PHILADELPHIA — Two games. Two comeback victories for the Atlanta Braves.
Scott Thorman’s solo homer in the 11th inning led Atlanta to a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night.
Brian McCann’s two-run homer off closer Tom Gordon tied it at 2 in the ninth. Thorman then connected against Ryan Madson (0-2) with one out in the 11th.
In Monday’s season opener, Edgar Renteria hit a tying solo homer off starter Brett Myers in the eighth inning, and his two-run shot off Madson in the 10th gave the Braves a 5-3 win.
Macay McBride (1-0) threw one pitch, retiring Ryan Howard on a grounder to second base to leave the winning run at third in the 10th. Bob Wickman pitched a scoreless 11th for the save.
Entering the season, the Phillies’ main weakness was their bullpen. So far, the relievers have been ineffective.
Gordon had 34 saves in 39 chances and went to the All-Star game in his first season with the Phillies, but was bothered by a sore shoulder and faltered down the stretch. Jeff Francoeur started the ninth with a double to center. McCann then hit a liner into the right-field seats.
The Phillies wasted an outstanding effort by Cole Hamels, who pitched seven scoreless innings. Coming off an impressive rookie season, Hamels struggled in spring training. The left-hander allowed nine homers in only 20 2-3 innings while posting a 6.10 ERA.
But Hamels was sharp in his first outing that counted. He allowed just four hits, struck out eight and outdueled Tim Hudson on a blustery night.
Hudson had allowed just three runners — two walks and one hit batter — before Carlos Ruiz connected with two outs in the fifth inning. Ruiz, bothered by a biceps injury late last month, drove a 1-1 pitch into the left-field seats for his fourth career homer in his 71st at-bat.
The Phillies added an insurance run in the eighth on Shane Victorino’s RBI double off Mike Gonzalez. Jimmy Rollins walked with one out, stole second base and advanced to third on catcher McCann’s throwing error. Victorino followed with a liner into the left-field corner to score Rollins. He was caught trying to steal third, a costly mistake because Howard walked and Chase Utley doubled.
Howard was thrown out at the plate on a perfect relay throw from second baseman Kelly Johnson to end the eighth after Utley’s double.
Hudson gave up just one run and two hits in seven innings. The Phillies had four hits overall.
Howard, who hit three homers off Hudson in a game last September, was 0-for-2 with a walk against the veteran right-hander.
Scott Thorman’s solo homer in the 11th inning led Atlanta to a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night.
Brian McCann’s two-run homer off closer Tom Gordon tied it at 2 in the ninth. Thorman then connected against Ryan Madson (0-2) with one out in the 11th.
In Monday’s season opener, Edgar Renteria hit a tying solo homer off starter Brett Myers in the eighth inning, and his two-run shot off Madson in the 10th gave the Braves a 5-3 win.
Macay McBride (1-0) threw one pitch, retiring Ryan Howard on a grounder to second base to leave the winning run at third in the 10th. Bob Wickman pitched a scoreless 11th for the save.
Entering the season, the Phillies’ main weakness was their bullpen. So far, the relievers have been ineffective.
Gordon had 34 saves in 39 chances and went to the All-Star game in his first season with the Phillies, but was bothered by a sore shoulder and faltered down the stretch. Jeff Francoeur started the ninth with a double to center. McCann then hit a liner into the right-field seats.
The Phillies wasted an outstanding effort by Cole Hamels, who pitched seven scoreless innings. Coming off an impressive rookie season, Hamels struggled in spring training. The left-hander allowed nine homers in only 20 2-3 innings while posting a 6.10 ERA.
But Hamels was sharp in his first outing that counted. He allowed just four hits, struck out eight and outdueled Tim Hudson on a blustery night.
Hudson had allowed just three runners — two walks and one hit batter — before Carlos Ruiz connected with two outs in the fifth inning. Ruiz, bothered by a biceps injury late last month, drove a 1-1 pitch into the left-field seats for his fourth career homer in his 71st at-bat.
The Phillies added an insurance run in the eighth on Shane Victorino’s RBI double off Mike Gonzalez. Jimmy Rollins walked with one out, stole second base and advanced to third on catcher McCann’s throwing error. Victorino followed with a liner into the left-field corner to score Rollins. He was caught trying to steal third, a costly mistake because Howard walked and Chase Utley doubled.
Howard was thrown out at the plate on a perfect relay throw from second baseman Kelly Johnson to end the eighth after Utley’s double.
Hudson gave up just one run and two hits in seven innings. The Phillies had four hits overall.
Howard, who hit three homers off Hudson in a game last September, was 0-for-2 with a walk against the veteran right-hander.
