The Phillies defeated the Braves by a score of 2-0 tonight to collect their first win of the 2013 season, after dropping their first two games. The Braves had roughed up the Phillies pitchers in the first two games of the series as they scored a total of 16 runs in the games, but tonight was a different story.
Cliff Lee made his first start of the season, and shutdown the Braves high-power offense from the start. Lee pitched eight innings in all, while only allowing 2 hits, and also collecting 8 strikeouts. It was a breathe of fresh air after the Phillies other aces had been roughed up in the first two games of the season. Jonathan Papelbon came on in the ninth to close out the game and notch his first save of the season.
The Phillies offense wasn't overly impressive, but managed to do just enough to squeeze out a win. Jimmy Rollins had a 2 for 4 night with a double and a walk, and continues to produce early from the second spot in the order. The man who supplanted Rollins from his usual lead off spot to start the season, Ben Revere, had a 1 for 5 night at the plate while collecting 1 RBI.
Ryan Howard, Dom Brown, Laynce Nix, and Erik Kratz each had a 1 for 4 night at the plate respectively. Kratz hit a double and scored a run, while Nix also scored a run in the contest.
Staying consistent with the first two games of the season, Chase Utley continued to produce early. Utley went 1 for 2 with a walk on the night. The veteran second baseman appears to finally be healthy, and collected his sixth RBI of the season tonight as he looks for a bounce back year.
So the Phillies were able to salvage things a little bit in Atlanta, and avoid the sweep. They now head home to Philadelphia where they will play their home opener at Citizens Bank Park tomorrow against the Kansas City Royals. Kyle Kendrick will be making his first start of the season as the Phillies seek to even their record at 2-2.
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