Brooms-A-Plenty At Citizens Bank Park

The Phillies did themselves one better a day after winning on a walk off home run.

Cole Hamels got the start in search of win number seven, a very crooked number considering how well he’s pitched this season. He turned in a strong showing, allowing just two runs on exactly two hits in eight strong innings.

The funny part is, both hits were to the same player. Braves’ left-fielder Evan Gattis took Hamels deep twice in the game, each one a solo shot. The latter of which tied the game at 2-2. Other than those two pitches, Hamels was masterful.

The Phillies scored two runs in the first inning again. After Cesar Hernandez was hit by a pitched and picked off, Jimmy Rollins walked.

J-roll would steal second and then score on a double by Chase Utley. Utley would then score on a single by Darin Ruf to center-field that deflected off the glove of Atlanta pitcher Paul Maholm.

The Phillies led 2-0 until each of Gattis’ home runs made it a 2-2 ballgame. Hamels would pitch the eighth inning, keeping him as the pitcher of record in the bottom of the eighth.

Ruf would lead off the eighth inning with a line drive home run to right field for his own solo shot, and a 3-2 Philadelphia advantage. Ruf finished 2-4 on the day, with two runs batted in a and a run scored.

The Phillies as a team went 2-6 with runners in scoring position and did leave seven men on base.

Either way, a sweep against the first place Braves is certainly a lift for this club, and they finished this week 4-2 after losing two of three to Washington.

The Phillies are off on Monday night before hosting the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night.

Stats Courtesy of Phillies.com

Photo Courtesy of USAToday.com