GAME THREAD: NL: ATLANTA (83-75) at PHILADELPHIA (86-72)

NL: ATLANTA at PHILADELPHIA

<div class="pre">NL AT PHILADELPHIA - PITCHING CHANGE
ATL: PETER MOYLAN (5-3, 1.82) IN THE 8TH
SITUATION: NO RUNS IN, NONE ON, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: ATLANTA 3, PHILADELPHIA 6

DUE UP FOR PHILADELPH: A ROWAND (.311, 1-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: ATLANTA at PHILADELPHIA

<div class="pre">NL AT PHILADELPHIA - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: P Moylan relieved R Ring.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: ATLANTA 3
PHILADELPHIA 6 BOTTOM, 8TH

DUE UP FOR PHILADELPHIA: A Rowand (.311, 1-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: ATLANTA at PHILADELPHIA

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
ATLANTA 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 3 8 3
PHILADELPHIA 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 6 9 1 (TOP 9)

CURRENT PITCHERS: ATL - PETER MOYLAN
PHI - J.C. ROMERO

DUE UP FOR ATLANTA: J FRANCOEUR (.291, 1-FOR-3)
A JONES (.222, 1-FOR-3)
M DIAZ (.338, 2-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: ATLANTA at PHILADELPHIA

<div class="pre">ATLANTA (3) VS PHILADELPHIA (6) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS

ATLANTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
K Johnson 2b 3 0 0 0 1 1 1 .277
E Renteria ss 4 1 1 0 0 0 3 .332
C Jones 3b 4 1 1 2 0 0 0 .339
M Teixeira 1b 3 1 1 1 1 0 1 .320
B McCann c 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .270
J Francoeur rf 3 0 1 0 0 1 0 .291
A Jones cf 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .222
M Diaz lf 3 0 2 0 0 0 1 .338
J Smoltz p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .093
a-S Thorman ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .220
R Mahay p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
J Devine p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-W Harris ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .279
M Acosta p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
R Ring p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
P Moylan p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 29 3 8 3 2 2 9

a-grounded to second for J Smoltz in the 5th; b-doubled to deep right for J
Devine in the 7th.

BATTING: 2B - W Harris (20, T Gordon). HR - C Jones (29, 6th inning off K
Kendrick 1 on, 1 Out), M Teixeira (17, 6th inning off K Kendrick 0 on, 1 Out).
S - J Smoltz. RBI - C Jones 2 (102), M Teixeira (55). Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - E Renteria 2. GIDP - B McCann, M Diaz, M Teixeira. Team LOB -
5.

FIELDING: E - J Smoltz (3, throw); M Teixeira (4, ground ball); K Johnson
(14, ground ball). DP: 2 (E Renteria-M Teixeira, M Acosta-E Renteria-M
Teixeira).


PHILADELPHIA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Rollins ss 4 1 1 0 0 1 2 .295
S Victorino rf 4 1 1 0 0 1 3 .284
C Utley 2b 4 1 0 0 0 2 1 .331
R Howard 1b 4 1 1 2 0 2 0 .265
A Rowand cf 4 1 2 0 0 2 0 .312
P Burrell lf 2 1 1 2 1 1 0 .259
C Roberson pr 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .286
M Bourn lf 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .274
G Dobbs 3b 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .274
A Nunez 3b 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .235
C Ruiz c 3 0 2 0 1 0 2 .259
K Kendrick p 2 0 0 0 0 2 2 .154
a-P LaForest ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .278
T Gordon p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
J Romero p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 33 6 9 4 2 13 15

a-grounded to shortstop for K Kendrick in the 6th.

BATTING: 2B - A Rowand (45, J Smoltz); C Ruiz (28, J Smoltz). HR - R Howard
(44, 1st inning off J Smoltz 1 on, 0 Out), P Burrell (30, 3rd inning off J
Smoltz 1 on, 2 Out). RBI - R Howard 2 (130), P Burrell 2 (97). 2-out RBI - P
Burrell 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - S Victorino 2, C Ruiz 1.
GIDP - P LaForest, S Victorino. Team LOB - 5.

BASERUNNING: SB - J Rollins (38, 2nd base off J Smoltz/B McCann).

