Burnett Gets Loss #18 As Phils Fall To Braves 4-2
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Brothers B.J. and Justin Upton each homered and the Atlanta Braves held on for a 4-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday night.
Justin Upton also doubled for the Braves, who won for just the third time in 15 games and are 6-18 in a forgettable September.
Ryan Howard had three hits with a homer and two RBIs for Philadelphia.
Aaron Harang (12-12) gave up two runs and eight hits with five strikeouts and two walks in 6 2-3 innings.
Craig Kimbrel pitched out of a jam in the ninth to earn his 46th save in 50 chances.
Marlon Byrd led off with a single and Domonic Brown reached when shortstop Andrelton Simmons booted a double-play ball. Tony Gwynn's sacrifice moved the runners to second and third with one out. Kimbrel struck out Freddy Galvis before walking pinch-hitter Darin Ruf to load the bases.
Ben Revere lined out sharply to Simmons to end the game. Revere flung his helmet into foul territory after Simmons ranged to his right to make the catch.
Justin Upton doubled and scored in the second and B.J. Upton put Atlanta in front 2-0 by leading off the third with a line-drive to the opposite field for his 12th homer of the season.
Howard's solo shot to right in the second and his sixth-inning RBI single tied it at 2 before Justin Upton put Atlanta in front for good with a majestic, two-run homer to left in the seventh off A.J. Burnett (8-18). It was the 29th homer for Justin Upton, who has a career-best 102 RBIs.
It was third time this season the Upton brothers homered in the same game and the sixth time in the last two years.
Burnett became the first Phillies pitcher to record 18 losses since Hall of Famer Steve Carlton went 13-20 in 1973, allowing four runs on five hits in 6 2-3 innings. The veteran right-hander has a player option to return in 2015 at $12.75 million, though he has been ambivalent about it during a frustrating campaign.
He walked three batters, ending the season with 96 walks. Besides entering Saturday tied for the most losses in the majors, Burnett led baseball in walks.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Braves: LHP Alex Wood (left forearm strain) was scratched from his scheduled start in Sunday's season finale. Wood ends the season 11-11 with a 2.78 ERA.
Phillies: SS Jimmy Rollins missed his 18th straight game with a left hamstring strain.
UP NEXT
Braves: Atlanta will use a bullpen by committee for Sunday's season finale at 1:35 against the Phillies. Manager Fredi Gonzalez was waiting for the conclusion of Saturday's game to announce his starter.
Phillies: LHP Cole Hamels (9-8, 2.47) faces the Braves for the first time since pitching the first six innings of a combined no-hitter on Sept. 1. Hamels is 2-0 with a 0.45 ERA in three starts against Atlanta this season.
(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Check Out These Sports Stories:
