Another late burst helps Phils in 4-2 win over Atlanta

PBR - Back on the road after splitting a four-game stand with the Cubs, the Phillies were in a familiar territory at Turner Field against division-foe Atlanta. The first month of the season may not have been the exact start the team hoped to jump out to, but the season is still young.

Against the Braves on Tuesday night, Cole Hamels was called upon for the Phils as he pitched well through six innings, but it was more about the late-game heroics once again that resulted in a 4-2 Phillies' win over the Braves.

In the eighth inning, Braves left-handed reliever Jonny Venters gave up two runs, one after John Mayberry, Jr. scored on a wild pitch to give the Phils the lead again and another when Hunter Pence added an RBI single for extra measure.

Antonio Bastardo came in for Hamels in the seventh inning, tossing an inning in relief and recording a strikeout before Chad Qualls out the Atlanta bats down in the eighth. Both paved the way and held the lead for the closer Jonathon Papelbon, who notched his MLB-leading ninth save in as many opportunities after a 1-2-3 ninth.

Pence finished the night 2-for-4 with a double and run scored as Ty Wigginton also drove in two runs for the Phillies. Hamels gave up two runs on six hits and struck out six against the Braves in the no-decision.

Starting for Atlanta was Brandon Beachy, who pitched seven innings and allowed two runs on five hits.

Atlanta cut the lead in half when catcher Brian McCann laced a home run over the right field wall in the fourth immediately after the Phils' Wigginton hit a two-run single to make it 2-0 in the top half of the inning.

Later, Braves third basemen Juan Francisco scored Freddie Freeman in the sixth inning with a sacrifice fly that evened the game, 2-2.

With the win, the Phillies (12-12) climb within two games of the Braves (14-10) in the National League East, with Washington taking the early lead in the division a month in.

Tomorrow night, Roy Halladay (3-2, 1.95 ERA) looks to get back on track after a subpar outing against Chicago when he opposes Atlanta righty Tommy Hanson (3-2, 3.00 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 at Turner Field.