FIELDING: E - C Utley (10, throw). DP: 3 (C Utley-J Rollins-R Howard 2, A
Nunez-C Utley-R Howard).


----------------------------------------------------
ATLANTA - 000 003 00 -- 3
PHILADELPHIA - 402 000 00 -- 6
----------------------------------------------------

ATLANTA ip h r er bb so hr era
J Smoltz 4 7 6 5 0 8 2 3.11
R Mahay 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 2.39
J Devine 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 1.17
M Acosta 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.38
R Ring 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.79
P Moylan 2/3 2 0 0 0 1 0 1.81

PHILADELPHIA ip h r er bb so hr era
K Kendrick 6 6 3 3 1 2 2 3.87
T Gordon 1 2 0 0 1 0 0 4.93
J Romero 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.34

WP - J Smoltz, J Devine. Pitches-strikes: J Smoltz 67-47; R Mahay 16-10; J
Devine 15-6; M Acosta 10-8; R Ring 4-3; P Moylan 17-11; K Kendrick 79-50; T
Gordon 13-8; J Romero 13-8. Ground balls-fly balls: J Smoltz 3-1; R Mahay 0-0;
J Devine 3-0; M Acosta 2-0; R Ring 0-1; P Moylan 1-0; K Kendrick 6-10; T Gordon
2-1; J Romero 3-0. Batters faced: J Smoltz 20; R Mahay 3; J Devine 4; M Acosta
3; R Ring 1; P Moylan 4; K Kendrick 24; T Gordon 5; J Romero 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Ed Rapuano. 1B--Ed Hickox. 2B--C.B. Bucknor. 3B--Joe West.

Weather: 80 degrees, cloudy. Wind: 11 mph, out to center.</div>

 

NL: ATLANTA at PHILADELPHIA

<div class="pre">NL AT PHILADELPHIA - PITCHING CHANGE
PHI: BRETT MYERS (5-7, 4.39) STARTING THE 9TH
CURRENT SCORE: ATLANTA 3, PHILADELPHIA 6

DUE UP FOR ATLANTA: J FRANCOEUR (.291, 1-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: ATLANTA at PHILADELPHIA

<div class="pre">NL AT PHILADELPHIA - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: B Myers relieved J Romero.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: ATLANTA 3
PHILADELPHIA 6 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR ATLANTA: J Francoeur (.291, 1-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: ATLANTA at PHILADELPHIA

<div class="pre">NL AT PHILADELPHIA - SCORING UPDATE
SOLO HOME RUN BY JEFF FRANCOEUR (18) TO LEFT WITH 0 OUT IN
THE 9TH OFF BRETT MYERS.
CURRENT SCORE: ATLANTA 4, PHILADELPHIA 6

DUE UP FOR ATLANTA: A JONES (.222, 1-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: ATLANTA at PHILADELPHIA

<div class="pre">NL AT PHILADELPHIA - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: Y Escobar hit for P Moylan.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, M DIAZ ON FIRST, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: ATLANTA 4
PHILADELPHIA 6 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR ATLANTA: Y Escobar (.331, 5 HR, 28 RBI)</div>

 

NL: ATLANTA at PHILADELPHIA

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
ATLANTA 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 4 10 3
PHILADELPHIA 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 x 6 9 1 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: ATL - JOHN SMOLTZ, RON MAHAY (5TH), JOEY DEVINE (6TH), MANNY ACOSTA
(7TH), ROYCE RING (8TH), PETER MOYLAN (8TH) AND BRIAN MCCANN

PHI - KYLE KENDRICK, TOM GORDON (7TH), J.C. ROMERO
(8TH), BRETT MYERS (9TH) AND CARLOS RUIZ

HOME RUNS: ATL - CHIPPER JONES (29) OFF KYLE KENDRICK IN THE 6TH, 1 ON
MARK TEIXEIRA (17) OFF KYLE KENDRICK IN THE 6TH, 0 ON
JEFF FRANCOEUR (18) OFF BRETT MYERS IN THE 9TH, 0 ON

PHI - RYAN HOWARD (44) OFF JOHN SMOLTZ IN THE 1ST, 1 ON
PAT BURRELL (30) OFF JOHN SMOLTZ IN THE 3RD, 1 ON</div>

 

