Atlanta Braves, Sean Newcomb keep Phillies close, but fall in 11 innings

The Atlanta Braves looked to even up the series against the Phillies on Saturday night in Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park.

The Atlanta Braves jumped on Phillies pitcher Jerad Eickhoff for 2 quick runs in the first inning. Sean Newcomb made quick work of the Phillies in the bottom half.

Brandon Phillips got things going early with a base hit. Freddie Freeman hit a hard ground ball to second base that would have been a double play, but Cesar Hernandez made a high throw that pulled Freddy Galvis off the bag.

Tyler Flowers loaded the bases after Eickhoff hit him in the elbow. Matt Adams plated Phillips with a SAC Fly to center field, then Nick Markakis doubled home Freeman to make a 2-0 Braves lead.

With two out in the 4th, Newcomb surrendered his first hit, and run, of the night. After walking a couple, Odubel Herrera singled home a run to make it a 2-1 game.

The Braves got that run back in the 5th. After loading the bases with no one out, Tyler FLowers brought home Ender Inciarte with a SAC Fly of his own.

Unfortunately, with two bases loaded situations in the 5th, the Braves were only able to walk away with just the one run.

In the Phillie half of the 8th, a lead off triple by Hernandez got the Phillies on the board when Altherr singled him home making it a 3-2 Braves lead.

Had it not been for the defensive wizardry of veteran third-baseman, Freddie Freeman, the game would be tied.

Freddie showed great reaction on a smash to third and then proceeded to start an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play to get out of the jam.

The Braves 9th began well. Ender Inciarte and Brandon Phillips both reached with no one out. Freddie grounded into a double play of his own, but Inciarte was able to move to third.

The theme consistent for Atlanta tonight was RISP. That, and no one could score them. The Braves were an astounding 1-12 with RISP on the night.

In the Phillie 9th, Jim Johnson was able to get out number one, but an Odubell Herrera solo shot tied the game at 3.

Another blown save for JJ. His league leading 8th blown save, but you can’t put all the blame on him. Yeah, he left the ball up, but 1-12 with runners in scoring position? Not exactly an ideal offensive outburst.

It stayed 3-3 until the 11th. The Phillies loaded the bases with two outs. Rex Brothers had since come on in relief and after getting 2 outs, Ty Kelly sent a single to the gap in left-center to walk-off the Braves in 11 innings.

The Braves try to get back a game tomorrow afternoon. On the hill for the Braves will be R.A. Dickey (6-7, 4.31) and for the Phillies Vince Velasquez (2-6, 5.49).

With the loss, Atlanta falls to 48-54 in the NL East Philly moves to 37-64.

While the game may have been a bit slow in spots tonight, there were a few times in the broadcast we got a sneak peek on the events going on in Cooperstown.

Of course, this year long time Braves GM and architect of the 14 straight NL West/East Division title teams, John Schuerholtz, will be inducted into the halls of baseball’s elite.

Next: Matt Kemp moves to DL

You’ll be able to see Schuerholtz’s induction tomorrow on Fox Sports at 1:00 PM EDT. It will be shown live prior to Braves Live and the game tomorrow afternoon.