On Friday night, the Phillies learned that 16 strikeouts aren't enough to prevent a shutout loss. Despite Cliff Lee's terrific effort, Derek Lowe took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and the Braves beat the division leaders 5-0.
Braves Vs. Phillies Score: Cliff Lee Fans 16, But Derek Lowe Takes No-No Into 7th As Braves Win, 5-0
Lee was roughed up by the middle of the Braves' lineup in the third inning, when he allowed RBI doubles to Brian McCann and Dan Uggla. For the most part, though, Lee was dominant, as his 16 punch-outs were accompanied by only one walk.
Derek Lowe struck out only four, but through the first six innings he allowed just one walk and no hits at all. But after giving up a couple of hits in the seventh, putting Phillies on second and third with no outs, Lee was relieved in favor of Eric O'Flaherty, who promptly struck out the side to slam the door on the Philadelphia rally. Jonny Venters pitched a scoreless eighth inning, and Craig Kimbrel did the same in the ninth.
The Braves are now 6-0 in May, thanks in part to a stable of bats that has finally awakened. Atlanta improves to 19-15 on the season and sits 3-1/2 games behind the Phillies in the National League East. The two teams meet again Saturday night.
For more on these teams, check out Talking Chop, and The Good Phight.
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