The Phillies were one out away from a sweep of the Braves when things fell apart. Philadelphia led 7-3 heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, but that inning ended with the Braves celebrating an 8-7 victory on a walk-off home run by Chipper Jones.
The veteran Jones, who has said this will be his last season, provided the dramatic ending when he smacked a Jonathan Papelbon fastball deep into right-center to cap a five-run ninth.
Papelbon was brought in with one out and two runners on. He promptly struck out Lyle Overbay before walking Michael Bourn to load the bases. A soft double down the third base line by Martin Prado scored two, making it 7-5 Phillies. The runs were credited to Jeremy Horst. Jones was the next batter up and didn't wait long, ending the game on the third pitch he saw from the Phillies' closer.
Philadelphia scored five runs early and led the whole game until the walk-off home run. A pair of doubles by Ryan Howard and Erik Kratz drove in the five first-inning runs. John Mayberry Jr. led the Phillies offense, going 3-for-5 and scoring a pair of runs. Jimmy Rollins collected a pair of hits and a walk on the night.
Cole Hammels started and went six innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits while striking out six. Hammels also did his part at the plate, hitting a ground rule double to centerfield in the third inning that drove in two runs for the visitors.
Reed Johnson drove in Atlanta's first three runs while going 3-for-4 on the night.
The Phillies (64-70) now head to Cincinnati for a three-game series against the Reds beginning tomorrow at 1:10 p.m.
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