Phillies at Braves
Philadelphia opened May by doing something familiar: Beating Atlanta. The Phillies dominated their National League East rival last season, winning 12 of 18 matchups, and took the first meeting of 2012 between the two teams at Turner Field on Tuesday. Philadelphia is 45-28 against the Braves since the start of the 2008 season. The Braves have suddenly cooled after a torrid stretch in which Atlanta won 13 of 16 after a 0-4 start. Tuesday’s loss was the Braves’ second in a row and the third in fourth games.
Philadelphia turns to ace Roy Halladay in the middle game of the three-game series, but the Phillies’ offense will need to produce. Halladay has lost his past two starts – his first losing streak in a year – but has received only two runs from his offense. Atlanta counters with Tommy Hanson, who rides a two-game winning streak into the matchup.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CS Philadelphia, SportSouth (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Philadelphia RH Roy Halladay (3-2, 1.95 ERA) vs. Atlanta RH Tommy Hanson (3-2, 3.00)
Halladay has lost his past two starts, pitching well but not well enough for the Phillies’ offense to compensate. Halladay allowed two earned runs in seven innings against San Diego on April 21 and three earned runs in seven innings Friday against the Cubs. He lost both starts as Philadelphia scored one run in each start.
Hanson gave up six hits but only one earned run in his last start Friday against Pittsburgh. In his past two starts, Hanson has surrendered only three earned runs in 13 innings, striking out 12 and lowering his ERA from 3.71 to 3.00.
WALK-OFFS
1. Atlanta right fielder Jason Heyward missed his second consecutive game Tuesday with a sore right oblique, and is not expected to play Wednesday.
2. Philadelphia first baseman Jim Thome did not play Tuesday with a sore back. He injured the back Saturday.
3. The Phillies cracked the vaunted back end of the Braves’ bullpen in Tuesday’s opener, touching Jonny Venters for four hits and two runs in the eighth inning.