2005 Topps #117 Billy Wagner

Braves 7, Phillies 3

Game 51 - Tuesday Night, June 1st in Atlanta

I had hoped to listen to this game during a long drive to New York on Tuesday night, but an hour-long rain delay cut into my listening time. I watched ESPN's broadcast of the final innings from my hotel room.

The Phils ran into bad weather, a frustrating start and Tim Hudson in Atlanta on Tuesday night, dropping their 8th in their last 10 games. On a positive note, the team's offense did show some signs of life as they collected 10 hits on the night. The Phils' 68-inning homerless draught ended in the 6th when Ryan Howard homered to right off Braves' starter Tim Hudson. And Jayson Werth broke an 0 for 21 skid with a 7th inning double.

Cole Hamels threw only 24 pitches in his rain-shortened outing, but he hung around long enough to allow a 1st inning 3-run home run to Troy Glaus. The hour-plus rain delay in the 1st was deemed too long a lay-off to allow Hamels to return to the game, so his night was over. With their long-man, Nelson Figueroa, having been designated for assignment a few days back, the Phils turned to the rest of the bullpen as everybody but Brad Lidge saw action in the game.

The Phillies actually managed to bring the tying run to the plate in the 9th. They scored a run and loaded the bases for Howard. However, it was not to be as Braves' closer Billy Wagner induced the slugger to weakly ground out to second to end the game.