BOX SCORE
ATLANTAIn a game that defined the term wild one, the Atlanta Braves beat the Phillies, 15-13, at Turner Field on Wednesday night.
Chipper Jones won it with a two-run homer in the bottom of the 11th off Brian Sanches, who was in his third inning of work.
Frankly, the Phillies didnt deserve to win, not after blowing leads of 6-0 and 12-8.
Phillies starter Roy Halladay shockingly could not protect a six-run lead, but the Phillies were still in control of the game thanks to Carlos Ruiz seven RBIs. The Phils took a 12-8 lead into the bottom of the eighth inning, but Jose Contreras and Michael Schwimer could not hold it.
Shane Victorinos two-out hit in the ninth tied the game at 13-all.
Starting pitching report
There was concern for Halladay. He breezed through the first few innings, but began to look worn-down and fatigued in the fifth. In the fifth, his face was red and he was sweating profusely on a comfortable night in Atlanta. He allowed six runs in that inning and two more in the sixth as the Braves turned a 6-0 deficit into an 8-6 lead. Halladay allowed five singles in the fifth and a game-tying grand slam to Brian McCann.
MLB
Halladay entered the game with a 1.95 ERA and exited with a 3.40 ERA. In all, Halladay worked 5 13 innings, allowed 12 hits, no walks and struck out five.
The Phillies roughed up Atlanta starter Tommy Hanson for eight hits and four runs in 3 23 innings.
Bullpen report
Joe Savery got two important outs in relief of Halladay in the sixth and Antonio Bastardo protected a one-run lead in the seventh. The Phils led 12-8 heading into the bottom of the eighth but Contreras and Schwimer combined to allow five runs.
Sanches was in his third inning of work when Jones struck for the game-winning homer. Manager Charlie Manuel was trying to stay away from Chad Qualls, who had pitched in three of the previous four games.
Craig Kimbrel allowed a two-out, RBI single up the middle to Victorino as the Phillies tied the game in the ninth.
At the plate
The Phillies had 17 hits. Laynce Nix keyed a four-run third inning with a three-run double with two outs. Ruiz doubled in a run in the fifth then rescued the Phils from an 8-6 deficit with a three-run homer in the seventh. He added a three-run double in the eighth.
The Braves had 19 hits. McCann capped the Braves six-run fifth with a grand slam against Halladay. Jason Heywards two-run pinch-hit single off Halladay gave the Braves an 8-6 lead.
In the field
Phils shortstop Jimmy Rollins made a costly error on a possible double-play ball in the eighth. At the very least, the Phils would have gotten one out on the play. They ended up not getting any.
First baseman Ty Wigginton had a terrific first inning. He snared Michael Bourns leadoff line drive in the bottom of the inning. It was a tough play because it was hit hard and Wigginton was playing up because Bourn is a bunting threat. Had Wigginton not made the play, Bourn would have extra bases. Wigginton also skillfully started a 3-6-1 double play to get Halladay out of the first inning.
John Mayberry Jr. entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the top of the seventh and made two adventurous catches in left field in the bottom of the inning.
Up next
The Phillies and Braves close out the three-game series Thursday afternoon with Joe Blanton (2-3, 3.81) opposing righthander Randall Delgado (2-2, 6.30). First pitch is 12:10 p.m.
The Phils open a three-game series in Washington on Friday night.
Pitching matchups
Friday nightRH Kyle Kendrick (0-2, 6.59) vs. RH Stephen Strasburg (2-0, 1.13).
Saturday afternoonRH Vance Worley (2-1, 1.97) vs. LH Gio Gonzalez (2-1, 1.82).
Sunday nightLH Cole Hamels (3-1, 2.78) vs. RH Jordan Zimmerman (1-2, 1.89).
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com