The Atlanta Braves saw their losing streak against the Phillies increase to eight games on Tuesday night, dropping the series opener by a score of 4-2.
Brandon Beachy made the start for Atlanta and pitched well, allowing just two runs to score on five hits. He struck out two. Cole Hamels was equally impressive for Philadelphia, going six innings and surrendering just two runs on six hits and two walks. He struck out six.
The Phillies struck first in game one of the series. In the fourth inning, Ty Wigginton singled to left to bring home two runs. The ball got under Martin Prado's glove and rolled all the way to the wall, moving Wigginton to third base. Beachy was able to get out of the jam, though, keeping the Braves in the game.
Brian McCann hit a solo home run in the fourth inning to cut the deficit to 2-1. With the bases loaded and one out in the sixth, Juan Francisco drove in a run with a deep sacrifice fly to left field.
Jonny Venters, who was yet to surrender any runs in 2012, allowed two runs to score on a couple of bloops hits. He struck out Placido Polanco with one out and runners on the corners, but the ball skipped away from McCann, allowing a run to score. Shane Victorino hit an infield single, bringing Hunter Pence to the plate. Pence squibbed a ball off the end of his bat, but because of Victorino attempting to steal, the ball rolled into right field scoring yet another run.
The Braves were unable to get anything going in the eighth or ninth innings as Jonathan Papelbon recorded his ninth save of the season.
As a team, Atlanta went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position. The Phillies went 4-for-9.
The two teams will meet again on Wednesday night. Tommy Hanson is scheduled to make the start against Roy Halladay.