherr was a big contributor as he went 3 for 4 with his first home run of the season, 2 RBIs, and 2 runs scored.
The Phillies offense jumped all over Braves starting pitcher Matt Wisler in the first inning. A walk by Cesar Hernandez and a single by Odubel Herrera put runners on the corners with no outs and Maikel Franco coming to the plate. Franco promptly blasted his 19th homer of the season to left field to give the Phillies a 3-0 lead. The next batter, Tommy Joseph, went yard as well as he hit his 14th of the season, this one a solo homer to left that gave the Phillies a 4-0 lead. The Phillies were not done as they would get another run on an error to make it 5-0 after the top of the 1st. The Phillies added to their lead in the 5th inning when Altherr hit a two-run home run to left field that made it 7-0. The Braves would mount a comeback and give the Phillies a bit of a scare by scoring 5 unanswered runs to make it a two-run ballgame in the 9th, but it would not be enough.
Phillies starter Aaron Nola breezed through the first four innings of tonight’s game as he allowed no runs through those four innings, but the Braves got to him in the 5th inning. Nola allowed 3 runs to score in the 5th and he would not make past that inning. Thanks to the Phils’ early offensive outburst, Nola still came away with the victory despite allowing 3 runs on 8 hits and 3 walks in 5 innings of work. With the win, Nola improves to 6-9 on the season with a 4.78 ERA. Jeanmar Gomez allowed the Braves to score a run in the 9th and bring them within two, but he would hold the Phillies and close out the game, picking up his 27th save of the season in the process. Braves starter Wisler struggled through his 5 innings of work, as he allowed 7 runs (6 earned) on 7 hits and 2 walks. Wisler suffered the loss and he now sits at 4-11 on the year with a 5.16 ERA.
The Phillies and Braves will play the second of four games tomorrow night at 7:35 p.m. at Turner Field in Atlanta. Phillies starter Vince Velasquez (8-2, 3.34 ERA) is slated to take the mound for the Phils tomorrow night against Braves starter Tyrell Jenkins (0-2, 6.17 ERA). Velasquez and the Phillies will look to start a small win streak and guarantee themselves at least a series split with a victory tomorrow night.
Photo via Flickr.com
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