Friday, April 8, 2011
Posted: 10:27 p.m.Updated: April 9, 12:09 a.m.
By Jim Salisbury
CSNPhilly.com
BOX SCORE
ATLANTAYou dont assemble one of the most decorated pitching staffs in the history of the game without people noticing.
Phillies fans jumped for joy when Cliff Lee arrived in December. They saw the Big 3 turn into the Four Aces and flocked to the ticket office hoping to catch a glimpse of history.
But excited fans werent the only ones to notice the Phillies' embarrassment of pitching riches.
The Atlanta Braves, who fancy themselves as legitimate threats to end the Phillies four-year reign as National League East champions, know all about the Phils pitching staff. And if Friday night was any indication, they plan on coming after Lee, Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels and Joe Blanton.
MLB
On Friday night, the Braves got their shot at Lee.
And they made it count.
The guy on the other side, hes got some pretty good credentials and we took it to him, Atlanta pitcher Tim Hudson said after his teams 6-3 win. It was all of our guys tonight. They did their job and had some good at-bats against him.
Lee, who allowed 10 hits in just 3 13 innings, concurred with that.
I think more than anything, they just had a good day hitting, said Lee. I have to tip my hat to them. They swung the bats well and thats it.
Its going to be like this all season. Teams are going to brush their teeth, comb their hair and put on their Sunday best to try to beat the Phillies and take it to their star-studded pitching staff.
I think they should try to do that, Lee said. I hope teams are very aggressive every time I pitch.
Lee struck out 11 in seven innings in beating the Astros in his first start of the season. He had excellent control and command of the strike zonecontrol within controlin that game.
His command was not good Friday night. He threw a slew of pitches over the heart of the plate and the Braves unloaded time and time again.
My location wasnt as good as it needs to be, Lee said. I elevated the ball some. I wish I could go out and pitch against them again right now. Next time, I have to mix my pitches better and keep the ball down.
The big blow against Lee came off the bat of Chipper Jones, who smashed a three-run double to centerfield to break a 3-3 tie with one out in the fourth. Phils centerfielder Shane Victorino nearly made a running catch on the warning track but the ball bounced off his glove. There was some debate whether the drive would be ruled a hit or an error. It was called a three-run double.
Atlanta never looked back after that game-breaking hit. Hudson, who allowed three runs in the first two innings, settled down and pitched into the eighth for the win.
Victorino was disappointed in himself for not catching Jones drive to center.
Im not happy, he said. Was it a routine play? No. But I want to catch every ball. I overran it a little and unfortunately it led to three runs, and we lost by that margin.
The games other big play came in the top of the fifth. Down by three runs, the Phillies loaded the bases with one out against Hudson. Up came Ryan Howard, who had entered the day tied for the National League lead with eight RBIs. Hudson fell behind Howard with a slider. He came back with another slider. Howard checked his swing and bounced the ball right back to Hudson, who started a back-breaking 1-2-3 double play.
That was a big play in the game, manager Charlie Manuel said. It looked like he fooled him. Ryan tried to hold up his swing but couldnt.
Howards double-play ball was the Phils second in as many innings. Their offense started off the night on a roll, but ground to a halt in the third inning.
The only bright spot later in the game was reliever Antonio Bastardos six strikeouts in two innings.
The Phillies and Braves play 17 more times, including Saturday when Ace No. 3, Roy Oswalt, takes the mound for the Phils.
Jones was happy with the win, especially since it came in the Braves home opener, but he wasnt about to go overboard. Its early April. This race might not be decided until September.
It was a big game for us and a lot of fun, Jones said. But its one game in a long season and weve got 17 more to go against them. If we give them the game back Saturday this wont mean all that much. If we build some momentum and keep the pressure on them and keep winning ball games against them, then were going to make some headway.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com
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