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Atlanta Braves Bullpen Falters, Lose to Phillies in Extras 4-0

By Jonathan Savitske

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Today’s game between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies was a classic pitchers duel between two aces, Shelby Miller of the Braves and Cole Hamels of the Phillies.

Offense was difficult to come by for both clubs today, as both starters stymied their opponents for much of the afternoon.

-= Related: Atlanta Braves: Best Double Play Duo in Baseball? =-

Both the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies loaded the bases in the top and bottom of the first inning, but were unable to capitalize on the opportunity to score.

Shelby Miller pitched 6 innings of shutout ball, allowing 7 hits and 2 walks and striking 8. As has been the theme as of late for Shelby Miller, the Atlanta Braves offense was unable to provide any run support despite a stellar start from the 24-year-old.

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The Phillies’ Cole Hamels was marginally better than Miller this afternoon, pitching 7 shutout innings himself while striking out 6 Braves.

“As has been the theme as of late for Shelby Miller, the Atlanta Braves offense was unable to provide any run support despite a stellar start from the 24-year-old.”

The Atlanta Braves bullpen entered today’s contest with a 1.99 ERA in their past 16 games — a significant improvement from a dismal month of May for the relief corps. Alas the bullpen was the Atlanta Braves undoing this afternoon, as the first run of the day ended up being charged to Nick Masset when Dana Eveland allowed Ryan Howard to hit a sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th inning. Masset earned two more runs and the loss this afternoon.

The Atlanta Braves offense could not duplicate its explosive performance from Saturday night, with the lone bright spot in the line-up being a 3 hit game from Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski. Without Freddie Freeman in the lineup, the Atlanta Braves have lacked an effective run producer, and it continues to seem as if this trend will continue for the ball-club.

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Though the Atlanta Braves were not victorious on Sunday, the club entered the game having played well over the past week, having taken 2 of 3 games from both the Nationals and Phillies. The next two series look is winnable for the Braves, as they head to Milwaukee for a 3-game series with the Brewers that begins on Monday night.

Today was the 82nd game of the 2015 campaign, the Braves are somehow still within striking distance of a post-season spot. Keep it here for all things Atlanta Braves as we enter the second half of the MLB season.

Next: Atlanta Braves Bats Erupt, Defeat Phillies 9-5

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