After battling back and forth for six innings, the Phillies broke through with five runs in the seventh in route to a 10-2 win over the Braves.
The Phillies started the scoring in the first with a RBI single by Ben Francisco. The Braves took the lead in the third on RBI singles by Freddie Freeman and Martin Prado. But the Phillies answered back in the fourth on a two-run home run by Brian Schneider to give them a one-run lead.
The Braves wasted opportunities in the fifth and sixth innings. Alex Gonzalez doubled in the fifth but was left. A single and two walks loaded the bases with two outs for Jason Heyward in the sixth, but he popped out.
The Phillies broke through in the seventh on a pinch-hit grand slam by Carlos Ruiz, giving them a five-run lead. A Ryan Howard RBI double in the same inning made it six runs. The Phillies tacked on two more in the eighth for a 10-2 lead.
Brandon Beachy allowed four runs on seven hits in six innings, walking two and striking out two. Beachy's strikeout stuff wasn't there, and his command was spotty at times as he allowed several hard hit balls. Three of the seven hits were for extra bases. Beachy gave up six ground balls, eight fly balls and six line drives. His final WPA sat at -.141.
George Sherrill gave up a hit and walk in relief of Beachy in the sixth without recording an out. That loaded the bases for Ruiz, who hit the grand slam off Scott Linebrink. Both Sherrill and Linebrink were charged with two runs. Cristhian Martinez allowed two runs on four hits in two innings.
Freeman recorded the lone RBI for the Braves. Gonzalez had two doubles. Brian McCann and Dan Uggla each had a walk as part of an offense that managed just six hits. Once again, the team only struck out twice, but they had just four line drives compared to 16 ground balls.
Roy Oswalt allowed two runs on five hits in six innings, walking two and striking out two. He induced 11 ground balls, six fly balls and two line drives. His final WPA of .128 was good for third best in the game. David Herndon, J.C. Romero and Danys Baez each had a scoreless inning.
Victorino went 4-5 with two doubles and one RBI. Ruiz went 2-2 with a double, homer and five RBI. Schneider picked up a homer and two RBI. Howard and Francisco added one RBI each.
For more on the series, Braves fans check out Talking Chop and Phillies fans check out The Good Phight.