Close Call, But Braves Fall 5-4 To Phillies

In the series finale between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies Sunday afternoon, the Braves come up a bit short, losing 5-4.  A seventh inning throwing error by Freddie Freeman proved the difference in the ball game.

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Trevor Cahill pitched well in defeat despite obvious trouble locating pitches down in the zone.  A two-out, three-run blast from Braves killer Ryan Howard in the first was his biggest mistake of the ball game.  The only five hits allowed by Cahill were to lefties.  Believe it or not, he has improved in each start for the Braves this season.

Andrelton Simmons hit the ball hard five times, recording two hits this afternoon.  Despite his continuing struggles defensively, Freeman had two nice opposite field doubles in the ball game.  Alberto Callaspo crushed his offering from Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon to bring the Braves within one during the top of the ninth.  Kelly Johnson hit a warning track fly ball to end the game.

The Braves weren’t bad today. Philadelphia was just a little better on the Phillie Phanatic’s 37th Birthday.  Atlanta looks forward to coming home tomorrow to take on the hated Washington Nationals.  The Nats have slipped out of the gate in the season’s first few weeks.  Let’s hope that Eric Stults pitches well against Doug Fister and that the Atlanta Braves defensive lapses stay in the Northeast.