NL: ATLANTA at PHILADELPHIA

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
ATLANTA 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 4 10 3
PHILADELPHIA 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 x 6 9 1 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: ATL - JOHN SMOLTZ, RON MAHAY (5TH), JOEY DEVINE (6TH), MANNY ACOSTA
(7TH), ROYCE RING (8TH), PETER MOYLAN (8TH) AND BRIAN MCCANN

PHI - KYLE KENDRICK, TOM GORDON (7TH), J.C. ROMERO
(8TH), BRETT MYERS (9TH) AND CARLOS RUIZ


WP - KYLE KENDRICK (10-4)
LP - JOHN SMOLTZ (14-8)
SAVE - BRETT MYERS (21)

HOME RUNS: ATL - CHIPPER JONES (29) OFF KYLE KENDRICK IN THE 6TH, 1 ON
MARK TEIXEIRA (17) OFF KYLE KENDRICK IN THE 6TH, 0 ON
JEFF FRANCOEUR (18) OFF BRETT MYERS IN THE 9TH, 0 ON

PHI - RYAN HOWARD (44) OFF JOHN SMOLTZ IN THE 1ST, 1 ON
PAT BURRELL (30) OFF JOHN SMOLTZ IN THE 3RD, 1 ON


TIME: 2:34 ATT: 40,589

PROBABLES: WAS - TIM REDDING (3-5, 3.53)
PHI - COLE HAMELS (14-5, 3.54)

PROBABLES: ATL - JO-JO REYES (1-2, 6.75)
HOU - MATT ALBERS (4-10, 5.88)</div>

 

NL: ATLANTA at PHILADELPHIA

<div class="pre">ATLANTA (4) VS PHILADELPHIA (6) - FINAL

ATLANTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
K Johnson 2b 4 0 0 0 1 2 2 .277
E Renteria ss 4 1 1 0 0 0 3 .332
C Jones 3b 4 1 1 2 0 0 0 .339
M Teixeira 1b 3 1 1 1 1 0 1 .320
B McCann c 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .270
J Francoeur rf 4 1 2 1 0 1 0 .292
A Jones cf 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .222
M Diaz lf 4 0 3 0 0 0 1 .340
J Smoltz p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .093
a-S Thorman ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .220
R Mahay p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
J Devine p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-W Harris ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .279
M Acosta p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
R Ring p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
P Moylan p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
c-Y Escobar ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .330

Totals 34 4 10 4 2 3 11

a-grounded to second for J Smoltz in the 5th; b-doubled to deep right for J
Devine in the 7th; c-lined out to third for P Moylan in the 9th.

BATTING: 2B - W Harris (20, T Gordon). HR - C Jones (29, 6th inning off K
Kendrick 1 on, 1 Out), M Teixeira (17, 6th inning off K Kendrick 0 on, 1 Out),
J Francoeur (18, 9th inning off B Myers 0 on, 0 Out). S - J Smoltz. RBI - C
Jones 2 (102), M Teixeira (55), J Francoeur (102). Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - K Johnson 1, E Renteria 2. GIDP - B McCann, M Diaz, M
Teixeira. Team LOB - 6.

FIELDING: E - J Smoltz (3, throw); M Teixeira (4, ground ball); K Johnson
(14, ground ball). DP: 2 (E Renteria-M Teixeira, M Acosta-E Renteria-M
Teixeira).


PHILADELPHIA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Rollins ss 4 1 1 0 0 1 2 .295
S Victorino rf 4 1 1 0 0 1 3 .284
C Utley 2b 4 1 0 0 0 2 1 .331
R Howard 1b 4 1 1 2 0 2 0 .265
A Rowand cf 4 1 2 0 0 2 0 .312
P Burrell lf 2 1 1 2 1 1 0 .259
C Roberson pr 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .286
M Bourn lf 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .274
G Dobbs 3b 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .274
A Nunez 3b 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .235
C Ruiz c 3 0 2 0 1 0 2 .259
K Kendrick p 2 0 0 0 0 2 2 .154
a-P LaForest ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .278
T Gordon p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
J Romero p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B Myers p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 33 6 9 4 2 13 15

a-grounded to shortstop for K Kendrick in the 6th.

