The Braves won their fourth-straight game on Saturday night, defeating the Phillies by a score of 2-1. It marked the fifth-straight win against their NL East foes for Atlanta, which certainly is a nice change of pace compared to previous years.
Mike Minor was brilliant yet again, working eight innings of one-run ball. His lone mistake was an elevated fastball to Chase Utley, who sent it over the center field wall. Minor struck out nine, did not walk a batter and surrendered just four hits.
Joe Blanton was nearly as good as Minor, tossing seven frames while allowing just two runs. He have up just four hits and a walk, striking out seven. This marks his second dominant start at Turner Field, with a complete game shutout coming earlier this season.
Chipper Jones drove home the first run of the game with a sacrifice fly to center field in the first. Jason Heyward drove home Michael Bourn on an infield single that was botched a bit by Chase Utley. The Braves led 2-0 until the fourth, when Utley homered for the fifth time this year.
The night truly belonged to Minor. He used his fastball early and often to get ahead of hitters, mixing in his changeup and curveball nicely to keep things fresh. Craig Kimbrel came on the ninth and struck out Utley with a 99 mph fastball to seal the deal.
The Braves will go for the series sweep on Sunday. It'll be Tim Hudson against Roy Halladay on the mound.
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