Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies Series Recap

by TonyAlmeyda on May 9, 2011 2:10 PM EDT in Series Previews & Recaps

It's always refreshing to take two of three from division rivals in their own backyard. The Braves won the weekend series from the Phillies and saw the major-league debut of their most prized pitching prospect. Here are some notes from this past weekend.

Julio Teheran: he made his debut Saturday and while he didn't win, he showed the Phillies and fans watching glimpses of what he's capable of. It should be real fun watching him pitch in the near future.

Jair Jurrjens: his impressive outing on Sunday lowered his ERA to 1.50. That mark is now tops in the NL, better than Halladay, Lincecum and that guy named Johnson in Florida who's supposed to be good.

Eric O'Flaherty: this guy is clutch. He entered Friday's game ahead 3-0, but with two on and no outs in the seventh inning and facing the middle of the Phillies batting order. He saved the game by striking out the side, all of them swinging and left another runner stranded on base Sunday. I believe he's the MVP of the series.

Derek Lowe: he pitched brilliantly on Friday, taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning, but only left because of a blister on his right foot.

Freddie Freeman: he had his first career three-hit game Sunday. I'm sure there will be plenty of those in the future.

Cliff Lee: he struck out 16 Braves on Friday, setting a new personal high for a single game. He allowed nine hits, four of them in a span of five pitches in the third inning of that game, leading to three runs. He is now 1-3, 6.15 ERA in five starts against the Braves. He has only walked two in his 26.1 innings against them, one of them Derek Lowe.

Kyle Kendrick: what makes the guy so hard for the Braves to beat up on? The guy reminds of Tony Saunders. Anyone remember him? In 1997, Saunders was 3-0, 1.65 ERA against the Braves, 1-6, 5.57 ERA against everyone else. Kendrick's splits aren't nearly that drastic, but it's still confusing to me as to how the Braves can pin losses on Lee and Hamels, but not Kendrick.

Bullpens: for the Braves, one run allowed in nine innings on five hits compared to four runs on nine hits in eight innings for the Phillies.

NL East standings: the Braves are now 3.5 games behind the Phillies in third place, 1.5 games behind Florida.

Mother's Day: did any of you make your mother feel extra special?

NEXT UP:

The Braves head home to start an eight-game home stand on Tuesday against Washington.

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Comments

The fact that we beat the two Phillies premier pitchers, but lost to the other one is part of what I love about baseball. Predictions can be made, but ultimately anything is possible. For the same reason, I love that there is no clock in baseball.

by BravesFaninAZ on May 9, 2011 2:25 PM EDT reply actions

+1 on the clock thing.

by Aaron Meier on May 9, 2011 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Good thing, too

otherwise we’d just be staring at it all day.

Most people use statistics the way a drunk would use a lamppost—for support, and not for illumination.
www.duwanis.com

by duwanis on May 9, 2011 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Some clocks are so big, I can’t help but stare in admiration.

This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT

by justincredubil02 on May 9, 2011 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Is there such a thing as clock envy?

"Bunting's my favorite." Fredi G

by bighop on May 9, 2011 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

it depends...

when you use the urinal in the men’s room… do you try to take a peak to the other’s guy clock to feel better about yourself…?

by Bizarros on May 9, 2011 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Only if it’s a Rolex.

by Aaron Meier on May 9, 2011 4:55 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Fun Series

Lee was awesome, but the Braves shut them out. Lowe and EOF were more awesome.

Seeing Julio was a blast, 3 runs on 4 hits is nothing for him to worry about. Take from it all he can, the crowd, the atmosphere, Jurrjens post-game attention, take it all with him and learn from the experience.

Jurrjens on Sunday night was outstanding. Throw in 3 HR’s and Gonzo’s defense, you have a series win.

Took my Mom on a Sunday drive thru the country, to a State Park 1.5 hrs away, the whole family showed up for a special buffet dinner. She mentioned being glad the Braves were playing a night game 6 times during the 5 hrs we were gone. I’m pretty sure she felt extra special.

"Bunting's my favorite." Fredi G

by bighop on May 9, 2011 2:37 PM EDT reply actions

Almost forgot

She really liked being able to check out Teheran in the Braves Annual she got for Valentine’s Day!

"Bunting's my favorite." Fredi G

by bighop on May 9, 2011 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I love the avatar! Good work, Agent Almeyda!

This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT

by justincredubil02 on May 9, 2011 2:38 PM EDT reply actions

I’ve had it for about a month now.

I'm a former CTU agent, so don't f--k with me!

by TonyAlmeyda on May 9, 2011 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I just noticed. Sorry.

This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT

by justincredubil02 on May 9, 2011 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions

You are obviously no Jack Bauer!

by dunnytwogloves on May 9, 2011 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Even Jack was fooled by Tony on more than one occasion!

This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT

by justincredubil02 on May 9, 2011 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s okay. I’ll let it slide…once.

I'm a former CTU agent, so don't f--k with me!

by TonyAlmeyda on May 9, 2011 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Apology accepted.

This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT

by justincredubil02 on May 9, 2011 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Real good series. I plan to be at the ATL vs PHI game on Sat. Go Braves! Sweep those Phillies this coming weekend.

by Sparhawk on May 9, 2011 3:41 PM EDT reply actions

do we always go to Philly on mothers day wknd?

this is the 3rd yr in a our hitters holding she pink bats in front of the low life crowd and the ugliest looking mascot in all sports so i’m just wondering is it mothers Day tradition playing in Philly?

by Brian Ahmed on May 9, 2011 4:47 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Low life crowd

Hey at least they show up at the ballpark…

"You owe it to yourself to be successful. After that you'll owe it to the IRS."

by WienerDog on May 10, 2011 8:22 AM EDT up reply actions

That's a really good picture.

That’s all I’m saying.

LIVE EDT

Tape-delayed for the West Coast

by TheLetter2 on May 9, 2011 6:12 PM EDT reply actions

knew youd say that!

see i wrote it on this here napkin as soon as the post went up

"Welcome to the show, Brandon Beachy. I think you’re going to stay a while." - Dave Cameron

by abraves257 on May 9, 2011 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Great series for the Braves...

Can’t complain with taking 2/3 from the Phillies in Philly. Can’t complain at all.

The Braves are scary good. As long as we stay relatively healthy, this can be a special season.

"Insert witty and/or funny quote here" ~ The Person Who Spoketh Said Quote.

by Jman781 on May 9, 2011 7:47 PM EDT reply actions

Who's for hitting Victorino on the wrist every time he's up at the plate?

by Undocorkscrew on May 9, 2011 7:51 PM EDT reply actions

Javier Vasquez looks just about done

I love the guy, but he’s topping out at 87-88 on his fastball, walking more than he’s striking out, and giving up hit after hit, including 5 HR so far. His fastball isn’t moving at all, and his breaking stuff is as flat as any pitcher in the game.

7 hits, 2 runs in 2.1 innings today so far with 0 K’s.

by Undocorkscrew on May 9, 2011 7:57 PM EDT reply actions

And two more runs.....

8 hits, 4 runs in 2.2 innings so far today…….

by Undocorkscrew on May 9, 2011 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Frank Wren is a sly fox.

This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT

by justincredubil02 on May 9, 2011 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Hehe… he said clutch… and no one even noticed. :-)

Great series win for the Bravos and that should keep our team confidence high. I think we’re finally seeing what our team is capable of and the beautiful thing is, there’s still room for some improvement! Love it!

by Klemson Krash on May 10, 2011 3:47 AM EDT reply actions