BATTING: 2B - A Rowand (45, J Smoltz); C Ruiz (28, J Smoltz). HR - R Howard
(44, 1st inning off J Smoltz 1 on, 0 Out), P Burrell (30, 3rd inning off J
Smoltz 1 on, 2 Out). RBI - R Howard 2 (130), P Burrell 2 (97). 2-out RBI - P
Burrell 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - S Victorino 2, C Ruiz 1.
GIDP - P LaForest, S Victorino. Team LOB - 5.

BASERUNNING: SB - J Rollins (38, 2nd base off J Smoltz/B McCann).

FIELDING: E - C Utley (10, throw). DP: 3 (C Utley-J Rollins-R Howard 2, A
Nunez-C Utley-R Howard).


----------------------------------------------------
ATLANTA - 000 003 001 -- 4
PHILADELPHIA - 402 000 00x -- 6
----------------------------------------------------

ATLANTA ip h r er bb so hr era
J Smoltz (L, 14-8) 4 7 6 5 0 8 2 3.11
R Mahay 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 2.39
J Devine 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 1.17
M Acosta 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.38
R Ring 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.79
P Moylan 2/3 2 0 0 0 1 0 1.81

PHILADELPHIA ip h r er bb so hr era
K Kendrick (W, 10-4) 6 6 3 3 1 2 2 3.87
T Gordon (H, 13) 1 2 0 0 1 0 0 4.93
J Romero (H, 22) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.34
B Myers (S, 21) 1 2 1 1 0 1 1 4.45

WP - J Smoltz, J Devine. Pitches-strikes: J Smoltz 67-47; R Mahay 16-10; J
Devine 15-6; M Acosta 10-8; R Ring 4-3; P Moylan 17-11; K Kendrick 79-50; T
Gordon 13-8; J Romero 13-8; B Myers 17-12. Ground balls-fly balls: J Smoltz
3-1; R Mahay 0-0; J Devine 3-0; M Acosta 2-0; R Ring 0-1; P Moylan 1-0; K
Kendrick 6-10; T Gordon 2-1; J Romero 3-0; B Myers 1-1. Batters faced: J Smoltz
20; R Mahay 3; J Devine 4; M Acosta 3; R Ring 1; P Moylan 4; K Kendrick 24; T
Gordon 5; J Romero 3; B Myers 5.

UMPIRES: HP--Ed Rapuano. 1B--Ed Hickox. 2B--C.B. Bucknor. 3B--Joe West.

T--2:34. Att--40,589.
Weather: 80 degrees, cloudy. Wind: 11 mph, out to
center.</div>

 

NL: ATLANTA at PHILADELPHIA

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
ATLANTA 4
PHILADELPHIA 6 FINAL</div>

 

NL: ATLANTA at PHILADELPHIA

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ATLANTA (4) AT PHILADELPHIA (6) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PHILADELPHIA 1ST: J Rollins singled to center. S Victorino reached on bunt
single to pitcher, J Rollins to third, J Rollins scored, S Victorino to third
on throwing error by pitcher J Smoltz. C Utley safe at first on error by first
baseman M Teixeira, S Victorino scored. R Howard homered to right, C Utley
scored. A Rowand struck out swinging. P Burrell struck out swinging. G Dobbs
grounded out to second. (4 Runs, 3 Hits, 2 Errors) ATLANTA 0, PHILADELPHIA 4.

PHILADELPHIA 3RD: C Utley flied out to center. R Howard struck out
swinging. A Rowand doubled to deep right. P Burrell homered to left, A Rowand
scored. G Dobbs struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 0,
PHILADELPHIA 6.

ATLANTA 6TH: K Johnson struck out swinging. E Renteria reached on infield
single to third. C Jones homered to left, E Renteria scored. M Teixeira
homered to left. B McCann flied out to center. J Francoeur popped out to
second. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 3, PHILADELPHIA 6.

ATLANTA 9TH: B Myers relieved J Romero. J Francoeur homered to left.
A Jones grounded out to third. M Diaz singled to left. Y Escobar hit for
P Moylan. Y Escobar lined out to third. M Diaz to second on fielder's
indifference. K Johnson struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 4, PHILADELPHIA 6.</div>

 

Howard, Burrell propel Phillies into first-place tie

<h3>PHILADELPHIA 6, ATLANTA 4</h3>PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Finally the Philadelphia Phillies nolonger have to play catch up.


Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell each belted two-run home runs andKyle Kendrick tossed six effective innings as the Phillieseliminated the Atlanta Braves from playoff contention with a 6-4victory in the rubber game Thursday at Citizens Bank Park.

The win, coupled with New York's 3-0 loss to the St. LouisCardinals at Shea Stadium, moved the Phillies (87-72) into afirst-place tie with the Mets (87-72) in the National LeagueEast Division.


The score of the Mets game was flashed on the scoreboard to sendthe fans into a towel-waving frenzy.


Kendrick (10-4) allowed three runs on six hits with a walk andtwo strikeouts.


Tom Gordon and J.C. Romero each pitched a scoreless inningbefore Brett Myers closed out the ninth with his 21st save.

The Phillies also pulled within a half-game of the San DiegoPadres (87-71) for the NL wild card. The Padres played theBrewers later on Thursday.


Philadelphia scored four runs in the first inning off Bravesstarter John Smoltz with the help of two Atlanta errors.

After Jimmy Rollins led off with a single, Shane Victorinodropped a bunt down the third base line where Smoltz fielded it,but threw wildly past first that allowed Rollins to score thefirst run and Victorino to reach third.


Mark Teixeira then booted Chase Utley's grounder to scoreVictorino and give the Phillies a 2-0 lead. Howard then lined a2-2 pitch down the right field line over the fence for his 44thhome run to make it 4-0.


The Phillies used a two-out rally in the third to increase theiradvantage to 6-0. Aaron Rowand doubled before Burrell hit afly ball to left that just cleared the fence for his 30th homerun.


Smoltz (14-8) went just four innings and allowed six runs - five earned- on seven hits. He struck out eight batters with no walks.

The 40-year-old righthander had not allowed more than three runsin his last 10 starts, going at least six innings in eachouting.


Atlanta's offense finally came to life in the sixth inningcourtesy of back-to-back home runs. Chipper Jones hit a two-runhomer to left, his 29th of the season, before blasted a soloshot into the left-center field seats to cut the deficit to 6-3.

Jeff Francoeur deposited the first pitch he saw from Myers overthe left-field wall to cut the Phillies' edge to two runs.

Myers settled down and got the final three outs for the save.

 

NL: ATLANTA at PHILADELPHIA

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ATLANTA (4) AT PHILADELPHIA (6) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Atlanta Starting Lineups -- K Johnson 2B, E Renteria SS, C Jones 3B, M Teixeira 1B,
B McCann C, J Francoeur RF, A Jones CF, M Diaz LF, J Smoltz RHP.

Philadelphia Starting Lineups -- J Rollins SS, S Victorino RF, C Utley 2B,
R Howard 1B, A Rowand CF, P Burrell LF, G Dobbs 3B, C Ruiz C, K Kendrick RHP.

Umpires -- Ed Rapuano (HP), Ed Hickox (1B), C.B. Bucknor (2B), Joe West (3B).


Gametime Weather: 80 degrees, Cloudy, wind out to center at 11 mph.


ATLANTA 1ST: K Johnson lined out to second. E Renteria bunt grounded out
to pitcher. C Jones lined out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 0,
PHILADELPHIA 0.

PHILADELPHIA 1ST: J Rollins singled to center. S Victorino reached on bunt
single to pitcher, J Rollins to third, J Rollins scored, S Victorino to third
on throwing error by pitcher J Smoltz. C Utley safe at first on error by first
baseman M Teixeira, S Victorino scored. R Howard homered to right, C Utley
scored. A Rowand struck out swinging. P Burrell struck out swinging. G Dobbs
grounded out to second. (4 Runs, 3 Hits, 2 Errors) ATLANTA 0, PHILADELPHIA 4.

ATLANTA 2ND: M Teixeira walked. B McCann grounded into double play, second
to shortstop to first, M Teixeira out at second. J Francoeur singled to center.
A Jones flied out to left. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 0, PHILADELPHIA 4.

