Philadelphia Phillies 9, Atlanta Braves 4

The Braves fell behind 4-0 in the first 2 innings as Russ Ortiz reverted back to early April form and didn't make it out of the 3rd. They rallied back to tie the game, but a Jim Thome 2 run double off of Roman Colon (1-1) gave the Phillies a lead they would only add to in the final innings.

The game included a freak home run: Charles Thomas drove a pitch to deep right center field for what looked like would be a double. Phillies centerfielder Jason Michaels got to the ball, and as it bounced off his glove toward the ground he made a desperate attempt to catch the ball a 2nd time. Instead, he hit the ball with his glove and knocked it over the wall for a home run.

Russ Ortiz, as mentioned before, didn't pitch well at all. He didn't get a decision as the Braves rallied back to briefly tie the game, but he only pitched 2 and a third innings, allowing 4 runs on 4 hits, 4 walks, and 1 strikeout. His first 2 pitches of the game were hit out of the ballpark. Mike Lieberthal added a home run in the 2nd inning. When he walked the bases loaded with one out in the 3rd Bobby Cox yanked him. Juan Cruz came on and induced a double play to get out of that jam with no damage, and he pitched a scoreless 4th. Tom Martin and Kevin Gryboski came on to hold the Phillies scoreless over the next 2 innings, before Colon came on in the 7th and allowed 2 runs for his first major league loss. Chris Reitsma allowed a solo homer in the 8th and Tim Drew allowed 2 more runs in the 9th. For the most part, not a good night for the pitchers.

Hitting Stars: Chipper Jones was 2 for 4 with a 3 run homer (his 27th). Charles Thomas was 1 for 3 with the freak home run, his 4th of the year. Rafael Furcal and Andruw Jones added 2 hits.

John Thomson will face the Expos' John Patterson at 7 o'clock tonight on TBS.