@Philabaseball
Roy Halladay collected nine strikeouts but failed to get through the fourth inning Wednesday night as the Braves trumped the Phillies at Turner Field, 9-2.
Halladay's line was historic as he became the only starting pitcher in major league history to notch nine strikeouts while failing to pitch more than 3 1/3 innings. He surrendered five runs on three walks and six hits, two of which were home runs. In total, he threw 95 pitches, 55 for strikes.
The Braves jumped ahead in the opening frame and never looked back. Justin Upton opened the scoring in the first with a two-run home run and Juan Francisco added an RBI-single later in the inning to give Atlanta a 3-0 lead.
Evan Gattis opened the fourth with a solo shot that just cleared an outstretched Domonic Brown over the left field fence to push the Braves lead to four. The homer was Gattis's first major league hit.
Chase Utley hit a two-run double in the seventh for the Phillies, but Atlanta answered with a pair in the eighth.
Jimmy Rollins and Domonic Brown each finished with a pair of hits in the losing effort.
Paul Maholm notched the win, tossing 5 2/3 scoreless innings while striking out six.
The Phillies left nine men on base and finished 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
- Patrick Gordon is the managing editor of the Philadelphia Baseball Review. Follow him on Twitter @Philabaseball or contact him at pgordon@philadelphiabaseballreview.com.