PHILADELPHIA 2ND: C Ruiz reached on infield single to second. K Kendrick
struck out swinging. J Rollins grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop,
C Ruiz out at second. J Rollins stole second. S Victorino grounded out to
shortstop. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 0, PHILADELPHIA 4.

ATLANTA 3RD: M Diaz singled to center. J Smoltz sacrificed to first,
M Diaz to second. K Johnson lined out to left. E Renteria lined out to right.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 0, PHILADELPHIA 4.

PHILADELPHIA 3RD: C Utley flied out to center. R Howard struck out
swinging. A Rowand doubled to deep right. P Burrell homered to left, A Rowand
scored. G Dobbs struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 0,
PHILADELPHIA 6.

ATLANTA 4TH: C Jones grounded out to second. M Teixeira flied out to
center. B McCann flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 0,
PHILADELPHIA 6.

PHILADELPHIA 4TH: C Ruiz doubled to deep right. K Kendrick struck out
swinging. J Rollins struck out swinging. C Ruiz to third on wild pitch by
J Smoltz. S Victorino struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 0,
PHILADELPHIA 6.

ATLANTA 5TH: J Francoeur struck out looking. A Jones flied out to left.
M Diaz singled to right. S Thorman hit for J Smoltz. S Thorman grounded out to
second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 0, PHILADELPHIA 6.

PHILADELPHIA 5TH: R Mahay relieved J Smoltz. C Utley struck out swinging.
R Howard struck out swinging. A Rowand struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) ATLANTA 0, PHILADELPHIA 6.

ATLANTA 6TH: K Johnson struck out swinging. E Renteria reached on infield
single to third. C Jones homered to left, E Renteria scored. M Teixeira
homered to left. B McCann flied out to center. J Francoeur popped out to
second. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 3, PHILADELPHIA 6.

PHILADELPHIA 6TH: J Devine relieved R Mahay. P Burrell walked. C Roberson
ran for P Burrell. G Dobbs grounded into fielder's choice to second, C Roberson
out at second. G Dobbs to second on wild pitch by J Devine. C Ruiz walked.
P LaForest hit for K Kendrick. P LaForest grounded into double play, shortstop to
first, C Ruiz out at second.(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 3, PHILADELPHIA 6.

ATLANTA 7TH: M Bourn in left field. A Nunez at third base. T Gordon
relieved K Kendrick. A Jones singled to deep left. M Diaz grounded into double
play, third to second to first, A Jones out at second. W Harris hit for
J Devine. W Harris doubled to deep right. K Johnson walked. E Renteria flied
out to center. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 3, PHILADELPHIA 6.

PHILADELPHIA 7TH: M Acosta relieved J Devine. J Rollins safe at first on
error by second baseman K Johnson. S Victorino grounded into double play,
pitcher to shortstop to first, J Rollins out at second. C Utley struck out
swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 1 Error) ATLANTA 3, PHILADELPHIA 6.

ATLANTA 8TH: J Romero relieved T Gordon. C Jones safe at first on throwing
error by second baseman C Utley. M Teixeira grounded into double play, second
to shortstop to first, C Jones out at second. B McCann grounded out to
shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 1 Error) ATLANTA 3, PHILADELPHIA 6.

PHILADELPHIA 8TH: R Ring relieved M Acosta. R Howard flied out to center.
P Moylan relieved R Ring. A Rowand singled to right. M Bourn reached on
infield single to shortstop, A Rowand to second. A Nunez struck out swinging.
C Ruiz grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 3,
PHILADELPHIA 6.

ATLANTA 9TH: B Myers relieved J Romero. J Francoeur homered to left.
A Jones grounded out to third. M Diaz singled to left. Y Escobar hit for
P Moylan. Y Escobar lined out to third. M Diaz to second on fielder's
indifference. K Johnson struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 4, PHILADELPHIA 6.</div>

 

Howard, Burrell propel Phillies into first-place tie

<h3>PHILADELPHIA 6, ATLANTA 4</h3>By Vince DiGregorio
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Finally, the Philadelphia Phillies nolonger have to play catch-up.


Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell each belted two-run home runs andKyle Kendrick tossed six effective innings as the Phillieseliminated the Atlanta Braves from playoff contention with a 6-4victory in the rubber game of a three-game series Thursday.

