Home Sports 

Story

Prado, Braves Rough Up Hamels, Phillies

Posted: 10:40 pm EDT July 1, 2009

(Sports Network) - Martin Prado was at it again, scoring three runs and driving in two more runs after a four-RBI evening on Tuesday, as Atlanta poured it on Philadelphia, 11-1, at Turner Field.

Gregor Blanco scored twice, Chipper Jones drove in three runs, Brian McCann knocked in two and Matt Diaz hit a two-run home run for Atlanta, winners of three straight. Jair Jurrjens (6-6), who suffered from a lack of run support in June, turned over to a new month by coming within eight outs of a no- hitter.

"I wasn't thinking (of the no-hitter). I was just trying to throw strikes early in the count, make them get themselves out," said Jurrjens.

Paul Bako broke up the no-hitter with two outs in the seventh, slicing a single into right field. Jurrjens finished the frame, allowing one run on just the one hit to go along with six strikeouts and four walks.

Cole Hamels (4-5) continued a frustrating campaign, surrendering seven runs on nine hits with two walks and one strikeout over four-plus frames. Last season's World Series MVP has given up 11 earned runs over his last 8 2/3 frames.

"I feel healthy. My body feels good," said Hamels. "I haven't had any problems. It is more so just hitting my locations."

Greg Dobbs drove in the lone Phillies run with a sacrifice fly, and Jimmy Rollins is now hitless in his last 27 official at-bats. The Phillies have lost the first two games of this series and now sit just a half-game in front of fast-charging Florida in the mediocre National League East.

Hamels was hurt by the bottom of the order in the third and the two men who have suddenly found their strokes in this series -- Blanco and Prado. The pitcher Jurrjens blooped a single to right with one out, then Blanco hit a ball that deflected off Hamels' leg for an infield base hit. Prado followed with a sharp double past Dobbs in left, scoring both runners.

Jones continued the onslaught with a base hit to center, scoring Prado for the 3-0 lead. The Phillies got one back without a hit in the fourth, as Jayson Werth walked with one out, moved up two bases on a wild pickoff throw from Jurrjens and scored on Dobbs' sacrifice fly to left.

Atlanta opened the floodgates in a sixth-run fifth. Blanco and Prado were at it again with a walk and single, and Jones doubled them both home with a sinking liner into open space in left-center field. McCann then roped an RBI single to right, ending Hamels night in favor of Tyler Walker. He fared no better, giving up a two-run opposite field homer to Diaz and the first career home run for Diory Hernandez, whose shot made the score 9-1.

The Braves added two more in the eighth on run-scoring singles by pinch-hitter Yunel Escobar and McCann, respectively.

Game Notes

Jurrjens had not won since May 29th, losing his last four decisions...Hamels has not posted a victory since June 4th...Rollins is now batting .205...Hamels' ERA now sits at 4.98...Attendance: 25,212.

Images

Manny Pacquiao
GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images
Philippine boxer Manny Pacquiao becomes the first boxer in history to win seven titles in seven different weight divisions, then celebrates the victory with his band. What's next? He might run for Congress in the Philippines. View Images ››

Long Hill Team Ski Jumping, Team – Roar Ljokelsoey, Norway
ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images
Winter Olympic athletes display astonishing and bewildering aerial artistry. View Images ››


Brock Lesnar
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images
UFC heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar has gone from collegiate wrestling star to WWE standout to UFC champion. View Images ››


Zack Klein's Column

Zach Klein
Georgia and Georgia Tech at the Georgia Dome in 2011? It’s a strong possibility according to WSB-TV sports director Chuck Dowdle. Full Story ››