The win, coupled with New York's 3-0 loss to St. Louis at SheaStadium, moved the Phillies (87-72) into a first-place tie withthe Mets (87-72) in the National League East Division.

"We fought all year long, and all of a sudden, you look up andthe Mets start going bad and we kept chipping away, chippingaway," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "Now, we're evenwith them, but the job's not done yet."


Tom Gordon and J.C. Romero each pitched a scoreless inningbefore Brett Myers closed out the ninth with his 21st save.

The final score of the Mets' game was flashed on the scoreboardat Citizens Bank Park in the top of the ninth inning, sendingthe crowd of 40,589 into a towel-waving frenzy.


"I couldn't hear myself think, and that was great," Myers saidof the crowd's reaction. "I loved every minute of it."

Kendrick (10-4) allowed three runs and six hits with a walk andtwo strikeouts. The 23-year-old righthander began the season atClass AA Reading of the Eastern League.


"I just do what I did in Double-A - attack the strike zone,"Kendrick said. "Attack the hitters, get ahead. Just keep theball down. Change speeds."


The Phillies remained one game behind San Diego (88-71) for theNL wild card following the Padres' 9-5 win at Milwaukee.

"We believed in ourselves that we had the ability to try to makea run," Howard said. "We never counted ourselves out, whetherit was for the wild card or for the division."


Philadelphia scored four runs in the first inning off Atlantastarter John Smoltz with the help of two Atlanta errors. ThePhillies led, 1-0, after only two pitches.


After Jimmy Rollins led off with a single, Shane Victorinodropped a bunt down the third base line. Smoltz fielded it butthrew wildly past first, allowing Rollins to score and Victorinoto reach third.


"I've never been part of a game where two pitches (becomes) 1-0and man on third," Smoltz said.


Mark Teixeira then booted Chase Utley's grounder to permitVictorino to score and give the Phillies a 2-0 lead. Howardlined a 2-2 pitch down the right field line for his 44th homerun to double the advantage.


"To be able to get the lead early was huge," Howard said. "(Ihit a) slider."


The Phillies used a two-out rally in the third to make it 6-0.Aaron Rowand doubled before Burrell hit a fly ball to left thatjust cleared the wall for his 30th home run.


"Burrell's ball is not a home run, but that's just what thispark does for you," Smoltz said.


For Burrell, it was his first career homer off Smoltz. Heentered the at-bat just 2-for-26 against the righthander.

"(Smoltz) made a mistake and I finally hit it," Burrell said."That's the way, realistically, you have to look at it. Whenhe's on, he's tough. He wouldn't have an ERA under three if hewasn't."


Smoltz (14-8) lasted just four innings, yielding six runs - fiveearned - and seven hits. He struck out eight without a walk.

"Smoltzie - eight strikeouts in four innings - what are yougoing to say?" Braves manager Bobby Cox asked. "He didn'texactly have good luck."


The 40-year-old Smoltz had not allowed more than three runs inany of his previous 10 starts, going at least six innings ineach outing.


"It's been an incredible year for me personally, and I'm notgonna let this one game do anything to the progress that I'vemade," he said. "I'm excited at what I can do next year."

Atlanta's offense finally came to life in the sixth inningcourtesy of back-to-back home runs. Chipper Jones hit a two-runshot to left, his 29th of the season, before Teixeira launcheda solo blast into the left-center field seats to cut the deficitto 6-3.


Gordon wiggled out of trouble in the seventh, getting Matt Diazto ground into a double play after a leadoff single off the leftfield wall by Andruw Jones and enducing an inning-ending flyoutby Edgar Renteria with two on.


After Romero worked around an error by second baseman Utley inthe eighth, Jeff Francoeur deposited Myers' first pitch of theninth over the left field wall to draw the Braves within two.

But Myers settled down and got the final three outs for thesave.


"I struggled a little bit in the ninth, but I got the job done,"Myers said.


Atlanta has now missed the playoffs for a second consecutiveyear after winning 14 straight division titles.


"It's too bad," Cox said. "If we come in here and sweep, we'dbe two (games) behind the Mets, but we're not."